Sunday, May 14, 2017

Sunday May 14, 2017-Bay Colony RV Park

After getting here on Wednesday-thank you again Dave and Nancy- we just took it easy on Thursday but did get in to see my Cardiologist where I got a generally good report. He gave me another prescription which should lower my blood pressure, always a good thing, and we'll see how that goes. 

Friday we went to the Ophthalmologist to see what is the matter with my right eye. They ran some tests on me and determined that I have something called Third Nerve Palsy which allows my right eye to not focus properly. This condition, long with my cataracts, make seeing clearly difficult and driving impossible. I already knew that but didn't know what it was called, so I know what the problem is. The bad thing is, it is not treatable and must run its course. Dr. Millstein did say that I need to move my cataract surgery up and we will do that next week.

Saturday was a much better day! We had not told Kim and the boys that we had returned, so we cooked up  scheme to meet them when they went our for Mothers Day. We included Tyler because he could keep a secret and it went off very well. We met them at the Topwater Grill in San Leon and took her completely by surprise. She said that when she stepped out of the car, she thought she saw her Mom but thought that she had talked to her earlier this morning from Arkansas. She had no idea that we were returning. We had a great time visiting with them and I ran into Charles Totty, a guy that I worked with early in my career in La Marque.

This morning, I told Stella that I would take her to one of her favorites, Kelly's Country Cookin' for breakfast. Cameron couldn't make it because he had plans with his girlfriend but we had a great meal and good conversation with them. We're looking forward to more good times with many friends and family while down here getting me repaired.

It is very hard for me to write this, so there may be some times when you don't hear too much from me until this eye thing gets fixed, but please bear with me.

So long,

Wednesday May 10, 2017-Moving Days-Mountain View Arkansas to Dickinson Texas

This post will actually begin on Monday May 8th, the day before we left Mountain View. We made preparations for leaving tomorrow, one of which was buying fuel for our truck as well as Dave's. Remember, he's taking our trailer to Dickinson for us. As usual I waited and waited for Stella to get ready and finally went to start the truck and cool it down a bit before leaving. Dave and Nancy drove and got a shocked look on their faces with me sitting in the drivers seat. I said (jokingly) that I thought I could drive but he said "no way, man. Of course I was kidding but my old habits of coming out and starting up had kicked in. Stella then came out and made it official, kicking me out of the seat. 

Tuesday morning we were up and working pretty early and Stella walked out of the trailer, ready to go at exactly at 9 am! We were soon on the road back to Texas. There was little traffic on the road and really, the only traffic we hit was on a loop around Little Rock Arkansas but it wasn't too bad. We pulled into the Motel 6 in Marshal Tx. about 3:30 and were soon checked in and relaxing in our rooms. The motel allowed parking for the trailer on their parking lot, saving us some money on an RV park for the night. It may have not been that much of a savings because the battery in the trailer ran down over night, making the refrigerator die and we don't know how much food was ruined yet.

Dave chose a restaurant called Cafe Italia in Marshal and it was a great choice. The waiter was excellent and the food was wonderful. Great choice Dave!

Friday morning, we found that the beds in both rooms had been lacking so we were all up early and packing up the few belongings that we had brought along and were on the road a little after 8. We had decided to push on without taking time to eat breakfast and I'm glad we did. We made great time through Houston with almost no traffic on the Beltway. The Highway Department had finally finished the road work on I-45 at the Beltway, eliminating a huge bottleneck that has existed there since the last century! Well it seems like it! Now it's a breeze to merge onto I-45 southbound and before you knew it, we were exiting for FM 517 in Dickinson.

After checking in, we soon had to turn down the first site that we had been assigned because it was not long enough to hold out trailer and park the truck, so we moved into a back-in site. It didn't take long to get set up and we are home for awhile. 

We will miss our friends at the Missouri chapter rally and the huge International rally in Goshen, but there will be more in the future and we'll be there!

So long.

Sunday May 7, 2017-Ozark RV Park

I got behind again due to some medical issues that I have developed in the last few days but will try to get caught up. 

I left off with last Friday which was the 28th of April. We didn't do too much except to go to The Angler Restaurant for supper. 

On Saturday the 29th Dave and Nancy and us drove over to the small town of Calico Rock where we ate at one of our favorites in Arkansas, The Printing Press Cafe.

Sunday the 30th it rained - a lot - and we didn't do much of anything. We did take a drive a drive down Arkansas Hwy. 9 North to see the high water at the Angler Restaurant where  we had eaten a couple of days ago. The water was up to the dining and picnic area and we had seen prior pictures of water up to the bridge over the White River. Our friends should start coming in soon, and things should pick up. 

Monday May 1st, our friends Mike and Peg arrived and Stella and Nancy  fixed a delicious supper for all of us. Stella made some beans in her new Instant Pot along with cornbread and Nancy made some good beef ribs in her Traeger grill. 

Tuesday the park has a potluck dinner that we all went to. As usual, the potluck was very good but just as we were finishing up, a group of the "park people" began putting up the tables and chairs. I know that has to be done, but it would have been nice to be able to visit a bit before putting everything away.

On Wednesday, Mike and Peg did some of their jalapeno poppers but I started feeling bad and suffered from double vision, probably from my cataracts. Stella brought me a few poppers but they would have been better while fresh but they were still good.

It had started to rain on Wednesday and it continued to Thursday so we didn't do too much. Some more folks arrived for the rally. Paul and his wife Mona and David and Brenda, who are all from Arkansas and were soon good friends. Paul and Mona had been at our Regional rally in Branson last year and it was good to see them again.I was still suffering from my vision ailment and didn't get to visit too much. About 6 that afternoon the power went out and stayed off all night until about 3am. It has been getting cold at night and we were glad to now our furnace worked without outside power.

Friday morning was the first day of rally activities. We had coffee and donuts for breakfast and 5 of us, Mike & Peg, Dave and Nancy and us went back to Calico Rock and the Printing Press cafe where they were celebrating their 2nd anniversary with free ice cream! Dave had to drive us over because of my double vision problem but he didn't mind. The chicken salad they serve is delicious and we all enjoyed our meals and the ice cream desserts but had to hurry back to the park for the Meet and Greet. By that time, more new friends had arrived, Jeff and Angela, a young couple that are in the service, Tom and Fay, all of them from Arkansas and Don & Joyce and Larry & Gayle, all from Missouri, so along with Billy and Janice, Chapter Leaders, that is our group for the Arkansas rally. We had started with fourteen and actually ended up with nine couples. I've got to tell you about how proud I was of them. We were sitting outside and chatting when we heard the rodeo that is being held across the street at the County Fairgrounds starting up. Someone began singing the Star Spangled Banner and everyone in our group immediately jumped up and saluted!! No one had said a word, and everyone was standing. It sure made me feel good.

Saturday morning began with a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits and a choice of sausage or chocolate gravy (yes it was good!) bacon and sausage. The club furnished the ingredients and several of us furnished the labor to cook. Great! That afternoon we were serenaded by a local group called Sibling Rivalry. This is a singing/playing group of three sisters and their brother, ages 12-16 who sing both old folk songs and modern country. They were very entertaining and if you're ever in the area, try to find one of their performances. You'll be amazed!

This morning, Sunday. we went over to the Iron Skillet restaurant,  located near the Arkansas Folk Center for their good home-style buffet lunch. After lunch, Dave wanted to drive over to Melbourne AR to check out the Cooper's Hawk golf course that he wants to play tomorrow. It's about 30 miles and a very scenic drive and we enjoyed the twisting/turning roads.

I've gotta let you know that I have decided to cut our travels short at this time. I cannot function with this vision issue and have decided to go back home to see my own doctors. I will be able to see all three docs, Diabetes, Cardiologist and of course my Ophthalmologist to take care of my eyes. Dave and Nancy have agreed to pull our trailer, leaving their trailer here in Arkansas,  and Stella will drive us back. Wish me luck...LOL

So long.