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The weather has been nice here in Montgomery Tx. and this morning it was downright cold, about 52 degrees! We have been taking advantage and just kicking back and relaxing.
Yesterday we drove down to Rayford Crossing to see our friends Tommy and Susan. We had a nice visit with Tommy until Susan got off work, and then went out to eat. Their neighbors at the park, Steve and Mary Jane, went with us and we all had a good time chatting. Steve and Mary Jane are also full timers and they have a Tiffin motor coach like Tommy and Susan's. We ate at a place called Beto's Mexican Grill and the food was good but the company was better. We returned to Rayford and sat outside visiting with our friends until the skeeters came out.
Today we met our friends from Inks Lake, Chip and Bunky at Tailgaters for a nice lunch. While eating lunch, some Heartland friends, John and Aletha came in to eat. Ironic seeing them, because they will be at the rally tomorrow. We had a fun time with them, catching up on Inks Lake and common friends from there. Chip is helping his son rebuild a storage building at his house that was damaged in a storm a year or so ago. It's a huge undertaking for them but I'm sure that they will get it done.
We came back here to the park and while standing outside with several friends, a friend of mine from high school drove up. Donna and her husband Sonny were just driving through and stopped by to say hi. How nice of them to come by.
There are several new folks in the park and more arriving, so the rally begins tomorrow.
So long.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Monday April 3, 2017-Moving Day-Coushatta RV Resort to North Houston KOA, Montgomery Tx.
We had a terrible storm last night with lots of rain and wind, but it seemed to last ALL NIGHT LONG! I didn't get to sleep until after 3AM, but our trip today was very easy and I made it just fine.
We took our time this morning and left about 9:45. We went straight down US 165 to I-10, then west on I-10 to TX 105 which we followed to the RV park in Montgomery. We made excellent time and only stopped once at the Texas Welcome Center. It was an easy-peasy day with beautiful weather and cool temps. It was cool until we arrived here but it got hot a soon as I began to work to get set up. I was soon sweaty and sticky but it didn't take long to get everything done and we could relax.
There are 6 of us that came from Kinder and many more to arrive later in the week. We are looking forward to a good rally here.
So long.
We took our time this morning and left about 9:45. We went straight down US 165 to I-10, then west on I-10 to TX 105 which we followed to the RV park in Montgomery. We made excellent time and only stopped once at the Texas Welcome Center. It was an easy-peasy day with beautiful weather and cool temps. It was cool until we arrived here but it got hot a soon as I began to work to get set up. I was soon sweaty and sticky but it didn't take long to get everything done and we could relax.
There are 6 of us that came from Kinder and many more to arrive later in the week. We are looking forward to a good rally here.
So long.
Sunday April 2, 2017-Coushatta Casino RV Resort
Well the Louisiana is just about over and everyone seemed to have a great time. We ate at the casino a couple of times, once for the senior breakfast day on Tuesday and once again with Bill and Ornell. The group of us went to a local restaurant called Fausto's and enjoyed ourselves.
Part of our group went down to Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauces. We have been there before and because Stella's knees were bothering her, we didn't go. They also went to the Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles. Everyone said it was fabulous but we didn't get to go, again because of Stella's bad knees.
On Friday morning we had a great breakfast that was put together by one of the rally-goers and it was a huge success. The highlight of the breakfast was a fellow named Hebert (A Bear) and his wife who are from Louisiana that came over to make fresh homemade beignets (pronounced ben yea) for us. These are a cross between a donut and a fritter frequently made in Louisiana and particularly in New Orleans. they are made by deep frying dough and then covering them with powdered sugar but I am told that they equally delightful with honey. Ah yes, a diabetes doctor's nightmare!
We also had another delicious Cajun meal of gumbo made by our Chapter Leader Andy and his wife Jo and side dishes prepared by everyone else. It was another grand meal that was enjoyed by everyone. If it seems like all we do at this rally is eat, you'd be pretty accurate. It's just that Cajun food is soooo tasty and everyone seems to love it.
It was another great rally in Louisiana and we can't wait for next year. Of course, that can be said about all of the South Central Region rallies.
So long.
Part of our group went down to Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauces. We have been there before and because Stella's knees were bothering her, we didn't go. They also went to the Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles. Everyone said it was fabulous but we didn't get to go, again because of Stella's bad knees.
On Friday morning we had a great breakfast that was put together by one of the rally-goers and it was a huge success. The highlight of the breakfast was a fellow named Hebert (A Bear) and his wife who are from Louisiana that came over to make fresh homemade beignets (pronounced ben yea) for us. These are a cross between a donut and a fritter frequently made in Louisiana and particularly in New Orleans. they are made by deep frying dough and then covering them with powdered sugar but I am told that they equally delightful with honey. Ah yes, a diabetes doctor's nightmare!
We also had another delicious Cajun meal of gumbo made by our Chapter Leader Andy and his wife Jo and side dishes prepared by everyone else. It was another grand meal that was enjoyed by everyone. If it seems like all we do at this rally is eat, you'd be pretty accurate. It's just that Cajun food is soooo tasty and everyone seems to love it.
It was another great rally in Louisiana and we can't wait for next year. Of course, that can be said about all of the South Central Region rallies.
So long.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Monday March 27,2017-Moving Day-Sims residence to Coushatta RV Resort, Kinder La.
We were up on time this morning but took our time packing up. First,we hated to leave our friends Bill and Ornell, second because we only have about 100 miles to travel and third because the park has a 2:00 check in time. If you arrive too much before that time, they charge for an early arrival.
We pulled out about 10:30 and went to the local Blue Beacon Truck and Trailer Wash where we got the absolutely filthy truck and trailer washed with the Rain-X rinse to make them both look as if they were waxed. They did a really good job and it's a bargain at $56 for both.
Traffic wasn't too bad through Beaumont and we made good time. I don't think we saw any Texas State Troopers today but I did see a couple when we got into Louisiana. Certainly different from the Mission/McAllen area where they were plentiful. We drive about 62-63 MPH so the Troopers don't scare me...
Since we had such a short distance to go, we arrived before 2 but they didn't say anything about an early arrival and we were soon checked in and parked. Getting set up didn't take very long and we were sitting inside, cooling off when our friends and fellow Heartlanders David and Donna drove up and parked right next door to us. We later sat outside with them and chatted about our travels since leaving Mission, when we had spent a month or so with them.
We are looking forward to more arrivals tomorrow and the rest of the week. It should be another good time in Louisiana.
So long.
We pulled out about 10:30 and went to the local Blue Beacon Truck and Trailer Wash where we got the absolutely filthy truck and trailer washed with the Rain-X rinse to make them both look as if they were waxed. They did a really good job and it's a bargain at $56 for both.
Traffic wasn't too bad through Beaumont and we made good time. I don't think we saw any Texas State Troopers today but I did see a couple when we got into Louisiana. Certainly different from the Mission/McAllen area where they were plentiful. We drive about 62-63 MPH so the Troopers don't scare me...
Since we had such a short distance to go, we arrived before 2 but they didn't say anything about an early arrival and we were soon checked in and parked. Getting set up didn't take very long and we were sitting inside, cooling off when our friends and fellow Heartlanders David and Donna drove up and parked right next door to us. We later sat outside with them and chatted about our travels since leaving Mission, when we had spent a month or so with them.
We are looking forward to more arrivals tomorrow and the rest of the week. It should be another good time in Louisiana.
So long.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Sunday March 26, 2017-Sims residence
Our time with our friends Bill and Ornell is coming to a close for this visit. We always have such a good time spending time with them and this one was even better. We went out to eat a couple of times, the first being a small family-run Mexican restaurant called La Hacienda where we had a great breakfast. It is very similar to the ones we eat at in Mexico. The other restaurant is called the Pine Tree Lodge, where we had some great seafood. Our friends Jim and Sheila also came by to eat with us. The restaurant is located on a bayou that is full of alligators but we didn't see any on the day we visited.
We had a storm overnight on Friday with heavy rains (7" in Bill's rain gauge), high winds and some hail, but we were safe and secure inside our trailer. There was lots of standing water in the yards and street but nothing flooded.
It was nice to just sit outside on the back porch and visit. One or more of Bill and Ornell's kids dropped by to check on them, sometimes accompanied by grandkids. We had a very relaxing time here but rallies are calling.
So long.
We had a storm overnight on Friday with heavy rains (7" in Bill's rain gauge), high winds and some hail, but we were safe and secure inside our trailer. There was lots of standing water in the yards and street but nothing flooded.
It was nice to just sit outside on the back porch and visit. One or more of Bill and Ornell's kids dropped by to check on them, sometimes accompanied by grandkids. We had a very relaxing time here but rallies are calling.
So long.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Tuesday March 21-Moving Days-South Llano River Resort to Sims residence, Port Arthur Tx
We slept a bit later Tuesday morning, sleeping in until after 7AM bit we still got away about 9:30. Pretty good and I liked the extra few minutes of sack time. There was no change in the weather from yesterday but we had much more traffic when we neared San Antonio. There was a question of how to navigate San Antonio; I wanted to stay on I-10 through town but the Garmin, I Pad, Google maps and Stella ganged up on me and we took Loop 1604. I don't like the short stretch of the loop near the old air base, where you have to navigate lots of traffic and some traffic lights. It seems absurd to me for a major loop around a large city has to be controlled by traffic devices...
We made good time and arrived at the Houston West KOA in Brookshire about 2:30. We met our delightful neighbors, Van and Pat, who invited us over for some wine and chat, so we went over and stayed for a couple of hours. Van designed robotics and worked for NASA at one time. He went to work for a private company after and told us a story of an aircraft that had gone down in the ocean in what was believed to be about 6.000 feet of water. The Discovery channel wanted to recover the aircraft for a television documentary and approached his company to design and build a robotic submarine to perform the recovery. They agreed on a price and the unit was built and delivered. When it arrived on site, it was discovered that the depth of the water was 10,000 feet instead of 6,000 and when the recovery was tried, the extreme depth was more than it could handle and it failed. They again approached the company to build another recovery vehicle. This time they wanted to lease the vehicle for the recovery of the aircraft, but the company responded that this would be satisfactory and that they wanted to buy the original underwater vehicle back at the original price. Of course, that was met with approval, so the unit was built, taken out and the aircraft was recovered. The Discovery channel had their documentary, the aircraft and then the company recovered the original underwater craft, which was virtually undamaged, so they could sell it and make plenty of profit.
We had a nice visit with them and perhaps we'll meet up with them again. They are from the Breaux Bridge Louisiana area and we occasionally go to the area, so it's possible.
Wednesday morning we again slept in but we don't have nearly as far to drive today. We didn't leave until after 10 but we breezed through Houston with only minor slowdowns along the way. We got to Bill's house about 12:30 and were soon backed into his driveway to "moochdock" for a few days. I stole this term from our friend Howard Payne (RV-Dreams.com).
We sat outside chatting with Bill for awhile after getting set up and I came in to write this and relax for a bit. It should be a good time here and we're looking forward to it.
So long.
We made good time and arrived at the Houston West KOA in Brookshire about 2:30. We met our delightful neighbors, Van and Pat, who invited us over for some wine and chat, so we went over and stayed for a couple of hours. Van designed robotics and worked for NASA at one time. He went to work for a private company after and told us a story of an aircraft that had gone down in the ocean in what was believed to be about 6.000 feet of water. The Discovery channel wanted to recover the aircraft for a television documentary and approached his company to design and build a robotic submarine to perform the recovery. They agreed on a price and the unit was built and delivered. When it arrived on site, it was discovered that the depth of the water was 10,000 feet instead of 6,000 and when the recovery was tried, the extreme depth was more than it could handle and it failed. They again approached the company to build another recovery vehicle. This time they wanted to lease the vehicle for the recovery of the aircraft, but the company responded that this would be satisfactory and that they wanted to buy the original underwater vehicle back at the original price. Of course, that was met with approval, so the unit was built, taken out and the aircraft was recovered. The Discovery channel had their documentary, the aircraft and then the company recovered the original underwater craft, which was virtually undamaged, so they could sell it and make plenty of profit.
We had a nice visit with them and perhaps we'll meet up with them again. They are from the Breaux Bridge Louisiana area and we occasionally go to the area, so it's possible.
Wednesday morning we again slept in but we don't have nearly as far to drive today. We didn't leave until after 10 but we breezed through Houston with only minor slowdowns along the way. We got to Bill's house about 12:30 and were soon backed into his driveway to "moochdock" for a few days. I stole this term from our friend Howard Payne (RV-Dreams.com).
We sat outside chatting with Bill for awhile after getting set up and I came in to write this and relax for a bit. It should be a good time here and we're looking forward to it.
So long.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Monday March 20, 2017-Moving Day-Lost Alaskan RV Park to South Llano River RV Park, Junction Tx
After another great West Texas chapter rally ended in Alpine, it was time to move on to the next location. We were up and moving about 7 this morning for the approximately 260 mile drive. We watched many of our friends as they pulled out for their next destination, including our travel buddies Nancy and Dave. They are going home to Terrell and we are heading in another direction to the next rally in Kinder La. We will miss them but will see them in a few weeks at another rally.
It was a spectacular day for traveling, cool this morning with blue skies and few clouds in the sky and warming into the low 80's later in the day. We didn't have much traffic and made good time, pulling into this park a little after 2. It is our first time to come to this park and it appears to be very new, with large piles of materiel all over the place. On their park map, they show lots of new sites, some of which are up but unoccupied at this time. There is a nice view of the Llano river and a nice bridge over the river in the background. The office closes from 12-3PM but they had thoughtfully left a packet out for us, since we had reservations. We found our site quickly and were all set up in just minutes. This is going to be a nice park in the future, when they get a few things straightened out. Many good size rocks are scattered about, making walks rather difficult and there is nothing pretty here, but all that will change soon I guess. It is your typical RV park with spotty WIFI but this too can be fixed pretty easily. I'd come back for an overnight stay.
We've changed our plans a little bit and will go to our scheduled stop in Brookshire tomorrow but then we'll go to Bill and Ornell's house for few days to visit our friends.
So long.
It was a spectacular day for traveling, cool this morning with blue skies and few clouds in the sky and warming into the low 80's later in the day. We didn't have much traffic and made good time, pulling into this park a little after 2. It is our first time to come to this park and it appears to be very new, with large piles of materiel all over the place. On their park map, they show lots of new sites, some of which are up but unoccupied at this time. There is a nice view of the Llano river and a nice bridge over the river in the background. The office closes from 12-3PM but they had thoughtfully left a packet out for us, since we had reservations. We found our site quickly and were all set up in just minutes. This is going to be a nice park in the future, when they get a few things straightened out. Many good size rocks are scattered about, making walks rather difficult and there is nothing pretty here, but all that will change soon I guess. It is your typical RV park with spotty WIFI but this too can be fixed pretty easily. I'd come back for an overnight stay.
We've changed our plans a little bit and will go to our scheduled stop in Brookshire tomorrow but then we'll go to Bill and Ornell's house for few days to visit our friends.
So long.
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