Wednesday August 31, 016-Moving Day-Sandy Creek Campground to Center RV Park

To catch up with the events of this week, we had lots of fun with our old friends. We fixed a large breakfast Saturday morning, and ate out at the Cedar Tree restaurant in Jasper on Sunday evening and had a great time. It was just a good old relaxing time and although the weather didn't cooperate very well, storming several nights, no damage as done to any one's equipment. 

We did catch up with another old friend, Mr. Don Taylor, who is building a home in nearby Spurger. We met him and his wife Tuesday and went back to the Cedar Tree for an extended lunch. It was good to catch up with him and chat about old times. He was my City Manager in Dickinson for several years and went on to serve other cities before retiring. We had a very nice visit with Don, departing with hugs and handshakes and hopes of being able to get together again.

Andy and Joanna had to leave on Sunday so they could go to work (ugh) on Monday. Jim and Sheila left on Tuesday because they have a job on Wednesday and wanted to get cleaned up before going. Actually, we ran into them as they were leaving and we were returning from our lunch, so we were able to tell them so long.

The remaining three couples just spent the remainder of our time hanging out and telling stories, laughing and having  good time. Old friends make the best companions! Hope we can do this again some time.

Moving up to today, David and Susan had pretty much loaded up last night, so they pulled out early, but we were still drinking coffee and chatting with Bill and Ornell. We waited until about 9:30 or so to pull out and after a stop at the dump station, we were on our way to Center. It was only about 65 miles, and we made good time. We got here about 11 or so, and although our usual site was filled, we still got close. We like site #17 because it has the Internet antenna on it and has outstanding service there. We still get good service and I'm sure we'll have a good time. Janie will be back later tonight and we'll see her tomorrow. it's gonna be another good time.

So long.

Wednesday August 24, 2016-Moving Day-Ron Hoover RV to Sandy Creek Campground, Jasper TX

We were able to sleep in for a bit at the Ron Hoover lot because we didn't have any more work to be done, so we slept until after 7am. nice...

We had all forgotten about getting both the truck and trailer inspected for the safety inspection that is required by the state in order to renew our license plates so I went over to speak to AJ about having it done. He even sent his inspector over to us in the parking lot where he knocked it out in short order and we were finally on our way.

It is only about 160 miles from Katy to Jasper, so we made good time. We only had to make two comfort tops for Stella and pulled in here about 2pm. David, Bill and Jim were already here, and we actually followed Jim into the park, which made our drive in very easy. Actually Bill and Jim had arrived just shortly before we did, so we were all hot and sweaty and just got together for a short visit before retiring to our trailers for a nap and a break, and got together later in the afternoon to visit.

 This is our site. As you can see, we are surrounded by huge pine trees giving us some good shade, something we have  not had for awhile.

We have a very nice view of the Steinhagen lake. Back in the old days, this park was called Dam B but somehow this name was dropped.

We had a big 'ol cloud come up this afternoon, cooling things off with a good rain storm. A welcome relief from the heat!

I saw this little fellow swimming by this morning. I am told that he come by in the morning and goes back across in the evening. I'm not much of a gator guy but he looks to be about 8 feet long. I don't plan to find out.

I'll have more soon.

So long.

Monday August 22, 2016-Moving day-Marina Bay/Lake Cove RV Resort to Ron Hoover RV, Katy TX

Finally, the day I have been waiting for...moving day from Lake Cove Resort. This is not a bad place, very picturesque and well-kept, but it bugs me when a park claims and advertises about their Internet service and doesn't deliver. In all fairness, when I complained, the had their Internet "guru" check it out and he determined that we are in a dead spot. They told us we could move to a better location, but the site was short and backed up to the pool and we weren't interested in moving. It is just as much trouble to move out as it is to change sites. We must put everything away either way, so why move to another unknown site. If we still didn't get good service, they would shrug their shoulders like, "sorry about that". to me, they should do whatever they need to do to get good service to all the sites. That would be a solution!

We had made arrangements with AJ, one of the service managers, telling him what we needed done and getting him to order the parts so we can get in and out in only one day, so today we were under no deadline to get going and it was a good thing! I am very out of shape for dealing with the heat and getting things hooked up and ready to go, so I was very slow today. We didn't get away until after 11am and almost immediately ran into a heavy rain shower which slowed us even more. Traffic backed up, so we just slowed down and took our time and arrived here about 1:30pm. AJ was waiting for us and took down some information and information on a couple of items that weren't on the original work order. He said that if we wished, they could get started this afternoon, so we dropped the trailer and took off. We went to get something to eat and just piddled around until about 4:30 when they were supposed to be through for the day today. They were just bringing the trailer out to our overnight parking space when we drove up. We took over and got it all leveled and set up, but man it was HOT! 

We had an issue as soon as we got hooked up. This is a brand new store and I believe that we are the first ones to use the site that we are on. When I plugged in to the 50 amp electrical service box we found that the air conditioners would only come on with the fan, no a/c compressor, run for a few seconds and cut off. While I had been outside working, Stella tried to get the electric working but couldn't, so when she told me about it, I tried the other electric pedestal and it worked fine. Great new! the air conditioners are both working. It didn't take long for them to cool the trailer down, so we are set for the night.

I was told that they will come get the trailer early in the morning and we hope to have everything done by tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes.

So long.

Sunday August 15, 2016-Marina Bay/Lake Cove RV Resort

Jennifer, Jay, Ian and Melissa came to Galveston on Friday, so the whole family (down here) got together at Kelley's Restaurant in La Marque for supper. Kim brought Ray and Tyler and Cameron and Phil brought Carol along with her parents, Clifford and Katherine and Mark and Lindsay brought their kids, Will, AJ  and 6 month old Faith. We had a total of 19 people, counting the baby, so we reserved an unused banquet room for the evening. The only one that didn't get to come was Ray's son Austin, who had to work.

They set the room up nicely for us and assigned us two waiters to take care of us.

Getting reacquainted all around. At least this was a good time for a reunion and we didn't have to go to a funeral tomorrow.

Lots of hugs and handshakes going around as folks arrived. I should have gotten a group picture, but forgot about that one.

Clifford was very interested in a picture album. I'm sure that it was one of Lindsay's family. 

I was told that Marc is faith's favorite person. Jennifer, Grandma Carol and Grandpa Phil looking on.

Tyler, Cameron and Ray, studying menus and trying to decide what to order. The meal went very well and everyone got their order, pretty much on time. 

We spent over 3 hours in the room, visiting and chatting. Of course, the three younger boys had to run off some energy after eating, but I bet they slept well. Faith is a very good baby and I don't think I heard a peep from her all night.

We didn't see any more of them until Sunday morning when they again stopped by Kelley's for breakfast. Only Cameron struggled out of bed at the ungodly hour of 11am to make it to eat with us. We had another nice time, but had no reservations and had to wait awhile to get a table, but it was worth it. It was a great weekend!

So long.

Wednesday August 10, 2016-Marina Bay/Lake Cove RV Resort

Because of my ongoing high blood pressure that I can't get a handle on, we decided to cancel our trip to Palacios to visit a park that we like a lot and to visit with some of Stella's family who live nearby. In the meantime, my B/P has straightened itself out but my sciatic nerve problem has reared it's ugly head again. The medical problems just keep comin'! I have an appointment for another shot tomorrow. Hopefully it will work...

We learned that Stella' uncle Walter had passed away in Houston over the weekend. His services were today, so we drove into southwest Houston to attend. Stella and I got to see (and for me, to meet) many of her aunts, uncles and cousins, most of whom we would not have been able to see while in Palacios, so it worked out. It was sad to see them at this time, but still good to see family.

Stella has an appointment to have her glasses ordered next week, so hoping that soon after that, we'll be able to hit the road again. We're certainly looking forward to it. Wish us luck.

So long.

Monday August 1, 2016-Marina Bay/Lake Cove RV Resort

We went to both of my doctor's office today and I got good reports from both of them. I went to Dr. Kallil, my neurologist, first and did two more tests, an EEG (Electroencephalogram) that checks for any abnormalities of the brain. Hey, at least it wasn't a straight line! And a EMG (Electromyography) which is a test of the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. The technician that gave me the tests was very nice and we bantered back and forth while she gave me the tests. 

I had an EEG done many years ago after I got hit by a car when I was 14, but since it's been 55 or so years since I've had one, I didn't remember the amount of goop they put on my head to attach the electrodes, but other than messing up my hairdo, it was painless. I didn't remember the bright light that was shined on my face, but my eyes were closed and it didn't hurt. The EMG was easy as well, but they gave me tiny shocks with a low voltage. It made my feet move and flinch, but nothing I couldn't handle. Doctor Kallil came in and stuck me with some tiny needles for the last test and then he gave me my report.

Almost everything came back normal but the MRI discovered the big problem with my leg pain and weakness. It is my sciatic nerve and a couple of slipped discs in my spine. He said that this could be handled by a cortisone shot, some pain killers, muscle relaxers and physical therapy, so it was good news. I will pick up my prescriptions and return on Wednesday for my shot and instructions on therapy. Whoopee!!

I then went for a follow up visit with Dr. Shalaby, my cardiologist. We discussed what happened on Thursday, the apparent causes and he gave me instructions on handling any future problems. I have an appointment with him in October, so I think I'm good to go. Feeling much better about the situation now...

So long.