Vinton, TX
Here we sit. Back in Leonard's hometown.
I started weeks ago attempting to make reservations at one of the nicer parks in this town and Sulphur a few miles up the road. However, there are expansions going on at several refineries in the area. Every park I called gave me the same answer. No sites available. One large park that recently expanded said they would put us on the waiting list. I asked how many before us - 40!
So, here we are. We've stayed at this park many times over the years. It is nothing but a dirt parking lot with hookups. The price is right. $350. a month for 50 amp. Not worth more than that. Our view is the traffic of I-10 zipping pass. It's only a month I tell myself.
I've spent today planning more plans for our trip to Disney World in June. I had reserved for 6 nights at Fort Wilderness and 5 day Park Hopper passes back in September. We are taking two granddaughters and a great-niece. Today I reserved for lunch one day at Be Our Guest restaurant. Then the night before we leave WDW a dinner and show at the campground called Hoop De Doo. The rest of the meals will either be in the rig and we take into the park.
After our 6 days of Fort Wilderness we go a short distance to another park near Legoland. Granddaughter Abby is excited about WDW, but Charlotte is about Legoland.
Okay - getting off here and getting Leonard started grilling some chicken for dinner. I made macaroni salad and we have corn on the cob to grill too. I will probably be disappointed in the corn. I usually am. No corn anywhere is as good as the Silver Queen we get back in Jersey.
Here is hoping each of you are enjoying Springlike weather and safe travels.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Project done... Back in Louisiana
Vinton, LA
We finished our three weeks volunteering in Decker United Methodist Church on Thursday.
While there we build a new handicap ramp
Dismantled an old play scape
Our co-workers repainted the existing handicap ramp:
Did lots of minor repairs, including the changing out of a toilet seat
On Friday morning we left the Austin area for Houston and parked in the yard of fellow NOMADS Olan and Lola Halbert
These generous folks provide us a site to park when in the area so we can visit with daughter D'Juana and her family. On Saturday we drove down to Pearland where they live for a days visit. Once again, Son-in-law Joe grilled some of the best steaks we've ever tasted.
On Sunday morning we hooked up and drove to Len's hometown of Vinton, LA where we are settled for the next few weeks visiting family and friends. And a well needed rest.
We finished our three weeks volunteering in Decker United Methodist Church on Thursday.
While there we build a new handicap ramp
Dismantled an old play scape
Our co-workers repainted the existing handicap ramp:
Did lots of minor repairs, including the changing out of a toilet seat
And a bit of landscaping
On Friday morning we left the Austin area for Houston and parked in the yard of fellow NOMADS Olan and Lola Halbert
These generous folks provide us a site to park when in the area so we can visit with daughter D'Juana and her family. On Saturday we drove down to Pearland where they live for a days visit. Once again, Son-in-law Joe grilled some of the best steaks we've ever tasted.
On Sunday morning we hooked up and drove to Len's hometown of Vinton, LA where we are settled for the next few weeks visiting family and friends. And a well needed rest.
Friday, April 10, 2015
We went for a drive and look what we visited......
Austin, TX
We've completed our second week of work here at Decker UMC. Today we decided to go for a drive. Not knowing where to go Len pointed the truck east while I looked at a map. EUREKA! I know just the place to visit.
So from the Austin area we drove over to College Station, TX home of Texas A&M and the
We've been to the Eisenhower Library and the Clinton Library. By far this was our favorite. It tells the story of George H W Bush and his wife Barbara.
Several years ago at the annual conference of Society for Human Resource Management, Barbara Bush was one of our featured speakers. She was so down-to-earth and funny as she relayed tales of their time in the White House. And of course she was wearing her pearls.
I've been seeing interviews this past week with an author of a recent book about the Presidential families. Her source was several past and one present personal staff who served the President and his families in their private quarters. She relates that George and Barbara were most everyone's favorite. They would invite the staff to eat meals with them. George would find a staff member to play horseshoes with him. They treated them all as equals and part of the family.
While living in the White House the Bushes would go to Camp David for Christmas instead of their home in Maine. By doing so, this allowed most of the staff and secret service to spend Christmas with their own families.
This was his Presidential limo:
The bullet proof windows are as thick as a phone book. The tires are bullet proof. There is a separate, backup air system in the car.
This is a picture that was taken in the Presidents oval office. The President needed some important advice on policy and asked this gentleman to call him privately from the Presidential phone.
On display is a section of the Berlin Wall. Look at the contrast. On the wall facing West Berlin are written slogans and messages.
The side facing East Berlin is barren and bleak, just like the town it faced.
A replica of the situation room where many hard decisions were made.
There is a theater room that shows a short history of the Presidency of George H W Bush every half hour. Well worth seeing.
Businessman, dedicated family man, Ambassador to China, Head of the CIA, Vice-President, President and generous benefactor to many charities, George H W Bush is a national treasure.
We've completed our second week of work here at Decker UMC. Today we decided to go for a drive. Not knowing where to go Len pointed the truck east while I looked at a map. EUREKA! I know just the place to visit.
So from the Austin area we drove over to College Station, TX home of Texas A&M and the
We've been to the Eisenhower Library and the Clinton Library. By far this was our favorite. It tells the story of George H W Bush and his wife Barbara.
Several years ago at the annual conference of Society for Human Resource Management, Barbara Bush was one of our featured speakers. She was so down-to-earth and funny as she relayed tales of their time in the White House. And of course she was wearing her pearls.
I've been seeing interviews this past week with an author of a recent book about the Presidential families. Her source was several past and one present personal staff who served the President and his families in their private quarters. She relates that George and Barbara were most everyone's favorite. They would invite the staff to eat meals with them. George would find a staff member to play horseshoes with him. They treated them all as equals and part of the family.
While living in the White House the Bushes would go to Camp David for Christmas instead of their home in Maine. By doing so, this allowed most of the staff and secret service to spend Christmas with their own families.
This was his Presidential limo:
The bullet proof windows are as thick as a phone book. The tires are bullet proof. There is a separate, backup air system in the car.
This is a picture that was taken in the Presidents oval office. The President needed some important advice on policy and asked this gentleman to call him privately from the Presidential phone.
On display is a section of the Berlin Wall. Look at the contrast. On the wall facing West Berlin are written slogans and messages.
The side facing East Berlin is barren and bleak, just like the town it faced.
A replica of the situation room where many hard decisions were made.
There is a theater room that shows a short history of the Presidency of George H W Bush every half hour. Well worth seeing.
Businessman, dedicated family man, Ambassador to China, Head of the CIA, Vice-President, President and generous benefactor to many charities, George H W Bush is a national treasure.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
To LBJ on our day off.
Austin, TX
Having three days off after 4 days of work, we invited our co-workers Andrew and Joanne to come sight seeing with us.
It was a pleasant day to tour the LBJ Ranch. Not too hot, not too cold. We have been there twice but this was Joanne and Andrews first visit. There is always something new to see. We had never toured the "Texas White House" before. Unfortunately no picture talking permitted inside
The Ranch is about 70 miles from Decker UMC. We are on the far east side of town, the route took us west through the city. The State Capital
Reconstructed home in which Johnson was born. Filled with original furnishings.
Final resting place in the family cemetery:
Traffic jam on the ranch
This beauty asked to come home with me. I was tempted but too many Rangers around and she kept wiggling under my shirt.
Another beauty. The President loved this car and enjoyed taking visitors a tour of the Ranch.
The ranch has a landing strip but it is not big enough for the usual Presidential aircraft. So this is what he called Air Force One Half.
After our tour of the house, we drove back to Johnson City and stopped for lunch at a quaint cafe where we had eaten in the past. Just as good as we remember.
Wishing each of you a Blessed Easter.
Having three days off after 4 days of work, we invited our co-workers Andrew and Joanne to come sight seeing with us.
It was a pleasant day to tour the LBJ Ranch. Not too hot, not too cold. We have been there twice but this was Joanne and Andrews first visit. There is always something new to see. We had never toured the "Texas White House" before. Unfortunately no picture talking permitted inside
The Ranch is about 70 miles from Decker UMC. We are on the far east side of town, the route took us west through the city. The State Capital
Entrance:
Reconstructed home in which Johnson was born. Filled with original furnishings.
Final resting place in the family cemetery:
Traffic jam on the ranch
This beauty asked to come home with me. I was tempted but too many Rangers around and she kept wiggling under my shirt.
Another beauty. The President loved this car and enjoyed taking visitors a tour of the Ranch.
The ranch has a landing strip but it is not big enough for the usual Presidential aircraft. So this is what he called Air Force One Half.
After our tour of the house, we drove back to Johnson City and stopped for lunch at a quaint cafe where we had eaten in the past. Just as good as we remember.
Wishing each of you a Blessed Easter.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Seguin to Austin
Austin TX
Isn't it great to be able to travel full time in an RV and catch up with people you know all over the country?
In a previous blog I wrote about having dinners with Glenn and Janie who we knew from back in NJ.
Wednesday night we caught up with my 2nd cousin Amy and her daughter Jess and children Jaydon and Ariel.
Following dinner at Chili's Amy invited us back to her home to visit.
I also wrote about Sharon who is a good friend of my daughter Terri. Sharon, Annie and Marsha tell us they love having us visit. No more than we love visiting with them.
Thursday night they made steaks, baked potatoes, salad and put out lots of preserves and salsas they canned from their gardens. (The cucumber, squash bread and butter pickles are the die for. Thank you Sharon for giving us a jar.) They invited friends and neighbors to join us.
Their neighbor Chris took us on a tour of his pastures and to see his ponds. He invited Len back to do some fishing. That's a deal. Chris is the owner of this 1948 Model M John Deere tractor. Sharon and Marsha cleaned it up, sand blasted it, painted it and applied decals.
Pretty isn't it?
We had a fabulous evening with special people. Even their neighbors made us feel so welcome. We looked forward to a return visit.
With goodbyes and hugs we left Seguin yesterday morning for the short 80 mile drive to Decker United Methodist Church where we will be volunteering as NOMADS for the next three weeks.
The first challenge. Texas has had heavy rains in recent weeks. The ground where we are parked is saturated. Len pulled into one location and we sunk. Our F350 4x4 pulled us out leaving ruts behind.
We are narrowly parked on the only firm ground between that rut and a mud hole.
Only one other rig is joining us. They are getting set up now on higher ground back next to the parsonage. Don't know where we would have put another rig.
Tonight we are hoping for a visit from our granddaughter Tiffany, her hubby and two children.
Yea, it's nice to visit an area and doubly nice when people we know and love are there.
Isn't it great to be able to travel full time in an RV and catch up with people you know all over the country?
In a previous blog I wrote about having dinners with Glenn and Janie who we knew from back in NJ.
Wednesday night we caught up with my 2nd cousin Amy and her daughter Jess and children Jaydon and Ariel.
Following dinner at Chili's Amy invited us back to her home to visit.
I also wrote about Sharon who is a good friend of my daughter Terri. Sharon, Annie and Marsha tell us they love having us visit. No more than we love visiting with them.
Thursday night they made steaks, baked potatoes, salad and put out lots of preserves and salsas they canned from their gardens. (The cucumber, squash bread and butter pickles are the die for. Thank you Sharon for giving us a jar.) They invited friends and neighbors to join us.
Their neighbor Chris took us on a tour of his pastures and to see his ponds. He invited Len back to do some fishing. That's a deal. Chris is the owner of this 1948 Model M John Deere tractor. Sharon and Marsha cleaned it up, sand blasted it, painted it and applied decals.
Pretty isn't it?
We had a fabulous evening with special people. Even their neighbors made us feel so welcome. We looked forward to a return visit.
With goodbyes and hugs we left Seguin yesterday morning for the short 80 mile drive to Decker United Methodist Church where we will be volunteering as NOMADS for the next three weeks.
The first challenge. Texas has had heavy rains in recent weeks. The ground where we are parked is saturated. Len pulled into one location and we sunk. Our F350 4x4 pulled us out leaving ruts behind.
We are narrowly parked on the only firm ground between that rut and a mud hole.
Only one other rig is joining us. They are getting set up now on higher ground back next to the parsonage. Don't know where we would have put another rig.
Tonight we are hoping for a visit from our granddaughter Tiffany, her hubby and two children.
Yea, it's nice to visit an area and doubly nice when people we know and love are there.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Dropping by for a visit...
Seguin, TX
My daughter Terri has a life long friend, Sharon, who after serving in the Navy for 8 years, relocated here in Texas. Five years ago she put in 50 amp service and supplied water on her property for us use while visiting. It's been 5 years but here we are again.
Sharon lives on 11 acres of beautiful Texas land along with Marsha and Annie. Here is Sharon on the left and Marsha on the right. Annie has some health problems and was in bed when this was taken.
When we came here 5 years ago, we were coming up I-10 headed west and it was a MOSTLY easy drive for the 13 miles to their house. This time we were headed west. Our GPS put us on not so easy roads. About 9 miles in and on small narrow roads we came upon this.
Fortunately we were near a long driveway and Len knows what he is doing There were ditches on the both sides of the driveway.
The girls have 7 horses, 4 dogs, who knows how many cats and chickens and 4 goats. The little ones:
They have worked hard to improve the 11 acres they have been renting. The agreement they had with the owner was that eventually they would purchase the property. When they told him they were ready to buy, he not only refused to sell but upped the rent. So, they purchased the 11 acres next door.
They have been busy clearing the land, moving fences and outbuildings. Every building they built, they will move. The only exemption is the huge screened-in room they built on the back of the house.
Len burning one of the many wood piles
Our parking spot
So much work to do. We are pleased to see they have help from some neighbors. But the majority of the construction and clearing is done by Sharon and Marsha. They have abundant energy it seems. Sharon told us they will be putting in full service hook ups for a RV on the new property. So, for sure we come return.
Our visit has been a pleasure. It is heart-warming to be so welcomed.
My daughter Terri has a life long friend, Sharon, who after serving in the Navy for 8 years, relocated here in Texas. Five years ago she put in 50 amp service and supplied water on her property for us use while visiting. It's been 5 years but here we are again.
Sharon lives on 11 acres of beautiful Texas land along with Marsha and Annie. Here is Sharon on the left and Marsha on the right. Annie has some health problems and was in bed when this was taken.
When we came here 5 years ago, we were coming up I-10 headed west and it was a MOSTLY easy drive for the 13 miles to their house. This time we were headed west. Our GPS put us on not so easy roads. About 9 miles in and on small narrow roads we came upon this.
Fortunately we were near a long driveway and Len knows what he is doing There were ditches on the both sides of the driveway.
Narrow winding roads and we finally got on the dead end, bumpy gravel road leading to their house. And only 3 minutes after we told them we would arrive.
At many as 9 of these critters meet us each time we travel this back road. We know to drive slowly and watch both sides of the road.
They have worked hard to improve the 11 acres they have been renting. The agreement they had with the owner was that eventually they would purchase the property. When they told him they were ready to buy, he not only refused to sell but upped the rent. So, they purchased the 11 acres next door.
They have been busy clearing the land, moving fences and outbuildings. Every building they built, they will move. The only exemption is the huge screened-in room they built on the back of the house.
Len burning one of the many wood piles
Our parking spot
So much work to do. We are pleased to see they have help from some neighbors. But the majority of the construction and clearing is done by Sharon and Marsha. They have abundant energy it seems. Sharon told us they will be putting in full service hook ups for a RV on the new property. So, for sure we come return.
Our visit has been a pleasure. It is heart-warming to be so welcomed.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Did we make some wrong turns....
Hondo, TX
Since today looked to be mild and dry we set out for another ride. We took Rt 173 out of Hondo north thinking we would end up to Kerrville.
We were delighted to see flowering trees
and some interesting landscaping
In the town of Bandera we were so absorbed looking at the sights such as this stately building
that we missed staying on Route 173 and got on scenic Rt 16 instead.
Rt 16 was quite scenic in areas. Up, down and around.
I must have given Leonard some wrong directions because before I knew we were in North Dakota.
Seeing my mistake I shouted at Leonard TURN EAST. I think we drove too far east as we found ourselves near London at Stonehenge.
On dear, knowing this is not where we wanted to end up I told him to head south. Again, we must have missed our turn as we found ourselves in the Serengeti of Africa.
Zebras and Wildebeest aplenty
Heading north in Africa we found some Aoudad-Barbary Sheep
Knowing we should to get back to the campground before dark, we headed west once more.
Another bad turn found us on Easter Island.
After stopping for a meal at the local Chilies we managed to get back to the campground well before dark.
I always thought I had a good sense of direction. This day tells me I might need a refresher course or a better GPS.
Since today looked to be mild and dry we set out for another ride. We took Rt 173 out of Hondo north thinking we would end up to Kerrville.
We were delighted to see flowering trees
In the town of Bandera we were so absorbed looking at the sights such as this stately building
that we missed staying on Route 173 and got on scenic Rt 16 instead.
Rt 16 was quite scenic in areas. Up, down and around.
I must have given Leonard some wrong directions because before I knew we were in North Dakota.
Seeing my mistake I shouted at Leonard TURN EAST. I think we drove too far east as we found ourselves near London at Stonehenge.
On dear, knowing this is not where we wanted to end up I told him to head south. Again, we must have missed our turn as we found ourselves in the Serengeti of Africa.
Zebras and Wildebeest aplenty
Heading north in Africa we found some Aoudad-Barbary Sheep
Knowing we should to get back to the campground before dark, we headed west once more.
Another bad turn found us on Easter Island.
We did finally make it back to the town of Ingram near Kerrville and stopped to check out their outdoor "Point Theater". The welcoming committee met us as soon as we got out of the truck. She also followed us into the gift shop where she is known for getting into their yarn display.
I always thought I had a good sense of direction. This day tells me I might need a refresher course or a better GPS.
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