Technology

 So when we were here in February Mary's laptop bit the dust. Went to Best Buy and got her a new one. Now my tablet has gone stupid. Probably just the battery but that cost nearly as much as new tablet. Off to Best Buy again so I can get new tablet. Stayed with Android as I like it an am comfortable. Hope we do not have to buy new technology every trip down here.

  You may recall we had plans to return to Poinciana Florida this year. While we loved where we were, we hated the traffic outside the resort. Not so here. Main streets are laid out in square mile grid pattern. Easy to get from here to where you need to be. Everything you could need or want in McAllen.

  Mary downloaded an app to help us learn Spanish. I am pretty good at translating written Spanish, not so good with the rapid fire spoken version.


 Remember my post about new food and tamales? Lest you think plain old tamales, take a look at the menu

I was going to quit doing this blog but Mary wants me to continue.  If I do not post for a couple of days it is because there is nothing suitable to post.




Carpet diem

Viva Mexico!

 Along with two other couples we ventured into Mexico, more specifically Nuevo Progresso. It looks like you would expect a poor border town to look, crowded dilapidated and the streets dirty. We did stop and eat and have drinks at a couple of places that were nice. This town exist to serve the dental and pharmaceutical needs of Texans, winter or otherwise. Medicines can be acquired, except hard narcotics like Vicodin etc. Everything else is available, no prescription required, price negotiable. Dental work, by US trained dentist, can be obtained if you need it. Of course there were many street vendors hawking merchandise or pedicures, manicures, just darn near anything.

  To be sure, the border towns of Reynosa or Matamoros, just upriver and downstream from Progresso, are tough places. I am told the Federales are stationed just outside of town to help keep it quiet. Of course you never know if they are friend or foe. At any rate we acquired some medicines and will venture back across to obtain some more, and probably a cold cervesa or two as well.




carpe diem

Hunter education

  It is dove season in Texas. What does that mean to those non hunters? It means that the fields are full of hunters. We are surrounded on three sides by fields and weekends are quite noisy. Interesting fact is while we have Border Patrol, Sheriff and DPS cars EVERYWHERE, seems to be a lack of game wardens. A point of information for you is that shotguns must be plugged to a three shot capacity. Some of our local shooters obviously have pulled out their plugs. If you missed on the first three, you are just wasting the next two. Been several years since I was in the fields scaring doves but brings back good memories.


  Raining today but have plans for tomorrow. We will go across the border into Nuevo Progresso with two other couples. One will have some dental work, we will buy some pharmaceuticals along with lunch. Progresso is deemed relatively safe compared to other border towns. None the less take only the minimum and park on US side.

Dr's, trees, museum, SPI and more

 Hang on to your hats kiddos, we have a lot to cover.


  First off if you have paid attention you are aware we we made the drive from Edinburg to Mansfield and back twice in the last two weeks. About 480 miles one way so no small deal. While I did not get the "see you next year" I wanted, i did get a six month pass. Biopsy avoided so play on!

 The tree on the space beside us had issues and had to be removed. Tree trimmers did great but I confess to some anxious moments.

We visited some sites in Port Isabel, one being the old light house. Not near as nice as the one on St. Simons but nice none the less.

  Of course we had to visit the Museum nearby!

  This museum was small and in need of some upkeep. However you never know the treasures one might find in small museums. While I lament the slaughter of animals to harvest ivory, this exhibit was amazing. I apologize for the photos but I was shooting thru thick glass and focal points were challenging.

 This area has a long maritime history so a good part of museum dedicated to all things nautical. Pardon me as we interject a little bathroom humor.

Never again complain about cheap bathroom tissue!


 Now across the causeway to South Padre Island, I must say we were a little disappointed in SPI on the whole. After the sugar sand of the Emerald coast of Florida, and a magical stay on Amelia Island, South Padre was a let down. Water very clear and we saw no evidence of the red tide plaguing the area. The developed area was not what we expected. Maybe if we come back at spring break when the beaches are full of spring breakers...A bunch of bikini wearing girls gone wild might change my opinion!

  Between Edinburg and SPI lies the town of Harlingen. It is home to the Marine Military Academy. Which in turn is home to this moving memorial. Be sure and read the plaque in between.

 I think that about catches you up. A cold drink to anyone who notices anything different in these photos..It has been toasty but nice breeze keeps it tolerable, Rain in forecast starting Monday but we can deal with that. Our friends Tom and Diane are flying to Russia to meet their son's new in-laws. They get home in time to drive down and spend 4 days with us. probably will have to wake them up....



as always, carpe diem

Cooking dinner

 We will be on the road the next three days. To hold you over my setup grilling chicken and new potatoes for dinner...

Ranting....

  Any smart people out there wasting time reading this little blog? Have a question for you that puzzles me. I was thrown under the obama care bus this year. Marys cobra runs out next month so she is shopping for coverage. Two plans available for Wise county, both of them worthless. Your choices are dictated by your county of residence. Our doctors are in Tarrant and Denton county, does not matter. We are about 15 miles from Denton or Tarrant county where there are more choices. Sorry, you live in Wise so pick from the s**t list.

 Now let us factor in Hildalgo county where we are now. Poorest county in the state by the way. You can choose from 20 plus plans. To add insult to injury for what i pay for a useless bronze plan in Wise county, I could have a gold plan that covers everything. With VERY low deductible.

 Why do I feel the tearing of tender flesh...


 Back to travel blog tomorrow.



 Have a nce day as your government screws you over...

Fresh fruit

 Do you like fresh fruit? How about grapefruit?  How about stepping outside your RV, pulling one off the tree? Fresh enough for you? These are not ready but later a bunch will be harvested and a big squeeze party held.

 Nice little addition to life in the valley...

Still alive

 Well we are still alive and our to do list is full. Made the long drive to Mansfield so the blood suckers could have their way with me. Repeat that drive next week to see Dr for results. Hoping for a "see you next year" result.

 Spent the night in San Antonio with some friends. Had them meet us for dinner as we were passing thru. Thad led to us visiting and staying the night in their home. They will come down here for a long weekend in October.

 More later but life is good...




Carpe diem

Flight of the butterfly

  Yesterday we had wave after wave of small brown butterflies come by. Today must be yellow day as a consistent stream of yellow ones are fluttering by. Certainly something we do not normally see. When you travel, one never knows the wonders that you will experience.

Right place, wrong time

We went out exploring a little today. First stop was a butterfly center. The place looked questionable and only had two cars. Decided to save my $20. Knew that a state park was nearby so went to check it out. Thanks to my yearly pass we were in for free. This park is built for bird watchers, a BIG pastime here in the valley. Prime birding season starts in October so we will be back. Also will bring our bikes to get around in as no cars allowed

 A very poor picture of a chachalaca....no I did not type it wrong, look it up! Noisy rascals they are.

 Just a pretty bloom that the humming birds liked. Of course they got camera shy

 You always hear/have heard about all the produce grown in the valley. It is true but would not be were it not for an extensive network of canals diverting water. This diversion, plus that of Mexico and cities up stream is part of the reason the Rio Grande barely reaches the gulf.

  All that is left when the mighty Rio Grande reaches the Gulf of Mexico. A lot of the time in dry season it does not even make it.

  Down here cities all run together, sort of like the metro mess of DFW. Having said that, Edinburg is more agrarian, and older smaller homes. Mission on the other hand is newer and decidedly more upscale. For example how about we get a spot HERE ? Built in spot for Maggie!


Maybe a trip to Mexico tomorrow. Tuesday finds us leaving Maggie here and us driving the jeep to Mansfield. Quick DR visit Wednesday then we drive back down here, about 500 miles each way. Repeat the trip the following week. Probably nothing, but then again not something we felt like we could ignore.



Life is short, play hard!

Fun facts

 For those like Ms T who were expecting loads of pictures we apologize. We have yet to venture far afield. Multiple reasons for this but mostly contentment and laziness. Will try and do better but the next two weeks include doctors visits which cut into our fun.

 This resort has free wifi which works great until everyone else arrives. Mary is able to search for dead relatives with out worrying about data usage. Happy wife, happy life. They also have a low power radio station playing a good mix of music. No ads, no wanna be comedians, just good music.

 They play a fun version of water volleyball here. A regulation game happens on Saturdays. On other days the rules are different. No limit to number of hits, catch the ball if need to, just fun. If you get in pool at start, be prepared to still be in pool two hours later. Have played more volleyball in a couple of days than I had all summer. Volleyball, bike rides, sunset walks, dips in the pool, you get the routine...


  Have I mentioned we REALLY like it here...





carpe diem.......we dang sure are!

New year, new food

  If you remember last year we went on a crab cake and pork ribs binge. This year we will overdose on tamales. Ever down this way stop at Delia's for some killer tamales. Cold Lone Star longneck is a good thing to have with them.

Bliss

 Thought you might like a view of our home for next two months. Pretty quiet now but winter Texans will begin arriving in October. By the time we leave in November it will be considerably busier.

Edinburg

 After a uneventfull 200 miles we are in Edinburg. Rest of day will be setting up our stuff and relaxing. We have a shady spot and there is a nice breeze. Now time to do what we enjoy most. Not for everyone, but works for us.

Hell week part deaux, Goliad part two

 We did survive hell week, the first week of classes. Our expectations of a slow last week proved to be wrong. The crazies came out in force, both students and company. You wish all students success but when they have yet to buy their books by the second week...Add in a obvious lack of dedication you want to tell them just go home, you will fail. Can not abide a student that out and out lies. It was all Mary could do to not slap the stupid out of one in particular. Grrrr...

 Now add in a late change in procedure that had us working late. This is not the first rush, procedures should be set in stone. Not afraid of hard work but broken processes that cause rework, or needless work really piss me off. By the end of the week our return was in real jeopardy. Sure, we are contract labor and get paid for our time. But neither of us can tolerate a lot of needless BS. Will probably calm down and return in January, but still grumbling about it.


  Faithful readers will remember that we visited Goliad state park in February. On that trip we focused on Mission Espirtu Santo and Presidio la Bahia. For Goliad part two I bring you historic county courthouse and the square.

  If you come to a tree in the middle of the road, turn. The tree has seniority! Many different occurrences of this in Goliad.

 You gotta love live oaks and old courthouses...

 The tree shown in picture above has served a useful purpose...

  And any self respecting marketing person could not pass up that opportunity!

 Maggie in her element...

  Coming attractions preview. While we will be parked the next two months in one spot, we will not be idle. Sure we plan to spend plenty of time in the pool and working on our tans. Day trips will take us to South Padre Island, historic sites in the valley and into Mexico. We came prepared with passports this time. Check back from time to time to see what mischief we are into.




carpe diem