A little surprising...

 Coming to the Rio Grande valley we knew that we would need to habla espanol to some extent. Did not plan on par le vous francaise (?). Neighbors on both sides are French Canadians. Have spoken only French so far. Not as outgoing and friendly as others, but not a problem either. Just another unexpected experience on lifes highway.

Edinburg

 Well after an uneventful four plus hours we arrived safely at our destination. We will be here till the 15th so a lot of time. Have already been in the hot tub, met many friendly people. Will be attending pub night at 7pm where they have some local craft brews to taste. First impressions of this resort are very good. Will see how the 10 days go and compare final thoughts with first impressions. Unlike the fall, this trip is centered around warmth and relaxation, not so much sight seeing. Having said that, we will share things of interest as the come about.

More later...

Dreams and nightmares

 Years ago, moving to the Austin area to live was a dream of ours. Thank goodness that dream never became reality. That whole area, from Georgetown south to San Antonio, has become a nightmare. I-35 in Austin has long been known for traffic congestion. They even built a toll road to bypass the downtown area. Well according to road signs,it would have taken longer to take it, and you would have paid extra for the privilege. Anybody else see the irony of that? Nearly endless construction only adding to the misery.

 Austin has a motto, "keep Austin weird", well you have to be to live with that mess.


 As a rule we do not like commercial RV parks. They tend to be crowded and over priced. The one we are in tonight is a sister park to one we stayed in while in Houston. They are well spaced, well run, nice places. Still prefer state parks or corp of engineer parks. Especially federal parks because of getting in for half price due to being old. Last night a very nice corp park cost $11, tonight a commercial park at $33. You do the math

 Tomorrow brings a final push to Edinburg, about 250 miles. Hopefully an easier trip then the butt kicking 154 miles today.

Clear sky thunder?

How is that possible you might ask. Well we are at Lake Belton in central Texas. Our neighbor is Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases. It is home to armored divisions and they like BIG guns. Boomed late into the night and again starting very early in morning. Did they not read the notice about "quiet" time for the campground?  One of the little things you experience and learn when out on the road. A short drive down to just south of San Antonio today, so a lazy morning. Tonight a commercial RV park will be our overnight home.

Day 1

Lakeside at Live Oak Ridge park, Lake Belton

Life is good...

On the road again...almost

 Well it is about time I would say! After getting home from our last journey, we have been busy. A couple of trips to Little Rock to purchase and then work out some minor repairs. Then all those Christmas time obligations. January found us back in Montgomery Alabama for 16 days playing book store. Throw in doctor and dentist visits all adds up to us being tied down. That ends in the morning as we head south for 21 or so days. A slow pace heading to Edinburg where we will stay for 10 nights. Then a historic stop in Goliad, followed by a stop at Canyon Lake, where we have not camped in 40 years. Friends from San Antonio will meet up with us there for fun, food and fellowship. Then we wander back north towards home. It is 595 miles from Meridian Mississippi to Alvord which we drove in one long, tiring day. It is 565 miles Alvord to Edinburg and we are taking 3 days, the luxury of no time schedule! This is our first extended trip in the new coach and we are quite anxious to get started. Besides, it will be 20 degrees warmer in Edinburg than Alvord which will allow us to do what we most enjoy.

 Looking ahead for the year, April and May find us touring the Southwest. New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado mainly. Back in time for Mary to have a "girls week" in Galveston with her sister and others the first week of June. Soon as she gets back we leave heading north. Stops in Illinois and Iowa to see friends. Entire trip will take us to Minnesota and Wisconsin and home again. We have reservations in Florida starting September 1st till November 1st. When we leave in August is yet to be determined. Might end up working a week or so in Lake Charles Louisiana on way to Florida.

 Our "goal" all along has been to spend 6 months at our "mailing address" and 6 months in our home. Should come very close to meeting that goal this year. Come along if you dare and we will try and entertain and inform you along the way.

 Till the next post from some where along the road....

Maggie

 Ships have names: Yorktown, Lexington, Freedom, Oasis of the Sea...


 Planes have names: Spirit of St. Louis, Enola Gay...


 Cars have names: Herbie, General Lee, Kat, Christine...


 Homes have names: Tara, Biltmore, Breakers, Fallingwater....


 So it is with our "home"




 Meet Maggie!