My winter of discontent

 This has been the winter from hell for us. Ada was in the hospital and then moved to rehab. At the same time I had surgery. Mary was leaving her Mom in the hospital, driving to the valley to put me in the hospital. After coming home from surgery my body thought it would be fun if I developed a massive infection, (UTI, prostatitus and sepsis). Found this out after waking up with high fever and chills and trip to ER. This was a free standing ER facility and I asked doctor about when I could go home. His reply was there was an ambulance coming to transport me to the hospital. Glad it did because the next day I really got sick.

 Having entered 2019 never having had a surgery and having not spent a night in the hospital since 1975, boy what a change. Growing old is not for sissies.

  After being on what seemed like a merry go round from hell, at long last on January 13 I began my first timid steps on the way to recovery.

 Once recovery was truly underway we at long last were able to ride the Spyder. Two week trip planned for March, long weekend trip in April, then 5 months or so trip starting May 3rd. Stay tuned for interesting stops along the way.

gold Spyder is ours

friends and neighbors on lunch ride

Palmetto SP

 On our way to Mansfield for Thanksgiving we stopped for three nights between Luling and Gonzales. This was our first trip to this state park. Nice park typical of most Texas state parks. A lot of Texas history in and around this area. Great bar b que at City Market in Luling.

Lake Livingston State Park

 On Sunday, June 16th, we drove the 120 miles or so from Galveston to Lake Livingston. The weather folks were predicting heavy rain and possible severe weather. They were correct but we got here and settled in long before the weather got rough. Since then the weather has been nice and the fishing terrible. Nobody seems to be having any luck so it is not just me. Once again we have shortened this already short trip. Friday finds us driving to Victoria via a route that avoids Houston. One night stop there then on to home on Saturday the 22nd.

 I have kept open a reservation for mid July at Lake Corpus Christie. Time will tell if we get to make that short trip. This is really a nice state park. Not sure why we have never visited it prior to now.

view from our site #65

calm after the storm from our site

hey buddy are you lost and need help? Ms squirrel was trying to help me

Galveston

 Have enjoyed our week here. Seen and done most things that we wanted, will knock off one or two more today. A nice park that would definitely stay in again, should we return.

seen in railroad museum, brought back a lot of memories

 On to Livingston tomorrow. Heavy rain is in forecast.

Matagorda to Galveston

 On Sunday the 9th we made the 100 mile drive to Galveston. While here we have been behaving as proper tourist. Also ventured to old haunts from our youth that have changed greatly. Here till the 16th when we head north toward east Texas.

Aransas Pass to Matagorda

 After 4 days in the Aransas Pass/Rockport area it was time to move along. Enjoyed some great meals, two days of good fishing, and overall quality time with Mike and Cheryl. Third year in a row we have met them some where and will try to keep the streak going. We are now camped almost on the beach where the Colorado meets the gulf. My fishing plans for here may not come to pass. Heavy rain upstream has the Colorado bank full and milky covered. Here for three days then on to Galveston.

second days catch

site at Ransom road

site at Matagorda  bay nature park

looking toward gulf

from Google earth

Ingleside

Started our abbreviated trip by meeting up with Mike and Cheryl in Aransas Pass. Nice couple of hours catching speckled trout along with a redfish and mangrove snapper. Hopefully will do as well tomorrow morning. Dinner reservations at Latitudes in Rockport. Fun times.