Epilogue

 Tomorrow we make the final push to home, about 150 miles or so. That will make about 1650 miles over 19 days on this short little trip. Not so small when you put it in those terms


 Choke Canyon is a nice state park. Sites are spaced nicely and one does not feel crowded. When we got here Wednesday it was empty. Today it filled up quite a bit and will be full for the holiday weekend. Once again, joy of retirement allows us to be here midweek, quiet time. We will return many times I am sure as we like it here


 This travel blog will take a little hiatus during June and most of July. We leave July 28th embarking on a four plus month journey. I will of course document our travels then. In the meantime, preparations for that trip, some doctors and a lot of water volleyball.


 Thank you Wes for the feedback relative to the map. I will do it again this fall out of curiosity and record keeping. With 24 plus stops planned, I will far exceed the capabilities of the program. It may be divided into segments


until late July....


carpe diem

Choke Canyon

 Why Choke Canyon you might ask. Valid question

1.Never been here
2.Steve and Judy have stopped here several times
3. On the way home.
4.We do not want to go home yet.

 This little 19 day foray is fast coming to and end. Been fun and not ready to return to normal living. But return we must. Have seen deer, Javelina, plenty of birds and three camera shy wild turkey


 A few scenes from Choke Canyon

sorry,photo taken thru front windshield

Mary and the girls

May travel map


a few more rosebuds to gather

Kerrville

 The predicted monsoon never developed and we have enjoyed some decent weather. Once upon a time these small country towns along the river; Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt had a lot of charm. Small towns with rustic cabins or campgrounds where people came on vacation, or just the weekend. Well the people came and they forgot to leave. Kerrville has more arts and cultural centers than many places a lot larger. It is midweek and the traffic is non stop. Wait till holiday weekend crowd gets here. Still in a pretty part of the hill country, just not the quiet country setting. People fleeing Austin and San Antonio I am sure. A lot beautiful homes and several retirement/assisted living places. Who knows maybe our future home is here. In spite of the negatives we shall return again. Very different from the RGV and within a days drive.


  There obviously was a rip in the space time continuum. Easter Island meets Stonehenge!

 The camera in Mary's phone, a Samsung Galaxy S7, consistently takes better pictures than my Canon DSLR, especially in low light conditions.

 Some better photos of the park than those previously posted.

 Because we pretty much had the park to ourselves, we invited some guest to join us.

 Some times my partner does not want to be my model...

 If your mama looked at you like that, a whipping was probably coming!


 Tomorrow it is on to Bandera, dude ranch capital of the world and points south.



gathering rosebuds and making memories...

Plan C?

 Might try a plan C but where would you go?

On a different note, if you are of a certain age you might remember Gibson department stores. There are only two left in Texas, one in Weatherford and one in Kerrville. We have been in both. The one in Weatherford, while nice enough, is not remarkable. The one here in Kerrville is a tourist destination into itself. If they do not have it, you do not need it. From sporting equipment, to a hardware department that makes Lowes and Home Depot look stupid. Add in a housewares area to find those things you just can't find elsewhere, Clothing, nicknacks, just an amazing collection of items. We went into the store several years ago and were amazed. Went back today to see how it compared to our memories. Believe it had even more items, not including the $100 worth of items we bought. If you are ever in Kerrville with some time, stop in and browse.


can't always be sunshine and lollipops....

Joy of retirement

 When we arrived yesterday our corner of the park was full. Kids running around, people gathered in groups talking. Later on campfires burning, good time being had by most.

 It is now 10:30am and most have already left, others packing to leave. Looks like it will just be two campsites occupied, us being one of those.

 Remember those days fondly when we were one of the ones leaving Sunday morning. Damn happy to be one of the few staying now.

 Time marches on...



carpe diem

Kerrville-Schreiner

 At one time this was a state park. About 10 years ago the TPWD in a cost saving move deeded several parks to the local city. This is one of them.

  We started out 13 days ago on the banks of the North Llano river. Now we are on the banks of the Guadalupe river. A river well known in Texas.

 A couple of scenes from the park

growing out of a bald cypress stump

 Our route took us thru San Angelo so it seemed a good time for a lunch date. We consider Rachel as a daughter. She was born the same day as Gary,our oldest son. Her mother and Mary were neighbors and grew up together. Accordingly we have watched Rachel grow thru the years.

 We will be here four nights with no real plans so we shall see what develops.

May 2017 map


 Has anyone checked the map link? Informative? Useful? Waste of time? Let me know as I plan to do it in the fall if of some value.



taking it easy on the banks of the Guadalupe



carpe diem

Plan B

 Mary has a plaque that says in part, "life is all about how you handle plan B..."

 Well we are executing plan B now. Originally we were going to head south,turn west and visit Balmorea SP for a couple of days. Did a drive by of the place but that was 25 years ago. After learning the nightmare of highway 285 to Pecos, we turned to plan B.The weather gods are predicted to wreck havoc on plan B, so there yet may be a plan C.

 You know it is going to crap when you spend the night near Big Spring Texas. Nice rv park, just not located in my top 1000 or so places I desire to be.

 Lunch date with a pretty young lady tomorrow so that will help


May 2017 road trip

this morning heater full force, now a/c full force



rosebuds have thawed...