Catching Up in our Travels

I keep forgetting to take my camera on side trips, so pictures are few and far between. But, we have had many experiences since we left Dream Catcher in N.M. Last Saturday, we drove to Pacos, TX and parked in the Escapees TraPark RV Park. It was a small park, but very friendly. We stayed there two nights and met some wonderful people. Paul and Marie from Alabama were our neighbors. They invited us to an ice cream social about the time we arrived. We just parked, plugged in the electricity so we could run the air conditioner and trotted over for icecream and good conversation. The next day we realized that we had never leveled the motorhome. No wonder I felt like we were sleeping downhill. Anyway, we survived the night and left to explore the area early the next morning. Because it was Sunday, the attractions we wanted to visit were closed, so we decided to go to Monahans State Park, a park where we camped in the 60's on our way home from Montana. The wind and sand blew all night. It was so hot the kids decided to sleep in the tables in sleeping bags and woke up with sand everywhere. Robbie says he even had sand in his shorts! It was one of those unforgettable nights. The park has changed considerably, with a visitors' center and sand sliding areas for the "kids" at heart. Willard bought a book and I bought a hat pin.

After we left Pacos on Monday we traveled on Hwy 12, then to Hwy 46. We ended up in a quaint little campground in Pipe Creek, TX. We stayed only one night in the Cowboy Capital Campground. It was owned by an interesting young man from South Africa. We just relaxed the rest of the day.

The next day we headed for New Braunfells, TX were we were to have some warrenty work done on our Sea Breeze. The furnace had never worked, the rig needed an oil change and grease job, and the door lock was defective. We also decided to have a King Dome installed for satelite reception. We spent two days getting the work done. In the meantime we rented a site in Hill Country RV Resort, a nice park just off I35 on Ruekle Rd. Robbie, Haunani, Alii, and Tayna visited with us the first night. We had hamburgers, hotdogs and entertained them singing and playing the guitar and pick'n stick. They tolerated our amatureish talent for about 30 minutes. We had a great visit and will visit them next Monday night when they get back from Oklahoma.

Saturday we went to San Antonio (see below) and today, Easter, we visited the Gurene Historical town just outside of New Braunfells. It is a lovely community, but with too many people milling around. People were lined up for river rides, but it was the flea market that got our attention. We bought some gifts, and some items for ourselves and headed back to the motorhome to escape to the air conditioner. It was about 95 degrees outside and sweat was running down our backs. We are sure not used to that. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home. Willard watched golf on TV and Jean relaxed in the pool. All is well at the Bass'.

The Alamo

We visited the Alamo in San Antonio. I think we had last visited it in the late 50's. Willard bought a novel of the Texas Revolution, Bugles are Silent, by John Knaggs. I bought another hat pin. The Alamo was founded in 1718, where 189 Texians and Tejanos fought against Santa Anna's army in the battle that inspired the cry "Remember the Alamo." It was a wonderful day! The picture on the right is Willard. You can't see his big grin, but it's there. The picture below is a close up of the Alamo.

The Riverwalk

We discovered the romantic Riverwalk along the San Antonio River just across from the Alamo where there were an abundance of sidewalk restaurants and shops. The Riverwalk is beautifully lined with tropical foliage. We rode the River Cruise (see pict. below), probably the closest to a cruise I'll ever get, since Willard won't even discuss taking a cruise. He wants to keep his feet "on dry land and in the good ol' USA." The picture on the right is taken of me (Jean) at one of many sidewalk cafe's along the riverwalk. We had a delicious lunch at this one. I forget the name of it. Anyway, afterwards we found a quaint little icecream shop for dessert.

Visited Mexico Today

Today we crossed the Mexican border into the border town, Palomas. We walked in feeling very uncomfortable. The streets were dirty, saw few Americans, and our hearts poured out for the beggars. We headed for The Pink House, a place recommended to us at the Dream Catcher RV Park. It was a large retail shop and restaurant. The food was delicious, the atmosphere enchanting, and the Mexican music added to the ambience. I purchased a hat pin and Willard bought a "singing" hat from a vendor on the sidewalk. We were glad we came, but decided we don't like to visit border towns. We know people that buy their medication, be fitted for glasses, and have dental work done in Mexico. And they love to shop there, too. I was amazed at the large number of Mexicans waiting in line to get permits to enter the USA legally. I just don't understand why some must sneek across. Do they have something to hide?

Willard golfed this afternoon while Jean read and caught up on correspondance and bills. We will head for Texas tomorrow. Hope the wind is behind us.

Dream Catcher RV Park in Deming, NM

Since our mail came yesterday, we left the Western Horizon Park in St. David this morning. We really enjoyed our week there. Willard golfed and fished. Jean enjoyed the hot tub almost daily and went to lunch with the Red Hat Ladies. She met a delightful 80+ year-old redhatter named Boots. She always wears boots. Seems she has about 13 pair. Late each afternoon we sat outside and played music, Willard on the guitar and Jean on the picking stick. One day we visited Bisbee where we toured a copper mine, strolled through the museum, and ate a wonderful meal at the Bisbee Grille. On another day we had the Tacoma oil changed.

At the hot tub in the Western Horizon Park we met Suzie. Then at the Steak Dinner we met her husband, Randy. They are a lovely couple. They entertain in Western Horizon Parks with a "Your Hit Parade" program and Randy presents workshops on Cell Phones. We hope we meet them again on the road.

This is our second time to stay at the Dream Catcher RV Park. It is really filling up, for many Snow Birds are traveling at this time of year. Some are going back home and the fulltimers are just moving on.

This is the time of year for allergies and we are being affected. The "cotton" is flying from the Cottonwood trees. In fact, at the St. David park they had to close the pool one day because the wind was blowing so hard the pool was blanketed with "cotton" and the catepillers that make webs in the trees. They were stopping up the filters. And who would want to soak in catepiller water? Not me! The "cotton" is actually the traveling seeds from the trees. The catepillers feed on the Cottonwood leaves and through metamorphis turn into butterflies or moths. I'm not sure which.

Western Horizon RV Park in St. David, AZ

Yesterday we arrived at the St. David park about noon. After setting up and eating lunch we attended an Ice Cream Social. We just relaxed the rest of the afternoon. Then we attended the Southwestern BBQ Supper in the park. We met some wonderful people. One couple was from Pueblo, Co. and were retired from education. Another couple was from Switzerland. They spend about 6 months in the US each year. After eating we were entertained by the Hired Hands Band. Another memorable day in this lifestyle.

Today Willard fished in one of the two ponds. He caught several crappie, but threw them back. Then we attended another ice cream social and was entertained by the Olde Tyme Fiddlers. They played favorite old tunes. After supper Willard went fishing again. Jean sat in the hot tub. Willard joined her later. We met people from Alaska, Louisiana, Wyoming, and Oregon. Tomorrow we plan on touring the Tucson area. The tempertures are cool nights and warm days. We couldn't ask for better weather. Worth doesn't like it much because he can't go outside with out a leash. Duster is always happy! Peggy (and Ray) called and asked us to come over to North Ranch for a visit. She didn't realize that we had already left Stanton. Jeannie (and Jim) called from Indiana just to talk. It was good to hear from her. Got an email from Bill and Karen. Wish they were here. I tried selling one of my clarinets (I have 3 with me) on eBay, but the bids weren't high enough. I'm not going to give it away, so I'll just keep it. Maybe I will meet someone on the road that will want it.

The Hired Hands Band

The Hired Hands Band performed at The Western Horizon RV Park in St. David, AZ. We attend their performance and it was wonderful. They are a family band and full time RVers since 1996. They also perform in Thousand Trail Parks. This summer they will perform in RV parks in Washington and Oregon.

Headed for St. David

It is 9:16 and we are on Hwy 10 headed for St. David. We spent two nights at the Western Horizon park in Casa Grande. It is a big park, but no grass, just concrete, gravel and a few young trees. It's a popular park and during peak season you can seldom get a spot. We happen to be coming as everyone else was going. They had a pool and hot tub which we enjoyed both nights. Now we are head for St. David to another Western Horizon park. It also has a hot tub, pool. An added bonus is the fishing ponds. Also, there are several golf courses nearby. We will be staying in St. David until Friday. That's when our mail arrives. I took an entrance exam for a Children's Literature Writing College. They called to tell me I had be accepted and had sent me all the information, so I called for my mail. I need to make a final commitment soon, if I am still interested. Do I really want to do this? I love this Verison National Access. I can get on line as we travel. And I don't have to go through my cell phone to do it. My, the wonders of technology. It sure is a bonus for fulltime RVers. Guess I'll go check my eBay to see if my old Noblet clarinet sold. I have three. I sure don't need that many.