Another Happy Thanksgiving and Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah

American Thanksgiving was celebrated in grand style here at Chimney RV Park. We had a communal feast. The park provided the turkeys and the residents the side dishes. It was scrumptious! There was so much food we got together a second time to munch on the leftovers. Mmm mmm mmm.

Turkey chefs Lloyd and Ruth

Dessert Table

Gathering For The Feast

Our Black Friday Shopping

We ventured out to JC Penney at about 11am on Black Friday.  Strangely enough it wasn't as busy as it had been the previous week.  I think the fanatics shopped on Thursday evening and the wee hours on Friday.  We got some good deals in the store, but I think the better deals were on line.  JCP wouldn't let us online shop with a Canadian credit card.  Oh well.

Of course Sunday was Grey Cup.  The Canadians in the park gathered together to watch the game and share some munchies.  Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario were represented.  Ontario rooted for the Argos and the western folks for Calgary.  All fun and games.

Watching the Game

Who's winning?

Congratulations Argonauts!

Winning!

Man, have I ever been lucky since we arrived here in the Rio Grande Valley.  I have won two 50/50 draws, at least 3 bingo games at each of two different evenings and a door prize.  When I won the door prize it was very embarrassing as I pulled my own ticket number.  I don't know what's happening but I like it.  Usually Kathy is the lucky sister.

Last week, we purchased a new slide out awning topper and it was installed for us.  Our old awning has been ripping for quite awhile.  The installers made the job seem easy.  Experience makes all the difference.  Replacing the toppers is a very big deal if you haven't done it before.

Hard at work replacing awning

Wayne and John (our neighbour) supervising

The park periodically hosts a craft bazaar.  Vendors set up shop selling their wares.  I found some nice items but nothing I couldn't live without.

It seems that every event includes food.  Both breakfast and lunch were available at the craft sale.

Restaurants are everywhere and great deals abound, especially for lunch.  In our short time here, we have enjoyed fish, shrimp, an Italian buffet, Golden Corral (a buffet restaurant), Pizza Hut, Red Lobster and meals prepared in our clubhouse kitchen.

We try to walk every day, just to stay ahead of the meals. lol

In the run up to American Thanksgiving and of course the infamous Black Friday, the stores are a zoo.  It is total chaos.  I can only imagine what Friday will be like.  Think I'll stay home and watch on TV.  Can't think of anything I need bad enough to battle the crowds.

We are having a communal Thanksgiving Dinner.  I am making roasted veggies, turnip and a peach cheesecake.  Thanksgiving is this Thursday.  On Sunday we are going to a Grey Cup Potluck.  All the Canadians are getting together to watch the game.  Should be fun.

Wayne and I have been looking around at trailers and kicking a few tires.  He is tired of dragging the fifth wheel all around.  Every time we move, Wayne's back gives him trouble.  Also our trailer is getting to be about seven years old.  It performed beautifully on the way down here but will that last?

Amanda, today we went to HEB to get groceries for Thanksgiving.  This display was in the lobby just inside the main doors.  Looking good.

What Have We Been Up To?

Well, let's see:

First of all I feel much better, although I still have a bit of a chest rattle.

Thursday was the first potluck of the season.  I made barbecued meatballs.  Pretty much my standard dish.  Supper was tasty but not too many people attended.  The park is still not very busy.  People are arriving in dribbles and drabs, a few more each day.

Friday, we went to the Elk's Hall for another fish and shrimp fry with our neighbours.  It was good but not as lively as the Legion was the week before.  No karaoke. lol

We have been adopted by some of the neighbours. Ruth and John from Goderich, Ontario and Dava and Bots from Minnesota.  It is so nice of them to show us the ropes so to speak.

Saturday morning  we were on clean up detail for the park breakfast.  This week we dined on pancakes, sausage and eggs.  As the clean up crew,  we cleared and wiped the tables, washed dishes and swept the floor.  What we won't do for a free breakfast.

After breakfast, we loaded into Ruth and John's car for a visit to the Don-Wes Flea Market.  Lots of things to check out.  The market had lots of items pertaining to the RVing lifestyle at great prices.  While out and about John gave us a tour of the general area, pointing out attractions, shopping, etc.

We have been lounging about the pool almost every day.  The weather is very hot and sunny.  The last couple of days have been very windy and dusty.  I think we will be vacuuming quite often to keep ahead of the dust.

This week will be busy with Remembrance Day Ceremonies, ice cream, a park dinner, another trip to the market, movie night, craft bazaar and of course - Sat. breakfast. Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it. lol

Ian and Amy are headed to Greece today for two weeks.  Have a great trip guys.  Love you.

Let's Move and I Don't Feel So Good

A few more shots of Chimney RV Park.

Chimney and Clubhouse

Wayne and Chimney

The chimney was built in 1907.  It was part of a steam operated irrigation pump.  The water enabled development of the local farming economy.  Chimney RV was developed when the irrigation pumping was moved upstream.

View Up the Rio Grande River

Our On Site Border Patrol

 After a few days on our site, Wayne decides that the trailer needs to move back closer to the levee (white cement slope at rear of site), so we pack everything up and pull in the slides.  While I went to the newcomers meeting and won another 50/50 draw, our little house on wheels was repositioned.  We now have more room to park and  better use of our patio.  Much nicer.

Almost as soon as we arrived, I developed a dry cough.  Kept thinking it would go away.  No such luck.  Last night congestion moved into my chest.  So today, we called the medical insurance company and started a claim to visit a doctor's clinic.  Three hours and over $300 later it was done.  I have a chest, throat, nose and ear infection.   After 3 shots in the butt and a mist breathing treatment, I was on my way and feel a lot better.

I'm ready for more fun and games now.

Settling In At Chimney RV Park

Our site

Petunias in November

Patio

Pool

Hot Tub

Last night neighbours invited us to go to a fish fry at the Legion.  Six of us went and dined on delicious fried catfish, hush puppies, fries and coleslaw.  We've never eaten catfish before.  Wayne also had copious amounts of beer.  I won the 50/50 draw.  Very surprising.  We met some Texans and listened to lots of karaoke.  Mostly country with some golden oldies thrown in for spice.

This morning was the park's weekly breakfast.  It was very early 7 am.   Very tasty and worth getting up for.  Tomorrow is the ice cream social.  Somehow I think there will be lots of opportunities to avoid cooking. lol

I did some laundry today.  Couldn't do all of it as I ran out of quarters and the office isn't open on the weekend.  We also tried to set up our satellite dish.  No luck.  Our stand is not very stable and we can't get locked on to a signal.  Local over the air channels are heavily into football and very old series such as Perry Mason and Lost in Space.  Star Trek is just starting - the original series.

The weather has been very hot.  Near record temperatures.  We spent several hours in the pool today.  The water was much warmer than the pool in Alabama but still quite refreshing.

Tomorrow we need to get more groceries, especially meat.  It's taking awhile to get organized to have a good selection of meal choices on hand.

We replaced our American phone with a newer model.  We were supposed to keep the same number but that didn't happen.  Oh well such is life.

I think we will enjoy our time as Winter Texans.  Everyone is very friendly and outgoing.

Mission, Texas - We Have Arrived

Twenty three days later, we have finally arrived at Chimney RV Park in Mission, Texas.  Are we ever glad to be settled in one place for awhile.  Pictures of the park to follow.

It was very foggy when we started out this morning.  Today was the only day of the trip that we were travelling on an undivided highway.  However the road was very good and we made great time.  The only glitch was at the very end of the trip.  A freeway travels the length of the valley.  We're travelling along coming close to our exit and it isn't there - just a huge pile of dirt where the exit should be.  Oops.  When we finally got off the road and made a couple of turns we ended up on our road.  OK then.

Foggy road

Passed a few oil pumps

The people we have met so far are very friendly and nice.  Tomorrow we will continue to get set up and I will take some pictures of the park and area.

Oh, Amanda, we made a quick stop at HEB.  No Christmas pop on the shelves yet.  We'll keep checking.