Merry Christmas To All

Almost Dinner Time!  Yum!

Another festive feast at Chimney Park.  Delicious!

We hope that all our family and friends are enjoying their Christmas.  We are just kicking back and relaxing after our communal dinner.

Earlier, we celebrated with Matthew and Jovana.  They were here visiting for a few days.  We jammed in as much as we could.  The beach, Wayne's birthday, Christmas lights at Hidalgo, and an early Christmas.

Even I enjoyed a frosty brew at the South Padre Island Brewing Company.  The IPA was very tasty.

Strolling along the beach.  It wasn't sunny but it was warm.

Shopping at Jaws

Texas bbq experience at our favourite - 492 BBQ

After supper we went to Hidalgo Festival of Lights.  We rode through the town on a trolley viewing thousands of light displays.  So beautiful and festive.

It's time to open presents.

New slippers for Jovana

Wayne is tickled pink with his birthday present - a new weather station

 

Matthew and Jovana:  Hope that you enjoyed your brief visit to the Rio Grande Valley.  We sure loved having you here.  Come again any time.

Ogres, Elves and Cold Bugs

Ogres, elves and cold bugs pretty much sums up the week.

Started off enjoying a high school performance of Shrek, The Musical.  Well done, especially the dragon.

 

This is the first year of operation for Vela High School in Edinburg.  It is a beautiful facility.  The cafeteria is tiered with ramps and stairs between levels.  The stage is incorporated into the design.  Great use of space and design. 

Only one small issue.  There was no heat.  Probably an energy conservation program.  Wayne got a chill and was not feeling himself for most of the week.  Of course, just as he started to feel better, I get sick.  Thanks dear!  Also thanks to Rosemary for the delicious chicken soup. 

We also had a visit from some Chimney Park elves.

Such a Surprise

 

Later this week, Matthew and Jovana are coming to visit.  Can't wait.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Christmas season.

A Week or Two Of Life In Texas

 

 

This season's weather is much different than last year.  Temperatures are swinging up to 40 degrees F (22 degrees C) in less than a day.  It is also raining on a regular basis.  End result is nice green lawns and not as many poolside days.  It's all good as long as there is no white stuff.

Early morning mist on the water.

Some days the air temperatures are much less than the water.  End result - fog and mist.

Wicked wind brought down this tree

One of the benefits of our lifestyle is celebrating not one but two Thanksgiving  Days.  Here at Chimney Park we had a potluck with over 60 people attending.

Delicious!

A few of our neighbours - Texas Longhorns

Our park is changing quite a bit.  We have new managers.  In addition several residents have invested in new rigs.  Most have bought park models.  It is a lot of fun watching the delivery and set up.  We are all putting down roots in this special place beside the river.

Special Delivery

Historic chimney

Approaching Chimney RV Park, this was our first view of the old chimney which provided power to pump irrigation water from the Rio Grande.  Just a landmark now.  It adds character to our park.

Home Sweet Home

Quick check

Everything looked pretty good.  Grass is green and hibiscus thriving.  The trailer had no damage from sun, bugs or rodents. 

We didn't want to open anything up, until Kathy arrived.  She flew in to learn what was involved in opening the trailer for use.  We arrived a few hours before her.

Just as well we didn't get too involved as it poured rain over the dinner hour.  It rained so hard that water forced its way inside around the patio doors.  The next morning was much better weather for setting up.  We all spent the first night at the Holiday Inn.

Wayne just corrected me. The door didn't leak.  The rain came in as we ran in and out.

Twenty One Gun Salute

On Remembrance Day, the Legion Honour Guard came to the park for a brief ceremony.  When the rifles were fired, Kathy and I yelped in surprise.  How embarrassing.  The park also hosted a delicious dinner that night to honour all veterans. 

Veterans Day is a big deal here in Texas.  Many businesses have special offers for veterans.  We went to the Olive Garden for lunch. Turned out that all veterans ate for free - including Wayne and I. 

Lots of work being done around the park.  A couple of the roads were repaved this week.  Chimney RV is looking good.  Improved roads, green grass, trees and plants thriving throughout the park.

Wayne had a visitor

Wayne was relaxing on the patio when this little guy came by for a visit.  So odd.  Don't know where it came from but it headed for the river.  There seems to be lots of wildlife around.  Kathy was chasing an Amarillo around last week, trying to get a picture.  We also have our park mascot, Miss Chimney (a cute cat).  Almost all the park residents have dogs.  We are definitely in the minority.

After much shopping, cleaning etc., we are pretty much set up for the winter.  Kathy has been and gone.  She now knows the routine and can come and enjoy whenever she wants.  More and more residents arrive each day and activities are starting up.  Saturday morning breakfasts and Sunday afternoon ice cream come to mind.  Bingo and cards are also beginning. 

Fall 2013 - Day 6 - Mission, Texas

We are here!  Yeah!  Arrived about noon. Puttered around until meeting up with Kathy.  Wayne showed her the steps required to open the trailer and get it ready for use.  Tomorrow we will clean and unpack.  Let the fun begin.

Fall 2013 - Day 5 -Sugar Land, Texas

We started our journey, this morning, crossing the Mississippi River.  None of my pictures turned out as the windshield was spotted with a misty rain and construction crews were on the bridge, blocking my view.  Oh well.

We travelled west across Louisiana on some smaller highways.  It was a lovely drive.  Nice to see the local sites.  One town we passed through must have had at least fifty nurseries.  It was billed as the nursery capital of Louisiana. 

I didn't enjoy the drive around Houston as much.  We take a toll road which cuts down on the traffic but it is still busier than I like.  No more huge cities until next spring. lol

Cotton Field

Just because we haven't had a cow picture

Peaceful bayou

Many refineries heading towards Houston

Fall 2013 - Day 4 - Natchez, Mississippi

Today we continued to wander southward on the Natchez Trace.  We saw an abundance of wildlife including 2 herons, a flock of wild turkeys, multiple deer, a small pony, squirrels and chipmunks.  We also saw lots of road kill including skunks, possum, a raccoon, an owl and an armadillo. 

There didn't seem to be as many places to stop today.  But a couple of our stops were really interesting.

 We checked out a cypress swamp.  It was very surreal.  The water was green and almost solid looking.  We found out later that alligators live in this swamp.  Glad we didn't meet up with any.

Man made reservoir over 20 miles long

 We also toured Mount Lotus.  This is the only remaining stand (traveller's inn) along the trace.  The house has been restored to the size and furnishings from the Kentauk travelling days.  Mount Lotus had two sources of income.  It was an inn and also a plantation.  The property remained in the same family from the 1700s until the National Park Department bought it in the 1930s.  It had been added to and modernized over the years.  The park dept. did the restorations.

Mount Lotus

Main room where the travellers would be fed.

Tree draped in Spanish Moss with volunteer Kentauk

Wayne checking out family cemetery

Any Dr  Who fans?

Tonight we dined at the Pig Out Inn.  Delicious.

Brisket, pulled pork, beans and coleslaw.  Yum!

On the way home we passed this mansion.  I think it is called Rosalee.  Beautiful.  Natchez looks like an interesting place.  Our hotel is near the Mississippi River.  However we are on the ground floor and can't see it from our room.  Tomorrow we cross the Mighty Miss and travel through Louisiana - Texas bound.

Fall 2013 - Day 3 - Tupelo, Mississippi

Today was a busy day.  We travelled in four different states. (Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi) 

The time change kind of confused us.  We had three different times on three different devices.  We thought we were at breakfast for 8 am but it was actually 7.  Oh well, all was for the best as we made many stops along our route today.

The highlight of our trip began today.  We planned our route to include the Natchez Trace Parkway.  It is a national park, 444 miles in length, running from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi.

This is an ancient and historic trail used for thousands of years.  It began as an animal trail and was adopted by Indians and then traders mostly from Kentucky.  The Kentucks would build barges, load them and then float down the Mississippi River to Natchez.  Here everything would be sold including the lumber that the barges were constructed from.  It was a long hard way home taking about 30 days to walk or 20 days on horseback.  We are spending 2 days to cover the same distance.

Near Nashville on the Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace Parkway

I didn't realize that the War of 1812 impacted so far into the US.  Apparently this route was utilized to move equipment and troops to the battlefront.

Memorial honouring soldiers in the War of 1812

 Meriwether Lewis is a very famous American.  He was an explorer, mapmaker, and even a politician.  However he only lived 35 years, died and was buried along the trace.  This monument was erected later in his honour.  There are other graves here marked with small plaques set into the ground.

Grave of  Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame

 While looking for the Lewis monument, we happened to see a collection of classic cars.  We had to go for a look.  There were about 20 altogether gathered in a parking lot. The owners were chatting and admiring the beautiful vehicles for a while.  Then everyone returned to their cars and travelled in a convoy to the next site.  Very impressive to see.

 Our last stop of the day was at the graves of thirteen unknown Confederate soldiers.  It is unclear exactly when these poor souls were put to rest. 

Grave of Unknown Confederate Soldier

Tonight we are spending the night here in Tupelo, Mississippi.  Tomorrow we continue along the Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez.

Fall 2013 - Day 2 - Bowling Green,Kentucky

Welcome to Kentucky!

Bridge over Ohio River connecting Indiana and Kentucky

Huge clock in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville Slugger Stadium

Inside stadium

 Matthew and Jovana, here is another ball field for you to visit some time.  Kind of a long drive though.

Lots of colour

Rolling Hills of Kentucky

Yummy

Yummy

Olive Garden

We arrived at Bowling Green before the hotel check in time.  We are now in the Central Time Zone and forgot to take that into account.  For most of the day I was wondering how fast Lulubell (our gps) wanted us to drive.  Our estimated arrival time seemed pretty early. duh

Tonight with the change from daylight time, we will need to reset the clocks again and force ourselves to sleep in tomorrow.  Kathy knows how hard it is for Wayne and I to get up at a civilized hour.

Kathy - the Olive Garden pictures are to wet your appetite.