Is it Spring?

Our cold snap has ended.  We are back into mid 70 to low 80 degrees F. (23 to 27 degrees C).  It is nice to be back outside relaxing in the sunshine.

I have been sick with a cold since Friday.  Many people in the park have also had colds or flu.  The flu is very widespread and severe in the USA this season.  Thank God we both got flu shots before leaving home last fall.

We did manage a few field trips before I got sick.  The first was to a BBQ joint for lunch.

Scraping the bottom of the dish

As you can see, by the pile of bare bones, this was a great meal!  Yummy!!

Our second outing was to Mexico.  We crossed the border at a little town called Progresso.

We're in Mexico - A new country for us

 There were lots of colourful items for sale.  What to buy? What to buy?  In the end, I didn't buy much, but I took lots of pictures to help me decide for the next trip. 

I want some colourful pots for my patio - filled with geraniums.

Love these flamingos

Gorgeous flowers - Most were crafted from paper.

Of course, we had lunch.  Was there ever any doubt?

I order a daiquiri and get 2.  Love this place

Huge shrimp from Gulf of Mexico

Wayne's gigantic burrito

Such a delicious feast at the Red Snapper.  We will return for sure.

Today was the first time I felt well enough to be out and about.  We went to the Don-Wes market to get some parts to support our awning.  It is 21 feet long and with the winds in this area, the awning needs extra support.  We ordered supports from Camping World before Christmas but had problems with delivery.  The boxes were damaged and had to be returned.  I am glad that we will finally be able to put out the awning.  The UV rays are getting stronger every day and I want to minimize the chance of skin cancer.

After we were successful at the market, we continued to a Dickies outlet store.  Wayne bought a new shirt.  On the way home we stopped at a Fuddruckers restaurant for lunch.  It has been over 20 years since we were last at a Fuddruckers.  There was one in Regina, when we lived in Moose Jaw.  You know what?  It's still good and they still serve taco salad and serve yourself liquid cheese. Mmm mmm.  Matt and Ian used to love eating at Fuddruckers.  I wonder if they remember.

Well, I think that's pretty much it.  Oh except for the sugar cane field fires.  After the crop is harvested, the sugar cane fields are set on fire.  Huge clouds rise up and black ash drifts down everywhere and the air has a harsh sweet taste to it.

Field on fire near campground

Winter Continues

After a brief couple of days with temperatures in the mid 80s (29), we are back to around 60(15) for the daily high and nights a bit lower.  Nice sweater weather.

With the cooler temperatures, we are planning a few field trips.  I want to go to Mexico to the small town of Progresso.  The town caters to the needs of Winter Texans.  Lots of dentists, pharmacies, souvenirs and restaurants.  I want to buy some colourful pottery pots to put on my patio.

We are also planning a hike through a local state park that is famous for birdwatching.  Apparently there are species of tropical birds not found anywhere else in the United States.

We have done a bit of shopping to adapt the new trailer to our liking.  It came with two couches and no recliners.  We both like to put our feet up while watching TV.  We spent a couple of rainy days searching for the perfect chairs.  Successfully, but we have to wait until the end of February for delivery.  Oh well, such is life.

A local university drama department, came to the park to present a play about Winter Texans.  I expected a funny farce.  It was, but the play also raised some interesting points about aging and families that I had not considered before.  The play was very well done.

We attended an RV show with neighbours, John and Ruth.  It was a fun day out but not a very inspiring rv show.  There were enough rigs to check out, but not vendors of parts, gadgets or home items.  Not as well done as the Toronto show.

This large iron gate marked the entrance to the stockyard and fair grounds that hosted the rv show.  Very impressive.

One day last week, 26 women from our park went to a luncheon and fashion show at another park.  350 women attended in total.  It was a great event.  Food, music, beautiful clothes and good company.  Three area stores provided the fashions.  They are all local and two of the stores have been in business for 75 to 80 years.  The fashions here lean to more colour and sparkle than at home.  Glitz it up, baby!

Happy New Year

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy, healthy 2013!

What have we been up to?  Well the weather has cooled off.  I guess this is our week or two of winter weather.  Ha Ha.  Cold means we put on a sweater.  There are also a few rain showers occurring.  Along with the showers on New Years Day, we had a power failure that lasted about eight hours.  Why did we lose the power?  Inquiring minds want to know.  Well, normally it is very dusty in south Texas.  The ceramic isolators on the top of the poles get coated with dirt.  When we get showers the dirt changes to mud and provides a path for electricity.  The wooden poles catch on fire and we lose power.  Weird eh?

One day last week, we hosted Happy Hour on our patio.  Lots of fun and laughter.

Our next group outing was to The Riverside Club.  It's just a 1/4 mile stumble down the levee road.  We dined on barbecued brisket with all the trimmings and enjoyed some country music.  Wayne and I could only enjoy so much country.  We wandered home under a gorgeous full moon.  Didn't need my flashlight.

On New Year's Eve, we dined at a delicious Chinese buffet with 2 other couples and then we went to the movies.  Boy I love discounts.  Two tickets for the movie cost $10.50.  Whoo Hoo!  We saw Django.  It is a very gory, bloody Quentin Tarentino movie.  Too much for me.  I prefer a nice action movie like James Bond or Star Trek.  I think we will go back and see Skyfall.

Today the rain is falling in drought stricken Texas.  I guess that is good.  We are going to have professional photos taken this morning for the park directory.  We will dash between the drops running to the clubhouse.

Have a great year and y'all come on down, y'hear.