Kathy's Visit - The Conclusion

Mardi Gras was celebrated here in the park with a parade and taco salad lunch.  It was a much bigger deal than I thought it would be.  Kathy and I were recruited to be in the Pots and Pan Band.  Tons of fun.

Golf carts lining up before the parade

Ready to Go with our pots and pans

And we're off

 We had to keep stopping along the parade route so that the portable bar float could sell its wares to the spectators.  Parades are thirsty work.

Lining up for delicious taco salad.  Yum Yum

No trip to south Texas is complete without a side trip to Mexico.  In this part of the state that means Progresso, a small tourist town with a population under 500.  You can drive across the bridge, but most walk across - us included.

We walked, shopped and stopped to eat.  We found a few good bargains and lots of touristy stuff.  Kathy bought a pretty straw sunhat.

Before we went across the border, we stopped at a pot vendor.  Because who wants to carry heavy pots through the long line at the border?  The pot place was just in front of some kind of agricultural plant.  I think it was a seed coating plant.  There were thousands of red winged blackbirds massing on the trees.  The noise was deafening.  Shades of Hitchcock's "The Birds."

Tree full of birds

But no birds on the cactus

Lots and lots of pots

Wayne and Kathy each bought an iguana.  Next year I'm going to buy a chiminea for our patio.

Back at the park, Kathy and I went to the knitting club.  She beaded while I knitted.  Kate designed a Texas flag bracelet and made me a beautiful bracelet that matches my new bathing suit.  Thanks Kathy.

Our knitting group

On Valentine's Day we hosted a Happy Hour on our patio.  Under the new screens and awnings.  So nice to be out of the sun while sipping our drinkies. lol

A Happy Hour on Valentine's Day

Check out our new shed in the background.  Stores all the outdoor gear, tools, chairs etc.

We had a great time with Kathy.  It is so nice to have the extra bedroom and powder room.  Cuts down on the commotion, especially during the morning.  By her next trip we will have recliners providing more comfortable seating for us all.

Kathy's room waiting patiently for here return.

So ends 17 great days of wining, dining and fun. 

Kathy's Visit or Shopping and Eating Our Way Across South Texas - Part 2

The Beach at South Padre Island and Port Isabel

We decided that to fully enjoy the beach experience, we needed to stay overnight.  OK, we're off to the South Padre Garden Hilton.  Nice Hotel.

Heading to Beach

Lots of Waves

Flat sand as far as the eye can see

Wayne and Kathy heading into the mist

Great pool and hot tubs at Hilton

Kathy and her new bathing suit

Click on the arrow to see and hear the beach.  Not as good as being there, but gives a feel.

We were at the beach on Amy's birthday.  While talking to her on the phone, we decided to start a tradition to be on a beach for her birthday.  (with or without her - preferably with).  Last year we celebrated her birthday in Cuba - with dolphins as I remember.

Happy Anniversary Ian and Amy!  I know it's late.

I know that I won't be at the beach for my birthday as it falls during Spring Break.  South Padre is a zoo at that time.  I heard that it can take up to 3 hours to travel across the bridge and up island - a trip that normally takes about 20 minutes.  No way is that going to happen in our universe.

After beach time, a swim in the pool and soak in the hot tub, we dined at the hotel, complete with live music to entertain us.  The next morning, we headed out with a stop at Yummies Bistro for a great breakfast and grapefruit pie.  Truly a yummy treat.

Next stop was Port Isabel, just over the bridge.

We discovered that Monday was not a good day to visit Port Isabel.  Many of the shops were closed.  Wayne however, thought this was a good thing.  Pretty little port town, complete with a pirate ship.  I would love to take a ride on this boat but both Wayne and Kathy get seasick - so no go.  Please someone else come and visit.  We'll go for a ride.


Next stop Bobz World part way home in the middle of nowhere.  You might remember pics of this place in a previous blog.  I waited for Kate before checking out the inside.  It's a huge souvenir tourist trap.  Kind of old fashioned - just like the ones we visited as kids in Florida.  Basically kids would love this place,  but adults not so much.

Entrance to Bobz World

Still more trip to cover.  Stay tuned for Part 3.

Kathy's Visit or Shopping and Eating Our Way Across South Texas - Part 1

It's been awhile since we posted.  Busy, busy with Kathy.  But alas, she has gone home.  The time flew by in a fog of shopping, eating and drinking.

Kathy needed to outfit her bedroom and powder room.  We somehow managed to do this without ever stepping foot in the mall.  Next year.

It was a great two weeks.  We did some walking.  Not enough, but some.  Kathy and I walked along the levee road to visit an old chapel - La Lomita.  It is quite beautiful and still in use today for weddings etc.

La Lomita

This area is a prime route of illegal aliens.  We saw abandoned piles of clothes along the canal.  People swim across the Rio Grande River and then change into dry clothes, leaving the wet ones behind.  This is why we have the Border Patrol stationed in our park.  They rent the boat launch and patrol the river in large zodiac boats.  Helicopters and ATVs also patrol the area.

Abandoned clothes beside the canal

Texas longhorn

We finally installed our awning and screens.  It's so nice to sit outside out of the sun.

Home Sweet Home

Vacuuming our patio carpet

Kathy and I splurged and had manicures.  Lots of nail bling. lol

Glittery rhinestones and sparkly hearts

After an unsuccessful search for bead stores, we consoled ourselves with BBQ for lunch.

Fall off the bone ribs - yummy

Thus concludes the first few days of Kathy's visit.  To be continued...

Waiting For Kathy

Kathy is winging her way south.  She left very early this am.  We will pick her up mid afternoon.  The airport in McAllen is only 15 minutes away from us.  Can't wait to see her.  Let the good times roll.

A couple of events this past week.  First was the annual Ladies Luncheon.  This year's theme was a nostalgic look back to Grandma's southern kitchen.  An elaborate set depicting a kitchen from about the 1930's was set up on the stage.  Antiques were scattered around the dining room and we were served family style in vintage bowls and plates.  Wayne was one of the servers.  We dined on pot roast, roast veggies, biscuits, corn bread and peach clobber.  Very yummy.

Before lunch pictures were taken in front of the old fashioned kitchen.  We were all wearing aprons.  Such a wide variety of aprons.  Great event.  Lots of fun.

Wallena (park manager) in disguise

Our volunteer servers

Gramma's kitchen

Friend Sue and me

We also attended a musical event this past week.  John Saeger, an entertainer from Branson, Mo, spends the winter here in the valley entertaining us all.  He is a very personable guy who likes to get up close and personal with his audience.  Lots of audience participation.  He even has groupies who follow him concert to concert.

John Saeger

YMCA audience participation

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.