What a Whirlwind!

At just before midnight on the 31st of May, 2016, a major storm struck Chimney Park RV Resort in Mission, Texas.  The storm has been labeled a tornado, a micro burst or straight line winds.  Take your pick - the result is the same.  Destruction and devastation of a large part of the park.

Our trailer was destroyed.  It moved about 60 feet, flipped onto its side landing on a power pole and a cement retaining wall at the park entrance,

When the RV was pulled off the pole it fell apart.  Total write off.  Our shed was also flipped over and moved a short distance.

We had our insurance with Progressive.  The insurance company was wonderful.  Especially Jessica our claims person and Beto the adjuster.  All the administration was done in a professional and timely matter.  Thank you.

It was a difficult matter to remove the remains.  The first two companies sent to deal with the carcass were not able to handle the job.  They wanted to tow it out.  Not happening.  Lloyd (our park manager) found someone who could handle the job.

Lloyd and Wendi have been amazing.  They have been working non stop since the tragedy.  They have spearheaded the clean up, kept everyone up to date on what's happening.  They have also gone above and beyond any reasonable expectations to help those of us who have lost our homes.  Wendi tried to shield Wayne, Kathy and I from the graphic photos.  We needed to see them so that we could wrap our heads around the whole situation.  Thank you both for all you have done.

Kathy, Wayne and I flew to Texas on the 23rd of June to survey the damage and to find a new winter home.  Because we were spooked by the RV flipping over, we decided to look for a manufactured home that would be firmly pinned to the ground.  Also, since the three of us have shared the RV for several years, we had a better idea of what would suit us to share when all off us are fully retired.  We need more room including space for Jack (Kathy's youngest cat).  This meant that any unit we bought needed to have 2 bedrooms and 2 baths and would be too large to be moved into Chimney Park.

We are sad to leave our Chimney Park family but excited to start a new chapter in our lives.  Our friends and family can visit us.  Since we were starting fresh, we decided we wanted to be closer to the beach.  After much online research, we focused on the Weslaco area.  It is in the mid valley about a half hour closer to South Padre Island than Mission.

We found the perfect unit for us at Ranchero Village, Weslaco.

Carport is about 50 feet long

Wayne will get a shed very similar to this

The living room door is on the left side of the unit.  I think we will mostly use the door under the carport.  It goes into the utility room.

Now a few shots of the interior:

My tub

Wayne's shower

Our bedroom

Living room

Kathy's bedroom

Kathy's bathroom

Ranchero Village has wonderful facilities including a pool and hot tub with both sunny and shaded lounging areas.

There are two halls, a quilting room, carving room, ceramics room, pool tables, pickle ball and shuffleboard courts.  The park covers 55 acres and once around the perimeter is a mile.  We will get good use from our bikes.

So it has been a wild and woolly time.  Lots of ups and downs. Including plane rides.  Yesterday we were flying back from Texas to Kitchener but we ended up in Toronto instead.  Our van was still in Kitchener.  But that's a story for another day. lol

We're Home

Finally home.  Yeah!  Actually we are about 2 days ahead of schedule.  Didn't think we would be moved in until Monday.

However we were able to have our utilities turned on this afternoon.  We unloaded all the buckets from the van and will unpack them at our leisure.  It is supposed to rain and snow this weekend.  Good unpacking weather.

Dad surprised us with some new carvings.  It's always an adventure coming home.

He also made a family of deer.  Thanks Dad.

One last memory from this past winter season.  Not every day is fun and games.  Sometimes life is a little scary and unpleasant.

Fort Wayne, Indiana - March 31, 2016

Almost home!  I'm getting really sick of being in the car.  Also and I know this will shock everyone, I am tired of restaurant food.  Feel bloated and sluggish from too much salt and sugar.  Looking forward to cooking in my own kitchen.

We have been very lucky dodging the bad weather that has been swirling around.  It rained most of last night in Illinois and it poured here in Fort Wayne while we were eating supper.  Not sure what it is doing out now.  We are relaxing in our suite.  Room is huge with an L shaped couch, ottoman and lots of space.  Very comfy.

Saw the first daffodils today at a rest stop in Illinois.

No daffodils in Texas

Tonight's memory

Boat tour of Brownsville Harbour including the shrimp basin.

Marion, Illinois - March 30, 2016

Safe and sound in Marion, Illinois - not Marion, Arkansas which we passed by earlier in the day.  Too many Marions.  Reminds me of an old song about Marian the librarian.

We left very early this morning.  Five thirty am.  The weather network was calling for 3 inches of rain, flooding, winds and possible tornadoes for south eastern Arkansas beginning at 8 am.  So we set the alarm hoping to out run the front.  Well we are safely in Illinois and the rain has not materialized.  However it will probably arrive this evening and linger throughout tomorrow.  The winds have picked up. So I guess that we will be travelling with rain tomorrow.

Tonight we are at a Comfort Suites hotel.  It has an indoor pool and fitness room.  I may take advantage of these later.  We had a lovely lunch at Panera Bread.  Won't need much supper.

Wayne continues to rest as much as possible.  We will be glad to arrive back home.

Today we crossed the Mississippi River.  Once across, I always feel that the trip is half over.

The land on both sides was very wet.  I think there has been flooding recently.

To close - another memory of this past season:

Kathy at South Padre Island

Arkadelphia - Mar 29, 2016

Safe and sound in Arkansas.  Tonight we are in another Best Western.  Last night's was big and modern.  Tonight - not so much.  Older hotel (one of those 2 story deals where you can park right outside your door) but it is clean and well maintained.

So far the weather has been great, but a storm is supposed to come in from the west tomorrow.  We are hoping to leave earlier to escape it.

Sunrise this morning

Thought I would post a few family shots from this winter.  We spent a Sunday afternoon at a local bar.  Winter texans, bikers and locals all enjoy Cabrera's Junkyard Bar.  Lots of fun with live music and friendly people.

Heading North - 28 Mar 16

We are on our way home.  Eight hours travelling today brought us to Bryan, Texas.  Bryan- College Station is the home of Texas A & M University.  Agriculture and mechanical stuff.  I thought it would look something like University of Guelph.  But I don't think so.

The drive was good.  I continue to fine tune our route to avoid large cities and traffic.  I enjoy passing through small towns.  They quite often have interesting architecture and storefronts.  Saw lots of bbq joints today.

Wayne is resting and watching some old movie.

For supper, we can just walk across the parking lot to a couple of restaurants.  One is an IHOP - not sure what the other is.

Later, I'm going to wander down to the fitness room.  Last evening I was able to top up my 10,000 steps at the hotel in Mission.  Doubt I will achieve that today, but I want to at least walk for 30 minutes.

No photos of the trip today.  There were some spring flowers but no opportunity to get a shot.

So I will close with Sunset on the Rio Grande.

November Recap

Happy Black Friday or not, depending if you buy into all of the hype.  We are not indulging this year.  The Canadian dollar is too much in the tank to make it worthwhile.  I'm more inclined to shop on Small Business Saturday.  Want to check out a few of the local establishments.

Yesterday, we enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving Feast here in Chimney Park Resort.  I think it was the best yet.  The only downside to a communal dinner is the lack of leftovers the next day.  Boo hoo, no turkey sandwiches for us.

Wayne and I are all settled into routines for the winter months.  We are walking and biking to improve our fitness levels and general health.  Wayne bought a new bike rack, so we can transport the bikes to the trails.  Can't wait to give it a try.  I am walking the perimeter of the park each week day morning with my friend Judith.  We are starting small and building our way up.  One lap equals half a mile.  Goes quicker and easier when you have someone to talk to.  lol  I have to set my alarm to get out of bed.  So far so good.

The park recognized all the veterans with an honour guard and dinner on Veteran's Day (Remembrance Day)  Supper was a shrimp boil with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes.  It was delicious. A new taste sensation for Wayne and I.  Thank you Chimney Park.
















I have been busy quilting.  When in Kansas, I bought a few small kits.  I have finished a table topper for Christmas.  It is a circular mat with holly leaves and berries around the edge.  The berries are small red button.  I'm very pleased with it.

Wayne and I are responsible for the Sunday evening ice cream.  Despite a few supply issues, all is going well.  Especially like the butter pecan flavour.  Yum!

The Ladies Who Lunch Bunch are back in action.  A varied group of us go out for lunch once a month.  We had our first lunch at Cheddars Restaurant.  It was a lot of fun.  Especially when my table ate an appetizer meant for another table.  Oh well sh..t happens.

The weather has been warm and fairly humid.  Wayne and I have been swimming more this month than the entire last season.  Hope the trend keeps up.

Wayne snapped this photo of a sugar cane field fire.  The farmers light the cane on fire to make the harvest easier.  The fire flares up very high and burns hot and quickly.

To finish off, I thought I would show you the butterflies hovering around my flower pot.  This is an Ixora.  The butterflies seem to love it.