Busy Week

You may not know this, but when you travel a good part of the year it's hard to make and keep appointments for medical care.  Our appointments started with me on the 21st.  I had to go in and have lab work done, fasting lab work!  That killed an hour or so first thing in the morning.

Then Jim had three appointments for three different ailments.  It felt like all we did was drive back and forth!  We ate out entirely to much and we both gained weight.  Not to worry, we're both OK, but as you age these medical problems do crop up.

In between doctor visits we continued meeting our new neighbors as more and more folks rolled in.  Longtime friends Marilyn and Ed showed up at the resort next door and it was good to see them again

We've both been busy with 'housekeeping'.  When you settle in anywhere it's time to clean and purge.  

Do you celebrate Halloween?  there was a party today and quite a few folks showed up, some in costume.   There was a lot of food!

I try to walk every morning and today I was treated to a lovely sunrise.  this was taken with my phone

This pasture is right behind our resort and there are quite a few cattle to be seen.  I didn't notice if any were out and about during this 

Our days continue to be quite warm...low 90's and that is much to hot for me so I stay indoors and read or play games (sometimes I clean!)

All is right in our world

Right here at Home

More critters and these were taken from our patio.

I cannot remember the name of this butterfly but they're pretty!

These are Green Jays and not the best lighting because they are gorgeous!  I'm sure I'll get more chances at better pictures as the season changes

this little butterfly was getting a drink at our bird bath

Big moth!  about 4 inches across

Last week was really hot, days in the 90's and we hit the pool and spa most every day.  I think it was Thursday when a 'cold' front came through and brought rain and cooler temperatures for about 36 hours. Today the expected high is 91, so we're warming up again

We've got out patio all set up with shade and I'll get a picture soon.  It's nice to sit out when the weather cooperates!

More and more folks are showing up.  Our friends Marilyn and Ed pulled into Retama a couple of days ago.  Retama is the resort next door.  I walked over to exchange hugs and it's half a mile walk from our home to theirs. 

They've had happy hour most every day but we don't attend all of them.  We've eaten out entirely to much and I'm sure this will slow down a bit once we start working.

I've been to the VA and had lab work done.  I'll get the results when we head that way next week.  Jim's has appointments starting next week for his various complaints, so we'll be busy.

I think we're settling in and all is right in our world

Morning Walk

On my morning walks I'm lucky to see many beautiful sights.  Our resort has many beautiful plants and most of them bloom this time of year.  As the season progresses I'll share some pictures with you

Each RV site has different plantings and most of them attract butterflies.  The National Butterfly Center is just a short hike or bike ride down the road.  A lot of folks travel to this area just to see them!

I'll try to get more pictures of these critters but they don't hold still very long

Of course we have many, many palms in all sizes

We're settling in and our friends Anne and Scotty arrived a couple days ago.  From now on things should get busier as more and more Winter Texans start arriving!

Bentsen Palm RV Resort

We left Lazy Longhorn in Victoria around 0930 yesterday our destination the Rio Grande Valley and Bentsen Palm RV Resort in Mission Texas.  Sheesh that's a mouthful!

Our drive was an easy one and we headed south until we neared Corpus Christi then we went west to Alice where we picked up Highway 281 south.  And we stopped and had lunch because 281 is a long road with very few stops that can accommodate our rig.

We pulled into our home for the next six month just after 1400.  The gate was locked but Jackie saw us and let us in.  We were expected but whenever an RV shows up I'm sure someone will open the gate!  We pulled and parked and headed to the managers dwelling to be greeted by our friends Don and Jeni Wilson.  It's been a few years since we saw them and I must say it was like being welcomed home.

We exchanged hugs and some tears then Jim and I got busy.  Jim backed us in without to much trouble, we leveled and set up our house. Once our work was done for the day we changed into our suits and headed to the pool.  We soaked in the hot tub and I took a dip in the pool.  Back home we showered and slipped into our jammies and ended our day watching TV

This morning when I opened up the blinds I saw this little beauty having breakfast in the tree behind the rig

I think it's a Coopers Hawk and years ago when we were here we had one in this area....wonder if it's the same one?

Today we continued tweaking our living space.  Jim worked outside and I worked inside.  Laundry, cleaning etc. Jim set up the bird feeding station, took the bike rack off and stored it with a tarp cover.  He worked outside until noon, came in, got a bite to eat then napped.

I watched football!   The New Orleans Saints were playing and I'm proud to say they won, beating the North Carolina Panthers 41-38!

Around 1600 we paid a Jeni a visit.  Our friend is recovering from a stroke and it was good to talk to her and wonderful to see the progression she's made.  Better days are ahead with more and more of her friends showing up and before long she'll be in tip top shape.  Especially if all of us chip in with help!

Then it was to the pool where several couples gathered to cool off, have a drink and chat.  Finally it was time to head home for a bite to eat.  

We've showered and settled in for the night.

All is right in our world

spell check isn't working so if there are mistakes, let me know

Victoria Texas

We left Livingston yesterday around 0930 and it was raining!  Not heavy but enough to make it messy.  for the first hour or so on the road we kept driving in and out of showers.  After that it was clear skies and mostly uneventful.  

Once we reached Houston it was another story!  We took I-610 around the west side and south and I (we) were amazed at the traffic.  In some places it was 4-6 lanes, all busy, all going in the same direction!  Jim managed to navigate it quite well and we picked up Highway 59 south and started looking for a place to stop and have lunch.  We were both hungry and needed a pit stop.

We pulled into Lazy Longhorn RV Park in Victoria Texas sometime after 1400 and set up in 90 degree heat.  Of course I was inside and Jim did all the outside stuff.  For some reason he couldn't get our satellite dish to work so we're using the free cable TV that is offered here.  They also have free WiFi but it's very slow and sometimes not worth the trouble.

Once we relaxed a bit we headed to the hot tub and soaked for awhile then I took a dip in the pool.  Jim skipped the pool.  The hot tub has a waterfall feature that he sat under while the water washed over his head and shoulders.

I offered beans and rice for dinner but Jim didn't want that, so after we showered we headed out to Taco Bell and brought home tacos for our dinner.  Then we watched NCIS and Bull.  Jim went to bed while I did computer things until 2200

This morning was routine.  Breakfast, bed, laundry and dishes.  Then we headed to the mall to do some walking and Jim bought a new Fitbit so he's a happy camper

We drove to the Riverside Park to check it out.  From what we saw it's a nice park.  We passed a campground and the zoo.  Then we drove out into a posh part of town.  Big houses and lovely, huge old oaks.

Then it was downtown to seek out the old county courthouse built in 1892.  We walked around the square and then it was off to lunch.

Our destination was back the way we came so we could have lunch at Carino's.  Italian food is always good to have.  We both enjoyed a cool, refreshing beer.  Jim had salad and a pasta dish and I have soup and sandwich.

We both laid down for a bit then headed to the hot tub and pool!  Good way to spend a hot afternoon.

Saturday morning we'll leave and head to Mission Texas our destination for this winter.

All is right in our world

Don't Look! You may go to Jail

Have you ever come across a sign that made you scratch your head and wonder how intelligent people are?  Can't remember where this was taken or if I even if I took the picture, I just like it

We're in Livingston Texas at Rainbow's End.  Today will be our last day and tomorrow we'll head to Victoria Texas for four nights then Mission on Saturday.  

Haven't done much here except walk.  If you've ever been to this area you know it's a bit laid back and there isn't a lot to entertain you.  Today, if the offices are open, we'll take care of mail and payments.

The weather has been lovely!  Warm days and cool nights.

I'll leave you with this sign....

all is right in our world

Where were you

just one year ago?  We were in South Florida....where I'm sure the folks we met are getting pelted with rain from Hurricane Matthew.  My thoughts are with them and others in the path of this storm

We spent a lot of time in Stuart and Port St Lucie and all I can think of right now is the damage this storm is going to do.  It's a beautiful area of Florida and not as expensive as the areas a little further south.  All the water being pushed onto the coast and up the rivers...and the torrential rain falling and having no place to go.  Flooding is going to be awful and folks will need assistance because the power will be out and the stores are all empty.  

We're in Texarkana Texas right now.  Our first time back to Texas in several years.  The past week or so has been uneventful.  We travel, stay 3-4 nights then hit the road again.  When we sit still we spend time doing laundry and other chores, just like folks who live in a sticks and bricks.

I will say the farther south we get the warmer it is.  Even Hot!  We spend the middle of the day inside where it's cooler with air conditioning.

While here Jim had the oil changed in the truck and we did some shopping for groceries and Boo and I got our hair cut!

Tomorrow we head to Livingston Texas for four nights.  Technically Livingston is our home.  At least that's what it says on our license and it's where our mail is sent.  We're Escapees!  Livingston is their headquarters 

all is right in our world