Down In the Valley

We're still at BPRV!  We've had some very warm days but for the most part our weather has been wonderful.

Jim get's out and about everyday tending to the gates and pool.  Since I'm OVER the sciatica I stay busy with my chores and card making.  Because I have a few cards I'm also mailing out a couple a week to family and friends.

Seriously, having sciatica pain is very, very uncomfortable and I'm pleased to report that I no longer needs meds or the Tens Unit.  Of course I still have two arthritic hips that will always plague me....just getting old!  Right now my left hip is the bothersome one.  Causing enough pain to get me out of bed after eight hours or so.  Then I plunk down in my recliner with a heating pad and enjoy my coffee.

Every morning we sit at our table, on our laptops, and enjoy the birds.  Jim moved our feeding station so we can see it from the dining room table.  We've turned the table and sit side by side.  Mostly sparrows and doves.  But Green Jays, Bronzed Cowbirds (love their red eyes!), Greater Kiskadees and even Chachalaca come by.  Of course those dad gum squirrels help themselves daily.  The hummingbirds love the Mexican Bird of Paradise and it's fun watching them flit around.

Oh, the occasional Javalina strolls through too.  I can see one over in the first circle right now

Besides ourselves there are two other rigs here...unless they checked out while I wasn't looking.  It's so peaceful walking around the resort with only the  sounds of nature to be heard.

That's about it from here.  We're eating out a lot...and gaining weight!  This must not continue   LOL

We still have no plans for our traveling.  Corpus Christi if we head north.  But we might head west....who knows

All is right in our world

Another Year comes to an End

I swear the older I get the faster time goes by. All in all this past year has been full of travels.

A year ago we were still in Indiantown Florida with Sonsearae and Chris. We both like the Stuart/Port St Lucie area and who knows, we may head back there one day.  

I've missed being close to Sonsearae and Chris.  Family is a good thing!  They now live in Tallahassee Florida and I'm not sure when we'll see them again.  It would be cool if they came to the Valley to see us  :-)

This year has seen the resumption of our travels.  After Jim's procedure we stayed in Florida for his recovery. He seemed to do alright with the driving and setting up of the rig.  No major complaints!

We drove to Vermont and landed there before Memorial Day. We didn't really stop anywhere long enough to explore. Spent a lovely summer with Anne and Scotty.  

Had fun catching up with them and all the visitors they seem to invite and attract.  The property hosted several rigs the end of July with friends who came to help celebrate Scotty's 80th birthday.  It was hectic, but fun meeting up with friends and sharing our meals.

After Labor Day we hit the road, heading to Texas for our work camping job at Bentsen Palm RV Resort.  Again Jim seemed to be in a hurry and we didn't do any exploring.  We arrived in the Rio Grande Valley around the middle of October.

Since being here we have met up with some good friends and more are coming in the new year.  I expect we'll see folks who are in other parks before we leave in April.

It's been a good year!  I hope yours has been also.  What does the new year hold?  To early to tell, but wherever we go I know it will be good.  We have our health and this is a plus as it can anchor you when your health fails.

If you're celebrating and ringing in the new year tonight, be safe.

See you on the flip side

all is right in our world

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

Thrift Stores

Do you shop at thrift stores?  They're everywhere and serve a good purpose as they take in items that would end up in the land fills.  One (wo)mans trash is another (wo)mans treasure.

Sonsearae and I went to The Humane Society Thrift Store the other day to drop off a couple boxes.  She's packing up for her move and finding things she no longer needs.  At this store they have cats of various ages to adopt and also play with.  Sonsearae gets her cat fix while she plays with them.  Meanwhile I shop!

I do look at most everything.  Always love a bargain in the clothing section but nothing jumped out at me this time.  I went to the back to check on linens and found quite a few napkins.  As you may recall I like to use cloth napkins instead of paper and I've been on the lookout at various stores for mark downs and inexpensive because we've got some pretty stained, well used napkins to get rid of.

Well I found some and really had to restrain myself from buying all of them!  I picked what looked like the best ones suited to my taste, sat down and checked each one for stains or flaws.

What I ended up with was a set of six, brand new floral print napkins (polyester).  A set of four used (soft, cottony) and another three used (soft, cottony). These 13 napkins cost a mere $5.60

I also was talked into buying a reversible apron that was brand new and home made because it has a flamingo on it!  It only cost $4.50 so I brought it home and donated an old apron to Sonsearae.

Oh, I also found a floral standard sized pillow case that looked decent for only a dollar.

So, do you like my bargains?  What a haul for only 11 bucks!  

Do you shop at thrift stores?

We are moving right along with our travel plans.  We've taken a position at Guest Services at Bentsen Palm RV Resort in Mission, Texas for next winter.  It will be so nice as we'll see some friends we've not seen in awhile.  We're also heading to Vermont to stay and visit with Anne and Scotty this summer.  We told them mid June so we need to plan our route north

All is right in our world!

Leaving the valley

Bentsen Palm RV Resort sure is pretty this time of year!  All the bushes and plantings are in full bloom and the butterflies are thick.  To bad it's already getting hot.  The days are creeping into the 90's and even without high humidity it's way to warm for me

Last night we had one last dinner with Anne and Scotty.  We had Subway Sandwiches that Anne picked up after dropping items off at their storage unit.  We've all been busy getting our rigs ready for travel.  It was good to sit and relax and enjoy their company.

ready to go!

Not sure when we'll see all the friends we've made here as we don't plan on coming back to the valley for any extended stays.  Other than to visit and catch up with friends there's no reason to come here.  We've seen and done just about all you can.  Hopefully we'll see them as we travel and there's always the internet to keep in touch.

We managed to slow ourselves down enough this morning to keep our departure later than normal.  We couldn't check in at the base until after two so we figured if we left around ten we'd be good on time.  Our drive was uneventful, just the way we like it.  There was a slow down for an accident clean up.  Not sure what caused it but an 18 wheeler went off the road and tipped over.  No problem at the inspection station.  I guess we don't fit the profile.

Around noon we stopped and had some lunch, then back on the road to finish our journey.  We saw some wildflowers but nothing spectacular....and I saw a couple Cara Cara's...

Once we pulled onto the base, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi we headed towards the marina where we checked in and got our site.  I don't think it took an hour and we were set up drinking a cold beer and watching the jack rabbits.  We've also seen some gulls and pelicans.

our view of Corpus Christi Bay

I have some pictures to post but we have awful wifi here but I'll keep trying!

Saying Goodbyes

Spring is in the air!

All the rain we've had is paying off.  Everything has greened up and all the trees and plantings here in Bentsen Palms RV Resort are looking very plush.

Before long the days will be getting hotter and it will all die back but for now it's really pretty here in the Rio Grande Valley.  In a couple weeks it will be but a memory

We've begun to see some of our friends leave and soon we'll all go our separate directions.  Off to new adventures for some of us.  Some are heading home.

It's a good thing we have the internet because no matter where we are we can still read each others blogs, say hello on Facebook or forward silly emails to show we're thinking of them.

May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.
~Irish Blessing 

Coushatta Casino

We left Texas yesterday....

Around 0930 we were on the road and we drove north on Hwy 146 along the coast. Saw some pretty areas and some not so pretty. It's a shame the refineries have to take up so much shoreline.

We eventually 'found' I-10 and headed east towards Louisiana and our destination in Kinder. As we traveled we found ourselves behind a Cameo 5th Wheel.....hmm, could this be Diana and John? Fellow campers from Bentsen Palms. We got close enough to see the license plate and indeed it was! I waved as we passed them and just before we crossed into Louisiana we stopped at a rest area for lunch and they pulled in behind us. We shared some hugs and learned they were headed to Coushatta! Small world....

They continued on while we ate lunch, then we followed and arrived around 1400. We set up in no time and sat down to enjoy a cold beer. A short time later Diana and John stopped by with Rita and Jake and suggested we head to the casino for dinner. We agreed on a time and when we were ready we walked over to their place and waited for the shuttle bus to pick us up.

The casino reeks of cigarette smoke and I soon had a headache. But we had a lovely dinner at the Seven Clans buffet. After dinner we split up and I watched Jim play penny slots then we headed home.

Showers and some TV and I think we were in bed by 2200!

Today I stripped the bed and spent the day doing laundry. It's not difficult but it is time consuming. During the morning Jim and I rode our trikes around the grounds. We need to do this daily while we can!

After lunch we drove into Kinder and picked up some groceries from The Market Basket and some fuel which was $3.89 a gallon for diesel.

Back home it was back to laundry once our purchases were stowed.

Dinner was spaghetti and hot bread with a glass of wine.

Ch ch ch changes!

On Thursday there was a barn raising! At least an event that passes for one in the RV world. Anne and Scotty, along with help from a few friends removed their old, torn awning and replaced it with a new one. They also had new screens made and those were put into place to make sure the fit was good. Boo was not allowed to participate!

The new screens are darker and have a uv protective factor. We may have to upgrade!

John, two Jim's, Scotty and Anne did all the work. I took pictures! Anne is a happy camper :)

Also on Thursday we learned that Jeni and Don Wilson are no longer the general managers of our resort. Bentsen Palm RV Resort is making changes and the manager from Retama is going to manage both places. The Wilson's have already reserved their site for next season so we'll still get to spend time with our friends!

The new manager is interviewing all the work campers and change is in the air! Hopefully the changes will be good for all concerned.

Friday the Scott's hosted a happy hour to thank the helpers and to break in the new patio. Pulled pork, slaw, beans and chocolate fondue with strawberries. YUM!

Our resort is emptying out. The views are improving but each day finds another friend on the road.

On the road again..... can't wait to get on the road again

Sunny day

What a week! Last Sunday the temperatures was in the low 80's, Jim and I went biking over to the state park and in the afternoon we went to Retama for the open house

Then winter set in with an Arctic blast of cold weather and we actually had freezing temperatures for 3 days running.

not the best pictures but that's ice on the palm tree

so much ice it flattened our palm!

Yesterday was nice, but today it was spectacular! Anne, Pat and I took a ride over to the state park and had a nice leisurly ride. the hawk tower is still closed

Altamira Oriole enjoying an orange

bees swarming (spring is in the air)

Vermilion flycatcher just enjoying the view near the resaca

When we got back to the resort we settled on Anne's patio and had a refreshing beer. Scotty and Jim were there and soon Vern joined us. Then Dan arrived and after another beer we called Amy and before you know it we were happy! LOL Happy hour was fun, Anne and I started setting out food and Pat dashed home and brought more so we all had good eats. Meatballs, bread, veggies, chips, cheese and crackers, some pepperoni and no one went hungry. We even had a Boston Creme Pie for dessert

Home before dark and I showered and managed to watch the Super Bowl half time show with the Black Eyed Peas...pretty cool. Don't really care who wins but I do like watching the game

It's a New Year

I hope you didn't miss me to much. :) Just didn't feel like writing. Life here is laid back even though Jim is working. I think our social life has slowed down a bit which is ok by me but when there isn't anything to write about except housework I find it tedious to blog.

We did attend the New Year's Eve party here at the resort. It's always fun but most of us were ready to go home around 2200! After all we normally go to bed at this time!

Jim is enjoying the kayak trips and more folks are signing up for them. The resort is almost full.

We had some excitement awhile back. From our end of the resort we can see the parking lot for the Bentsen State Park and we noticed a fire the other day. Turned out it was a class C motor home. Fortunately the couple had left and were on their way to the park. They heard a pop, turned around and saw their home go up in flames. They lost almost everything. They're from Canada and can't return until they get passports and her ID.

They're staying here at our resort in a casita and many people supplied them with the necessary items to help them out the first couple of days. They now have a rental car and they recovered a few charred bins from the rig. I'm told their insurance company is covering the full price of the 4 month old rig.

Why is it so hot here?

The last few days have been hot! The temperature reaching the mid to upper nineties. It's still 88 degrees outside and it's 2021. I know a lot of you are wondering why I'm complaining and it's because it's to hot to be outside and the AC runs constantly!

We went to a party Sunday at the Wilson's. Don and Jeni are the managers here at Bentsen Palm RV Resort and the party was for the First In Club. Only those who check in between October 1st and 15th are members. Perhaps twenty of us there and we had a good time. Everyone brought a dish while brats, Italian sausage and burgers were supplied. Oh and margarita's served by the Browns, Terry and Mark. They have a Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker, three pitchers at one time!

A few days ago, around the time we had the full moon, I was able to take some pictures of the moon setting the next morning.
Last night Jim and I took a ride around the resort and boy was the sunset pretty. We got home in time for me to take a few pictures

I was out walking this morning and noticed more butterflies. The gardeners have been trimming the bushes and trees and now that they're growing out and blooming the butterflies are coming around. I have a hummingbird visiting my feeder

this huge moth was hanging around the office on the screen door

Jim and I have been reading books by James Rollins, if you need some exciting reading pick up one of the books. Spies, fast action and fast paced books. Right now I'm reading Judas Strain

"Oh how we love pumpkin season.

You did know this gourd-ish squash has its own season, right?

Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin.... We anxiously anticipate it every year."

Bentsen Palm RV Resort Mission, Texas

We arrived in Mission on Thursday around 1300 and it was hot! The thermometer said 90 and on a concrete pad that heat just melts you. Our drive from Corpus Christi was without incident and one of the things I noticed about the drive was how green everything is. On one stretch of highway I saw 8-10 Cara Cara's! These stately birds are beautiful and to see so many was indeed a treat for me.

Jim worked all afternoon setting up and getting things tidy outside. I stayed inside and enjoyed the air conditioning. Pat and Vern arrived on Wednesday and invited us out for pizza so we headed to Pizza Hut and had fun catching up with them.

I have this pretty pink rose in my garden area.

Yesterday I was up at 0700 and watched the sun come up. It will be interesting to see the progression of the suns path through the 6 months we'll be here.

Yesterday was bed day so I stripped the sheets off and got them in the washer. Jim headed outside to start getting the salt spray off the rig and wash the windows. I made a run to HEB and was back in time for lunch.

Anne and Scotty were on their way and we ladies were texting one another on our progress to the valley. Anne didn't know I was already here! She knew we'd arrived first because we were closer. They arrived around 1600 and in no time at all they were set up.

Pat had fixed sloppy joes and salad and we were invited along with the Scott's and Jeni and Don the managers here at Bentsen Palm Resort. We had a wonderful time catching up and we got home just after 2000.

We relaxed until 2200 and then hit the sack. I for one slept well.

One disappointing thing, the Bentsen Rio Grande State Park is not open. The flooding earlier this year has taken a toll and I haven't heard when it will re-open.

Hamilton, Montana

Why Hamilton? Well Dan and Amy live in Stevensville about 20 miles north of Angler's Roost campground. Anne and Scotty are staying there and leaving their rig while they fly to Maine for a family get together.

Our drive yesterday took us south on hwy 93 on the west side of Flathead Lake. That sure is a big lake and the whole area is beautiful. One state park is an island accessible by boat.

We stopped on the side of the road for lunch nothing special about the gravel parking lot. It looked like a DOT area.

When we arrived at Angler's Roost they wanted to put us in a small site so we switched to a pull through. We're closer to the road but we don't mind. We had to travel a couple miles on a section of Hwy 93 that they're repairing. That wasn't fun!

After setting up we relaxed for a bit, got caught up on the computer, then showered for dinner at Amy and Dan's. The ladies decided on spaghetti with meat sauce, a salad and garlic bread. They even got ice cream and sorbet for dessert. All I had to do was show up!

We asked and Amy said we could have mail delivered there and it showed up yesterday. So it was a double treat for me, mail and dinner! It was good to see Amy and Dan, we met them in Bentsen Palms. Amy rode a lot with us as she has a trike and after they left the valley they bought another trike so Dan will be riding with us too! Pretty soon we'll have a regular club of recumbent trikes in the resort.

We didn't stay to long after dinner and headed home in some light rain. It sure made the mountains look pretty.

For those who might be interested I've included our future stops:

Bozeman, MT

Cody, WY.

Casper, WY

Cheyenne WY

Colorado Springs

Of course this could change tomorrow! But we're heading south to arrive in Mission, Texas by the 1st of October.

Rapidly passing days!

Only a few days left before we leave. The resort is emptying out as friends a neighbors leave. Some are heading home, like Karen and Dave who left this morning. They'll make a stop to visit Karen's brother then head for Michigan where they live.

Jim dismantled our patio yesterday, taking down all the screens. Looks bare out there without our extra room.

Not sure if I posted a picture of my pony tail palm. We've decided to leave the cactus pot behind. It will be well taken care of and we'll reclaim it when we return to Bentsen Palm RV Resort in October.

Spring is here and more and more each day we see blooms. Anne and I saw some Texas Bluebells on highway 83 in Pinitas. I've never seen them in the wild.

After working hard all day Jim grilled our dinner last night. Chicken and zucchini. It sure was yummy. Sliced tomatoes to top it and a couple garlic olives.

Our evening was spent watching TV and playing games on the computers.

Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter That maketh the leaf and the flower come out. ~Bertran de Born

I was up just before 0700 this morning. Did some exercises, made my coffee then opened the blinds. It’s a gloomy sky out there! Clouds, clouds and more clouds with high humidity! When I checked the forecast my disposition changed, I can do gloomy for awhile if the temperature goes up! 78 is the fore casted high for today.

For breakfast I had an toasted English muffin, Yum.

After Jim got up this morning I dressed, made the bed, started a load of laundry and washed the dishes. Then I made myself another cup of coffee.

Jim spent some time washing the truck and that made the sun come out! Seriously that’s when the clouds dissipated and the sun came out and warmed us up. By the time I finished lunch and did the dishes it was 75 degrees outside and time for a bike ride.

Anne and I went over to Bentsen State Park and we couldn’t help noticing that spring is here. Some of the trees are leafing out and we both enjoyed seeing the new growth. Saw a Roadrunner, some Javalinas, green jays, Kiskadee, chachalacas, cardinals, doves and all the other birds flitting about.

this rose bush is at the entrance to Bentsen Palm RV Resort

For the life of me I cannot remember the name of this plant but it's just inside our resort on the left and it has two buds. I keep you posted as they bloom.

We're going to a dance at the clubhouse tonight. First afternoon coffee, then dinner and then dancing!

There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. ~Edwin Denby

First in Club

Monday Started out sunny and bright! Early morning we got a call from friends in Llano Grande inviting us to ride at Bentsen state park. So we headed over to the park once the dishes were done and the bed made.

We met up with Marilyn and Ed and their party in the parking lot. I think there were around 20 of us riding through the park. Everyone on bicycles except for Jim and I on our trikes. A few had never been before and we stopped often to see birds and javalinas. Among the birds we saw, green jays, kiskadees, cardinals and doves. We even saw a baby javalina....

We left them when they stopped for lunch at the picnic area. We made plans to meet Marilyn and Ed on Tuesday for a trip to Mexico.

We came home and had some lunch then headed out to get some cash for out trip and fuel for the truck. The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the sun!

I've included pictures of the First In Club. If you check in the first three weeks of October you belong to this exclusive club. :) Jenni and Don the managers here at Bentsen Palm Resort hosted a tamale party while the rest of us brought side dishes. Anne, above with Scotty and to the left with her face covered, brought a beautiful mixed salad.

This lovely lady in Black is Jenni.

to the left is Don, Below is Vern and Pat, she brought a pineapple cream cheese dessert that everyone loved.

Marilyn and Jerry to the left. She brought a corn dish that she buys from Schwans and tweaked, very tasty! Oh, I brought charro beans new to a few of the guests.



Below is Mark and Terry, they brought their margarita machine and treated us to tasty margaritas all evening!

Anne to the left and Don below. As the evening wore on it did get chilly. But we had a beautiful sunset to end our sunny day.

Platinum is Jenni and Don's friendly dog. sometime after 2000 the party broke up and we were home in time to watch Castle