Deep In The Hills Of Texas

The stars at night - are big and bright
Deep in the hills of Texas.
The prairie sky - is wide and high
Deep in the hills of Texas.
The cowboys cry - ki-yip-pie-yi
Deep in the hills of Texas.

We’re Here!!!  Deep In The Hills Of Texas.  Ki-yip-pie-yi !!!  It stays lighter later at night, so that means it’s darker later in the morning.  Thanks to Alex, you’ll be able to read this entry this morning rather than in the evening.  He came in at oh six thirty hours and shook me awake (well, actually meowed me awake).  

We arrived yesterday around fifteen hundred hours after a six hour uneventful trip.  We made two fuel stops and one lunch stop along the trip which meant that we traveled at a nice casual pace.  The traffic wasn’t too awfully busy either which made it a fairly nice stress free drive.

There were signs of spring springing all along the way.  The trees are budding and putting forth their leaves while wildflowers adorn the fields.  Judy attempted to snap a few pictures, but they turned out blurry.  Finally we rolled into San Antonio.

 

And then it was onto the Hill Country.  Here’s Winne leading the way into the Hill Country of Texas.

We’re now sitting at the very top of the hill here at Top Of The Hill RV Resort.  Once we managed to get everything set up, it was Martini Time at Mike and Peggy’s.  We sat on the picnic table where we had nice views all the way around.  You’ll see Winne and CC up on their pedestals on top of the hill.

 

Our tummies began to whine “Feed me, Feed me” so we made the trip down the hill to Po-Po’s Restaurant where we managed to satisfy our hunger pangs.  The food was good but, in my opinion, not great for that pricey of a place.  My onion rings would have been delicious had they been served hot plus the server messed up the orders so that Judy didn’t get her broccoli until half way through the meal.  Then we had to wait for our bills which were messed up as well.  But, we were having fun chit chatting so we weren’t too inconvenienced, however, the tip reflected our displeasure.

And here are some daffodils just to prove that Spring is indeed springing here in the Hill Country of Texas.

Today, being a nice sunny day, you’ll find us in San Antonio doing the tourist “thang”.  More about that tomorrow. 

So from Deep In The Hills Of Texas, Take Care and May God Bless  - - - - - - - - -

Does She Or Doesn’t She?

Today’s title has absolutely nothing to do with today’s blog entry, we just needed a title so there you have it.

The four of us did a “Sunday drive” all the way around Lake Livingston.  There weren’t many places to pull off and see the lake.  In other words, it was kind of a let down.  I had hoped to drive across the dam road at the south end of the lake, but when we got there, the dam road was closed to traffic.  Damn, don’t ya just hate it when that happens.  There were some scene places along the way, but not many.  None really worth stopping for a photo op, however, here’s are a couple of pictures of Lake Livingston.

We stopped by a grocery store with a deli to pick up some meats, provolone cheese, and bread for our travel day muffulettas.  It takes three kinds of deli meats (salami, ham, and mortadella) to make a muffuletta.  Being that we weren’t able to find muffuletta bread, we’ll have make due with ciabatta bread – both are Italian breads made with olive oil so that should work just fine.  Anyhow, we now have all the ingredients to make our very own muffulettas.

Once we returned home it was Tea Time (or Martini Time, depending on who’s calling the Happy Hour).  The discussion centered around this morning’s departure.  It was decided that Mike and I would go to the office and check out so that we wouldn’t have to stop on our way out of the park.  Judy had phoned the campground in Boerne to see if they could accommodate us should we arrive a day early – the answer was “most likely, I can’t promise”.  We are still not sure if we’ll drive the entire five to six hours in one haul.  That decision will be made after we’ve been on the road for a few hours.

So, you’ll have to check in again tomorrow to find out where we are.  Where in the world are Mike, Peggy, Darrell, and Judy???  Bon Voyage from Rainbow’s End in Livingston, Texas.  Wagons Ho!!!!

For Now, May God Bless  - - - - - - - - -

Grandbabies, Chores, And Stuff

Grandpa has been muzzled for well over a month, but now he’s been let off his leash.  Yep, there’s a new grandbaby in the making.  Our daughter, Mary, and her husband, Joel, will present us with this precious little bundle of joy come September.  Is it a boy or a girl – yep!!!  We’ll know for sure come September.  This means a little change in plans at the end of our w*rking stint in Michigan.  We’ll make tracks post haste toward Virginia just to get in on that new baby smell.  How exciting, we can’t wait. 

Fifteen minutes and twenty bucks later and then there was a safety inspection sticker in the windshield – mission complete.  Now it’s onto planning the rest of our trip throughout Texas.  Tomorrow we’ll be moving onto the Hill Country.  Our rationale is to drive from Livingston to Boerne in one day, but we are leaving Rainbow’s End a day earlier than originally planned just in case we decide to stay over somewhere along the way.

Yesterday, after we got the truck inspected, we made a run to Wally World to pick up some groceries.  Then, yesterday afternoon, we went to Jean’s Corner; a quilt shop in downtown Livingston.  Judy picked up some fabric that she liked.  When you shop for fabric you have to feel the material; does that mean that it’s felt?  I don’t think so Tim!!

By the time we returned home it was Tea Time.  Then Mike, Peggy, Judy and I attended the four o’clock social time at the clubhouse.  Things are much more subdued here than at Rainbow Plantation.  The activities list is no where near as full ours in Summerdale.  The four of us took a short walk around the park after the social time. 

Peggy made some Jambalaya, a garden salad, and some rolls for dinner.  Another fine meal at Peggio’s (pronounced Pee-gee-ohs) restaurant.  After dinner we just sat around and socialized for awhile.

Judy and I wrapped up the day by watching some more West Wing before heading off to bed.  You can only pick up a few “Over The Air” TV stations here at Rainbow’s End and none of them are the major networks (ABC, CBS, or NBC).  We do get Fox, Me TV, and a few more, but nothing with News and Weather.  Mike and Peggy have Dish Satellite so at least we can keep abreast of the storm activity that has been passing through the country.

We’re thinking about cruising about the area this afternoon to see what kind of mischief we can get into.  We’ll probably head out toward Lake Livingston just to see it and for something to do.  Maybe we can find something else entertaining to do along the way so be sure to check us out again tomorrow.

Be Sure To Laugh A Lot and May God Bless  - - - - - - - - -

Welcome Home, Patterson Family, Welcome Home!!

We weren’t born in Texas, we’ve never really lived in Texas, but we are Texas residents thanks to the Escapees RV Club located here in Livingston Texas.  So, here we are, after almost six years, home at last.

 

It was another fine uneventful trip, however, we did get off to a rough start.  I pressed the button to lift the rear landing gear and nothing happened.  Oh, oh!!  Sumpin’ ain’t right!!!  It turned out that the roll pin that goes through a coupling that connects the motor to the drive shaft that raises the stabilizers had broken.  This time it is “all Darrell’s fault.”  The manual for the stabilizers states that they are not to be used to raise the coach, but for the past six years I have been using them to lift the back of the coach – not much, but enough to put too much pressure on them in any event. 

Mike and I unbolted the stabilizer assembly from the frame and transferred it to the picnic table so we could work on it.  Then we drilled a new hole in the collar and through the drive shaft to install a new bolt instead of a roll pin.  Then we reinstalled the stabilizer assembly to the frame, raised the landing gear, and got underway.  We pulled out about an hour later than planned, not bad considering the circumstances.  It’s a good thing that we carry the tools and supplies needed to make these types of repairs to our equipment.

We hadn’t eaten since the last time (which was breakfast) so once we got set up at Rainbow’s End the four of us made tracks to Florida’s Kitchen for Lupper.  It was Thursday which meant the special was a slab of ribs with two sides.  Each couple ordered the special to share.  Man, were those ribs ever gooooooood.

It may not look like much, but the food is ummmm, ummmm gooooood!!!!!  And you get more than enough to fill you up.

Once we returned to the RV Park, we took a stroll about the premises to gain just a little needed exercise.  Then  it was in for the night.  Today is inspection day for the truck and then we’ll be free to play; not sure what we’ll do, but something will present itself.

Hang In There Until Next Time and May God Bless  - - - - - - - - -

Life In The Fast Lane – Not

We’re not on vacation, this is life.  There are things that have to be done.  No maid is coming in to tidy up our room, to dust, to vacuum, to make our bed, to clean the bathroom, and to put out new towels.  Life goes on so yesterday morning it was clean the house, do monthly finances, and check over the equipment for future travels.

Speaking of finances, the oil prices are quickly escalating.  Diesel is now over four bucks in most places.  Obama says it’s not his fault and we need patience because it’s going to take time to fix the problem.  I have to ask, “Just how much patience do we need?”  It’s only been since 1974 that “they” have been working on the problem.  But, to be fair, the Republicans aren’t offering any solutions either.  The whole lot of “them” are tied too closely to the oil industry and have no incentive to fix the problem.  “They” have built a fence around it and just don’t care!!! (Sorry, folks, an inside joke there.)

Now, onto a different subject.  Regarding the new front landing gear jacks, let me say this about that – love ‘em!!!!  The procedure is so much easier than before.  Just raise the front of the rig until it is high enough to unhitch the truck.  Then lower the front of the coach so that the it is a little lower than level.  Lower the back jacks applying just enough pressure to start raising the rear and, then, raise the front front of the coach to level.  Check side to side level and raise either the port or starboard jack enough to bring the coach to level.  Works like a charm.  I don’t know how we lived without this leveling system.

Finally, the sun came out yesterday afternoon.  Here’s a couple of pictures from Coushatta Casino RV Resort.  One of Winne and CC sitting side by each and another of the pond.  I guess this meets the definition of a Resort being that there are amenities such as a nice lodge with pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a pond to fish in, and, of course, the casino with six restaurants and hotels.  The sites are reasonably spaced and we only paid $18 per night.

Okay doakie, we get underway again today heading for the home of the Escapees RV Club in Livingston, Texas.  Mike and Peggy have never been to Rainbow’s End, so this will give them an opportunity to tour the facilities.  We’ll make sure to patronize Florida’s Kitchen for some nice BBQ’d ribs while we’re in town.

Yesterday ended on a sad note as we learned of the passing of friend and RVing family member Kevin Sullivan.  We last saw Kevin and Arlene at the Escapade in Goshen, Indiana in September of 2010.  Kevin’s passing certainly brings the fragility of life home to roost as he was a year younger than I.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Arlene and family at this time of grief.

Finally, we ask all our family and friends to be sure to have life assurance.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16  So we say to you, “Be There!!!  We want to spend eternity with you.”

May God Bless  - - - - - - - - - - -