Dancing at Bernie's and Next Year

January went out like a lion at Port A.  We've had more fun days with all you can eat shrimp with our new friends from Brainerd and beers and dancing at Bernie's Beach bar.  We are trying to walk off all the good eating with long walks on the beach.  It's really too funny that the drummer from the Port A Rockers is from Brainerd and has been in Port A for 6 years.  The bar was like spring break all over and packed with everyone who knew the words to all the 50 and 60's music...us included LOL.  (For some reason the exclamation mark turns into an 'l' when I 'publish' on the blog).
Yesterday brought gale force winds with walking the beach impossible at 50 mph winds.  At least there is no wind CHILL:-)  Fortunately, it's becoming a distant memory to hear about snow and windchill.

Today was perfect with mild winds and warm temps.  A long walk on the beach and then off to the Gulf Waters RV resort about a mile south of here to book for next year.  Yes, we booked for Jan and Feb 2014 at this new spot (below) with our new friends. This RV spot is also steps away from the beach and on Mustang Island.

I've collected lots of fun shells and today we saw a dead stingray and the head of a fish with really big teeth. I was going to post a picture but it was just too gross.  Below are a few pictures of our last few days.  I've become a total beach bum, given up all make up and bought a hat to cover my wind blown hair.

I continue to send Xochitl a picture of Hoppy everyday as he travels around.  We finally saw one of  the big bunnies last night.  I thought I would have tons of time to read, knit and perhaps do projects at the rec center, but so far no luck with any of those things.  Too busy enjoying the beach and area.  

Another Day in Paradise!

January 29, 2013 -

 It was a stay-at-home day today.  We were amazed to see a huge road grader on the beach plowing sand!  Just so used to seeing them plow snow, I almost forgot where I was!

 It's been so great using Tango to connect with the Seattle kids and FaceTiming with Xochitl after school.  It's keeping me sane from missing all the family and kiddos so much!

Our Valentine's present arrived today from Amazon....two zero gravity lounge chairs!  Unfortunately, it's been so windy (like 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph),  that we couldn't sit outside and use them!  We did get an hour beach walk in and did some chores around the trailer.  About 2:00 it sounded like the ice cream man was coming through the neighborhood....but NO, it was the tamale truck bringing fresh tamales!  Next time we will buy some!  Tonight we already had plans to go out for Mexican at the local cantina.  It was fabulous including their famous Tres Leche cake!  Delicious!  We asked for the low calorie piece:-).Beers were $1.50 and the special (below) was $5.25!

Hoppy continues to travel with us and he sends updates to Xochitl via text that she can read.  Having all the technology is so great to be able to stay in touch and connect with family and friends! It's a bit of a bummer that the internet and wireless is so slow here but with 300+ people probably streaming movies, it's no wonder so sometimes we need to go to town to get a better signal.

 Tonight we watched a gift DVD, Lost In America which was hilarious.  It's about a couple who leave reality and travel the US in their Winnebago.  They loose their 'nest egg' in Las Vegas, so Gil is pretty sure we won't be heading there this trip!  So sad our family and friends in MN are struggling with icy roads....please stay safe!

10+ Out of a 10 Day!

On Sunday we met our new friends from Brainerd and boarded the jetty boat for $12 each to a private island with tons of great shelling.  The boat ride is about 10 minutes from Port A.  The island  has no services but some interesting beach treasures.  We packed a lunch and walked for about 6 hours on this little piece of heaven.  The shells were great and we found lot of sand dollars.  We found a full size boat beached really high up on the dunes apparently from a bad storm a long time ago and a shark made out of sand. Additionally, it was like being at a marine park....the dolphins played constantly in the channel so we watched them along with the pelicans who were very serious about fishing.  We had a fabulous day!  

These are some of the things we've seen recently on our travels! 

Life's a Beach!

January 27, 2013
It seems like we alternate with a day of travel and a day at the beach.  Life is really good for us here! The weather has been amazing! We understand they are having record highs, which is great for us!  The trailer hasn't closed in on us and once again we are the great travel buddies we were a some 20+ years ago! We haven't had this much togetherness for a long time!  We're going on 3+ weeks and it's going really well!  We walk 3 miles on the beach, step on blown up dead jelly fish, who pop loud like bubble wrap, read, visit with fellow RV'ers and just enjoy the beauty and birds of this area.

On Saturday we headed off to Corpus Christi for a visit to Sam's Club and ran some errands.  When we got back, we headed to the beach to find it covered with weekend beach - goers!  It's crazy and I feel like a kid on spring break again!  We had planned to go to the MoonFire beach fire to honor the full moon but on the way back from our walk, a really mean black dog broke his leash and went after Willie.  Not once, but twice!  It was so scary!  Gil was kicking at the dog to keep him away from Will and me and I was ready to climb up on a car near by to avoid being biten.  Unfortunately, Willie did get a puncture wound from the bite but he seems to be fine today with no limping or pain.

When we told our neighbors about it, they said this guy lives in his "ice fish house' looking trailer with the mean dog and the dog has attacked others as well.  I had nightmares about it last night!

Today we had the breakfast at the rec hall.  It was pretty good and fun to talk to some new people.  We met a couple yesterday before the dog bite who are from Brainerd.  They are staying in a condo in Corpus Christi so tomorrow they are coming over and we'll all take the boat to St. Joseph Island which is a private island and apparently the the third best shelling beach in the world.  We'll see:=).

It's really humid here....even with my new haircut, it's really curly!  I forgot I had some natural curl! 

Padre Island National Seashore and Aransas Wildlife Preserve

January 21 - 23, 2013
Eating warm chocolate chip cookies as I update the blog!  We've eaten fresh Pompano, learned that bananas in coleslaw are the best ever (from my friend Joan), taken hour long walks on the beach enjoying magnificant sunsets and sunrises.  We've done laundry and met (believe it or not!) people from Nevis, MN where our cabin in located!  We drove the National Seashore coast for  21 miles down and 21 miles back passing the 'small shell beach' and the not able to venture far on the 'big shell beach' because the sand was too deep!  We've washed our rig and car (a two hour job!), and watched for the big bunnies with huge ears (haven't seen them yet!).

We ate all the fresh fried shrimp we could eat for  $12.99 at Kody's along with a bizillion other winter Texans!  Nummmy!

Gil ordered a hyperteck programmer for the Denali that should improve the mileage 10 - 15%.  When we checked to see what time UPS came, they said, "humm, don't know....island time yal'll know".
Today we traveled to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge where the whooping cranes from Canada winter.  They were almost extinct and down to 15 in North American in the late 40's.  Today there are about 250 in NA.  We've seen a huge (like maybe 60) snow geese flying, waiting to land on the bay in Port Lavoca....an amazing sight to see.

The wildlife and birds are unbelievable in this area!  We saw a family of wild hogs (really creepy and scary looking dudes) crossing the estuary at the park.  A historical moment today was we went to Port Lavoca where my dad spent some time when he was stationed at Foster Air Force Base during World War II.  Then we traveled back to Victoria, TX where I was born so I could see the hospital.  I must admit I had some strong emotions when I stood in the hospital where I was born 67 years ago.  It's a huge medical complex now and I spoke with a Dr. who also was born in the Detar Memorial hospital about the same time. One of these doctor's below is the Dr. Detar that delivered me!  It's been fun sharing our travels with my parents as they remember all these long ago memories.  I don't think they have been back since the 40's so it's fun to have my dad share experiences he remembers.

Today I got my hair cut for an 1/8 of the cost at home!  We continue to meet and enjoy new people from all over including many from MN.  Thanks for being a part of our blog and sharing this adventure with us!  Check out what this white pipe contraption is all about!  It sucks the bait shrimp out of the sand! 

Winter Texans - Our New Home for a Month

Mustang Island, TX  -  January 20, 2013

Yes, we've become Winter Texan's as they call the snowbirds here!  We are loving it!  We took a 2 mile walk on the beach today, danced around Portuguese man-of-war, a dead baby shark and jelly fish.  Today I made sun tea and we grilled for the first time!  The neighbor gave us some fresh Pompano fish to eat and we've met so many people from MN!  It's very weird...it feels like vacation and I keep pinching myself to remind me that I don't have to go back to work. .For those of you working, you know a coupla days before the vacation ends, you start stressing about having to go back to work.  It's a little surreal for me to not be missing work at all!  I do miss my friends and colleagues but love staying in touch by email.

Our trailer is working out terrific and we are loving this RV'ing. There are more activities than we have time for!  A fun fact is in Texas, they consider the beaches, highways so you can only take licensed vehicles on the beach!

January 21, 2013 - We spent a long time today (21 miles each way) on the beach at the Padre Island National Seashore Park.  I collected shells and photographed the beautiful scenery.  It's a magnificant park, filled with lots of birds (probably over 200 here now), shells ranging from the 'small shell beach" area to the 'big shell beach' area.  The tide was in so we had to turn around at mile 21 because the sand was too deep!  Way better than snow too deep especially when it's -15 at home with windchills double that!  All the Minnesota Winter Texan's are really loving the 70 degree temps here as we discuss windchill at home!

I've given up makeup for sunscreen:-)

Driving the Beach Forever!

NIRVANA! THE WHOOPING CRAINES ARE HERE!

Port Aransas, Texas - January 19th, 2013

On 1/17 we saw 61 degrees, bugs on the windshield and an hour and 5 minutes more of sunshine each day!  Not too bad!  We roared through Houston in one of the 7 lanes of traffic without a hitch.  As we neared Victoria, TX, my heart tugged and I called my parents because this is where I was born some 67 years ago, while my dad was in the service.  I haven't been back since that eventful day,  so now I can check this off my bucket list.  Since we've unhooked, we may head back to take a closer look around.  The small hospital, Detar Memorial where I was born, is now a huge medical center.  The air base where Dad was stationed is still active! 

As we headed south to the coast, I made  reservation only to find the place was a train wreck with narrow roads and scary people.  We promptly cancelled this reservation and headed to the Pioneer Beach RV Resort in Mustang Island, TX just outside Port Aransas.  We booked one week being somewhat skittish.  However, after watching a magnificant sunset on a beach that goes on forever in 70 degrees, we decided we had reached Nirvana.

The ocean, salty air, warm breezes and friendly people (lots from MN!) established we needed to extend our stay.  We dined on fresh shrimp and fish at Moby Dick's and loved the quaintness of this fishing village on the Gulf Coast.

We are on an island so have to take the ferry to get here.  We are in a birding reserve and have seen dolphins, whooping cranes, pelicans and are told alligators and fire ants aren't too far away.

On 1/19 we extended our stay for a month and headed to Corpus Christie for a fabulous walk along Ocean Drive.  Houses are painted purple, green, pink and yellow.  It feels like we are in FL.  We've donned our flip flops and sunscreen and spent an hour today driving the hard, sugar sand beach trying desperately to find a 'road' off the beach. It's the weekend, so camping on the beach is free and lots of fishermen are settled in for the weekend along with lots of families. 

We will go back to Corpus Christie to tour the USS Lexington aircraft carrier next week and visit the charming artsy shops along the ocean front.

We've settled in and the temps of -30 below at home are far behind our thoughts ``` all for $20 a day!  No wonder people become fjull timers! 

White Knuckle Flight and Longtime Friend

January 14, Eureka Springs - Switchbacks, ridiculously narrow streets, steep hills, curves and a roller coaster road...who picked the historic loop through Eureka Springs???? We barely had time to enjoy the Victorian B and B's and quaintness of this historic town.  Basically, nothing was open so we got a break on the crowds and traffic!  Wow, what a trip, but the expertise of the driver resulted in a successful trip with no curbs, scrapes or crashes!  Way to go Gil!   I thought I wanted to learn to drive this rig;   I've changed my mind!

We arrived at my long time friend's house in Ft. Smith, AR.  We've been friends for over 40+ years!  We drove through snow bugs and 14 degree temps to get to her house.  Huge churches with high steeples reminded us religion is alive and well in the South!  Joan welcomed us to a beautiful  home, still decorated for Christmas, live tree and all.  Joan's daughter, Jill and husband, Will came over after a great dinner.  She was 9 or 10 when I last saw her!  What  a fun catch up with a super good meal!  Fortunately, we were able to park in her drive way after unhooking and didn't wipe out the house eve!  After a great breakfast, we headed out around noon today.

The only wild life we have seen  so far is 2 deer and lots of hawks. We traveled through the beautiful Quachita National forest and mountains today crossing between Arkansas and Oklahoma and finally Texas.    I understand we need to watch for armadillos in TX.  We arrived in Texarkana, TX around 5:00 and checked into a great campground for $27/night.  For the first time, my Apple GPS failed us and we were routed through a rather sketchy neighborhood with very narrow streets.  We seem to be a magnet for narrow streets and at 52 ft. long it's an adventure!  I almost left Hoppy on Joan's Christmas tree!!! 

We had great corn and potato chowder with a fresh salad with bread and wine (with glass glasses!) . Nummy!  We are working hard to lose weight!  Thanks for dinner Kimmie.. the soup was fabulous!

Below is some green grass for my MN friends and family!  A welcome sight along with much warmer temps!  Thanks for following our adventure! We will head to Corpus Christi and the ocean tomorrow.

On The Taneycomo River - Branson, MO

Monday, January 14, 2013

Minnesota everywhere!  To the right....Warroad, a Prevost $550k Lodge and to the left, people from Winona, all sun and warmer climate seeking, super nice people.  Gil got  the TV up and working great in the bedroom.  Willie gets long walks and even though the sun is out, it's been in the teens at night and not too warm during the day.  Last night we woke early to poor Willie falling out of bed, back to sleep, only to wake up to a really cold house....the propane tanks were all empty so no heat!  PANIC.  The propane ran out at 5:00am and the temp dropped 10 degrees to 55--- just enough to freeze the water pump in the basement.  That meant no water. Yikes!!!!  Gil was off to the store for propane before coffee and promptly got us back up and running and within a short while the water thawed and we were good to go.  Where are we that this can happen?  I thought we left MN!!!

We've had trips to all the nooks and crannies of Branson, Walmarts and Bass Pro. All the shows, most of the motels and restaurants are all closed in January.   Our best find so far was a table lamp on sale (with the shade) for $12.37 at Kirkland!  We celebrated today using the gift card  from the kids at Cracker Barrel...our first meal out! Thanks kids! We've been eating well at home too!

Caught  up with Seattle kiddos on Skype last night and keeping in touch with family and friends has been great fun!  We'll sleep warm tonight with all three propane tanks filled.  Off to Ft. Smith, AR to visit a friend tomorrow.

We're Rolling Now!

Saturday, January 12th, 2013

We welcomed 70 degrees and sunshine along with 24 mph head winds as we rolled into Springfield, MO.  At a gas stop, a guy was going car  to car with a metal box claiming his mom's ashes were inside.  He was begging for money to bury his mom.  For real?  This was the same gas station where you had to pay in advance.  

We wheeled through the first round-about with no problems and welcomed a Walmart on every corner as we neared the Arkansas border.  A very special stop came in Springfield, MO where we had lunch with a childhood friend of mine.  Our parents were good friends in Des Moines and she was an unfortunate victim of polio at age 4.  She is probably the most amazing woman I know.  She and her husband live in a beautiful home, fully equipped with rooms for both their wheelchairs and two of the most adorable dogs with a yard to die for.  Willie had a great time romping and playing and we enjoyed catching up on the last bizillion years!  

We spent Friday night at the top of the mountain in Branson, MO ($20/night) and today we headed down by the Taneycomo River to a beautiful spot  right on the river  ($22/night). We are close to the convention center and BassPro and just discovered the train on the  track, really does move!  LOUD!  We are definitely in the Ozarks with mountains, rivers and Southern accents.  This is an amazing town similar to the Dells, but totally dead this month.  Other than the IMAX, there aren't any shows.  I love FaceTiming each day with Xochitl and am amazed at the miracles of technology.  We are streaming a movie from Amazon and cozy in our trailer as it's a total downpour outside.   

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The Maiden Voyage - January 10, 2013

We woke up at  4:30 a.m. to excited to sleep anymore and loaded up the final things and were on the road with rush hour by 8:00 a.m. We made 3, yes, 3 stops before getting to 35W south...just to check things out and make sure the load leveling hitch was working properly along with the correct tongue weight....all new terms for us!  Turns out 5 threads is perfect so we headed down 35 W bucking hard side winds and got up to 8 MPG!!!  We'll be in the poor house before Branson, MO.  Just outside Des Moines, a truck through a rock and cracked the windshield!  Dang!  Fortunately it's only about 1/2" long and in the center.

We made our first 'campground' reservation for Peculiar, MO on the internet.  Interesting name but not peculiar at all.  A super nice spot just south of Kansas City, MO.  We could just pull in, connect to electric and not unhook from the car.  This is a one night stand as we head to Springfield, MO to visit a long time friend on Friday.  We had a quick dinner of leftovers from Applebee's last night, popped some popcorn and had a beer to celebrate our first night out while we watched Grey's Anatomy.  This is so relaxing of 7 days of packing up!

We are traveling with Xochitl's frog "Hoppy".  Hoppy finds himself in new places with pictures that are sent in a text to Xochitl throughout the day.  She calls me to FaceTime on her way home from school.  I love this technology!  It's pretty amazing to be totally connected to the internet, family and friends.   I hope to be able to learn to upload pictures soon! 

Despite fog and rain advisories,  missing the turn to the MaidRite and 8 MPG, we arrived safely and our nerves weren't too frazzled from the first day on the road!  Life is Good!

Picking up our new home

Today we picked up our new home and safely got it parked in the yard.