November 3 2015

We are getting settled in for the season. We will have our high-speed Time Warner connection tomorrow. The park wifi works, but it can be real touchy. I think it is very dependent on how many people are on. I have no patience for lousy connections.

Peggy and I made a Costco run today. We had great fun getting caught up with all the funny stuff that has happened during the summer. We are anxious for the third side of the triangle (Kay Stilson) to get here on Thursday. It always seems our sense of humor matches and busts us up all at the same time. Laughing keeps you healthy. 

Peggy and I have been getting two mile walks each day, one in the morning and one in late afternoon. I had been remiss for the past week so it feels good to get it started again. Butch comes with us now and then.

Jim and Kay Voss have a beautiful straight growing papaya tree in their yard but it is a male. 

Until they get a girl they will not be getting any papaya. 

Our winter home in 2015

Donn and Peggy Gordon

Donn and Peggy Gordon residence where Mr. Papaya is on the left and Mrs Papaya on the right. I asked our resident papaya expert, Chet how will we know they are ripe. He said we had to harvest them as soon as any yellow shows up to save them from the birds but then we are to wait until they look spoiled before peeling, seeding and chopping the fruit. I am ready for a nice juicy papaya!

This morning's sky at 6:45 AM

Papaya

Last season when Donn and Peggy came back to the valley they planted two papaya trees. We have a papaya expert in the park, Chet Johnson. Chet must have 20 papaya trees in his yard. He says papaya trees are sex specific and you need a male and female tree. So the Gordons planted two trees and hoped for the best. This season this is what they found upon their arrival.

All this growth happened in one year!

Book of the Southern Travel 2015

Sunday, 10/25/2015

We had a slow start on our first day. The alley was clear so that was not the problem. Our Brake Buddy would not show us that it was working, as the indicator apparatus that is in the motorhome would not light up. We could go without it but it really is better if it is working. For the uninitiated a brake buddy hooks to the brakes on the car and there is a connection to the motorhome so when Butch applies the brakes on the motorhome the brakes on the car also activate assisting in stopping both vehicles. It can be a great thing. Many drivers do not realize how hard it is to get that much weight stopped. It is very foolish to pull in front of one of these big boys and hope they can get stopped in time to prevent your death. So Butch decided to take the indicator apart that is with us in the motorhome and see what was wrong. A wire was loose so he tried to solder it but it was too short and would not hold. So plan B became to go without it. We do not have much elevation to go through so we weren't too concerned that we had to unhook it entirely. We would keep it in mind, stop sooner and drive slower. BUT then we went a few blocks and realized something was not right with our car hook -up. One of the pins in the tow bar would not pop up meaning the car was not tracking properly behind us. So we finally corrected that after quite some time parked in front of the Extension office.  So at 9:05 AM we left Jefferson for parts south.

Written on 10/26/2015

We are staying at the WinStar casino in Thackerville OK at Exit 1. In other words, we are almost in Texas. Not sure that is a good thing, considering all the water they have been blessed with. You will be reading this far past the day written because the casino has really sucky WiFi. With a players card, the rate through the week is $21.00 and if you are getting a players card for the first time it is free. You and your mate will want to get your player card at different times and then you can get a free night on two different occasions. $21 is a good rate.  I wish the WiFi was good and then it would be a super deal.

It was a good travel day. Sunny and warm.

Canyon Lake experience:

Written at 7:45 AM. 10/28

 We are going through a very scary experience right now. We are in the Walnut Canyon RV Park in Canyon Lake and experiencing a torrential rain. It has been raining since 3:30 AM and much of that time so hard and so much water it is hard to take in that it is happening. We are parked next to a ravine. I started to call it a creek but most of the time it is dry so it doesn't really qualify as a creek.

I watched as water rose around us moving so fast if I had stepped out of the RV I would have been swept away. It was still dark so made it difficult to see how bad it really was. It is getting lighter now so we are starting to see. I was scared and woke Butch up, all the time knowing there was nothing we could do but sit it out.  In the midst of it all a tornado warning came on our phone telling us to take cover. Again there was nothing we could do. The rain has let up some now, but the small river is still at full speed. It is supposed to rain all day. I am hoping not with the intensity of the last two hours. Do not worry about us. There are much smaller RV's all around us and none of them have moved at all. I wanted to capture the experience as it happened and writing about gave me something to do.

 One of the miracles of it all is that the Internet is working. It didn't work at all for the entire day yesterday. Phone service is really bad all the time and still is, however, the tornado warning came through loud and clear.

8:01 AM It is letting up now and the creek is within its boundaries with little rivulets still draining into it.

October 31, 2015

I have not been as far 'off the grid' as they say for this long ever in my memory. No Internet, No phone for several days now. When we first arrived we had Internet, but it was spotty. But now it has been a totally blank page for at least two days. so I write anyway with the knowledge that when we leave here and get to the valley my chances of posting improve and it should not take long to get a reliable connection with a phone call and some money.

Yesterday and part of the previous day were not fun ones. We were very close to the major flood event north of San Antonio. They told us on the news (we did have TV) that we had another episode of heavy rain and flash flooding to get through last night. So when it started raining about 2:00 AM my eyes popped open and it did rain heavily for an hour or so but nothing compared to the previous night. The flash flood threat is supposed to end at 9:00 am.

One of the differences from here and central Iowa is the earth itself. We are sitting on rock here. With this much rain back home the ground would be mush and driving on it could not be considered for a week or more until it was completely dried out. But here they were driving on it throughout the heavy rain without sinking out of site or even making a noticeable mark. It pays to know the terrain and its qualities.

The driveways and RV sites are rutted terribly, but it is the result of fast moving water. So when we leave here tomorrow morning it will be a bumpy ride until we get to pavement. It isn't a long distance but I plan to batten down the hatches or things will fly all over as we rock and roll to the entrance.

Last night we met with a few of our Canyon Lake friends at the legion for burgers. Lisa told us of her harrowing day driving the school bus. They finally cancelled school after a two-hour delay. It should never have been started in the first place! Lisa picks up her first student, an elementary student at 5:40 AM. He arrives at school two hours later. She said he brings a blanket and pillow and sleeps for those two hours. Their bus routes cover 547 square miles. And that is what it is on a regular day. Yesterday was not a regular day. She was picking up or trying to pick up special needs kids. Many streets were blocked by barricades, water, or both. She said she has never been through such an experience in her life and never wants to again. 

We hope to be on the road headed for the Rio Grande Valley as soon as possible in the morning and put this experience in our memory bank.

Today's trip matched our first three travel days-sunny, warm and trouble free. We thought our start might be a bit rough because the streets of the park were so rutted from the storms. Mark, the park owner worked much of Saturday smoothing them out the best he could so it was a bit bumpy but not any more so than it usually is. 

So we have arrived at Magnolia park in Donna Texas and will be here till Spring as usual.

Our Snow Mountain friends Terry and Lisa came to visit us and our tiny home this past summer and have wanted a situation similar to ours  and have been looking for a long time. Well, their opportunity all fell into place shortly after they returned to the Canyon Lake area. They bought a house and Terry had a heart attack all at the same time. It has all turned out beautifully. Terry has his health and they have their dream home on private land near their friends and family. They would like to put a couple of RV sites on their land like we have on ours so next Spring we will be spending enough time with them to get that done. And then if we are lucky that will be our stopover spot to and from the valley. I didn't get nearly the photos I planned to get because of the rain, but I did get a few before all hell broke loose.

Their place has a Texas ranch look to it with many special touches.

 This is the area where the RV sites will be. Some trees and other obstacles may have to be sacrificed. There is plenty of room for two RV's.

This is a very impressive fireplace. Terry built the first fire in it on Saturday night and it was a typical good time with our Canyon Lake friends

I was standing near the entrance and looking toward the house in this photo.

 Below is a garden? on the left side of the house. There are elevated and rock-lined flower beds

 This is the front of the "Ranch House" with the shop in the background.

This is the back porch/patio/deck on the rear of the house

Very steep backyard with lots of rocks and little grass. Mowing would not be necessary if you were not inclined.

Back porch/patio/deck

Back view of the house from down the hill a ways

At the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson

The last day we were in Jefferson (Saturday) we had a gathering of family at the casino. Yes, Mickey is family too. She has been a part of my life far longer than most, even Butch come to think of it. The attendees were Leo and Keri, Mickey, sons Rich and Jason and Laura. Fun, Food, and Conversation was on the agenda. We really had a great time and enjoyed every bit of it. Mickey and I kind of hung out at a couple of penny machines after supper and I am saying we both had a good time. Mickey won a chunk. I am thinking maybe $45 and I won $106! On the penny machines! And those amounts are real because we did deduct our investment before counting our winnings. So now for an overall picture of our casino experience, Butch and I are even on the winning/losing side of things. We may need to have a, 'we are back party' next Spring.

Trip info and update 2015

Sunday, 10/25/2015

We had a slow start on our first day. The alley was clear so that was not the problem. Our Brake Buddy would not show us that it was working, as the indicator apparatus that is in the motorhome would not light up. We could go without it, but it really is better if it is working. For the uninitiated a brake buddy hooks to the brakes on the car and there is a connection to the motorhome so when Butch applies the brakes on the motorhome the brakes on the car also activate assisting in stopping both vehicles. It can be a great thing. Many drivers do not realize how hard it is to get that much weight stopped. It is very foolish to pull in front of one of these big boys and hope they can get stopped in time to prevent your death. Amidst all this Butch lost his glasses. His favorites.They fell out of his pocket somewhere in the activities of the morning. We looked all over the yard and all the places he had been. He only needs them for close work, but these darn things are a pain in the butt. It was easier when they were always on his face.I found him a replacement so Butch decided to take the indicator apart that is with us in the motorhome and see what was wrong. A wire was loose so he tried to solder it, but it was too short and would not hold. So plan B became to go without it. We do not have much elevation to go through so we weren't too concerned that we had to unhook it entirely. We would keep it in mind, stop sooner and drive slower. BUT then we went a few blocks and realized something was not right with our car hook -up. One of the pins in the tow bar would not pop up meaning the car was not tracking properly behind us. So we finally corrected that after quite some time parked in front of the Extension office.  So at 9:05 AM we left Jefferson for parts south. 

I found his glasses much later in the bed. They had come out of his pocket when he latched the safety bar on the bedroom slideout.

The trip itself was smooth as silk. The weather was mild and sunny as we headed south out of Jefferson to I-80 west. We take 680 around Omaha. Butch says it is longer but worth it because of less traffic. So west to highway 81 south out of York NE. The traffic is light and the road  smooth. We stayed at Hesston KS at the Cottonwood Grove RV Park. Not the shiniest park in the world but it is a Passport America park so $15 is a bargain for one nights stay. It was a long day (455 miles) partly due to our late start however the light traffic and smooth road made it work.

Written on 10/26/2015

We are staying at the WinStar casino in Thackerville OK at Exit 1. In other words, we are almost in Texas. Not sure that is a good thing, considering all the water they have been blessed with. You will be reading this far past the day written because the casino has really sucky wifi. With a players card, the rate through the week is $21.00 and if you are getting a players card for the first time it is free. You and your mate will want to get your player card at different times and then you can get a free night on two different occasions. $21 is a good rate.  I wish the wifi was good and then it would be a super deal.

It was another good travel day. Sunny and warm.

Written today 10/28

We did go in the casino because they told us there was free stuff but you had to go get it. The free stuff was $25 after you played $50 in a 24-hour time limit, a chain for your players card and a candy bar. We tried to play the machines a bit. Butch lost $1.00 and I lost $5.00. We tried to eat at Toby Keiths restaurant in the casino. It was the worst meal we have had in a very long time and we will not be doing that again. Butch had a hamburger of course and it was tasteless. And his fries were way over salted. The one he had at Burger King earlier in the day was far tastier. And my chicken sandwich was so salty I could not eat it. We did enjoy our free night so all in all it was and will be a good place to stay.

Yesterday was another good travel day with the exception of one small area on I-820W getting onto I-30W that turns into I-20 westbound. They have been "constructing" in the area where we leave 820 and pick up 30 for 3 years now and it does not look like they will be done anytime soon. Our route involves South on I-35 to 1-35W to 820 to I-30 that flows into I-20 westbound. Then we pick up highway 281 south. We most likely will try finding a way around that trouble area next year without changing our route too much.

We arrived at Canyon Lake mid-afternoon and settled in a bit. We are in the same park as last year, Walnut Canyon RV Park. The phone service is lousy here. After all, the word Canyon in the name could be a clue.

Terry and Lisa Linder visited us in Jefferson this past summer and they so liked our situation that they have been trying to find their own similar niche and they have! They have a wonderful place here that has everything a person could want. It is on private land so they do not have to fuss with such rules as having to park your RV miles away in a storage facility. So our purpose this year in being here is to visit with our friends in the area that we originally became acquainted with at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA of the Rockies and to advise Lisa and Terry on what it will take to get RV hook-ups on their property. Their place is truly a jewel and I will get some pictures to post ASAP.

I apparently have risen before the young hooligans in the park as the free WiFi is working rather will for being free.

Note to self for next years trip-When you leave I-135 to get on the toll for I-35 in Kansas, you must pick up a ticket from an automatic dispenser so go slow!!

alive and well

No, we have not fallen from the face of the earth. It might seem that way. We are now in Canyon Lake and staying in the same park we did last year. Walnut Canyon RV park. The price is right, but the long term residents are of a seedy sort.
My troubles are that we were busy for a week before we left and we have not had time or Internet connection since we started the trip. And currently we are tired and ready to rest a bit before the last leg. I do have adequate Internet here if I wait for the right hours. Being an early riser among the young is sometimes an advantage. Tomorrow I should have time and inclination to do some catching up. So ready yourself for a heavy reading event...tomorrow.

Bill Brooker sent...

this from Arkansas. The color has moved south.

I was off on my dates

I changed it on the blog in case you feel like you are seeing things. We are leaving the 25th or 26th, kinda leaning toward the 25th I think.
We have a busy day ahead because they are shutting off the water tomorow morning and we will officially be living in the motorhome starting this evening. Not a problem for us,living in the moho. We have had years of pactice.
So it is either goodbye till Spring or see you soon depending on which end of the country we usually see you.

Leaving 25th or 26th

We are about to commence the moving of our stuff to the motorhome. It is a good idea to live in it for a few days ahead of departure to make sure everything is working properly and that you do not forget some key items.

However, the weather has been so pleasant that I had to sneak in a ride this morning along with getting caught up on the blog and dealing with pictures. The trail looks so different this time of year after some of the leaves fall, affording views otherwise covered.
So here are a few trail picks from this morning-Daubendiek Pond- west side of trail just before the Graffiti Bridge

 Small scale baling of hay.

 Fall season on the trail. I had a southerly breeze going south (in my face) to the bridge that made the return trip more pleasant.

So if the blogging is scant the next few days it will be because we are busy loading up and settling into our home away from home.

Going Where?

Sue Durlam Lucht hosted a going away party for us last night. I have not laughed that much in a very long time and the meal was perfect and delicious!

Mickey

Mickey, Sue and Pat -oh, and Butch picking something off the floor

  Judy Wills and Jack Lewis

  " So how did you miss a picture of Denise?" said Sue

Our Great grandson Leo...

Looks like the Olsen twins.

Bill and Jo's Granddaughter gets married

Leo and Keri traveled to Indiana this past weekend to attend Alyssa Brooker's (Bill and Jo's granddaughter) wedding. He sent us pictures.

Brett & Alyssa

                                                     Addison

Horse drawn carriage for the bride and groom

 Capital building in Indianapolis

 Brenda(mother of the bride) and Keri

 The bride and her mother

 Norm, Alyssa and Brenda-bride with her parents

 Bill and Keri

 Jo and her daughter Barb

 Jo, Barb and Bill

 Cutting of the cake