THE WEEK AT A GLANCE
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY
Well, this was a week of unfulfilled bliss. It started out with our departure from Rockport on Monday, the 9th. It was cloudy and the weather threatening as we "cranked up the diesel" and took to the road. We planned to stop in El Paso for some routine maintenance work thus, we decided to leave a few days early to allow plenty of time to complete the work and meet our caravan group for our Mexico trek. Further, rain was forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday and we wanted to avoid as much weather as possible.
We took Highway 181, a more rural route from the Rockport area into San Antonio. It was more interesting, with many small towns and ranches. I love the open spaces of Texas but I like to be reminded that there is human habitation. We stopped for the night in Junction Texas and "dry camped" beside a river just inside the city limits. It was a pleasant overnighter.
Tuesday morning we awakened to dark clouds and rain. We drove through the town of Junction and stopped for breakfast at what appeared to be the "town meeting place". After breakfast with the "natives" we boarded our "bus" and made our way through the passes over the hills and into the valleys in a steady rain and growing limited visibility. As we made our way over the highest pass, the fog was extremely heavy but it was short lived . Once we were through the pass, the fog lifted, the rain ceased and the clouds broke. By the time we reached El Paso, the weather cleared and blue sky welcomed us into the city. We stopped outside El Paso and spent the night in the coach at the Freightliner yard in preparation for the work to be performed the next day.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) an oil leak was found in a gasket in both the motor and the transmission during the routine inspection. Freightliner, the manufacturer of our chassis recommended that we have it repaired under warranty. We agreed though it would mean an extra day in El Paso. It took the rest of Wednesday to get approval from the engine manufacturer, Cummings and the transmission manufacturer, Allison. Once approvals were received, parts were ordered and work was to start on Thursday with completion scheduled for no later than Saturday morning. This meant that we would have to spend the next two nights in a motel.
Thursday morning we packed our "ditty bag" and off to a motel went we. We found a Red Lion down the road and decided that should be a good place for two nights on the road. Well, we learned that we have become very spoiled and dependent on our own bed. The bed was terrible and neither of us slept well.
The next morning we decided to check out of the Red Lion and if we had to spend another night in a motel, it would not be with a "lumpy" bed. Freightliner thought that possibly, they would be able to complete the work on Friday and that a second night in a motel might not be necessary. However, Friday morning it was raining, cold and freezing with intermittent snow flurries. Traffic on I-10 from Van Horn West was halted and as a result, our parts did not arrive. Had we left Rockport on Wednesday as planned, we would have been caught in the road closure. That knowledge took the sting out of having to spend another night in a motel.
What can go wrong, will and a belt that had been ordered for the coach didn't fit, so another night was spent in a motel. From all of this one might assume that we have fully explored El Paso. Take it from me. It is a thriving border town, well laid out, well planned and growing. Everyone is very nice, there are many good restaurants and Texas hospitality abounds. However, in my view, it is a good city to pass through and I do not plan to leave anything here.
We hope to depart El Paso late tomorrow, Sunday, February 15, and make our way into Saint David on Monday in preparation for our rendezvous with the caravan group and our week long trek into Mexico. My next posting will be upon our return, February 29. Until then, I will be trying to capture in prose our adventures and explorations below the border. Adios for now.
Friday, February 06, 2004
SATURDAY JANUARY 31, 2004
Ken was up and "at em" at 4AM in preparation for the anticipated arrival of his new fishing buddies at 445A. Since I was not going along, they offered to pick Ken up for the drive across the bay and the fishing boat. Mind you, I ignored the alarm, the preparation of breakfast (cereal) and the peck on the cheek? that heralded the departure of my ?royalty? at the appointed hour. At 8ish, I began the ritual of preparing to meet my day? and finally, succumbed to the ?mad rush? of solitude with vitamins, pills and coffee ? all in that order somewhere between eight and nine. What a life! Early morning it was overcast but the overcast burned off by noon and it was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid-seventies. Couldn?t beat it with a stick.
In reading my last GAZETTE, I discovered (in addition to several typos) that I referred to the ?snowbirds? as Texas winter people. Wrong ? they are called ?Winter Texans?. Sorry about that. I continue to be surprised at the number of RV'rs who are full time. They sell their house, all of their belongings, buy a RV and take to the road. The men seem to love it but I think that most of the women are just doing the "Ruth? thing" "Your people shall become my people etc etc etc." I don't think they are really liberated females "just dutiful" but frankly, sometimes it is hard to identify the REAL "trail boss". Often it is the women who seem to be "in charge". This phenomena has been a revelation to me. Many years ago we were involved with a "motivation" group and one of the books on the recommended reading was a book, the title and author of which now escapes me, that made the point that it is the women who really rule the world. I believed it then (and that was before the women?s lib movement) and I still do. Men only think they control. As I watch these rv'e'rs, I have become even more convinced that they just drive the bus ? the real power is in the navigators seat!!!! (Mind you ? that isn?t true with this coach because if I claimed all that power, I would lose my "edge". So "if you don?t know me well, you might assume that I am a 'submissive'" wife? Now that is a question to ponder.)
Back to the resident fisherman. He left at 445A and returned at 730P. A long day to say the least but he came in happy as a lark though "fishy" smelling. His return was gleeful and "talkative" as he said "I just had the greatest fishing day of my life". The weather was nice, the fish were biting and although the boat was too crowded for great fishing, he thoroughly enjoyed his day on the high seas. He immediately undressed and took his shower and I put his dirty smelly old clothes in a trash bag outside. Sunday?s dinner was a baked potato, green beans, fresh tomatoes and steamed Pompino (I think that is what he called ?em) cooked on the barbie. He also caught two large king fish but they need a lot of "attention" in the preparation process so he gave those to the park for a fish supper that they are planning. Apparently the ?chief cooks? at the park have more experience with kingfish. The only Kingfish I know anything about is the one that I used to hear on "Lum and Abner" or was it "Amos n Andy".
Sunday night we had a Texas style storm with fireworks, rain, hale and thunder!!! It rained hard for 30 minutes or so and then tapered off. Tuesday, I learned first hand that this Texas clay is really "slick" I was walking on a "gravel" path perfectly upright until I inadvertently hit a patch of white clay that did not look wet but held a surprise of sort. Before I knew it my feet were moving as ?fast as sound? and my "obese ridden" body did not keep up. I gave up trying and sat down (gently) in the "mud". Not a pretty sight and certainly not a ?graceful? exit to my former horizontal position . My once clean jeans were no more and had to be ?shelved?! I rushed back to the coach to change my clothes and repair by ?wounded ego?. Fortunately, nothing but my ego was hurt! One just never knows what surprises may lie ahead when they start out on the most innocent of excursions.
Monday, we moved our coach to a very secluded and beautiful site next to the lake. During a walk on Sunday we passed by this location and Ken said to the resident, "you have the best spot in the park". During our conversation, we learned they were leaving the next day. Ken rushed down to the office and requested a move and as they drove by on Monday morning they ?"onked" to let us know that the space was available. Ken was ready and with the "honk"we were outa there and movede. It is truly a beautiful spot with squirrels playing in the trees, an alleged friendly alligator patrolling the lake front and lots of shade if the sun ever shines again.
After our move, we went out and about, had a barbecue beef sandwich from a little shack along the highway which was recommended as the best BBQ in the area. It was reminiscent of a shack called the "Poor Man's Bar" that we visited on our first trip to the Virgin Islands. This little business did not have a bar, but it did have good food with minimal overhead. After our lunch, we drove to Port Aransas, took the ferry over to Padre Island and did a ?walk through? the bird sanctuary. That was it for Monday.
Tuesday we drove back to Port Aransas to a restaurant called ?The Big Fishermen? for their Tuesday noon special ? all of the chicken gizzards, livers or country fried steak that you can eat for $1.75. We were shocked when we arrived to find a long line waiting for seating but the line went fast ? about 15 minutes. When we came out, an estimated 100 people were in line awaiting seating. We chatted with a fellow diner at the table next to us who told us they estimate that they serve 2,500 to 3,000 people on any given Tuesday noon. We believed the estimate, judging from the crowd on this particular day. We had eaten dinner at this restaurant one night last week and it was good. We would have gone back even without the ?come on? and it has become our favorite sea food place so far. Of course, we?ve only been there but needless to say, it is a good restaurant with ?evening? entertainment on weekends.
Wednesday, Ken was seeking a special connector to install his new ?antenna? so off to Corpus Christi we went. (About 30 miles). He quickly found one that he thought would work but now that we were in Corpus Christi ? it was necessary to do a little sight seeing. Of course, the port was a must see and the afternoon was spent roaming the docks and piers of Corpus Christi. There was little or no traffic, no one on the docks. It was strange. Rarely have I visited a major marina where there was as little ?action?.
We drove back the "ong way" or "scenic route" which was through Padre Island and we did a scenic drive through the National Park but it was getting late, the fog was coming in and it was time to get back to the home on wheels. We vowed to do a day at the beach later in the week.
Thursday morning, we packed an overnight bag, climbed into the ?towed? and drove the 180 miles to Brownsville, Port Isabel and South Padre Island. South Padre Island is a beautiful spot across the bay from Port Isabel with many high rise hotels and time share accommodations to ?lure? the happy tourist. We chose to spend our ?night out? at a new La Quinta motel on the beach. Ken went in to check on availability and check in while I waited outside in the car. He came out pleased as punch. Got the room at the special rate quoted, included a "happy hour", continental breakfast, i net availability and right on the beach. I said "What floor did we get?" He responded, happily, "first". I said, "Oh, no view huh? -- His enthusiasm waned and he said, "I didn't even think about that -- I just thought "how lucky, we won't have to fool with elevators! " We exchanged chuckles. Sometimes it just pays to accept what you have. No doubt the further up you go the more expensive it is likely to be.
Afer a walk on the beach and happy hour we came back to the room, freshened up and went to Port Isabel for dinner. I chuckled when we arrived at the restaurant (on the pier, of course) and I said, "Oh, yes dear, "where would you like to have dinner tonight?" Ken thought that was funny! When we are at the seashore, it is always his choice ? usually a pier where seafood is the speciality and the view is good. Of course, after dinner we had to walk the pier and check on the fishing catch of all the fishermen. It was quite pleasant -- actually warmer than a California pier during the summer (unless there is a heat wave). It was 74 here today and it was 63 tonight. I walked on the beach without a coat and was too hot with a light pullover. It is supposed to get down to almost freezing Saturday morning so it can get cool but it doesn't last -- weather is very much like Florida and a lot less people to distract from the beauty. There are retired and older people but they are not as "frail" as a lot of the residents in Sarasota.
It is a long drive down here but once here, it is beautiful. Texas can definitely get a little boring because it is sooooo flat. I love the open spaces but I have to admit, there are a lot of miles between the sights and scenery. When we are traveling in the RV, I usually read but I don't read in the car. The best thing about all of the open space is the absence of people. California is too crowded at least in our neck of the pavement.
I am pasteing this from South Padre Island where I am lucky enough to be on a "local area network". So there you have it for this week.
Ken loves the white pelicans
Views from our house in Rockport
Ken was up and "at em" at 4AM in preparation for the anticipated arrival of his new fishing buddies at 445A. Since I was not going along, they offered to pick Ken up for the drive across the bay and the fishing boat. Mind you, I ignored the alarm, the preparation of breakfast (cereal) and the peck on the cheek? that heralded the departure of my ?royalty? at the appointed hour. At 8ish, I began the ritual of preparing to meet my day? and finally, succumbed to the ?mad rush? of solitude with vitamins, pills and coffee ? all in that order somewhere between eight and nine. What a life! Early morning it was overcast but the overcast burned off by noon and it was a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid-seventies. Couldn?t beat it with a stick.
In reading my last GAZETTE, I discovered (in addition to several typos) that I referred to the ?snowbirds? as Texas winter people. Wrong ? they are called ?Winter Texans?. Sorry about that. I continue to be surprised at the number of RV'rs who are full time. They sell their house, all of their belongings, buy a RV and take to the road. The men seem to love it but I think that most of the women are just doing the "Ruth? thing" "Your people shall become my people etc etc etc." I don't think they are really liberated females "just dutiful" but frankly, sometimes it is hard to identify the REAL "trail boss". Often it is the women who seem to be "in charge". This phenomena has been a revelation to me. Many years ago we were involved with a "motivation" group and one of the books on the recommended reading was a book, the title and author of which now escapes me, that made the point that it is the women who really rule the world. I believed it then (and that was before the women?s lib movement) and I still do. Men only think they control. As I watch these rv'e'rs, I have become even more convinced that they just drive the bus ? the real power is in the navigators seat!!!! (Mind you ? that isn?t true with this coach because if I claimed all that power, I would lose my "edge". So "if you don?t know me well, you might assume that I am a 'submissive'" wife? Now that is a question to ponder.)
Back to the resident fisherman. He left at 445A and returned at 730P. A long day to say the least but he came in happy as a lark though "fishy" smelling. His return was gleeful and "talkative" as he said "I just had the greatest fishing day of my life". The weather was nice, the fish were biting and although the boat was too crowded for great fishing, he thoroughly enjoyed his day on the high seas. He immediately undressed and took his shower and I put his dirty smelly old clothes in a trash bag outside. Sunday?s dinner was a baked potato, green beans, fresh tomatoes and steamed Pompino (I think that is what he called ?em) cooked on the barbie. He also caught two large king fish but they need a lot of "attention" in the preparation process so he gave those to the park for a fish supper that they are planning. Apparently the ?chief cooks? at the park have more experience with kingfish. The only Kingfish I know anything about is the one that I used to hear on "Lum and Abner" or was it "Amos n Andy".
Sunday night we had a Texas style storm with fireworks, rain, hale and thunder!!! It rained hard for 30 minutes or so and then tapered off. Tuesday, I learned first hand that this Texas clay is really "slick" I was walking on a "gravel" path perfectly upright until I inadvertently hit a patch of white clay that did not look wet but held a surprise of sort. Before I knew it my feet were moving as ?fast as sound? and my "obese ridden" body did not keep up. I gave up trying and sat down (gently) in the "mud". Not a pretty sight and certainly not a ?graceful? exit to my former horizontal position . My once clean jeans were no more and had to be ?shelved?! I rushed back to the coach to change my clothes and repair by ?wounded ego?. Fortunately, nothing but my ego was hurt! One just never knows what surprises may lie ahead when they start out on the most innocent of excursions.
Monday, we moved our coach to a very secluded and beautiful site next to the lake. During a walk on Sunday we passed by this location and Ken said to the resident, "you have the best spot in the park". During our conversation, we learned they were leaving the next day. Ken rushed down to the office and requested a move and as they drove by on Monday morning they ?"onked" to let us know that the space was available. Ken was ready and with the "honk"we were outa there and movede. It is truly a beautiful spot with squirrels playing in the trees, an alleged friendly alligator patrolling the lake front and lots of shade if the sun ever shines again.
After our move, we went out and about, had a barbecue beef sandwich from a little shack along the highway which was recommended as the best BBQ in the area. It was reminiscent of a shack called the "Poor Man's Bar" that we visited on our first trip to the Virgin Islands. This little business did not have a bar, but it did have good food with minimal overhead. After our lunch, we drove to Port Aransas, took the ferry over to Padre Island and did a ?walk through? the bird sanctuary. That was it for Monday.
Tuesday we drove back to Port Aransas to a restaurant called ?The Big Fishermen? for their Tuesday noon special ? all of the chicken gizzards, livers or country fried steak that you can eat for $1.75. We were shocked when we arrived to find a long line waiting for seating but the line went fast ? about 15 minutes. When we came out, an estimated 100 people were in line awaiting seating. We chatted with a fellow diner at the table next to us who told us they estimate that they serve 2,500 to 3,000 people on any given Tuesday noon. We believed the estimate, judging from the crowd on this particular day. We had eaten dinner at this restaurant one night last week and it was good. We would have gone back even without the ?come on? and it has become our favorite sea food place so far. Of course, we?ve only been there but needless to say, it is a good restaurant with ?evening? entertainment on weekends.
Wednesday, Ken was seeking a special connector to install his new ?antenna? so off to Corpus Christi we went. (About 30 miles). He quickly found one that he thought would work but now that we were in Corpus Christi ? it was necessary to do a little sight seeing. Of course, the port was a must see and the afternoon was spent roaming the docks and piers of Corpus Christi. There was little or no traffic, no one on the docks. It was strange. Rarely have I visited a major marina where there was as little ?action?.
We drove back the "ong way" or "scenic route" which was through Padre Island and we did a scenic drive through the National Park but it was getting late, the fog was coming in and it was time to get back to the home on wheels. We vowed to do a day at the beach later in the week.
Thursday morning, we packed an overnight bag, climbed into the ?towed? and drove the 180 miles to Brownsville, Port Isabel and South Padre Island. South Padre Island is a beautiful spot across the bay from Port Isabel with many high rise hotels and time share accommodations to ?lure? the happy tourist. We chose to spend our ?night out? at a new La Quinta motel on the beach. Ken went in to check on availability and check in while I waited outside in the car. He came out pleased as punch. Got the room at the special rate quoted, included a "happy hour", continental breakfast, i net availability and right on the beach. I said "What floor did we get?" He responded, happily, "first". I said, "Oh, no view huh? -- His enthusiasm waned and he said, "I didn't even think about that -- I just thought "how lucky, we won't have to fool with elevators! " We exchanged chuckles. Sometimes it just pays to accept what you have. No doubt the further up you go the more expensive it is likely to be.
Afer a walk on the beach and happy hour we came back to the room, freshened up and went to Port Isabel for dinner. I chuckled when we arrived at the restaurant (on the pier, of course) and I said, "Oh, yes dear, "where would you like to have dinner tonight?" Ken thought that was funny! When we are at the seashore, it is always his choice ? usually a pier where seafood is the speciality and the view is good. Of course, after dinner we had to walk the pier and check on the fishing catch of all the fishermen. It was quite pleasant -- actually warmer than a California pier during the summer (unless there is a heat wave). It was 74 here today and it was 63 tonight. I walked on the beach without a coat and was too hot with a light pullover. It is supposed to get down to almost freezing Saturday morning so it can get cool but it doesn't last -- weather is very much like Florida and a lot less people to distract from the beauty. There are retired and older people but they are not as "frail" as a lot of the residents in Sarasota.
It is a long drive down here but once here, it is beautiful. Texas can definitely get a little boring because it is sooooo flat. I love the open spaces but I have to admit, there are a lot of miles between the sights and scenery. When we are traveling in the RV, I usually read but I don't read in the car. The best thing about all of the open space is the absence of people. California is too crowded at least in our neck of the pavement.
I am pasteing this from South Padre Island where I am lucky enough to be on a "local area network". So there you have it for this week.
Ken loves the white pelicans
Views from our house in Rockport
