CHECKING THE AREA OUT

Last night was cool with a low of 11, it reached about 24 as a high and remained cloudy today. Sorry, I keep bouncing back and forth from farenheit and celsius.  It depends if I go by the TV temps. or our outside thermometer we brought from home.

We were up early to check out the fruit/vegetable vendor who brings their goods to the fountain area near the east gate to the resort. They had a wide selection and it was recently harvested. A sign indicated the walnuts, pecans, almonds are from a new crop. The prices, Cathy says were comparable to home but fresh.

                                                                 selection of nuts

                          These are daikon or Japanese radishes, the grower says they can grow to about 2 ft. long. These are about 1 ft. long and are generally used in stir frys in oriental restaurants.

After putting the recent purchases away the neighbour across the street (here from Burlington) asked if we would like to join them as they are going grocery shopping. This was an errand we had planned on doing after lunch but we were happy to join them. Along the way to the H.E.B. grocery store which seems to be the only store providing competition for groceries to Walmart here, we were shown the locations for the local liquor store (important), the way to Walmart, how to get to the border, the area where they have a big flea market and a RV supply store. We had lunch with them and returned home. It was a great time and very informative.

We covered many topics for those few hours we were with Ron and Janet. One topic was on the TV channels we receive at the resort. They used to show 3 Canadian channels CTV, CBC and Global but a message just recently started indicating they are no longer able to provide them due to Canadian regulations.

I was craving a good bbq'ed steak and that is what we had for dinner along with the corn we purchased this am. It was not peaches and cream, that was a treat.

All for now.

WORKING ON ODDS AND ENDS

Today wasn't offering much in the way of weather. When we woke up the sky was grey and looked like rain as the weather forecast was predicting. The wind was really blowing through the night until noon today. Watching the local weather they had tornado warnings in the Baton Rouge area, glad we missed that. However, we did not get any rain at all, the cloud cover slowly broke and  it became sunny by dinner time. The high was about 62.

Cathy did  couple of small loads of laundry and vacuuming and I did some computer work. We also had a discussion about staying here longer since we both like here a lot already, but decided after only 3 days it is too early to make a decision. When we were sure it wasn't going to rain we bicycled over to the recreation building to enquire about signing up for a Border Guard Tour we read about. Unfortunately, it was full. Apparently the Border Guards tell stories about what they have seen and stopped crossing the border. There is also a tour of the Boarder patrol building. I think it would have interesting to see.

When we returned to the coach we did some maintenance on the bicycles, oiling and checking the gears.

Last night one of our neighbours welcomed us over to join a group of other neighbours who meet every day at 4 to have a happy hour with some good conversation. You just walk around the block to see where everyone is congregating and join them with your drinks and chairs. Today they didn't have it due to the coolness.

Cathy was in the Christmas spirit again so decorated the coach with a bow and string of lights (both from the Dollar Store).  By no means a award winning display - but hey, we tried!

              Cathy says this is with the flash on - looks like the license plate is illuminated.                

                                                  Without the flash - what a light display!


Til tomorrow.

CHECKING OUT THE RESORT

The weather today was a repeat of yesterday with a high of 85 and windy, we have been told this is the norm, keeps down the bugs.

This am. we packed up and moved to our new site, our new neighbour is the Park Manager, she has already helpful in getting our TV cable hooked up.

We asked about the bugs, they call them gnats here and say they do not bit. Cathy and I call them black flies and they do bite. Anyway the bug repellent works on them.

The Resort

We had to go to the Recreation Hall to p/u our cards for the fitness Centre and washrooms through out the park. It also contains 3 pools, 2 with hot tubs and the third with a sauna, library, tennis courts, laundromat, free wi-fi, shuffleboard, rock shop for jewellery making, cafe, wood shop, art centre, craft room, computer room, puzzle room, stained glass room,  sewing and quilting room. All of these have classes or activities you can sign up for free unless supplies are used.

                                                     
                                                          A view of our street.

There are grapefruit trees growing all over the resort and you can pick them. This one is on our site and Cathy had one for lunch. It was a pink one and was very good.

 
                                                          One of the pools and hot tub.

The main means of transportation in the resort is the golf cart followed by the bicycle.

All of the sites are for sale. You can purchase one to park you RV on or put a prefab cottage on it.

This is a water dispenser, you provide the jug and pay 25cents a gallon.


We attended the Santa Clause parade tonight containing about 10 golf carts all treated with Christmas decorations and lights, they were even throwing out candy.

ARRIVED IN MERCEDES TEXAS

The day was mostly cloudy and windy with a little humidity reaching a high of 83. The land continues to be flat with a coverage of scrub brush and low weed like trees with the odd palm interspersed. They must have had a very dry summer since areas which look like they once had water are now dry.

 

These next two pics. are from Kingsville which we drove through.

We arrived at the LLano Grande Lake Park in Mercedes around 2:30 and set up our set. This is a gated community for over 55 age group, Cathy had to show her driver's licence to prove her age. After the setup we noticed the site beside us was occupied by a permanent mobile house complete with a huge BTU air conditioner, which wasn't on while we were setting up. Cathy immediately went to the office and we will be moving tomorrow to our new site 7 spaces over.

After the set up we checked out the heated pool which was like a warm bath but was very refreshing. We decided not to go in the hot tub this time. I will be able to give more details and pictures tomorrow as it was getting dark when we returned to the coach. The other thing we have learned about Texas is there are "fire ants" through out it. These little things when they bit, you know it. The resort people came over shortly after we arrived and sprinkled some yellow granular product around some ant nests in the area.

There are also a variety of fruit trees (oranges, grapefruit, limes) throughout the resort which we are able to pick and use.

More details on the resort tomorrow after we explore it more.

http://goo.gl/maps/3hfE9

TAKING IT EASY

Today was sunny and a little on the muggy side with a high of 78. They are calling for a cold front to move in from Canada on Sunday night which is to drop the temp. from 87 to 57 degrees.

We were taking it easy today sitting outside and listening to the radio. During the day there was a rug cleaning company going through the park and washing rugs in several units. They would just finish with one unit and drag the hoses behind their truck to the next one.

We took a walk down to the Marina again and Cathy snapped a few pictures. There were quite a few guys out fishing. The two we talked to didn't have any luck.

  This house is in a gated community across from the marina.

 In the distance you can see the bridge we took to get to the ferry which took us over to the island.

We noticed this ship in the distance. It was probably coming from Corpus Christi.


We are on the road tomorrow. Heading south.

CATHY'S DISAPPOINTING DAY

Today started off foggy and later turned into a very nice warm, sunny day with a 78 degree high.

I guess the Christmas spirit hit us again when we went shopping after lunch as we came home with a string of lights and a large red Christmas bow for the front of the coach. Cathy bought a pair of work gloves she wanted because she was tired of getting her hands greasy when hooking up the trailer.

Now for Cathy's big disappointment.
She was told from a friend who has been in the states several times about a store called "Bealls". This store is basically a clothing/shoe store and there happens to be one in town. Once Cathy saw this the other day she told me she wanted to go to it. Today was the day and Cathy went to their website before leaving and she found a 25% off coupon for any item in the store, so printed it off.
She was checking out everything in the store and nothing really jumped out at her. After going around the full store once and having nothing to purchase she made a second round to be sure nothing was over looked. The whole time this coupon I could tell was burning away in her purse.
Still nothing, so with great disappointment Cathy gave the coupon to a lady in the store.
I am sure there will be better shopping days ahead for her.

We came home and Cathy wanted us to sit out and have a Pomegranate Margarita.


All for know
Sorry not pictures


  

TOURIST DAY

Last night there was quite a light show from the passing storm which just brought a few sprinkles of rain with it here (just enough to put spots on our nicely cleaned coach).

The weather today was great, no clouds and a high of 77f. just right for riding

We wanted to check out the local tourist areas today so we left around 9:30 and took the ferry right here in Aransas Pass over to Mustang Island (quick 5-6 minute ride). From there we entered onto the beach road right beside the Gulf Of Mexico. It was not busy at all. We travelled on it for about 5-10 miles when the road started to get softer to drive on so we took the next exit. It when on for miles.

                                                                                Ferry

                                                                     A long beach

                                                          A lot of houses on stilts

                                       This is the front of a tourist trap (yes, we stopped).

We then went over to Corpus Christi where we stopped for lunch and took a tour on the USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier from WWII. We checked it all out, going up and down stairs all afternoon (what a work out). One info. board stated it could generate enough hydro for 150,000 homes. It was complete with a mail rm, dentist, barber, OR, x-ray rm, cafeteria, galley, machine shop and sleeping quarters. A fully self contained ship.

                                                                        USS Lexington

                                                                            Deck

                                            Cathy - checking if there are instruction to fly.      

                          From the Bridge giving the "Dive, Dive" order - whoops wrong ship!     


Home before dark which is 5 o'clock.

IT'S ERRAND DAY

Today's weather was hot and humid with a high of 78F. This evening our area is on the southern edge of a thunderstorm which we can currently here in the distant.

One of the rules here in the park is you can wash your coach once upon arrival. Our unit was I am sure the dirtiest in the whole park due to the several rains we have encountered on the journey. We mentioned this to our neighbour and she provided us with an extra hose, nozzle and a washing brush.
People are too friendly here!! The other neighbours came over and introduced themselves today as well. There were 2 other fellows in the park asking where we lived and we told them aprox. 1 hr. north of Toronto. I asked them if they knew the area and they said they have been in Ontario, in a fish camp which they have to fly into.

So this morning we washed the coach and trailer then went grocery shopping at Walmart in the pm.
Cathy happened to notice the wine and wine coolers are cheaper here - so she stocked up. I mentioned to the teller that all the alcohol was for my wife.

                                                             Clean coach and trailer

                                                                       Pelican

                                                                         Crane


On our walk around the grounds today we saw this Christmas tree made from antlers. We think they may be from reindeer!

   http://goo.gl/maps/7mmhR

ARRIVED SAFELTY AT ARANSAS PASS TEXAS

 We enjoyed another free breakfast (waffles in the shape of Texas) before heading out at 9 o'clock. It was cloudy when we left and by the time we got to Houston it was showers on and off. It became hot and muggy through the day with a high of around 80f.

Looking at the map of Houston I thought it would be worst than what it was to go through. There was a slow down area for about 11 miles and that was it. I think we timed it right to go through (about 10).

                                                                     
                                                                         Houston

The land we crossed was still pretty flat and there seem to be no large trees just short types and scrub brush.

                                                                   Lake Texana

We arrived in Aransas Pass at 3:15. The Resort is on a bay which is seperated by the San Jose Island from the Gulf of Mexico and is beside a marina. It is about 21 miles from Corpus Christi.

                                                                      The Resort


No sooner were we parked and getting settled in, when a neighbour came over and we talked for 1/2 an hour about the area, the resort and places he had travelled. After he left the neighbour next door came over and talked for another 1/2 hour about her sick husband and her travels. People are very friendly here. We mentioned we were going to wash the coach tomorrow, it is very dirty from the travels and rains we have been traveling through and she offered us the use of  her spare hose, nozzle and a battery operated wand with a rotating brush on the end. I will be checking it out tomorrow to see how well it works. This park has 128 sites and is pretty well full. We took a quick walk around and I believe we are the only Canadians. We are here until Saturday and noticed the resort is having their Christmas parade then.

                                               Cathy shot this sunset late in the evening.                   

ANOTHER GREAT DAY IN TEXAS

It was a pretty non-eventful day today. The weather was great, a partially cloudy day, a slight breeze and a high of 79F.

We had another free breakfast and decided to relax on our patio and take in the warmth. After lunch we started to pack up a few things since we are back on the road tomorrow. To get to our next location it will be about a 5 hr. drive taking us through Houston.  We want to time this carefully in order to avoid rush hour. Stay tuned for our new location.

Sorry no pics.

BREAKING OUT THE SHORTS

We found the nice weather in Texas! It reached about 80 degrees F. today and the morning temp. in the coach was 70 F. We checked out the free breakfast which had a selection of cereals, biscuits and gravy, waffles, juice and coffee. Cathy was nauseated looking at the biscuits and gravy.

                                                        Cathy and her new Texan Friend

We drove down to Port Arthur thinking we would see a nice port and lots of water and a busy downtown. What we found was a waterfront which only had a very small park with a bank for a few fisherman to sit on. The rest was a working harbour and we couldn't get close to the water.

 

                                                        There where only a few boats.

We had lunch at the Golden Corral which had a line up for lunch and a great selection of food. The really good part, I received the seniors discount but my younger wife did not.

                                       Had to do a little work on the wing. Look at those legs!!


All for now.

    

WE ARE NOW IN THE LONE STAR STATE


The  weather today was mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, a high of 72F. and the low last night was 46F.

During the drive over we continued to see a lot of  flat land covered by water. It did get a little more hilly as we entered Texas.

                  
                                   We crossed over the Mississippi again, this is a huge river!

                                                       Raised roadway over wetlands

                                    

                                            This is Atchafalaya Intracoastal Waterway.

                                                   We had to get a run at this bridge.

                                     

We arrived at our new location in Beaumont around 2 o'clock this afternoon and had time to look around, take a bicycle ride around the campground which appears to be about 70% full. They also provide a free breakfast every day. We are going to check it out tomorrow. There are a lot of Texan RVs  here but we noticed quite a selection of other out of state units as well as one from Ontario. Later in the evening a rig pulled in beside us and it was a couple we parked beside back in Mississippi.
(small world)

                                          Pool at the campground - don`t see any ice on it!!

We have noticed the price of gas has fluctuated a fair bit since we entered the states. The most expensive gas so far was 3.56 gal. in Louisiana and the cheapest here in Texas at 2.99.

http://goo.gl/maps/8O7So