NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I'm thinking of a four letter word.

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S.....N.....O.....W

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The date today is March 27th.

Kansas City isn't supposed to look like this in the last week of March.

I feel that a horrible joke has been played on us. Sixteen days ago we were in Aransas Pass Texas, walking on the beach and sipping wine.

We were grilling burgers with our friends and making plans for next winter.

I didn't realize next winter was only sixteen days away at that time.

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We are here to have our taxes done, visit our doctors and most of all catch up with friends and family ---- but we certainly didn't need a reminder of why we went south last November.

More snow is predicted.

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Our arrival next spring will be later.

How Y'all Doon' ?

Page 5 clearly states that you don't have to own an oil well to be a Texan, unless of course, you live in Midland, where it's mandatory.

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We are now officially Texans. Our new home town is Livingston, a pretty little town about 80 miles north of Houston. We have joined the Escapees, a club for R V owners. We will now have access to more camping areas across the United States and a mailing service when traveling.This is really a beautiful area and a nice time to be here. The blue bonnets are blooming and the red bud trees look fabulous. Many of the full time residents have wisteria in bloom.

Just down the highway is a lumber mill. Driving by the smell of the fresh cut wood reminds me of my home. My father had a saw mill in the Ozarks and the fragrance of the pine and cedar really brings back memories.

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John is becoming extremely fond of pork rinds, or chicharrones. It is almost an obsession now, and he is branching out to the more exotic flavors. His current favorite is salt and vinegar.

I,too, have had some changes in the last 24 hours. For some reason I feel the need to own silver earrings shaped like cowboy boots with turquoise inlay. I suddenly want every item in my wardrobe to feature rhinestones or fringe or both. I have a driving need for a cowhide purse big enough to serve as carry-on luggage. I believe everything looks better in lame' or tooled leather! I have come to the realization that I should never have cut my hair - it should be bigger! much bigger!

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At least I do own denim, and I sense a growing feeling of superiority over the rest of Y'all!

Port Aransas part II

We are back at Port Aransas for a short stay. On the way south in November we stopped here. Many of the shops and restaurants were closed then but now they are geared up, waiting for the Spring Break that will bring thousands to the beaches. This is the beach we walk to from Gulf Waters.I love this park. All the sites are privately owned but managed by the park, and you actually rent from the owner who's not currently using his.

There's NO fishing in the lake. You're also not supposed to feed the birds but we did and they sure seemed to know what was going on!

This is the boardwalk from the R V park to the beach and the grader that grooms the beach every other day.

The jetty close to town is a favorite place to fish or just wander around. The ship in the background is on it's way in to port. Dolphins lead the ships in, leaping just in front of the bow.

Jake and John fishing but not catching. No one else was catching either, not even the pelicans.

This is Jake and Candy Warren, our next-door neighbors for the last four months. They are Cajuns, and wow can they cook! I have been totally spoiled by the food they served. There was not a dish they made I didn't love. Not only are they great chefs they are both wonderful story tellers and educators. I now know it's pronounced "on DOO wee" - not "an duh LEE" sausage. I blame the Polish butchers in Kansas City Kansas!

John and I had a lot of fun getting to know them and are looking forward to meeting them again on the road.

Our last sunrise at Gulf Waters. If you look closely you can see the morning star.

We are headed to San Antonio to check out another R V park. We will spend next December there before wandering farther south.

We are beginning our slow trip back to Kansas City, stopping in Livingston Texas to join the Escapees R V Club.

In just a few days we will be Texans.

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I feel like I should get a few "last requests".

Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday found us at Port Aransas, the northern point of Mustang Island. We were camped in a beautiful resort named Gulf Waters just south of town. When we learned a parade was happening in town Candy and I didn't want to miss it.

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It was a small parade by many standards, but what they lacked in size was made up by enthusiasm. The picture on the top shows the front of the float and the picture on the bottom shows the ---

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Bottom!

I love the juxtaposition of the "Pastie" costume with the seniors along the parade route. There were many golf carts in the parade because there are golf carts everywhere here. They are rented here to just get around the town in tourist season; and naturally there are golf courses everywhere in Texas. Many people spend the winter here for the golf!!!

St Patrick's Day is just around the corner. Why not get a jump?

I don't understand the significance of the arms, but does anyone really?

The singer was going a fine job on Rock'n'roll oldies.

Santa comes here after the Christmas rush, and he loves Mardi Gras!

Check out the parrot

See the cardboard boxes in the front cart? They are full of throw-away beads, thousands of 'em.

Close to the end of the parade, and pretty tired of it too. See the little dog in the front of the cart?

Candy and I got lots of beads. We had so many some people wouldn't give us any more, and we began asking them to give beads to the young girl standing near us with lovely manners.
(She wasn't loud like us.) You may be able to see the business card fixed to one of my beads. It was from Betty Bail Bonds with the motto: You ring I spring.

Hasta Luego Llano Grande!

After four months at Llano Grande we packed up and headed out to new adventures. On our last morning Vikki, who is totally hilarious, came down at the crack of dawn (8:45 - she's not an early riser) to wish us bon voyage.

We are excited to move on, but plan to return next winter for a shorter stay.

The "Flea"

There are Flea Markets all over the valley, and a really busy one is located a few miles up the road. Every Saturday and Sunday cars fill up the parking lot next to the market and spill over across the street to the $2 area. I'd always wanted to check it out, and time is slipping away. Today Candy and I hit the Flea.
Sad to say, it was dismal.
I did see a mint plant for sale, but mine is doing just fine.
We saw a band tuning up and think the appeal must be live music.


The next spot was much busier, with a lot of shoppers and vendors. Most of the booths were run by Norte Americanos; misplaced Minnesotans and Iowa ex-patriots filling up their weekends.



The indoor shopping area was filled with the usual arts and crafts . Jewelry and custom printed T shirts were big sellers. I really should have photographed some of the clothing items. Red lace mini dresses, lots of sequins - not what most retirees wear to HEB.

We waited out a shower inside. The booth I was interested in was on the outer edge of the lot, and I wasn't leaving without the items John had sent me for.
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We have joined the dark side.
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We are becoming true Texans.
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Our youth may be lost.
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I bought golf clubs................
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Only two drivers and one putter, but I see it as the first step on that slippery slide to damnation.
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Pray for us.

Estero Llano Grande World Birding Center

Yesterday Candy and I went to the State Park that borders our R V park. I'm kind of ashamed to admit I hadn't been there before. This place is a huge deal to bird watchers who come here from all over the world (according to the visitor center).
The prime time to be here is late summer when most of the water sources dry up, encouraging the birds to visit the wetlands here.


Although we didn't see a lot of birds the grounds are very pretty. I did see the largest hummingbird ever!


This is a chachalaca. It's a largish bird that we see in the R V park occasionally. It looks as big as a turkey sitting on a tree limb, with large feet that are not webbed. It's really a different kind of duck!
(Added March 3rd - I've been told this isn't a chachalaca; it's probably a grebe, but isn't chachalaca a lot more fun to say)


[Added March 6th----IT'S A COOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I'm sorry I ever brought it up!!!!!!]

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One of the hiking trails is visible on the right.

This looked kinda like a locust tree but I'm not sure. The seeds are definitely not a bird favorite.

One of the prettiest areas in the estuary where we saw one very impressive bird.

Isn't he a looker?
He was a brilliant blue not shown in the photo. We knew he was important because of what happened when he showed up!

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Candy and I were way too casual birdwatchers for this group. I do wish I'd asked them what kind of bird it was, but I'm sure they would have been aghast at my ignorance.

A close-up of the mystery bird.