Fun with Lee Ann and Spud Brown at Grove, Texas

How did we make it here to Grove, Texas? I know we drove, but what made us make the turns and put on the brakes to be exactly here? Facebook, Hmm I think this is what has connected us! I knew Lee Ann lived in Texas, and I think it was through my sister Joy that I learned this, but Facebook is what connected us a few years ago, and since we have kept track of each other at a distance. I didn’t know here husband Spud, or much about Lee Ann’s life, neither did Paulette. That has changed now as we had such a good visit here in the Port Arthur area, and Grove where they live.

Lee Ann knows we are coming, and we text through FB, and then exchange numbers and text and talk so we know when and how long we will stay, and where we will be. Polly asks me to ask Lee Ann about a hair cut and colour job, I give here the phone and Lee Ann says

“So you want a Big Texas Do, How big do you want to go” LOL yep that was the girl I remember, with an accent that didn’t fit my memories.

It’s decided Friday 1pm is the best day for the hair appointment, and spaghetti dinner that night at there place. We pull into Port Arthur RV Resort Thursday and set up, I have a swim in the Texas shaped pool and relax in the sun for awhile, then we head to get a few groceries. Quiet evening, and in the morning we take it slow, no rush, retired hey!

Texas shaped pool at Port Arthur RV Resort

We drive to the address given by Lee Ann, she is very good about making sure I know exactly where to go, and what the place looks like, we spot it right away as 2 big palms outside front of Posh hair shop.

I park in the back as told, and we walk in. As we said before, we haven’t changed at all, and what a great big hug we got, and was a fun meeting. Lee Ann introduced us to here co workers, and her customers, was like being home. Polly stayed, I went toward the fuel place, then to get the headlight replaced, all went well, then home to give the trailer a good clean out, as been holding stuff under the desk for just too long.

After a few hours Lee Ann brings Polly back, a New Woman, beauty job of Polly’s hair. We sit and talk and get to know each other a little more, as we are in our air conditioned trailer. The weather here is warm today, and we know to stay inside, or go to the pool. Much information was shared over an hour or so, Lee Ann had to keep saying to me “As I told Polly” as they had spent the last couple hours talking as the hairs were being transformed. Was a nice way to meet, very relaxed.

Lee Ann went home, and told us come when we can, Spud will be off about 6 or so.

That night we went to Lee Ann and Spud Browns for Spaghetti dinner and get to know each other, and share some past times. Was laid back, we got to meet Spud, who likes to smoke (even if Lee Ann doesn’t want him to) and play Harmonica, as well as Guitar, very talented, and a real joker. There dog Hanna, who is full of energy, and loves to chase squirrels, which there are many around. There home was a beauty, and they told us the story of how it came to be changed from 10 foot ceilings to 8 ft, with an upstairs that we could sleep in if we stayed the night.

Dinner was good, and after out came the school annuals, and all the memories that come with it, Polly and Lee Ann were first to start in on them as I went outside with Spud after dinner. Then when we came back in the memories were on, “Oh do you remember him, her, Oh yea, and wonder where they are, and saw her the 40^th, and she wasn't there, he died, and she is gone. All the things you do after 4o years of not seeing each other. Polly even though she was not in school at the time we were, could share as she knew many of the people and teachers we did. Was a fun time, but Spud was left out of this time. I felt bad about this, but once the books came out we had to go over them. Was a good night.

Pool I never took a dive in, a first for me.

BBQ was great, met many of Spud and Lee Ann’s friends, and food was Mmmm good, especially the ribs, and squishy bread and sausages. We talked and drank a few, and got to know each other. We talked so much that pictures were last on my mind till Spud says “I think it’s time we get in the man cave and take a picture” If you know the man cave then you know how funny this was. Spuds Man cave is the bathroom off the pool deck, with a blackboard on one wall, a toilet, and a sink. To get all 10 of us in there would have been fun, so I go get the camera. No movement to the man cave, but I got a couple pictures of Spud & Lee Ann’s friends with a few practice shots, all were happy and sharing stories all night. What a fun BBQ, and then the food began. Never got a shot of food, once we started eating, again I ate talked, and enjoyed the time we were together. Stories were flying around, and people had a fun time, was such a fun night.

Planning ahead we asked to stay the night and there was a bed available as we are no drink and drive! Had a good nights sleep, and I was awake early, once I heard someone moving around, up I got and coffee was on and we could talk and plan our day. Spud had a Legion meeting to go to, so breaky was next french toast and sausage patties, was good.

How to put in all words? What hospitality, fun, friendships, and top it all off a tour of places that mean so much to them from young to now. Wow is how I say it, Polly says was a really nice weekend, we got treated like a King and Queen. Thanks to Lee Ann & Spud Brown, and there friends, who we got to know at the BBQ that was so much fun.

Thanks for the fantastic weekend, as Polly said, when you make it to our neck of the woods, we will have to meet up and share some more, this time we will do some cooking (well Polly will), I’ll serve the beer and drinks.

Loving it here in Texas, but leaving for Louisiana tomorrow...

Port Arthur RV Resort today

Wet, cloudy, but still warm, Wow... What a rain lightning and thunder storm last night! Bosco was on the floor, and Polly was Ohh... That was close... OH... That was CLOSER! Me, I was wanting to sleep, but the storm was not going to let that happen, neither was Polly, was an hour or so before the lightning and thunder along with the rains moved away, finally quiet.

Polly says looks like a face in the clouds

Port Arthur RV Resort

Never seen clouds like this before

Was that a light show I just didn’t have the get up get up and watch. Polly was looking out the windows, and shutting the windows, and checking out the wild night, she was worried. We finally did get some sleep, but was a broken night, and now as I type, here we go again, wind, lightning, thunder and rains, but this time it’s daylight and I get to watch, as well as take a few pics, and a video. Very different from what we have seen before, clouds moving rolling over themselves, and now rain pounding, then quiet, then again pounding as the biggest black cloud approaches. Love the power of the storm sounds here, many powerful lightning strikes, and thunder, and rains that pound hard on the roof. Christopher asked me when I talked to him last if we had seen any storms, now I can say yes.

BBQ with Lee Ann & Spud Brown today maybe rain-fest, will see what comes. Weather forecast is for sunny warm afternoon, but doesn’t look like that now. Nice, we are still in shorts, and warm, bring on the rains...

Love it here in Texas, all the ways it comes, All good!

Weslaco to Victoria, Texas

Monday we left or week long stay at Country Sunshine RV in Weslaco. We said our good byes to Joanne and Dave, Barry and Sharon, and the good times we had, and headed down the road to Victoria Texas. No matter how many times we do this, or how much we prepare we always seem to distrust the GPS as we start out going through the city as we leave. This time was weirder than others as the “other woman” as I call her has decided to re-calculate all over the place. She is having a hard time, and as we go so do we then. After awhile the lovely girl gets it straightened out, we guess she didn’t recognise some of the changes in the roads sine she was programmed. Polly says we have to get an update, I say yes and thinking about it now I didn’t do it yet, and we are about to travel again today. Hmm maybe I should do it today before we leave? Naa, do it later...

Coffee is especially good this morning as I write, not sure why but Mmm.

All going good now, light traffic, and great highway, Polly says I have a kinda sad feeling, I say yep me too, leaving them was hard as we did like the whole experience, and the new friendships were fun. Will go back next year for longer, and will see them again. Funny how you don’t think of this till you actually leave.

The road ahead has a rest stop I think about 80 miles up the road, so we settle into the highway rhythm, and get comfortable with the drive again, kinda used to travel now, and liking the whole experience of looking forward to something new all the time as we go learning all the way.

The rest stop comes at just the right time, Breakfast I missed was lunch now, and all had to pee, Bosco more than a pee... I am very careful here as is a rest stop in the centre of the highway so cars, RV's, and big trucks all use same road in and out, and when you pull off the main thoroughfare, you are just beside traffic that will pass you, and mature trees that are so close I could very well rub them with our trailer.

Off to the side I see an Orange Pylon that another trailer had dragged for the last 20 miles or so, we saw it stuck to his trailer dragging close to the wheel, but no way to tell him, he must have dug it out here, and just left in the middle of the parking spots, all worn down on the one side, like a warning to others.

I laugh and move it aside so we can pass, and think we see many odd and different thing happen on the highways, will start noting them as we go, sure are funny some of them.

We have our lunch, Polly made the sandwiches ahead again, I have a short snooze, Bosco joins me, and Polly reads, then off we go again. The highways here have picnic sites, a very short pull out with a table and garbage can, and nothing else on the right side of the road with a warning ahead so you get time to prepare to stop, and rest stops are always in the middle of the highway. Not as big as others but functional. 

Polly is getting better at taking pictures as we drive, she is taking a few more of thing she sees that are cool, here is one of our reflection in a tank behind a truck, long and narrow looking. Cool!

Victoria was a little further than I thought and our wonderful girl told us we were there when we weren't, but we did find the place, Gateway to the Gulf RV Park. Just off the highway. Nice place, well kept and big sites, not many trees, but very green grass between sites, and many birds around, and ducks in the pond out front kept us looking around as they moved here and there.

We set up and left the truck attached as not sure if we would stay more that one night, make our minds up tomorrow. Polly gets the chairs out, and we sit for a few mins, and crack a beer, and cool off in the shade. Nice to stop when we have driven just about right amount. Around 4pm or so was enough for today. The pool I thought, would go have a swim, I get the towel ready and walk over and locked, so I got to the desk and the woman says not open as not sure if chlorine is right, and can’t get ahold of the maintenance guy, so have to wait till tomorrow. She apologises, but no swim tonight, so Polly and i stay in the shade, Bosco smells all the other dogs that walk by, tries to take a run at a few, but leash hold him back, and Polly berates him for yapping... LOL Pretty chill evening, we have dinner and watch the Voice, after the antenna is tuned in, better than the cable most places, liking this we are.

Next morning we decide to stay another night and tour the city this day as looked like much to see here, never know if we will be back here again. We make a loose plan and head into the city, looking for a park by the zoo, but not going to the zoo. We drive along and get to where I had seen on Google Earth, a road that followed the Guadalupe River and was Riverside golf course, Riverside park, and the Texas Zoo all along. First stop is the rose garden, very organised and cemented beds, with many roses blooming, and a fountain with blue tinted water, was a nice stop, Bosco enjoyed peeing everywhere, and Polly got to smell the flowers, so did I.

Next we drove down the road a little further to Grover’s Bend and got out for a walk to the river. I saw that there was a tight bend in the river here and wanted to see what it was like. As we walked down the trail a car pulled up ant three young people a girl and to boys got out, and walked ahead of us with a Gator aid cooler. We continued to the bend, and there was a beach with a muddy river where people would swim sometimes. The plus here was we met these three people and yakked for awhile. As we came to the water the boys were trying to get there beer bottles open, with no luck. Hey I say, got a lighter? They give me an odd look, then looking around they say Yea, thinking I wanted a light, the girl hands over a lighter, and I say here gimme one of those, and he hands over the beer, and Pop, it open. Wow he says, and we all laugh, then I pop the other boys beer, and tell em you can say you learned it from a Canadian.. LOL we had fun talking with these young people, Polly asked what to see here in Victoria? The girl says “nothing” LOL I say we all thought that when we were young, will see it differently when you get older I say. We told them of our trip plans and the girl was Right on, and the boys tried to tell us of some of the things we can see in Texas, but nothing of here, except restaurants we should go to, BBQ was there recommendation, or this great sandwich place. We had a nice visit, while they drank there beers, and we looked around.

We walked back to the car, and as we drove out of the park Bathroom stop, I want to take a few pictures of the trees with Spanish Moss on them, I always saw this in films and wanted to get a few shots as was long and blowing in the breeze here. After I took a few shots a woman was walking with her camera in hand, and I asked here the name of the moss, and then told her of a bird I saw, and she new the name right away. I was told Mexican Eagle, she said real name was Crested Cara Cara.

Wow did I learn much from her in a short while. Was nice to talk with someone that really knew the area, she lived here most of her life and was a birder, and told me where to look around as we headed toward Port Arthur. She also had a restaurant suggestion, and was just down the road, so Polly and I made that our next stop, and was as she said, just great, the Pump House Restaurant, right on the river.

After lunch we drove to the down town area to look around at the buildings from the past, many were huge houses from the past, and most all were well looked after. History here is big, and was a key area in the past right back to when Texas was formed. We left Bosco in the truck in the shade, and strolled and took some pictures, Polly always saying why me in photo all the time, Bosco never says that. After an hour or so we go into the tallest building to the top floor for a drink at the bar, as we were told to stop in there as was best view of town, and it was.


Again we met someone who lived here all his life, the bartender. He was full of info, and was thrilled with our trip plan too. We had fun talking with him, and as we left I asked if he was married, he said no, but he has a son, that lives with him, 13 he says. Maybe when he is older we will travel like you two he said as we say good bye. Was a nice way to spend or day, getting to know people and the town of Victoria, we will be back.

Another nice stop on our trip, couldn’t pass by Victoria and not stop in.

Loving life here in Texas!

Another day in Paradise here in Weslaco, Texas.

Swim in the pool to start the day, shower, then home for a nice walk with Bosco, then breaky with Polly as we plan the day ahead. Dinner tonight with friends from each side of us, Dave and Joanne friends we met in Crofton, Barry and Sharon from PEI we met here, was another fun night, with happy hour, then dinner all on the patio. We planned pork shish-cabobs as we had talked about last night. Also wanted to try a Strawberry Margarita, never had one of these, but a friend Charlie Schaal told me to have one, so here we go.

The days plan was to go shopping with Joanne, and see what we could find at Costco. (Polly got some pants she had been looking for and a few groceries) Lunch, Costco hot-dogs, then to the bargain place Ramirez, Polly got her iron for $5.00, I got the table I wanted, Joanne got something she wanted. Then to Feldmans we all said sounded like a sporting goods store, but was a liquor store. We picked up a few bottles of what we wanted. Now HEB  and a few more groceries to finish.

Fancy Margaritas in plastic cups

Now home for a nap, and get ready for dinner.

Polly looks up how to make a fresh Strawberry Margarita, and I get the table setup, and the deck ready, the look at the directions. Glasses we know will be different then we would usually have as no big glasses here, so plastic will have to do. Not all ingredients here so adapt, and they turned out good after some adjustment to taste. Polly gets all the veggies ready, the meat she had in the marinade from the morning, makes it easy for me, I just put it all on the sticks, and BBQ.

All went well, with an appy Buffalo Chicken dip and crackers & Margaritas to start, dinner was all we needed and more. After we had ate our fill, Polly says desert! Most said no, but a few went for the fresh cooked pie Polly led us to believe she baked... not.

The propane fire pit came out later, and we sat and talked late around the fire. Was a nice way to spend the evening getting to know each other even better.

There is much to do here, but we have been busy not doing too much, walking in the morning, and pool in the afternoon, usually happy hour sometime around 4pm, and dinner late. Today was different as Breaky was to be in the main hall just bring a couple eggs each, and your plates and utensils, and ice for drinks. We came to the hall and was more then 1/2 full already and we were early. Got our eggs into the pile and got invited to sit with others by Carol, never met her before, intro to all at the table, very friendly, and then asked what were our plans, where next, and when will we be back? People from BC, Ontario, Manitoba, Texas, and Minnesota were the main places we heard mentioned. Some wanted to know what it was like in BC, on the island. Some we asked what it was like where they were from. All was interesting, in the mean time we had drinks early in the am, much different for us. A Fuzzy Navel for me and a Salty Dog for Polly, never had these before, so try them.

Our table number was called late as many went first, then we go up and get our eggs cracked into a plastic freezer bag with our name we wrote on it, and then we add our ingredients as we want from the table in the centre of the hall. The bags are closed by a qualified technician... lol then are sent out to the chefs that cook them in boiling water for precisely 13 minutes I’m told. The whole process goes by faster than we thought it would once the baggie is filled.

Once or baggies were served to us at the table, then carts came to the table that had fruit and pastries on them, and we filled up with what we wanted from these. What an interesting way to get together, and have Brunch is what it is called. As this went on there was a man that was MC and played music all through the morning, and announced as the morning went, for door prizes and the 50/50 prize at the end of the morning.

What a nice way to start the day, met many more people from many different places, and had a scrumptious breakfast, nice way to start another day.

Gee now what, hmm nap, and a swim again, tough life here in southern Texas. Think we will be back!

Loving life here in Country Sunshine RV Resort...

San Antonio to Weslaco

Was a nice drive through beautiful country some farm land all ploughed up and black, but mostly very green brush, some trees, was that beauty spring green everywhere. We saw flowers on the side and centre of the road, blue, pink, white and yellow, was the theme, with green grass all along, no more desert now for sure, but did see a few small cactus in between every once in awhile. The feeling now is humid, and lush now, no more dryness. The land is mostly flat, with water laying on it in some areas, you can have a look around when the road humps up for an overpass, kind got used to this, as best way to get a look at whats next. We start out seeing refineries every once in awhile, and the trucks hauling the unrefined oil to them steady. This is a big part of Texas we had forgotten since our last visit, I remembered the refineries, but forgot all the trucks hauling to them. Every once in awhile we would see a yard full of these oil hauling trucks, that let me know what was important here. No more wells drilled on the side of the road here, but production still happening. Polly comments she didn't remember driving here, as we did, and I say the same, just can't remember any of this. Then I think hey, remember we left San Antonio late that day, drove at night most of the way, no wonder we can't remember it. Not as many rest stops here, but we pass one early when we don't need it, and we stop after a few hours in a town and have lunch on the side of the road. Was good, didn't need a nap yet so got back on the highway to find out a couple miles down the road a rest stop... lol, have to look them up and put the rest stops in the plan, as not so easy pulling into a town to stop.
We managed to get to the town where our friends have taken up southern residency more permanently as they bought a park model and will drive back and forth from Canada in their car rather than tow and stay in different places as they go.
Was a colder cloud cover day we travelled, and when we set up was not too inviting, but as the day went on sun came out, and was a beauty night. Next day we got to look around and loved what we saw.

Tree out back of our trailer, Sundown soon

Country Sunshine RV Resort is a place where people are friendly, roads are wide, pool is warm, lots are big, you park on the grass, and the concrete is your deck, close to shopping, with many things to do in the park and around the area, birds are around all the time, and the smell of orange groves blows in the wind like perfume. Polly and I were told by Joanne that there was a deal on $130.00 a week, so we were prepared to stay the week and check out what it would be like to stay here for a winter in the future. We will travel for now, but in the future may want to stay put in one place for awhile, and this would be a nice location. The resort is owned by a company that has many places in this area, an other sister one next door we can go to as well. Will take a look there later.
Joanne and Dave were very inviting, after we setup we went for a cold beer or two, and sat and talked about this place and there reasons for staying, and why this place. We learn as we go as per usual, and this was part of our apprenticeship as full time RVer's,
as they have been doing just that for 4 years or more, so settle down was there next move. This is a great place to settle, humid not dry air, clean area, no dust, close to the ocean 1/2 hr drive, and warm temperatures without getting too hot.
Today I went to the pool and sat with a few of the people that were outside some having a smoke, and had a yak, got some info about here, and they got info about me and why I was here. Told me the reason they came was friendly people, and I can see that is true.
Later we went shopping at Walmart, and H.E.B. which reminded me of Safeway kinda.
Then after lunch and a nap, went to Karaoke as a friend of Dave and Joanne’s was going to sing. Was OK, but were not into karaoke, so we left before was over and came to the poll for a warm swim, wow 90`F30C water was nice. Will do that often while here. Talked with people we met from PEI for a couple hrs, till we were prunes...
Nice way to end the day.
Lovin life here in Texas...

Sundown end of first day 

Fort Stockton to San Antonio

First I want to correct a mistaken identity made last post. Again I learned something.

The animal Polly photographed was a Barbary Sheep, not a Big Horn Sheep as posted.

Thanks to Matthew Henry for the informed identification. Did a little studying the differences when I looked up which is which, Thanks Matt.

Fort Stockton to San Antonio was a better trip as we planned where we would go well ahead, and stopped often enough that we were rested for the tense drive through the rush hour traffic late in the afternoon. There was some construction in the city, but not bad, we managed, and Polly and Bosco were quiet to help me with concentration, and the GPS worked flawlessly.

Huge rock cut in the Hwy one of many on our way to San Antonio

 Braunig Lake RV Resort is a beauty place to hang our hat for a few days as we look around San Antonio. There is a big pond in the middle of the park that ducks and geese like to stay for awhile as they head north. Fish in it too I have been told, Bass, have yet to cast a line though.

Egyptian Geese I was told these are, they will stay and nest here

We noticed on the drive the change from desert to a greener more like the coast kind of brush and trees. All are in that spring young bright green colour, feels nice here, humid and more like what we are used to, even the water is like at home, no more calcium in the taps, or odd taste.

One of the interesting self converted motor homes, love the deck on the back

First stop was Texas Roadhouse for dinner as were advised was a good place to eat, Oh and it was. We had to wait at the bar with a pager for about 1/2 hour but it was worth the wait, besides met some interesting people while we waited. Dinner was good, steak and shrimp for me and fried chicken for Polly. As we waited for our dinner I asked for a taste of there chili and they brought a small taster for both of us, Wow real good will have that next time we go. Nice way to end a good day, sleep came fast today, was an early get up, and a long day.

Geese are not afraid of people, they just waddle away slowly.

Saturday we get up later, and go for a walk with Bosco around the lake in the park. A few fishermen, and many ducks, and a few geese on the pond, and on the grass. Many of these local birds like crows, plentiful as our crows at home, but make many odd sounds. People here are used to it but we find it fun to listen to them.

Female of these crow like birds that are every where here

Polly AKA Robin and Batman ready to go

San Antonio’s Traders Village was today’s destination, and we got an early jump on most people were there by about 11am. People were just opening when we got there, and more opened as we walked. Was Toy Fair & Comic Con today, and many interesting things to see, especially the Super Hero figures dressed in there costumes.

Spider-man and his friend?

Cat Woman

We didn’t buy much, another key for the trailer, and a Bluetooth speaker for the phone... Another thing for me to figure out how to get it to work. Was a good day, Bosco stayed in the truck (no dogs) but we had a sunless morning, but warm to walk around, and gave Bosco a good walk after to make sure he was alright for the ride back to our trailer.

The eyes have it here

In the afternoon we pulled the chairs out to the sunny spot in front of the trailer and caught some of the warmest rays in the day, and of course a few beers. Was nice to sit back and enjoy what was left of the day. After Polly and I had talked ourselves out she said I’m going to marinade the pork for the stir fry, and leaves Bosco and I to talk with each other. Hmm, Bosco doesn’t talk much so I decide to wax the truck with a cleaner wax I got some time ago and have wanted to try again. I went at it furiously and got about 3/4 of the truck done when Polly showed up and says how nice it looked, she volunteered to help, so it
began, Brent Wax on, Polly Wax off. Was a smooth operation, and
soon we were finished, and so was the sun. Truck sure looked good, and I came to the conclusion that this may be my way to keep in shape as we continued on as was a real good workout, will tackle the trailer next time.

Darth Vader X Three

Dinner was good as per usual with Polly cookin. I did the dishes for a change, and we sat on the couch, Polly read, and I researched where we would go next. On Facebook I get asked where next, what are your plans. We are on our way south toward South Padre Island area Monday to visit you and see where your new to you place is. We are connected, nice... Now I research for the next stop, Port Arthur we stop to visit with someone I know from long ago. Will be interesting, life is interesting here as on Vancouver island.

Shot of how packed it was

Sunday weather has changed, cooler and had some rain last night, and wind. We decide to shop today, and stay home for the afternoon, we go to Walmart anmd get groceries, and a few other things. Polly sees an opportunity to get her toe nails done, so I walk Bosco and have a little lunch at McDonald's, boy long time since I have eaten here, Filet fish I say, w chips and a coffee... Mmmm good as I remember, and watch all the Walmart go-ins on, man not my cup of tea here, but was good to eat, and read a little on the phone.

The Flash

I take a few chips left and give them to Bosco before I take him for a walk, he was happy. I get back in and Polly is just about ready to go, just need to get some beer she says, now that is my department... All beer here is like low cal, 4.2 4.3 percent, Lite or just American, not sure, but get some I like, and away we go after a long checkout. Nice day to take it easy and no big travel. Tomorrow a travel day, ready again for a move.

Loving life here in Texas...