2008-02-29
Padre Island Day Two
The entertainment this evening is a magic act called Ace and Bunny, a husband and wife team. They use to stay at our park but have recently purchased a mobile home and have moved to another park. The show was pretty good but without much effort we figured out a couple of the tricks.

Sun rays over the Caribbean Sea.
There were lots of people walking on the beach but just one lone fisherman.
Harold throw the ball!!!! Sassy and I want to chase it.
We stopped at a shell store on the way home and saw Hermit Crabs in painted shells.
Ace, the magician was talking to the rabbit in a hat ---- later he made a real rabbit appear in a box.
2008-02-28
Padre Island
Our convoy of six vehicles left the park at 9am arriving at the Wal-Mart in Port Isabel about an hour and a half later. Here we stocked up on lunch supplies --- fried chicken, salad, rolls, fruit and cake, then drove over to the community park on Padre Island. Lunch included a celebration of Jean's 70th birthday that will occur in April and Darlene's 70th birthday that was in August. The ladies were given "barbie" tiaras to wear and cake was served on "barbie" plates --- Jean collects Barbie dolls thus the theme. After lunch we headed to the beach where some of us got to relax, others flew a kite while others were expected to throw a ball so a certain four legged creature could run through the water chasing it.
The hotel has a pool and hot tub which was enjoyed by a few people in our group including Ed and myself.

Unpacking lunch --- this group really new what they were doing, as we were eating in about 5 minutes

A freighter leaving the harbor

Jean's dogs were decked out in tiaras as well. The white one is Coconut and the apricot poodle is Ginger. Neither of them were impressed, so they offered the tiaras to others in our group.
Zaph --- tiaras are for girls!!!!
Oh, it sure feels good to roll on a ball on the sand.
Kite boarders kept us entertained.
Will someone please throw my ball?
2008-02-27
The Day Just Flew By
2008-02-26
Fun Night Number Two
Riverside is another restaurant near our park that is on the Rio Grande and it was our destination for lunch with John and Carolyn (Ed and John have spent hours talking about cameras, computers, etc.). Food at the restaurant is simple but it is a popular place as they offer live entertainment and dancing as well as a boat ride on the river.
Tonight was the second fun night of the season. I had thought people came up with their own ideas and offered to be part of fun night but tonight I found out the way it really worked. Most of the ideas are developed by two women though I'm sure people give them suggestions. The women approach people in the park and ask them to participate --- apparently it's really hard to say no. We talked to Dick (one of the lucky participants) after the show to find out he had been asked to help in a skit but wasn't told what he was doing till a few minutes before he had to go on stage and Ray (the fellow he went on stage with) was expecting his (Ray's) wife. The show was hilarious and everyone who participated was a good sport.
One of the skits compared wedding attire from a fancy wedding magazine and a hillbilly wedding magazine. That's the "hillbilly bride" in the green dress.
The "SWAT" team armed with fly swatters were searching for 3 Mexican impersonators.
Our friend Bob dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was having a discussion about his "red shoes" with Betty. Bob dresses as Dorothy when the men's chorus in Bella Vista performs songs from the Wizard of Oz at local elementary schools.
2008-02-25
New Restaurant
Returning to the park we found that the electricity had gone out ---- Zaph was OK as the trailer had cooled down before we left. While the power was out people wandered the park and chatted. Everyone scurried back home when the power came back on ..... interesting.
2008-02-24
The Gang is Back
This afternoon we drove down to the local high school to check out the Winter Texans Arts and Crafts Show. Our friends from the park who had submitted photographs were happy to receive blue ribbons. We didn't have a lot of time to look at all the items submitted but spent a few minutes looking at paintings and were absolutely amazed by one of the paintings submitted in the novice category --- it's was incredible.
Later this afternoon we celebrated a birthday and an anniversary with cake and homemade ice cream. On Saturday I had found out that the woman hosting the get together loves pies but had never eaten Raspberry Pie so I brought a pie as well as a cake.

Glen blowing out the candles on his side of the cake.
2008-02-23
Mexican Fiesta
On our last trip to Mexico we had priced Revolution (dog heartworm / flea/ tick medicine) and determined it to be a lot less expensive than at home. As we are leaving the valley in just over a week we decided that we should go to Mexico sooner than later and today was the day. At the Veterinary Pharmacy that we felt had the best price, Ed bargained the price down a bit more as we bought 3 packages (needed enough to make it to next January). Next stop was a store that had a good price on Kahlua and finally the Duty Free Store where two skimpily clad females were serving samples of Crown Royal. Lots of guys were hanging around that stand. Now that we have a house again it's time to start building up the bar and no better way than duty free stores, so we picked up a bottle of Canadian whiskey.
Tonight was the Mexican Fiesta. After a nice dinner of tacos and tamale cheese pie we were entertained by a group of young dancers from the department of recreation here in Mission. The spirited dances were complemented by colorful costumes. Ed and several other people had a great time shooting photos and video of this fun event.
When the rec hall was cleaned up the card players arrived ready for euchre at one end of the hall and pinochle at the other. Ed went back to the trailer while I stayed to play euchre. I didn't win any money this week but had a lot of fun trying --- made two lone hands and was only euchred a couple of times --- it is the name of the game afterall.
This dance told a story of mermaids and fishermen.
The dresses were a mass of bright colors as the skirts were flounced about.
2008-02-22
Mad Cleaning Frenzy
One clean dog with a ball that was found hiding in the truck
2008-02-21
Hand Drawn Ferry
The guys on the ferry are pulling it towards the USA (right of photo) --- I couldn't believe that they weren't wearing gloves.
This is one tough prickly pear cactus --- it's rooted in the tree and hanging down.
2008-02-20
Drizzle
Ed had been looking forward to photographing the lunar eclipse but it wasn't meant to be ---- the sky remained cloudy all day and night.
I'm really enjoying spring in Texas this year. This flowering cactus was in the parking lot by Zaph's favourite store, Petco
2008-02-19
Harligen
We all loaded into Bill and Sadie's car to visit the nearby Iwo Jima memorial at the Marine Military Academy, but were unable to do more than just drive by as an event was being held for the Cadets. Next we tried going to the Harligen Art and Heritage Museum only to arrive as they were locking the doors --- we peeked inside and decided it would be worth a visit on another day. We decided to have an early dinner as we figured at least the restaurant would be open --- ningún problema (as they say here), though we did wonder for a minute when we walked in and saw about 20 people standing at the entrance. Turned out they were a large group celebrating a birthday and they were just waiting for their table to be set up. Dinner was yummy.
The Iwo Jima monument --- This is the original full sized creation of the famous local sculptor, a casting of which is at the Arlington Cemetery near Washington D.C. ,
This is pretty much all we got to see of the museum --- next time will have to get there earlier.
There's a big pond at Bill and Sadie's RV park and one side of it is lined with trees. Egrets and Cormorants come here to roost at night. We were happy to see a couple of one of our favourite birds --- the Roseate Spoonbill.
2008-02-18
Night Birds
I spent a couple of hours playing bridge this morning, won the bidding on two hands making one contract and going down on the other one. I think I need more practise .... maybe a bridge program on the computer would help. In the afternoon a fellow who bought a new Nikon camera a couple of weeks ago came over to talk to Ed about some photos he took.
We had been told that the Common Pauraque (a nightjar aka "goatsucker" ) comes out around dusk at Bentsen State Park so we headed over there about 5:00. That would gives us time to take Zaph on a walk through the park and still be there at sunset which occurred around 6:30. The park was very quiet, we saw Green Jays, Cardinals and a couple of Chachalacas as well as a herd of Javelines (at least 8 of them). Just before dusk while were were waiting for the Pauraque we saw a Bob Cat cross the road. About 7 o'clock we gave up and decided to head home. Our route takes us on a road that has a fair bit of bush on it so Ed drove slow. There was at least one Pauraque on the road and a large owl just off to the side. So it turned out to be a successful outing. Zaph thought so too as he was told several times that he was a beautiful dog.
2008-02-17
Another Beautiful Day
When that errand was completed we hung around the trailer reading and enjoying the near perfect weather. Ed and Zaph wandered around the park taking pictures of some of the flowers we're currently enjoying.
The flower spear of an Agave --- we're still trying to figure out which Agave exactly.
A close up of the agave's flower(s).
One of the many blooms on the Orchid tree. The tree is very beautiful as it is covered in flowers.
The flowers on a Barrel Cactus
Don't know what this guy is but he's tiny and cute. The actual flower size is about one third of what is shown in the photo.
The flower of the Prickly Pear Cactus.
A test shot of the moon getting ready for the eclipse.
2008-02-16
Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
There's an interesting tree here and one of them is near our site. Currently, the tree has a lot of seed pods on it, the pods are a little larger than snow peas. On a sunny day if you're near the tree you'll hear pops --- the pods explode to release the seeds. A little disconcerting when you're in the middle of a murder mystery.
When I went into the bathroom Zaph was in the living room. When I came out of the bathroom he had joined his dad for a bit more snoozing.
2008-02-15
Park Wide Garage Sale
While I was chatting to one couple, Ed and I were invited to join them and a group of people at a local restaurant/bar this afternoon. This being a restaurant I had wanted to check out, we decided to join them. The place is called Pepe's and is a very happening place. They always have a band (and today's was very good) and the large dance floor is usually full. When we arrived it turned out that all lot of people from our park were there and a birthday celebration was in full swing. One of the couples at our table was from Quebec and she could speak a bit of English but he didn't seem to speak any. Ed and I sat beside them and tried to dredge up our high school French. Unfortunately, the little bit of Spanish we have, is mixed in with the little bit of French so it was very interesting. We did however manage to communicate with them. The people who had brought them to Pepe's were very happy that we had a little French as they were from Pennsylvania and don't speak any French.
Upon returning to the park, Ed and I decided that Zaph needed some exercise. One of the couples that had left on the bus trip told us we could use their bikes and even gave us the combination to the bike lock. We had always wondered if Zaph would run beside a bike. After one false start where he crossed in front of the bike, he figured it out and ran beside the bike, or should I say, towed Ed along --- Ed found a lot of peddling was not required. We did have to stop when Zaph saw one of his dog buddies out walking.
Tonight there was entertainment at the rec hall. I heard it was good and decided to go even though Ed decided it wasn't his cup of tea. The show is called Joy Un-speak-a-bell and it is a soloist bell ringer. Kristine creates her own backup by recording piano and other instruments on an electronic keyboard which is played back while she is playing the bells. There are 37 bells arranged on a table like the keys of a piano. She artfully moves along the table selecting bells nd playing them. It was pretty amazing to watch and listen to. If you want to know more about the bells www.joybelltheater.com
Dick --- the birthday boy and his wife Sandy. Dick had fun serving the cake --- the backs of his hands were covered with icing by the time he was done.
Pepe's bar and restaurant.
Kristine the soloist bell ringer.
2008-02-14
Happy Valentines Day
2008-02-13
Carnival
The "cake walk" ---- I didn't win any treats.
Zack and his new "lady" friend --- this hussy was trying to pick up all the guys
Linda getting her face painted.
The contestants in the costume contest ---- I think Zaph should have won.
Gale and his wife Carole were brought before the "Judge" --- Gale was charged with gluing his hair on --- all the guys are jealous of his full head of hair.
2008-02-12
Jam
This evening we went out for dinner with two other couples to the Texas Roadhouse and had a two/fer ---- Ed and I each had a 6 ounce sirloin steak, a baked potato and a salad for $14.99 --- the price was right and it was mighty tasty as well.
2008-02-11
When did Canada become a State?
This afternoon I spent some time getting my dish ready for the "states pot luck". The states were split into 3 groups, with each group meeting for a pot luck dinner (this was done to make the pot luck manageable). The politician's haven't managed it yet, but "Canada" was added as a state for one of the pot luck dinners. Dinner was good and we managed to meet a few more of the Canadians that are avoiding winter. There's a spattering of people from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
2008-02-10
Rome and Turkey?????
We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came to see the show and they seemed to enjoy it as he received a lot of complements. Ed did try to confuse the audience during his short history review of Turkey by using the terms "BCE" and "CE". Do you know these terms? We've noticed that in the past few years museums have switched from the "BC" and "AD" convention that we're probably all familiar with to the convention "Before Current Era (was BC)" and "Current Era (was AD)". I think it's a plot to keep us all confused.
After the show, Bill, Sadie, Ed and I headed over to Willie's Bar-B-Q in Alamo, for supper. Ed was planning on having a BBQ plate until he saw the "loaded baked potato" --- it was at least 6 inched long and smothered in butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits and chopped BBQ beef (I'm sure it was good for our arteries). Ed managed to eat his potato and I managed to eat half of mine --- yum I have lunch for tomorrow.
2008-02-09
Chuck Wagon Supper
Cowboys Bob and Glen singing an old time western song.
Glen sang another song and the cowgirls (Mary, Lorna, Mary Ann and Linda) helped him out.
Here we are ....... cowgirl Frances and cowboy Ed. It was pointed out to Ed that he looked pretty good except they didn't think the sandals went with the image.
2008-02-08
Ed's Turn
Our friend and neighbor Bob is in a mixed chorus that is preforming tonight with the Winter Texan's Orchestra. So a bunch of us headed down to watch. The orchestra played several numbers on there own, then were joined by the chorus. Except for the one boo-boo where the conductor had the orchestra restart the number, the show was very good. In what's becoming a tradition, a bunch of us headed over to Dairy Queen to celebrate the end of another concert with Bob.
2008-02-07
Back in the Land of the LIving
Proof that there aren't as many birds this year ...... I know fox squirrels usually hang around feeders but down here the green jays usually chase them away.
2008-02-06
Out of Action
2008-02-01
Another Birthday
Cliff, the fellow who lives across the street had his birthday today. We celebrated with yummy cake.
Cliff retired from John Deere ... his park model is John Deere yellow.
That's Cliff in the green John Deere hat.
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