Friday, February 14 – We made plans to meet long-time RV'er friends, Louise and Duane, in Freeport, TX. Freeport is about one and a quarter hours south of Houston located on the Gulf Coast.
Duane and Louise are a wonderful couple that we met during our first week of full-time RVing back in 2009. We met at the Escapee RV Park in Livingston, TX. Interestingly, they are also from Ohio. They've been RVing for seven years. We believe we've been able to “hook-up” with Duane and Louise at least once per year since we've been RVing. We've met in different areas of Texas, Tennessee, and Arizona. It's been a wonderful friendship we've enjoyed over the past five years.
They are staying at one of their son's home in Freeport, TX, while their 5th wheel trailer is being repaired. They were rear-ended in an accident in Mississippi back in November. That's a long time to be without your home. We hope they can get things repaired and get back on the road in the near future.
Freeport is a seaside community dominated by a huge Dow Chemical Plant. All types of petroleum refining is taking place in the area. This means hundreds of workers living in RV Parks and millions of dollars in construction. It's also a great fishing community and home to thousands pursuing life at the beach.
The “downtown” area of Freeport is rather deserted.
We enjoyed driving around with Louise and Duane exploring the area. We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant and enjoyed catching up on each others adventures since we were last together. Thanks, Louise and Duane, for a great day. We'll see you on down the road.
Duane, Louise, Paul and Marsha
We saw good old Stephen E. Austin on our drive back to Houston.
THIS & THAT – Yes, it's February 14, but the residents in the neighborhood behind the Elks Lodge are preening their yards. Trimming, mowing, planting flowers, and mulching. This is tough for Ohioans to understand. We don't do any of this until late April or May....LOL
Paul did a couple more carvings. Uncle Sam for celebrating 4th of July or the Olympics!
Tree spirit.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing the cool photos. Nice work on the tree spirit and Uncle Sam, Paul. It's not hard to see all the talent you have. Happy Valentine's Day to you both. It's raining today in Eugene, wish you were here!
ReplyDeleteGood friends = good times.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good day with Duane and Louise. Boy, that downtown looks it has passed its prime.
ReplyDeleteGreat carvings, Paul! Clever idea to make an Uncle Sam. Who does the painting? Sam is really good, especially those stripes!
It's always fun to hang around with friends and especially if they happen to around the coast. How long you hanging around Texas?
ReplyDeleteGlad you took the time to help out the locals with their economy. A fun lunch with good friends. Paul is amazing. Those carvings are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe were so glad to be able to get together with you.
ReplyDeleteThe parts for the rv have arrived in Tyler. Hoping they can get things fix right and soon.
Paul is doing a great job carving.
Carvings are great, is giving me the urge to get back at it.
ReplyDeleteGreat carving of Uncle Sam, Paul. How about doing one the same size as Stephen Austin?
ReplyDeleteFreeport looks like a nice place however living next to a huge Dow Chemical Plant might give me pause. I know I wouldn't be drinking tap water!!
It's always sad to see small towns wither. How fun meeting up with long time friends. Soon it'll be time for you guys to head north for that yard work :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the four of you together!
ReplyDeleteLove the carvings. . .the chemical industry was our "livelihood" for 32 years. . .so we understand the culture well. It's sad how many downtown areas have become almost "ghost towns" as communities move outward towards the malls, and chain restaurants.
ReplyDeleteTexas City, which is Dave's hometown, and was a mecca of prosperity in the 50's and 60's looks much the same as Freeport in their downtown area, as the entire population has shifted toward the freeway corridor. . .I find it interesting to study. . .thanks for a great post.
We have met some of the greatest folks during the past couple of years RVing. It is wonderful that you have been able to have an annual visit with such good friends.
ReplyDeleteIt may be some time before anyone in Ohio sees their yards after all the snow that has fallen up there. I hear warmer temps and rain is in the forecast for next week. Is flooding in Ohio's future next?
You've convinced me. I'd love to travel the entire coastline of Texas one day. With all these pipe dreams and plans, I'll have to live longer than the Dixon's Aunt Happy! LOL Glad you're having such a great life. :)
ReplyDeleteI like those wood carvings. It's nice you got to spend some time with your friends.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Paul's carvings. Such a talented couple you are.
ReplyDeleteOne of our greatest joys in our full timing lifestyle is the people we've met along the way - including, of course, the Weavers!
Great carvings, funny how you can run into the same people across the country.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed you have lots of stories while you were/are in Texas which means I will be looking it up when we winter there next year.
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