GOOD BYE MISSION…HELLO HOUSTON

Wednesday, March 9 - BACK TO HOUSTON! We arrived safely back at the Houston Elks in Stafford, TX. We are in the same site, number 8, that we stayed in back in December.

It was an interesting drive in the WIND......JEESH!!! I was about to pull off a couple times but pushed on to our destination......CRAZY WIND!! I was hoping to see how my new tires rode, but the wind was so bad I couldn't evaluate them.

I last filled the MH with diesel fuel on December 30, 2010 at $2.99/gallon. Today the price was $3.79/ gallon.....nearly a dollar more......EEEEK! Where will it end???

Thursday, March 10 – We headed up to Waller, TX. Kelly’s JV team is playing in a tournament. Kelly is the head JV coach and Assistant Varsity coach. This is the first time we have seen Kelly since December.

While we were there, they lost the first game. The next game wasn’t for three hours so we decided to leave. Kelly called later and said that they had won. They play their next tourney game on Sat. morning. We don’t think we will go up. We are headed up to Kelly’s school, Mayde Creek, tomorrow night to see the JV and Varsity play a district game.

It is amazing the construction that is still going on all over Texas. Yet again another highway is being built around Houston.

SUMMARY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

After our two and a half month stay at Leisure Valley Ranch in Mission, Texas; Paul thought he would write a review of his impression of wintering in the Rio Grande Valley. Over-all, I would rate our stay as VERY ENJOYABLE!

We met so many wonderful and very friendly people.....we will truly miss them and consider them our “new” friends. Marsha especially finds it difficult to say “good-bye.” We look forward to meeting these friends down the road in the future.

Leisure Valley is a very nice community. Not only friendly people, but paved streets with large concrete sites, a huge club house, an abundance of activities, a nice swimming pool, shuffle board, pickleball, golf, dances, and on and on.

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is easily accessible – only about six hours south of Houston – with warm temperatures and sunny skies. There are dozens of neighborhoods of Winter Texans that share activities with other campgrounds. There is certainly never a lack for something to do! Plenty of shopping for just about anything you may want or need. Groceries, fuel, and campgrounds are all relatively inexpensive. We NEVER had any fear of violence from Mexico. We traveled to Progresso three times and enjoyed it immensely. I repeat.....WE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR FEAR!!!

The only negative of the area is the WIND! We had one week where it gusted continuously for about five straight day. Day and night without stopping.....ugh! Most weeks, you get a day or two of windy activity and then five or six days of blue skies, sunny weather with warm temperatures. It only rained once the entire time we were here.....BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!

In summary, the RGV is a good place to spend the winter.....the locals sure welcome everyone here! The only negative is the wind. If you are not bothered by 8-10 mph winds, I would think about staying here. We've certainly enjoyed are time here!

Thanks to all our “new” friends for making this an unforgettable winter.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

OUR VISIT TO THE RGV WINDS DOWN

Sunday, March 6 – This morning we attended Palm Valley Church with friends Angie & Rick. Our other neighbor, Carol, came along. It was a very nice friendly church. After church we went to a Mexican restaurant for breakfast. Had a very enjoyable morning.

This afternoon we went to La Hoya High School again for another Folklorico and Mariachi Show. This group of young adults from Freshmen to Seniors had made a growing number of public performances. They have performed for such dignitaries as senators, congressmen governors Vice President Al Gore, Presidents Bush Sr. and President Clinton. It was a another fabulous production. Angie & Rick; Barb & Bruce; and Carol attended with us.

Revolucion

Chile



Conjunto “Los Diamantes”

Puerto Rico

Flamenco

Mariachi “Los Coyotes”

Brazil

Those kids really work hard and put on a tremendous show!

Monday, March 7 - Paul washed the motorhome today in preparation of our Wednesday departure. It got filthy after the brief rain shower we had on Saturday. The water leaves spots so he has to use The Solution afterward to get a nice clean look.

Paul also began his preparations for travel on Wednesday by starting to store some of the items we've left out the last two and a half months while in the RGV. He also has to do the pre-travel checklist.... items like checking tire pressure, oil level, coolant level, etc.....

THAT'S A WRAP

This evening we are had all our new friends over for happy hour and a little “good-bye” party. We had about 30 people arrive with lots of food. It isn’t the norm to have this many people, but Marsha hasn’t had an opportunity to entertain for so long she had to go all out.

Marsha made a new Sloppy Joe recipe that was really good, her famous corn casserole, and Sex In A Pan for dessert. That got a few jokes.

Barb, Louisa, Marie and Elmer having a good time.

Paul, Jerry, Les and Norm were in a deep discussion.

Betty, Angie and Winnie filling their plates.

As the sun set and the wind blew, we moved into the Casita (the small home/garage on the back of the property) for another hour of visiting. The last group of friends left about 8:30......that's late for folks in this park......it is a 55+ park you know.....LOL

What a wonderful group of people are here at Leisure Valley.

Tuesday, March 9 – Paul finished up his check list for tomorrow’s departure. Marsha took care of the inside stuff. It was 99.3 degrees outside today, but that didn’t stop us from playing two games of pickleball with Rick and Angie. We lost again, but we are getting better.

Rick, Angie, Lynn, and Mike came over for some afternoon drinks and friendship. We broke up about 5 o’clock. 

Rick, Angie, Barb, Bruce and the two of us hit the Activity Center for some Farkel. Angie won the first two games with Bruce winning the last game. It was a nice way to end our stay. Thanks you guys for the memories.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPOS ROULLER

Saturday, March 5 – “LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPOS ROULLER” -  “Let The Good Times Roll”

Today is Mardi Gras Day in the park. It all began with the parade at 1:00. Norm & Donna (our friends and landlords) asked us to ride in their golf cart. People decorate their golf carts and drive them through the park in the parade. Marsha went over and helped her friend, Angie, decorate her Smart Car for the parade.....not a golf cart but close enough!

Just before we were suppose to meet for the parade, we had a brief rain shower and blustery wind. We assumed the parade would be canceled, but the show must go on, and by parade time the floats (golf carts) went up the street with participants looking pretty wind blown and cold. Thank goodness, Donna and Norm decided not to participate. We waved from the inside of the Motor Home....ha ha!

Queen Donna and King Dave

There goes Angie.

The next event is Happy Hour at 4:30 followed by a Cajun dinner at 5:00 and country dancing at 7:00. We have our costumes all set and ready to go for these events.

The dinner and dance were great. The food was really good! Everyone seemed to have a ball. And some of us came home with a little money.......we WON the 50/50 drawing!!!!! Yeah!!!!

We are ready to party!

Bruce was so sad…

Until Barb came along.

Angie, Marsha and Carol.

Cake decorating contest

2nd runner up

And the winner is…Donna, our landlord.

There was a costume contest. Glad we weren’t judges!

Hugh showed up with one of his bunnies.


Stevie Wonder joined the party too. Guess he dressed himself.

Paul escorted Angie. She took 2nd place. Looking good girl!

1st place went to Carol. Her outfit was super.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!