IWO JIMA MUSEUM AND MONUMENT

Tuesday, February 15 – We headed back to Progreso, MX this morning for Marsha's final dental visit. It was suppose to be a short time in the dentist's chair, so we had additional sightseeing plans.

Well, our plans didn't pan out as expected. Of course, there were delays at the dentist, and we didn't leave Mexico until after 1 p.m. Since we were only ten miles from Harlingen, TX ,we decided to go see a couple sites.

Our first stop was the Iwo Jima Museum and Monument.

Easy Company had been fighting 4 days. They had 40% casualties to date. On February 23rd, 1945 they were raising this flag on Mt. Suribachi when photographer Joe Rosenthal shot this the most reproduced photograph in history.  

This is really neat! We saw it lit up at night the evening Marsha flew in from Ohio and wanted to go back during the day for a closer inspection. The Iwo Jima Monument is the original full-sized creation of the renowned artist and sculptor, Dr. Felix de Weldon, and was used for the casting of the monument erected at Arlington Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.

After completion of the monument in Washington, this sculpture was placed in storage until the early 1980's when it was donated to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas by its creator.

The Marine at the base of the flag pole is Harlon H. Block. He is from Weslaco, TX, which is the neighboring city of Harlingen. Just six days after the flag raising, Block was killed along with two other Marines that helped hoist the flag. Marine Block is buried next to the Memorial.

It is amazing. We toured the museum and watched a video on the Battle of Iwo Jima. This is a nice stop. We recommend to anyone in the RGV.

Our next stop was in the city of Harlingen. They have over a dozen murals scattered through out the city. 

Celebrating 30 Years Of LUV

The Early Days

The History of Mexico and Mankind

Tropical Playground Of Texas

Golden Age Of Hollywood and Mexican Cinema

The murals were nicely done. Only suggestion I would make it to prohibit parking in front of them. It seemed like there was always one big pickup truck parked smack in the middle....GOSH!

Arrived back to the MH about 5:00, just in time for the news. Watched American Idol and called it a day.

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

MARIACHI AND FOLKLORICO

Saturday, February 12  - Tonight is Mariachi Night! We went with friends Betty & Jay to Juarez-Lincoln High School. The students presented Mariachi and Folklorico, dances that emphasize local folk culture. This high school is located in the La Joya Independent School District. This was an amazing show. The kids are 9-12th graders. The entire show lasted two and half hours but flew by. The dancers, singers and musicians were all wonderful!

Here are the groups

AZTECA (CONCHEROS) – Mexico
Mexican ritual dance that preserves many elements of pre-Columbian religious ritual.

Mariachi Sol
Combined mariachi and contemporary rhythms.

Jalisco Ranchero – Mexico
National dance of Mexico.

Conjunto Sol
Another type of Mariachi band.

Baja California (Calabaceados) – Mexico
”Cowboy Dance”

 

Flamenco – Spain
Music and dance of the gypsies.

 

Tabasco – Mexico
A very colorful form of dress.

 

Panama
Dance of Panama – great influence of African, Native American and European backgrounds.

If you get an opportunity to see one of these shows, do it! We are going to attend another show on March 6. The performers will be from La Joya High School.

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

SPRING CLEANING

Friday, February 11 – Well, with warm weather returning to the RGV (that's Rio Grande Valley), Paul took the opportunity to wash the MH. He decided to do roof and all. Usually Mother Nature takes care of the roof, but one should try to wash and wax it a couple times a year. So with the sun shining and the temperature rising, he gathered his bucket and brushes and headed “upstairs;”

It needed a good scrubbing! Then he washed the rest of the MH. With the hard water here in the RGV, of course there were now water spots to be taken care of. Paul uses “The Solution” a dry wash, a waterless wash and polymer protectant to remove these spots and put on a protective coating. You can read about it here: http://www.thervsolution.com/rvsolutionproducts/solution.html.

Often, Paul uses this product without a bucket of water, but when the MH is unusually dirty, as it was today, Paul washes with soap and water first. It's nice because you can clean a small area at a time. Simply spray on and wipe off with a clean cloth.

No, Paul is not in business selling this product....simply sharing what he found works pretty well.

While Paul was risking life and limb on the roof, Marsha was working on her “new hobby” basket weaving using pine needles. She is enjoying it so far......we'll see how she reacts when her first basket comes out looking like something the cat drug in.....ha ha!! That's only a joke dear! Marsha is pretty much a perfectionist, so I am sure it will turn out beautiful!!!!!!! Love you, dear :=) He will pay later!

After cleaning up, we drove into McAllen to do a little shopping. Marsha wanted to stop at Sears, which is at the Mall. You would not believe the crowd. It was more crowded than a typical mall at Christmas time. We couldn't get over it. We just kept saying, “This is unbelievable.” Every store, every kiosk, and the mall isles were packed! Texas has to be loving this economic boost (especially with nearly a 9% sales tax.....no income tax though).

Saturday, February 12 – Gotta' finish waxing the motor home today. Paul did most of the MH cleaning project yesterday, but ran out of time and energy before finishing. So up on the roof with wax and rags to put on a good coat of wax to protect the “lid” from Mother Nature. He then had one side to finish, and the job was done. One thing he failed to mention, about The Solution, is that it can be used on painted surfaces, chrome, rubber, plastic, and even glass. So, Paul “does windows” too! Of course, everyone walking by, asks him to do their rig next....Ha Ha! There are crews that come through the park washing RV's, but he actually enjoys working rather than sitting.....crazy huh!

After finishing the wash and wax, Paul had time to install wasp screens over the furnace vents. If you've read the blog in the past, you'll remember he had to clean out mud dabber nests this fall. He should have installed these screens long ago but put it off. Now those wasps will have to find somewhere else to leave their mud nests.

Marsha was busy cleaning the inside of the “house” while I was working on the outside. She had the radio on so she wouldn't hear the “thump” if I fell off the roof!!!

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