Camping in the mud

Location, Del Rio, TX

We drove through light rain and mist all day to Del Rio, TX where we stayed at the Elks lodge.

We left around 9:30 AM and drove south on I-35 towards San Antonio and then west on 1604 the farthest out beltway around the city which intersected Hwy 90 going west to Del Rio. It may have taken us a little longer this way but in the rain it may have been the best route.

It was a pleasant drive on a good road although there is not much to see. The country is all sage brush and mesquite trees which are in bloom right now. All the blooms are a burnt orange or yellow which is quit nice.

We arrived at the Elks around 2:30 and parked. Just as we got hooked up to water and electric the sky opened up for about a half hour. The field got very muddy very fast. The club doesn’t open until 4 Pm so we went looking for fuel and groceries. Fuel was at Wal-Mart for $1.91 and groceries were at a very large H.E.B.

Brenda took this through the window. It looks like we may float away.

Dinner was stew in a crock-pot. We did have cable so watched American Idol.

The Alamo

Location, Schertz, TX

A very busy day here in Texas. We left the RV Park about 9 AM and took a back road into downtown San Antonio because of a wreck on I-35 going into town. It was an easy drive and we parked at the Rivercenter Mall parking garage. A short walk through the mall took us to the Menger Hotel where Teddy Roosevelt organized the Rough Riders for their assault on San Juan Hill. Unfortunately the famous bar wasn’t open until 11 AM so we couldn’t belly up to the bar like ol’ Teddy did.

Our trip through the mall and the Menger Hotel brought up old memories as Clyda and I had worked a Boy Scout meeting at the Marriott River Center Hotel many years ago. Close by the Menger is the Alamo, our destination this morning. There was only a small crowd of people around for the tours which are free and self conducted although an audio tour is available. Talks are given frequently nearby.

We spent a couple hours touring, reading the documentation and seeing a short movie. Texas history really came together for all of us today after having visited the San Jacinto monument on Sunday which was the culmination of the fight for Texas independence shortly after the Alamo fell.

In front of the Alamo.

We walked from the Alamo to the famous Riverwalk where we wandered for a while until we found the kind of food we wanted. We shared 2 special pizzas for lunch. Very good!!!

We left about 2 PM after paying $15 for less than 4 hours of parking. Unfortunately, it is the only parking in downtown San Antonio.

We drove north to Gruene which is an antique town which prides itself on “changing reluctantly”. An ice cream cone and several shops later we drove back through New Braunfels, checked out the Comal River, the Schlitterbahn whose parking lot was full of new Dodge trucks, came back to the RV Park, and crashed.

On to San Antonio.

Location, Schertz, TX

Today was moving day after 2 plus weeks in Houston. Budd and Brenda arrived in the RV Park about noon on Thursday after visiting New Orleans. Friday night Tim and Diane went to the ballet and Clyda and I stayed with the kids. Ivy wanted a burrito for dinner so we went to Mission Burrito which is new in Houston. Everything is ala carte including what kind of tortilla you want.

Saturday was soccer and Ivy’s game was at 10:30. Budd came along to watch. After the game we had to drive to the Southeast side of Houston for Matthew’s game. It was a 40 mile one way drive. After the game we BBQed at Tim’s and spent the rest of the evening there.

Diane, Budd, Ed and Ivy. Grammy taught her to crochet.


On Sunday we drove again to the Southeast side of Houston to see the San Jacinto monument and the Texas battleship. After touring the ship we ate lunch at the park and then went to the monument. They had recently reopened the elevator to the top so we all went up. It is taller than the Washington Monument but only takes seconds to get to the top. The view is great.

Battleship Texas from top of San Jacinto Monument.


We drove home a different route and stopped at a Rudy’s BBQ for dinner. A great BBQ dinner.


This morning we left around 9:30 after Diane and the kids stopped by for one last goodbye. We will miss them all. We drove west on I-10 towards San Antonio then north on 46 to New Braunfels. We drove back south on I-35 to the RV Park at Schertz. We just kicked back this afternoon but will visit the Alamo tomorrow.

Movin' on

Location, Houston

We are through with our visit to Houston and will be moving on to San Antonio today. More later.

Houston rodeo

Location, Houston, TX

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from March 3-22 this year. We have known about it for years but never went to it probably because the Grandkids were too young. Yesterday we had tickets as it was Family Day and the entry fee was only $10 each. For that price we had admittance to the show grounds, the rodeo, and an Alan Jackson concert. Tickets to the Carnival were extra.

What a day it was. We started out in the Ag Center building where all the farm animals were. This included a petting zoo and a birthing center. Cows, pigs and sheep were in this center and you could watch live births. The highlight was a pig with 14 little piglets born a few days ago.

Matthew inside the petting zoo.

Ivy inside the petting zoo.

Dad carrying all the "loot".

There was a hatchery where chickens were hatching, a rabbit display with all kinds of rabbits and a large cow and sheep section where the animals were being groomed for show.

After eating “carnie” food, corndogs, chicken on a stick, etc, we went to the arena to watch a Jr rodeo. Unfortunately, it was over just as we found our seats. The kids went to thee midway for the rides while we watched the setup for the rodeo. It was a great rodeo and we all enjoyed it. After the rodeo, Alan Jackson performed on a great new round stage which turned so everyone could see him. This is the third time Clyda and I have seen Alan Jackson in concert and he can still get the crowd going.

After the performance, the kids rode a few more rides in the carnival before we drove home after midnight. Both Ivy and Matthew won large stuffed animals on the midway. Actually, Matthew won two.

Academy Award movie

Location, Houston, TX

Sunday afternoon the grandkids went to the neighbors while we went to a movie. We saw “Slumdog Millionaire” the movie that won this year’s academy award for best picture. It was a good movie but not outstanding. The shots of slums in India were mind boggling however.

After the movie the neighbors brought all the kids (3) with them and met us at “Mambo” a Mexican seafood restaurant for dinner. Clyda and I shared a “Family Platter” which had salad, rice, and several kinds of seafood and was enough for both of us with leftovers for lunch the next day. Very Good!!!!!

Yesterday morning I had the oil changed in the truck and later we shopped for groceries.

Clyda worked on her next quilting project most of today while I played on the computer. I finally hooked up the digital TV converter to the bedroom TV. Boy, do I get digital channels and are they clear. I didn’t even rotate the antenna from where it was set. What an improvement over analog TV.

Later we went over to the house for dinner and games.

It's cold!

Location, Houston, TX

Baby, its cold outside!!!!!! It was 34 degrees at 7:30 this morning with a wind chill somewhere in the mid twenties. That’s a far cry from the 80 degree days this week.

I’ve lost track of days this week. Friday night was a birthday party for Ivy with her friends. There were twelve girls in all and the party was at a Laser tag place. A room was provided for the pizza and cake. The girls played Laser tag twice. They wear jackets with tag devices, batteries, and a computer which keeps score. All scores are printed out for review. The computer tracks hits, number of times you score, number of times you are hit and the number of times you pull the trigger. It is very sophisticated.

After the party Ivy was surprised when told all her friends were spending the night at her house for a sleepover. It had been a complete surprise to her. I find it hard to believe that all those girls could keep a secret that long. We came back to the RV when all the girls were in their sleeping bags and watching a movie.

Saturday morning Ivy and some of the girls had a 9:15 AM soccer match. It was very cold and windy but they won 1-0. My sciatica acted up this morning and my right leg was almost useless. It was very painful all day.

I lost the charger to my camera battery. I have no idea where it is. Usually I store it in my PC bag but guess I didn’t the last time I used it. I went to Wolf Camera near here hoping they would have something that would work. They had a combination charger for $30 which did the trick. So, the batteries are charged again and I am back in business.

We did spend most of the day at the house and ended up playing games before we came home last night.