Other happenings and new beginnings

Yesterday, on our way to Kerrville, about 100 miles out, we noticed that we were driving into a big front of some kind. It seemed as if the clouds were tumbling over the hills for many miles in a north - south direction. Shortly we were into the front. At first it was no longer sunny, and then we were driving in a light fog. This kept up for many miles. We noticed a drop in the temperature, and finally, after many miles, began to drive out of the light fog. By the time we got to Kerrville, it was sunny again.

Once we got set up at The Guadalupe River RV resort, we treated ourselves to dinner at Mamacita's Restaurant for an early dinner. They have dips and chips and home made flour tortillas that are wonderful, as well as great entrees. On the way home we stopped at Walmart for supplies and settled in for the night. During the night it dropped in temperature from the 70 - 80 range to the 50's, and we got up to close windows. Maybe the front we drove through brought the cooler weather, but HW1 does not care as long as it is cooler. She does not suffer hot weather very well.

As to the new beginnings, we plan to get onto a diet and exercise routine. We started this morning with a walk to the office for the local papers. We will bike and walk and get back into a better shape, at least that is the plan. If we put this together with eating sensibly, hopefully it will all come together. My goal is to get down to 185 pounds. HW1's goal has not been specified. Maybe the next time we get to visit friends and family, we will hear, "What have you guys been doing? You look great! etc!!!!" Happy travels.

We are in Kerrville

We arrived here in Kerrville this afternoon and began right away to get set up. Car is unloaded, bikes unloaded, slides out, awnings out, chairs set up, flowers and herbs set out, and birdseed hung in the feeder in the tree. We feel like we are home again. This is the 5th or 6th year that we have wintered here, and we are glad to stop and smell the roses and watch the Guadalupe River go by. Happy travels.

On the road to Texas

By nine o'clock we were hooked up, said our goodby's and hugs and left. All this happened with Jerry's help. He got tires up to the correct air pressure and got the car trailer out and helped load the car. Without his help we would have still been at the starting point at eleven. We drove through Albuquerque and picked up I 40 and headed East through the Sandia Mountains. At Moriarity we stopped for diesel and then drove to Clines Corners where we headed South on US 285.

This road took us through South Eastern New Mexico and into Texas. It is a 300 mile or more stretch of road that is flat, straight and is the shortest and quickest way to get from Albuquerque to Kerrville, TX. We saw prong horn antelopes, stray cows, some agriculture dependent on irrigation and lots of oil being pumped. Other times when we have driven this way it seemed to us that this area was pumped nearly dry and many wells were shut or being pumped very slowly. This time there was much more activity and even new wells being developed. We spotted at least six new wells and several new pumps. I think the rise in gasoline prices has been the underlying reinterest in this area.

This oil producing area is vast in that it covers several hundred miles of New Mexico and Texas. There is not much to see other than cactus and Creosote bushes and oil wells or oil storage tanks. Fortunately the roads are straight and the speed limit varies from 70 to 75. There was little traffic and frequently we drove for miles without seeing another traveler.

Shortly after five in the afternooon we stopped at Fort Stockton for the night. Here we get I 10 and head East for the 240 remaining miles to Kerrville. The speed limit in this part of Texas is 80 mph. We will get passed by most other drivers as I do not try to drive the motor home that fast. Happy travels.

Settling down, if we grow up

While we have been in Albuquerque we have occasionally looked at apartments should we ever give up the motor home traveling life style. We found apartments up closer to the mountains that have lovely views but are too far from everything. Then we looked at some that were near to all of the east side shopping centers. HW2 liked that location. Shop, shop, shop!!!! Finally we looked at some nearer to Jerry and Marlene that were also close to some shopping. We liked those too. Shop, shop!!! Anyway as we leave this beautiful spot and move on to our winter digs in Kerrville we have things to think about. It was 30 degrees here this morning. Can winter be far away? Currently we are planning to start on Saturday morning. Happy travels.

Fall Has Settled in Here; Time to Move On

As we drive about town (Albuquerque), we have enjoyed the fall colors on the trees, bushes, and vines. The air is clear and the skies a turquoise blue, and all this color has a backdrop of the Sandia Mountains. Best of all, we have re-connected with family and friends. But as the days get cooler, we begin to think it is time to travel to Kerrville, Texas, where we like to winter.

Probably we will leave here later this week and take a leisurely two days to get to Kerrville. The trip can be done in one day, but we prefer not to since 700 miles in a day is a bit long for us. We have had a wonderful time here and thoroughly enjoyed kids and grands. Happy travels.

Is Monday Your Wash Day??

When I was growing up, Monday was wash day. In the early years it was all done by hand and a wash board. When my younger brother Gary was born in 1946, we had enough money to by an Easy Spin Dry Washing Machine. It was a great advance, but we still had to hang all the clothes outside to dry. By the time my sister was born in 1953, we had an electric washer and dryer, and we no longer had to hang clothes outside, unless you wanted to do so. The whole wash day process continued to be held on Monday.

Today is Monday, and I think we will catch up our bit of washing. It feels right to me to do it today. Actually, we wash whenever we want to. We save our quarters for the washing machines, and the job gets done quickly. We also have to go grocery shopping. You can see this is an exciting day. Happy travels!

Football and Birthday Celebrations

Grandson Andy turned eight years old yesterday. What a delight he is! He had a joint party with Michelle on her birthday about a week ago, and each got to invite a few friends to the party which was held where the kids could play games and have cake. We were told it would be quite loud and stayed away. So Andy's birthday celebration was low key. He opened family presents while we were away helping other family members at Presbyterian Hospital. When we got back from the hospital visit, we changed clothes and went to a University of New Mexico afternoon football game where they played San Diego State University. Jerry had received tickets from a hotel his business uses to house out of town visitors, and it included a tailgating party in the east parking lot. He had eight tickets, and so we got to go to the party, too.

I had never been to a UNM football game, and HW2 had not been in years. The tailgating party included lots of barbecue and was very good. Other folks from Jerry's office were there, too. Andy took a friend Michael, and they had a fun time climbing a rock wall and a bouncing contraption after they finished their barbecue.

About four p.m. we went into the stadium and sat down to enjoy the game. I had taught at both universities in the past but had no trouble deciding to cheer for UNM (Lobos). Imagine our delight when the Lobos quickly got on the score board and followed that with touchdown after touchdown. At halftime the score was Lobos - 49 to SDSU - 0!!!!

We left at half time because the rest of Andy's treat was to go to a Chinese restaurant for Orange Chicken. When we got home, we learned the final score was 70 to 7!! I guess I rooted for the better team. We finished the evening by playing Pitch. See, Anne, how your fame is spreading. Michelle won the second game and was delighted with herself. Andy and I were partners but we just had a good time.

What a joy to be able to be present and participate in a birthday celebration. I think that this is one birthday that Andy will remember for many years.