Movin' On to Aransas Pass, TX

Big Bertha and The Titanic at Southern Oaks, Arnasas Pass, TX
Saturday, February 13, I read until 2:00 a.m. (37 degrees) before I could finally fall asleep. Got up at 8:00 to 34 degrees. Bob has the internal water pump on when I get up so I thought the outside water faucet froze. But he got up and said the low was 34 so it can't be frozen. he thinks the RV Park shut the water off. It must be true because a couple of hours later it's back on. I'm so glad. i can't imagine a frozen pipe and no water as we try to pack up and move for the first time in two months.

We have Joyce's Crispy Thingies for breakfast and I stretch. I must be getting used to our new RV because our packing up was pretty smooth. We have a few new things on our checklist, like the ditital picture frame that has to be stowed. But now our 'down under' is all organized. We left at 11:09 and took the same route we always do to The Coast; Hwy 71 to 609 to 2436 to 77 south to 239 through Tivoli to 35 south. We didn't have to stop for gas as we have a bigger tank now and we get better fuel mileage with the diesel. So we pulled into a picnic area along 35 just before Aransas Wildlife Refuge. I sure needed a restroom break-we used our own as this is just a turnout in the road.

The view of the sunset and pond on the soon-to-be golf course out the front of our RV

We find the turn into Southern Oaks Luxury RV Park, 1850 Hwy 35 ByPass, Aransas Pass,TX 78336, (361) 758-1249, after 184 miles. We remembered it being more like 200 so maybe our tires are a different size. Who knows? It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes. Heather in the office takes our $100 deposit. We'll settle up for $350/month plus electric usuage at 14 cents per kilowatt when we move out in a month, or whenever we decide to leave.

Terry poses with their Holiday Rambler on the lot they purchased here at Southern Oaks

I had called Heather from near Victoria on the way down and she said they moved us and Tom and Nan from sites 211 and 210 to 203 and 202 respectively. As we pull in we make the circle at the end of the row and Bob backs in. We are set up by 3:09. Without further ado we head to Charlottle Plummer's in Fulton; our favorite seafood place here. I have the Shrimp Platter and of course Bob has the oysters. We go back home along Business 35 and stop for a San Antonio paper at Valero. Have to stop twice as the place we got fuel at 35 Bypass and Bus. 35 had no paper. We only had four gallons of fuel left. Then we drop off our go boxes at home and go out for a walk around our new RV Park. I snap a picture of our new RV site and the pond out our front window.

Jerry brings more wood for the fire as Bob, Richard, Lois and Terry look on.

We pass the clubhouse which will have a Grand Opening next weekend and wander through the resort ownership lots. About a dozen are developed. A group on the turn at the end calls us over to help christen their new chiminea they just purchase from Lowe's. Terry and Jerry from New York have built some improvements on this lot along the golf course where they park their Holiday Rambler motorcoach. Terry gives me a tour of their out-building with a fridge, storage, and bathroom complete with a shower.

We also meet Ann and Jerry from the State of Washington, along with Richard and Lois who we walk home with at dark. They have a Pommeranian and a mix. They are in a 5th wheel just down the way. What a fun visit; they were all friendly folks. They were drinking Blackstone Merlot and were a few drinks ahead of us. I snapped a picture of Terry by her RV as she gave me a tour of their lot.

Jerry babies the fire as the other Jerry, Lois and Bob gather 'round.

It is chilly after we leave the warmth of the fire. Back home I get on-line and send emails. My brother Mike says the 12.4" of snow in Dallas is an all-time record. Bob scans TV channels and we watch the Olympics. It's 8:30 p.m. and 52 degrees. The high was 64-Yeah we must have come far enough south-with 79% humidity.

Super Bowl with Glenda

Sunday, February 7, I wake up to clouds and a chilly morning. I stare at the digital pics next to my Euro chair and sip coffee. I read for a while and then go for a walk, stretch and have breakfast. Bob and I make Stuffed Cabbage Stoup and Nacho Cheese Dip to take to the game tonight. Marilynn calls as she pulls up out front to give me my completed tiger-eye necklace. It is beautiful! She rushes off to go home and make 'wings' for her Super Bowl Party tonight.

Bob gets the pictures loaded and edited in the digital picture frame and packs up the laptop to take to Glenda's. I call Patti to see how her birthday was yesterday. We had a nice chat. It is cold and snowy there. I left another voice message for Megan (I have a message from her when we return from Glenda's late tonight! She says she is feeling good and is 'on schedule' for Baby Frank on Saturday!)

I call Southern Oaks RV Resort in Aransas Pass around noon and make a reservation for one month. Then I sent an email to our RV friends Tom and Nan-Marie who we met in Ohio this summer as they may join us on the Coast. How fun!

Around 3:00 Bob and I head to Glenda's with our food and stuff. She meets us at the door saying "Who dat saying what day when dey do day?"...or some such thing that I never could get to roll off my tongue like she can. We have soup and nacho dip before the game. Poor Glenda is suffering from the high mold count in Central Texas and just doesn't sound like herself. Here I was thinking it was The Hill Country's famous Cedar Fever. I try to ten the fire in the first half but it is much better when Glenda and I switch seats at half-time and she takes care of the fire.

Bob loads photos of Bellingrath Gardens' Maids on her digital picture frame before the game starts. The Colts jump out to an early lead but the Saints prevail in a good game. One year ago Bob and I were with the rowdy bunch trying to cheer the Cardinals to victory in Toulouse Latrec Theatre on Carnival Conquest cruise ship. I was seasick and had a rough night until my drugs kicked in as the seas were unusually high for most of our cruise.

We pack up our food and bid Glenda farewell. She's going to Austin with me tomorrow. I'll pick hr up at 9:30 in the morning. It's 11:02 p.m. and 51 degrees with 82% humidity. The wind is out of the southeast. The high was 58 and the low was 42. We crash in bed and read the paper and work the puzzles until we doze off.

Maxine's, HEB and Journaling

Saturday, February 6, the sun is out for the first time in weeks. A cold north wind is blowing but I walk and stretch anyway. I called Marilynn. She can't go to the movies on Monday and the rest of my week is full. What a bummer; I really wanted to see Crazy Heart with my favorite music buddy.

Bob and I go to Maxine's around noon for lunch. They have a big crowd; we sit at the front for once and get a different waitress. I have the Reuben and Bob has a Chicken Taco salad with chipotle ranch. We split a mile-high Key Lime Pie.

On the way home we stop at HEB for my Weight Watchers version of Key Lime Pie ingredients for Wednesday at Joyce and Dan's. Back home I get on the PC and renew Bob's driver's license successfully. It's always a relief when we can get these things done on-line. The next time we both have to show up in person for new photos and an eye test. I also pay some bills on-line and Google for Southern Oaks RV Resort on the Texas Coast--our next destination.

We relax with the paper and puzzles. Then I work on my journal for several hours. I'm almost done putting 2007 on the Good Sam site. Bob works on the digital picture frame off and on all day. We now fight for computer time. I put some pictures on his file from the 'lost ' time period that I found on my journal pages.

I watch Inspector Lindley Mystery on the TV in the bedroom. I tried to call my very pregnant niece Megan but had to leave a voice message. Her due date is 2/13! The high was 58 degrees today.