Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Hurrican IKE


Some of the downed limbs

Neighbor's RV got thumped

Downed trees blocking our exit north

Downed trees

Another unit got thumped

More trees blocking our exit

We were following Hurricane Ike over the news and weather channels on television and were well aware of its approach. The problem was that we were on the wrong channel and its prediction called for less winds than the other channels were calling for in our area. Therefore we made the decision to stay at our RV park in Livingston Texas instead of evacuating to some other area. That was not the best choice, we didn’t suffer any damage, however it came awfully close. Thursday the storm started to arrive and the winds picked up and were blowing about forty to fifty miles an hour. By daybreak the winds were approaching hurricane force here and we are over sixty miles north of the edge of Houston. Trees were breaking and limbs of trees being blown by and other building debris as well. The power went out before dawn and there was no internet signal or cell phone signal.

Saturday evening the storm started to calm down and the rains were off and on, the trailer felt damp even though we didn’t have any major leaks. We took the dogs for a walk so they could relive themselves and walk of some excess energy. We were blocked at both ends of our road by fallen trees, there were branches and wood from trees littering the RV sites. Several RV units had big branches laying on top of them. No one got hurt thank goodness.

At the moment we don’t have electricity and have only sporadic cell phone and wifi connectivity. We have been told to be conservative with our water use as the power for the sewer system here is using only emergency power sporadically and the system can be over taxed and cause problems.

So, the point is we rode out the storm and survived without injury or loss. If we had to do it over again, we wouldn't, the stress is not worth it and neither are the complications. We had reservations at a B&B in Mexico and sent them a message saying that our flight was canceled yet they still charged us for our room, nothing we can do about it either. We have re booked our flight and will visit Mexico and complete our reservation at the B&B, but we are not happy about being there.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

We're going to Mexico

We have been camped here in Livingston for about three weeks and enjoying the
many features of the Escapee's RV park. I have had fun volunteering for the Tuesday
luncheon. I also enjoyed the social hours and ice cream socials on Sunday.

We have decided to take a short trip to Mexico and visit a town called San Miguel Allende.
This town has a long history and is visited by many people from all over the world. San Miguel
is now a World Heritage site and has an interesting mix of Mexican and foreign population that
lives in harmony. We are excited about visiting there and will have more on our other blog about
our visit.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Update On Trip to Texas


Bridge we crossed many times as our camp was on the other
side from town

One of two fliers passing overhead

Start of the show

Light and water show

Light and water show

The amphibious cruise boat called a Duck

Just fishing

The restaurant we had dinner and drinks at the first night
Fireplace in the restaurant

Here comes the tour boat

The boat passes the restaurant while we had dinner

Bridge over which we traveled many times as our park was on
the other side.

We were traveling through Kansas and discussing our route back to Texas and I asked how far away was Branson MO. Seems it wasn't as far off our time allotted for returning to TX so our plans were changed and we headed towards Branson.

We stayed one night at a Kansas Lake the site was nice and our camp was a quiet one not a sound through the night. The lake was located 13 miles south of I-70 at exit 135. The road has just been chip sealed and there is still work being done. The next camp was at the Lazy Daze Camp in MO. exit 78, I-70 and state route 65. We drove 65 up one hill and after the other these were some hills if they had snow it would be great skiing. We arrived at Turkey Creek the Escapees park in Branson, we spent the afternoon checking out the town and the evening having dinner on the water, at a restaurant on a barge. Later we watched the water and light show on the boardwalk. And, it was my Birthday and it was a good one.

We did two more things while in Branson; we took the train ride on the so called Branson Scenic Railway and we went to the Dixie Stampede, the train ride was not scenic, I expected to see some of the lake, my error, the Dixie Stampede was a good show with dinner and except for some foolishness with pigs, chickens and ostriches it was a good show.

Tomorrow we break camp and head to Texas

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Idaho Falls - Ft Bridger WY.


This gate motif was used on several local houses

Were we had supper rather good meal

Gate / Entrance to a local house

This was the fort store sort of prerunner of the PX

Buildings at the Fort

Yup another welcome sign

The big building is now a museum

Wagon at the entrance to the Fort

Guardhouse at the fort

Welcome sign to Utah didn't stay there this time

Unusual windmill at the camp

Our dogs checking their Pee Mail on the sign to the RV Camp
We left Idaho Falls ID 8am and followed I-15 to I-84 to I-80 arriving at the Ft. Bridger historical site at about 3pm and checked into the Ft Bridger RV park. Last year the fee for parking with an Escapee discount was $19 this year it is $27 and change. That is a serious increase in rate for a place that is not that spectacular. There is no pool no club room the sites are plan grass no shade and the road in and out is gravel. The camp does have wifi and cable TV. Still I am not happy about paying that much for ?

We checked out Ft Bridger and took some photos then went to the local and only restaurant for dinner. Dinner was Buffalo Sirloin with gravy hand made fries and a good salad with ice tea.
We walked back to the RV park and tuned in the TV and worked on our computers until bedtime.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Trying to pass on Wisdom


Grandma Kay passing on life's wisdom to her grandson who
is patiently putting up with it all, poor young man :)

It is so nice to have the grand kids close

I had a long talk with my grandson Sunday afternoon. He is going into his senior year in High School this fall. I thought I had great bits of wisdom to impart to my grandson, but I fear words failed me. Language sometimes just does not impart what we truly know to others so they understand. Part of the problem is the situations that shaped us are in the past and they (the children) are in the reality of the present. We fear they will make serious mistakes or missteps because we made them or have seen others make them in our lives. It is very hard to let the youngsters figure life out on their own, almost irresistible to jump in and take the reins of their horse and ride it. Of course that won't work so we babble on about what they should do and hope that somehow they understand and that things will work out for the best for them. Some how the young folks seem to get by with and with out our so called wisdom. Bless 'em

YellowStone N.P. Trip


Here is a view of the crowd waiting for Old Faithful to erupt

Old Faithful does its crowd pleasing thing

Nice view of the falls

Deep pool with pretty blue color

Another view of the crowds of people

A photo of Samantha taking a photo she took most of the
photos on this trip

Another view of the Falls there are many falls in the park

The above Bison was just laying behind a small hill

Samantha has always wanted to visit Yellowstone N.P. and see the Eagles, Bison, Elk and the beautiful scenery so we decided that this trip to Idaho we would take a day trip to Yellowstone Park. We were told by family that it was only a 90 minute drive to West Yellowstone the town that is the gateway to the park. Well it might be a 90 minute drive for some people, but not us. We drive rather slow compared to others in the family and there was road construction that slowed us even further. It took us over two hours to get to the park.

When we got to the Park entrance we stopped in at the information center and to our delight my Old Fogey Card got us in free! We got a map and was told which route would make a good day trip and off we went. Getting in was a breeze, we were through the express lane in no time. That should be a clue that they have an express lane that a lot of people visit Y.N.P.

Took one side trip and the rest we of the trip we stayed on the route for the day trip. It was a long day, lots to see even if there were lots of other folks sharing the experience.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Idaho and family time


Granddaughter Kaitlyn playing her guitar for us

Kaitlyn and her Mother Nikki

The family that was present that day there are a lot more

The Mormon Church and the falls in
Idaho Falls

Dinner out with the family

Another view of the family dinner Great Grandma is at the
other end of the table she is 90 and is doing well


We made it to Idaho and found our RV park in Idaho Falls, the park is located almost downtown near the river. After a few calls family dropped by for a visit and made plans for going out to dinner. We went to a nice restaurant for dinner and had a great time catching up on the family news. Great Granny was there also and had a good time with everyone around. After dinner we went to my daughter-in-Law's house for coffee and cake and we got a performance by my granddaughter on her guitar, she is doing very well with her lessons and seems to enjoy playing for people.

The following day we had breakfast at the home of the other grandparents and more catch up time with the family. The following day my granddaughter wanted to spend the day with me so we had a great time together with Samantha just hanging out, walking the dogs, playing cards. The day went by to fast. Later that evening we went out for dinner again and had a nice meal and shared more conversation. When we got back to the rig we both were tired and we wanted to get up early for a tip to Yellowstone N.P. so off to beddy bye for both of us.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

We made it to Utah



Our rig at the park for the night

The dogs and I are on a walk at a rest stop just inside Utah


The gap we came through from Wyoming


Nice park well run

Walmart stop to fill up with our spare tanks

Enterance to the KOA

Dog's delight?

Last night we spent the night at a KOA in Wyoming and we were blessed with a thunder storm and off and on rain. There was a lot of wind with the T-storm, but it calmed down later.

Some of the hills we went up today were rather steep some we climbed at 30mph, I was wondering if we were going to make it or not. However the old truck just kept on going.

We drove the I-80 through Wyoming which seemed endless, finally we got to Utah and we are in
a town just north of Logan Utah. This RV park the Golden Spike is located behind a Flying J Truck Stop exit 362 Brigham City. The park is attractive, clean and the manager/owners are on site and the park is very popular. I was tired today and very glad to arrive at a nice park.