Palacios

Many years ago on our last trip to Texas we made an unplanned stop on Palacios. Look at the campsite and you can see why!

This was a short stop for the view nd some great Cajun food, We were not disappointed.

On to another Ocean View

 So much Texas beach - so little time!

South Padre Island was as wonderful as we remembered so it was time to move on the Galveston Island and see if that also matched our memories.

We checked into Galveston Island State Park, and our site was just fantastic! The access to the beach for walking was wonderful, just across the road form us. That sounds odd because this time instead of staying on the windy salty ocean we decided to stay on the bay. It was much calmer, and perfect weather everyday for sitting outside and enjoying the views. For  prairie girl I didn't really know the difference, as you can see from the photo.

We also had the honor of making new friends again. The second day we were there a couple pulled in and we started talking right away. They are from Ontario, and for some reason we hot it off immediately. IN the days we were there we shared every happy hour, as well as a dinner out.

Texas Y'all

We are now solidly placed in Texas. After a overnighter in a quiet road stop we found ourselves at our first RV park. Boondocking is not impossible in Texas but certainly not easy. Mix that with the weather  - hot and humid - and we acknowledged prior to leaving that deciding to go to Texas would mean campgrounds.

We had planned to stay at Tips Park in Three Rivers, which appeared to be a city ran facility. However, when we drove in it did not feel comfortable. If you have RV'd much you will know what I mean - sometimes a place does not feel right. There were 2 RVs in the park, one was not habitable and the other was questionable. Any how we ended up just west of town at Naylor's RV Park and it was great. Being in this location allowed us to visit a vacation highlight and personal favorite - San Antonio River Walk.

When we were "done" in the San Antonio area we headed to the ocean! We wanted to stay at Padre Island National Seashore - Malaquite Campground, but they don't take reservations. We scoped the place out ahead of time and to ensure a site we actually left our campground in Three Rivers a day early and pulled into Malaquite knowing there was an opening.

We had such a great time in this area! So many beach walks, so many happy hours with Ivan and new friends Rod and Karen, and a visit to SpaceX!!

Although we were not lucky enough to see a launch, being able to drive close, walk up t the area, and freely take photos was well worth the day.

That seems like enough excitement for one post so you'll have to wait!

310 toYuma

Hmm - I may have used this before but it's cute.

We left Saturday morning and our first day of travels was like summer driving. An overnight stop at Idaho Falls Walmart, as usual. It was starting to snow over the Monida Pass, but lightly.

Day 2

Yup... all day. This was the I15

At any rate since I am still writing this blog you know we made it.

We ended up spending 2 nights at Casablanca Casino in Mesquite. They have an RV area that is dry camping. It's a great location to de-winterize, get groceries and wash the vehicles up. And it's warm! 

Rather than heading straight to Yuma this year we decided we were in time to  see what all the buzz was about at the great Quartzsite RV Show. We were also able to camp alongside Erne and Deb and Ivan! We had a great time sharing stories, refreshments, food and fun.

It was so great to have these mountains and skies every day!

The fun has to end sometime in Quartzsite and it was time to move on to Yuma.

We headed to the best spot ever - Fortuna Pond.

I'm sure you can see the benefits of this location - water and trees in the desert are sight to behold. My office view was pretty distracting.

Our days here were spent with friends old and new. Deb and Ernie and Ivan were over on Sidewinder Road, and we had a lovely dinner again with Judy and Phil, and then we also had several visits with another co-op co-conspirator of mine Marc and his wife Peggy. And we had brunch with Brent and Lynne, an old Tisdale school friend of Don's! So you see we had several happy hours and visits that filled our days.

We were almost tired when we decide to pull up the jacks and move a bit east to the Phoenix area. Last year we found a perfect spot close to Ron and Bev on Cottonwood Road just south of Apache Junction. Besides Ron and Bev there are so many folks here we know, and a few we managed to visit. But first - the views!

We will be the first to admit that our whole stay here the weather was less than desirable. There was more rain than we've ever experienced however we hadn't ever had rain. haha. The upside is the desert was so green and lush, it was quite beautiful. Our site did get pretty muddy, the creek filled up fast one day, and rains in the desert are just plain interesting.

We had a great fire on my birthday, and great company! Ron and Bev and Carol and Richard met us for dinner at Boston's Pizza, then after we went back to our place and had a fire with Ron and Bev and Deb and Ernie. A great birthday! And thanks to Carol and Richard for a lovely home cooked meal and use of their laundry equipment!

We also went for dinner one evening with Don's cousin and an old school friend of mine, Brad. We met his partner Patricia and Brad and I caught up on events surrounding all the people we know.

On the family theme we spent a great afternoon also with my cousin Peter and his wife Marla!

Don played bachelor again as I jetted off to Saskatoon for the Co-op AGM. I was able to walk on stage for my second term as a Director. A proud moment! It should be noted that I made it there and back in a reasonable state of normalcy with my luggage and almost on time - quite an accomplishment!

Our last night before departing for the vast state of Texas Ron and Bev introduced us to Organ Pipe Pizza. The organ is amazing and the music ok, but the pizza was by far the best we have had outside of Canada!

We are now off to Texas - to see if what we remember is as a great as we thought. And the food:)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all! May 2023 be a better year in many ways than the last couple but may we also keep with us all the good things we learned through the pandemic and all the connections we found again!

We will be going south again this year, earlier than other years, but first we have an exciting and crazy January to get through!

Lots of hockey, ringette, basketball, friends, volunteer meetings, co-op meetings and...

GRAND SLAM OF CURLING!

Like we needed another week long commitment but I was asked to attend the Co-op Canadian Open in Camrose for the week, and we, especially Don, loves curling. So January 10 - 15 we were either on the road to Camrose or in the Co-op sponsorship skybox at the Camrose Encana Area.

It was an honor to be there representing Co-ops across Western Canada, and of course to see the on ice action all week. From the top seats you could see and hear action on every sheet. What a great experience.

When I was asked I had no idea another honor would befall me - presenting the cup to the wining female team; Japan. Again, what an honor.

The next day we were back on the road to Saskatoon for January meetings and Don fit in another visit with mom.

January 21 at 4:00 a.m. excitement overcame us and we pulled out of the driveway, fifth wheel in tow!

Stay tuned...

Merry Christmas

Well I guess I need to get through November before I send Christmas greetings!

We are having a great time enjoying the kids being back to their sports 100%. It takes some scheduling to make it to as many games as we can, sometimes we have to miss one or two but try to keep track and make it even overall through the month or week.

So November birthdays are Tracy and Reese. We were able to take Reese out for the traditional birthday shopping and lunch! It's unbelievable that she is 12 years old and in grade 7.

Happy birthday Tracy! Happy Birthday Reese!

I decided to fly to Saskatoon for my November meetings and was that a fiasco! On the direct flight home it ended up being a stop in Calgary which turned into getting back to Edmonton 5:00 pm Tuesday instead of noon on Monday. 

Both November and December seemed to fly by. 

We completed what are now the traditional Pre Christmas activities - Grandma and Grandpa Christmas Boxes!

It is such a fun way to share ourselves with the grandkids, and make the season longer. You never know what will be in them - Christmas cookie kits, Christmas PJs, family games, tree ornaments, maybe a gift card. The possibilities are endless!

We also went to Tisdale for a quick Christmas visit with mom and the siblings. Our gift to mom this year was a catered Christmas meal with just her immediate family of kids. I was so glad Don did the extra driving so I could see mom and then get to my Co-op meetings!

Thanks to our kids the year ended again at a New Years Eve bash at the casino - this year Fleetwood Mac and ABBA. The food, music and company was top!!