Returning to the Valley

Thought I’d share the gas prices here in the Valley with you. Haven’t seen it this low in – who knows when.

Actually since this was taken it’s dropped another three cents. I looked at the local prices back in Michigan and it’s still around $3.30.

Our first week back in Texas has been full of sunny skies, warm temperatures and light breezes. And this is why we drive 1800 miles to get here. That and the local folks are one of the most friendly people we’ve ever come across. Signs and banners are every where all saying Welcome Back Winter Texans.

The trailer was pretty dirty inside for all the construction going on this summer in our park. So I worked on cleaning and pulled all the clothes out to wash. As long as I was doing that I decided we needed to go thru items and get rid of things we haven’t worn. Now I have room for all the clothes I couldn’t bring myself to leave up north.

The other day we were sitting outside with Dave/Linda and he said Pepper found a toad. As it turned out it is what they call a Cane Toad and is very deadly to small animals if they touch the toxin these toads release. Luckily we got Pepper away from it before it got to close.  Larry then gave it a dose of Shovel-i-ts

These things are huge and there seems to be a lot of them in our park. So no more letting Pepper be outside by herself.

Have to share our Grand-son’s school picture. What a heart breaker he’s going to be.

Guess that’s it for this week. Till next time……………..

2013 Fall Trip back to Retama

A lot has happened since the last blog but I’m only going to give you the short version.

Saturday: After blowing pipes out in the house we were on the road before 8am heading north and had a nice uneventful drive of seeing all the color.

Reached the Mackinaw Bridge with very little traffic and blue skies as we crossed.

I am not one for bridges, so I was pretty proud of myself that I kept my eyes opened and even looked out the side window. We got to our hotel in Escanaba that afternoon and ended up staying inside as it was raining and chilly. Was hoping to see a little of the sights around that area.

Sunday: We took our time getting on the road as we had less than four hours to get to friends Marilynn & Gary’s house in Sturgeon Bay WI.

That afternoon we got the chance to go over to their son’s homes for a quick visit before Jim & Pat (Retama friends) came over for dinner.

Monday: Gary was our tour guide taking us north in Door County along the Bay through some neat Bed & Breakfast communities. Gary even got me to walk out a very high ledge to overlook the water which that in itself was quite an accomplishment seeing I’m as thrilled with heights as I am going over bridges. That night we went over to Pat/Jim’s for dinner and got to see their new place.

Tuesday: Off to an early start with our first stop at the Winery just down from them. Of course you can’t go to a Winery without doing a taste test and so what if it’s 9:00 in the morning. Then over to the Coffee Shop across the street for a yummy latte before driving into Sturgeon Bay to the Museum. Their son Michael designed, carved, stuffed, and painted the Seasons of Life Display, what a unbelievable display of talent that this young man has. Here’s a little article and pictures about Mike http://map.co.door.wi.us/museum/Wildlife_Diorama.htm

Wednesday: It was time to say our good-byes and start working our way south to Retama. Always sad to leave these good friends but we will see the again in less than a month.

The rest of the week was pretty much the same. On the road, stop at motel, order delivery for dinner than start all over again. We took a different route then we have before going straight down I55, than across I12/I10 before turning off on 124 down to Galveston. I thought it would be fun to take the ferry across, but I wish I’d of thought this through a little more, like the chances of having rough water. Between crossing the Mississippi three times along with many other bridges and taking a ferry that felt like you were on a swing I have decided we will not be taking this route again.

So that’s it for this week. Till next time………………

Time to head south

Well this is our last night in the house. Tomorrow after we finish getting the house ready for winter we’ll take off and head north. I made a reservation at a hotel in Escanaba which is a few hours from the Mackinaw Bridge.

Sunday we will be getting into Sturgeon Bay to spend a few days at the Gary & Marilynn and see friends Jim & Pat. Can’t wait.

The week has been full of having dinners with family and friends.  I told Larry tonight that once we get back to TX all three of us are going on a diet and getting back to walking. Especially Pepper, she’s really put the weight on this summer without having a dog park to run with her friends.

Had a special day this week with grand-daughter Anissa. She and I always seem to have a good time on one of “our” days just walking around an antique store. Course when I have to explain what some of the things are “like how a manual typewriter works” I do feel a bit old.

I’ve put clothes in and taken clothes out. Just couldn’t decide what to take or leave and finally Larry said the words I wanted to hear, just take what ever you want. AL righty!!  Those Vacuum Bags are the best thing a woman could ask for.

Poor Pepper just doesn’t know what’s going on with all the activity. She sticks right by us and really hates it if we’re not in the same room.

Have one picture to share. This is Darrius all ready for the big Halloween night at his house. 

That’s it for now. Not sure where we’ll be next weekend. Could be on the road or at our place in Texas. Till next time……………

Friends+Snow=Yuk, Fall has started

Not a lot to write about this weekend. The pass week has been mostly doing things to get ready to leave on the 12th. We finished putting lawn furniture away so my cute little porch looks so lonely and sad. But I already have ideas of things to do next spring to the front yard and around the porch. But that’s next spring, guess I need to concentrate on what I want to do for flowers down on the lot in Texas. Which I do have ideas for there too and I’m sure I’ll post pictures when it’s done. We also got the plants cut down and Larry lowered the deck on lawn mower and cut the yard. One more time towards the end of the week should do it.

The trees have really started turning here and within a few weeks we should have full color. A storm went through last night and the rain brought lots of leaves down but there’s still tons left. Hopefully when we drive through the U.P. we’ll see some of that gorgeous color they always talk about 

We went for a ride after dinner one night to see who was in the fields working. I guess even though we haven’t had the farm in many years you never really leave it. Lots of farmers out doing soy’s and I have a picture to share that our niece took of my brother.

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the snow in South Dakota over the weekend. We have a couple of friends there so thought I’d share a picture of what they are enjoying (or not)

This is Donna & Grant’s taken from their 5th wheel. They did a work camping job this summer near Rapid City S.D. They are going back there next summer again, wondering if they are having second thoughts.

This is of Pat & Mikes place which is just south of Custer. You can see the rigs in the background which should be on their way too AZ to their winter home. Guess that won’t happen for a few days.

One of the things we did was go to a Estate Sale this week. This one was something else, to give you a visual think of the show “The Pickers”. If you’ve ever seen that you’ll know what I’m talking about. They say the house has been in the family since 1896 and I don’t think a piece of paper has ever been tossed. The guy said they had already taken two 30 yard dumpsters out of there. But we walked out empty handed (things were priced way to high) and came home to lots of soap and water.

Today Nadene and I went to a craft sale where our SIL Diane and niece Candace had a table. I haven’t been to a craft sale here in many years as normally they don’t start until after we leave. Had a good time and we both found a few things we couldn’t live without.

Guess that’s it for this week. Have a full week coming with getting things ready to head south.

Till next time…………………………………..