South Padre at Last!

November 15, 16, 2011

Today was travel day.  We left Craig & Wendy's in Alice and headed for South Padre Island which is on the southernmost tip of Texas.  Our last night in Texas, Mark spent some time with Rambo (retired service dog), Kayla (lab),  and Sami(lab) on the back deck.

Found a spot to camp in Andy Bowie County Park on the Island.  The walkway right behind our camping area leads to the ocean side.  If you look behind Mark you will see kite boarders out in the heavy surf, jumping the waves.

Mark has already joined the local kite boarders's private club which gave us access to their private section of beach.    It is across the road and down about 1/4 mile.  Mark got the skinny on the lay of the land for today and tomorrow will launch for the first time.

Watch Your Head!

November 13, 2011

Today Mark and I toured the Lexington, a retired aircraft carrier, anchored in the Corpus Christi Bay.  On the drive over we passed a few oil refineries.  We so wanted to stop in and ask why the cost of regular gas has dropped locally to an average of about $3.25/gal. and our diesel is still averaging $3.79.  The Diesel Dollars we are spending takes our breath away.

I am getting ready to shoot down Japanese Zeros!

Dad aiming his gun.

All aboard!

Mind your P's and Q's on the ship or you end up here!

My captain.

Steady at the helm, sir.

We spent almost four hours touring the ship.  As you well know, lots of steep stairs and hatches that you must step over and through to move from one room to the next.  All went well until our last section.  I was coming down a steep ladder when "wham"!  Smacked my head on a metal hatch.  Just about knocked myself out.  Still have a bump and red mark two days later.

Going On Safari

November 14, 2011

Today we went out to Craig and Wendy's new property.  They will be building in the next year or so and are just getting started with the clearing process and getting electricity.  We drove the fenceline in their 4-wheeler, watching for deer, wild pigs (javalina's), snakes, armadillos's, etc.  The property has lots of mesquite and brush.  We followed several "hog" trails as they called them.  The hogs had already made a path along the new fenceline.  Yikes!

Yes, folks, Wendy is putting on "snake boots"!  Needless to say, I had my eyes peeled as I had seen many snake skins in the museums/displays and they were quite large.....and this is the first time I have ever seen anyone put on snake boots.

Loading up to go on Safari.  Yes, that is a loaded shotgun we are toting to possibly bag some pear cactus rats.

Mark was smart enough to throw in a couple of lawn chairs so we had a little comfort.  No, they didn't let me hold that shotgun very long.  Just posing!

Craig had to use his machete to clear tree branches so we could get around the fenceline.  Go Craig!  I will stay in the 4-wheeler and watch for snakes!

We picked up debris as we drove the fenceline.  Craig and Wendy are unloading leftover fencing material.  They just had a fence installed around their 50 acres.

Mark and Angie saying goodbye to the new GJ Ranch.  We'll be back!

Thanks, Craig and Wendy for a great time!

Hanging with Craig and his girls, Rachel and Kendra

November 12, 2011

We arrived in Alice, TX on Saturday afternoon and had an enjoyable evening with Craig and Wendy.  We have  finally gotten far enough south that there is no need for jackets in the evening.  We sat outside and roasted marshmallows over a mesquite fire and were not the least bit cold.

November 13, 2011

Rachel and Kendra have come over from Kingsville to spend the day.

Rachel and Kendra are sitting on Craig's new tractor.

Craig helping Kendra drill holes in her Mom's new plant shelf they were building.

Mark and Angie out in front of the King Ranch Visitor's Center.  We toured the King Ranch this afternoon.  Biggest ranch in the country at over 850,000 acres.  Two words, amazing and dry.  Below are longhorn cows sitting in the wide open spaces.
We stopped on the way home today at a store called "Tractor Supply".  The girls loved this store because of the smell.  Well, Mark cleaned his nose out before we entered to get a good whiff of this special store.  Smells like a feed store.......so, I guess these girls are truly Texas Ranch girls!

Mark bought a 6-volt battery to cut open.  He saw a video on YouTube where they cut open a 6-volt lantern battery and there were 32 "AA" batteries inside.  He decided that was a cheap way to buy "AA" batteries.  Well, the girls were quite tickled when he cut it open and there were NOT "AA" batteries inside.  Moral of the story, you can't believe everything you watch on YouTube.

All-Day Tour of San Antonio, Texas

November 11, 2011

Today we have signed up for an all-day bus tour of the city.  They pick us up at the RV Park and drop us off at the end of the day.  Perfect.  No more navigating or driving.  Mindless sightseeing.

Koi Pond in Chinese Tea Garden in San Antonio!  Weird.

Kiss from San Antonio!

Next was Texas Ranger Museum.  Had to belly up to the bar for a shot of whiskey and a taste of the old west.

Gimme a shot of whiskey, Bar-Keep!

Next was lunch at the oldest Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk.  We had some friends as we dined.  I felt something tug on the side of my jeans right by my butt.  I looked down and this little fella was standing there, waiting for some food.  I gave him a chip and he left for a couple of minutes and then I felt something tugging on my pants again.  He was quite polite and would only tug a couple of times and then just stand there and wait.

The lunch was good and had my first Texas Chili, which was served with my meal.  Chunks of beef in a sauce.  Tender and good.

Mark sitting at our table along river walk'

Mark and I at the Alamo Well

The day was great and exhausting, of course.  After returning to the motorhome we ventured out to the H.E.B. Grocery store.  Started by a local family years ago.  There are only HEB, Walmart and Costco around here for groceries.  No Safeway, Albertsons, IGA or any of the familiars.  After buying a few groceries we stopped at "Whataburger" for a burger (of course).  We have seen them all over  New Mexico and Texas and just had to try one out.  Small menu, pretty much burgers, fries and drinks.  Kinda reminded me of an In-and-Out Burger joint from California.  It was started in 1950 so I was just surprised that I had never heard of one.  Amazing what you learn when you travel.

Texas!

November 10, 2011

 We take off like a streak across Texas.  Looks like home.  Speed limits of up to 80 mph at times, country roads that have speed limits of 70 mph and everything in between.  Drove for two hours today without seeing a house or much of anything besides trucks, semi's and signs of oil wells.

The roadside stops are very Texan!

Made San Antonio today.  Seventh largest city in US.  I was driving and Mark was navigator as we hit town.  We did fantastic as we drove through town, as our RV Park, Travel World, was on the south part of town in the old district.  I felt like I was driving a whale through a tangle of freeways.  It was scary but we made it.

We then took the bus downtown to the riverwalk in the evening.  It is one of the coolest things we have seen on our trip.  The sidewalk, trees, shops, restaurants, are all beneath the street level.  Had a great evening strolling around.

Hold On To My Belt Loop

Nov. 9, 2011

Today we visited the Carlsbad Caverns before heading into Texas.  When the kids were small and we were in a store or somewhere they would stray or get into trouble, Mark would always say, "Hold onto my Belt Loop."  That would insure that the kids stayed right next to him and would keep up.  Well, today I was holding onto Mark's belt loop.  I think I have a little claustrophobia.  My knees were getting tingly before we took the elevator ride down into the cavern and I almost didn't go.  I kept thinking of the miners who were trapped underground in Peru a year ago.  So, as soon as I got into the cavern I started holding onto Mark's belt loop so I would feel safer.  How that was going to save me if the ceiling collapsed, I don't know but it did make me feel better.  It was beautiful and we were alone most of the time because it was early and off season so there weren't nearly as many visitors.  However, I don't think I need to go a mile underground again.

Me, before my knees started shaking

Me after the tour!

I am Mark Johnson and I can find my way out of this cavern!

You didn't want pictures of the real caverns, did you?