We are pack and ready to go. We will launch at 0700 hours on 1 Dec. Our planned destination is Mexico with several stops throughout the country as we will likely travel locations hopefully avoiding " Trump's Caravan" where possible.
We hope to make an overnight stop in Mazatlan to visit friends, then on to Rincon Guaybitos where we will spend a month. After that we will travel around the country until mid March.
I hope to provide some pictures this year as I have been "school " on how to get them into my blog.
Don't expect a daily update as we may not be in range of WiFi every evening. Cheers
Friday, 30 November 2018
Sunday, 15 April 2018
Weekly Happenings # 8
25 Mar to 2 April 2018
Sunday:
We are leaving on Wed morning and we "must" start packing. We have been saying this for a week now so there is no tomorrow. So to start the day we will go out for breakfast and we will take our friend Terry as she is leaving Tuesday to fly back to Med Hat. We try to select a different eating establishment every Sunday and someone suggested Denny's. Suffice to say we have been there twice : first and last. Apparently "eggs over easy" means mostly raw.
After breakfast we got busy and started to pack the, hang up clothes, then I had 3 Blue plastic tubs so we filled them anything that was one of kind: ie a frying pan that Carroll but did not need; a coffee pot that Carroll brought but did not need and a Crock pot that Carroll brought but did not need, I think you get the picture. Since we still had more to pack I went to Wal-Mart and bought another blue basket it was soon full. Anything else will go in a plastic bag. About this time I begin to think I should have bought a truck.
We had 1 steak left so I BBQ it for supper and then Carroll announced "the kitchen is now closed " and all meal will be from a restaurant.
Monday
We had 3 fridges which was great for 4 months but now we had to clean them. How in hell does a fridge get so dirty when all you do is remove and replace the items in it. After the fridges are sparkling clean you have to inhibit them for the next 6 month by putting a small bowl of coffee in the freezer and the fridge compartment along with a box of soda baking. You have to leave the doors slightly ajar so to ensure that they do not close you must hang a dish towel over the door so they do not accidentally close during the summer months.
As I mention we are "closing up " for the owners so several other task are required. There are 4 cactus plants in pots so they have to be relocated along the drive so they can receive whatever rain they may get during the summer. Yes they will survive. Then they have ceramic lawn ornaments place in the front of the mobile so they have to be carefully stored so as not to get broken. And finally they have 5 or 6 metal ( cheap looking ) ornaments that are hung on the side of the mobile so they have to carefully removed and stored.
Although I can not pack things in the storage shed yet I did size up how I was going to get everything in the shed. Terry should have taken a picture of how he packed it which would make it easier for me.oh well. I will manage.
Tuesday
OK; D day is here !!! The car is being pack. Everything is out of the house except our " Toiletries ". The house is being clean and all floors washed. I packed the shed and everything does fit even without a " shoehorn". I re-read the closeup directions and realized I had to turn off 2 gas valves although I had already turned off the main valve. By early afternoon all the closeup was done.
Wedesday
We rec a voice mail on the phone in the evening from Terry ( the landlord ) asking us to give the keys to a neighbor, who would take them to Terry since they live near Terry in MB. I was wondering what to do with the keys since I would need then to lock the doors on our way out so this solve the key problem.
By 8:30 AM we were ready to start north, so we said goodbye to the neighbors and we headed for Bandera, TX , which is a small "Cowboy " town , pop of 986 located 1 hour west of San Antonia.
After driving thru rain for an hour ( a much needed rain for southern TX ) the weather cleared. We arrived in Bandrea around 2 PM and we checked into the hotel which just met the MMS (Minimum Military Standard ). They said they provided a hot breakfast but after checking the breakfast area I assumed they meant the coffee would be hot so we decided to eat breakfast elsewhere.
Our friends told us to check out the "11 street pub " because on Wed evening this tiny bar had a huge area for a BBQ , a band that produce great music and a dance floor and there was no cover charge. I should mention that Band era has a population of 986.
I always like to check out these facilities myself because you never know what is great for some folks in not great for me. I parked in front of the Pub and as I walked into the Pub, I notice 2 customers looking at my licences plate but they said hi as I passed them. I went to the bar to ask the Bar Maid about the BBQ/ dance. She advise me that I had to bring my own steak and I could BBQ it as they had 3 large Pits. For 7.00 a plate I would get a bake potato, a salad and all the trimmings. Just I was about to ask about the seat/table arrangement the phone rang and it must have been someone with a higher status in life then me as she seemed to ignore me.
So a local "Bar Fly " offered to show me the BBQ/dance area and the seating arrangement. The seating is by reservation but it cuts off on Tuesday so the rest of the seating general seating on s first come basis, The area was only 3/4 reserved so he said there was lots of room. He explained that the doors opened at 5:30 and he suggested we arrive before 6 to make sure we had a seat. The BBQ Pits would be hot by 6.
We arrive before 6 and most unreserved seats are bar style with bar stools. Luckily we for two bar stools with a back rest. They only sell beer and pop so you can bring any other drink except beer and pop. Beer was 4.00 and pop was 2.00. The music was great and we chatted with a few people who were seated near us and they were from out of state who had heard about this place, much like us.
There are 4 RV parks in Bandera so many of the customers where from the RV Parks.
I mentioned this was a large area and in one corner a local Rancher had a "Huge" 13 year old Long Horn ( and I mean Long Horn ) docile Bull and he will let you sit on the Bull for picture taken for a tip. Many city slickers including "yours Truly" got a picture and that is NO BULL!!!! We are glad we visited the Town of Bandera, known as the Cowboy Capital of the World. I wouldn't put it on your Bucket list but if you are near by you should stop in for a visit. cheers
Thursday
When we left Bandera , heading for Fredrickburg, a very German city that we had visited before. However, as I exited the Hotel lot I made a wrong turn and it was so foggy you could only see a few hundred feet. So now I had to turn around which was going to be a risky move. I did find a driveway and got turn but I notice a vehicle gaining on me so I kicked it up to 80 KMH and at that instant a deer jumped in front of me. I locked up the brakes and only the seat belt kept Carroll from kissing the windshield. She was looking at the other 5 deer standing by the road side. We were lucky !!!
We finally drove out of the fog as we headed for Kerriville which is on the way to Fredricksburg as our intended stops was for the Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Once in Fredricksburg we went to the visitors centre to get advise on what to see or visit in the area.
After a tour of the town to check for a German restaurant for supper and a reasonable hotel we headed for the Seed Farm which has hundred of acres of Royal Poppy, which they call the Canadian poppy as it is the poppy from Flanders in France and of the one in the poem " In Flanders Field ". It also has hundreds of acres of the Bluebonnet, which can also be found growing along the road side, by the thousands , in the Hill Country of TX.
Lady Bird Johnson started a Society where they plant "Zillions " of Blue Bonnets and Indian Paint Brush along the roads, highways and Interstate throughout TX and this really does enhance the roadsides.
And then to close out the day, we went to Luckenbach where Willie Nelson and Conway Twitty sang a song about Willie and the Boys. Luckenbach was a trading post as late as 1904 with a population of 492 but today the Pop is betwwen Zero and 3. However, it does have a Mercatile store with all of the dust from the 1900's and mostly overprice merchandise including Tee shirts for 30.00 USD. Many people including us visit the town because attached to the Store is a bar and usually there are people who play music for tips or beer. There is an outdoor area for the "band " or Guitar Pikers/Singers to sing and attract a crowd. This day there were about 20 Bikers enjoying the music so we joined them for a beers. If you are every near Luckenbach you must drop in for a beer. The 2.50 beer is worth it.
We did have supper at a German restaurant. Cheers
Friday
We are now heading for home and there isn't much more boring then driving down the Interstate a 75 MPH ( the speed limit id 80 ). However we did have an incidence that came very close to costing us our life but thankful to an alert driver of an 18 wheeler we where spared.
Briefly this is what happened.
We were driving about 70 MPH on a 4 lane divided hwy and we were nearing a city which we intended to take the bypass according to our GPS. There was a construction warning sign that said that the left lane was closed ahead and we were to reduce our speed to 65 MPH. I had just past a 18 Wheeler and the traffic although not heavy, appeared to have be slowing slightly. By this time we are approaching the city but no signs or indication that we need to slow down. However someone at the front of the line, which numbered about 20 cars and for some unknown reason decided to stop. I slammed on the brakes and stopped a couple of feet short of ramming the vehicle in front of me. I then took a quick look in my rear view mirror and holler to Carroll to brace yourself because the 18 wheeler can't stop. Luckily for us there was a 10 foot paved shoulder and at that instant the 18 wheeler past us on the right with all braked locked up. He got stopped 3 car lengths past us. Thank you driver for being alert because we would have surely met our " Waterloo ".
Due to the confusion we missed our bypass exit so we had to go thru the city which wasn't a problem. However, while going thru the city we pulled up beside the driver of the truck at a stop light and he and Carroll had a short conversation.
His first question why did the traffic stop in a 65 MPH zone and then he said he knew he was going to hit us so the shoulder was his only hope to avert a disaster. We are glad he was alert.
I think my finger prints are still in the sheering wheel.
Saturday and Sunday ( 1 April )
The next two days was spend speeding down the Interstates heading for Med Hat. I will say one thing for the Americans, they do know how to build highways and they allow you to drive at a reasonable "safe " speed. I do think that 80 MPH is a tad over my safe limit.
We arrived in Billings,MT on Sunday evening. We are now 1 day from home.... I think!!! As i checked into the hotel the clerk advise me that a snow storm was starting at 9 PM and by tomorrow morning we could receive up to 8 inches of snow. We spent the night thinking if we would take the short cut tomorrow or take the I-90 which will take 2 days to get home. cheers
Monday
The weatherman was right this area of Montana received 4 to 6 inches of wet snow. We first checked the Interstate and although the traffic was moving it was snow covered and slippery so we took the short cut so to speak.
The short cut is thru ranch land with very few services and two lane highways but fairly good roads. However after 2 hours of very poor conditions and no end to the snowfall we decide to return to Billings as it was very hard to see the road and the conditions were getting worst.
When we got to Billings and the Interstate was fairly clear and the traffic was going at the speed limit so we headed west to I-15, Helena or Great Falls depending on the weather. We did reach Great Fall but we did hit a few areas where the Bizarre was still raging but the roads were clear.
Tuesday
We left Great Falls heading how which is a 4 hour drive with a stop in Shelly ( 35 miles form the border ) to fill up with the last of the cheaper fuel ( 2.50 a gal ). Then on to the Customs hoping they did not mind that I was 2 litres of Crown Royal over my limit, which they did not mind . It is my honest Face.
After 4 months and two days, plus 10,000 KM we arrived home where we will ponder our trip for next winter. cheers
Sunday:
We are leaving on Wed morning and we "must" start packing. We have been saying this for a week now so there is no tomorrow. So to start the day we will go out for breakfast and we will take our friend Terry as she is leaving Tuesday to fly back to Med Hat. We try to select a different eating establishment every Sunday and someone suggested Denny's. Suffice to say we have been there twice : first and last. Apparently "eggs over easy" means mostly raw.
After breakfast we got busy and started to pack the, hang up clothes, then I had 3 Blue plastic tubs so we filled them anything that was one of kind: ie a frying pan that Carroll but did not need; a coffee pot that Carroll brought but did not need and a Crock pot that Carroll brought but did not need, I think you get the picture. Since we still had more to pack I went to Wal-Mart and bought another blue basket it was soon full. Anything else will go in a plastic bag. About this time I begin to think I should have bought a truck.
We had 1 steak left so I BBQ it for supper and then Carroll announced "the kitchen is now closed " and all meal will be from a restaurant.
Monday
We had 3 fridges which was great for 4 months but now we had to clean them. How in hell does a fridge get so dirty when all you do is remove and replace the items in it. After the fridges are sparkling clean you have to inhibit them for the next 6 month by putting a small bowl of coffee in the freezer and the fridge compartment along with a box of soda baking. You have to leave the doors slightly ajar so to ensure that they do not close you must hang a dish towel over the door so they do not accidentally close during the summer months.
As I mention we are "closing up " for the owners so several other task are required. There are 4 cactus plants in pots so they have to be relocated along the drive so they can receive whatever rain they may get during the summer. Yes they will survive. Then they have ceramic lawn ornaments place in the front of the mobile so they have to be carefully stored so as not to get broken. And finally they have 5 or 6 metal ( cheap looking ) ornaments that are hung on the side of the mobile so they have to carefully removed and stored.
Although I can not pack things in the storage shed yet I did size up how I was going to get everything in the shed. Terry should have taken a picture of how he packed it which would make it easier for me.oh well. I will manage.
Tuesday
OK; D day is here !!! The car is being pack. Everything is out of the house except our " Toiletries ". The house is being clean and all floors washed. I packed the shed and everything does fit even without a " shoehorn". I re-read the closeup directions and realized I had to turn off 2 gas valves although I had already turned off the main valve. By early afternoon all the closeup was done.
Wedesday
We rec a voice mail on the phone in the evening from Terry ( the landlord ) asking us to give the keys to a neighbor, who would take them to Terry since they live near Terry in MB. I was wondering what to do with the keys since I would need then to lock the doors on our way out so this solve the key problem.
By 8:30 AM we were ready to start north, so we said goodbye to the neighbors and we headed for Bandera, TX , which is a small "Cowboy " town , pop of 986 located 1 hour west of San Antonia.
After driving thru rain for an hour ( a much needed rain for southern TX ) the weather cleared. We arrived in Bandrea around 2 PM and we checked into the hotel which just met the MMS (Minimum Military Standard ). They said they provided a hot breakfast but after checking the breakfast area I assumed they meant the coffee would be hot so we decided to eat breakfast elsewhere.
Our friends told us to check out the "11 street pub " because on Wed evening this tiny bar had a huge area for a BBQ , a band that produce great music and a dance floor and there was no cover charge. I should mention that Band era has a population of 986.
I always like to check out these facilities myself because you never know what is great for some folks in not great for me. I parked in front of the Pub and as I walked into the Pub, I notice 2 customers looking at my licences plate but they said hi as I passed them. I went to the bar to ask the Bar Maid about the BBQ/ dance. She advise me that I had to bring my own steak and I could BBQ it as they had 3 large Pits. For 7.00 a plate I would get a bake potato, a salad and all the trimmings. Just I was about to ask about the seat/table arrangement the phone rang and it must have been someone with a higher status in life then me as she seemed to ignore me.
So a local "Bar Fly " offered to show me the BBQ/dance area and the seating arrangement. The seating is by reservation but it cuts off on Tuesday so the rest of the seating general seating on s first come basis, The area was only 3/4 reserved so he said there was lots of room. He explained that the doors opened at 5:30 and he suggested we arrive before 6 to make sure we had a seat. The BBQ Pits would be hot by 6.
We arrive before 6 and most unreserved seats are bar style with bar stools. Luckily we for two bar stools with a back rest. They only sell beer and pop so you can bring any other drink except beer and pop. Beer was 4.00 and pop was 2.00. The music was great and we chatted with a few people who were seated near us and they were from out of state who had heard about this place, much like us.
There are 4 RV parks in Bandera so many of the customers where from the RV Parks.
I mentioned this was a large area and in one corner a local Rancher had a "Huge" 13 year old Long Horn ( and I mean Long Horn ) docile Bull and he will let you sit on the Bull for picture taken for a tip. Many city slickers including "yours Truly" got a picture and that is NO BULL!!!! We are glad we visited the Town of Bandera, known as the Cowboy Capital of the World. I wouldn't put it on your Bucket list but if you are near by you should stop in for a visit. cheers
Thursday
When we left Bandera , heading for Fredrickburg, a very German city that we had visited before. However, as I exited the Hotel lot I made a wrong turn and it was so foggy you could only see a few hundred feet. So now I had to turn around which was going to be a risky move. I did find a driveway and got turn but I notice a vehicle gaining on me so I kicked it up to 80 KMH and at that instant a deer jumped in front of me. I locked up the brakes and only the seat belt kept Carroll from kissing the windshield. She was looking at the other 5 deer standing by the road side. We were lucky !!!
We finally drove out of the fog as we headed for Kerriville which is on the way to Fredricksburg as our intended stops was for the Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Once in Fredricksburg we went to the visitors centre to get advise on what to see or visit in the area.
After a tour of the town to check for a German restaurant for supper and a reasonable hotel we headed for the Seed Farm which has hundred of acres of Royal Poppy, which they call the Canadian poppy as it is the poppy from Flanders in France and of the one in the poem " In Flanders Field ". It also has hundreds of acres of the Bluebonnet, which can also be found growing along the road side, by the thousands , in the Hill Country of TX.
Lady Bird Johnson started a Society where they plant "Zillions " of Blue Bonnets and Indian Paint Brush along the roads, highways and Interstate throughout TX and this really does enhance the roadsides.
And then to close out the day, we went to Luckenbach where Willie Nelson and Conway Twitty sang a song about Willie and the Boys. Luckenbach was a trading post as late as 1904 with a population of 492 but today the Pop is betwwen Zero and 3. However, it does have a Mercatile store with all of the dust from the 1900's and mostly overprice merchandise including Tee shirts for 30.00 USD. Many people including us visit the town because attached to the Store is a bar and usually there are people who play music for tips or beer. There is an outdoor area for the "band " or Guitar Pikers/Singers to sing and attract a crowd. This day there were about 20 Bikers enjoying the music so we joined them for a beers. If you are every near Luckenbach you must drop in for a beer. The 2.50 beer is worth it.
We did have supper at a German restaurant. Cheers
Friday
We are now heading for home and there isn't much more boring then driving down the Interstate a 75 MPH ( the speed limit id 80 ). However we did have an incidence that came very close to costing us our life but thankful to an alert driver of an 18 wheeler we where spared.
Briefly this is what happened.
We were driving about 70 MPH on a 4 lane divided hwy and we were nearing a city which we intended to take the bypass according to our GPS. There was a construction warning sign that said that the left lane was closed ahead and we were to reduce our speed to 65 MPH. I had just past a 18 Wheeler and the traffic although not heavy, appeared to have be slowing slightly. By this time we are approaching the city but no signs or indication that we need to slow down. However someone at the front of the line, which numbered about 20 cars and for some unknown reason decided to stop. I slammed on the brakes and stopped a couple of feet short of ramming the vehicle in front of me. I then took a quick look in my rear view mirror and holler to Carroll to brace yourself because the 18 wheeler can't stop. Luckily for us there was a 10 foot paved shoulder and at that instant the 18 wheeler past us on the right with all braked locked up. He got stopped 3 car lengths past us. Thank you driver for being alert because we would have surely met our " Waterloo ".
Due to the confusion we missed our bypass exit so we had to go thru the city which wasn't a problem. However, while going thru the city we pulled up beside the driver of the truck at a stop light and he and Carroll had a short conversation.
His first question why did the traffic stop in a 65 MPH zone and then he said he knew he was going to hit us so the shoulder was his only hope to avert a disaster. We are glad he was alert.
I think my finger prints are still in the sheering wheel.
Saturday and Sunday ( 1 April )
The next two days was spend speeding down the Interstates heading for Med Hat. I will say one thing for the Americans, they do know how to build highways and they allow you to drive at a reasonable "safe " speed. I do think that 80 MPH is a tad over my safe limit.
We arrived in Billings,MT on Sunday evening. We are now 1 day from home.... I think!!! As i checked into the hotel the clerk advise me that a snow storm was starting at 9 PM and by tomorrow morning we could receive up to 8 inches of snow. We spent the night thinking if we would take the short cut tomorrow or take the I-90 which will take 2 days to get home. cheers
Monday
The weatherman was right this area of Montana received 4 to 6 inches of wet snow. We first checked the Interstate and although the traffic was moving it was snow covered and slippery so we took the short cut so to speak.
The short cut is thru ranch land with very few services and two lane highways but fairly good roads. However after 2 hours of very poor conditions and no end to the snowfall we decide to return to Billings as it was very hard to see the road and the conditions were getting worst.
When we got to Billings and the Interstate was fairly clear and the traffic was going at the speed limit so we headed west to I-15, Helena or Great Falls depending on the weather. We did reach Great Fall but we did hit a few areas where the Bizarre was still raging but the roads were clear.
Tuesday
We left Great Falls heading how which is a 4 hour drive with a stop in Shelly ( 35 miles form the border ) to fill up with the last of the cheaper fuel ( 2.50 a gal ). Then on to the Customs hoping they did not mind that I was 2 litres of Crown Royal over my limit, which they did not mind . It is my honest Face.
After 4 months and two days, plus 10,000 KM we arrived home where we will ponder our trip for next winter. cheers
Monday, 26 March 2018
Weekly Happenings # 7
18 Mar to 24 Mar 2018
The whole park seems to be in "Shutdown " mode or I should say those that are left are in shutdown mode. When you see a vehicle backed in to the driveway you know they are loaded and ready to leave the next day.
Several Manitoba's left last week, known there were snow storms passing thru the Dakota's but they where bull headed enough ( mostly the husbands ) to challenge the weatherman and they got to pay the penalty as they were stuck in one of the Dakota's for 1 or 2 days. I certainly don't understand why you need to hurry home when you have been away for 4 or 5 months.
Now to the week that was: Our friends the Nahachewskys are leaving next Sunday so we invited them over Saturday for supper as we needed to empty our fridge before we leave or else we would have to give it away. Some folks actually take there frozen food home but that mean they have to drive 14 or 15 hours a day so they can get home before it thaws and hope they don't get caught in a snow storm. We give out "leftovers " to the cleaning lady.
Our friends are " creatures of habit " and have been coming to Texas for over 23 years They normally go to the same few restaurant over and over again. We, on the other hand will try anything especially if someone recommends it. So we have been suggesting in a very quite way ( not wanting to be pushy ) to try to get them to try a different eating establishments. We have been suggesting, since Jan that should try Willie B's and final they agreed.
I think I mentioned before, in an earlier blog, that Willie B's ( actually name is Willie's Bar-B Q ) is very rustic , dust and all but very good food with a very extensive menu. If it has meat they can Bar-B-Q it. However, their Specialty is a huge potato, loaded with a 1/4 lb of chopped Brisket, and is loaded with all the condiments that go with a baked potato. No one person could possibly eat this potato meal alone and of course Carroll and I split the meal.
Well, we finally convinced our friends to try Willie B's and we bragged about the the huge Potato so we thought they would try the potato. We failed; they ordered ribs so we tried. Some people won't change.
Carroll's dental work was feeling great so we returned to the Dentist for a cleaning. Again we went with our friends and stayed for lunch and this is our last trip to MX this winter.
We too are getting ready to pack up but most of our attention is in the planning mode. We have to leave the house in the condition we found it and on top of that, we have to store all the items we used in the storage shed, like the outside furniture, 2 bikes, several lawn items, clean the Bar-B-Q , install insulated panels in the windows and put the 6 or so potted cactus plants along the carport so they will get watered when the rain comes in the summer. We have 3 fridges so they have to be cleaned along with the floors so you can see that this will takes at least 2 days. Cheers
Never confuse Education with Intelligence.
The whole park seems to be in "Shutdown " mode or I should say those that are left are in shutdown mode. When you see a vehicle backed in to the driveway you know they are loaded and ready to leave the next day.
Several Manitoba's left last week, known there were snow storms passing thru the Dakota's but they where bull headed enough ( mostly the husbands ) to challenge the weatherman and they got to pay the penalty as they were stuck in one of the Dakota's for 1 or 2 days. I certainly don't understand why you need to hurry home when you have been away for 4 or 5 months.
Now to the week that was: Our friends the Nahachewskys are leaving next Sunday so we invited them over Saturday for supper as we needed to empty our fridge before we leave or else we would have to give it away. Some folks actually take there frozen food home but that mean they have to drive 14 or 15 hours a day so they can get home before it thaws and hope they don't get caught in a snow storm. We give out "leftovers " to the cleaning lady.
Our friends are " creatures of habit " and have been coming to Texas for over 23 years They normally go to the same few restaurant over and over again. We, on the other hand will try anything especially if someone recommends it. So we have been suggesting in a very quite way ( not wanting to be pushy ) to try to get them to try a different eating establishments. We have been suggesting, since Jan that should try Willie B's and final they agreed.
I think I mentioned before, in an earlier blog, that Willie B's ( actually name is Willie's Bar-B Q ) is very rustic , dust and all but very good food with a very extensive menu. If it has meat they can Bar-B-Q it. However, their Specialty is a huge potato, loaded with a 1/4 lb of chopped Brisket, and is loaded with all the condiments that go with a baked potato. No one person could possibly eat this potato meal alone and of course Carroll and I split the meal.
Well, we finally convinced our friends to try Willie B's and we bragged about the the huge Potato so we thought they would try the potato. We failed; they ordered ribs so we tried. Some people won't change.
Carroll's dental work was feeling great so we returned to the Dentist for a cleaning. Again we went with our friends and stayed for lunch and this is our last trip to MX this winter.
We too are getting ready to pack up but most of our attention is in the planning mode. We have to leave the house in the condition we found it and on top of that, we have to store all the items we used in the storage shed, like the outside furniture, 2 bikes, several lawn items, clean the Bar-B-Q , install insulated panels in the windows and put the 6 or so potted cactus plants along the carport so they will get watered when the rain comes in the summer. We have 3 fridges so they have to be cleaned along with the floors so you can see that this will takes at least 2 days. Cheers
Never confuse Education with Intelligence.
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Weekly Happenings # 6
11 Mar to 17 Mar 18
This has been a very busy week for us but one would think that since we only have 2 weeks before we head north, that we could slow down.
So what made it so busy; First bear in mind that we are only 7 miles from MX so driving to MX is closer than WalMart.
On Monday morning Carroll had an appointment with doctor Eva for a checkup to seem how effective the medicines where at attacking and curing her coughing spell. ( note , they worked )
Once Carroll was cleared by doctor Eva she headed for the dentist, who was highly recommended by friends, to have her broken tooth repaired. There were about 6 people ahead of us so Carroll ask fror an appointment and the answer was 28 March. Then Carroll advised the office that she had a broken tooth so the lady said that Carroll would be second in line but no timing. Carroll waited for 2 hours while I meandered around town advising every shoe shine boy, every barber , every Pharmacy and every 5 year old girl selling gum that I did not require their service. I did give the little girl a dime but I refused the gum every though she insisted that I take it.
Finally I return to the dentist office and Carroll decided that she had waited long enough so we would look for another dentist that was recommended. This dentist had only 1 person in the waiting room so we considered that was a bonus. The reception's ( a male ) advised Carroll that the dentist would see her in 20 minutes. Since he was quite jovial I ask if that was "20 Mexican Minutes" and he said yes.
After checking Carroll's broken tooth the dentist explained to Carroll and me that she would need a Root Canal and a Crown. The cost would be 200.00 for the Root Canal, 100.00 for the Post and 200.00 for the Crown. Carroll's only question was " how soon ".
Most dentist do not do Root Canal as they have " Mobile Root Canal specialist" who come to the dentist's office, which we already knew. The Dentist called around and got a Specialist appointment for 1:30 PM so we had a couple of hours to kill so we meandered around town and had lunch at one of the sidewalk lunch counters.
These lunch counters are actually on the sidewalk and are a 10 by 10 , tarp enclosed, 3 table, Mom and Pop operation and their Lounges are great.
( A Lounges is a small croissant, deep fried and sliced open and filled with beef or chicken and is topped with lettuce salad.) A small order is 3 Lounges and a large is 5. A few years ago we ask for 3 lounges , which mean 3 orders. The people at the next table realized that we did not know the meaning of an "order" so she corrected it for us. These people are very helpful. They also serve beer.
I know most of you have already made a "face " at the thought of eating at one of these places but no winter Texans has died from eating here. Well, do you know why there is no MacDonald's in this town; because they can not compete with these Mom and Pop operation. Who the hell wants MacDonald's when you can get real food.
We return to the dential office at 1:30 for the Root Canal. Now this how it works. First the assistant ( male or female but this time a male ) for the Specialist arrives at the denial office carrying a tool box with all the tools that the Specialist requires and he prepares Carroll and gets all the tools arranged. Then about 10 minutes later the Specialist arrives , introduces himself, does the root canal and says goodbye. The dentist then puts a temporary tooth over the Root Canal and our next appointment is on Thursday when they will install a medal post to support the Crown.
While in the swimming pool Carroll was advised about a flea market about 30 miles away in the city/town of Hildago which is right up against the MX border. In fact, if you closed you eyes and someone dropped you off in the middle of town you would swear you where in MX. Everyone speaks Spanish until you say hello and then they switch to English.
We were not busy on Wed so we just had to experience this Flea Market. This place had everything that was New; Used and slightly abused. Microwaves where stack 5 high and as many as you can get in a 20 by 20 stall. New and used clothes a "give away " prices. One stall had used shoes stacked in a pile and people where sitting in the middle of the pile trying to find a matching pair. It was kind of funny to watch them.
However, Carroll had heard about this appliance called the "Insta-Pot" which is a pressure cooker that cooks a complete mean in 10 minutes and she wanted to see one ( which means , that she actually wanted one). We found the stall that sold them so we ask about the cost and the guy says 25.00 and of course I said "what" because I wasn't sure I heard him and said OK 20.00 dollars. Carroll wanted it out of the box and plugged in to see if it worked. It actually heated up so we took it for 20.00. I thought I might need asbestos gloves to carry it to the car.
We returned to the Dentist on Thursday so they could prepare a temporary plastic post ( ie a mold ) and then they call a "runner" to take the mold to Lab to have a metal post made. This takes 1 1/2 hours so again we meander around town until the post is made. Then the post is installed and requires a 1/2 hour of drying time. Then they took impressions for the Crown and sent that to the Lab to be made. Then they fit the temporary tooth back over the post until the Crown is made.
We want an appointment for Friday but the only opening was on Monday. We ask about Saturday ( we knew they worked on Saturday) but that too was full. Then the Dentist stepped in and said he would come in at 9:30 even thought they don't open until 10:00 and it wouldn't take long to install the Crown which was great for us.
We returned on Saturday and had the Crown istalled which took about 20 minutes. However Carroll had an insurance form for them to fill out but they said it would take an hour to get it completed. Since I did not have breakfast we went to a restaurant and Carroll got to watched me eat breakfast and to kill the hour. We got the form completed and headed home.
On the way home Carroll wanted to visit a vegetable market to check the prices of Pineapple Oranges and Texas Sweet onions which we plan to bring home. I inquired about the price of a 25 lb bag of onions and they were 15.00 so I said I would thing about it. Then Carroll ask the same question and he said he would give her a 50 lbs for 15.00 so I said " Start the Car ". I hope our friends in Med Hat like onions.
On Friday night we went to the Mercedes Legion, with some friends for a fish supper, followed by a few beer and to listen to the Karaoke singer. This guy sings the same songs he sang in 1999 when we first came to TX.
However we had a moments silence for the lost of 9 soldiers lost in a plane crash in Afghanistan and then he sang " God Bless America" followed by "God Bless Canada". I have heard God Bless Canada twice; both times in the USA. Has anyone heard this song sung in Canada.
After this somber moment he sung another song that you won't hear on the radio. It is " It's hard to kiss those Lips at night, When they chew out your ass all day long. cheers
This has been a very busy week for us but one would think that since we only have 2 weeks before we head north, that we could slow down.
So what made it so busy; First bear in mind that we are only 7 miles from MX so driving to MX is closer than WalMart.
On Monday morning Carroll had an appointment with doctor Eva for a checkup to seem how effective the medicines where at attacking and curing her coughing spell. ( note , they worked )
Once Carroll was cleared by doctor Eva she headed for the dentist, who was highly recommended by friends, to have her broken tooth repaired. There were about 6 people ahead of us so Carroll ask fror an appointment and the answer was 28 March. Then Carroll advised the office that she had a broken tooth so the lady said that Carroll would be second in line but no timing. Carroll waited for 2 hours while I meandered around town advising every shoe shine boy, every barber , every Pharmacy and every 5 year old girl selling gum that I did not require their service. I did give the little girl a dime but I refused the gum every though she insisted that I take it.
Finally I return to the dentist office and Carroll decided that she had waited long enough so we would look for another dentist that was recommended. This dentist had only 1 person in the waiting room so we considered that was a bonus. The reception's ( a male ) advised Carroll that the dentist would see her in 20 minutes. Since he was quite jovial I ask if that was "20 Mexican Minutes" and he said yes.
After checking Carroll's broken tooth the dentist explained to Carroll and me that she would need a Root Canal and a Crown. The cost would be 200.00 for the Root Canal, 100.00 for the Post and 200.00 for the Crown. Carroll's only question was " how soon ".
Most dentist do not do Root Canal as they have " Mobile Root Canal specialist" who come to the dentist's office, which we already knew. The Dentist called around and got a Specialist appointment for 1:30 PM so we had a couple of hours to kill so we meandered around town and had lunch at one of the sidewalk lunch counters.
These lunch counters are actually on the sidewalk and are a 10 by 10 , tarp enclosed, 3 table, Mom and Pop operation and their Lounges are great.
( A Lounges is a small croissant, deep fried and sliced open and filled with beef or chicken and is topped with lettuce salad.) A small order is 3 Lounges and a large is 5. A few years ago we ask for 3 lounges , which mean 3 orders. The people at the next table realized that we did not know the meaning of an "order" so she corrected it for us. These people are very helpful. They also serve beer.
I know most of you have already made a "face " at the thought of eating at one of these places but no winter Texans has died from eating here. Well, do you know why there is no MacDonald's in this town; because they can not compete with these Mom and Pop operation. Who the hell wants MacDonald's when you can get real food.
We return to the dential office at 1:30 for the Root Canal. Now this how it works. First the assistant ( male or female but this time a male ) for the Specialist arrives at the denial office carrying a tool box with all the tools that the Specialist requires and he prepares Carroll and gets all the tools arranged. Then about 10 minutes later the Specialist arrives , introduces himself, does the root canal and says goodbye. The dentist then puts a temporary tooth over the Root Canal and our next appointment is on Thursday when they will install a medal post to support the Crown.
While in the swimming pool Carroll was advised about a flea market about 30 miles away in the city/town of Hildago which is right up against the MX border. In fact, if you closed you eyes and someone dropped you off in the middle of town you would swear you where in MX. Everyone speaks Spanish until you say hello and then they switch to English.
We were not busy on Wed so we just had to experience this Flea Market. This place had everything that was New; Used and slightly abused. Microwaves where stack 5 high and as many as you can get in a 20 by 20 stall. New and used clothes a "give away " prices. One stall had used shoes stacked in a pile and people where sitting in the middle of the pile trying to find a matching pair. It was kind of funny to watch them.
However, Carroll had heard about this appliance called the "Insta-Pot" which is a pressure cooker that cooks a complete mean in 10 minutes and she wanted to see one ( which means , that she actually wanted one). We found the stall that sold them so we ask about the cost and the guy says 25.00 and of course I said "what" because I wasn't sure I heard him and said OK 20.00 dollars. Carroll wanted it out of the box and plugged in to see if it worked. It actually heated up so we took it for 20.00. I thought I might need asbestos gloves to carry it to the car.
We returned to the Dentist on Thursday so they could prepare a temporary plastic post ( ie a mold ) and then they call a "runner" to take the mold to Lab to have a metal post made. This takes 1 1/2 hours so again we meander around town until the post is made. Then the post is installed and requires a 1/2 hour of drying time. Then they took impressions for the Crown and sent that to the Lab to be made. Then they fit the temporary tooth back over the post until the Crown is made.
We want an appointment for Friday but the only opening was on Monday. We ask about Saturday ( we knew they worked on Saturday) but that too was full. Then the Dentist stepped in and said he would come in at 9:30 even thought they don't open until 10:00 and it wouldn't take long to install the Crown which was great for us.
We returned on Saturday and had the Crown istalled which took about 20 minutes. However Carroll had an insurance form for them to fill out but they said it would take an hour to get it completed. Since I did not have breakfast we went to a restaurant and Carroll got to watched me eat breakfast and to kill the hour. We got the form completed and headed home.
On the way home Carroll wanted to visit a vegetable market to check the prices of Pineapple Oranges and Texas Sweet onions which we plan to bring home. I inquired about the price of a 25 lb bag of onions and they were 15.00 so I said I would thing about it. Then Carroll ask the same question and he said he would give her a 50 lbs for 15.00 so I said " Start the Car ". I hope our friends in Med Hat like onions.
On Friday night we went to the Mercedes Legion, with some friends for a fish supper, followed by a few beer and to listen to the Karaoke singer. This guy sings the same songs he sang in 1999 when we first came to TX.
However we had a moments silence for the lost of 9 soldiers lost in a plane crash in Afghanistan and then he sang " God Bless America" followed by "God Bless Canada". I have heard God Bless Canada twice; both times in the USA. Has anyone heard this song sung in Canada.
After this somber moment he sung another song that you won't hear on the radio. It is " It's hard to kiss those Lips at night, When they chew out your ass all day long. cheers
Saturday, 17 March 2018
Weekly Happenings # 5
4 Mar to 10 Mar 18
Well, our weather has finally starting to warm up reaching temperatures as high as 85 F but it is a little dam late as we wanted this weather in Jan and Feb so the weatherman is now off my "Christmas card list".
Carroll's cough was getting better and then this week it came back real bad so we went to a doctor in MX who was strongly recommended as she has cure many of the Winter Texans this winter. The doctor determined that Carroll had a Bronchial Infection ( not Bronchitis) so she got a needle ( you know where ) and some pills and cough medicine. Hopefully this will be the cure.
Carroll's bad luck continued as she broke a tooth eating cereal but the doctor said that she should not go to the dentist while on this medicine so she will have to wait until next week. Hopefully she will be better when she goes to the doctor for a return visit on Monday. Incidentally, the visit to the doctor and the cost of the pills and medicine cost 81.00 and we did not have to kiss anyone's ass to get a appointment like we have to do in Canada.
On Thursday we had tickets for a music show for a Tribute to the Beach Boys but with Carroll's cough we had to give the tickets to some friends. And wouldn't you know it; that of the 4 tributes shows this one was the best. To coin a phase " you win some; you lose some and some get rained out".
By Saturday Carroll was feeling much better so we will hopefully get to see a dentist on Monday. Cheers
Be yourself: everyone else is taken!
Well, our weather has finally starting to warm up reaching temperatures as high as 85 F but it is a little dam late as we wanted this weather in Jan and Feb so the weatherman is now off my "Christmas card list".
Carroll's cough was getting better and then this week it came back real bad so we went to a doctor in MX who was strongly recommended as she has cure many of the Winter Texans this winter. The doctor determined that Carroll had a Bronchial Infection ( not Bronchitis) so she got a needle ( you know where ) and some pills and cough medicine. Hopefully this will be the cure.
Carroll's bad luck continued as she broke a tooth eating cereal but the doctor said that she should not go to the dentist while on this medicine so she will have to wait until next week. Hopefully she will be better when she goes to the doctor for a return visit on Monday. Incidentally, the visit to the doctor and the cost of the pills and medicine cost 81.00 and we did not have to kiss anyone's ass to get a appointment like we have to do in Canada.
On Thursday we had tickets for a music show for a Tribute to the Beach Boys but with Carroll's cough we had to give the tickets to some friends. And wouldn't you know it; that of the 4 tributes shows this one was the best. To coin a phase " you win some; you lose some and some get rained out".
By Saturday Carroll was feeling much better so we will hopefully get to see a dentist on Monday. Cheers
Be yourself: everyone else is taken!
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
Weekly Happenings #4
25 Feb to 3 Mar 18
On Sunday the 25th I am still sitting in Okotoks trying to decide if I am really healthy enough to fly back to TX. I'm sure that if I cough continuously at the airport I would likely be rejected especially since the Flu was prevalent in AB.
So by the Sunday evening I decided it was a Go so we contacted United Airline for a ticket back to TX. I check the Monday schedule and there were plenty of seats so I would shoot for a departure time of Noon which gets me to McAllen TX by 8 PM by going thru Houston.
I had a Voucher with Flight Hub from my cancelled return flight so we called them. However they could not connect with United due to a computer problem so we were told to deal with United directly. I immediately questioned about my voucher , as being the skeptical type I thought I was about to lose my voucher. However I was advised that United knew about my voucher and it would be used on this flight. So I booked the Flight and I would be on my way at noon tomorrow.
I still had a cough but I was able to cough quietly ( if that is possible) and since I had a window seat I could cough away from the person beside me. Although it was only a 4 hour flight to Houston, it felt more like 8 hours.
When I left TX Carroll had a bad cough but when I arrive back her cough had clear up quite a bit but I was still the "sicky" for a few more days.
Carroll still had two more treatments at the chiropractor as she skipped two while I was in Okotoks so we did them on Wed and Friday. The Dr then said that on Monday they would do a Thermo Imagery of Carroll's back to determine the status / benefits of the 12 treatments. Carroll does feel much better with little if any back pain.
By weeks end my cough was gone but Carroll's cough seem to be making a comeback so it was likely that she might need to see a doctor next week.
Several functions in our Park have been cancelled because too many people are coughing and a group of 200 people are a good way to spread the germs around. ..cheers
" If you can't explain it simply: you don't understand it well enough"
On Sunday the 25th I am still sitting in Okotoks trying to decide if I am really healthy enough to fly back to TX. I'm sure that if I cough continuously at the airport I would likely be rejected especially since the Flu was prevalent in AB.
So by the Sunday evening I decided it was a Go so we contacted United Airline for a ticket back to TX. I check the Monday schedule and there were plenty of seats so I would shoot for a departure time of Noon which gets me to McAllen TX by 8 PM by going thru Houston.
I had a Voucher with Flight Hub from my cancelled return flight so we called them. However they could not connect with United due to a computer problem so we were told to deal with United directly. I immediately questioned about my voucher , as being the skeptical type I thought I was about to lose my voucher. However I was advised that United knew about my voucher and it would be used on this flight. So I booked the Flight and I would be on my way at noon tomorrow.
I still had a cough but I was able to cough quietly ( if that is possible) and since I had a window seat I could cough away from the person beside me. Although it was only a 4 hour flight to Houston, it felt more like 8 hours.
When I left TX Carroll had a bad cough but when I arrive back her cough had clear up quite a bit but I was still the "sicky" for a few more days.
Carroll still had two more treatments at the chiropractor as she skipped two while I was in Okotoks so we did them on Wed and Friday. The Dr then said that on Monday they would do a Thermo Imagery of Carroll's back to determine the status / benefits of the 12 treatments. Carroll does feel much better with little if any back pain.
By weeks end my cough was gone but Carroll's cough seem to be making a comeback so it was likely that she might need to see a doctor next week.
Several functions in our Park have been cancelled because too many people are coughing and a group of 200 people are a good way to spread the germs around. ..cheers
" If you can't explain it simply: you don't understand it well enough"
Thursday, 8 March 2018
Weekly happenings #3
18 to 24 Feb 2018
This week is the story of follow the bouncing ball as I will be skipping around.
On Sunday 18 Feb I had to fly back to Calgary ( Todd's Place ) to restart my medical Insurance as I could not get Travel Insurance due to a change to my status which I did not know until late Oct.
However, my cough was getting progressively worse. Todd's family was on " March Break" ( I can't think of a better definition ) for a week so they were going to the Cabin in Fairmont skiing. I went with them hoping the mountain air would help my cough. It did not and I was getting worse. Todd was returning to Okotoks on Wed and i was suppose to catch a flight from Calgary to TX on Thursday. I was too sick to fly so we cancelled the flight and I got a partial rebate. On Thursday Todd was busy so Marjorie ( the Nanny ) took me to Yvonne's doctor and he thought I might have Bronchial irritation so he took a throat swap and sent it to a lab with a 4 day return date. I said I would be in TX by the time he got it back so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days just in case it would come back positive.
By Saturday I was feeling slightly better so the pills where helping but until I could stop coughing I could not get on the flight to TX. I was hopping I could fly to TX by Sun or Mon but I did not want to book a flight until I was sure I was OK.
By now my 4 day trip to Calgary/Okotoks had extended to 7 days with no return day in sight.
Back in Texas, Shirley was released from the hospital after 8 days but the Insurance said they were flying her back to Med Hat ASP. Don was released from the hospital after 3 days and he to had to return to Med Hat also but was allowed to bring his Van. The Insurance paid for another driver, which was his cousin and they flew him back to TX.
Several people in our park are sick and a few have been hospitalized. A few functions have been cancelled due to people coughing which is a great way to spread Germs. Several couples have returned home as one or both couples have been or are sick.
Both Don and Shirley had their flu shots. The temperature this bounce around the mid 40 F to the mid 50 F. Not really that great for TX. cheers
This week is the story of follow the bouncing ball as I will be skipping around.
On Sunday 18 Feb I had to fly back to Calgary ( Todd's Place ) to restart my medical Insurance as I could not get Travel Insurance due to a change to my status which I did not know until late Oct.
However, my cough was getting progressively worse. Todd's family was on " March Break" ( I can't think of a better definition ) for a week so they were going to the Cabin in Fairmont skiing. I went with them hoping the mountain air would help my cough. It did not and I was getting worse. Todd was returning to Okotoks on Wed and i was suppose to catch a flight from Calgary to TX on Thursday. I was too sick to fly so we cancelled the flight and I got a partial rebate. On Thursday Todd was busy so Marjorie ( the Nanny ) took me to Yvonne's doctor and he thought I might have Bronchial irritation so he took a throat swap and sent it to a lab with a 4 day return date. I said I would be in TX by the time he got it back so he put me on antibiotics for 10 days just in case it would come back positive.
By Saturday I was feeling slightly better so the pills where helping but until I could stop coughing I could not get on the flight to TX. I was hopping I could fly to TX by Sun or Mon but I did not want to book a flight until I was sure I was OK.
By now my 4 day trip to Calgary/Okotoks had extended to 7 days with no return day in sight.
Back in Texas, Shirley was released from the hospital after 8 days but the Insurance said they were flying her back to Med Hat ASP. Don was released from the hospital after 3 days and he to had to return to Med Hat also but was allowed to bring his Van. The Insurance paid for another driver, which was his cousin and they flew him back to TX.
Several people in our park are sick and a few have been hospitalized. A few functions have been cancelled due to people coughing which is a great way to spread Germs. Several couples have returned home as one or both couples have been or are sick.
Both Don and Shirley had their flu shots. The temperature this bounce around the mid 40 F to the mid 50 F. Not really that great for TX. cheers
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