One Month Left Before My Journey North Begins....with a new twist



Greetings Friends and Family!


That twist is my destination is not North Dakota this year but Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is with mixed emotions that I am changing my previous destination. I will be ending one book with many a chapter of hurts (some I regretfully caused) and joys as I start a new book with unknown possibilities.  This is my 10th year of being a nomad and calling my fifth-wheeled RV my home. The Ford truck has over 200,000 miles on it and the Excel RV has been 175,000 of those miles from the east coast to the west coast, Canadian border to the Mexican border and across. I have had many great experiences yet feel the best are still to come.  Like my vehicles, there has been some wear and tear on the chassis (my body) but it is still running. So cheers...I am blessed.



Lee and Jay



Notice the prices!

I finally got my friend Jay willing to cross the southern border the other day. He and his wife Lee took a short trip with me to my favorite border town - Nuevo Progresso - for dinner and shopping. He had such a good time that he is now asking when we are going again to partake of this experience. I took him to one of my favorite eating places - The Red Snapper.  Once he saw the prices of full service meals on the menu accompanied with his favorite brew he was hooked.  There are some border towns that are having cartel territory issues but this place has been less impacted.  I do pay attention and will alter my habits as warranted.





Open fresh paved lot ...Before



6"clearance each side

This resort park we are in is expanding this season.  They are adding 50 larger sites that can accommodate up to 18 foot wide modulars of the largest sizes.  Or the sites could be paved and make great places for the largest of motor homes and trailers.  I am thinking about it.  The Rio Grand Valley appears to be in a growth spurt and a winter destination by boomers like myself.  This resort is on the outskirts of a college town for easy shopping, play, medical and cultural activities. I do prefer to be in one place for the winter instead of moving  frequently as some of my fellow travelers do. My idea of maximum winter dress is shorts, sandals and one of those tasty drinks with an umbrella in it. Over the last years I have mostly decided that southern Texas is the place.  Now the choices are to: RV back and forth or, install a more permanent seasonal structure to occupy?  Some here have already made their choices and the newly constructed lots are being occupied. It is tempting.





in place-after



Notice angled bolt at bottom is loose.  Backing wood is rotted



My RV is 10 years old and showing its age and need for more maintenance to keep it continually on the road. Or I could park it. Or I could upgrade. Or I could permanently place something here and have it for my use whenever.  What I have decided to do is to keep it up and my options open for the near future. With that in mind a visit to the local Service repair facility was needed to replace water rotted framing in one of my slide out rooms was needed.  $800 and two days later I was back at the campsite.




We had a 7 piece rock band that night and I danced the night away to sooth my wallet woes. Not getting it fixed could mean the slide opening on the road by itself!







Mr Goodbars, Hershey's Dark/Milk& Krackel

El Hombre Y Las Amigas!

We had a Mexican Fiesta potluck on the first evening of extremely cold and damp temps. The activities included food, music dance and a Sombrero decoration contest.  22 Plain hats were sold earlier in the week as a fund raising project for the activities club.  We each could decorate the hat as we were inspired to do so.  I was reluctant at first because I am not a crafty person. But I got into the swing of things.  One joke around the park is the nickname I am referred to: Chocolate Chip.  So that became my created task and I spray painted the hat milk chocolate brown, covered it with mini Hersey Bars and a little glitter for effect. Voila!  I threw in the T-shirt for effect.  I did not win but got a lot of comments! GP and X-rated.  As they say "a good time was had by all".

I welcome comments so let me know if it is worthwhile for me to continue this blog.
Or just say hello!






Adios Los Amigos!