Leaving Schertz

It’s 8:30 a.m. and we’re sitting at Blue Bonnet Motors, in New Braunfels waiting for the rig. Ozzie is get her first oil change ! Found out, after checking in here, that there is a safety recall on the rig. Something about a pindle, which has something to do with the gear shifter and apparently there is a sharp edge on it. If it cuts the wire, then the rig would be stuck in whatever gear it’s in at the time and can’t be shifted out of it. Megan is calling to see if they have that part available and how long it will take to fix.
Blue Bonnet Motors is an amazing place and the folks are so nice here. Since we have a Ford chassis, it was handy to stop here on the way out of the area to get the oil changed. They are set up to do different types of work on RV’s. Look at this set-up!
Awesome customer service lounge too…There is a play area for kids and a very comfortable lounge for the adults too. I’ve never seen a gift shop in a car dealership/service center before. Like I said, it’s really quite a place. 




Hoping to get back on the road soon. Headed to Montgomery, TX for our annual picnic. Have about 180 miles to go….looking forward to meeting the other reps. Hard to believe that we are coming up on our one year anniversary working for this company. We started at the end of February last year. We’ve seen so much in the last year, met so many great people and did 25 parks. Just put the last job in the Fed Ex box this morning. Yeeha !! March 1st will start our loop all over again, except we might have some changes to our schedule to change our route a little bit. Have a meeting this weekend with our scheduler to figure out the upcoming year’s schedule. We’ll keep you posted on where our travels will take us in the coming months.

Great Visit with Friends

This past Sunday we drove down to Whitsett to visit with our friends Bobbie and Jim at their new job. Whitsett is about 80 minutes south of where we are in Schertz, TX (we are just outside of San Antonio). It was so cold and damp this weekend. Brrr….We had arranged to meet Bobbie at the little convenience store just off the exit. We arrived a little early so I could have one of their awesome sliced brisket sandwiches. Wow, they are so good and huge that it took Linda and Bobbie to help me polish it off. I think I mentioned that Bobbie and Jim are working as gate guards at the sites where wells are being drilled. Their well is in the early stages so the traffic is slow in and out of the gate right now.
It was so nice to see them and chat about their new job. It’s taken them a little getting used to as far as their sleeping in shifts to make sure that they cover the 24 hours in a day. Bobbie does nights and Jim does the day shift. While talking to them, it reminded me of all the goofy shifts I’ve had over the years, whether getting up at 2 a.m. to make donuts in my bakery or at 4 a.m. to go to Busch Gardens to work on the grounds crew. I’ve also done 11 p.m.-7a.m shifts for Mr. Donut and would go to Eddie’s truck stop when I got off work at 7 to get a cheeseburger and coleslaw. That was my supper time ! Then go home and sleep the day away. The shift I think I’ve disliked the most, over the years, is the 11 a.m – 7 p.m. I’ve had that as a waitress and also as a shift manager, at Cornell University, and don’t care for it. The whole day is shot. Old memories of bygone days….
Here’s a shot of Bobbie and Jim, in front of their gate. Bobbie had made cookies and those lucky truck drivers were getting a treat when they left for the day. What a lucky crew to have Bobbie and Jim working with them ! We enjoyed our time visiting…we won’t see them again till later this summer when we pass through Colorado.
On Monday night, Linda’s cousin Rob and his wife Karen came over for supper. We went out with them last week so it was great to squeeze in one more visit while we’re in the San Antonio area. I didn’t get any pictures….we were too busy talking about RVing and our dogs that I forgot to take any pictures. We had such a good time with them and as Linda pointed out, there are so many things we have in common with them. They had just lost their dog the other night to cancer so we were reminiscing about our pets and their crazy antics. Our pets give us so much joy and losing one is like losing a child. They both loved Boomer and thought he looked a lot like a dog they used to have.
Temps warmed up today into the 60’s. Supposed to warm up even more tomorrow but rain is moving in tonight (yippee…rain !). Wrapping up here tomorrow….getting hitch itch to get on the road once again !

Landed in Schertz with a “crash”…

We started a new job on Monday in Schertz, Texas which is right outside of San Antonio off of I 35. Our week didn’t get off to a very good start when our laptop crashed Monday night. Seems we somehow got a sneeky Trojan virus that made our computer think that the hard drive was going bad. Most of our desktop icons disappeared, although when I tried to put them back from a flash drive, it said they already existed. Linda’s son, Todd came to the rescue by telling me how to get around the major roadblock it was putting up (the infamous black screen). By downloading a Malware Bytes program, it sought out the virus and quarantined it. Todd logged in and fixed the rest of the stuff to get it back to normal. Viola….all of the icons came back and all is good.
Today, Linda and I came home at mid-day to have lunch. While chewing my veggie burger, I bit on something hard and discovered that a piece of my tooth had broken loose. Oh brother…it’s always something. Gonna drive me crazy to feel that sharp opening with my tongue until I get it fixed or pulled.
On our way up here, we drove right through the area where our friends Bobbie, Jim, Linda and Jim were waiting to get assigned to a job. They are going to be gate guards, for the gas wells that are popping up all over Texas. They are in a waiting pattern to go out to their first site. We had a great time getting caught up with them since we haven’t seen them since Labor Day. It’s always good to see them.
Weather has been awesome….in the 70’s today. Had some much needed rain the other night. Gonna be nice tomorrow too…Isn’t this weather crazy ? On the news, they say that record warm weather is taking place all over the country. I like it !!

Something we missed….

Linda had heard from one of the winter Texans that we needed to go to The Gaff, a local bar in Port Aransas, to see the belt sander races. They are held on Saturday afternoons, on every other weekend (the off weekend they are held in Rockport). They start around 3:00 but we were in the middle of breaking down our job and didn't get to go. Next year, we'll make sure to plan for it as it looks like fun. The Gaff is one of those "hole in the wall" type of bars, down near the beach. Here's some footage of a race held there I found on You Tube.
Hope your day is off to a zippy start !

Lack of Humanity

Been a long day and I don’t mind telling you, I’m a bit weary. We had a great time at Pecan Park, in San Marcos, TX for our overnight stay. They had a hot tub (more like a tepid tub) and an indoor swimming pool with a waterfall spillway at one end. We had such a good time, relaxing in the tepid tub, letting the one good jet work the kinks out of our sore backs. Then we got in the pool and paddled around. Then back to the tepid tub, to realize yes it was a little warmer than the swimming pool. Slept like babies last night !
Got on the road at 8:45 this morning. We were going down the side street, leading out to the main road when we hear sirens and see lots of cop cars in front of us. An ambulance comes up this little road and pulls in front of us and parks right in the middle of the road. On our right is a shirtless man, covered in blood and holding a towel to his head. The paramedics rush to him and we squeeze around the ambulance, while hearing tree limbs screeching down the side of the rig. (I hate that sound !) Down the road, maybe a quarter of a mile, are five cop cars. They too did not practice courteous parking methods, respectful to passers by. Linda sees a guy, in the back seat of a police cruiser and another guy sitting at a picnic table in the front yard. Other police officers are seen inside the open front door of the house, milling around. Linda had heard something on the news about a shooting this morning. Was this where it had happened ? Sure was a lot of blood on the guy we saw. What over ? Humans being indifferent to each others’ needs. Violence taking its toll on someone’s family. How sad….
We’d been driving for a couple hours when I needed to stop so I pulled off at a picnic area. I took Boomer outside and noticed two boxes along the side of the road. I thought it odd that there was a 20# bag of cat food and two gallon jugs of water sitting near these boxes. I put Boomer in the house and went to check out the boxes. Approaching the boxes gave me the same feeling I get when I come up on a wreck and look in the wrecked car to help those who wrecked. I really was hoping there wasn’t an illegal alien in those boxes or a child….oh my. There were air holes cut in the tops of each box so I figured that some living breathing “thing”, was or had been in there. Was there still something in there? I leaned down and peaked in and two sets of eyes looked out of each box. Four black cats in total. Who could be so heartless as to leave these four kitties out here ? Linda and I were sick over it. She took our tablet and started calling SPCA’s and shelters, from  San Antonio to Corpus Christi. Answering machines or overflowing facilities….No one would come get them and no place to take them. I spoke to one woman who only takes in stray dogs or puppies and she didn’t have any answers for me. The kitties didn’t have any more water left. Someone had left them two jugs with slits cut in them, sitting in aluminum pans. Our water level, in the rig, was below the level where the water pump would work since we don’t like to travel with the weight of a lot of extra water. I filled a water pitcher with water, from the low drain valve and filled their pans. One kitty came out and drank and drank. I took some of the cat food and put it inside the boxes, as they acted really skittish and only one would venture out to the edge of the box. A couple of the kitties ate the food. Adopting four cats wasn’t a possibility for us since I’m allergic to them and we already have Boomer. We pulled out of the picnic area, with heavy hearts and tears streaming down our faces. Linda took a black marker and wrote on the boxes for someone to please adopt them. We hope that they find great homes and make out ok. It made for a really sad ride to Port Aransas.
We took the ferry over to Port Aransas. What a slick operation. The deck hands guided us onto the ferry and told us when to depart. It’s a short ride….you can see the far shore from where you sit at the first shore. The smell of the ocean air, blowing through the rig’s windows, was heavenly. It only took a few minutes to cross over and get unloaded.
We arrived here around 2:15. Temps were in the 70’s….still 68 degrees out tonight. Great breezes, blue water….blue skies. Our site is about 100 yards from the hot tub…..I’m headed over there as soon as I post this to find out if it’s truly “hot” or if it too is tepid. I’ll let you know next time around.

This and That…

It’s been a few days since I’ve put up a post. Vacation is over for us. We moved back to Arlington on Sunday. We left Livingston on Saturday and hung out with friends on New Years, part way to Arlington. On the way to their place, we could see how much the lakes have receded. Boats, in their dock cradles (don’t know what the official name is for the things that pull them up out of the water at the dock) were high and dry….a long way from being able to be launched in water. So sad to see how dry everything is. Had a nice time hanging out with them but Linda and I didn’t make it to midnight. Just a couple of old farts….made it to about 11 p.m. but then off to bed for us.
We’re back at it, trying to wrap up this job in Arlington. Still was hard to find people at work today….still  off from the holidays. Frustrating for us but not much we can do. While we were out today, we went to Petsmart and bought a “cone” for Boomer. Apparently he’s got allergies or scratched his eye and nose and he won’t leave it alone. It would just start to heal up and he’d scratch it again overnight and open the wound. Poor guy looks like he was in a bar room brawl ! He must feel so clumsy with it on his neck cause he keeps running into things. I’m sure it might be tough for him to get comfortable tonight and sleep but he needs to let his scrapes heal up. We’re putting antibiotic cream on it so in a couple of days he’ll be as good as new.

I replicated the cover that our friends Wendy and Cindy put around their water softener. Had to look in several stores before we finally found a pop up hamper with cover. Just cut holes in each side for the garden hoses to pass through and it’s good to go. The black material attracts the warmth of sun first thing in morning for those chilly overnights. The girls put a trouble light in the bottom of theirs if they need to generate a little warmth for those iffy nights when it might get chillier than we’re comfortable but not a horrendous freeze. Here’s a couple pics of what it looks like now. The lid zips on so it’s really handy to get in to check things or dismantle to move to a new location.


We got an e-mail from a friend of ours who just left for Hawaii on a business trip. He arrived and was at the Marine base, working out in the gym and President Obama was there working out. That would be kind of cool….to look over, while working out and see the President of our country on a piece of equipment next to you.
Speaking of light” moments…I heard on the news the other day that production of the incandescent bulb has ceased. Once the existing supply, in retail stores or warehouses around the world, runs out we won’t be able to buy a regular ‘ole light bulb anymore. They are energy hogs…better to buy a CFL. Wouldn’t Thomas Edison be sad to hear that his invention has outlived its usefulness?
Hope everyone had a great New Years eve and have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

Bandera,Texas

Jail

Yesterday as Linda and I were driving through the back streets of Bandera, we came across some of the historic buildings in town.  Here are pictures of the jail and courthouse and some information about the industry in the area from early days.
 

We took Boomer up to the dog park, here in the campground, to let him run around after supper. Once the sun starts to set, the herd of deer come out. Here's a glimpse of them....

Old Courthouse

I took a picture of Bertha and our rig nestled in amongst the trees here at the park. I also took a picture of what looks to be a new Carri-Lite 5th wheel that is near our rig. Look at that full wall slide out...Must really open it up inside. Very pretty color too with the full body paint.

River Walk

Yesterday Linda and I went to San Antonio to get  a new printer, at Staples, and thought we'd take in some of the sights while we were there. We went downtown and due to a St. Patty's day parade, many of the streets were blocked off so it made it a little tough to get around. We had wanted to go to the parking lot for oversize vehicles but couldn't get there. At one point we were behind a large motorhome pulling a cargo trailer and we felt so bad for him...trying to find someplace to go. I think he was headed to the same lot we were going but like us, couldn't get there.

We did find a lot where we had room to maneuver and left Bertha there. We watched some of the parade but mainly wanted to see the riverwalk. It's not what either of us had pictured in our minds but it was fun anyway. The barges were busy carrying people around on the "green" river (dyed for St. Patty's day). We had taken Boomer with us and he was so good walking around...was a very good boy. I didn't realize that the Riverwalk has been around since the early 40's. The man who had the vision of developing around the river was brilliant. It gives such vibrancy to downtown and the cooling breezes that come off the water are nice as well. There are lots of restaurants, hotels and shops near the riverwalk and it was a very busy place yesterday. We also walked by the Alamo but only checked out the courtyard area as the line to get in was clear down the block. Spring break is just starting so not sure if the increase in crowds is due to that or something else.

After we left the downtown area we went to Sam's Club to get a few things and then went to Staples. We bought a new Epson Workforce 635 to replace our Lexmark. We went through so much ink with our old printer and the new printer was on sale for $50 off and then we got another $50 for trading in our old printer. In the end, the new printer cost us $80 and it came equipped with the XL cartridges which last a really long time. Our old one was one cartridge so if any one color ran out, it needed to be replaced. This has four separate cartridges so will last a lot longer. While we were at Sam's we had bought a router cause this printer has wireless capability. Well not the case when you don't have a modem unless you buy ANOTHER special adapter for $39.99 to talk to the router. For the $100 I can get my butt up out of the chair, go over and plug in the USB cord and hit print. The router will be going back to Sam's. We're happy with the printer...nice and compact and works great.

OK, I'm bummed. The first Sunday I've had off where we haven't been in training or driving or setting up and WOULD have been able to watch a NASCAR race but was there one on to watch. NOOOOOOO ! The last three races I've seen, at most, the last two laps of the race. One might say that this is the most crucial time....the most exciting part to see the finale but I like to watch the whole thing or at least the parts in between my NN time (Nascar nap). Not to be this week and yes, we will be moving next Sunday to another park when there is a race. Of course ! But the good thing is that the next park has a whole bunch of channels to choose from. Here we have four major networks and PBS. Linda and I are going through HGTV withdrawal.

Our neighbors came over and asked us if we're going up to the office for "grill your own" night. Hadn't heard about it and had just eaten but sure sounds good. She said starting this coming week, every Friday you can get burgers with beans, salad, fixins and make your own sundaes for $4 a person. Worth coming home from work for...won't have to cook. Wonder if these Texans would tar and feather us Yankees if we slip our veggie burgers onto the grill when no one's looking. Whatcha think ?

Where the deer roam...

The view from top of hill as you drive down into campground

Tonight we went to the dog park with our neighbor, from the campground, and watched as deer after deer crossed from down by the lake to an area where they bed down for the night. The guys said that there are close to 50 deer here on the ranch that they've seen. As I leave for work in the morning, I usually see some grazing up in the pasture area, along with the cattle and horses. This is the sign over the entrance to the ranch. The campground is part of a working ranch and has been declared a Texas Century Ranch, which means it has been maintained for more than 100 years. Back in 1882, it would have been sitting all by itself near Lake Medina..back in the valley. Now, it's a drive through Lakewood Estates housing development...up "hills" and down them..three miles to be exact to get to the entrance to the ranch.

Those pipes that we have to drive over...

Things are going well. Tomorrow Linda and I meet with the campground owner in Bandera to start work on their park. Bandera is a cute town of 1200 people...the "Cowboy Capital of the US". Lots of cute shops, saloons, BBQ restaurants. One of the town's celebrities passed away recently. He had been an actor in a John Wayne movie and in another with Jimmy Stewart. I can't remember what his name was but his coffin was taken to the cemetery in a horse drawn wagon and a horse with a lone boot in the stirrups accompanied it. The slogan "It Do" was written on the side of the wagon....the lone line that this actor said in the John Wayne movie. I think the movie was the Alamo one but not sure. Perhaps any of you movie buffs out there will know who I'm talking about.

Nightly temps here have been getting into the low 40's, sometimes high 30's but during the day it shoots back up around 75. Crazy stuff...I prefer the 70 side of those temps. Saturday we're heading into San Antonio to get a new printer. Our Lexmark is going through ink like crazy and it's acting up lately. Staples has their trade in special going on where we'll get $50 for turning ours in for a new one. Pretty good considering I paid $25 for it during a "door buster" sale before Christmas at Wal-Mart. Also need to get some groceries as there aren't any grocery stores around here that stock much of anything. Closest Wal-Mart is about 30 miles from here in Boerne.

Hoping everyone is having a great week...weekend's right around the corner !