More From Mission TX

December 2015, Mission TX

 

Before the holidays, we took a drive over to Port Isabel and South Padre Island, about 80 miles away.  We will probably stay in the area in a couple months so we wanted to explore the area.  It was beautiful and windy but mostly abandoned.  That will change soon though.

After being in Mission TX for a few weeks, my brother Ken drove all the way from Daytona Beach FL to stay with us during Christmas for a few days.  It's actually a longer drive to come here than to come up to Upstate NY! Hard to believe. We spent Christmas Eve at the AmeriCana clubhouse and dinner Christmas day with friends we met at the park - lots of fun and the wine was flowing!  I thought I might miss the baking, cooking, wrapping and decorating and making sure everyone had a good time, but I didn't.  It was truly the most relaxing and stress-free Christmas ever and even though it was non traditional, I loved it. I was worried that Nina and Carla might be left out, but they had plans of their own.  Phone calls and social media solved the distance...

It was a Christmas for memories and fellowship, not gifts.  But Nina wins for the tackiest!  Love.

Sorry, but I can't resist this picture of Wilbur who wants to either be near me or wants to go outside!  Such a cutie, I love him to bits.

Ken stayed a few days but before he left, Peggy and Jeff, and Patricia and Steve joined us at the campground on Sunday for the week. They brought their fifth wheel and Class C RVs and parked nearby. It was soo much fun having them here to spend time and visit places in the area. Most evenings were spent playing card and dice games, but the days were spent visiting nearby places.

One day we went to the border town where getting across by pully ferry.  We didn't go over because my passport is expired.  Gotta take care of that soon.

   

Is it ever open?

Another day we drove down to a border town to do some birding, but it had closed awhile back. So we walked around the historic district, saw the Rio Grande River and watched some illegals get caught in broad daylight.  

The Rio Grande River

On New Year's Eve, we played games and had a few drinks.  We didn't go to the clubhouse but heard the fireworks exploding all evening.  I don't think any of us made it to midnight..

However, we did spend New Years Day at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park just down the road. Even though it was cold and rainy, we rode the tram through the park, learned some history and watched the birds.  It was a grand way to spend the first day of the new year!

Everyone stayed a couple more days and left on Sunday.  We had so much fun and were sad to see them go.

We've resolved to stay in south Texas in future winters.

Til next time!

On Our Way To Mission TX!

December 5, 2015


Saturday we pulled out of Guadalupe State Park and headed on down toward Mission TX for the next month.  What a beautiful park.  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate.  It was cold and rainy for most of the time, so we had little time to sit outside.  We did spend Thanksgiving with family nearby and that was a bonus!

We traveled as far as Alice TX and stayed in a Walmart parking lot for the night, a first for us. We met some nice folks who were also on their way to Mission TX.  In the morning we picked up some trash in the area before we made the last leg to south TX.

  

 whole lotta nothing, but we did see this cloud along the way.

Once we got to Mission, we managed to get into our space and the best space it was!  Right at the entrance to the birding park on the edge of the park.  It was a great place to walk the dogs, check out the birds and one day I saw dozens of green birds fly over. 

I found out they are green Parakeets. So beautiful!  

  

I checked out the place and it had a great clubhouse and amazing kitchen! 

We were parked right next to a bird sanctuary and one little bird decided to torment the pets... 

Ants getting ready for winter.

I've gone to a lot of grocery stores, but never saw this.  I've enlarged it - can you guess what they are.

Pig heads. You won't even find these at Wegmans!

Or this? I never did find out.  In south Texas, the grocery stores have a lot of food I've never heard of. Some of it is Pennsylania Dutch, like intestines (stuffed tripe) and brain (sweetbreads), but the rest, I'm not familiar with.

Ok I'm done for now.  Signing off for now.  Be back tomorrow with more from Mission TX!

San Antonio TX Post-Thanksgiving Part II - Riverwalk and Alamo, San Jose Mission, Christmas Lights

Monday November 30, 2015

On Monday, Peggy and Patricia took me to see the Christmas lights in the area and they were amazing! But first, who wants hot sauce?  You can find it here!  

I didn't go in cause it was closed, but who could resist?

I never would have thought Christmas lights in the south would be this bright! I found it strange to see Christmas lights down here where the weather is like summer.  No snow, no cold weather, no breath in the air.  We drove up to Fredericksburg and walked around checking out the stores, had dinner at a German restaurant, then drove back through Johnson City on our way home.

The lights were absolutely stunning.  I’ve seen the lights up north but never thought I’d see them down here.

On Tuesday and Thursday we went to Peggy’s house to use her internet to do some paperwork and wash laundry.  It was incredibly generous of her to let us use her house. 

Wednesday December 2, 2015

Wednesday we took off for San Antonio.  There is so much to see there and it was a beautiful day.  We started off visiting the mission at San Jose – what an amazing place. With my sisters-in-laws, the lovely Patricia and Peggy!

We toured the grounds which included the primitive housing and the church.

I learned the Indians were indentured and lived in the missions doing whatever was required of them.  They professed to be Christian but often followed their pagan ways.  The church and grounds were meticulously cared for.

We then had lunch on the Riverwalk overlooking the river watching the boats and ducks.  The marguerita and food was delish.

 

  

We then walked over to the Alamo which I never realized was right in town. 

All this time I thought it was somewhere out in the country, but it was just a short walk away, right in San Antonio.  Seeing it at sunset was awesome and we walked all around it and seeing the old stones made me realized its history.

We worked our way back to the Riverwalk where we had dessert and saw the river lights before heading home.   What an amazing trip, I’m sure I’ll be back to see for more.  

Friday December 4, 2015

The night before we left Guadalupe State Park, Peggy, Jeff, Patricia and Steve came over for a cookout.  We had hot dogs, lots of appetizers and drinks.  We had been the only campers in the parks, but more people came for the weekend.  It was a great send-off as we are leaving the next morning for Mission TX for a month.  

See you in Mission TX!

San Antonio TX Post-Thanksgiving, Part 1

Not only did we travel to San Antonio to meet my other family and enjoy Thanksgiving with them, I took a whirlwind tour of the area!  There is so much to see so I’m sure I only saw some of the highlights.  I’m sure I'll return someday soon to see more.

On Friday November 27, 2015, Peggy and Jeff stopped out at our campsite.  Peggy and I went hiking to the river while Jeff stayed behind to help with the water situation.  Peggy and I drove down to the river and hiked up to the rapids where she and her family prefer to picnic. 

 

It’s quieter there since the river becomes very crowded in the summer with folks wading and swimming in the river, and picnicking on the banks.  It was very quiet that day with very few people in the area.  What a beautiful park! 

Til next time.... Christmas lights in Texas, Riverwalk and final evening in Guadalupe River State Park. 

Thanksgiving 2015

November 26, 2015

Today I met the other Texas family. I made a cheesecake the evening before and topped it with blueberries. It was a hit, so maybe I'll get invited back!  We felt totally welcomed and at home with lots of hugs all around.  The food was amazing, company inviting, lots of family pictures, just what Thanksgiving should be.  

 

 Everyone was hungry, thankful for all we have.   Many new additions this past year.

Kitchen is the center of activity.. of course!  

  

As with all successful holidays, the day ends sleepily and happy.

We are now in Mission TX but we did a lot of things in San Antonio before we left!  Stay tuned!