"Denice and Dennis's Retirement": And Now We Are South

15th October
Down the road again. We jogged off highway 83 yesterday for about 20 miles, over to the Olde Towne Cotton Gin RV Park at Goodlett, becaause we had been there before and liked it. So today we continued on east for another 19 miles and then followed highway 6 south to join back ontp 83, 20 miles prior to Abelene. Then on 83 the remainder of the trip to Junction. We are now in Texas Hill Country so it is much nicer than the flat country we have been travelling in for the last week or so. Arrived at the Rv park about 3:00PM and got hooked up. Must have been a dry summer here as the river that runs by the park is completely dry!! We have decided we are going to fly with Denice's cousin Hettie, to her daughters place in Jacksonville, North Carolina for the US Thanksgiving on the 22nd of November, then a week later fly home from there to Calgary about the 28th of the month. I spent at least an hour sorting out and paying for our flight from San Antonio to Jacksonville. What a smozzle!!! They just don't make it easy!!

Also reserved on line a site in Mission for a month at Bentson RV Village Resort. We have never satyed there before, but it is only a mile or so from Chimney RV Park that we stayed in last year. Just thought we would try a different park this year. Booked a "Super Site" for about $18.33 per night. Not too bad! It is within walking distance to one of Denice's favourite birding places, Bentsen State Park.
16th October
Woke up to light rain this morning, but it is only slightly drizzling, and since we have reservations down in Mission for tomorrow night decided we should be on our way. This section is the most photogenic of the whole trip as it is through the Texas Hill Country. But since it is fall there is not a lot of color, few flowers, and the trees are still green, but it was still very nice. It was light rain almost the entire way, but only required the occasional swipe of the wipers, and the highway never did get wet. Once south of the hills around Carrizo Springs and Chrystal River there is an area of high oil activity. Last spring when we went through the area there were only a couple of RV Parks, and they were bare bones, but this time we must have past at least a dozen parks, almost all full of workers trailers and 5th wheels. They are still mostly bare bones as all have just sprung up in the scrub forests there, but would certainly suffice for an overnighter if required. We had planned to go to Vaquero RV Park nearer Loredo as we have done for the last several years that we have travelled this road. We wondered if they would have room for us, given the oil activity in the area, but when we arrived they were accomadating as always, and had a site. Not sure why we like to stop there as it is also bare bones and is not that cheap at $35, but it is in the right location. We have watched it grow over the years, and every time we do see some improvements. Still no WIFI. When I asked the lady owner said they want $8,000 per month to intall it for the entire park. Seems incredibly high!! Hard to believe it would cost that much. Maybe another supplier???

While wandering around the park, I talked to one of the girls (maybe daughter of the owner) there and she was doing stained glass pictures so she got my interest right away. We had a long conversation and she showed me some of her work and equipment. Very Nice. She does mostly large ones about 2 x 3 feet. Here is a sample of one she is presently working on.

17th October

Morning Sunrise

Short driving day today as it is only 180 miles to our Mission RV Park. The trip was mostly uneventful. Loredo is a little tricky at times to negotiate through, especially a new mega interchange that seems to be a little short of signage.

However we made it through with no difficulty other than Denice thought we were going to run over a little charger at one point. Then there was the 50 miles of construction along Falcon Lake with all traffic squeezed into two very narrow lanes while the other lanes are being built. Arrived at Bentson Palm Village RV Park at 12:15PM. Nobody home!! Message to call Juanita on her cell, which I did and left a message. Waited and waited. Finally a cleaning lady came by and we were able to contact Juanita. She was at a Chamber of Commerce meeting and would be back at 3:00. In the mean time she told me to just park anywhere of our choice until she returned. We needed to get plugged in as it is near 100 degrees and we need air conditioning!! She did arrive at 3, but before she returned we had a chance to drive around and get the lay of the land, so to speak. We tentatively chose number 518 as the site we would like to have. At this time of the year there is not many here, so there are lots of empty spaces.

Nice Layout - Not sure if you can pick out 518, but it is in the third circle from the left, and at the bottom of that circle.

When I met at the office with Juanita and Guy, she checked to make sure 518 was open for the month and it was, so we were now happy and moved on down there and set up. It is now 9:30PM and still 85° F.

18th October
Spent the day getting set up and orientated. Over to HEB and buy required groceries

19th October
Now that we are settled in, of course my little garmin wants to clean ELTORO, stem to stern. So that was the project for the day. Need I say more!! Did take time to set up an array of bird feeders though, but so far little interest from the birds even though lots are around, but we have noticed this before that it takes a day or so for them to find the food. The only ones that are around so far are the hummingbirds. And they are certainly here at our two feeders.

20th October
So today the birds did come, but mostly green jays

Went down to the Butterfly Center - millions of them there!! All kinds and colors, but to me, "Just Butterflies!"