We are currently hanging out in a small rv park in Rockport TX. Yesterday I poked fun at "Bad Bob" so I wanted to follow up and talk about how much we enjoyed our stay there. The 10 days we were there went by much too quickly. I decided to sum it up by giving a David Letterman type top 10 list. So here goes.....counting down from number 10
10. Happy hour. Every evening around 5 we gathered for wine and a few snacks
9. The warm weather. 80 in January is great.
8. Shorts. When it's 80 you get to wear shorts and T shirts.
7. Getting to help with Bob and Linda's coach house. Brushed up on my electrical and plumbing skills.
6. Made some new friends. We got to know Roger and Diane better, and met Jim and Val from Canada
5. Bike riding. We finally made use of those bikes we've been carting around.
4. Open house. On Friday we attended their annual open house and got to see how everyone finished off their coach house.
3. Went to a wine tasting featuring Spanish wines.
2. Went on a boat cruise on the Rio Grande
And drum roll please.........
Number one on our list was just spending time with our good friends Bob and Linda.
Thank you for such a good time.
Until later
Jan 31, 2013
Jan 30, 2013
Bad Bob, Mexican Train, and the Tifffin Flu
This is a strange story, full of twists and turns, so pay close attention.
Our time at Retama was coming to an end. We had a reservation in Rockport and someone else was moving into our spot at Retama. But let me back up to Monday.
Monday afternoon Bob and Linda treated us to a wonderful lunch at Riverside club on the banks of the Rio Grande. We were literally 50 yards from Mexico. Safe and secure with Boder Patrol both above us, and on the river, we enjoyed a couple of pitchers of margaritas and a big plate of Nachos.
Monday evening was to be our last meal together and since we had yet to play Mexican train, we invited Bob and LInda over. Judy fixed Salmon and Lobster pinwheels with a nice salad, sweet potatoe fries, and of course a nice white wine from Northern Michigan. After desert, the game began. What I didn't realize is that Bob would soon turn into Bad Bob. You can find his version of the evening on their blog, but the fact is I whipped him bad. He even tried to get us drunk with some wonderful Creme de Tequila. I of course let him win a few rounds, since they have been such great hosts, but all in all it wasn't pretty for Bad Bob...
A few hours after he had conceded defeat and slunk off to lick his wounds we got ready for bed. During the night I thought I heard some noise under the coach, but with all the talk of feral cats around Retama I just figured someone had forgot to feed them.
The next morning we prepared to leave. You know the routine, put away the grill and chairs, unhook the hoses, pull in the slide, all the usual stuff. We started the engine, I hit the button to retract the jacks and that's when it became apparent that we had been hit with the Tiffin flu. We have 3 leveling jacks on our coach, one in the front and 2 in the back. It was apparent that the driver's side rear jack would not come up.
If you are a serious rv'r you no doubt have heard of this. I recently read of an outbreak in Quartzsite which stranded several Tiffin coaches when their leveling jacks would not retract. So here's what I think happened. There are more Tiffin coaches at Retama than any other brand.
Bad Bob the sore looser snuck over during the night with some of the Tiffin virus and some how infected our coach. We have never had a problem before, but being that she is going on 15 years old (50 years in RV years) and she has not had her flu shot, I think she is vulnerable. In spite of giving her fluids, and letting her rest she still couldn't retract the jack.
Fortunately Bad Bod's wonderful wife Linda stepped up and found a Doc who still makes house calls. After a thorough examination and a few adjustments she finally responded. However she is not to use her jacks until we see our Primary Care Giver. Until then we have to park on level spots so she can rest up. After paying the Doc we hooked up and were on our way.
At least that's my story.
Until Later
Our time at Retama was coming to an end. We had a reservation in Rockport and someone else was moving into our spot at Retama. But let me back up to Monday.
Monday afternoon Bob and Linda treated us to a wonderful lunch at Riverside club on the banks of the Rio Grande. We were literally 50 yards from Mexico. Safe and secure with Boder Patrol both above us, and on the river, we enjoyed a couple of pitchers of margaritas and a big plate of Nachos.
Monday evening was to be our last meal together and since we had yet to play Mexican train, we invited Bob and LInda over. Judy fixed Salmon and Lobster pinwheels with a nice salad, sweet potatoe fries, and of course a nice white wine from Northern Michigan. After desert, the game began. What I didn't realize is that Bob would soon turn into Bad Bob. You can find his version of the evening on their blog, but the fact is I whipped him bad. He even tried to get us drunk with some wonderful Creme de Tequila. I of course let him win a few rounds, since they have been such great hosts, but all in all it wasn't pretty for Bad Bob...
A few hours after he had conceded defeat and slunk off to lick his wounds we got ready for bed. During the night I thought I heard some noise under the coach, but with all the talk of feral cats around Retama I just figured someone had forgot to feed them.
The next morning we prepared to leave. You know the routine, put away the grill and chairs, unhook the hoses, pull in the slide, all the usual stuff. We started the engine, I hit the button to retract the jacks and that's when it became apparent that we had been hit with the Tiffin flu. We have 3 leveling jacks on our coach, one in the front and 2 in the back. It was apparent that the driver's side rear jack would not come up.
If you are a serious rv'r you no doubt have heard of this. I recently read of an outbreak in Quartzsite which stranded several Tiffin coaches when their leveling jacks would not retract. So here's what I think happened. There are more Tiffin coaches at Retama than any other brand.
Bad Bob the sore looser snuck over during the night with some of the Tiffin virus and some how infected our coach. We have never had a problem before, but being that she is going on 15 years old (50 years in RV years) and she has not had her flu shot, I think she is vulnerable. In spite of giving her fluids, and letting her rest she still couldn't retract the jack.
Fortunately Bad Bod's wonderful wife Linda stepped up and found a Doc who still makes house calls. After a thorough examination and a few adjustments she finally responded. However she is not to use her jacks until we see our Primary Care Giver. Until then we have to park on level spots so she can rest up. After paying the Doc we hooked up and were on our way.
At least that's my story.
Until Later
Jan 24, 2013
I've hired someone else to write my blog
Since Bob did such a good job telling what we did yesterday, I'll just direct you to his.
http://because-we-can.net/Because_We_Can/Journals/journal130123.html
until later
http://because-we-can.net/Because_We_Can/Journals/journal130123.html
until later
Jan 22, 2013
On a Mission
Actually we are in Mission Tx. We are at Retama Village for 10 days. We are here visiting our friends Bob and Linda. Yesterday was Judy's birthday. Bob and Linda made sure she had a good time. Me....well Bob just put me to work. That's ok since I have a toilet project and according to Linda, Bob knows more about what goes into a toilet than anyone else so I figure can fix ours....
Since I'm on vacation if you want to see pics from yesterday go here.
http://because-we-can.net/Because_We_Can/Journals/journal130121.html
Until later
Since I'm on vacation if you want to see pics from yesterday go here.
http://because-we-can.net/Because_We_Can/Journals/journal130121.html
Until later
Jan 16, 2013
Weekend in San Antonio
We spent 3 days in San Antonio. We stayed at the Elks on the north side next to an even older American Eagle. Electric hookup only but since we came in with a full water tank and empty holding tanks, it was no problem. It was a good time to get stocked up and and few housekeeping things taken care of. We managed to fit in a nice walk and lunch downtown on the riverwalk and Mollie got a haircut. We also found the local Trader Joes and Whole Foods so we are stocked up to head further south. Maybe we can find some warmer weather. So far it's not much different than back in Michigan.
Jan 10, 2013
15 miles
It has been raining a lot the last couple days but it didn't stop us from making a few day trips. Monday we went to Austin to the flagship Whole Foods store. I went to have coffee with a photographer who's blog I have followed for several years and Judy to shop. Both of us had a great time.
Tuesday we had lunch with a friend that we hadn't seen in over 30 years in Marble Falls. Facebook can be a wonderful tool to contact friends from the past.
We have had over 3 inches of rain in just a couple days. I have been concerned about a leak that we have not been able to fix in our roof. I have spent several hundred dollars having various "experts" trying to fix it. Before we left Michigan my buddy Stan took a try. After driving through snow, sleet and heavy rain I am happy to report we finally have a dry coach. Good work Stan, and I owe you big time.
Yesterday we made a pilgrimage to one of our favorite restaurants, Salt Lick BBQ. We came home with enough leftovers for another meal.
Today our week was up at the park we were staying at, and even though we are not quite ready to leave this area we decided to move. Between an unlevel site and very poor cell phone reception we decided to move. Not far, only 15 miles. Thanks Thom for the recommendation.
Until later
Tuesday we had lunch with a friend that we hadn't seen in over 30 years in Marble Falls. Facebook can be a wonderful tool to contact friends from the past.
We have had over 3 inches of rain in just a couple days. I have been concerned about a leak that we have not been able to fix in our roof. I have spent several hundred dollars having various "experts" trying to fix it. Before we left Michigan my buddy Stan took a try. After driving through snow, sleet and heavy rain I am happy to report we finally have a dry coach. Good work Stan, and I owe you big time.
Yesterday we made a pilgrimage to one of our favorite restaurants, Salt Lick BBQ. We came home with enough leftovers for another meal.
Today our week was up at the park we were staying at, and even though we are not quite ready to leave this area we decided to move. Between an unlevel site and very poor cell phone reception we decided to move. Not far, only 15 miles. Thanks Thom for the recommendation.
Until later
Jan 7, 2013
A beautiful day in the Hills
Yesterday morning we drove to Johnson City to have breakfast with some fellow RVers Thom and Dar. We last saw them in Portland so it was nice to catch up on things. It took us almost three hours to solve most of our country's problems. We did save a few problems to work on till our next visit.
We then drove to Fredericksburg to go to the Nimitz museum. Our friends Bob and Linda volunteered here a few years ago. Well worth seeing, but I wish Bob had been our tour guide.
We were going to go to Cranky Franks for lunch but got there too late for lunch, so we headed back to the RV. Just another nice day in the hill country.
Until later
We then drove to Fredericksburg to go to the Nimitz museum. Our friends Bob and Linda volunteered here a few years ago. Well worth seeing, but I wish Bob had been our tour guide.
We were going to go to Cranky Franks for lunch but got there too late for lunch, so we headed back to the RV. Just another nice day in the hill country.
Until later
Jan 4, 2013
Hiding out in the Hills
Well, we changed our plans a bit. Instead of stopping in Waco we continued south to the Texas hill country between Austin and Fredericksburg. We are going to hang out here for a week or so. Time to wash up, stock up on a few provisions, and maybe sneak in a little texas bbq.
Until later
Until later
Jan 3, 2013
Crystal Bridges
When we left snowy Michigan we did not take our normal route south. Instead we headed towards St Louis and then SW from there. Our reason for doing this was to stop in Bentonville AR to visit a new world class art museum.
Founded by one of the heirs to the Walton (Walmart) fortunes, Crystal Bridges is indeed worth a detour. I won't bore you with the details, but a quick Google search will get you all the info you need. If you are interested in American art it's worth a visit. And best of all it's free.
Founded by one of the heirs to the Walton (Walmart) fortunes, Crystal Bridges is indeed worth a detour. I won't bore you with the details, but a quick Google search will get you all the info you need. If you are interested in American art it's worth a visit. And best of all it's free.
Almost to Texas
We spent the night on the border of OK and Texas. Nice little Rv park, passport rates and as an added bonus a busy rail line 50 yards behind our Rv. On to Waco today.
Until later
Until later
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)