June 19, 2011 The week in review……

First, Happy Father’s Day to all fathers. Some of us are lucky enough to have had two fathers—a birth father and a loving stepfather. I was lucky with my mother’s second husband, (Thank you, Bill), and my two kids were extra lucky with my second husband—Larry. Two great guys who treated their step children like birth children.

Second, it has been a HOT week in laid-back Livingston. It is almost too hot to venture far from the constantly-running air conditioners. It would be easy to spend the entire summer in front of the computers and TV under our air conditioners, however, we are going to take one day a week to explore parts of East Texas.

Do you ever drive by places on routine trips and say: Some day we are coming back to tour that museum or visit that park? We are going to do it!

When home, we make at least one trip a month to Lufkin, Texas, to shop at Sears, Sam’s Club or Home Depot. We have been driving through Diboll, Texas, for 20 years and have yet to drive one block east or west of Hwy 59—or visit the History Center located right on Hwy 59.

The history of Diboll goes hand-in-hand with the history of Southern Pine Lumber Company. Since 1984, the company name has been Temple-Inland and you still see it stamped on edges of prime pine lumber moving across the US on 18-wheelers.

Back in 1894, T.L.L. Temple built a saw mill in the area he named Diboll after Joseph Copes Diboll, of New Orleans, who had sold Mr. Temple much of the land.

The history of the Diboll and Southern Pine Lumber marched along with the history of the railroads in the area.

Early “mobile homes” were moved from logging area to logging area via flat bed cars on the trains. (Photo in the museum)

Notice the homes along the tracks in this photo in the museum.

At first, lumber was floated on the rivers down to Beaumont, TX and later the local railroads transported the lumber from the deep East Texas Piney Woods to places as far as New Orleans.

The Museum has Engine # 13 on display along with a caboose. We were thrilled to see inside of the caboose as we had always wondered what they looked like:

We were able to climb up on the engine to see the size of the compartment—and how close the engineers were to the heat of the fire box and boilers. Not where I would want to be on a hot day in East Texas!

It was a great morning exploring the museum to learn about East Texas history. We asked their suggestions for lunch. Patty suggested the Airport Cafe. You have to know it is there—we didn’t see any signs or advertising—even inside the building.

It was a winner! Check out Larry’s diet Chicken Fried Steak lunch. That huge lump under the gravy was a slug of meat dredged in flour and deep fried practically in front of us! Fresh!

It was delicious and we have left-overs in the freezer for another meal. One plane came in while we were eating, but it was TOO hot to go outside for photos. Next time, I promise.

Next week we will head out in another direction to explore another area. We did make a quick trip down next to NASA’s campus area yesterday to pick up a new kiln. There are very few areas in Houston that we know—luckily, Clearbrook and the Kemah area—where there are boats—is one we know. Found a Paragon Kiln on Craig’s List in that area that was just what I wanted—and need. So, we drove down Hwy 146—just outside the park here—south to Clearbrook. One of the highlights is the fancy bridge just south of Bay City that crosses over the Houston Ship Channel.

First you notice the ship’s sails as you approach. Then—watch out:

Suddenly, you are surrounded by a dizzying array of yellow cables. It is quite an engineering feat. We continued south to the NASA Space Center area. We visited the NASA Space Center last March when my dad was visiting. We were filled with pride over the Space Program’s achievements. We are sad to see the space program being downgraded.

We came home—slowly with our valuable cargo. The only issue is that we have to hire someone to lift it out of the truck bed for us. It weighs about 200 pounds. Luckily Dean lifted it into the truck for us. His wife Sarah, the potter in the family, is very talented. I am sorry they don’t live closer.

It fires from an electronic key pad—something new to learn. There goes the electric bill as I experiment to learn how to fire the automatic kiln like a manual kiln--one that has given us such great results. The old kiln has developed some bad traits—it is shedding tiny metal pieces from the lift handle into the kiln while firing. That doesn’t help my glazes. It was time to look for a replacement, and once I get past the learning curve, should be a fantastic addition to the pottery shop!

Meanwhile, I will be checking the map to decide next week’s East Texas adventure.

May 31, 2011 Some Assembly required……

Texas summers are not for sissies. One has to be in good health and enjoy the challenges of repeated endurance tests. However, I don’t “handle” hot weather well. I prefer brisk 65 degree weather with a nice sweatshirt.

It isn’t just the heat. Here in beautiful East Texas, it is the cloying humidity that brings us to our knees. I heard the perfect phrase during the weather report on TV last week: Air you can wear!

So, in order to get our exercise, we had to come up with another idea. Larry needed to tone up his muscles after being sedimentary all winter and spring in the camper. He can’t walk long distance, so our treadmill is of limited value to him. He isn’t comfortable riding a bike outside anymore due to balance issues. So, of course, the perfect solution is a recumbent exercise bike.

Rather than buy one at Wal Mart, we decided to buy it from Costco.com and have it shipped here to the house. And it came last week. Unfortunately for the 140 lb. box, UPS doesn’t equip their drivers with hand trucks anymore—according to the driver.

It came off the truck looking like it had walked here from Florida.

It came off the truck in two pieces. Those parts were packed in the box. Part of the box was open as shown below.

The Website said: "Some assembly required." It should say: Lots and lots of assembly required and have extra tools handy too.

This is after about 3 hours labor. The console, pedals, and seat are still waiting their turn to be added to the bike.

Larry assembled the tools, read the book, and worked his way through the process.

Six hours later—we have a riding exercise bike. Notice the two extra tools on the table—they weren’t listed in the book as necessary tools, smile, but they were! Note to self: Never believe the phrase, "Some Assembly Required."

We are burning up the electronic speeds and logging lots of miles on the console. (Not really, but we are riding it.)

This morning I discovered the Shoe Box had been converted into a condominium. Three tenants had decided the back ladder was just perfect for their homes:

This happened in the last few days. Unfortunately, this is next to the back door—of our home-on-wheels. And wheels are the operative word. We hope to take a few short trips around the area—so I was forced to evict the new tenants before they laid eggs.

And speaking of eggs, I love living in a rural area. We try to buy our eggs local and some days, it feels like Easter again:

This week we were blessed with five brown speckled eggs and two green eggs in our dozen eggs. Life is just like a carton of eggs—some days it is very colorful. And on that note, it is time to say good-bye to May.

May 22, 2011 Back home in Livingston, TX

The “shoebox” is back in the yard.  It’s cleaned, repacked and ready to head out again—whenever we are ready.  Thanks to the torrential rains between San Antonio, TX and Livingston, I haven’t had to wash either the truck or Honda yet.  Both arrived home clean???  That is just so unusual.

However, everything inside, clothes, bedding, towels covering the seats, rugs, etc. made trips into the house to visit the washer and dryer!  The Brake Buddy riding in the Honda’s driver’s side floor had mud splashed on it from the wind and rain driven in the door.  It was quite a storm.

One of my favorite things about coming home is the washer and dryer.  It feels so good to just take all the damp and dirty things in the house –and bring them out sparkly clean and dry again.  No bag of quarters needed.  The other thing is the 30-gallon water heater—and within hours of arriving at the house—I am in the shower having a spiritual-revival shower, smile!  It makes me feel new again.

Another treat this year was my new pottery wheel.  I ordered it while in California and asked to have it shipped May 13, my birthday, and I didn’t expect to see it until late May.  They mis-read my note, I guess, because it was shipped May 10th and was here on May 15th.

It is a Shimpo RK Whisper and it is so quiet, I can’t hear it running. My other Shimpo was built in 1980 and has traveled from Hawaii to California to Texas—to California and back to Texas.  It was time to update.

I threw two small bowls the other day.  As soon as I catch up on the house and yard chores, I have an appointment with myself to spend some quality time with the new wheel.

We have had a busy week.  It was great to come home and touch bases with all our friends and neighbors in the best neighborhood in America—Rainbow’s End.

Friday was Leslie’s birthday and I was looking forward to bringing her a cake.  She said she wanted chocolate—so chocolate is what I got.  It is sitting on an antique pedestal cake plate that I found last June in Alturas, CA.  It made it home with us this May—a great way to celebrate Leslie’s birthday.

Yes, the cake was delicious!!!  There is only a very small piece of cake left in my freezer.  Note to self. “In the future, Do NOT buy huge cakes!”

One reason we wanted to return home was to get some repairs done around the house this summer.

Friday afternoon, the stump grinder I had called earlier in the week arrived to remove several imposing stumps in the back yard:

I thought he would come with a hand-held stump grinder.  Big surprise—it was a huge commercial grinder.  And it took care of the stumps in about 20 minutes, and I get to take care of the huge holes and piles of tree bits and dirt.

This little pile is actually about 2 1/2 feet tall and five feet long—chippings left after I filled the hole.  Do you know how many shovel loads it will take to move this treasure?  Don’t tell me, I couldn’t take the truth.  I will just move 10 or 15 shovelfuls at a time—until it is gone—or I am gone, smile!

Until next week, take care and stay safe in all the wild weather.

May 12, 2011 - From Brookshire, TX

Today is one of those days we will remember and talk about for years—remember that storm in San Antonio, TX with 50 mph. winds blowing the rain sideways at the truck and blinding us?

The rain waited until we had left the Fredericksburg KOA at 7:30 this morning.  It was a gentle, landscape-nourishing rain—until we met I-10 at Comfort, TX and suddenly the sky was BLACK!  And the wind started howling, so we pulled into the picnic area to let the storm pass us.  I was talking to my sister in AZ and she told me she looked at the TV and we were caught in a huge weather cell with rain, wind, tornado warning and lightening between the Mexican border and out to Houston.  Unfortunately, in letting it pass us—we quickly ran into it again—and again.  We got around the Anderson Loop (Hwy 1604) without trouble but it was fun to see the other vehicles going the same 40 mph. with us.  (Usually we slow down and drivers zoom by us like they have radar to see the invisible road.) 

Traveling was slow, but good—until we turned east on I-10.  And by the time we got up on I-10 again, we knew we were in trouble!  The wind was gusting about 40-50 mph. and driving torrential water at the side of the truck and camper.  It was passed rain—it looked like a sideways waterfall!  We crept up the road trying to see the next off ramp.  About a mile down the road—creeping at 15 mph on I-10, we, along with the trucks following us, pulled off.   We sat there for about 20 minutes with the wind and rain howling until I told Larry, we have to pull into that truck stop across the overpass—the water is coming in the side camper windows—a first for us!  We waited another 15 minutes until it calmed down.  Larry drove to the first rest area and we exchanged places.

I drove east towards Houston—deciding if Larry could nap a bit, we would continue on home!  Good plan, but God had other plans.  I drove 50 mph. through rain storm after another—with the wind coming from behind, it was easy driving.  I passed Columbus, our planned stop for the night, and decided to stop in Sealy to give Larry the wheel through Houston.

Wrong—again.  I saw a Highway Patrol pass us—with lights blazing followed by a Sherriff's vehicle with lights and siren.  Please, please, let the accident be past Sealy.  Wrong—about two miles down the road we came to a stop—and stop—and stop.  We parked on I-10 for almost 2 hours—creeping forward 10 feet at a time.  Lucky for us, we carry a rest room with us, smile.

Larry & I exchanged places while waiting.  We ate lunch while waiting.  I booted up the computer 2 hours later and found the Houston West RV Park in Brookshire and called for a reservation.  It was clear we weren’t going to make Livingston tonight.

It looked as if two trucks tried to mate and then split up!  One truck, looked like a small fuel truck, was rolled over down the slope and the other slightly injured truck had been towed away.  Hopefully the drivers were okay.  With all the emergency vehicles passing our temporary parking lot, we didn’t see any ambulances.

We are hunkered down in a beautiful park in Brookshire, TX, and will head through Houston just after morning rush-hour traffic.  In spite of all our trauma, life is good.  We are here safe and sound.  (Well maybe a bit unsound?)

Safe travels to our traveling friends!  An accident can ruin not only your day—but possibly for hundreds of others too!

May 11, 2011 We are back in Texas and it feels so good!

One of the first signs that we knew we were home in Texas was hearing classic country music while fueling the car at the convenience store. Larry said: Did you hear THAT? Yes, we are home when we can listen to mellow country-western music over the radio. (We do travel with XM Radio so we can listen to classic country music on Willie’s Roadhouse station. It’s a touch of home where ever we are.)

Next sign: DQ Blizzards. While DQ is in many states, we only seem to drive in to DQ when we are in Texas.

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And the third sign: Super Wal-Mart. I have been suffering “Super-Wally World” withdrawal pangs since Yuma, AZ in January. California fights against building the Super Wal-Marts. It felt so good to walk in and see all the groceries and other products.

We came to Fredericksburg, TX for several reasons. Some dear friends have purchased a new home in the area and invited us by, the truck’s fuel filter was at the end of its useful life, and for about 15 years, I have wanted to spend a few days in this area.

We made reservations at the Fredericksburg KOA because it was close to the road to our friends house. It turned out to be a good decision. It is a lovely park and has a summer special Hot Deal price that I found on the internet of $29.95 per night. And we found a RV repair man to come fix the camper’s clearance lights so the truck could pass the TX safety inspection.

The local Dodge dealer ended up changing the fuel filter after a bit of a mix up about where the appointment was—I thought it was at the Chevrolet dealer but the call had rolled over to the Dodge dealer. Whoop

Both the truck and car needed the state safety inspection done. The car’s safety inspection was done at the Ford dealer that afternoon. However, we couldn't get the truck's inspection done until all the clearance lights were working. Unfortunately, three of the lights were still on vacation. So Tuesday morning, a mobile RV repair man came to the park and and replaced bulbs. We took the truck back to the Ford dealer this morning and now both vehicles are legal.

We drove down to spend some time with our friends and we were treated to a tour of their beautiful new place. This is the view from the back of the house. Could you live with this view?

Unfortunately, they do have nosey neighbors….

Who argues with a neighbor that has horns that big? He wins.

Of course, we had to drive through Luckenbach, TX, to see if Willie, Waylon and the boys were singing. I will let the photos do the talking:

(Just in case you forget cash for your beer.)

And don’t forget your dancing boots to help polish the dance hall floor.

Yes, we are in the country—free-range chickens—or is that free-road chickens?

Today we went back to Fredericksburg to do a bit of shopping and looking around. Again, the photos tell a bit of the town story:

This window display tickled my funny bone. I was looking forward to visiting Dooley’s—a real “old-fashioned five-and-dime store.”

Do you remember buying your underwear and clothes held in the little glass boxes like this? It ages me, but I do remember shopping in these stores as a youngster. (A real young one, smile)

One of the town’s jewel’s in its German history is the Vereins Kirche in the middle of the town square.

This replica was built in 1935 to replace the original Vereins Kirche that served the first German settlers as their church, town-meeting hall and fort for protection—built originally in 1846.

It is now part of the Pioneer Memorial.

One has to love a town that thinks so highly of its visitor guests that it provides not one, but three of these important places in the downtown area:

Most of the stores had maps showing the visitor facilities in their front windows. Thank you, Fredericksburg, TX.

We only scratched the surface of attractions—we will be back. Next time we will visit the Admiral Nimitz’s Museum and National Museum of the Pacific War, as well as about a dozen other neat, interesting spots like the Herb Farm and Wildflower Farm. We have run out of time—it is time to go home to Livingston.

Be sure to place Fredericksburg, TX, on your “bucket list” of places to visit. You won’t be bored—nor hungry.

Next is Columbus, TX—our last stop before Houston, TX.

May 8, 2011 Happy Mother’s Day from Ozona, TX.

Just a short note for tonight. We are using a slow connection and I didn’t take any photos today. I didn't seem to have a lot of energy. I didn’t sleep well last night—a common occurrence in later life, smile, and we put in another long day. We covered 372 miles which takes a long time at 56 mph.

We are at the Circle Bar RV Park just outside of Ozona, TX. The temperatures were in the 90s for most of today’s ride. We aren’t complaining because we had a nice pushing tail wind that pumped our miles per gallon mileage from 12 to 14 mpg on two fill ups. I like to see those numbers!

Tomorrow starts our mini-vacation in Fredericksburg, TX. We have reservations at the KOA for Monday and Tuesday. I will post photos of town and a bit of the town’s history on Tuesday. In the meantime, if you are interested, here is the link to the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce .

Good night and Happy travels.

May 7, 2011 Another day on vacation…

We had a long day. Left Gila Bend at 7 a.m. and arrived in Anthony, TX (El Paso) at 4:30 p.m. We are home—in Texas. We just have a mere 900 miles down the driveway to our house.

We are spending the night at the American RV Park located just behind the Camping World store and RV sales. It is located at Exit 2, so you can tell how far we made it into Texas, smile!

We stopped for a quick break at Texas Canyon, one of my favorite spots on the trip. The rock formations are beyond description—and beyond my photography. One gets better photos traveling west along I-10. I couldn’t shoot photos of the precariously balanced rocks perched just west of the rest stops.The best displays were on Larry’s side of the truck. Here are two from the east bound rest stop.

It was our rest stop day. We also stopped for a short break just west of Las Cruces and I was able to get a shot of a desert friend:

Every time we go by the rest stop headed west, this roadrunner is waving to us. I wanted his photo!

Larry asked me if I went up close to get a photo. “No,” I said, “I love the mystique of seeing him at a distance and imagining he is real. I don’t want to know that he is constructed of a big collection of trash.” So, next time you are heading west on I-10, as you climb the hill out of Los Cruses and the Mesilla Valley, look to the left and wave at the road runner. He is waving at you too!

We are just ahead of a storm cell moving east. We have been trying to stay ahead of it’s strong winds. We took some hefty lane-shifting gusts just before Deming, NM. Tomorrow’s stop will depend on the wind. If it is gusty, we will stop early in Ft. Stockton. We are adding a short stop at Fredericksburg, TX, on our way home. I have wanted to look in the inviting shops and wander its streets for 15 years. This is the year! I am doing it to honor all those friends we have lost recently.

Remember: This is not a dress rehearsal—this is your life. So, on that note, go do something you have been putting off. This is your opportunity too.