Sugarland

We arrived in Sugarland yesterday afternoon and are settled in our new "home" at Riverbend RV Park. Notice I said "park" not "resort." OK but not great - close to the kids and the best we could do after Ike. Samantha spent the night and we had a fun day with her - looking forward to being around for awhile. She's all excited about the new baby coming - she's sure she'll get a "baby sister." Heather reminded her that the new baby will only be able to eat, sleep and cry and Samantha thought a moment and said "No, Mommy, she can swing!"

Flying M Ranch

We spent a gorgeous fall week-end at the Flying M Ranch, owned by Dave & Marsha Mason, hosts of the Recklaw Fly In. It is an annual event, started about 20 yrs ago when a few friends flew in for the week-end and is now a huge event held the 4th week-end in October. We didn't hear the official count but guess at least 500 airplanes plus many others, like us, there to enjoy the "show."
The area reminds us of Northern Michigan, thick forests with log pole pines and a few red oaks to give the landscape some color. The Masons have a beautiful property with a 4000 foot grass air strip and a lovely log home nestled in the trees. Various airplane clubs help put on meals to feed everyone Friday supper, three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. It is a great time for pilots and airplane enthusiasts to get together and for the "boys to play with their toys!" The favorite pastime is to sit along the runway and watch planes take off and land - of course, there is a fair amount of "buzzing" the strip.
Airplanes begin coming in on Thursday to get a good spot along the runway, where all the action is, and by Saturday afternoon there are planes and tents everywhere!
Fun to see the "brotherhood" of all the pilots, young and old. Lots of "plane talk" and stories!
A little excitement on Saturday night when someone landed after dark (the runway is not lighted.) Turned out OK but had potential for disaster. There's an idiot in every crowd!
Last time we are going with out Roger's Cub!
If you want to see all of our pictures of the event, send me a comment & I'll connect you to our web albumn.
We are in Livingston, Texas now - our new address - checking out the Escapees RV Park, picking up our mail, and voting tomorrow. Then on the Sugarland to wait for our new Grandbaby!

On The Road Again

We are spending the night just outside of Palestine, TX tonight - on our way to a "Fly In" in Recklaw, over the week-end. We traveled cross country on Hwy 79, out of Austin, through rural east Texas. A whole lot of nothin' out there! Small towns with a gas station, a convenience store (of sorts,)maybe a Dairy Queen or Whataburger and always, a Baptist church. Don't know where the Methodists, Lutherans and Catholics are but, they are not in east Texas! Hard to imagine how people earn a living in these parts. A lot of cows, horses and goats in the fields and a few Sanderson chicken farms. Went through Buffalo, Texas - home of Rebecca Robinson, Miss Texas 2008. Palestine has around 17,000 people and a HUGE Walmart Distribution Center so it's the BIG city in the area.
The Good, The Bad & the Ugly:
The Good - We rented the townhome from November 5th through the 10th! Our first tenants!
The Bad - We had to leave San Antonio before we had a chance to thoroughly explore Southtown on our bikes.
The Ugly - The week working in California and the townhouse tasks put Roger behind on the airplane project so we're here another year without the Cub.

Hot Tub

I took the hot tub back yesterday. Had to admit, maybe, just maybe it was an impulse buy!!

Samantha's Birthday

We know, Samantha's birthday isn't until December 17th - but Heather & Kyle wanted to celebrate while the weather was nice and before the baby and the holidays - so they had a party in the park by their subdivision this week-end. A gorgeous "fall" day and the kids had a ball jumping in the blow up castle. Hard to believe she is almost 3 years old!
Heather is looking very pregnant and ready to have a baby. They just discovered the baby is breach and unless "he/she" decides to do a flip her doctor will schedule a C-Section in early November. Hate the thought of her having to have surgery but glad she and the baby are in good hands. Samantha has a pink "Big Sister" T-shirt waiting for the big day! She is sure she is going to have a "sister."
Megan & Carlos just got back from a week in California - said they had gorgeous weather and a great time. Anxious to hear all about their trip - say they found great places for us to explore.
Had a chance to see our nephew Kyle, who lives and works in Sugarland, while we were there. He "weathered" the hurricane well but went without power for several days. He had dinner with us on Saturday night and when he left Heather said, "Samantha, say good-bye to Kyle" and Samantha turns around the says "Peace" and makes the peace sign!
We have had a terrible time finding a campground in the Houston area - they are all still full of Ike evacuees; insurance adjusters and repairmen - mainly roofers and fence companies. Finally had a call back from one that is about 6 miles from the the kids house - not the best but it will work for November.

Bicycle Adventure

We left early this morning for breakfast and a bike tour of the King William area in downtown San Antonio. About 4 blocks from the restaurant (advertising the best omelettes in SA - which they were!!) I had a flat tire. Luckily we were close to a gas station and air hose so we made it to El Mirador for breakfast. Met Mayor Harberger as he was leaving. When we came out, Roger's tire was flat too! Guess the "bike gods" were with us because there is a bus stop across the street from the restaurant and #42 comes to the park. So we loaded the bikes on the front of the bus and thanks to a kind bus driver, who let us both ride for $1 (he couldn't take any larger bills and we only had 1 dollar bill!) we made it "home." Not exactly the adventure we planned but a new experience. Needless to say, Roger is shopping at the bike store for new tubes, patch kits and a hand pump!
Roger & Gary LaPoint played golf yesterday. Ann & I shopped and then we all met for lunch at LaHacienda. Sat out on the patio and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon. Felt like we were playing "hookie" - having a fun day during the week!
Leaving tomorrow for Sugarland and Samantha's birthday party on Saturday.
A few inquiries but no confirmations for the townhouse.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

We rode our bicycles through the Missions Park this morning. A series of trails connects the RV park to all the Missions and parks in the vicinity. A beautiful part of San Antonio we have missed in all the years we have lived here. Went to the Espada Dam (built by the missionaries in 1731) and park today. Saw Mission Concepcion yesterday. They are such a wonderful part of the city's history. I am loving living in this area! Close to everything and the traffic on the south side is nothing compared to the north side of SA.
We went to dinner with 4 couples from the Boomers last night and had a great time. So glad we joined the group - we've made many good friends - we are all looking forward to the cruise!

TGIF

I had lunch with Dr. Vela and his staff today. Great to see everyone and hear about their lives and families. They vote we keep the hot tub and have our picture taken in it for our Christmas cards!
Roger is on his way home but won't arrive until 1:00am. He finally had the meeting with the FAA and all went well. Happiness is the Mojave Desert in his rearview mirror!

California

Roger's meeting with the FAA, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is now postponed until Friday! Some things never change - "they" are as difficult to deal with as ever!
Kyle sent us tickets to the Valero Open Golf Tournament. Had hoped to go Thursday or Friday to avoid the huge crowds but....plans have changed.
I have been lunching and dining with friends - playing "catch up" with everyone. Plan on having the "Boomers," that live in SA, meet at the townhome on Saturday night for appetizers and drinks and then on to dinner. Hope Roger makes it home for his party!
Time to kill - guess it's a good time to start Christmas shopping!

Carlos' Birthday

We celebrated Carlos' birthday (October 7th) with his family last night. So good to see them all again - remembering all the fun we had last year at the wedding. Went out to eat Mexican food and topped it off with German chocolate cake. There is a new woman in his life - Olivia, 2 months old - Paul & Christina's daughter. She's precious!
Roger is on his way to California on business for a few days and I'm finishing up on all the details for the town home.
Heather called this morning and I asked to talk to Samantha - she came on the phone and said "I'm busy, I'll call you tomorrow!"

Happy Birthday, Roger!

Roger spent his birthday working on his airplane. Trying to get it ready for the Recklaw Fly In in late October.
We went out to dinner with Ray & Cindy. Good to see them again.
Samantha called and sang "Happy Birthday to Grandpa" - the highlight of his day!
I'm busy finishing the web site for the town home and working on marketing material.
Still HOT here!