Off to San Angelo

Monday April 15, 2019

Up, packed, vehicle hooked up and we heading out of San Antonio by 10:30.  We timed that right,

there wasn't a lot of traffic and since it was 8 lanes of upper and lower roads we were thankful.  We finally get off I-10 and get on State road 87 which was a direct shot to San Angelo.  It was an uneventful ride with only 1 stop, but we did find a couple of towns that looked interesting to come back and visit.  We finally pulled into the Goodfellow AFB Recreation Area and were parked and set up by 3:30.  Nice ground with lots of potential, just needs some decent maintenance, and grass trimmed.  We took a couple of walks around the park, then we sat outside and met the neighbor lady, then headed inside right around dark.  Burgers and fixin's for dinner.

Tuesday April 16, 2019

We both got up feeling like crap.  I guess we are following the allergies right up thru Texas and neither of us slept very well as we got congested when we laid down last night.  It probably didn't help that it's a gray and cloudy day.  Brad ended up making breakfast on the grill, then about 11:00 we headed out to find a BB &B, a place for lunch, drug store and a free ATM machine then did some sight seeing of the city before we head home at 3:30, now we have found a couple of places to go visit for the rest of the week.  Back home a walk for Rudy, laundry and working on the blog.  No clue what's for dinner, but that will be a little later. 

Wednesday April 17 2019.

Up, breakfast and out of here by 10:30. Headed in town to Fort Concho an old fort from the Indian

wars time (1857) the buildings were made of stone and have held up amazingly well over the years.  We spent almost two hours there and learned quite a bit about life on the frontier.  Then in town to the  Zero One Ale house for lunch, Diane had blackened fish tacos(very good) and I had Cajun chicken(OK). We walked through town and checked out some antique stores and Murals painted on the sides of buildings.  Some are historic and some are just scenic but all are very well done.  On the way home we stopped at the grocery store trying to find something for dinner.  We ended up with stuffed mushrooms that we did on the grill, yum.

Thursday April 18 2019.

Today we had a wind warning.  Now in this part of Texas any wind less than 15 mph is considered calm, 15 to 25mph is breezy so today we found out that when they have a wind warning, it is 30 mph

Vietnam Memorial

and up.  I just finished cooking breakfast on the grill when the wind picked up.  We stayed inside and rocked and rolled with the wind.  We made some more reservations but we have been having a hard time finding CG's.  We want to go see the Carlsbad Caverns only to find the gas &oil business has overwhelmed the campgrounds out here.  Most private campground only take reservations by the month.  Diane was persistent and found us four nights at a campground close enough to the caverns.  The wind eased up a little and we went to the grocery store(wine) and stopped a Vietnam Memorial to pay our respects.  Dinner inside and by 8pm the wind had subsided.    

Couple days of Maintance and Recover

Friday 12 April 2019

Breakfast on the grill and it was a cleaning, phone calls, and planning kind of day.  We were sitting outside talking when a gust of wind came up and we heard this bang, looked over to see the cover from the sewer vent lying on the ground.  Something else to fix later.  About 3pm we made a quick run to the class six store. By the time we returned the road to camp ground was closed.  We went looking for a go around couldn't find one, went back and were directed through the aquatic park parking lot where another solider assured us that road was also closed.  We went back for the third time to where the road was blocked off sat in a line waiting.  One car coming toward us went around the barricade. I waited a while to make sure he made it to the CG road, then we went rogue out thru the grass over the ditch and into the camp ground. We were sitting, talking, laughing about the ride when another gust of wind blew the door shut.  Diane came out and door wouldn't stay open, yep it broke the spring that holds the door open.  Put it on the things to fix list(s).

Saturday 13 April 2019

Quick breakfast and Diane was off for a pedi at 10;00.  I spent the entire time watching the weather and timing my run to the tornado shelter.  Well, nothing happened to us, just a thunder storm or two,  but just west of us they had a lot of hail with some places getting 3 inch hail stones.  Diane returned and by the time we had lunch the sun was out.  I went up on the roof to check the broken vent.  And it is the hard fix, I will have to scrap off old putty, remove old broken fixture, install new one, re caulk  and then replace cover that blew off.  Don't you just love having a camper?  Next was three loads of laundry and finally happy hour.

Sunday 14 April 2019

Breakfast on the grill and day of cleaning, scrubbing, and packing up the camper for travel. I washed the front of the Moho so we could see to drive.  The bug juice was smeared pretty well and now it has dried on for a week. Another year or two I'll learn to clean that soon after we park.  A last minute run to the commissary and chicken on the grill for dinner.  This is a very nice campground with spacious sites, cement pads and paved roads.  We spent more money for down town parking then we did for the camp site.

Waco to San Antonio

Sunday 7 April 2019

We got up to the sound of rain again this morning.  We had breakfast in, then in between rain

Just had to eat here!!

showers took the laundry down to the laundromat.  Back to the house, showers and off to 'Rudy's BBQ' for lunch, great food.  Back home and I hooked up the Nintendo game Shane got us for Christmas, that was a nice break from the radio and TV.  After that I packed up some of the inside things planning on our move on Monday.  About 3:00 the rain quit, so outside with Rudy and while we were out there, the planes from the airshow next door started to perform.  We stood outside for about an hour watching the planes and talking with the other campers, we were all were glad to be able to be outside.  About 4:30 we headed out for another walk, but that got cut short due to more rain.  I had put a beef roast in the crock pot and we had BBQ sandwiches for dinner. 

Monday 8 April 2019

Up this morning for a quick breakfast and then Brad packed up the wet/soggy out side stuff to get ready to move.  The rain had quit over night, but from the wet and dampness, the sand just stuck with everything.  Oh well, we are on the road about 10:00 heading south on I-35 to San Antonio.  It was an uneventful ride with the first stop at a rest area for lunch and a nice 45 min. break.  The speed limit on the roads out here is 75, we don't travel that fast, but it really makes you pay attention to all that's
going on around you.  We were about 30 min. out from our CG when we found the famous 'Buc-ees' gas station/store.  I swear there were 100 gas pumps (and no it isn't a truck stop, 18 wheelers are not allowed at their pumps) and the store was huge.  We spent about another 45 min. there, got a cup of coffee and just strolled through the store checking every thing out.  Back on the road and we pulled into the 'Fort Sam Houston RV Park' about 3:10, but it took me 20 min. in the office to get us checked in, there was a line of RV'ers checking in.  We finally get to our site, park and set up by 3:45.  Beautiful CG and our site is wonderful, it is 85 degrees here but we have a nice shade tree that covers the patio and the side of the Moho.  We enjoyed the evening out side while Brad made burgers on the grill and we were all off to bed by 10:00.

Tuesday 9 April 2019

Brad and I at the Alamo

 Up, showered and we are out the door about 9:30.  We stopped at the office and got a map of the base, directions on how to get down town and where to park, we are only about 10 miles from the Alamo.    We bought the 'hop on/hop off' bus ticket on line, $30.00 for 3 days or if you buy it in town its $35.00 a day, go figure.  We visited the Alamo and  learned a lot, the most interesting is that it was originally a church, but we probably spent about an hour to 1.5 hours there, lots to see and read.  After that we claimed our bus ticket, then headed down to the river walk to find a place to eat, imagine this, we had Mexican food and it really wasn't too bad. We strolled around the river walk for a while then headed up to the street to catch the bus to do some site seeing.  Back home about 4:30, a walk for Rudy and chicken on salad for dinner.  84 degrees today


Wednesday 10 April 2019

We were up, off and running about 10:00.  We found another place to park then headed over to catch the bus to go to the far end of the route to the Pearl Entertainment center (an old brewery).  It was rather disappointing, everything was outrageously priced.  We headed down to the river walk from there and walked over to the VFW Post 76, the oldest VFW in Texas.   After that back to the river walk to head to the restaurant area, Brad neglected to tell me it was a 3 mile walk (or at least it felt that long), but we made it.  We stopped at Joe's Crab Shack for lunch (2:00 pm), and for a chain restaurant the food was actually pretty good. After that we strolled around some more then headed back to the truck about 3:30.  Back on base we stopped at the Class six store for some wine and checked out the PX while we were there....this place is huge and so are their stores here on base.  We got back to the RV about 4:30, rescued Rudy with 1 quick walk,, then sat on the patio and had cheese and crackers for dinner.  It was a nice evening to sit out and enjoyed the evening.  94 degrees today.

                                                 

The Pearl Area

           and the VFW Post 76






Thursday 11 April 2019

Up this morning and back in town, it's our last day to use the bus pass.  First thing we did was head down to the river walk and headed away from the restaurant area.  The hotels all lined this section

Some of the Art work

on the River Walk!!

and it was beautiful, peaceful and quiet.  We enjoyed that walk then headed back to the restaurant area to find a place for lunch settling on the Salt Grass Steak House....we weren't disappointed. I had a grilled pineapple margarita with some food, yum.   After lunch we caught the bus and took it over to the Mexican Market, over 300 shops.  What they neglected to tell you is that all the shops sell the exact same items.  We walked around there for a while then hopped the bus again and rode it back to the main station.  They really do give you a lot of the history of San Antonio and show you sites that you would never find on your own.  By this time it's 2:30, so we thought we would surprise Rudy and get home early.  It was a nice evening for sitting out side while Brad made chicken on the grill.   87 degrees today.

Still in Waco!!

Thursday April 4, 2019

Thursday morning we got up had a quick breakfast and were off and running again.  First we drove

One of the homes

that were redone!!

past a couple of the homes that were on the Fixer Upper show, we both were surprised about the area of town they were in, not the nicest.  Next stop was the Harp Design Company, I did have to get myself a long sleeved t-shirt from there.  After that a quick bite to eat then off to find a couple of junk shops to hit and then another house or two from the show, much nicer areas.  Lastly we drove past an old restored 1929 Gulf station that was pretty neat to see.  We headed home about 4:00 pm, rescued Rudy with a couple of walks around the park then left overs for dinner.

 

This is the Harp Design Co. Shop

And on the right is the restored Gas Station.

Friday April 5, 2019

We got up to a gray overcast day, so we took our time getting ready to head out and Brad even made

Great Shop!

breakfast on the grill.  We didn't head out until about 11:00 and headed to the Magnolia Market just to see if it was any busier on a Friday then Wednesday... oh my there were just throngs of people and the line for the bakery was around the corner and almost a block long.  Brad had dropped me off at the market then headed out to find a place to park....not an easy task.  We meet up at a store just down from the market called 'The Findery', it took us almost an hour to walk through there.  We went next door to 'The Backyard Bar and Grill' for lunch, I can't even say it was OK.  I think that was the worst meal we have had since we started traveling.  We were heading back to the car when we passed a familiar name, Jimmy Don, he was the Metal sign guy on the Fixer Upper show and he was actually

Jimmy Don heading

into his little

store area!

at his little store front, I got a quick picture and off we go to the car.  It is still rather gray day, but we decided to head out to Lake Waco just to check out the CG's and see what they looked like.  The CG's weren't to bad, but the haze over the lake made it a bit eerie.  After that trip, it's about 2:30 so we decided to head home early, but did a detour to the Cheese Shop that was actually in the 'Homestead Village', and didn't leave there until 4:30.  We hurried home, walked Rudy and sat outside with the computers, looking up stuff and planning our next trip until it was time for dinner.  We had burgers on the grill and coleslaw and a relaxing evening at home. 

Gray day at Lake Waco

Saturday April 6, 2019

Not much to say about today.  We woke up to rain, that turned into a thunder storm that turned into a tornado watch for our county.  We had the radio on most of the time, but did have to switch to the TV just to figure out how close or far away anything was.  Finally about 1:30 it seemed to get a little brighter so we headed out to do our grocery shopping for our next trip.  Back home, two walks for Rudy while the rain held out then Crawfish Etoufee from the freezer for dinner tonight.  Hopefully Rudy will get another walk or two before bed.

Magnolia Market Waco

Sunday 31 March 2019

Clock on the square

in Centerville

Traveled from Livingston to Waco

  A cloudy cool day for traveling but  not all that bad.  We pulled out around 10:30 and took the back roads all the way to Waco.  We stopped at this neat little town (Centerville), had lunch (a salad with left over steak), took a walk and just enjoyed a hour long break.  We rolled in around 3:00 and were parked and set up by 3:30.  another good travel day 190 miles.

Monday 1 April 2019

 We had to change camp sites today and as we all know it takes the same about of work weather you travel 200 miles or hundred feet.  After settling in to our new spot and getting everything out we headed to Waco to check it out and stop at the visitors center. They was an old cemetery dating to the early 1700's.  Most of the old part is void of markers because they just used wooden crosses to mark grave sites.  They were a few names cut into rocks from the area but very few were legible.  And when they excavated for a new building they found more remains thought to be graves of the poor, black and Indians. And that was it for today.  

  The old cemetery at the Visitors
Center

And our site for the week, nice!!





Tuesday 2 April 2019

The Take Away patio at 

Magnolia Table

  Up early and off to the much anticipated Magnolia Table.  The line was long, over an hour wait time.  We went  around to the Take Away section and got two coffees and a piece of quiche and all that for just $18.00.  Next we headed into down town Waco.  We walked around and found the Spice Village Shops, which was some 20,000 square feet of "crafts, clothing, collectibles" it was OK but a lot of Baylor University stuff and very pricey.  We then walked three or four blocks looking for a restaurant getting hungrier all the time.  We checked the tourist map and found the lunch trucks location and decided to ride the free trolley to get there.  When it stopped it was right beside the Spice Market. Go figure.  These places are located beside Baylor U and there were just kids everywhere hundreds of them maybe more.  We ended up having burgers at Billy Bob's Burger Joint not quite what we were looking for.  We still had to walk 4 or 5 blocks back to the truck.  Then a stop at the grocery store and back home.  A bit of a disappointment but will try again tomorrow.

Wednesday 3 April 2019

  Up early again and off to Magnolia Bakery and Magnolia Market.  The line for the Bakery was long so we just looked as we walked by and headed to the market.  The market was a place to behold just about anything Chip and Joanne that you could imagine.  The place was packed but orderly and we made our way around and found a few thing to purchase.  Things as you would guess are VERY pricey. We had lunch there from the food trucks parked in the Market area and we were not disappointed it was very good. We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out several other antique shops and wrapped the day up with a tour of the Dr. Pepper Museum. A wonderful day.  Back home BBQ ribs for dinner(have been cooking all day in the crock pot). 

 These are pictures from the
Magnolia Market.  The place was great.

 Another shop we stopped at.                                                                  The Dr. Pepper museum!
                                     

Last days in Livingston, TX

Thursday 28 march 2019

Today was a stay at home day.  We did some laundry in the morning, vacuum packed the meat we bought yesterday and took Rudy on an hour long walk around the park.  We had lunch in then decided to wash the truck.  Now keep in mind, today is the coolest day since we have been here, but we washed the truck anyway.  Another hour walk for Rudy and back home for chicken on the grill.  Some days we just don't do much.

Friday 29 March 2019

We were up and moving and the Moho was running by 8:15.  I don't know why but Brad scheduled our Moho to get weighed at 8:30 AM and yes we all have to be in it, in our normal places, ugh.  Well

Shiner Bock at the 

Blue Duck

we survived that, back to our site, parked, leveled, Diane ran the sweeper before she put everything back, a little something to eat, an hour walk for Rudy, showers and once again we are off.  First stop was the Blue Duck Bar and Grill where Brad had the Blackened Shrimp over cheesy grits and I had a cup of cheesy potato soup and 1/2 of blackened chicken salad sandwich, both were delicious.  After that we walked around the 'Good Golly Miss Molly's' antique/gift store, then we headed out to find Thomas' Mercantile, but it was closed.  We head back into town and stopped at the HEB grocery store, not a bad place and Frontera wine was only $6.50 a bottle, what a find.  Back home, groceries away and another hour walk for Rudy.  We grilled a steak and had that over a salad for dinner, just needed something little after the big lunch.....still no TV.

This is Good Golly Miss Molly.  A cute little shop



Saturday 30 March 2019

Brad made sausage patties and pancakes for breakfast, yum.  I'm on my second load of laundry when he decides he's going to put air in the tires (we were told yesterday they were under inflated 15 -20 pounds for our load), and that took him over an hour, oh my, but it's done.  Showers for both of us, then we headed out for lunch about 12:30.  We were going to the Florida's Kitchen for lunch, but the place was packed and 3 cars were in the parking lot trying to find a place to park, so we headed else where.  We settled on 'David Beard's Catfish King'.  It is a chain restaurant out here, but the food was good and there was plenty of it.  We brought home 2 pieces of catfish and a baked potato.  We try going back to the Mercantile again

Thomas mercantile

Still not open!!

today, but they are closed, even though the hours posted are 'open Thursday-Saturday 10:00-5:00'.   We headed back towards town and stopped at Joe Pedigo Park, with a nice pond to walk around, but just as we parked it started to rain, no stroll for us. Since the rain has settled in and the temp has dropped to 59 degrees, we head back home to settle in for the night.  Brad first talked to Shari for awhile, then off for a walk when Jen calls, back to the Moho and an hour talk for Brad, while Diane gets our the Nintendo game, hooks it up and plays while he talked.  After that a quick walk for Rudy, snacks for dinner since lunch wasn't until 2:00.  Here it is, Saturday night at 7:30 and yes I am really missing my TV, I did forget to mention that the radio around here is also not the best.😧

The Excapee's Park Livingston

Monday 25 March 2019

Well this should be and interesting week.  After a nice evening last night we headed off to bed to listen to truck traffic all night long.  The road is just a two lane country road but the speed limit is

Our Campsite

70!  I hope we get use to it as the week moves along. We had breakfast on the grill and then headed into the town of Livingston to check it out and of course we arrived at lunch time.  We stopped at Manny's Shrimp Boat restaurant, it was all right I had Cajun broiled shrimp and Diane had the shrimp basket. Followed lunch with a ride around Livingston Lake which is the largest lake in Texas.  Back home several walks around the park, this place is rather large. This is the Escapees Headquarters and Care Facility and there are over 175 deeded sites (have a RV garage and/or house) 50 permanent sites for campers in the care unit.  Just walking around  you get a good feel for the campers here recuperating in the care unit hoping to return to life on the road.  Burgers on the grill.

Tuesday 26 March 2019

We slept a little better last night left the a/c on all night and that worked until the temperature dropped to 50 degrees.  A nice sunny morning, breakfast on the grill.  We started working on plans to make our way toward Shari's  in Golden.  First we decided to leave here early and got to Waco. No refunds from here so we are going to stay.  An air show in Waco so very few sites available. Diane called at least four places some twice but no can do.  She finally sweet talked a guy into a site for a week we just have to dry camp the first night.  We headed into the grocery store about three returned and had chicken on the grill for dinner.  Day number three without any TV.

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Up at the break of day that is around 7:30 here in Texas.  After a quick breakfast we headed to Tractor Supply for propane and darn it was lunch time by the time we left TSC.  Diane found this little place just down the road called The Hitching Post when we pulled in we noticed a camera crew eating lunch.  Found out it was American Idol crew shooting a background story for Laci Kaye Booth(from Livingston Texas) on this years show.  And besides that it was a really cool place.  I had pork rib sandwich and Diane had a brisket sandwich both were just wonderful.  Then over to check out Lake Livingston State Park.  On the way back we found a neighborhood butcher shop and stocked up on some freezer food.  Regular boudin sausage for dinner.  Still no TV Diane is starting to twitch around 8pm hope she makes it.

These top two are pics of  'The Hitchin-Post'.  Interesting place, great food.

The bottom pic is from Lake Livingston State Park. Beautiful place.