January 2010

As expected the past few months have blown by at warp speed. We made it back to Texas with few problems and saw a lot of the southwestern United States. Some of the highlights were Hover Dam, Lake Mead, Salt Lake City, and my favorite was Bryce Canyon. The ho-dos (rock formations) were just remarkable as we hiked into the canyon, every turn had a different and more interesting view. We spent almost three weeks getting back to Texas making our first stop in Brownwood to see family. Next we met up with the San Antonio gang at Guadalupe State Park to catch up from being gone for five months, then returning to College Station in time for Evan’s second birthday and Melissa’s 29th.

The following week we packed up and went to Dallas for a long weekend to support Melissa and her best friend Emily. Both walked in the 3 day 60 mile walk to raise funds for breast cancer research. Melissa and Emily, as participants, stayed with the others walkers in a group tent area in Dallas, while we had Eric and Evan with us in the trailer. Each day we met up with the girls along the route cheering them and the other 3000 to finish. Melissa and Emily did finish the 60 miles which contributed to the 7.2 million dollars that was collected for the Susan G Komen cancer research. This was quite emotional for us to see the survivors and supporters gather together to help fight this disease. A real positive during this trip was meeting up with an ole army buddy. Pete and Mary Ann were able to visit us at the trailer one evening for beers and steaks.

Our next adventure was to Atlanta, to visit Michelle, Taylor and Ian. We decided to put the trailer in the shop while we were gone to Georgia for some damage caused by a blow out that happen months ago. Well, that was a mistake. To this day (four weeks have pasted) we still do not have our trailer. The parts are backed ordered and throw in the holidays, nothing is getting done. So we have moved in with Eric and Melissa, with our limited amount of clothes, living out of a suit case. We can only hope we don’t out stay our welcome before the trailer is ready. It was good to see the folks in Georgia for the week we visited. Plus, we toured the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.

We made it back to College Station where Melissa hosted 18 of us for Thanksgiving. We ate until we exploded and watched the Aggies lose again, but gave tu a little trouble. Minnie and I have really enjoyed being with Evan these past few weeks. The little guy makes me laugh every day. But I am tired of watching “Cars” and “WALL-E”…

Moving on without our trailer, we accepted a workamper job in Cat Springs, Texas at a Ranch B&B. This place is a 600 acres working ranch and seven houses that are rented as bed and breakfasts. Cat Spring is only an hour from College Station lying between Sealy and Bellville. Weekly we drive out to do some work at this ranch with the intent of our trailer being ready any day now.

Well I started this a month ago and now that January is almost gone, I hope to finish today. We are back in the trailer living on the Ranch B&B. The work here is steady, but a little unorganized. We make the best of it, and focus on our goals of not spending money and visiting the kids on weekends.

Spring will be here soon so new travel plans are in the works. First a visit back to Destin, Florida for some sun and fun during May, then back to Houston for our oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation. We still intend to go back to Victor, Idaho for the remaining of the summer. Okay time to get the picture posted, please keep in touch.