Traveling with the Longdogs: March 2014

On the Road to Galveston

Everything was packed and ready to go last night except for the dog crates and the computer so getting ready to pull out was pretty easy. The Traveling Longdogs were more than ready to head out on the road again so we were off at 0730. We took the back roads to I-10 hopping on at Seguin.

The GPS was determined that we would head down I-10 to Houston and then go south on 45 but we had other plans. I had routed my way south through the country on Google maps. I knew the route started through Gonzales but didn't check the Google map until Luling. Hmmmm, the first page of the Google map is missing! I was already through Luling when I pulled out a trusty paper state of Texas map and I realized that I should have turned south there. No problem.....just took the next highway south. There were some lovely bluebonnets and indian paint brush along the way.

My GPS was fighting me all along the way. I must have gone 35 miles with the GPS showing "Make a U Turn". Then all of a sudden I realized that I would really have been tearing my hair out if the GPS had also been shouting "Make a U Turn" at me. No voice! I pulled over to check it out....hmmmm....it wasn't on mute. Then I went into the settings and all of a sudden the GPS started speaking Japanese. Checked the settings again. The text and writing were both set on English. What! There was no English choice on the list of languages. I spent almost four years in Japan but that was over 35 years ago and I am more than rusty. Oh well....when she started jabbering, I just looked at the GPS to see what was written and headed on out again. It was an interesting route with lots of farm to market road changes but the roads were just fine.

Some time later we sighted water!

And then our first bridge came in view.

Next came the toll bridge leading to the Blue Water Highway. Getting close!

The toll booth ($2.00) was on the far sight of the bridge. I wish I could have gotten a picture. There was very little room on each side of my RV but the funniest part was when I tried to pay the toll. The window was straight down below my truck window....way down below the window. I couldn't reach it leaning out the window so I finally had to pull forward enough to open my door and reach down to hand the guy the money. I think the opening in the window is less than 2 feet from the ground.

There is the Jamaica Beach RV Park in the distance. Can you see the horses crossing the highway heading to the beach?

Nice beach houses all in a row up on their stilts.

Almost all were built like this after Hurricane Ike which wiped many out. This way the water can flow through beams.

Can't wait to see the rest of the Pink FlaminGoes!

Texas Bluebonnet Eye Candy

It's definitely spring and the Texas bluebonnets have arrived.

A feast for the eyes.

Can you tell I love bluebonnets?

Other states can call them whatever they want to call them.....but in Texas they are bluebonnets!

All of these pictures were taken within 5 miles of my house and I live in town.

Alongside all the roads.....

I wish they could last all year but a few weeks is what we will get.

I hope to get out for more bluebonnet viewing soon.

How can you pass without stopping to look at the beautiful bluebonnets?

I hope you enjoyed the touch of spring I brought you today. I promise there will be more.

Just Hanging Out

RV trip coming up in less than two weeks but the kids are gone and we are just hanging out.

"I don't think I am allowed up here but it's a great place for sunning."

"I don't think she noticed."

"Gretchen....are you awake Gretchen?"

"Well, I am now you little idiot."

"Keep the noise down over there."

"Oh, should I pose? I think this is my best side"

Out walking with one of my buds. "He he, they stuck him with a back pack. I think he's got enough water in there for me too."

"Hey you, you may be bigger but I'm the senior dog on patrol and I get to be in front. Pay attention you young whipper snapper."

"Willy and Gretchen are at home. Wait until they hear that I got a truck ride and a trail walk. They are going to be so jealous."

Irish Eyes are Smiling in San Antonio

So......were you ready for St Paddy's Day? We were ready on Saturday and so was San Antonio! All dressed up and ready to stroll.

So where do you go for St Paddy's celebrations.....why the San Antonio Riverwalk of course. Celebrations start on Saturday and go through Monday which is perfect for us. Green, green, everywhere you look it's green!

We arrived in time to see them dyeing the river green. This is the barge doing the work. You can see the man's arm sticking out with a wand on the side of the barge...he is doing the dyeing. Don't worry, all the dye is natural and environmentally safe so no danger to fish or fowl.

As the water taxi's and sightseeing barges cruise by, they spread the color. The checkered flags on the back mean this is a taxi....there is also a sign on the front.

Lots of color here.

The color also gets pumped up and out through the water falls along the shore.

Hmmm....you can tell these ducks have little fear of humans. They built a nest in a temporarily empty flower bed right across from one of the busiest restaurants.

Now some people plan to celebrate with Irish beer.

This group has already started. You can tell that one of the women noticed Steve's green beard right away.

We went down to the Arneson River Theater to listen to the Irish music. There are grassed platforms across from the theater which had lots of spectators besides our little group.