Young and handsome!
I was here first Harley
Young and patient with his kids.
I was just checking the table out Mom.
A pearly white smile in younger years
And, probably my favorite...…...Muddy Paws!
Rest in Peace Sweet Boy
The Longdogs
Gretchen, Willy, and Harley have all taken their roles as navigator seriously! Now it's Xena's turn with guidance from her role models.
Showing posts with label Willy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Willy. Show all posts
Until We Meet Again Willy
Our Willy went across the Rainbow Bridge today. It's so hard to let them go but he's had a long good life and it was just getting too hard for him. I'm sure Ginger, Heidi, and Gretchen were all there to welcome him and he was happy to be able to see and hear once more. I'm sure he ran eagerly across to meet them with legs that were strong once more.
Young and handsome!
I was here first Harley
Young and patient with his kids.
RV Poster Baby
I was just checking the table out Mom.
Young and handsome!
I was here first Harley
Young and patient with his kids.
I was just checking the table out Mom.
Wild Willy is 14!
Today is Willy's 14th birthday. That is about 72 human years. So what does that mean. Well, he has some moles on his head, his ears are a little raggedy, and he has fatty benign bumps over his body. He likes to nap frequently but he is always up for a good long walk and he is the first one ready to roll when the RV appears in the driveway. He is a perfect rider in the truck or the car but sometimes he woofs a bit more than he should when left alone. He's a little slower, his hearing is shot (even when he is not ignoring us), but his nose works like a champ, and his eyes can spot a cookie easily.
I think he is planning to be around for a while longer so here is a trip down memory lane to celebrate his birthday!
He can nap with the best of them but he lets me know when he is ready to get up in the morning.
He lets Harley know he is still the lead pack dog when it suits him.
He is always ready for a road trip.
He can be a tough guy when he needs to be.
Normal travel position heading down the highway.
It's been a couple of years since he and Harley mixed it up.
But he still thinks he's boss.
Do you remember the muddy paws pictures?
Morgan dressed him up when they were both a few years younger.
This is how I still see my babies in my mind. Today was also Gretchen's birthday. She came to us as a puppy so we know this was the exact birthday. When Willy joined us, he was a rescue and the vet told us he was about Gretchen's age at the time...1 1/2.....so she graciously shared her special day with Willy. Now she is still in our hearts, our beautiful little girl gone too soon at 12. Happy Birthday babies.
Vibrant Downtown McAllen TX
McAllen has tons of nice places to shop in shopping centers and malls scattered throughout the city. But McAllen also has something you don't see that often anymore, a vibrant downtown area. In so many cities, the downtown areas dry up as the shopping centers and malls spring up with their free parking lots. Or the downtown area is saved via conversion to a business/office area rather than a shopping area. I was told that was not the case here in McAllen.
It wasn't hard to find.....just look for Main St. not too far north of Hwy 83. It's one-way going north with angle parking. I knew that angle parking in a crowded area was probably not the best place for my big F-250 longbed truck so I did a preliminary drive through to just get the flavor and see how extensive the downtown actually was. It stretched for a number of blocks before opening out into a more residential area. I made a left turn and then another left to travel down the parallel street, more shopping. The angle parking on this street ended after two blocks and converted to parallel parking and a wider street and I found a convenient place to pull in.....bonus, metered parking on Sunday is free. Actually it's a double bonus as you don't have to pay but you also don't have to worry about going back to feed the meter! This is indeed an old-fashioned downtown with one story buildings. There were lots of people strolling along checking out the shops, old and young, families in tow. My friend Sue told me there were bargains to be found in the several fabric shops. Prices looked great.
This is definitely an Hispanic jewel, similar to shopping across the border in Mexico; however, there are no street vendors. Most of the stores seemed geared to the party scene. There were many perfume stores and stores to buy quinceanera dresses, party gowns, and wedding dresses. Dresses are every color of the rainbow. I took this photo in a store before I was approached by an Asian clerk who said pictures were not allowed. I apologized and didn't take any more inside although there were no signs anywhere. I also noticed that a man and teenaged boy were told to wait outside (no loitering) although they were obviously with a woman and daughter who were shopping in the store.
There were also a number of stores like Michael's only these were jam-packed with merchandise for parties of every kind and artificial flowers. Remember all the flowers in the cemetery?
There also a number of stores buying gold. On the left of this photo, you can see Boot Jack. This was one of the upscale kind of stores you would find in an expensive mall.
I tried to get photos between groups of shoppers and cars but there really were a lot of people out and about.
I sat on a bench in the shade next to La Placita, a Museum of History and Culture to do some people watching. Unfortunately, it was closed. I was joined by a mother and four of her six children while her husband and two of the oldest boys went into the perfume shop next door. The oldest three were boys, each with their own unique haircut, and the three youngest were girls all with long hair. Two had curls. The youngest was about three and just adorable. She came over several times to get quite close and give me a big smile. All the kids were really well behaved and polite. Most of the talk on the streets was in Spanish or Spanglish but I never heard this young family use anything but English.
This building almost looked like it was transplanted from New Orleans. This multi-colored building next door is more typical.
I parked in front of this store which was closed. I don't imagine the young lady wearing the beautiful puffy gown on the right would ever get to sit down.
All in all, it was a fun experience and a big part of life and culture in the Rio Grande Valley. Winter Texans really are welcomed down here. Many even have little decals or signs on their cars or trucks. You will find visitors from every part of Canada and state in the U.S. that call this area home in the cold winter months up north. Some have been coming for many years, traveling in their RVs to get here. Others leave their RVs here or have park model homes in the hundreds and hundreds of RV parks.
On a parting note, the Traveling Longdogs are quite comfortable in their RV. Willy pulled a pillow down, and covered himself with a blanket, and is clearly telling me to go away, he needs a nap.
So I set out to visit Historic Downtown McAllen on Sunday afternoon.
It wasn't hard to find.....just look for Main St. not too far north of Hwy 83. It's one-way going north with angle parking. I knew that angle parking in a crowded area was probably not the best place for my big F-250 longbed truck so I did a preliminary drive through to just get the flavor and see how extensive the downtown actually was. It stretched for a number of blocks before opening out into a more residential area. I made a left turn and then another left to travel down the parallel street, more shopping. The angle parking on this street ended after two blocks and converted to parallel parking and a wider street and I found a convenient place to pull in.....bonus, metered parking on Sunday is free. Actually it's a double bonus as you don't have to pay but you also don't have to worry about going back to feed the meter! This is indeed an old-fashioned downtown with one story buildings. There were lots of people strolling along checking out the shops, old and young, families in tow. My friend Sue told me there were bargains to be found in the several fabric shops. Prices looked great.
This is definitely an Hispanic jewel, similar to shopping across the border in Mexico; however, there are no street vendors. Most of the stores seemed geared to the party scene. There were many perfume stores and stores to buy quinceanera dresses, party gowns, and wedding dresses. Dresses are every color of the rainbow. I took this photo in a store before I was approached by an Asian clerk who said pictures were not allowed. I apologized and didn't take any more inside although there were no signs anywhere. I also noticed that a man and teenaged boy were told to wait outside (no loitering) although they were obviously with a woman and daughter who were shopping in the store.
There were also a number of stores like Michael's only these were jam-packed with merchandise for parties of every kind and artificial flowers. Remember all the flowers in the cemetery?
There also a number of stores buying gold. On the left of this photo, you can see Boot Jack. This was one of the upscale kind of stores you would find in an expensive mall.
I tried to get photos between groups of shoppers and cars but there really were a lot of people out and about.
I sat on a bench in the shade next to La Placita, a Museum of History and Culture to do some people watching. Unfortunately, it was closed. I was joined by a mother and four of her six children while her husband and two of the oldest boys went into the perfume shop next door. The oldest three were boys, each with their own unique haircut, and the three youngest were girls all with long hair. Two had curls. The youngest was about three and just adorable. She came over several times to get quite close and give me a big smile. All the kids were really well behaved and polite. Most of the talk on the streets was in Spanish or Spanglish but I never heard this young family use anything but English.
This building almost looked like it was transplanted from New Orleans. This multi-colored building next door is more typical.
I parked in front of this store which was closed. I don't imagine the young lady wearing the beautiful puffy gown on the right would ever get to sit down.
All in all, it was a fun experience and a big part of life and culture in the Rio Grande Valley. Winter Texans really are welcomed down here. Many even have little decals or signs on their cars or trucks. You will find visitors from every part of Canada and state in the U.S. that call this area home in the cold winter months up north. Some have been coming for many years, traveling in their RVs to get here. Others leave their RVs here or have park model homes in the hundreds and hundreds of RV parks.
On a parting note, the Traveling Longdogs are quite comfortable in their RV. Willy pulled a pillow down, and covered himself with a blanket, and is clearly telling me to go away, he needs a nap.
2012 with the Traveling Longdogs
Willy, Gretchen, and Harley decided that if I wasn't going to do a year in review, they would do it for me.
Move over you two, there is always room for one more!
What do you mean you have other dog friends Birdie!
I saw her first, she's my Birdie.
I love you Steve. I think Harley was the one that did it.
Come on Morgan. Get with the program.
Move over Harley, you can't hog the whole bed. I get to sleep with the kids too. You boys can have the kids. I'm sleeping with Steve on the couch.
Feet, Morgan, feet. How is a girl to sleep?
Wake me up when we get there. I'm just resting my eyes.
How did I end up down here? Watch the feet Morgan.
Is she serious about this?
Let me tell you what those boys are up to Cameron. They are going to be in big trouble.
You guys are going to be in such big trouble!
I'm telling Mom. You better get over here right now.
Give it a rest Gretchen.
Willy, Gretchen is such a tattle tale.
Keep quiet Harley. I'm watching that cat.
I said I'm busy right now Gretchen.
We're ready, can't we leave now?
Nothing like watching a movie with friends.
I just love going on a walk.
I found one over here Steve. How come the kids aren't helping?
Oh boy, "On the road again, I just love to be on the road again!"
No thanks, I don't need my crate. I'm very comfortable right here. Go away!
Are you sure the RV is still back there Mom?
Of course it's back there Harley. Can we have a rest stop now?
Oh my goodness, that car came way too close.
Really, you brought a monkey with you? Really???? Three dachshunds weren't enough for you?
Mom, this monkey is in my chair, I mean your chair. Make him move.
A little privacy pleeese. We are trying to nap.
We could use a blankie here.
Where is that blankie?
Hi Birdie. We love you too.
I think that is about it for us. It was a great year. We need more RV trips though.
Move over you two, there is always room for one more!
Is it time to play ball now? What do you mean later?
What do you mean you have other dog friends Birdie!
I saw her first, she's my Birdie.
I love you Steve. I think Harley was the one that did it.
Come on Morgan. Get with the program.
Move over Harley, you can't hog the whole bed. I get to sleep with the kids too. You boys can have the kids. I'm sleeping with Steve on the couch.
Feet, Morgan, feet. How is a girl to sleep?
Wake me up when we get there. I'm just resting my eyes.
How did I end up down here? Watch the feet Morgan.
Is she serious about this?
Let me tell you what those boys are up to Cameron. They are going to be in big trouble.
You guys are going to be in such big trouble!
I'm telling Mom. You better get over here right now.
Give it a rest Gretchen.
Willy, Gretchen is such a tattle tale.
Keep quiet Harley. I'm watching that cat.
Oh, Willy, you are so handsome.
I said I'm busy right now Gretchen.
We're ready, can't we leave now?
Nothing like watching a movie with friends.
I just love going on a walk.
I found one over here Steve. How come the kids aren't helping?
Oh boy, "On the road again, I just love to be on the road again!"
No thanks, I don't need my crate. I'm very comfortable right here. Go away!
Are you sure the RV is still back there Mom?
Of course it's back there Harley. Can we have a rest stop now?
Oh my goodness, that car came way too close.
Really, you brought a monkey with you? Really???? Three dachshunds weren't enough for you?
Mom, this monkey is in my chair, I mean your chair. Make him move.
A little privacy pleeese. We are trying to nap.
We could use a blankie here.
Where is that blankie?
Hi Birdie. We love you too.
I think that is about it for us. It was a great year. We need more RV trips though.
"THE END"
P.S. Willy here. That is not a picture of me! I do not carry my own bags! How embarrassing for him. My Mom would not make me do that plus I am a lot better looking. Happy New Year.
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