Running Away from the Rain

Dark, dreary, chilly, rain with muddy footprints across the carpet.  Oh, no.  I can't stand it any more.  Saturday seemed like it might last forever and it wasn't even noon.

What's this?  A friend is coming by to take us away.  I'm ready, let's go.  He whizzes in like a bright yellow bird and swoops us away to sunnier skies.  Is this the Hill Country?  Everyone wanted to go along but it was a very small plane.

We landed near a small stream with thoughts of catching a fish or two for dinner but we didn't have a cooler to keep them in so we headed out.

Some of the local wildlife wanted to carry on a lengthy conversation but we needed to move along while the sun was still shining.

Grizzlies in the Hill Country???  You just never know what you are going to see next.

I knew I was cold this morning but we must have landed at the far north edge of the Hill Country up around Brownwood.  I sure hope this weather doesn't head further south.

Some of the wildlife didn't seem very friendly but they were more intent on the other wildlife than on us.

I don't know if there is a robbery going on here or what but it looks like there is a lookout and someone who has his nose where it doesn't belong.

All in all, it was an exciting trip and it sure beat sitting at home in the dreary rain.  We were ready to hop back on the plane but the fuel was low.

So we had to find another mode of transportation to get us home.

 Okay, okay, so you aren't buying a trip around the Hill Country by plane and traveling home by covered wagon???

It's true, we did head north in the dreary rain.  The sky got brighter as soon as we headed out.  We were in the car, not a bright yellow plane.  We saw all the wildlife at Cabela's in Buda.  They have some amazing displays.  We also went on to Cowboy's Harley Davidson in Austin, well, on the very south edge of Austin.  The photo is of their advertising sign.

It was a fun trip anyway.

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!

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.

Ready for the New RVing Year

Our New Year's Eve was pretty quiet.  We rented three movies.  We watched two of them and one on TV which kept us up to 1 AM!  The next morning we finished off the third movie.  We decided to go ahead and take the Christmas decorations down.  I was okay with that since DH was willing to help.  He doesn't like to put the decorations on the tree or take them off but I was happy to do that while he scrubbed down the tile and  cleaned spots on the carpet as well as vacuuming.  Between the two of us, we managed to get everything back to normal.  We carried all the other decorations upstairs and I packed them up the next morning and stored them back in the closet.

Christmas was very good to me and some of the items are for the RV.  First of all, many of you know that I belong to a group called the Pink FlaminGoes.  My friend Susan (What's Up with Susan and Company) brought me this great Celtic Pink Flamingo needlepoint pillow that she made when she joined us for Christmas dinner.  She did a great job and it will look great in the RV and the next Get-Together.

Willy was busy checking out the other items for the RV.  This vent insulator will come in handy for cold or heat.  Surge Guards are expensive but one bad electrical problem can do in most of your electrical system.  I just wish they made them more easy to secure.  I couldn't see where one of the wired in ones would work in my 5th wheel.  The final item was a folding compact RV broom.  It angles different ways so I am hoping it will also work to brush off the slide-outs.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year whether you are full-timers or just able to RV part-time like me.  Enjoy your travels and keep in touch.

Bean Bag Toss Anyone?

Steve and Helen bought one game for the whole family and it got put to good use while they were all here.  Some people call it the Bean Bag Game and some call it the Corn Hole Game but it is getting to be pretty popular.  There are two "boards" and 4 bean bags for each team.  In this case, the boards fold in half lengthwise.  Steve wanted it to fit in the RV, he thinks ahead.  They played this game in Florida at a friends house a couple of summers ago.  Those boards were home made and very heavy.  Steve said that some of the guys built this game to play while he was in Afghanistan.  Anyway, Cameron really liked it and was pretty good even though he was only 7 at the time.  The "girls" team was sizing up the opposition.

Steve and Cameron were ready.

I'm not sure if Steve was cheering or he just threw the ball for Harley.  You can believe that Harley was right there in the thick of things.  He didn't try to get the bean bags but he kept trying to get the kids to throw his ball instead.

Morgan checking to see if she hit the board.

It's a fun game for all ages.  Give it a try if you have a chance.

Christmas with Family and Friends

We had a wonderful Christmas dinner.  Oh, the food was good but the company was even better.  In addition to our son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Helen, as well as Cameron and Morgan, we were also joined by Margareta and Susan.  Both ladies are RVing friends of mine and it was great to have them with us.

Once again, Helen jumped up to man the camera.  There would have been more pictures of the food but everyone was too eager to dig in.  Helen does a lot of things really well and having her around to help with getting dinner ready was wonderful.  It meant that neither one of us was worn to a frazzle and everything was ready right on time.  Here is to many more dinners fixed and celebrated together Helen.

It would have been nice to have our other son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Lorri, and Zoe, Kirsten, and Mike with us as well.  Maybe one of these years.  Family, good friends, good foods, good times......it doesn't get better than this.   Hope you had a wonderful day too.