SAN ANTONIO, TX

We arrived in San Antonio and are parked right near Sea World in a great RV resort called Admirality RV Park. We highly recommend it. We all headed again for the pool and had a nice cooling swim.

Second day, Denis, Pat, Joe, Kay and I headed for the River Walk. Enjoyed a great lunch on the river at Tex Mex restaurant as we sat along the river watching the people, the boats go by and the ducks. It’s a beautiful setting along the river walk. After lunch we decided we all wanted to take the river boat ride and learn more about the area of San Antonio and how the river walk got started. It was due to a large flood many years back that the river was created to keep the area from ever flooding again. There are many beautiful old buildings and lots of restaurants along the river. We then decided to take the trolley ride which was a waste of time. We thought it would be narrated but it was just a bus ride around the city to get where you want to go.

We then spent the rest of our time at the Alamo to learn the thirteen fateful days in 1836. It was very interesting as this was the not only where it was home to the missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly seventy years in the 1700’s but in the early 1800’s the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the Alamo. This place also played a critical role in the Texas Revolution in December of 1835 to 1836. The Alamo is a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason the Alamo remains hollowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty. I read a quote from Daniel Cloud, Dec 26th 1835 that said, “If we succeed, the Country is ours. It is immense in extent and fertile in its soil and will amply reward all our toil. If we fail, death in the cause of liberty and humanity is not cause for shuddering. Our rifles are by our side, and choice guns they are, we know what awaits us, and are prepared to meet it”. Isn’t it amazing that over 200 years ago they had such wisdom? On Friday we all went to Sea World for the day and so enjoyed the Shamu show, the penguins and seal shows. Even though we had all been to San Diego Sea World we really enjoyed the day.

Friday night we decided to make reservations to sit right on the river walk so Critch could join us and not have to walk too far. We went to Landry’s Seafood and had a beautiful table for 6 on the river and a great dinner with such great friends.

Denis and Pat left on Saturday, Joe and Kay are leaving Sunday and we head for Lyons on Monday. More later.

FORT CLARK SPRINGS,

As we left Memorial Day from Big Bend National Park, we drove right through the park and enjoyed the scenery. It was a long day of driving, some curves, hills, cactus etc., and a lot of long 2 lane highway. We decided that we would go almost 300 miles to a recommended spot called Fort Clark Springs RV resort.

It was such a welcome surprise to see lots of trees and grass and a VERY historical community. Fort Clark was established on the banks of Las Moras Creek by the US Army in 1852. Virtually all US Calvalry units and many infantry lived, trained or visited Fort Clark while patrolling West Texas and the US – Mexico border. Generals George Patton & Jonathan Wainwright were among the notables who served at Fort Clark. The Fort was closed in 1946, and has since become a haven for those who seek peaceful recreation, resort and residential surroundings.

There are about 300 homes here, some expensive homes and very low income homes. It is an association and all homeowners pay $70.00 a month for the facilities including a wonderful natural spring pool, a 9 hole course and an 18 hole golf course. There is a motel and RV resort with beautiful trees and grass. Our biggest surprise as we entered the resort section is the beautiful deer that live in the area. With more than 1600 acres of wilderness and the Las Moras Creek, it is a natural bird sanctuary. The pool is a consistant 68 degrees temperature, maintained by nature all year around. The 100’ by 300’ pool is the 3rd largest spring-fed pool in Texas.

Needless to say, we hooked up about 4PM and went straight to the pool. My first jump in was a real surprise and very “cool” – took my breath away. But after a couple of minutes it was really refreshing and wonderful. In talking to a resident here, she was telling me that it was a natural mineral pool. We stayed there about an hour and really enjoyed the
Peaceful surroundings.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK - TERLINGUA, TX

Our drive from El Paso to Terlingua was uneventful but a long drive. They do have "big" roadrunners here!!

As we arrived through lots of wind and dirt, we settled into the "best" RV resort there is there. We decided to try a "recommended" restaurant and it was so funny as it was down in a cave with rock surrounding us. Actually, the food was good and you had to go to the bar and wait on yourself for drinks!

Next day, Kay, Joe, Denis and Pat and I took a ride to a little resort called Lajita. It was purchased by some guy and looks like in the winter time could be very active. There is a beautiful golf course and one hole you can hit the ball to Mexico over the Rio Grande River - obviously, it stays there as there is not way to recover that one. We had lunch at the cafe there and it was very nice, the main street is dirt with motel rooms and shops along the road. We also went to a movie set where they made a Western movie. The Rio Grande river is very dirty looking and it was so low that we could not do any river rafting. We bar be qued steaks but had to move in due to the flies (they were awful!!!) and then the last night ate at the Starlight theatre - when the electricity went out several time, it took us 1/2 hr to get our bills paid by credit card. This 3 day event was fun but between the flies and wind, I was glad to leave that area. Joe and Denis and Pat did some hiking and said they enjoyed the National Park historian who took them. I think they learned more about cactus and birds but since I have lived in the desert 35 years, I know enough about cactus!!!!

BENSON, TOMBSTONE AND BISBEE, AZ

Arrived in Benson, AZ about 1 hr before the Demarte's and Hollowdell's got here. Decided that any day we travel we should eat out so headed for a little Italian place in Benson. On Wednesday we split up and Joe, Denis and Pat went to the Karchner Caverns, Kay and I went to see Bisbee. (We were very disappointed in that town, not worth the trip). I did get a picture of the baseball field that Critch played in when he was with the farm team for Pittsburg in 1940. He enjoyed seeing those pictures.

We then met up with Joe, Denis and Pat in Tombstone, had a fun lunch in a wild west saloon, took a stagecoach ride and walked up and down the streets. It is well worth the trip there and enjoyed the history of the town.

The wind starting coming up while we were in Tombstone and got pretty tired of getting dust in our eyes etc. BUT, getting back to the RV in Benson, I have never been in such a terrible wind storm. They actually have High wind warnings out for traveling so we have decided to see what it is like in the early morning to get out and head for El Paso. We plan on about 270 miles tomorrow but the wind is supposed to be bad again by 10AM. They are saying the winds are gusting at 60 mph and this coach is rocking like crazy. I ended up putting the bedroom slide in so hopefully I can get some sleep tonight without to much noise. (sleeping pill tonight!) More when we get to El Paso!!!

YUMA AND TUCSON

Had a really nice visit with the Klossners and the Valley's from Yuma. Our trip was very uneventful which made me very happy. Kay made a great dinner for us the first night then we went to Mexico on Thursday so I could get some eye glasses. Can't believe when I walked out of the eye doctor that everything became so clear!!!! I knew my eyes had gotten worse but now I don't have to strain to see. Since then, I am now wearing glasses to use the computer and even watch TV - I can actually read the wording on the tv now - and can see the freeway signs much better. While waiting for the glasses to be made I stopped in a dentist office and had my teeth cleaned for $20.00 -- what a deal that is!!!!
Bob and Carolyn invited us to their new home on Thursday and we all enjoyed a few drinks and pizza.

Left Friday morning for Tucson and had a very nice drive to Beaudry RV. Seem to be getting a lot of air noise in the front so will have that checked while we are here. Other than that the coach is doing good and so am I!

Saturday, I played in a golf tournament with my son Scott. We had to get up at 5:30 AM so he spent the night on Friday night so we could get to the tournament on time. It was a 40 minute drive and we wanted to hit some balls before the shotgun start!!! We had lots of fun but what a wild course that was. Strickly target golf with the men's tees sometimes over 200 yards just to the fairway. I definately would not want to play that course (Vistoso Golf Course, in Oro Valley) if I had to play my own game. There were many ladies tees that I couldn't get to he fairway. Lots of sand traps and desert landscaping. It was Scott's first time on the golf course, first tournament and he really did quite well. He ended up "loving" my 3 wood so you know how that goes!!! It ended up in his bag. We had such a fun day and played with two of his friends that were much better golfers than we were. We didn't end up last anyway, but we sure weren't in first place. The Cruise Place was giving away a free cruise for a hole in one - no one won that prise!!! Hopefully, will have a picture of our foursome soon.

On Monday I decided to visit with some of the folks at Freedom RV and ran into Dave & Kati. After a quick visit decided to have breakfast with them on Tuesday morning at Denny's.

Scott helped me fix the noise problem and our trip to Benson was great and we didn't have hardly any noise at all.

MAY 13TH WHAT A GREAT SEND OFF

Our adventure was with a fun send off with friends from MCC getting together for dinner. We are so lucky to have so many great friends and look forward to sharing this experience with everyone. Today we head for Yuma.

MOTHERS DAY - MAY 10TH 2008

We had such a great day with family and friends. As you can see from the pictures, we all had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed our relaxing visit. Will sure miss those little kids and as Jeffrey celebrated his 7 mo birthday, he will sure be a different baby by the time we get back.