Wednesday, March 28 - Travel to Maryland (Freeland, MD)

 

We left Llano Grande Resort on Monday March 12th on route to Rockport. We had an uneventful travel day of 175 miles and arrived at Rustic Cove Resort. The park was small but very nice at $25 per night.

We got set-up and then took a drive around to see what there was to do. We expected to see more small fishing villages and was a little disappointed.

While we were here for three nights we walked around the town and in and out a few shops. Interesting art.

We went to the Texas Maritime Museum

We took a ride on the Ferry to Port Aransas. We drove through a very nice state park.

We also took a ride to Goose Island to see a really old oak tree.

We left Rockport on Thursday 15th and traveled 176 miles to Houston area staying at Houston West RV Park in Brookhire. We stopped here to visit friends Bob and Linda Conrad. We worked with them in New York at LGE in the summer of 2010.

We also hoped to see Arlene Sullivan, although she was not feeling well. We had a very nice day and a great with the Conrad's and Bayer and Buddy had fun playing with their fur kids Buster and Charlie.

We left Houston on Sunday the 18th and headed 217 miles to  Kinder, LA staying one night at Red Shoes RV Park which is part of the Coushatta Casino.

We got set up and visited the casino to get something to eat and donate some of our money. We are not big gamblers so we were not there long.

We had planned to go to Bayou Segnette for three nights and visit New Orleans…. But as they say plans are made in Jell-O. Howard and Linda Payne contacted us, they were staying at Tickfall State Park in Springfield, LA and we decided to join them. So on Monday the 19th we traveled 166 miles to Tickfall. Really nice park and we were able to park next to them.

It was so good to see them again and we had a wonderful time spending time eating, visiting and playing games.

Before we left on Friday, staying an additional night we got them to weight us.

We left on the 23rd and traveled 237 miles to Benchmark RV Park in Meridian, MS. I don’t even remember this park so it was fine for an overnighter.

On Saturday the 24th we drove 242 miles to Fort Payne, AL and stayed at Wills Creek RV Park

On Sunday we traveled 196 miles to Pigeon Forge, TN and stayed at Walden's Creek Campground. Again after getting set up we took a drive to see what there was to do. It was very nice area and many tourist traps.

The one thing to note that we did while there was go on a Zip line. One thing crossed off my Bucket list.

Wahoo Zip lines

It was soooooo much fun…very scary, exhilarating and really got my adrenaline going. There were 6 different lines and we did them all.

Ginger

Jesse

On Tuesday the 27th we left and traveled 286 miles to Jellystone Natural Bridge Resort in VA. We had stayed here the last time we came home.

Our final day of travel was on Wednesday and we drove 265 miles to Merry Meadows Resort in Freeland, MD.

It’s so good to be home!

Tuesday, March 14 - Remembering Mr. B

 

February 3, 2003 – March 8, 2012

Mr. B came to be part of our family one Friday afternoon in mid December 2006. Someone Jesse worked with was going to take him to the pound because they didn’t want him anymore. They said his name was peanut.

Jesse said NO I will come and get him!

We did like that name and we wanted him to have a name that begins with “B” like the other two. I decided to call him Baxter. Jesse recalled the TV show on many years ago called Hazel who was a maid for the Baxter family and she call the man Mr. B and that stuck. The paperwork showed he had puppy shots from the breeder and nothing else.

We took him to the vet. He had a bladder infection that we medicated him to get better. We had his teeth cleaned and got him neutered.

Bayer and Buddy didn’t take too long to accept him and love him as much as we did.

He was such a sweet little boy with a fun loving nature.

I noticed in June of 2011 that Mr. B didn’t wag his tail anymore and he seemed to not have the energy that he usually did. He also wet in the house which he usually didn’t. I took him to the vet and he said he had another bladder infection and gave me meds for him.

 

He really didn’t get better. Then in November he got really bad and we thought we would lose him. After two more vets and Kansas State Veterinary School they could not tell us what was wrong with him. We took him home and he sort of bounced back. We could tell he was sick, lost a lot of weight and continued to have more bad days then good.

A few people sent me this poem that I want to share in remembering him. Hope it will give others some comfort.

 

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown..."

Monday, March 12 - Leaving Mercedes - Rockport/Aransas Pass, TX

 

We traveled from Mercedes, TX to Rockport/Aransas Pass, TX. It was 174 miles and we arrived at 1:30.

We had lots of activity during our last days at Llano.

Our group spent one day in Mexico.

We had dinner at Irene and Heinz’s. They made pulled pork with cold slaw and potato salad.

It was yummy and we had lots of laughs.

We had happy hour most days at different sites.

We had dinner one night at Pam and Hank’s..Pam made lasagna and salad and it was very yummy. All eight of us ate inside her motor home and we all had plenty of room because it was very spacious.

We spent another day in South Padre Island. We was so much fun. We met 2 new couples that Ed knows at Dirty Al’s for lunch.

Then the bunch of us went to the beach. It was a Sunday and the beach was crowded with family’s. It was fun watching the family’s have a good time.

We had a hot dog roast at Ed and Marilyn’s and then the plan was to go to the rodeo, but it was too cold so we went to the library and played games again.

Five of us went to the rodeo the next day. Janet stayed home. The Ranch Rodeo is where teams of four or five cowboys from different ranches in the area, compete in rodeo events, and it is fun to watch.

When we got home this is what was waiting for us.

Janet stayed home to make this delicious cherry pie that she shared with us along with ice cream. It was so good and we really appreciated her time in making it.

Everyone came by to wish us safe travels pictures were taken.