February 29, 2012 "So Much for Promises"

Last month, I hinted that I would try to update more often. Obviously that hasn't happened. It's 7:00 pm and we just walked in from one of the residents in the park that had a happy hour and dinner party. Now it's time for the hot tub. CC is trying to do some laundry, as we are preparing for a trip to Corpus Christi this weekend to meet up with Terry and Janice, now residing in Houston. Tomorrow is SOTB Day, to stock up on a few gifts, prescriptions, and to replenish the national beverage of Mexico, a essential ingredient in CC's margaritas. With that said, I promise (?!?!?!?) to update our February ASAP. Now it's off to the hot tub. When you live this lifestyle, you have to set your priorities, and learn to live by them, otherwise minutia gets in the way.

Until next time, take care and stay well.........................

January 5 - 28, 2012 "Livin' La Vida Loca"

Wow! It’s been almost a month since our last posting. The park really fills fast after Christmas, and that means more people = more parties / happy hours / potluck dinners. It is truly amazing how busy we stay, and we comment often that this retirement lifestyle is a full time job.

We started the year with OSU vs Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl. CC went “all in” as we prepared appetizers and cold adult beverages for what was anticipated to be a good game. It was, as OSU was victorious 41 - 38 . When OSU scored the winning touchdown, CC screamed so loud, it caused one of our neighbors to come knock on the door and check on us. He thought I was "doing something" to her???(As usual, click on any image to enlarge.)

Our friends from Englewood Beach, FL, Kathi and Obie, came for a week to visit our winter home here in the RGV. The week they were here was a little cooler than normal, but we did our best to cram two weeks of activities into one; two trips to Nuevo Progreso for $2 margs, shopping and lonches, 2 potluck dinners (one smoked ribs and the other a fish fry), daily happy hours, shopping , sightseeing and pool time as weather permitted. We had a wonderful visit, and, as usual, the time went by too fast; probably because we didn’t have any fun at all. NOT.

One afternoon, after pool time, and before happy hour, Kathi was shocked as she started screaming, “CC, there is an officer at the front door”. I thought, “What the hell is going on”, as I laid eyes on the "officer”.

One look was all I needed; it was just Kenny, another of the Winter Texans here at the park. He has a propensity for dressing up in a variety of costumes. You just never know when, where, or what he will show up as. We all had a good laugh, even Kenny, as he was pleased with his “act” and the fact he scared the beejees out of Kathi. But today was a first. We were to witness only his first appearance, and little did we know that he also had plans for Obie after dinner that same evening. (Carl and Carla whooping it up in the background.)

You may want to click on the picture to enlarge it, and see how Lena (aka Kenny) left her signature trademark on just another of her victims. We were all laughing so hard, someone actually tinkled in their shorts. After “Lena” left, we all decided we would take up a collection to get her some new shoes for her outfit, but finding a women’s 12EEE with a 5” spike heel may prove a difficult task to complete. Are we having fun yet?

Since it’s been a few days, a visit to Nuevo Progreso was on the agenda for manicures and pedicures at Bianca’s. On this trip, Hugh and Jane decided to tag along and indulge as well. Hugh is a little on the tight side, but $9 for a pedicure is just too good a deal to pass up.

The NPBR (National Professional Bull Riders) held a world championship event in nearby Mercedes, about 5 miles from our park, so we decided to attend. CC and I drove to McAllen one morning to purchase 8 tickets that would permit us to enter the event without standing in the long lines formed by those purchasing their tickets at the gate. We got right in, had excellent seats, and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 hour show. Nothing but bull riding; it just doesn’t get any better than this. (The burning 8 in the picture stands for the 8 seconds a rider must stay on the bull for a qualified ride.)

CC and I like to explore the RGV, so we decided Arroyo City was as good a day trip as any. Arroyo City, also known as Arroyo, is located on Farm Road 2925 a mile east of Farm Road 1847 and ten miles northeast of Rio Hondo in northeastern Cameron County. The area was settled by Mexican herders in the early 1860s and named for its location on the Arroyo Colorado. In 1904 the community had a school with one teacher and twenty-four students. A post office operated in Arroyo City from 1887 to 1907. In 1910 the settlement had two stores and a population estimated at ten. During the 1930s a few scattered houses remained in the area. In 1970 the community had various dwellings and businesses, and in 1990 Arroyo City was still marked on state highway maps.

The arroyo (a steep-sided gully cut by running water in an arid or semiarid region) still operates today as a shipping channel, running from the Gulf of Mexico to Harlingen, TX, and is 250-350 feet wide the entire length. The Army Corp of Engineers maintains it by dredging, to allow large cargo ships adequate depth for passage. Five miles inland lies Arroyo City Park, complete with 2 fishing piers, boat launch, and RV park. This is a remote area, roughly 15 miles to the nearest store of any kind in Rio Hondo. For those looking for some prime fishing, and/or “getting away from civilization”, this is the place. We haven’t yet decided on if we will drive the RV one hour west to spend a week, possibly in March.

Well, that is just a snapshot of our month here in Weslaco, TX. If we can slow down a little from our hectic social calendar, future postings will resume to at least once a week. There are just so many hours in the day, and the main reason we chose this lifestyle was to live every minute, and unfortunately living takes priority over blogging. Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, take care and stay well………

January 4, 2012 "2011 Budget"

First, we would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. 2012 will be a pivotal year for our country, and we hope you will utilize sound judgement in restoring our great nation to that which our Founding Fathers envisioned. Together, we can make a difference.


Well, the final numbers for 2011 are in, and they're not too bad considering the year we've experienced, with all the travel and lifestyle upgrades we've made. I've had some comments / questions regarding how we manage to adhere to our budget. The truth is we have been on a budget for over 30 years, so it is no problem. The biggest challenge is distinguishing needs from wants, within the budget, and I'll give credit where credit is due; CC has improved dramatically in this area. That virtually eliminates the need for me to say "No", which I have a hard time doing anyway. (I'm a pushover, what else can I say?) Could we live this lifestyle on less? Absolutely. And there may come a time when we need to tighten the belt a little, but for now, we're living our dream, and enjoying every minute. (As usual, click on the image to enlarge.)

Until next time, take care and stay well...........

December 1 - 7, 2011 "Welcome Back Winter Texans"

Click for weather forecast

How long does it take to get a Dometic refrigerator repaired? I ordered the part on October 10, and the repair was done by Camping World in Mission, TX on December 1. I could have replaced the part myself, but Dometic told me that if it was not installed by an “authorized” service center, it would void the warranty. Oh well, at least it didn’t cost me anything, other than the frustration, time and the diesel for the 44 mile roundtrip, AND more importantly, CC is happy the auto defrost feature on the freezer is once again working properly.

We are transitioning into a more sedentary lifestyle for the winter at Country Sunshine, at least in the sense that we are not moving the rig every week or so. There are so many activities available here, one could stay completely immersed in them from sun up to well beyond sun down, IF one so desired. We pick and choose ours, and if something else more entertaining arises, we just go with the flow. Most days begin with a light breakfast and 8 am exercise class, followed by showers. (Yes, we actually do take them, ESPECIALLY on Saturday. LOL) By 10, it’s computer time to catch up on e-mails, Facebook, etc., followed by the daily dilemma of where to dine for lunch. 2 pm is pool time followed by 4 pm Happy Hour (most days), and dinner at 6. Hot tub time is 7 pm, and then it’s back to the rig for some much needed R&R. We have been here a month, and it seems like only a week. Time does fly when you’re having fun.

No week here would be complete without at least on trip SOTB to Nuevo Progreso. On Friday, December 2, the town held a “Welcome Back Winter Texans” celebration. They blocked off the main street, and set up a stage where numerous musical groups performed really, REALLY, loud music. (As is their culture.)

Some of the merchants were giving away free food and drinks, while others provided Mexican trinkets as thank you gifts. Street performers, dressed in an array of costumes, dazzled Winter Texans with their antics. (As usual, click on any image to enlarge)

As we were making our way down to Pancho’s for our customary “Best Margarita in Nuevo Progreso”, fighting the crowded sidewalks, made even more crowded by “Winter Texan Day”, Miss Tamaulipas 2011 Karen Alejandra Lizcano Flores appeared, (Tamaulipas is the Mexican state in which Nuevo Progreso is located) surrounded by two body guards. By the time I could get my camera out, the crowd had pushed me down the sidewalk, and that Kodak Moment had forever lapsed. I did manage to capture this picture of her on the internet. As you can see, she is a very pretty senorita.

The weather has turned cooler, actually cold for the RGV. Lows this week in the low 40’s with highs in the 60-75 degree range; sweatshirt and jacket weather for sure. CC reminds me what it’s like back in Colorado right now, and that definitely puts things in perspective. So, all in all, it’s very “seasonal” here, and we’re lovin’ every minute.

Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, take care and stay well…………….