RETIRED ON WHEELS

VIVA LAS VEGAS BABY

VIVA LAS VEGAS. Well here we are in Las Vegas and we have been here for a month mostly in our time shares as the 5th wheel has been in for repairs. However we are now back in our little home and are staying at the Oasis RV park which is quite nice. It has been an injoyable month but we are Vegasist out and are leaving tomorrow to slowly make our way back to Dallas

Las Vegas is not a big city is and is quite easy to get around in if you can avoid rush hour and the construction. You know you are someplace too long when you can get around without a map.

Highlights of the stay in Vegas.

1) We are broke. Kathy learned how and enjoyed playing the slots but mostly Pai Gow Poker, she has been corrupted. See above.

2) Red Rock Canyon - We actually spent two days here, the first day Kathy and I toured around and the second day we accompanied the Balkans for the day. The area is quite spectacular and you wouldn't even know it was here if you didn't get off the strip. It is not all that well advertised but it is something else.

3) The Johnsons Arrive

Kathy's brother and Sil ( Bob and Shirley ) arrived in town for a few days and we met them at the airport. They were staying at the Venetian and were in town for a business meeting so we only got to see them on them on Saturday night. We did manage to do a little gambling and we did have a very nice dinner at a French restaurant called Pomplemousse which is located on Sahara drive. It gave us a chance to catch up and it was good to see them again.

4) The Balkans take Vegas by Storm:

Mike, Jolene, Phyllis, Brian

The Balkans arrived for 4 days and I think they brought just about the entire clan. Brian ( Kathy's BIL ) and Phyllis ( Kathy's Sister ) arrived along with their oldest daughter ( Jolene ) and her significant other Mike. Also arriving with the entourage was 3 of Brians sisters.

We met up with the group on a number of occasions as we explored Vegas with them. We spent a day at Red Rock Canyon, well they spend a day at the canyon as I just drove and let them do the hiking. My allergies were really acting up.

We had a nice but pricey dinner at The Palms ( a restaurant in the Mirage ) which is known for its steaks. The entire group was there as it was Bill's 50th birthday ( Brian BIL ) and it was a nice start to the evening. We then went down to Freemont street to experience the original core of Vegas and to see the nightshow.

On two of the everings we spent with the Balkans we took in two shows, one at the Bellagio ( O ) and the other at the MGM ( KA ). Both of these shows were absolutely phenomenal and I would recommend them to anybody who as the (mis)fortune to be in Vegas.

We drove Brian, Phllyis, Mike and Jolene to airport on Tuesday night and there were very glad to be heading home. However as short as the trip was it was good to see them again.

5) Shows - We were fortunate enough to be able to take in 5 shows while we were here and all of them were very good. I mentioned the two Cirque du Soleil shows( O & KA ) and how much wer enjoyed the. We also got to see a show called " Defend the Caveman ", a one man show about the differences between men and women. It was very funny and everyone should see it.

We also got to see Dana Carvey and Rich Little. Dana Carvey was funny but we had seen alot of the material he was using. We were sitting at the back of the theatre and couldn't see his facial expressions which was a large part of his act. Rich Little has not lost anything even at the age of 71 years. However I think we were the youngest people in the audience.

6) The Strip - Well what can you save about the strip, you can't say anything but a picture is worth a 1000 words. Especially the pictures of the Monte Carlo with fire damage.

All said and done, the shows were great and we enjoyed them all.

We will be leaving Vegas in the morning and it has been a good stay. Enough said as What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.

MISSION, TEXAS AND BEYOND

We are in Sun City, AZ which is just north of Phoenix and are on are way to Las Vegas. We arrived here today via stops in Deming, Texas on Sunday night and Van Horn, Texas on Saturday night. We spent Friday night in Junction, Texas where we said good bye to the Howies as they are returning to the north. ( Rick it is 70 degrees as I write this )It was a good time with the Howies and Boy and I enjoyed what was the longest visit with my sister in a long time. We plan to travel together more often and possibly winter in Mexico. I will miss the Friday poker and pizza night.

Prior to our getting on the road last Friday we spent a week in Mission, Texas. The weather was very good for the most part and the Howies and I along with Boy got in a golf game. It was the St. Amand's against the Howards and I must admit that the Howards kicked butt.

Kathy and I went on a 14 mile bike trip through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. We saw mostly birds but I did see a bobcat however was not fast enough to get a picture.

We also took a day and went over to Padre Island with the Howies and did the tourist thing. We had lunch at a nice restaurent, spent a bunch of money at a couple of gift shops and returned back to mission.

The campsite where we were staying is mostly made of full time and six month residents and as a result there was a lot of activities. We partook in none of them. A large portion of the trip was spent relaxing with Howies along with shopping and spending money. However we had a grapefruit tree on one side of the rig and an orange tree on the other side and both had excellent fruit. We took a dozen of each when we left.

Tomorrow morning we head for Boulder City, Nevada and then onto Las Vegas the next day. Talk to you soon.

New Job Description.

Campsite at Mission, Texas

Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge

South Padre Island

NORTH PADRE ISLAND

We left Mustang Island and have arrived in Mission, Texas. However before we left the Mustang Island area we got to spend a day driving the beach route of North Padre Island and it was alot of fun taking the truck into the beach. We drive about 15 miles, had lunch, let the dogs chase birds and play in the water, sighted a almost extinct animal ( see pictures below ) and then drove back to the campsite. The going was pretty rough and only 4 wheel drive vehicles were allowed . The return trip was interesting as we drive through water in the lower areas as a result of the tide coming in. Hence there was a side trip to the car wash to get the sand and salt off of the truck before heading back to the campsite.

Rare and almost extinct "Belliusbeerus"

Migrates between Texas and Northern Alberta
and attracted is to shiny aluminum cans

Affectionately nicknamed "Howie"

OTHER SIGHTS WHILE DRIVING THE BEACH ON NORTH PADRE ISLAND

Mission, Texas which is near Brownsville is part of the Citrus Fruit Belt of Texas and will be our home for the next week. An update of our activities will follow in a few days.

MUSTANG ISLAND

We are on Mustang Island having arrived on January 2nd and we will be here until the 11th.

Mustang Island is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The island is 18 miles (29 km) long, stretching from Corpus Christi to the Port of Aransas. The island can be reached via the JFK causeway at the south end of the island and by ferry which runs from the north end of the island.

The Island is steeped in history as it was originally populated by the Karankawa Indians which were a nomadic tribe that ware rumored to be cannibals. The most famous habitant was the pirate Jean Lafitte who roamed the Gulf of Mexico and is said to have buried treasure on the island. Some say that not all of it was recovered.

Mustang Island is also home to over 500 migratory birds which makes it the largest stopover in the state of Texas and maybe the Americas.

We are staying at the Pioneer RV Resort and have a very nice spot next to Peg and Rick.

Kathy and I have been doing a lot of biking with trips into Port of Aransas ( 12 miles ) for sightseeing and lunch and a trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. We drove to the Refuge and then spent the day biking through the park watching and taking pictures of the various animals which include alligators, wild pigs, deer and a lot of different birds. It was a very enjoyable day.

RV CAMPSITE AND BEACH

SPEEDING ON THE BEACH

WATERFRONT AT PORT ARANSAS

ARANSAS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

NEW YEARS IN SAN ANTONIO

HAPPY NEW YEAR - It is now 2008 and we are still enjoying life in Boerne, Texas.

We spent the morning of New Years Eve enjoying the 70 degree weather and lounging around the campsite. When we finally got out butts moving we ventured into San Antonio and the Riverwalk where we had lunch, a very large lunch. The Riverwalk is a must see if you ever get to San Antonio.

After lunch we spent some time on the Riverwalk and then wandered over to the Alamo. It was Peg and Ricks first time here whereas Kathy and I have been here a couple to times. Even with being here a couple of times it was enjoyable learning more about this historic landscape.

New Years Eve was spent playing Cranium where the gentlemen were severly trounced by the ladies. I think they cheated.

New Years day will be a time for rest and relaxation and then on Wednesday we head out for Mustang Island. We will be there for a week.

2007 was a good year but 2008 is going to be a great year.

See you on Mustang Island.

Lunch on Riverwalk