Soon - a vacation from our vacation?

Moved today to a really nice RV park at Grapevine Lake near Grapevine, Texas. We took a quick bike ride before heading over to Renee and Dewey's.  This is such a beautiful area, and the trees are trying to bud out!  Spring is just around the corner . . .

Then with mouths watering we hurried on over to Renee's - she'd lured us there today with the promise of lasagna, salad and peach pie!  Well, it was everything we'd hoped for and more!  Decades have passed since our last home-made lasagna so this was really a treat!

Keeping one eye on the NASCAR race (of which Renee is a devoted fan) we enjoyed a hearty meal and rousing conversation with Dewey & Renee, daughter Staci and her boys, and son Chris Williams, too!   Once again, I was lax with the camera duty, but Harold did snap this one  . . .

"old" friends

THANK YOU SO MUCH RENEE AND DEWEY!  The past few days remind me of the fun we had together all those years - decades actually! - ago!  You showed us a really wonderful time!!  You guys are toooooo nice!  Nothin' like old friends!

So now comes the vacation from our vacation!  We parked Trixie at the doggie B&B and we're flying home to Vancouver on Tuesday just for a week.  Nearly a year ago Robin and I signed up for a scrapbooking weekend at Seaside on the Oregon coast, and now it's time to go.  And Cathy Harvey (great friend and Robby's aunt) is coming, too!  Alessa and Graydon - and Brooke, Jade, Emily and who-knows-who else have been holding down the fort and we'll be so happy to see our loved ones at home! THIS is going to be SO FUN!  

How-ever . . . I can't believe we're leaving this temperate clime and intentionally traveling to a place where the lows are in the 20's and there may even still be snow on the ground! Here's a picture of our darling Graydon at home in Vancouver, Wa, just a few days ago!  brrrrrrrrrrr . . . .

Graydon learning about snow in Vancouver!!

Then, back to Dallas/Fort Worth on the 8th to resume the adventure.  Will let y'all know later how this "vacation" turned out!

Deep in the heart of Texas . . .

We had the best time at Brushy Creek Vineyard & Winery, but we've moved on - enjoying our various new wines along the way.

Coming to Texas, Harold's been itchin' for barbecue!  Wednesday, in the historic little community of Grapevine, we finally found some at Barkley's!  The ribs were outstanding!  After lunch, we strolled around the Old Town area and marveled at the old buildings, life-size sculptures and various sights.

Me on the lap of Grapevine's "sidewalk judge".

Thursday - It was raining when we woke up today!  But it cleared in time for us to take a planned bike ride on Bear Creek Trail in Keller.  Would've loved to make it a long one, but we had Trixie running along with us today and she is only a six-mile-dog!  Anyway, it was a fun ride in an urban area, and the trail sure had a very pleasant rural feel.  Pedaling along, we encountered ducks, turtles, squirrels, a big white goose and birds galore including a great blue heron!

Look closely - you'll see the blue heron!

Most of the turtles slipped into the creek as I was sneaking up
 to take their picture.  I think there were about 20 of them.

Refreshed after the ride with some nice iced coffees in the our "Little House on the Highway", we moseyed on over to visit the Williams clan in Fort Worth.

Well, were we just tickled to see Renee, Dewey and Staci?  It had been ten years plus, but it was just like old times!  Staci is there with her boys Hayden (11) and Matt (8) and we had a great time getting acquainted with them.  We went to Babe's, a funky old-fashioned place that serves only chicken dinners family style. The food was soooo good and even better enjoyed with old friends!

Staci, Matt, Harold, Renee, Dewey and Hayden at Babe's

Into Fort Worth the next day for sight-seeing, the first and a very awesome stop was at the Sid Richardson Museum, a really fabulous collection of paintings by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell - a truly elegant display of superb original works of art!  Then, over to a really big tourist attraction in Fort Worth, the old Stock Yards. It was a hub of activity when cowboys brought cattle to market. The flavor of the old days is still very much there, but it has been enhanced with - - - mega shopping, dining (b-b-q!), indoor rodeo and more.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any really good pics there! 

Harold & Dewey - So we all finally figured out how
 this Pay to Park works - fold up the dollar bills real skinny
 & stuff them in a tiny slot!  Now that's different!

Renee & Harold inside Coliseum Rodeo Arena

Ate lunch at Riscky's - great barbecue!  FUN DAY!!

Next day we all boarded the train in Forth Worth to do some exploring in Dallas. 

Just a nice picture of Staci & Renee as we waited for the train

A memorable visit to The Sixth Floor Museum.  "Sixth floor" refers to the place Lee Harvey Oswald took position and fired the deadly shot that killed President JFK.  That entire floor of the School Book Depository building is now a museum of that horrific event which shook our nation on November 21, 1963.  The museum is a worthy tribute to a man who, during his short Presidency, set the stage for a better future for our country.  The excellent exhibits in "The Sixth Floor", somber and thought provoking, tell the story of the assassination and, perhaps more importantly, the legacy of his life.  It is excellent!  Go there if you ever get the opportunity.

A "Free Libya" demonstration was taking place on the grassy knoll outside the museum today - also thought-provoking!

The faint white X on the roadway marks the spot
 where President Kennedy was shot.
 School Book Depository building is on the far left. 

Love the contrast of old & new.
Dallas version of Seattle's Space Needle!

In Dallas we enjoyed another scrumptious helping of barbecue and were ready to call it a day.  High-tailed it to the train station and back to Forth Worth.

Along with all the great sight-seeing, plenty of time for laughing and reminiscing about all the great times we had (twenty-plus years ago!) when the kids (and their parents!) were young  - antics in the neighborhood, coffee klatches during my old day-care days and especially camping and sailing our little boats at Cougar Lake.

Lookin' forward to more big Texas fun with the Williams family tomorrow -

"Nite y'all" . . . . . 

Like Texas tumbleweeds . . .

. . . . that's us - drifting along like tumbleweeds - wherever the wind (or a whim) takes us!!

 (Yes, new blog template.  Hope you enjoy the new look.)

So here's what we've been up to since leaving Albuquerque, starting with Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

Fri Feb 18^th – A leisurely morning at the RV park, made good use of the wi-fi, knowing it could be awhile before we’re online again.  We goofed off a bit and then walked over to the Billy the Kid Museum.  It was unbelievable!!

Harold with Billy & saloon gal!

There we had a nice chat with Don Sweet, son of the founder of the museum.  Don told this story: When his dad Ed was 10 years old, he went off on a toboggan ride with a group of 13 boys.  Exploring in the snow, they found a cave and, inside, a cache of 26 rifles!  They divvied up the rifles and the two that Ed Sweet took home that day were the beginning of a lifelong love of collecting for what eventually became the museum.  Now, it is the town's good fortune that Billy the Kid, lawless young man that he was, was shot dead there, as that gave Fort Sumner it's “claim to fame” and it's what draws tourists to town.  So, we did see and learn much about Billy the Kid today, but the museum is so much more than Billy!  That place holds a mind-boggling collection from petrified turtles to ranch, farm and cowboy paraphernalia, a Siamese-twins calf with eight legs, antique tools and household goods, old buckboards and carriages and an array of antique cars and various means of conveyance and too much more to list – even an old jail cell, plus a reproduction of the grave of Billy the Kid and two of his ruffian pals.

There on the wall behind us - Billy the Kid's rifle - 

"the genuine article"!

We had to practically drag each other out of there, but we eventually got back on the road!  Travelling the blue highway 60 out of New Mexico, we headed due east.  Dead and dying villages, derelict structures, crumbling reminders of times gone by, appear sporadically in the desolation along highway 60 from Fort Sumner to Texico.  

Then, crossing into Texas, the landscape suddenly comes alive!  Originally headed for Lubbock, Texas, we changed direction when we remembered we like to be OFF the interstate and AWAY from metropolis!  Rolling along the highway off the beaten path through dots on the map – Lariat, Muleshoe, Earth, Springlake, Halfway – all along the way, farms small and large, dairy farms and fields of cotton and cattle, real wooden windmills, cotton gins and farm supply  – we had a taste of Americana a la Texas. 

Earth -   "Established 1924" ??

We were awed by the beauty that came with the late afternoon sun laying long shadows across the farms, fields and towns.  With the sun setting behind us, the sweeping clouds ahead took on a ghostly look with pink and purple hues –  sunset Texas style! 

Sure enjoyed the scenery along the picturesque route which brought us to Plainview, Texas, where we are once again enjoying a pleasant evening at Camp WalMart!  Tomorrow, we’re off  to Wichita Falls! 

Saturday took us from Plainview along the two-lane blacktop through Floydada, Dougherty, Roaring Springs, Dickens, Benjamin and Archer City - it was like a trip back in time.  

    Along the way  . . . 

Flocks of sandhill cranes . . . 

My two sweeties in a cotton field . . . 

. . . actual "cotton pickin' "

. . . just had to stop along here - they were interested in us, too!

Texas is flat!  Here's the view from atop the RV!

Lunch stop in Dickens

Here' the old Dickens County jail - now the Sheriff's office.
  Sign below the barred window: "$25  fine for talking with prisoners".

Made it to Wichita Falls where we found a great parking spot at yet another Camp WalMart!

Sunday was a wonderful day, lazing around in the morning before going off to a big and beautiful Wichita Falls city park! Well, it truly is a very nice park and I'll bet it's gorgeous in spring and summer! We got some much needed exercise today in the form of a ten mile bike ride on the trails of Lucy Park, along the Wichita River.  Here we are in front of The Falls . . .

Monday - Must've been all that exercise yesterday - we had a hard time getting going today!  We finally did, though, and got back on the road, and went back to Archer City (population 1,800).  

Harold is a big Larry McMurtry fan and McMurtry is from there.  He has these amazing book stores "Booked Up" and you can check them out on the internet!    So we went to Archer City and visited with lovely 80-year-old Juanita Shepard at the antique shop.  She knew "Larry's" family and entertained us with anecdotes about the whole clan.  McMurtry is a writer  (Lonesome Dove, Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment) and his passion for books and entrepreneurial labor of love resulted in a handful of antiquarian book stores of unique character.

"Booked Up, Inc. No. 4" in Archer City

One room - a small part - of "Booked Up No. 1"

Juanita Shepard & Harold

"Last Picture Show" was filmed here in Archer City.
That's me in front of the theatre used in the movie.

Well, ya know we love to experience such "culture Americana", so once again it was hard to pull ourselves away!  But, prior to our setting out on this adventure, Harold had discovered "Harvest Hosts" which is a network of wineries around the U.S. that welcome RVers to overnite at their vineyards!  And by Monday afternoon we had bid farewell to Archer City and arrived at Brushy Creek Vineyard & Winery south of Bowie - just in time for tasting!!

Happy in the Tasting Room!

Rachel Cook - young, exceptional winemaker

& wine-tasting hostess extraordinaire!!

And what a winery!  An unbelievable  array of varietal grapes - very nice folks who know tons about wine-making - and delicious wine!!  Mmmmmmmm . . .

Owner Les Constable gave Harold had a little tour around the vineyard and winery. Later, after a bowl of soup and a bottle of Merlot, we were ready to call it a night under their old wooden windmill!

"Our" windmill at sunset . . .

Tuesday  

. . . and in the morning !

After a great sleep in the vineyard and a late breakfast, we set out on our bicycles to check out the wine farm and surrounding area.  Stopped to pick up pecans under a native tree by the banks of Brushy Creek, pedaled through the wild brush and then betweenrows of dormant vines, making our way out to the county road where we just happened by LBJ National Grasslands!  An unexpected treat.

Awesome pecan tree - awesome RV guy!

Dormant vines and the row where my new favorite wine comes from!

Here's our cool campsite!

After our exhilarating bike ride - next stop!

Wow!  What a fun ride!  Along the way we found a nice little ranch to buy, but then - well, decided that would be a bit hasty!  Back at the vineyard we stopped for a last quick "taste" and, reluctantly putting Brushy Creek behind, hopped in the RV and hit the road.

We've been doing a bit of exploring between there and Fort Worth, where we'll arrive later today for our visit with Renee and Dewey Williams and family - hurray!

New Mexico - "Land of Enchantment"

First stop in New Mexico was Camp Wal-Mart, Deming!  A good place to sleep, and then, on to Albuquerque!  Stops along the highway to buy some pinon nuts and then, genuine Hatch chile peppers from actual Hatch, New Mexico!  Another tamale making session ensued!

As luck would have it, we arrived at Harold's sister and bro-in-law (Marlene and Jimmy!) on Valentine's Day.  His other sis Mary Lee and her daughter Laurie and family from Emmett, Idaho, were there as well.  We all convened at Grandma Polly's (mom of Harold, Marlene & Mary Lee) for a festive celebration of HEARTS!  

Harold & his Mom - HAPPY HEARTS DAY!

LATER THAT NIGHT came a "Happy News Phone Call" from Mike & Corina!  During their Valentine's Day dinner, Mike popped the question and Corina happily responded  "Yes!"  It's official - they are engaged!  We're so happy for them and for all of us to welcome Corina to the family!  Here's a picture from their Thanksgiving visit to Vancouver . . . 

Now officially engaged!!

Next day - the grand celebration - Grandma Polly's 94th ! This time Carolyn & Gary joined the rest of us at Marlene & Jimmy's, as did Jamie and little Isabelle, and we had quite the grand fiesta - family, fun and fabulous food.  (Oops - my goof!  Isabelle was sick and did not make it to the party.  We did see that little cutie pie the night before - but, sadly, no pics of her!  Big boo-boo on my part!)

Mary Lee, Polly (94!) and Harold

One Happy Birthday Girl !!

Our three days in Albuquerque went by soooo fast.  Mostly we hung out and talked, trying to catch up on all the family news since we visited there last February!  Having Laurie, hubby Gordon, and their adorable kids there really added to the fun!   

Cole & Harold loved throwing the ball for Trixie!

Little Kinzie - definitely a charmer!

When Trixie wasn't outside with the boys, she
 showed a preference for Jimmy's lap!
(Could this be because of the peanut brittle crumbs on the floor?)

We visited Albuquerque's "Explora", a children's museum.  Not sure who had the most fun . . . 

Marlene and Cole

Yours truly - thru a mirror-tube!

Marlene, Jimmy & Harold - heat sensing!!

Me on a semi-scary balancing bike ride!

Cole, Gordon, Kinzie, Mary Lee & Laurie in the
Biggest Elevator I've ever seen!!!


THANK YOU MARLENE & JIMMY FOR YOUR ENCHANTING & VERY WARM  HOSPITALITY!  Loved being with you and all the family! 

So, yes, it's Thursday - again - and today took us from Albuquerque to Fort Sumner, NM.  We are gradually working our way east and should make it into Texas tomorrow.  As usual, not exactly sure of our route but expect to get to  Witchita Falls on Saturday, and then on down to Fort Worth for a visit with Dewey & Renee Williams, good old friends and neighbors from our years on 109th Street!