Happy Birthday, Jesus

Well here it is, The Day Before Christmas. We are in Dodge City at Mischelle's house for Christmas.  All the kids are here safely and Bertha is safely ensconced in Victoria, Texas  waiting for out return on Dec. 29 th.   We will have our family Christmas tonight after a hearty supper of Texas chili and brownies ,then attending the candle light Christmas Eve Service at our home church tonight. I am  looking forward to seeing everyone's expressions when they open their presents tonight.  Both Billie and I thank all our friends for a great year of shenigans and fun this year.  We wish everyone a Happy Christmas, New Year and a great 2011. Remember the reason for all the celebration this time of year is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether He was born on the exact day we celebrate as His birthday or not, the reason for our joy and faith in his gift of salvation are not lessened .  My greatest prayer is that all our friends and family would come to salvation by trusting in His Gift  for us.  MERRY CHRISTMAS,  YALL  !!!!!!!!

Winter home in Victoria Tx.

Well we are here.  Dad's RV in Victoria.  Nice place and good food close by.  Went to eat at the greasy spoon just next door last night after setting up.  Billie had livers and gizzards.  I tasted one and they were GRREEEEEEEAT !!!,  I had fried chicken,VG.  Today we will continue with housekeeping both inside and out.  We will leave Tue. for Amarillo and a Dr. appt. Then on to Dodge City for Christmas with the kids.  Looking forward to seeing them. Been gone 3 1/2 months .   Seems like a lifetime and then maybe only two days.  Victoria is a nice old town.  We have visited HEB for food and are finishing settling in today. Have to check on the monthly callendar here at the park. Lots of things to do.  Dogs.  If you own one, take care of it and pick up after it.  We all don't share your joy when you go out to walk.  Take warning !!!! Don' give other dog owners a bad name. We will probably stay here until April sometime. Then to KC for our Grandaughter's highschool graduation. After that, ?  We want to go up around Yellowstone and  also see the badlands, etc. while we can.  Well be safe. 

Iron Horse RV;, San Antonio, Tx.

Well.  We have been at the RV repair shop since Monday eve.  We are having air ride put on the RV on the front suspension.  Will make it safer and ride more comfortable. Our motor on the front slide went out the other day with the slide extended.  Good thing we were still here instead of on the road somewhere.  Well we didnt need all that money anyway.  Kind of like replacing your water heater and A/c at home.  things break.We have been running all over San Antonio with some of out oldest friends from college.  They are full timers also and are here for doctors appts.  We have been to the River Walk, Alamo and even have taken a buggy ride around downtown.  It couldn't have been a more beautiful night.  All the Christmas lights, stores and street entertainers.  Just the best.Parts for the RV are supposed to be here on Tuesday 7 th.  We hope to be in Victoria Tx. and parked for the winter by Thursday or Friday. Then on 15 th.  we leave for Amarillo and Dodge City for Christmas.  Should be back in Victoria by  Jan..1 st. for the Winter, weather permiting. Well better close for tonight as I have used my daily allotment of words for now.  I will have more words tomorrow.  ;) ;)

New Braunfels, Tx

Well here I AM. Booties on watching football on the dish.  We are getting some work done here tomorrow   at Camping Work and then on down to Victoria for the winter.  Had a great time in Breckenridge with family and friends over Thanksgiving.  Lots of food.  Texas has the best Chickenfried steak and BBQ. We will go back to Dodge for Christmas and then back to Victoria.  We will visit one of Billie's sisters that lives in Bay City, Tx. over the winter and maybe move to other towns in the South.  Wherever the wind blows.  Let me know if you ever read this.  I hate to be just writing for my own amusemenst. 

Old Friends

Well.  I had good visits with friends yesterday.  Tommy Thompson, from my childhood at Northward Elementary School.  We kicked around our memories, some of which we even agreed on.  Sure good to see him again.  Then Dana and Beverly Mehaffey came over.  We ate supper out and then came home so they could see "Bertha".  Had a good visit there also. Will go and visit them at their home later before we leave.  I have seen many friends on this extended visit.  Saw "Little" Russ and "Big" Russell Carter at chruch Sunday. . Russell and his bother Roger lived up the street from us.  Their father," Big "Russ , lives with them at their lake house now.  Sure good to visit with them.  Roger died several years ago.  He earned the Silver Star in Vietnam and is burried at Arlington National Cemetary.   He was a good friend and a Patriot. Big Russ gave us two tickets to the Thanksgiving Dinner at the 1st. Methodist Church for today. Hope to see more friends there.  Will try to see Ronnie and Susan Pendleton today.  Ronnie  has been sick and Susan fell the other day and is hurting all over.  Hope she is doing better.  will go over after dinner at the church  and visit this afternoon. Well better go for now and get ready for the days events.

Amarillo

We had a really great visit with Mother and Daddy in Amarillo.  Mother cooked supper for us almost every evening while we were there.  I just love my Momma's cooking.  I am going to miss it.
We played 42 a couple of nights but Daddy and Lydell did not like getting beat so we switched to Chicken Foot.  Mother and I played lots of Yatchee-- I think we were about even on win/loses.

We drove down to Palo Duro Canyon one afternoon---it was a beautiful day, sunny and warm.  The park has had lots of improvements on the road and picnic/camping areas but it is just as beautiful as it was last time we were there and what I remember from my childhood.  Then we drove over to Canyon.  Drove around the campus, over to the apartments we lived in when we were first married, and down to the court house.  The campus has really changed since A&M took over.  The apartments are still there and look about the same as they did 43 years ago.

I had lunch with Teresa Shuttlesworth Dorsey, a childhood friend I had not seen in about 40 years.  We had a really great time visiting and catching up with one another.  I'll be giving Teresa a call next time we are in Amarillo so we can stay in touch.

Enjoyed so much spending time with Mother and Daddy.

Breckenridge, Texas

We left Amarillo on Thursday the 11th.  When we left about 10 o'clock it 55, overcast and very windy.  By the time we got to Childress it was Sunny and close to 70.  We got to Breckenridge about 4:30 Thursday afternoon, got all set up by 6pm.  Then off to eat.  Friday morning I got an email from my Mother with the following pictures of the snow they got in Amarillo Friday.

These were taken about 10:00 am Friday out Mother and Daddy's front door.  So very glad we left Amarillo on Thursday.  Bertha would not have liked all this ice and snow and neither would Lydell and I. 

We had a little trouble getting set up on the internet here.  Our internet card does not work here.  There are not Sprint towers in this area.  Having to use an unsecure wireless site.  Sure hope we don't have any problems because of this.

We've visited with several of Lydell's classmates already.  He sure has a good time reliveing old times.  Hopeing to get to see several more of his old pals while we are here.



Leaving Amarillo

Well.  It is Monday.  We will start getting Bertha packed and ready to leave on Thursday.  We will go to my hometown,Breckenridge, Tx., until Thanksgiving.  Then on South to around San Antonio or down to Victoria for the winter.  Still having trouble with the Ref. on electrical cooling so we will run it on propane until we can get it fixed, probaably in New Bronfels in a couple of weeks.  We have had a great time here visiting with Billlie's parents and getting to see a WTAM football game.   See yall in the Spring!!

Palo Duro Canyon

Tomorrow we are going to Palo Duro with Billie's parents.  Have not been there for many years.  It will be interesting to see what has changed. We have been having a great time here visiting with them for three weeks.  Will leave next week on our continuimg trip South for the winter.  Will stop in my old hometown,Breckenridge to spend Thanksgiving with friends and then continue South.

UPDATE

Well Bertha is repaired.  I had to purchase several items for PM on the motorhome. Always hate to spend savings but thats the way it is.  We have about a week left here in Amarillo.  Then on to Breckenridge to visit with friends.  Will be good to have time to catch up on things , see the old town and discuss the election with my friends of the "other" persuasion.   ;)   I always enjoy good conversation.  Billie and I will have a good time. See yall soon .

Bertha repairs

Well , Bertha is still being repaired.  New calipers,pads and some other parts.  We will still get the same mileage, but we will be able to stop on a dime. Still loving the motorhome life.  Went to the VA today and started the process to get hearing aids.  Will take a while but eventually hope to get them.

Yea !!!

Billie is on the way home.   Melanie is doing well and Billie can come home.  Tomorrow we get the brakes on Bertha fixed under the NTSB brake recall.  Will be able to head South for the winter in 2-3 weeks.  We may 'HAVE' to spend the winter in South Texas on the beach.  Woh is us!

Update

Well our daughter Melanie continues to slowly inprove after her surgery.  She is eating,moving around and taking the antibiotics and an occasiional pain pill when she needs it.  Billie will know when she can come home after Melanie's Dr. appt. next Tue.  Hopefully next week.  Our daughter Bonnie continues to have problems with a kidney infection, She only  has one, and may have a new viral ,stomach infection causing her to cough up blood.  Will wait to see how she does for the next couple of days.  I am doing well here in Amarillo.  I go over to see Bill and Bonnie,Patsy and Robert, Billie's parents and sister and bil .  I usually come home between 9-11 PM.  Tonight I will probably come home early and let her family regain their sanity from my daily visits.  I will probably lay on the couch, eat popcorn and watch the ESPN college football game on TV.  Ah!  The life of a retired POSTAL WORKER. How can it get any better???

Back home.maybe.

Well.  We arrived home at the RV in Amarillo.  Our daughter Melanie had some emergency surgery today after we left.  Billie has gone back to DC to help her with the house and kids for a few days.  I will be here in Amarillo.I have our home phone and you can reach Billie at either Melanie's phone or Mischelle's phone.

BACK IN TEXAS !!!!!! Good to be HOME !

Well. We arrived in Amarillo about 5PM. yesterday.  Had a good visit with Bill and Bonnie last night.  My team lost on Monday Night football.  Boohoo!  Poor me.  Well we will be here for at least a month to visit and to get the Motorhome brakes fixed.  Massive Caliper recall on all Workhorse chasis between 2000 and 2010.  Maybe a few other upgrades also.  You never know.  Well we are doing fine and fit as a fiddle.  See Ya Later Alligator. ;)

Balloon Fiesta

We arrived in Albuquerque Friday afternoon around 3.  What a beautiful drive from Loveland to Albuquerque.  The Denver skyline is pretty, then past the Bronco's stadium.

After many more miles we were finally out of Denver.  I think it was a good 1 1/2 hr drive across Denver.  I was beginning to think we would never get out of town.  Finally  fewer and fewer buildings and less and less traffic.   The sceanery was awsome between Denver and Colorado Springs was breath takeing.   We stopped at the scenic overlook at the Air Force Academy.   Saw a couple of groups of parrachuteres come down while we were there.  One had American flags.  It was so awsome.

                                                                                                                                                     

Through Colorado Springs and on to Raton.  We stopped in Raton for the night.  The sight coming down out of Raton Pass was spectecular.  Wow!                                                                                                       
On to Albuquerque.  Over the mountain and through the valley and plains. Now more mountains.  Ahhh--

Albuquerque---Beautiful sight.  KOA campground easy to find.  Beautifully kept camp ground.  Pool, hottub, small store.  NICE!!!  Must get to bed early.  Have to be up early ---4:30am---to get to the Balloon Fiesta.                                                                                                                                                        

Cool, Crisp, beautiful morning for the balloons to take off.    WOW!!!!!!!!!! Awsome sight.  Still dark and the balloons are lite up with the flames for heating the gas.    Beautiful.  Dawn patrol lifts off.

 7 am---National Athem  sung by Air Force Acadamey Caddett.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month two pink balloons with Big American Flags lift off

Now  we watch over 400 balloons lift off in waves of 10 or 15.  Balloons literally fill the air.  It is a beautiful sight.  I took over 150 photos.  I'll post a few of them.  If anyone wants to see more of them email me or see my album on Facebook.                                                                                                                            

Pictures don't even begin to show the beauty of the balloons or the excitement of see them lift off and float away. 

We were back home by noon.  Rested for awhile then went over to see my niece that lives here.  We visited with Carrie and Henry her 7 month old then met Paul (Carries husband) for dinner.  We had a great visit and a great meal.  What a sweet baby Henry is--- smiles, grins and big sloppy kisses, coos and more smiles.  I just love this age baby.

Sunday we went to church with Carrie, Paul and Henry.  A great time of worshiping with family.  Then after lunch we drove down old Route 66 to old town Albuquerque.  Drove around the old square.  Beautiful old buildings and old church.  Then home to get ready to leave Monday morning for Amarillo.  Carrie and Henry came out to our house Sunday afternoon.  We had another great visit and Henry is such a cutie.                   

                   

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  God bless you.

Until next time.

III John2

BALOONS GALORE

Well.  We arose at 0430 on Sat. and proceeded in the dark to see the baloons here in Albequerque.  Cold nose and cold toes.  However it was worth it.  Baloons are erily magestic when hit with a burst of propane in the night air.  Beautiful. Remings me of the movie " Around the World in 80 Days".  We watched over 400 baloons lift off at 0700 and float into the still,cold,crisp air around us.  The only sounnd was the Wompppp of the propane igniting in the dark.  Had a great time seeing it with Billie.  That makes all things better.  Billie has tried to download some of the pics. but has had trouble.  Maybe we need more memory,electrons,protons or something like that.   I will ask a GEEK at Best Buy.  They know these mysterious machines best.  I know automotive,guns, killing and such, but not much about laptops. Well better get off the computer and start getting ready for Church.  Catch you later,Alligator !!!!  Watch for the next THRILLING episode of The Great Adventure!  Coming soon to a computer screen near you! ;

Leaving Loveland Co.

Well ,we start breaking camp today and prepare to leave Loveland Co.  We will travel two days to Albequerque NM. for the baloon festival.  Then on to Amarillo Tx. to visit Billie's parents for a while, probably about a month,depending on the weather.  We hope to go to a WT football game while we are there.  It should be a good time.  Have to get the RV , Big Birtha's,  brakes fixed on a NTSB safety recall while we are there.  Will probably go South from there for the winter to stay out of the freezing weather. We don't know just where yet but have several options. Probably through Breckenridge, San Antonio down to around Fredicksburg or down to Bay City. Next spring we hope to go up into the Dakotas, Wyoming area to see the National Parks and other assorted attractions. Travel depends a lot on the cost of gasoline and RV park costs.  These are the biggest budget crunchers.  Well , better close for now and go wake Billie.  She is getting into this retirement thing quicker than I thought.  In truth, we both have adapted fairly quickly. ;) We have had a great time so far and,GW, will continue to enjoy our time in each others company for a long time to come..   We have met some "CHARACTERS" so far in our travels and expect to continue to find interesting friends along the way.  STRANGERS  are just FRIENDS waiting to happen.  You know me. Such a shy ,retiring and timid guy!!!!  Well better close for now and get going. Please, continue to follow us for our next action packed adventure coming soon to a big computer screene near you !!!!!

Pictures taken while at Ft Collins

 The close of another great week.  Spent most of the week visiting with Bonnie and helping her get caught up on some of the house work she has problems doing.  Did our laundry.  Friday Emma and Molly spent the night with us. They wanted to stay up til midnight--OK.  We played games--dominoes, Skipbo, Happy, Yatchee, and banangram---by 10:30 they were so tired they just couldn't hardly stay awake.  made out the bed and both were sound asleep by 11:15.  Slept late Sat AM (9am) had breakfast, cleaned up, got dressed and went in to Bonnie's.  She wanted to do some shopping and get Emma's hair cut.

This morning we went to Snowy Ridge Church in Fort Collins.  Great time of fellowshipping and a great sermon from Romans 12:1.  Bonnie was not feeling well this morning and was not at church.  We took Emma and Molly out to luch after church.  The girls could not agree on what they wanted to eat----so we went to a Country Buffet so everyone could have what they wanted.  Emma had steak, Molly had pizza, Lydell had fish and shrimp and I had fried chicken, steak and shrimp.  Everyone was happy!

Below are a few of the pictures I have taken.  Enjoy!!!!!!!!

III John 2

My beautiful girls!

Hope you enjoyed seeing these.