Last Week In Livingston, Texas

This trolley is going nowhere but we are hitting the road.

Yes, I received my temporary license on Monday and all the legal stuff is done. Yeah!

I will miss the water aerobics class and the wonderful ladies I met.

At the live jam session on Thursday they played some rock n' roll songs we requested. When we told them our last day was Sunday they serenaded us with one more song. How sweet! 

Are we overweight? I am talking about our RV.
Did you know they have Weight Watchers for RV's?

Before hitting the road we wanted to utilize the Escapees SmartWeigh service to make sure the weight of our RV is evenly distributed.  For safety and tire wear, each wheel or corner is individually weighed so you can shift your contents and don't overload one area. We thought about weight distribution when loading but were shocked to received a glowing report. She told us not to move a thing! In fact the RV is underweight. We have never heard that in our life.

Scott and I are also happy about some modifications Duane did for us before leaving West Des Moines, Iowa. He took our rectangular cutting board and cut it to fit the round sink which makes the area more functional. It also hides the dishes when I don't get them done. He also installed a soft release hinge on the garbage lid so it doesn't fall in. They both work great! Thanks Duane!

We have met some very nice people at Rainbow's End.
Leonard has a Blue Bird school bus and is making it into his home on wheels. We stopped over for a personal tour. He has a Jacuzzi tub, a fold down Murphy bed, heated floors, some very cool lighting and an eight foot work shop area at the back. You can check it out: Leonard's Blue Bird Bus

Before leaving the area we wanted to go to Gokey's Old Town Emporium & Creamery in Goodrich, Texas. A small town of 271 people. After strolling through the aisles that are jam packed with antiques, we indulged in some ice cream. Scott had a cookie dough shake and I had pistachio almond ice cream in a waffle cone. We sat in a red and white booth next to the soda fountain stools and jars of candy. An adorable shop ran by a friendly couple. Notice the sign above the window - Life is Sweet.

The last 30 days here have been great. We definitely needed some transition time after the last few crazy months selling our house and preparing to go full-time. We have had time to rest, get all the legal stuff done, and still did a few activities. Scott has been perusing the atlas and has made some plans for the next six months and is itching to get on the road.

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." Anita Desai

Pokemon Go Adventures

We got your attention with that title! 

With all the obsession of Pokemon Go we couldn't resist posting this sign we saw in town! 

We got a good laugh and someone is very creative. 

Another church sign read: Too hot to change the sign.

I know some of you already think we have lost our minds.

Just to make it perfectly clear, we do not play Pokemon Go! 

We did experience a few new adventures last week. 

• I started attending water aerobics with a few ladies in the morning. They are so nice and it is a great way to get some exercise in the hot weather. 
• We went to the live jam session which had five musicians. There was a bass violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar and an accordion. It was mostly country music but some gospel. I thought it was a thrill to sing "Deep In The Heart Of Texas". Click on the link if you want to hear the song. Deep In The Heart Of Texas  Scott who prefers rock wasn't as thrilled. Experiencing the jam session is what traveling around the country is all about.
• Scott and I played a few games of pool which we use to play weekly at our sticks and bricks home. He won both games.
• Bonnie and Erla - Scott's hair looks great. Wink Wink 
• Scott received his real Texas drivers license in the mail. I am still waiting for my paper work to arrive.
• We have talked to five different single women who are rving full-time. They impress me because I don't think I would be that brave.

I hope everyone was able to see the opening ceremony of the Olympics. We can all be united by cheering on these amazing athletes. USA! USA! USA!

This plaque hangs on our remote control holder. 

It reads: Home There's no place like it. Especially when you can take it with you!

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Roadside Art & Galveston Island

 Tuesday we had to stock up on our favorite glazed pecans from Sweet Taste of Texas. While in Houston we had a nice visit with Jason, Becky and family. 

Thursday was rainy off and on so we decided to drive around Lake Livingston. As we turned a sharp corner in Trinity, Texas we came across this metal art sculpture. There were more sculptures in the yard at this gated home. 

You never know what is around the next corner in life or traveling. 

 Fred Hartman Bridge in Baytown, Texas on the way to Galveston.

Click on this link to see how the residents created
something positive after Hurricane Ike. 

Galveston Tree Sculptures

Many beautiful historic homes to tour. 

 We spent a few hours walking on the beach 

but because of a flesh eating bacteria we didn't get into the water. 

The decision to stay in Livingston for 30 days was a good one. We are having fun and learning a new pace in life. Scott still stays up late listening to music. I am sleeping in a little which gives both of us our own time. I have my daily devotional and read before he gets up. The internet is great in the park so we have live-streamed two different services on Sunday and then we go to the Vesper Service at the CARE Center. We talk with Joel every Sunday night and he seems to be doing great.

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.

Livingston Living

 We arrived in Texas and  have been very pleased with the Escapees RV park. The people are friendly, the grounds, laundry facilities and tiled bathroom are nice and clean. We took a tour of the headquarters, mail forwarding service and the CARE center. CARE stands for Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees, the only one like it in the nation. It is not a nursing home. They have a live jam session once a week, a Big Breakfast on Friday, Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, games, movies and Vesper Service Sunday evening that is open to everyone in the park. Click on the link to learn more. Escapees CARE

 Our love for Mexican food had us searching and we found a great place. We went there for our first meal and to celebrate that Scott received his Texas drivers license. I am still waiting on more paper work to get mine. When was the last time you had to show your Marriage License? They didn't like my Birth Certificate either. Thanks Wyley for going the extra mile to help!

It hasn't been all rainbows. Plowing through all the paper work for vehicle inspections, registration and licenses, voters registration, insurance, lots of phone calls, and obtaining drivers license has been challenging but we are taking it one sheet at a time. I took some time to "relax" in between. 

Sunday, July 17th was National Ice Cream Day and if you know Scott we had to attend the ice cream social at the clubhouse and met some new neighbors. 

Yes, it is hot in Texas but we go for sunset walks every night 

and the pool is fabulous in the afternoon. 

Now that we have most of the legal stuff done it was time to go out and explore.

Big Thicket National Preserve  had a ranger led night hike on Friday so we signed up. It is about 45 minutes southeast of Livingston. We arrived early to hike a few other trails.
              



A small group of 22 adults and children started off on a one mile hike with a few red lens flashlights. In the ninety minutes program the ranger talked about how insects use their different senses to hunt, attract mates, communicate and mark their territory. We were treated with bats flying over our heads as she talked about how they use echolocation.  She found two scorpions on the boardwalk using a black light flashlight and they glowed - very cool! We saw Pitcher plants which are one of the five species of carnivorous plants in the United States. With the clear sky and miles away from the city we had a beautiful star show and the ranger pointed out the planets Saturn, Jupiter and Mars as well as some constellations.


If you have questions please post them in the comments section.

Remember the days blessings, forget the days troubles.

Our New Adventure Begins!

After months of planning, selling almost everything we own, selling our three bedroom, three bathroom house, getting our son settled in an apartment, we are on our way! 

Our new home is a 2015 Sunseeker class C motor home, 28 foot with one bedroom and one bathroom. A few adjustments in our future.

Yes, Reagan, that is Meagan from channel 13.

Table for two with an ever changing view.

I made the curtains so you don't have to pull the
blinds down every time and still have privacy. 

Life long memories.

Scott and I are heading to Livingston, Texas for the next 30 days to regroup and plan our travels. Thanks for all the love and support from family and friends! We will miss you!

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life and in change there is power.
Alan Cohen

March 2016

We traveled to Texas for

spring break! 

Two warm, peaceful days 

soaking up the sun and listening to music.

We are members of Escapees RV club and the national headquarters is in Livingston.           Escape to the open road, life is calling.

We had to make a trip to
 Houston to pick up
a few bags of our favorite
glazed pecans from
Sweet Taste of Texas.
You can order them online.
Yummy!

                                                                  

Vicky & Clay's wedding. 
Congratulations! 
Love was truly in the air 
at the outdoor wedding 
in Hill Country. 

Becky, Veva & Vicky
I cared for these girls 
for many years.
These two beautiful ladies
will always have
a special place in my
 heart.
  

To top it all off the Texas Bluebonnets were in full bloom!
These were a refreshing sight since we are still getting snow in Iowa.

Good friends are like stars.
You don't always see them, 
but you know they are always there.  

John Muir

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!