Month: February 2024

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Three Weeks In The Rio Grande Valley

After a very wonderful, active week with our kids and grandkids on South Padre Island, Betty & I have moved – temporarily – to a much quieter 55 + community of mainly “winter Texans”: Canadians and folks from northern states who escape the chillier winter weather for a few months of warmth in the Rio Grande Valley.

The temperature is starting to climb into the 90s, so almost time to move on…

The Rio Grande Valley includes the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco, Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, San Juan, and Rio Grande City, which are all located close to the Rio Grande River that forms the border between Texas and Mexico. 

Our site – 2415 Double Eagle Dr. – in Hidden Valley Ranch (yes, that’s really the name!) contains a large, flat cement parking area with water, sewer, and 50 amp power. We didn’t have access to the casita, on the same property. But the porch was nice for our bbq, and to keep our bikes out of the sun and rain. The L-shaped structure provided a shady spot to sit and chat; for Betty to sew socks; and for us to listen to audio books.

Good friends from our summer home at Town & Country – Pat and Gordie – have a winter spot in Mission, Texas, and arranged for us to stay at their park for a few weeks. We have been fortunate to also connect with a number of other folks from Town and Country to catch up on their news and compare the many RV parks in the valley. 

While here we have been able to cross into Mexico a number of times, stocking up on medications for me, and accessing cheaper, good quality dental care for Betty.

A “before” pic of one of our slide toppers which has been battered by the winds in the past few years. We already had them replaced twice, but the vinyl fabric just wasn’t up to the task.

A shop at a local flea market supplied and installed a new awning for our motorhome, replacing the one damaged by high winds as we left Magnolia Beach. They were able to re-use the acrylic fabric from our old awning to make three good quality toppers for our slide-outs.

Our new replacement toppers were made from our old acrylic awning, and are expected to last much longer. They are a colour match to our new awning.
New awning and toppers were expertly installed at our current site. It couldn’t have been more convenient!

A custom mattress manufacturer in North Carolina made a new mattress for our motorhome – to our exact specifications – and had it delivered to us in Mission within a week.

FedEx delivered the custom made mattress to our site in the park, within a week of ordering. It was shrink-wrapped to fit in this box, but expanded to full size when we opened it.
Betty checked out the new mattress as soon as it was installed. Looking forward to some restful sleeps!

We have shopped at the local Costco while here (sorry you couldn’t join us Valerie), and picked up ingredients for some great meals, pillows for our new bed, and a slow-cooker to replace the one we left at the house on South Padre Island…

We couldn’t resist the bottle of “Steak and potatoes” Cabernet Sauvignon, to go with our steak and potatoes. Btw, we are big fans of the local Texas russet potatoes, I’m sure our daughter Lisa would approve. lol

Pat and Gordie have been helpful in a number of ways, including acclimatizing us to the local night life and introducing us to their friends. 

We visited Buchanans Music Hall for some local country flavour. The performers sang a song for us, requested by Pat.
Pat and Betty were joined by Pat’s friend Shirley for a fun night out.
I left my stetson at home, but Gordie came well prepared.
Gordie & Pat tore up the dance floor with some fancy two-steppin”.

Our three weeks here are almost over. As we prepare to head further west to Arizona, it has been a great time for Betty and me to get a flavour of what the Rio Grande Valley has to offer. If you have an opportunity, we highly recommend a visit to this fascinating part of the continent.

Cheers!

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Joyful Relationships

“And you can tell everybody that this is your song
It may be quite simple but
Now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.

I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”  Writer(s): Bernie Taupin, Elton John 

One last group pic before everyone leaves South Padre Island.

Sometimes relationships with relatives and friends can get really messy. Misunderstandings and arguments can lead to anger, bitterness, separation and loneliness.  Despite technological advances intended to improve communication and assist people in connecting more easily, many seem to be experiencing a disconnect from others these days. While pandemic isolation is hopefully in the rear-view mirror for now, maybe we could all benefit from opportunities to strengthen healthy friends and family relationships.

Nana & James enjoy a snuggle in one of Andrew’s hammocks.

Betty & I had just such an opportunity this past week. 

Betty & Lisa share a hug.

My last post spoke of the happiness that emanated from our week-long celebrations with our family. This can be considered “Part Two” – covering the final fun family frolicking before everyone but us headed back to Manitoba. BTW, I can now happily report that everyone made it home safely. Yeah!

James tries to beat his dad in a game of pool.

When I consider the pictures taken this week, they speak to me of joyful relationships. Here are but a few examples:

Valerie leads a stretching family yoga session.

The home we rented had at least eleven large, flat-screen televisions. But for the week we were together, I didn’t see one turned on – ever! In addition to all the inside and outside activities, our kids and grandkids brought games and puzzles, and days were filled laughing and chatting over “go” or “boggle” or “zombie kittens” or any number of other challenges.

Sharing meal times is always an important part of joyful relationships.
But just sitting for a cuddle with Nana is also good too…
Andrew practices putting while his dad looks on.
Of course shared walks on the beach are also a great time to connect.
And share a meeting of the minds.
Or just pose by the calming Gulf waters.
But everything wasn’t always just calming. There were some hair-raising rides as well!
Including scary ones where it was best to hold hands.
Or go with your Dad.
And it’s usually good to have a Dad or uncle with you when the world goes merrily around.
Amusement parks are always a fun shared experience.
But so is sharing a big sandcastle chair.
Or showing a pirate where to go to find the hidden treasure.
Then there’s this fearsome pirate who also seems to have found the ice cream. lol
Overall, our short time together helped strengthen some joyful relationships.

Betty & I hope that your relationships also include some wonderful, joyful, life-giving hugs with those in your world!

“I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

Cheers!

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Happy!

“It might seem crazy what I am ’bout to say
Sunshine, she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care, baby by the way

Huh (Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do… Pharrell Williams 2014

Everyone’s lives have ups and downs, good times and bad. There are times when we feel like we are moving forward, and other moments like we are stuck in reverse. Anyone reading our travel blog will recognize that Betty & I have experienced all of the above.

But this week Pharrell Williams’ song best captures our mood:  Happiness is the truth!

Over a year ago we pitched our kids and grandkids on the idea of coming to South Padre Island for a week to celebrate a late Christmas, our daughter and her husband’s tenth wedding anniversary, our other daughter and her husband’s twentieth wedding anniversary, our fiftieth wedding anniversary, numerous birthdays, and whatever anyone felt like celebrating.  It has been a most happy time!

The following are just a few of the pictures that attempt to capture our shared experience. But they don’t do justice to the exhilarating feelings of elation that have surrounded us on South Padre Island this week!

Aurora, Isabella, James & Pat join me as birthday celebrants on South Padre Island .
Adam & Lisa congratulate Graham on making it through another year.
Georgia keeps an eye on her Nana’s meatball during our festive feast.
James, Betty, Georgia, Kevin, Lisa, Adam, Valerie, Andrew, Isabella, Annie, Aurora, and I met at the South Padre Island sign for a group photo to celebrate our time together.
The 9 bedroom home we rented is a short block from the beach. It came with second and third floor decks, a basketball court, soccer pitch, and swing set, among other features.
The Gulf Of Mexico is clearly visible from our decks.
Our yard includes a putting green,
And swimming pool,
But one of the most popular features is the hot tub, with an adjustable thermostat and water fall to the pool.
The home includes a couple of parking areas, with one large enough for our motorhome and Smart car.
Andrew is rarely seen without his guitar. Here he serenades his mom and our friend Pat, as they chat over someone’s famous margaritas.
There is no shortage of shared activities at the home, including Legs Up The Wall Yoga with our very own yoga instructor.
Very talented Annie & daughter Aurora are completing some craft work on the patio.
But our time together hasn’t been limited to just the home. We also visited the plaque honouring our own Queen Isabella. lol
And stopped at the South Padre Island Sea Turtle Rescue with Kevin & Valerie.
Where James had a chance to talk turtle.
Sunday morning saw us filling a pew at our local Chapel By The Sea.
With lots of time spent finding shells on the beach,
And visiting our old puppy Charlie’s final resting place.
Hugs are regularly shared by all. Here Annie & Andrew enjoy a sunny beach day together.
Most evenings see gatherings in the hot tub, with glorious sunsets in the background.

Our week together isn’t over yet, but my camera is full, and my heart is overflowing with happiness that we can share this special time together!

Here’s one more pic at the South Padre Island sign, taken by our good friend Gordie from Town & Country, with potentially more happiness to share in another post.

Betty & I know from experience that life on this earth isn’t always easy. But we hope and pray that you can join Pharrell Williams and us in recognizing times when we are filled with joy!

“Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”

Cheers!