WE ARE SETTLING IN BACK HOME

We are settling in back at home, but it's amazing and funny what we found.  Because we had a party the night before we left, there were a couple of things overlooked in our rush to get out of here the next morning. 

Yesterday, upon putting some stuff away in my book shelves, low and behold, what do I find, but a paper plate, with some dried up shrimp tails and shrimp sauce and a napkin on top of it, sitting on one of the shelves, that had been overlooked when I was tidying up before I went to bed, December 22nd.

Then today, when I opened my Microwave to use it, there was a plate full of sausage rolls that had been heated up but not served that night, and not noticed in there until now.  Oh well,  no harm done. 

Everything is unpacked, and sorted, but we still have to deliver it around to where it belongs.  Some belongs here, some goes to my kids, and some out to the boat, etc. etc. etc. We should be back to normal shortly. 

  

WE ARE HOME

It was an leisurely and uneventful trip from Fargo to Winnipeg.  As we approached to Canadian Customs, I started worrying about those bottles of wine, that Keith Pierce said I should have no problem importing.  I was wondering what kind of a problem they were going to be and what it was going to cost me in duty. 

 

I had all my bills listed and attached to my list, including the receipt for the 6 bottles of wine I was bringing back.  We tried to show the officer my documentation and told him we had 6 bottles of wine to declare.  He carried on asking about firearms etc.  Then just said, "Have a nice Day", as he handed us back our passports.  We didn't even have to get out of the truck. 

As everyone always says, "It is wonderful to go traveling, but it is also wonderful to be back home".  Even if "Friendly Manitoba"is exceptionally cold this April.  So now all we have to face is the dreaded unpacking.  It's always a nightmare trying to fit everything into the truck coming home, and it's also a chore trying to figure out where it's all going to go once we get home.  Oh, well that is tomorrows chore. 

 

 

 

SO, THAT'S OUR SOUTHERN TRIP FOR 2013, NOW OUR FOCUS TURNS TO OUR BOAT. 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA TO FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

We left Council Bluffs this morning in more bright sunshine. With a view of Omaha across the Missouri River.

There is nothing quite like driving through the "Bible Belt", on a religious holiday.  "You have the roads all to yourself". 

We were an hour into our journey before we saw the first trace of snow in a sheltered area protected from the sun.  That will not last long. 

 

But, on the other hand.  By the time we got half way up South Dakota there was a lot more snow around. 

And in Northern South Dakota ran into lots of snow everywhere you looked. 

Then we entered North Dakota.  Of course there is still lots of snow in North Dakota, and there will be just as much, or more, in Manitoba when we get there. 

 

And as I watch the snow covered fence posts whizz by, on our way to Fargo.  I can't help but wonder, "Which one has that briefcase full of cash buried beside it?"       Mmmmmmmmm!!

 

 

 

 WE WILL BE HOME BY NOON TOMORROW. 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY TO COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA

 
There were lots of storms all around us last night, with lightning, rain and hail, but luckily, they have all missed us.  We headed out at 8:30 this morning under sunny skies and put Oklahoma behind us. 

It is already very green in Kansas. Some of the cultivated fields are greening up nicely. We followed those thunderstorms all day today, with the clouds ahead always looking a little threatening.  . 

Then you start into the ranch land and it goes on and on for miles and miles of unchanging hills with the highways meandering through them. The skies stayed dull all day.  But, we never did overtake those storms, and they continued East when we turned North in Kansas City

 

 Then as we left Kansas City in the rear view mirror, The sun came out and a couple of interchanges later and we were on good old I-29.  The rest of our trip home is straight North, all the way to Winnipeg. 

We haven't seen any snow yet, but I'm sure we will be seeing some tomorrow, when we cross into South Dakota. 

 

 

 

 

WE ARE NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT, BUT WE KNOW IT'S INEVITABLE. 

 

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CONTINUING THE JOURNEY NORTH

Today's journey consisted of Austin, Texas to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

  

 

Even with it being Good Friday, the traffic was heavy as usual going through Fort Worth Dallas area.  I hate those stacked up highways, but as long as we don't have to go up on them, that is just fine with me.  With a few slow downs for heavy traffic we were soon though the last of Texas and into Oklahoma. 

 

 I love Oklahoma, you notice the immediate change in the roadsides.  Everything is so neat and park like compared to the hustle, bustle of the advertising signs etc.  all along the Texas road sides. 

In Oklahoma all private property seems to be well back from the freeways.  And the property around the freeways is all very well maintained. 









 

Therefore everything looks much more park like. 

 

We arrived in Oklahoma City and checked into our Motel around 3:00 pm, which gave us a very relaxed afternoon and evening.  We went out for Dinner then relaxed and watched TV. 

 

 

TOMORROW WE WILL PUSH ON THROUGH KANSAS CITY. 

 

 

WE"RE ON OUR WAY NORTH. FIRST STOP AUSTIN TX.

We left Paradise Park behind this morning. 


The trailers was all prepared.  Foil on all the windows, the fridge defrosted and propped open.  The slide is in and all the patio is put away until we get back late this year. 





And so we headed north, past the last of the Palm Trees we will see till we return.  We will continue to see Cactus, but the Palm Trees are a South Texas thing. 


It was a very relaxing drive.  There is nothing quite like driving through South Texas listening to Classic "Los Indios Tabajaras" on the stereo. 






We didn't have a long journey planned for today, as we are stopping in the Austin area for another visit with my cousin Carol and her husband Rick.  We have found a Motel 6 in Cedar Park, which is close to where they are in Lago Vista.  It is one of the "Re-Done" Motel 6's, which I'm kinda getting used to, as they are slowly changing them all. 

They are very stark and not exactly what you would call cozy, but at least they are still dog friendly. 





So tonight, we went over to Rick and Carols condo for dinner.  They are staying in a lovely condo  In a rolling hill area next to a large river system with lots of golf courses.  Very pretty. 

 

We had a wonderful evening and a lovely dinner.  Thanks guys. 

 

 

 

SO THAT WAS DAY ONE OF OUR JOURNEY HOME/ 

 

 

 

 

IT IS TIME TO SAY MORE GOODBYES

Now it's our departure date that is approaching. 


And so, we have to say our goodbyes to Larry Gentner and Mary-Ellen Johnston, who's company we have come to know and enjoy this year. Even though she did rope me into a job..... (I thought I was retired) 

It is also sad to be leaving behind, Ed and Hazel, who arrived late, and will be staying a little longer. They stopped by to say their goodbyes to us yesterday. 

And Dave and Helen, because you have finally bought a lot, in the park, I know for sure you will be back here again, even if you will not be our immediate neighbours.  (We were obviously far to rowdy for you.) lol  We know where you live.





 

I hope you folks also have that wonderful summer that we are all looking forward to, and we will all meet back here again next winter, for some more fun, when those northern temperatures drive us back down to Texas.

I GUESS YOUR NOT A REAL WINTER TEXAN UNTIL YOU FEEL THE PAIN OF THE GOODBYES AND THE ANTICIPATION AND THE JOY OF THE REUNION.