Alburquerque - The Rally

The Rally is now over and we are spending a week in Cortz, CO to rest and unwind after a week at the rally.

We arrived in Albuquerque on the 13th and checked into a KOA north of town. This gave us a chance to do laundry, shower, empty holding tanks and fill water tank.

From Albuquerque - Rally

From Albuquerque - Rally

While at the rally we are dry camping except for electric, which we paid extra for. On the 15th we headed into Albuquerque to park at the Balloon Fiesta Park, we had a morning time to check in and were some of the first to get there as we were only about 10 miles away. We got a pretty good place to park and it was close to where the buses loaded to take us to the fair grounds for rally, the bath rooms and the night entertainment was very close. The first thing we did after getting set up was catch the bus to the fair grounds to register and get our information. Ended up buying two rally sweatshirts for $5 each. Now you say what a bargain.........yes it was but they were from last years rally, but we didn't care. They are quite nice and we knew there was some cold weather headed to Albuquerque so we would need them.

We attended a few seminars and did some shopping at rally. It seems as tho the more rallies one attends the seminars seem to be something we don't think we want to do again. Went to a couple of heath type ones and I went to one on Google Earth and one on Picasa, both given by the Geeks on Tour, Chris and Jim. It was good to finally get to say hello to them, I am sure they don't remember all the people they meet at these things.......but at least I stopped by the RV.net booth where they were and introduced myself.

From Albuquerque - Rally

One day the Balloon Fiesta park was offering half price off the entrance to the museum so we went to that. It was quite interesting......giving the history of ballooning, I think we must of spent most of the afternoon there.

Roger loves the entertainment that is at the rallies. This year on opening night.........which happened to be Roger's 66th Birthday, Neil Sedaka was at the Rally.

From Albuquerque - Rally

It was very good, but wish he would of sang more of his old songs. The bad thing was it was cold out and the whole thing was inside a large tent like building with a dirt floor. The chairs they had were cheep folding ones and very uncomfortable. One has to get to these things early to get a seat, so when arriving about 6pm and he didn't come on stage till after 7:30 we already were tired of sitting. You will notice in the photo's in my Albums (if you click on photo it will take you there) that while waiting for the concert to start............people walk around.....up and down isle with signs with numbers on a sign. Ok..................this looks funny to you, but they are looking for a match to their number to win a prize. We are each given a number when we register and have until Saturday to find it. There are 4 of each number, so one has a chance to find 3 other numbers like theirs. People walk around with the numbers on front of them, on back of them and even signs held in the air....all during the rally. They even post them on their RV in hopes someone passing buy will see it and be a match. Needless to say............we have been to 5 of these rallies and have never found our match yet. Oh well, maybe next time.

The good night of entertainment was when the Osmond Brothers came. That was a good one and we both totally enjoyed that one. One year they had Debbie Reynolds and boy was she good.

From Albuquerque - Rally

There was also a balloon glow one night and I got some pictures of that as well as one morning I looked out the RV window and saw balloons getting ready to go up.......wow more pictures.

From Albuquerque - Rally

We left the balloon fiesta park on Tuesday morning and headed to Cortz. I must say, the traffic was a pain getting out of Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta Park along with over 3000 other RV's.

Next stop will be heading to Grand Juction and staying at our daughter Janis' house. We will be parking in their side yard. Going to grandson (Calan) graduation which is May 13, then we will be heading back to Iowa, hopefully it will be warmer then.

Don't forget to veiw all my pictures in My Web Album, you should click on one of the photo's and them go thu all of them, I only posted a few. Enjoy

Till later...............drive safe and Happy Trails

Made it to Albuquerque

Friday, April 10, 2009
We left Bentsen Grove Resort this morning about 7:45am and headed West along Hwy 83. I started off driving and drove till we were past Lorado and ready to turn off I-35 and follow Hwy 83 again. That was at Exit 18 and we stopped at the Rest Area which also was an Information Center. While there we ate our lunch then proceeded on with Roger driving. We followed Hwy 83 to Carrizo Springs, then cut across on Hwy 277 till it met up with Hwy 90 in Del Rio. We are now at a Passport America Campground for the night. The campground is called Buzzard Roost , not sure where the name comes from, but the price is right. We got a pull thru and we even have cable TV. I tried getting on the Internet but found out Verizon is on Extended Network and it would of cost me extra.........so that was out of the question. We ended up going about 315 miles today.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
We pulled out of Buzzard Roost Campground about 8:30am. Took Hwy 90 West to Sanderson where we caught Hwy 285 North to Fort Stockton. I must say Hwy 90 was a very good road and had a lot of road side parks to pull off onto. There was hardly any traffic and no cell phone service at all. Roger liked the road, but I was driving so what wasn't there not to like. We got fuel in RV at Sanderson, it was $2.19 a gallon. Put in 50 gallons. We got on I-10 in Fort Stockton after stopping at the Dairy Queen. I told Roger I didn't care what he got, and he brought back 2 banana splits. Like either one of us really needed that. I was thinking more along the lines of a small cone. Guess that is what I get for not speaking up and saying what I wanted. Once we were on our way on I-10 we started getting wind and it continued to get worse. We made it to Van Horn and are now at another Passport America campground. It is called Mountain View, it is right along the interstate, may be a little noisy tonight, but hey, we live by railroad tracks.............so can't be that bad. We do have cable again tonight, but no list of what the stations are, so it will be flip.....flip.....flip all night finding something to watch. Sure miss the Direct TV where you have a on screen guide. Oh well, guess this is what us Rver's call roughing it. LOL
Roger did say he misses Keota. He can remember every time we stop, Keota would want to get out and lift his leg and pee on everything. It does seem strange not having him with us.......it will feel that way for awhile and every time we go someplace were we had him. When we get home, we will have all his toys, bowls, etc around to remind us. We sure miss the little guy.
Easter Sunday
We drove from Van Horn to Las Cruces, NM........it was a short drive and that was a good thing as we had winds again............but not as bad as Saturday. Once again we stayed at a Passport America park. The half price looks good but this campground had alot to be desired. We will not be going back there again. It was Coachlight RV Park off I-10 at exit 140. The lady at the desk was very rude and the whole time we were there we were smelling sewer. I went over to use the bathroom/shower at about 8:30PM and it was all locked up. Crossing that one off our list. We had to unhook the car, even tho we had a pull through. We had been having Taco Salad every noon meal since we left Mission so decided to cook up a Easter Dinner and wow..........we had ham and pineapple frozen pizza. It was good, but not really a great Easter dinner. Decided as long as we were unhooked we would take a car ride and find a Wal-Mart and picked up a few things. Watched a little TV and called it an evening. We did get some phone calls from our kids and it was so good to hear from them.
Monday, April 13, 2009
We drove on into Albuquerque and are now at a KOA north of there in Bernalillo. I had reserved a spot here for the 14th, so we called ahead to see if we could get an extra night for tonight. Ended up with a nice spot..........we are right by office and check in area, so we are watching all the rigs coming in. They have free cable here and it is good as well as free WiFi and it is very good and fast.............so that is what I am using now. After getting settled it we watched Dancing With The Stars............that is one show Roger likes to watch with me.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Today is get ready for Rally day. Got up and headed for the laundry room, as I knew there would be a lot of people doing the same thing today before they head to the rally. Roger washed outside windows and filled the water tank. We will be getting up in morning and dump the holding tanks and head the 8 miles back to Albuquerque, not sure if I will get much of a chance to write then, but I sure will be back with more after the rally.

March is coming to a close and it will be April in a few days. We are planning on leaving Mission on Good Friday the 10th. It is now time to get our list going and the plans made for our next adventure. As many of you know we are headed to New Mexico the "The Rally" in Albuquerque. I have made reservation at a camp ground outside Albuquerque for the 14th and we will be entering "The Rally" on the 15th. We need to spend the night before at a campground close by so we can make it in that morning (our appointed time to arrive) and also so we can fill our water tank and dump our holding tanks. We will be dry camping with only electicity while there.

We moved our motor home from Sleep Valley park over to Bentsen Grove where we have been spending the winter. It sure was good to get behind the wheel again and drive if only for a few miles. It is now parked across the street from our trailer so we will be able to wash, clean and pack it before leaving. I have list going for what to take what needs to be done before we leave. The next 2 weeks will be spent getting ready.

The Rally is from the 15th thru the 21st. It is always fun to go to these and see the new things, attend seminars and the fun and games. Our first one we went to was in California and we keep going back. Besides this rally we have been to Safari Rallies (that's the make of our motor home) and FMCA rallies. FMCA is Family Motor Coach Ass.

Today we went to the Don-Wes Flea Market in Donna. We both had a list of things we wanted to look for and seemed to find most of them. When we moved into this trailer in Nov. we had taken some things out of the motor home and we now want to add those things here and put the ones we took out, back in the motor home. The one thing I have not been able to replace as yet is all the "Lock Lock" containers I use for all staples in RV and at home. I would like to find the same sizes I have now as they stack in cupboards nice and I know just what size of flour, Bisquick, etc. I can buy to fill them. So far I have been able to find 2 of the sizes I need, but can't find the rest. I will keep looking, I may have to settle for a different size.

There really isn't much more news here. the weather is getting hot, was over 100 degrees the other day, but it is still cold up North so not really in a hurry to go home. The activities in the park are slowing down. The computer club I go to on Monday mornings is still meeting as well as the Line Dancing class I go to three days a week. I must admit, I didn't go this past Thursday as it was just too hot. I get over heated easy and decided to just stay inside and stay cool. I did get up before the sun came up and went for a long walk, the hummity was high and I was in a sweat before returning home. I am sure you don't want to hear about all that, so will close for now. Hope everyone is getting into Spring and enjoying the nice weather when they can. Till later......Happy Trails to all.

Company here in Texas

It has been awhile since I last posted......but have been very busy as Roger's brother and his wife were here for a visit. It sure was good to have them and we kept somewhat busy. Larry and Sharon arrived here on a Thursday and the next day.........Roger had a dentist appointment in Progreso, Mexico. We took off with Roger's school buddy, Dick and the five of us went to Progreso.......Dick and Roger to dentist and Larry, Sharon and I shopping and looking around. Needles to say........we didn't buy anything.........but we did a lot of walking.

I can't remember the date line of everything we did..........but we did make a trip to South Padre Island. We lucked out as the spring break kids had not arrived and it was not crowed at all. After checking out the visitors center we took off for the beach. All had a good time walking on beach, getting feet wet in gulf as well as picking up small sea shells. We then drove on up the highway a ways then back with a stop at the turtle rescue place. Roger and I had been there earlier so we sat in car and let Larry and Sharon go check it out. Now it is lunch time so Larry wanted to see how "Church's Chicken" was..............so that is what we had. I was all for something different, but his was their vacation and we aim to please. Our next stop was the gift shop. Had a good time roaming around inside and out and taking pictures.

Be sure to click on the picture to take you to the rest of My Web Album!!!!

From Larry and Sharon

From Larry and Sharon

Larry had a guy he worked with in Mason City, Iowa that is also staying here in Mission, so they spent some time with them as well. Mike and his wife are at Hidden Valley Resort. We also got to visit the Riverside Club as well as Pepe's. It was cold and rainy when we went to Pepe's and we were in the teekee (sp) hut and it was cold out there. I thought the food was better at the Riverside and better priced. We went on a Wednesday and that was tenderloin special day......so that is what we had...........very good. We will return there. After our tenderloin lunch we drove up to the only had drawn ferry left in the USA. We didn't go across on it as they were very busy but we got to watch it. Maybe someday we will make the crossing. It crosses the Rio Grande River and cost 50 cents to go from US to Mexico and 75 cents to get back.

Our other adventures included shopping and eating.........and Sharon fixed a great steak dinner for us here at our place in Bensten Grove. Thanks Sharon, I really think it was the best meal of all. She also fixed us home made Spaghetti with meat balls..........very good.

They left this morning and it is now time for Roger and I to start getting ready for our departure which will be in a few weeks. Not sure of the date yet, but it will be around Good Friday sometime. We are headed for Albuquerque, NM for "The Rally" (RV rally) Looking forward to that.......I think Roger is ready to head out. Till later..........drive safe and Happy Trails.

Line Dancing

As many of you know, when I was in Jr. High and High School, I spent every Saturday (all day) teaching dancing......It was what I loved to do. Before Roger and I got married, we were Square Dancing and Round Dancing.....now I have taken up Line Dancing. The park here, has line dancing three days a week and we dance from 2 to 3 hours at a time. I must say.....my first time there......I lasted an hour and 45 min. then I had to leave. I was red faced and dripping wet. I took this up for the exercise......but it is more then that now. I have met some great people and had so much fun.

The group goes to nursing homes and adult day care centers to preform. I have not gone with them........I just can't take the heat. They have the heat turned up at those places and I have a hard time with over heating during class......when I am dancing in air conditioning and under a fan. They did get to preform at our weekly park meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25th and I went with them. Most of the pictures you will have a hard time finding me.........I am in back row.......but you can get the idea. It was great fun and I have learned so many different dances. The yellow shirts we have say....."I know this dance.................now how does it start" How true that is. I don't know if it is a senior thing or what......but when the music starts or a dance is named, it is hard to remember which dance that is. I wish I had a video to share with you.........but these photos will have to do for now.

Remember to click on the photo to take you to the Web Album.

From Bentsen Grove Line Dancers

From Bentsen Grove Line Dancers

We are expecting a visit from Roger's brother (Larry) and sister-in-law (Sharon) sometime this week. It is going to be great to show them around and give them a taste of what life is like here in RGV (Rio Grande Valley)
I am hoping to get more photos now that I will have new subjects. Not sure when I will be back to post.........depends on how busy we stay.

Life is great and spring is coming......everyone stay warm.....drive safe and .........Happy Trails

Our Trip to Monterrey, Mexico

As many of you know, last winter while we were at Sleepy Valley Park, I attended a style show and during the door prize drawings..........I won a free one day trip to Mexico. Last year, I did not have a passport or my birth certificate that one needed to make the trip..........so I asked if I could use it this year. I really didn't want to go alone.........what kind of fun is that? I asked Roger to go and I would pay for his ticket. That was rather hard to do and arrange with Keota here and not leaving him for that length of time. We finally decided to book the trip, we had our choice of about 5 trips but decided on the Monterrey one.

We had to be in McAllen (about 8miles) by 7:15 AM as that was when the bus was leaving. We didn't know anyone, but we were off. Due to the fact that our stop was the last one of 5 that the bus took, we got to move to the back of the bus and find a seat. Of course we got lucky and got the seats right across the isle from the potty......WOOPIE. After settling into our seats it was off to Mexico. I had never looked up to see how far it was, but after leaving at 7:15 we didn't get to Monterrey till about 11:30 AM. We did make one stop on the way, to stretch and potty.

The first thing our guide did when arriving was walk us thru a park to a public restroom. The guide "Juan" went to the boat and bought our ticket to ride the boat along the river walk. The River Walk is called "Paseo Santa Lucia" and we enjoyed it. The only bad part about the boat ride was we were cramped into the boat and if you were sitting on the left side and the guide told you to look to the left..........you couldn't turn that way. Roger missed some of it due to that fact. I was sitting on end of bench on left side of boat, in front so I got to see more...........I turned to front of boat and got a pretty good view.


Click on any photo to take you to "My Web Albums" and see all of them.

From Our Trip to Monterrey Mexico

After leaving the boat, we were led to the macro plaza and viewed the Governor's palace. It was built in 1906, the first floor is a museum and the 2nd floor is Governor's offices. Juan our guide said the governors of Mexico can only hold office for 6 years then they are done for good. They can run for President but not Governor again. There were a lot of statutes in the plaza, I can't remember all the names, but they were very impressive. The one thing we did notice was how dirty everything was. The brick path along could of used a good power washing and there was gum stuck to the path. We did get a few pictures of "Neptune's Fountain", it was quite
impressive.

From Our Trip to Monterrey Mexico

From Our Trip to Monterrey Mexico

Next it was a short walk into a shopping area of downtown and to a Hotel for lunch. Juan had called ahead of time to let them know we were coming. The lunch was buffet all you can eat and set up very nice. Cloth table clothes, napkins.............the whole thing. Juan once again paid for every ones lunch to add to our bill to him at end of day. It was $12.50 each and that included the tip. There was a lot of food including, salad bar, bread bar, dessert bar as well as the main dishes. I could of said HOT dishes but that would of been stretching the truth. I was amazed when taking my first bite.............COLD. There were burners under everything and they all had lids on them..........but everything was cold. For some reason.............cold fish and other meat and veggies do not appeal to us. I have tired to reason out why it was all cold, and it just doesn't add up. After all Juan had called ahead and it was only 12.30PM so it wasn't that late in afternoon. The dessert bar was great............so I guess it made up for some of it.

It was back on the bus and a ride to "Horse Tail Falls" The road to the falls is an experience in itself. It is narrow and winds around. Now being a school bus driver, I have some experience in bus driving, but I would of never attempted to take it up there. It was a dirt road and a number of times we met cars and trucks coming down, very close calls. Also gave us a chance to see some of the homes.............if that is what they are called. Wow..........what a life. There was litter and trash everywhere and quite a slum area. One would think a drive to a tourist attraction like that that the road and homes would be something that would show a better impression of their county.

After arriving at the falls, Juan once again paid our admission to walk to the falls. That was $3 each. Ok, our total now to pay Juan is $2 for boat ride...........$12.50 for lunch and $3 for walk to falls. That is for each of us............that is a total of $35 dollars. Now Roger is sitting there adding all this up and saying......"how do we know for sure what all those things cost......he could be making extra money on this". Well, he may have a point, but how do we know Juan isn't telling us the truth. You have to trust sometimes.........besides..........I am sure he wouldn't have a job long if he were ripping us all off. Besides all of that..............the tour brioche said to pay your guide anywhere from $3 - $5 a day per person for a tip to your guide and the same for the bus driver. OK.................now it is up to almost $50 extra. I guess we would of liked to of had that all included in the price of trip to begin with and not have to worry about all the extra.

Back to the falls. After Juan paid for our tickets to walk, he told everyone they could take the walk ticket or if they decided to ride the cart or a horse it would be extra. It was only a half mile walk, so we walked. The horses looked like they were on their last leg........could of dropped over dead before we got up the hill. The falls themselves were well worth the walk and the $3 each. As you can see from the pictures. They really do look like a horse tail. This falls is spring fed.

From Our Trip to Monterrey Mexico

Please remember to click on photo to take you the rest of the pictures.

Leaving the falls, it was back to the bus and a hair rising trip back down that awful road. The bus had a slight problem on one of the turns, but he made it. We then stopped at a road side market called "Los Cavazos". I stayed on the bus, but Roger got off and walked. He did find a leather case for his pocket knife that he has been hunting for.

Leaving Monterrey at 5:30 Pm we got back to McAllen at 11:30PM. Our stop was the last one to unload so about an hour of that time was driving around dropping off people. We both decided we have no desire to make another trip to Mexico. There is enough things to see in the US to keep us busy. But we can say we have been there and done that.

It has been a very busy week and today, I am chilling out and trying to catch up. I have to see about getting my taxes done before we leave here...............so that is my next thing on my "to do list". Hope everyone is doing well and hope to see everyone soon.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here it is Valentines Day.................I had to be at the hall for a craft sale this morning. It was a good craft sale today, broke $100.00. I know that doesn't seem like much..............but, I only have mostly $2 items and then my beaded sun catchers. I really felt good with what I sold. I had a table last Friday at our old park (Sleepy Valley) and only sold $12 all day................I was ready to put down the crochet hook and call the craft shows off. Thought it wasn't worth my time to sit there all morning and make a lousy $12. Then the next day (Sat) there was a craft show at our park and I sold $92 .....................so I was back in business. I went home and last week made a few things to replenish my supply. Wow...............then today I really did good. I guess there is hope after all. I really don't need the money..............just like doing it.

There isn't much news...................the weather down here has been great. We have even turned on the air condition the past two days. We did make it back to the flea market and did some more shopping. Or should I say, Roger did some more shopping. He has found some socks there that he really likes. They are diabetic socks..............so we are loading up on them. He even told me to get rid of his other socks..........................so they must feel pretty good on his feet. Then he decided to get lawn decorations so we came home with a covered wagon and a cowboy boot.

From Yard improvements

He has also been putting a border around the fruit trees with wood chips. Next he wants to lay back paper down and do yard in rock. The grass down here is not like the grass up north..........it doesn't look the same or feel the same. Our yard is mostly shaded............and not much but weed grass grows there. I don't say much as it gives Roger something to do.............and he likes puttering. The back part of yard is all dirt and when the wind blows............it really gets dusty all over. The rock will help that out. Don't forget to click on photo to view all of the pictures.

This coming Wed. we are taking a one day trip to Monetary, Mexico. Last winter when we were down here, there was a fashion show at Sleepy Valley...........I wasn't going to go, but the lady across the street asked me to go with her. During that show, they had door prizes and low and behold.............I WON. You heard me right. I won and it was a free one day trip to Mexico. I was going to go by myself as we didn't want to leave Keota.......it would of been too long. Now that Keota is no longer with us......Roger is going also. Just had to buy him a ticket. The bus leaves at 7 am and gets back at 9pm so it is going to be one long day. I am making note to have camera ready and batteries charged before the trip. Looking forward to taking this trip.

We were given some free tickets to the McAllen Symphonic Band concert this past week. One of the gals that I help in computer club called one night and said her hubby was sick so they couldn't go and wanted to know if we wanted the tickets. It was really good. I must say...........it is the first time we have been gone during the night time hours..........Roger doesn't like to go out at night. Thanks.....Shirley and Bob for the tickets.

We upgraded our DirectTV to include a DVR and it sure is nice to record shows with. I dropped all the movie and sports package we were getting and only added the Starz package of movies. Roger likes to watch his movies...........so I have to keep him happy.

Once again............Happy Valentines Day

Alicia