Wednesday to Sunday

We moved to Malaquite (Mal-a-keet) beach Wednesday afternoon. This is our site. Still no hook-ups or facilities. It is just about 1/2 mile from the beach camping. The weather was a little damp/misty/blowing in the morning and sand was all over the place.

We went into the little town of Padre Island, which is actually a part of Corpus Christi) to do laundry. We had a few loads to do and what a laundromat it was. It sure needed cleaning and fixing up including the appliances, but we finally got it done. Had a quick fast food lunch and headed back out to the National Park. That is when we decided to get up a little higher

We met a couple who live about a mile and half from us in Kentwood. There will be there until May 1. He has been surf fishing for whiting--a nice white, mild fish. They come down in November. That would be too long for me.

This is picture of the guy who was camped across from us. I think everything he owns is right there. He sleeps in the sliding door and changes is clothes right at the door and outside. We have been seeing a sight for sure. Just outside the picture is a beat up motorcycle he drives. One night he went to the cold outdoor shower that is just to the left of the picture with a pair of shorts he cut himself. They were a white knit that looked like he used an axe to shop them. He washed his entire body. And, I mean every where--head to toe and all the places inbetween, if you know what I mean. We saw more than we wanted.

This is a picture of the scene of the gulf from our site. Just walk a short walk down a ramp to the beach where there are no cars driving.

Carl was enjoying some time reading behind the motor home to keep out of the wind.

Whle camping here my back began to hurt. It is my lower back. Must of twisted it just right. Sure could use a chiropratic now. I can walk real good, but I can't bend or hardly get out of a chair. Been icing it and then heat. Taking lots of pain meds too.

This is silly picture of me coming in from the wind with hair going every which way it wants but the way I want. Carl calls it my funky hair.

Saturday we came off the island. We headed to get some groceries and gas. Used some gas for the generator. After that we took the motor home and the car to a self-service car wash. Wow, were they dirty and loaded with sea spray. They have the nicest washed that are a little over 13 ft. high to wash the motor home with hoses for the front area and the back so you don't have to haul all around.

Then, we headed to another campground

Days 9 -14 Still on the Beach

We were driving down the beach one night. We went as far as we could til you needed to have 4-wheel drive. Some times the sand was a little loose in areas and it felt like you were driving through snow.

Ranger Rex is relaxing taking in the view of the Gulf.

In fact, we all have been relaxing. The weather has been pretty good but breezy. One day was really winding and that day the wind was from the north, so it was a little cooler.

Ranger Rex is checking out the few shells he has. Carl and I have been most mornings and afternoons walk the beach. We have been checking for shells after low tide. The shell of choice down here seems to the sand dollars.

This is how it looks for the camping. We are further down the beach then this picture. The cars parked right next to the beach are probably surf fishermen. This past weekend was beach clean-up time. You would not believe all the trash they removed. I mean dumpsters after dumpster. A guy told us they go down the beach 25 miles where all the trash comes onto the shore. Even backhoes were coming and going. One had a large older TV on it. It sure is quieter with the spring breakers gone.

This is the a picture of when Carl and I were walking an scared a bunch up. There are sure a variety of birds here. They like to fly in formation with ups and downs in a single line that curves.
We have been taking it easy that is for sure. We have been walking, reading and playing games. We have put about 25 hours on the generator. We watch about 2 hours of TV a night, but not on NBC--can't get that station. Then there is time we need it for cooking.

Day 11 - Maverick Miles with Ranger Rex

Well, I finally got to a place for free wifi--McDonald's. Today we had rain this morning. The last two days it has been quite busy but sunny. It is suppose to be colder than it has been tonight. Last night it only got down to the low 60's. It is partly cloudy now.

We camped out on the island Wednesday night after picking up the car. The passlock cylinder had a short in it and it had to have a new one at a cost of $530. When we would start the car when we could, it would also rattle. Couldn't take our chances. Stuff like that happens when a car is 12 years old. But, we hope to be ok now.

I figured out that the pictures come in one on top of each other. So, the ones I uploaded last, came first. I will try and get it straight next time.
Here is our camping spot now. We are one mile down from the entrance. When we go to dump and get more water, we may move up a bit. A lot of people have left--guess going home from spring break. Behind us is dunes after dunes after dunes.

This is a closer view head on with the beach straight out our door.

This is Ranger Rex and he has been travelling with us because he is ready for an adventure.

Here he is with Carl down by the Gulf. Our "one" follower Owen I thought would enjoy him in some of the pictures.
Owen you can tell Olivia about Ranger Rex!
Caitlyn remember Ranger Rex when you go camping with us?

Since we are without service, don't know when I will be able to post again. Probably not until middle of week or later. We also do not have phone service out where we are camping. Carl is mad that he can't get a CBS station to watch the basketball games. We use the generator to only get an ABC or FOX channel.

Take care, will post later.

Day 8 - Wednesday

Well, we are sitting in a McDonald's right using the free internet. Yesterday is rained all day until evening. It was beautiful once the sun came out. We went out to look at Mustang Island State Park and didn't care for it. Had ice cream and that is about all we did yesterday.

However, when we got in the car to go yesterday, it wouldn't start. Then Carl noticed the theft deterrent light was on. That enables the fuel pump. Eventually, we got it going. Went to the Chevy dealer to see what he would know about. We didn't want that to happen again. Also, Carl noticed a rattle when the car was turning over. Of course, he couldn't get it in yesterday.

So, this morning we brought the car back in and we are having breakfast with the motorhome because it was time for our check-out. May be camping tonight without the car if they have to do something. They are awfully busy. Hope it is nothing much but don't want to get stranded either with it.

Going to head out to the National Park and camp on the beach for at least the rest of this week and maybe most of next. So, unless I come on in where I can get service, the blog will be dead for some time.

Day 6

This is Carl trying to explain to Grinny the Final Four Bracket picks.




I am trying to find something to eat out of the freezer for supper. Chicken Lasgne.

This is Monday morning. Carl is washing all the bugs off the windshield and the front of the motorhome. A little overcast and slight breeze. Rain is expected late night. Will head to the Island on Wednesday. Have a few errands to run today.

Carl just got done helping a lady chase down her dog that got loose. He was all over the park and ended up with another lady and man to get the dog. Kelly was finally captured--just a pup.

Don't expect any updates for awhile. If I find a place, might send something; but out on the Island we may not have electricity let alone internet service.

Day 5 - Corpus Christi

We took a ride out to the park today. It was a beautiful day. All the spring breakers are around and the regular weekend families camping. Mustang Island State Park seems to be where all the college kids are. We decided to stay here at this rv park 2 more days since Tues. rain is expected. We will head out to the island to stay then. It should be less crowded by that time.

I have a couple more pictures I could send now but the download speed isn't going so fast now. I will try and write something tomorrow morning. I only have this internet service til then. Don't know if I will try and get it one more time; otherwise, you won't see posts for awhile.

Day 4

Grinny taking a walk at the road side park where we had lunch.

This is Carl just after he opened the door and the bottle of water fell out and busted all over his mat he was drying out from the rain the night before. This campground is in Tyle, TX.

Saturday we drove all the back roads that were really good and smooth but some a little hilly.

You can drive 70 m.p.h. on them too. (We didn't.) The wind again became a factor. We stopped at a road side park and had lunch.

We are staying two nights here in Corpus Christi, TX. We are in a nice campground just before going over the last bridge to Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Park.

The man next to us was heading out to the Island with his Chocolate Lab, Schauner, and cat to let them play in the sand.

All of Texas is on their spring break this week so getting at the State Park may be difficult plus we probably don't want to be there anyways. Thinking of going to another park for a couple of days after this because it might rain on Tuesday and then be a touch cooler. Then, we will head to Padre Island. Going to 77 today and mostly sunny.

Day 1, 2, and 3

Here are our 2 little travelers--sleep all day, up all night!

March 12, Friday, 8:30 p.m.









We started out on Wed. at 8 a.m and had breakfast at Mr. Burger. We headed down 131 to 94 to 57 in Illinois. Cloudy and misty when we started out, but the day turned out OK. Really quite pleasant. We stayed in Mt. Vernon, IL arriving about 6:30. Had tornado watch that night but thankfully all we got was a thunderstorm. The campground was more than bad. We couldn't find any other place to stop and it was getting dark. It gets dark a lot sooner in Central Time Zone. This campground had mud all around the so called gravel pad. Most of the people there were living at the campground. Carl said the toilets we awful and not to go near them. The office was just clutter with everything you can imagine. While we were eating breakfast the man two spots down put all his garbage in plastic bags in an outdoor fireplace and set it a fire.









On Thursday, we camped behind the Days Inn in Brinkley RV park in Brinkley, Arkansas. Beautiful sunny day, but awfully strong winds that we had to stop early.









Today, I saw the first tree with buds and then the early spring flowers. We are in Tyler, TX at a campground called #1 RV park. Another sunny day but again the wind really picked up just before we got to Texarkansas. Slow going again.









This next part is for Eric because he likes to look at atlas and check our route down to the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Port Aransas area from Texarkana.




Texarkana - US 59 to St 155 to Tyler. We are staying on 31 W 2 miles from Loop 323.




Tomorrow we will continue on St 155 to Palestine, then take US 79 to Rockdale, then US 77 to Victoria. From Victoria we will decide which route to take according to where we will want to be.

Ready to Go

Just about ready. Finished most of the packing today. Didn't start until about noon though. Ron and Linda stopped by because I had a gift for Ronda's new baby. Stopped over to Roger to give him the garage remote since he is checking on the house. Carl talked to Jack across the street when he put our trash in his trash can. Chatted with the paper boy.

Now it is bowling night and I will finish up all the little odds and ends. When Carl gets home from bowling, we will hitch up the car.

Well, I better get going. Hope I am doing this blog thing right. Will try and fool around with it a bit while we are gone when I get internet service.