"Back On the Road Again" "Heading Home"

"Back On the Road Again"  "Heading Home"

We left Southern Oaks on the 30th of March.  It was a overcast morning and the sun was trying to come out..  We were headed for Fredericksberg Texas. I was looking for those bluebonnets on the way. We arrived at The Fredericksberg Campground around 1 PM.. Dan got all set up and we took off for a ride looking for those blue bonnets in the Hill Country.  The area is so dry and this year it seemed as though the abundance was not there.We went down Old Willow Loop, where in the past they were everywhere.

We went to Luckenbach, where I really wanted to go again.. It was a Monday and we took Jerry and Karen V along with us.  

We went to some shops first in Fredericksberg and then had lunch, and then headed to Luckenbach.. I did my grand entrance like I do some times.  I was walkng around taking some pictures and when we were going into the store/bar, I did not lift my foot high enough and I tripped on the porch, my good expensive camera went flying, lens one way and camera the other. I laid face down and Dan  was very vocal about him not watching me.. I had alot of help getting up, which I did not need.  My leg and knee that was replaced got the brundt of it along with my left arm. Most of all that was hurt was my spirit..

I had my beers and listened to some picker, which I did not think was too great.. but I really didn't care, I was where I wanted to be.  On the way home we stopped for dinner ..


The next morning Tuesday we were on our way to Santo, for the HOC rally..


We had a great time at Santo North Texas HOC Rally..The weather was nice and sunny when we got here and the temps were warm.. finally..This was our 1st Texas rally and it was fun. There was about 15 rigs that came in on Monday.  Most of the people that arrived we knew from other rallies that we had been at.  

We were sitting outside when this rig came past and it was a Carriage Cameo.. Dan said that is Dan and Dayna, from Iowa.. They had been at Southern Oaks this winter where we stayed. They were just as surprised as we were.  They came over for a visit and talked about their adventures they had in The Hill Country when a group of them had gone to.
We went to eat BBQ with the group on Monday.  The place is called Haddy Flats.  It is a fun place to go to and the food was good. I had brisket and Dan had ribs.  No complaints from anyone. 

Tuesday we had to go and get a few items from Wal-mart and we headed into Mineral Wells. As we were coming into Mineral Wells, we seen this huge building ahead of us.  The closer we got to it, we noticed that it was abandoned.  Dan and I drove around it trying to figure out it was.  We seen a huge swim pool out front.  When we got back to the campground I got on the computer I found out it was at one time a very prestigious hotel in it's day.  The Baker Hotel Mineral Wells, 
Texas.  

The next day, was another exciting day, The Beletti's, Coffman's and us went to Weatherford to David Stove Shop, We heard that there was a cafe there that we could have a lunch at.  When we pulled up to the store, it was amazing what my eyes were looking at.  Once we went inside it was something else.  We had a great lunch, very reasonable, afterwards we walked around the store and looked at just so many items, antiques included, along with smoking spices.  It is definitely a place I want to go back to.

The rally officially started the 3rd and we all went to  www.brazosrivercatfishcafe.com/ in Milsap, TX. The dinner was good, We had pecan crusted catfish.  The best part was the Bread Pudding, that if you have a coupon you get one free if you had a dinner.  WOW  it was really good.  We brought it home.. There were dominoes every night in the activity room. 

Saturday morning, Jim Beletti  and his cooks put on a breakfast. Of course he had his Athrea Frankenstien pancakes.. They are really good...  For the evening dinner there was a Pot Luck and the meat was furnished by Explore USA.  The BBQ was from Naddy Flats along with some sides and their sauce. The dishes that was brought by others were very good also..  Door Prizes were given out and afterwards games..

We had a meet and greet and everyone had to tell their name and where they are from.  Shortly Pam Fowler came and asked me where we lived and then she told me her daughter lives in Trenary..  Only about 4 miles from our home.  How ironic... We will be seeing her this summer.

Dan Frying Bacon

Buddy Riddle making Arthea Frankenstien Pancakes

 Pamela Fowlers

 Bob and Connie Sims

 Les and Janice Houser

The Fowlers

Tramp telling Jay that he wants out!!

April 7th... Leaving Santo and heading for Durant Oklahoma..

March 4, 2014 to MARCH 31ST

~~Time To Think About Heading North~~

This has been on cold winter. In matter of fact it is said from some of the locals that it hasn't been this cold in many years.  Being not far from the Gulf of Mexico, it is normally windy here, but with the low temps and wind, made me feel like being at home in the Upper Peninsula, only we did not have the snow that they had.

Knowing that we have less than a month before we leave, we are making sure that we are getting everything done. Some of the Heartland friends have left and the ones that are still here still want to get together.. So I did make out a March Impromptu event schedule, meaning that it is subject to change.

As many of you know that Dan and I are involved with the Heartland Owners Club. We enjoy attending the rallies and we believe that the product is a quality product.  We have owned many different makes of 5th wheels, and Heartland Industries really care about their customers.  Dan and I had been asked if we would like to be North Central Regional Directors for Heartland. We thought that we would give it a try..Our states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, North and South Dakota and Nebraska.  This summer will be a busy summer for us, but it will be fun. 

Southern Oaks had a Mardi Gras event, on the 3rd of March.. Was suppose to have a parade in the park, but it was just to cold, so there was just the dinner at the clubhouse. Sloppy Joes, potato salad, chips and condiments.. The decorations were nice and those who wanted to were dressed up.

On the 4th the Heartlander's met at Beaches Cafe and Bakery at Port Aransas. 

There was 19 of us and we had a great meal and then at 5 PM the parade started just down the street so we were parked and ready to watch the parade and get the beads..Seeing that it was cold, the parade was not as long as it normally is. 

Steve and Kathy Disterhaft - Oshkosh, WI

Harry and Jessica Riker  Upstate New York

Joe and Ann Maxwell  -  Piedmont, OK

Larry and Gayle KeyKendall    Branson area

On the 5th Herbie went and got Fluffed and Puffed, he was getting shabby, but with the cold weather, he was a bit warmer.  Then Jim and Pat Doggett, took Dan and I out for lunch to celebrate our new job with Heartland..

Dan and I took a quick trip on the 6th to Progresso so I could have some dental adjustments done.. Went and had coffee and rolls at Renee's Bakery and then went to Disco Store for a couple bags of candy, and headed home. We were home at 5 PM..Long day.. but my teeth feel better.

Other than Dan taking our truck in for service, we just stayed around and enjoyed the nice day .  It was getting colder and Sat. night it rained..  I got all our tax information together so we can get those things one and sent in..

On the way back from Portland one day, a rock kicked back from a car and hit the windshield and cracked it.  A line kept growing and growing.. Called insurance company and had window replaced. 

The Heartland group got together for lunch at a new restaurant "The Allegro Bay, we had 24 show up and everyone had a great time.. They want to make sure that I have it on the list for next year.  

Alegro Bay Restrauant  - Rockport

3-15 (Sat) A group of us went to the Rattlesnake Races.  We went last year and wanted to go again this year.  Some Heartlander's went along. The Patriot Guard Riders performed the opening ceremony and as always it was touching ceremony.   Gayle KuyKendall was a brave sole and wanted to participate in the race. They weren't going to let her race as she was wearing sandals, so I let her wear my shoes.. Well, they were 2 sizes to big, but I told her to tie them tight.  She came in 1st and she had to return Sunday for the finals.. Where she came in 4th place.  If she would of had my shoes on, she would of been the champion..   

I have gone back to the chiropractor this week for some therapy on  my neck and shoulders and I will go until we leave.  I have even talked Dan into going but they can't help him.. I am really impressed with the honesty of the Dr.  


We have had some sunny days in-between the cold, rain and wind. This is still the coldest and longest winter here in the coastal bend.

3-27 Thursday
3 more days before we hitch up and pull out and go to the Hill Country.. I wish we were staying longer than 2 nights.  I am really looking forward to a change.  I don't think that the weather will be much different.  So I will try now to blog more often as we will be on the road this summer..

Enjoy!!!