Return to Kenwood RV Park in La Feria, Texas

81 degrees in La Feria, TX at 4:00 pm Sunday as I start this.

We were to dock in Galveston at 6:00 am Saturday.  These two photos were taken about 8:30 am -- the Galveston Harbor Master would not let any ships attempt to enter the harbor.

Announcement was finally made about 10:30 am that a Pilot Boat with the Harbor Pilot aboard, was coming out (I would guess we were maybe 10 to 20 miles out) and we would be at the dock at 1:00 pm and would start debarking as soon as possible.  Scheduled debarking had been 8:00 am.

Was different the way the fog hung close to the water - this was on the way in, probably moving at less than 10 mph.  We must have passed some dozen or more freight ships lined up to enter the port, but we were given priority as well as another Carnival ship that tailed us.

Getting close to our docking point, about 11:15 am.  Movement of the big ship in the narrow waters was extremely slow, but we never hit anything.  Watching on our cabin TV of the camera that was pointed directly off the bow showed the other Carnival ship coming at us--they didn't close in any, though.  They stopped at Terminal 1 and we at Terminal 2.

At right is map of the harbor.  Where we docked is indicated by the red thingy.  It is narrow through the opening in the center from the Gulf Waters and then our ship turned around and backed down the channel to the docking point.

Waiting out the morning - I found a book to read.

Very interesting book - found that the English
treated the Irish absolutely terrible for
hundreds of years.

Some sun above, fog near the water, as we head to port.

Luggage from the ship being assembled

We chose to take our luggage with us as we debarked, and
were the first floor called.  Very long, zig-zag walkway where
we were checked by Customs - got a taxi and were taken back
to the motel where our pickup was parked.

1

We drove some 3 miles right there on Galveston Island to Phyllis'
cousin Ruth (Sunderman) Davis.

In Ruth's house

We had planned on a 9:30 am brunch, but at 1:45 pm we
had a nice lunch and visit.

Left Galveston shortly before 3:00 pm and after a seemingly long drive, including couple stops - one for 7:30 pm supper at Whataburger, we arrived at our home in Kenwood about 10:10 pm Saturday night.

Some cabin time.

Most days we had a towel animal in our cabin.

This day it was a monkey hanging from the ceiling.

 Bob Baldridge (father to the 3 "boys" of the Gold Wing Express) with his wife "Hot Lips".  She was the subject of several of his stories on stage.

The mother of his boys died some 17 years ago.  Bob married this lady about 3 years ago.

Bob had with him on the cruise:  his brother Audie from Colorado; another brother who he introduced once but didn't say much about; his first wife's brother from Oklahoma, and several cousins were introduced,  His boy's wives were all on the cruise, including Shawn's new wife (a doctor).
  Their Mother was a full blood Native American Creek Indian from Oklahoma. Along with Bob, they both decided to buy instruments for the boy’s. Twenty five years later, they are headlining most Bluegrass Festivals and various styles of concerts around the United States.

The name Goldwing Express came from their Mother. "We used to ride Honda Gold Wing’s in the late 80’s. That’s when Mom decided to name us the “Goldwing Express”.

The family also performs in Branson, Missouri throughout the year. This year we’ll average over 250 show dates across the country. 

  Click HERE for Gold Wing Express web page

The Southern Comfort group

Freddie & Sheila (on the outside) with Paul Bauldridge

Gold Wing Express - in their Indian Garb.

John Sager

Above are photos of all the entertainers that we had exclusive rights to for more than 20 hours of entertainment on the ship.  There were over 600, we were told, that made this trip with Gold Wing--the first time in we had to be checked off their computer listing and get a special sticker to put on our "cabin card" which we only had to show as we entered.  It took over 2 hours to get everyone registered and with the little stickers the first time.  We got to talk with each of the people, and Phyllis can even remember much about each of their families, etc. that they talked about.  We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and are considering going on the Gold Wing Express cruise about the same time next year.  Subject to change, their current list of groups are:  Goldwing Express, The Bluegrass Martins, Freddie and Sheila, Kody Norriss and John Sager.  It will be a 4-day cruise with only one stop in Yucatan, Progreso Mexico, still leaving out of Galveston.

Phyllis is up at the office, back into the swing of things as Activity Director.  We go to Gatti's Pizza in a bit where she will be in charge of the 80 some people signed up and have Bingo before we eat.

Later, Lynn