Warm weather in the Valley

85 degrees under a very bright sun in La Feria, Texas as I start this at 4:10 pm on Friday afternoon.


Pulled up this map and drew lines on it where our Carnival Ship went last week.  Hadn't realized at the time how close we were to Cuba.

Phyllis, as Activity Director, worked much of Tuesday with many volunteers setting up tables, decorating, etc. for the annual Valentines Dinner for the park.  After the supper it was announced who was voted for as King and Queen.  Our neighbor Ardel Finken, from Indiana was the King and Phyllis was the Queen.

Basket for drawing winner.

Some of the table decorations.

Some of the table decorations.

Phyllis setting out things.

These dipped marshmallows were desert

Coy, on the right is in our park, and with a
bluegrass friend provided some entertainment.

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At our table before being served - Patty is in the middle.

I and Phyllis - with LaVonne & Anna Mae from Missouri

the "Bus Stop" skit - 2 ladies putting on
make-up, one classy, the other frowzy

Our neighbor Darlene played the frowzy one (in the old gray wig)
and they put on quite a show.

Well, things got away from me -- it is now 2:15 pm Saturday - 87 degrees and really bright sunshine outside.  Had been very tight fog this morning when we left of Progreso, Mexico (In the state of Tamaulipas just south of here across the Rio Grande River this time instead of  Progreso,Yucatan where we were last week on the cruise) with Patty and neighbor Darlene.

Darlene trying on a dress (she bought a different one) - in Mexico

Two young lads working at polishing shoes.- In Mexico

We stopped at the Bakery

Hey! they changed their color from bright yellow to this bright Orange

I had to model a hair clip - think it was bought for our great granddaughter

"The girls" buying stuff at the ribbon/frilly shop

These Mexican pigeons really hold tight to this sloped dome.

Perceptive of the photo above.

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After getting back across the Rio Grande River we ate at Nana's

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Last night we ate at The Longhorn Cattle Company in San Benito
with Phyllis' cousin Jan and husband Lynn.  They are starting their
way home to farm south of Lincoln on Monday with some stops
in the Hill Country NW of San Antonio to spend a few days
with one of the neighbors from Nebraska. (by the way, Patty
and Phyllis brought enough of their "stuffed potatoes" home that
we will have at least one meal for the three of us)

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Have to put in recent picture off Facebook of our
Great Granddaughter up in Marengo, Iowa

Another Facebook photo - our home-town square dance
club at their Valentine's Day dance.

Thursday afternoon a good sized contingent of Canadians put on the Meet and Greet program at the Rec Hall.  --  At right Phyllis is making some of the Activity Director announcements - Beside her is Merv Staufer who headed up the program.

Merv had many give-aways - including these above that
he announced were Canadian Fork & Spoons.

I was one of the blindfolded Americans who got involved in this.

Merv displays the Cod Fish we each kissed while blindfolded. (we
were told later that we had actually kissed a plastic pack of frozen peas)

We also each drank a shot of Rum and then were awarded
Certificates of being an Honorary citizen of Newfoundland, Canada.

While we were in line for the food, and while we were eating,
we were read listing of many achievements by Canadians and many
music or movie stars from Canada.  At the end of the program
we all joined in singing the Canadian O'Canada and then the Star Spangled Banner.

I don't recall if I posted before about the latest on my garden - here I cut some lettuce and spinach for a salad.

The tomatoes where growing up through the bird netting and hitting a ceiling at the recycled screen door I had on top, so I elevated the screen.  Since doing this I now have 4 tomatoes growing above the bird netting.

This is the one lone tomato we have eaten.

I had oil changed at the local Chrysler
dealer and walked around the pickups they
had on the display floor.  This 3/4 Ton pickup
is priced at $73,275 -- Maybe it is an age thing,
I can't believe ever putting that kind of money
into a vehicle.

Well, it is 4:05 pm Saturday - I guess almost 24 hours after starting this.  Must close off.

---Later, Lynn

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.

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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

Last morning on cruiseship Carnival Valor

Our music entertainment by the Gold Wing Express
while on board the Valor

Audie Baldridge - 85 year old
singer from Colorado

Click on any photo to enlarge.  Sitting on deck in sunshine writing this, started about 9:00 am Friday as we are rocking-and-rolling a bit with the ship heading north.

We happened by one of the photographer's stations when
they were gone (must have a dozen or more photographers
taking your picture at every turn- then you can buy them) so used
their backdrop for this photo, thanks to photographer Patty.

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On "old" bus being driven the couple miles from the ship
into Progresso, Yucatan

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View from ship - far line is road/bridge into Progresso in the distance

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Sun - cloud, to the west as we were sailing yesterday.

Over the last 45 minutes have tried to load a lot of pictures, but not having much luck.  This ridiculously high priced WIFI they have on Carnival is for the birds, both in the price and the way it works.  For instance, even though I paid an outrageous price for the "middle" level, I can't get on KMALand - need another $37 to do that!  Have sat by the pool, tried to get into the library (Private Function going on) and finally sat in the auditorium to work on this.  Mostly watched a lot of old people getting around with walkers, canes and electric scooters.  Of course up by the pool there were a lot of kids, including a mother fawning over her wonderful kids adnausium.  Waiting for session on how to handle baggage getting off the ship in the morning.  We have decided to just pull our own on the way out and not let them pick them up and have to search for them on the dock.

This morning they had about every animal that can be made out of folding towels around the pool that was near the breakfast buffet where we ate.

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Freddy (on right) and Sheila (on left) with Paul from Gold Wing
put on a real good guitar performance last night.

Add The Gold Wing - after their wives had put T-Shirts on them

Gold Wing in their Indian Headdress near end of last night's performance.

Well, had bunch more photos to add, but this Blogger won't let me now.  Am sitting in auditorium listening to instructions for debarking tomorrow morning.

Maybe more later (who knows?)  L

Heading home

78 degrees on the ship as we steam north.  Left Progresso, Yucatan about 6 pm just as we were eating supper.  Went to long show of the Gold Wing Express, and the other entertainers.  Is 11 pm as I write this.  Have many pictures of when we were off ship and went in to Progresso for about an hour and of the entertainment on board.  Will post some time tomorrow when less sleepy.

To have several more hours of the Gold Wing show tomorrow - be docking at Galveston Saturday morning at 8:00 AM.

Later, Lynn

Coming in to Progresso Yuccatan, Mexico

On ship - moving - on the move since 6 pm last night.  To get into Progresso around 10 am.  70 degrees outside with 100 percent humidity.

Was at a terrific program by the Southern Anthem (a family - mom and 3 kids); Freddie and Sheila; John Saeger, and the Goldwing - including their Uncle Audi Baldridge from near Denver, Colorado.  He is 84 years old and has many awards for guitar and singing.

We are just getting up and heading out to breakfast.

More later, Lynn

At Island of Cozumel, Mexico

85 degrees and 100 percent humidity at Cozumel.  Click on pictures to enlarge

Three ships tied up here at Cozumel

Two more ships tied up at Cozumel

Some of the thousand from the ships who were leaving their
money for tours and trinkets.

Yesterday - the GoldWings

Youngest brother

Two other brothers

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 More stuff in Cozumel

Following photos are at our dining table

Didn't get best photo - but took lots of video to get the sound -- this morning of the session with Gold Wings, Pops, and his brother.  Very entertaining.


Will be long program tonight, from 7 pm to 11:30 pm.  Looking forward to it.  Ship will be moving to Progresso, Cancune Mexico.

Lynn