Back in Texas from our Cruise

 77º with partly cloudy skies and very windy in the Rio Grande Valley at 5:00 pm on Monday.

Week ago Saturday, at 5:00 am we were headed up the road to Galveston, TX to board the Carnival Cruise Ship Vista.

After dropping the girls off with the luggage, I took the pickup about 3/4 mile to a storage lot where I rode back to the ship with bus provided by the parking lot.

It was getting on near 2:30 PM when we were on board and went directly to the Lido deck and had some lunch while waiting for our checked bags to be delivered to the rooms.

Sit-down meal in the evening in the Horizon Dining Room.

Went to orientation presentation in the "Liquid Lounge", the main stage of the ship.

Sunday morning we explored the ship in great sunshine.

Sunday afternoon was the first of six 2 to 4-hour programs that Steve Baldridge put on with his family's GoldWing Express bluegrass band from Branson, MO; Allen Sibley from Mississippi; Alex Leach from eastern Tennessee, and the Restored Gospel Band from Missouri.

After dinner Sunday evening we listened to several different entertainers, this group with violins in the Atrium area.

Will continue this.............

LC

On Carnival Cruise Ship Vista

 Drove just under 400 miles to the Port of Galveston, leaving our home in La Feria, Texas at 5 am Saturday morning. Were through the check in process and eating late lunch on board by 2 pm.

I pre-purchased the wifi program for on board, but have found my computer refuses to connect--apparently due to the protection built in; it says it is an open unsafe connection.   I am not going to override it and mess up the computer. 

Listening to steel drums in the atrium.

Ever changing colors in atrium 

"Restored" a gospel group 

In Limelighter Lounge, where our daily private Bluegrass shows will be held 

Goldwing Express, sponsoring group. 

Sitting on top deck, soaking up some clouds.

I am using the PC to process my photos and videos, but will only make a few tedious blog posts with the telephone---which I don't like to type on.  Can't use, for now, the many photos taken with my legitimate camera, so took a few with the phone. 

This blog is really disjointed; I hate typing on a damned phone. 

We return to Galveston next Saturday morning. 

I have and will continue to put a few posts on Facebook directly from the phone. 

LC

Keeping busy here in the RGV

 54º here in Kenwood RV at 9:15 am -- was 42º when got up this morning.

Had a photographer in the park the past couple days, taking pictures for the "Picture Park Directory" that Kenwood is producing.

Last Sunday evening we hosted a fine program put on by "The Piano Man" at the Rec Hall.  Had one of the better turn-outs for crowd, with nearly half of them coming from other RV Parks.

Tuesday morning we picked up Patty Steckelberg at the Harlingen Airport.  She comes from Shenandoah, IA for her February "get away from the cold" visit.  At right, she is with us at a SkyMed Appreciation Dinner we went to in Mercedes yesterday.  They are an Emergency Travel Services that we have belonged to for years since we have been travelling so much.  They also have Travel Service (which we have not used) and they dwelled on their service with that as well as the medical emergency transportation they provide.

We went to Men & Women of A-Chord barbershop chorus practice Tuesday afternoon.  We had had our second performance of this year on Monday night.  Had small crowd and not-so-good a performance on our part as the show the week before was.

Plan on going to Llano Grande Resort this afternoon to listen to Duke Mason and his Gospel Group; then, we host the GoldWing Express tonight here in Kenwood.

We plan to leave our place this Saturday morning at 5 am to drive the 345 miles to Galveston, TX and board the Carnival Vista cruise ship by 1:00 pm or shortly after.  Ship is to leave at 4 pm and return to Galveston the next Saturday morning at 6:00 am with debarking at 8:00 am.  Patty Steckelberg and Darlene Winslow will be going with us.  This is a GoldWing Express bluegrass sponsored cruise; they have a couple other groups with them that will be performing just for our group many times on the ship.

Probably do some posting from the ship.  Bon Voyage -- LC

Busy in the Valley

 72º here in La Feria, TX at 4:00 pm - which is the high for the day.  I showed $2.729 for gas last time near us, today it is $2.979 - thanks mostly to the AssHat Democrats in power in Washington, DC.  We were oil independent before the communist-socialist Dems got in power.

This last Tuesday evening was our first-of the season-performance for the Men & Women of A-Chord barbershop chorus.

Here are some shots of several quartets that performed at the intermission.

Most members are present here, probably 4-5 not.  This is our new picture for posters this year.  Photo taken that night at The Grove.

At right is photo I had Bob Lemkull, Director, take when he re-arranged us at practice this Friday for standing on the risers.  Russ Sandry is out of photo at far left.

Got Phyllis' trike back Thursday.  Had been in shop for a couple weeks getting shifter to rear derailleur replaced.

Have been crushing cans several times a week -- for the Park Association.  

Take to recycler for $.55 a lb. as aluminum once a month or so.

Last Tuesday we spent the morning at the McAllen Convention Center at the Winter Texan Expo, did some shopping (including getting $1.50 hotdog & Coke specials for lunch) at Costco and then went to Doris Winter's place in San Juan.  Had a good visit, went out to eat with her and then took her with us to The Grove in San Juan to our Men & Women of A-Chord concert.

Thursday spent most of the day at the second ShowCase where Phyllis booked some more entertainment for 2024.  This time our Activity Director, Cindy, went with us.

On this Second-of-the-season ShowCase, there were quite a few first-timers.  At right is just one of about 25 entertainers, or groups that performed their 9-minute set.

This last week has been a whirlwind--something in the park or out-of-the park every day and/or evening.  Next week will be about the same, with different events coming up.

This was on Facebook -- reminds us of my Mom in the kitchen back near Oconto, Nebraska in the 50's.

Later, Lynn

High winds in the Valley

 74º here in La Feria, TX at 10 am Monday -- predicted high of 86º with continuing high winds.

Friday morning helped with preparing biscuits & gravy with cheesy eggs for breakfast that Gold Wing Express had requested before their Cowboy & Indian Church Service.  Since out-of-the-park were welcome, plenty was prepared.  Few showed up, even in our park and had tons of food left over.

Several good gospel songs, and then Pops laid on the Gospel.  Turnout for the service was decent.

Glenn ______  offered to make homemade ice-cream and several ladies in the park made homemade pies for Saturday afternoon.  

Here is link to Google Photos with pictures from that event:  CLICK HERE

I did a little more Second-coat touch up on trim to Texas Room windows.

Thursday evening we had first of-the-season Beanbag Baseball.  Good turnout, partly because this was last chance for Cody Haar to participate as he headed home Friday.

Had thirty-some turn out for entertainment

at the Rec Hall last evening

Few notes on residents.  Dick & Deane Messer bought Don Unger's place and are now in it.  Charlie Scales, from New York got in Friday.  Harold & Imogene Williams are renting a cabin this year.  Barb & Gene Casebolt were here for a while, sold their unit on the west end and left.  Been several big rigs, motorhomes and 5-th wheels, in and out of the park along. Servines from Illinois got here a few weeks ago.  Betty Schneider's place that was sold has not had too many people at it, it seems.  Merve & Ruth Stoufer left a month ago and won't be back.

Gotta run now, heading to Weslaco and Gatti's Pizza for bingo, visiting and food.  Something over 30 signed up.

Later, LC