December 16, 2008

We have been so busy that we have not had time to update our blog. When we last posted we had just arrived in Donna, Texas. Located in the southern most tip of Texas, the Rio Grande Valley enjoys some warm weather and all through November it was in the 80s. Mark found a tennis challenge when he met Bert, a new friend from Canada. Lots to do in Texas and we even got to visit out friends, Carl and Pat Beer at their winter "digs" in South Padre Island. We took a trip with them to Mexico and enjoyed lunch at Garcia's (Photo 1). We also enjoyed their company while sitting on the balcony, warmed by the sunshine and calmed by the rhythm of the waves - not the best photo but you get the idea (Photo 2). At Victoria Palms RV Resort we enjoyed the prolific grapefruit and orange trees growing right beside the coach (See photo 3). After a month enjoying the Texas sunshine it was time to make our way from the Southern tip of Texas up to Arizona. First stop Kerrsville, Texas, a beautiful park where the deer roam freely as I caught a shot of them right outside the front window of the RV (see photo 4). We enjoyed the magnificent change of color on the Golf Course (photo 5). On Thanksgiving day we took off to Fort Stockton, Texas. Imagine our delight after the 6 hour ride to receive an invitation to a free Thanksgiving dinner at the RV cafe. The owners just wanted to say thank you to all of their patrons (See photo 6). The landscape makes a dramatic change as we headed West (See photo 7). Next stop Hacienda RV in Las Cruces, New Mexico. While there we got an early start at 6:30 AM and took off to Needles Mountain and the Pine Tree Trail.(Photo 8 and 9) We hiked to an elevation of 6500 feet. To celebrate the wonderful hike we headed out to the St. Clare winery and bistro for a fun wine tasting and lunch. And then it was off to Tuscon, Arizona and The Voyager RV resort. A short stay but did manage to play golf on the Voyager Country Club course. Next stop: Palm Creek Resort and Golf to enjoy the sunshine and warm Arizona winter weather.