Hummingbirds vs Ceiling Fans…

No, not what you’re thinking, not yet, anyway.

Anyway, we headed out about noon for Gina’s. As we were leaving our rig Jan took this photo of one of the two fawns that are  hanging around nearby.

On our way we stopped off at the park office to drop off some Gypsy Journal samples and find out what time we have to check in tomorrow to see if we can keep staying here. Hopefully with all the rain and bad weather in the next week or so, it won’t be a problem. We’ll see.

After we picked up Gina we drove over to Sattler to have lunch at Granny D’s and then stopped off at the Post Office to mail some packages.

Then it was back to work at Gina’s.

There’s a hummingbird feeder on the porch where I’m installing the ceiling fan. There’s six of them in the area, but one of them is a bully and keeps trying to run off the others. In fact he spends more time chasing them off than he does actually feeding.

 

But every once in a while, some of them settle down and leave each other alone.

I finally got the ceiling fan mounted and hooked up temporarily. I wanted to test it first before I finished it up, since I installed one a while back, that was completely dead when I first turned it on. But this one worked fine, and came out perfectly balanced, too, with no wobble.

Gina decided she would move the feeder further away from the fan, since she didn’t want it turning into a hummingbird Cuisinart.

We headed home about 5:30 pm. I let Mister out for a while, and while I was watching him, two deer showed up. They didn’t seem too worried about Mister, they just wanted corn. So I was feeding the deer from my hand and from the bowl while Mister was only about 10 feet away.

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Quote of the day:
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing

 

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More Rain and Cooler Weather…Nice!

Today started out with a trip to a nearby bank to get some papers notarized and then back over to Gina’s for the afternoon to work on her deck project.

I also talked to Doran this morning about the status of my tire pressure monitor receiver. They said they weren’t going to try and repair it, but were just going to send me a brand new one. And this is for a unit that is two years old. Kudos to Doran for great service!

About 3 pm the dark clouds moved in and rain started coming down, along with the temperature. Yeah!  Luckily it was not windy so I could still work on the covered deck.

Then about 4:00 we decided to head out for dinner since I needed a different type of electrical box and wanted to go by Lowe’s again.

Since it was close by, we decided to have supper at one of our favorite BBQ places, Rudy’s BBQ. We had ribs, pulled pork, and jalapeno sausage, along with potato salad, cole slaw, and  their great creamed corn. Jan doesn’t really like corn, but she loves Rudy’s.

Leaving Rudy’s we drove over to the nearby Lowe’s to pick up the new box. On the way back home we stopped off at Freddy’s Frozen Custard to get ice cream cones, and then it was back to Gina’s for a little more work.

About 7 pm we headed back to rig for the night.

Another nice day in the Hill County.

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Quote of the day:
Remember, no matter how you slice it,  forbidden fruit still tastes the sweetest!

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A nice quiet day…

Today started out as another nice quiet day.  And pretty much stayed that way.

Jan’s still trying to get the hang of Facebook, posting stuff and confirming new friends.

We left the coach about 2 pm heading first into New Braunfels to stop by a Chase bank and then on to Lowe’s for some more project supplies.

Near Gina’s turn-off we encountered a large flock of wild turkeys, at least two dozen, including a bunch of babies.

By the time we got back to Gina’s it was time to go to dinner. Leaving the ranch, Jan put some corn at the side of the road  for the turkeys. We’ll check on the way home to see if they’ve eaten it.

Tonight we decided to try Lucky’s Kitchen and Cocktails, a seafood place in Canyon Lake near the RV park. Jan and Gina had seafood Po’Boys and I had a Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich with bacon, tomatoes, onions, Monterey Jack cheese and jalapenos. Great!

Getting back to Gina’s I spent some time working on the new ceiling fan I’m installing on the porch, and then trying to fix a problem on Gina’s computer.

Oh, it didn’t look like the turkeys had found the corn yet. We’ll check again tomorrow.

Then, about 7:30 pm, when we were ready to leave, it started pouring down rain. We hung around hoping it would slack off. Finally we decided to give it a try. And we lucked out. By the time we got out to the main highway the rain had pretty much stopped.

Lucky for us too, because there’s some low spots on the ranch road that can flood several feet deep.

Back at the rig there were some deer still milling around, but with it raining on and off,  we decided they were on their own.

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Quote of the day:
You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun. – Al Capone

 

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Another Day at the Lake…

Today was a good relax and do stuff around the rig day. Jan got up about 8 am but I slept in until about 10.

After I got up I fixed coffee and then hung up the front solar shades on the windshield to help keep out some of the heat. Since we’re facing east the morning sun heats things up pretty quick, and the shades really help.

Jan has finally taken the Facebook plunge, so we spent some time getting everything set up for her. She’s already got a bunch of friends signed up.

About 2:30 we drove over to Gina’s so I could work some more on her deck project. Then, a little after 5 pm we drove over to El Casa del Lago, a Mexican restaurant down FM 306 on the way to New Braunfels.

On the way back to Gina’s we stopped by the rig to let Gina feed the deer. Just as yesterday, they will come up and eat right out of your hand.

 

Then coming back to the rig after dropping Gina off, we came back to the rig to find more deer still waiting for us. Seems like the word is out.

More tomorrow…

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Quote of the day:
The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. – Ronald Reagan

 

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Deer today, deer tomorrow…

About 11:30 am we headed over to Gina’s, who lives about 5 miles away. After looking over some projects she wanted me to do, we drove into San Marcos about noon to have lunch at IHOP.

Then after lunch we stopped off at Lowe’s to get some items on the project list, before heading back to Gina’s.

After talking and napping the afternoon away, about 5 pm we headed out for dinner at the Italian Garden Restaurant in Canyon Lake. We always eat here every time we’re in the area, because Jan loves their meat ravioli. I think their spaghetti marinara is pretty good too.

After dropping Gina off at her house, we headed back to the rig just in time for deer feeding. The deer here are the tamest I’ve ever seen. They will actually come right up to you, looking for food,

and will eat right out of your hand if you have any.

If you hold out an empty hand, they will lick it and allow themselves to be petted. I think I could have coaxed one of them into the coach if I had tried.

Tomorrow I’ll start working on the project at Gina’s. It’s pretty hot here, and a little working outside in the heat goes a long way.

More then…

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Quote of the day:
Turn the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles.

 

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Canyon Lake…

Since we only had about a 2 hour drive today, we didn’t leave Burnet until a few minutes after 11 am.

Today was another day to travel with the generator on to run the house A/C’s. Otherwise it can end up in the high 80’s in the coach, and then take a long time to cool down once we’re at the park.

We pulled into the Lake Pointe RV Park in Canyon Lake, TX about 1 pm for what we thought would be a 10 day stay. However I was quickly informed that despite what I was told on the phone about two weeks ago, we could only stay for sure for 6 days and then would have to go on day to day thru the holiday weekend. Lake Pointe is actually a type of membership park, so if a lot of members show up for the 4th of July weekend, we may be out on the streets. We’ll see.

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Last night I completed a field repair on a 12V power supply. It converts 120VAC to 12VDC thru a cigarette lighter plug. Normally I use it to power the wireless alert receiver for my Brake Buddy braking system in my truck when it’s being towed behind the RV. However I used it to test what turned out to be a malfunctioning tire pressure monitor, which killed the power supply. i assume I blew the internal fuse.

Never being one to be stopped by the “No User Serviceable Components Inside” warning on the case, and being too cheap to buy another one, I took my hacksaw to the case. A little sawing and prying and I was in.

And I was in luck. It had a fuse, and it was blown.

Not having a 2 Amp AGC pigtail fuse like the original, I decided to improvise with a 3 Amp ATO automobile fuse and solder it in directly. A small piece of wire and a hot soldering iron later, and I was back in business.

A quick test with my meter showed the problem was fixed, and strip of duck tape put the case back together.

And it worked fine on the trip today.

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Lake Pointe is a nice park near Canyon Lake, heavily wooded with a lot of deer roaming free. And Jan has a 50# bag of deer corn all ready to go.

Lake Pointe is also a Passport America so at $12 a night it’s a good deal. We’ve stayed here twice before, and enjoyed it both times.

We’re here to visit a good friend of ours, Gina Ellis, for 10 days or so before heading east toward Alabama, and then on to Louisville, KY by the 20th of July for The Rally, the largest RV rally in the US. After that it’s on to Elkhart, IN around the 1st of August.

After we got settled in today, we drove over to Gina’s about 5 pm and then went to dinner at The Windmill Restaurant for their All-You-Can-Eat Fried Catfish dinner. Really, really good.

Tomorrow we’ll do some shopping, and then I’ll start working on some home projects for Gina

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Quote of the day:
Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian.

 

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Last Day in Burnet…

Today was our last day with the family here in Burnet.  Lowell, Brandi, Chris and Linda all head back to Houston this morning.

But first we all had lunch together at Brother’s Bakery in Marble Falls. Brother’s is the bakery that made Brandi and Lowell’s great wedding cake.

But today we wanted to have lunch at the cafe that’s part of the bakery. They have great soups, sandwiches, muffins, and breads.

Some of us had breakfast, others had soup and sandwiches, All good. Linda got a loaf of Multi-Grain bread to go, and Jan and I got a couple of muffins for breakfast tomorrow.

After lunch we all got in our last goodbye hugs, and we headed back to the rig, while everyone else started back to Houston.

After lazing around the rig in the afternoon, and even getting in a short nap, about 5pm we drove over to The Maxican restaurant where we all ate the other night. Jan and I both had the same thing, Marsha’s Plate, a chili rellano stuffed with shredded chicken and Monterey Jack cheese, with 3 Angels on Horseback. The Angels are jumbo shrimp stuffed with jalapeno strips and Monterey Jack cheese, then wrapped in bacon and grilled. Fantastic!

On our way to the restaurant we stopped by the park office and dropped off a bunch of Gypsy Journal RV Newspapers for them to give out.

Coming back to the rig we stopped by Walgreens to get some ant traps. Apparently the local Formicidae have found our rig attractive and some have moved in. Hopefully this will take card of them.

Back at the rig I started putting some things away, getting us ready for hitting the road tomorrow. Then about 7:30 Nick Russell emailed me asking about a restaurant we found in Morro Bay, CA when we were there.

Tomorrow morning we leave here for Lake Pointe RV Park in Canyon Lake about 80 miles south of here near New Braunfels.

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Quote of the day:
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.." – Thomas Jefferson

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Last Days at the Lake…

Today was another take-it-easy day here in Burnet TX.  It didn’t help that it was in the mid 90’s. We’ve got to start heading north soon before we melt.

We just hung around the rig all morning and then around 2pm we drove into Burnet to mail a package before heading out to lake house.

After lazing around some more, Linda fixed a great meal of fajitas. Then about 7:30pm we took another pontoon boat ride around the lake.

Finally, around 9 we headed back to the rig for the night.

Tomorrow the last of the family heads back to Houston, everyone except us. We won’t leave until Friday, when we’ll head down to Canyon Lake for about 10 days.

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Here’s some more wedding photos.

This is, left to right, Ken, Lowell, Brad, and Doug.  Brad was Lowell’s best man, and they were all college roommates.

Here’s new family, old family, and a great friend. Left to right, it’s Sonja, Lowell’s mother, Chris and Linda, our son and daughter-in-law, my wife Jan, and Gina Ellis.

And here’s Piper, our beautiful granddaughter.

And this is what Piper gets for playing with my camera when she’s supposed to be just holding it.

And this lovely lady is Shawna Oakley, Brandi’s best friend, honorary sister, matron of honor, and wedding planner extraordinaire

More tomorrow…

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Quote of the day:
Never try to tell everything you know. It may take too short a time.

 

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More family fun…

After the wedding dinner we drove back over to our friend Gina Ellis’ home and spent the night there.

We had hoped she would come back with us to the lake house today, but she decided not to make the trip. So we left about 10:15 am heading back to Burnet.

We were going to meet Lowell’s parents, Sonja and Lendel, at the Tea-licious Tea Room at noon. After spending time talking over a great meal, we headed back to give them a tour of the rig, and ended up talking for about 4 hours more.

Then about 5 we all headed over to the lake house to meet up with Brandi, Lowell, Chris, Linda, Sherry, Grace, and Sabey. Then the eleven of us headed out to dinner.

We decided to try The Maxican again, since they weren’t open on Sunday when we stopped by before.

The food was great, and so was the company. Finally, about 8 pm we all headed back to our respected homes.

We said goodbye to Sonja, Lendel, Sabey, and Grace, who will be heading back to Oklahoma tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow we’ll spend our last day at the lake house before everyone leaves on Thursday..

More tomorrow…

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Quote of the day:
I like life. It’s something to do.

 

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Here comes the Bride…

Well, today was the big day!

Our daughter Brandi Leigh White has officially become Brandi White Morrison.

Except for running about 15 minutes late, everything came off perfectly.

The wedding took place in the Chapel Dulcinea, overlooking the Texas Hill County near Austin.

And the view was spectacular.

There were over 40 family and friends in attendance, including a lot of Lowell’s family who came in from Oklahoma, where he’s from.

 

 

And here’s the happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Morrison.

As soon as the wedding was over, everyone headed down the road about 5 miles to The Salt Lick BBQ Restaurant for a great meal of Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, and Chicken, complete with all the trimmin’s

And of course, a beautiful wedding cake, too.

Everyone had a great time getting to know all the new family members.

Here our granddaughter Piper (in the middle) has a toast with her new cousins, Sabey and Grace.

Finally, about 9:30 pm, everyone said their goodbyes and started home.

I’ll post more pics and info in the next few days.

More later…

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Quote of the day:
I got kicked out of ballet class because I pulled a groin muscle. It wasn’t mine. – Rita Rudner

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