Dallas Backroads

It's almost time for us to leave the Dallas/Ft Worth area, so I thought I'd post some photos of interesting things we've seen along the backroads of the Metroplex. Don't normally see to many Llamas just hanging out.

Beautiful fenced in ranch.


Well, it just speaks for itself.....lol


Where we want to live!!!


Rural TX sense of humor.


Abandon Barn in the middle of a new housing area.


Old Homestead.


Just goes to show, even around the big city you can find a little bit of old charm. You just need to head off the beaten path, slow down and just take a look around, you'd be amazed at what you find.
We should be headed toward Louisiana in the next day or to so stay tuned for more!!!

Mansfield, TX. Tree Lighting

Yesterday evening, Chris and Kayla took us over to Mansfield (next town over from theirs) for the Christmas Tree lighting, and it turned out to be quite the time. There were food booths, snow slides for the kids, a stage with music and much more. Directly after the tree lighting a beautiful fireworks display was put on. We were so close to the fireworks that the cardboard and paper wrappings rained down on us, it was great!!!

The Grinch even showed up to light the tree, he must be having a change of heart.....:)

The local school children were singing Christmas Carols

The crowd was quite large for a small community.

The elusive north Texas Penguins even made an apperance.

Small communities are great to visit, from their charming downtown areas to the festivals they put on. We'd rather visit them, than the larger big city events, as they are so much more real and heartfelt.

Evicted

Well yesterday we were evicted from in front of our daughters house by the Home Owners Asso. Actually it was the Cities Code Enforcement Dept (HOA didn't have the nerve to knock on the door and talk to us). Came home from shopping and (coincidentally looking at a local RV Park), to find the above nasty gram stuck to the RV window. I started to take it off and it just tore (they use some goooood glue on those things) then I thought I'd get a pic before removing it completely. HOAs do serve a purpose, but I have never been a fan of them.

Not a big problem as we had been staying with the kids for just over a week and were getting the itch to get back in our own home. We checked a few places on line and decided on the Mockingbird Hill RV Park in Burleson, TX (just south of Ft Worth). It's a nice park with very friendly hosts. The park is actually a Trailer Park with several RV sites intermixed, however it's quiet and well kept. We'll be staying here for a week to start and then maybe longer as we are waiting for a peice of medical equipment to arrive for Sheryl. This is a new experience for us, finally in a park with real trees, however we have found with trees, comes squirrels which run across the roof.

One thing we can say so far about this lifestyle, never a dull moment!!!

Thanksgiving With Family

Well another Thanksgiving has come and gone, but not the memories. It was great to see everyone again, Sheryl son and his wife came in from Oklahoma and her daughter and grandbaby came in from Georgia, meeting here in Dallas for the holidays. Not alot of pictures were taken as we just enjoyed our visit with everyone and and gave thanks that we could all get together.

Here's the little one, and you think we could get her to hold still for a picture..............well that was the best we could do.....lol.

Sheryls daughter Kaileigh.

All the ladies preparing the feast to come.

Our gracious hosts, Tiffany and Dave, Kayla's best friend since grade schools, who now just happens to live 7 doors down from her. Wow, what a small world.

A little snack before the main event.

Ahhhhhh Dinner is served!!!

After dinner at Tiff and Daves, we met back at Chris and Kayla's house for desert.

Again, we were so gratful to spend this special day with friends and family. I hope you were able to do the same and stop for a moment to give thanks for all the friends and family in your life worth living.

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!!

Christmas Lights and Champions

It's that time of year again!!! Chris and Kayla started alittle early this year as the weather is supposed to turn for the worst this week and they wanted to get the big stuff up while it's nice out. Almost reminded me of Chevy Chase's Chrismas Vacation, Kids putting up the light with the RV out front...lol However all went well and it turned out pretty nice.

Kayla is part of a intermural Volleyball team with some of the girls from her work. Tuesday night they played for the championship in their division and WON!!! Yeaaaa girls, good job. It was best 2 out of 3 games and they won both right off the bat.

The Team

Kayla showing off the trophy. She didn't play in this game as she injured her back at work and didn't want to take the chance of further injury. However she was there for support and I was glad I could be a part of it.

The last few days have been relaxing around the house as the kids have to work. Sheryl daughter and our little garnd daughter came in also, so stay tuned for pics of the little one, shes so cute.
It's almost Thanksgiving and our cup runith over with things to be thankful for................so until later we'll be giving thanks for it all.

Made it to Dallas!!!

We finally made it to Dallas, TX. and my daughters house for the Thanksgiving holidays. We left Big Spring, TX. and drove the 300 miles in, not as bad as I thought it would be, considering this was our first long stretch towing the trailer.

We arrived Thursday night just in time for my birthday on Friday. When Kayla and Chris came home, they came bareing gifts, a 12 pack of Shiner Bock and a really cool birthday card. Can't get much better than that!!!

Friday night we decided to go out to dinner for my birthday, after a little discussion we settled on this local Italian place as apposed to a big name resturant. We love the smaller local joints much better, so it was great. The food was outstanding and the prices were right.

The whole gang, not bad for holding the camera myself.

Kayla got a shot of Sheryl and I outside.

Couple of shots of the place. First place I've ever seen where you pay on the honor system. When you are finished eating, you walk up, tell them what you had and they ring you up, no ticket or receipt. Don't find to many places like that anymore.

Now just to enjoy spending time with family and friends, so until we meet again....................

Carlsbad Caverns

Todays adventure was Carlsbad Caverns, NM. Up early to hit the Caverns first thing so we could get back on the road and headed for Dallas. I've never been to the Caverns, but Sheryl had back in the early 90s, so she wanted to see them again also. I could go on and on about the history of the caverns, but I'm sure you could check it out if you like.

The drive back to the caverns from Whites City is approx 8 miles through a canyon and then towards the end climbing up to the of the foothill where they are located.

After a 750 ft elevator ride stright down, you step out to an unexpected site, a full gift shop and snack bar. It is amazing what the National Park Service has done down there, full restrooms, and the cave system lighting.

There is no way possible to to capture the grandure of the caves in pictures, but here are a few in which I try.

On the way out, we of course had to get a shot in front of the sign

Leaving Whites City for day 2 of our new journey. Whites City is just a one road town, and an old west style boardwalk with several shops and a motel across the street. Oh and of course the RV park. The Caverns were amazing, wonderful, beautiful you get the point. If you are ever in the area be sure to Check out Carlsbad Caverns, you won't be sorry.