One Final Offload and We're On Our Way!

At Llano Grande Lake Park Resort, Mercedes, Texas...

We sheepishly disgorged Phannie and Mae onto our hapless kids in Houston, and yes, they're still speaking to us, but I think only because they are finding some pretty cool things among the stuff we unloaded on them. (Note to others who have this idea: If you're dumping stuff on your kids, include some nice things they can use.)

We also had a nice dinner at at Kobe Japanese Steak House with Mindy and Tyler and the grandsons, and we also had the extra pleasure of the presence of Sandy's sister, Brenda. The boys really enjoyed watching the antics of the chef cooking on the Teppanyaki grill.

The next day, we bade them goodbye, Phannie's interior looking much more inviting now with the absence of the piles of debris. We headed for Corpus Christi, a favorite area of ours, where we would spend the night while en route to the Rio Grande Valley. 

The weather was uncharacteristically cold and rainy during the trip to Corpus, our having followed a cold front southbound from the DFW area. As a result, Phannie and Mae took on a most unattractive layer of road spray.  There was nothing we could do about the grime except wait until we arrived in the RGV, where we can always get a good wash job for a bargain price. (No, unless I'm desperate, I don't wash it myself; it's too big and I'm too lazy.) 

While we were in Corpus, we felt compelled to have a fine seafood dinner at Snoopy's, one of our favorites, just across the bridge on the bay. 

With our seafood fix out of the way and a good night's sleep, we headed Phannie south again. In Kingsville, we met up with Steve and Jackie, another fulltiming couple we recently met during a trip through Austin. We found we had a lot in common--so much so that they ditched their fiver for a Phaeton like Phannie (except newer) a few weeks ago after seeing our coach and hearing us brag on it. We caravanned with them for the rest of the trip to the RGV, where we are excited to show them around and have them meet still more friends of ours. 

As soon as we arrived at Llano Grande Resort, I phoned up Jesse, our wash guy, who agreed to come out the very next morning and clean up both coaches.

Jesse scrubs the grime off a very dirty Phannie

Steve and Jackie's parking spot was close by, and we couldn't wait to walk over and take a look at their (new to them) Phaeton. To say we were impressed would be an understatement. It is a beautiful motorhome, appointed just as they wanted. We felt very happy for them and proud to have had a small part in their choosing this new home on the road. We know they won't be sorry.

Owners of the coach, held by Jackie and Steve

Jackie and Steve love Llano Grande, one of the nicest parks anywhere. And yes, for those of you in snowy climes, those are palm trees--no snow down here; just warmth and sunshine. Sorry!

Now that we've reached our first fulltiming destination, and the madness of the purging and sale of the house is quickly fading, we are finally beginning to get a sense of what this new lifestyle is going to be like. It is, in our view, the ultimate indulgence of a fantasy of freedom and travel. Imagine having the means of traveling in the comfort of a motorhome whenever and wherever you wish and staying as long as you want. Imagine going to where it's warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Imagine staying in a beautiful place until you're ready to move to another that is equally beautiful. Imagine meeting many new friends whose paths you often cross in your wanderings. Imagine not being tied down to the responsibilities and expense of a house somewhere. Imagine no work and all play. Well, that's us.

Not for you, you say? Well, that's fine; we don't have to understand.

Thank you, Lord for this wonderful life; please forgive me if I don't appreciate it enough each day.