THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON ME

You know...there's Texas, and then there's Texas...This is almost too much Texas!

The spires of Baylor University in Waco, TX

That's Dave...Relax is his middle name!

 

Dave and Grandson, Vincent

Vannie and Granddaughter, Madeline

 

Fresh Rhubarb Pie...Rhubarb brought back from Minnesota

Vannie was taking this to the pot-luck supper, and Dave said he needed to make sure it wasn't poison!

 

 

As you can see, we are back in the great state of Texas....North Texas Airstream Community...Hillsboro, Tx.  We really love it here.  Everyone is so friendly and helpful.  I especially love having all the other airstreams surrounding me.  It just tickles my fancy!!!

 

One of the first things Vannie did, after we got settled in, was to create one of her "Art Abandonment" pieces.  I think I told you about this special Facebook group.  Members create pieces of art and abandon them....always with a little note explaining the process.  Vannie decided to go totally Texas with the abandonment...Texas shoes.  While she and Dave were eating at a Denny's in Waco, she decided to abandon her shoes on the sidewalk right in front of the restaurant.  Vannie told me that she saw two older ladies at a booth in the restaurant.  She believes that one of them was probably a history teacher and is going to loves these shoes.  Sometimes I wonder about Vannie.  She makes stories up about these shoes and then just leaves them places.  Whatever floats your boat...I guess!  Baylor University was right around the corner from Denny's, so V and D enjoyed driving through the campus.  They said is was beautiful.

 

Dave has been getting in some serious relaxing.  He has also gotten several spruce-ups done on me.  I did need a little attention in several places.  Even through Dave loves to relax, he does love a good project, too.  I seem to always have plenty to keep him as busy as he wants to be.

 

Vannie and Dave had to take a quick over-nighter to Austin to see their daughter, Emilie, and her family.  They came back with all kinds of good news...Madeline's walking, Vincent is starting pre-school, Roy got to go to the Saint's game in San Antonio, and Emilie is driving a red

Mercedes.  I said...MERCEDES!  Vannie said, "Yes, Gypsy, it's not brand new, but it is still very nice."  I can't wait to see it.  I think a little red Mercedes sitting beside me would look really smart!

 

There was a pot-luck supper here at the park tonight.  Vannie made a fresh rhubarb pie.  The rhubarb was given to her by her friend, Darlene Ashley, in Minnesota.  Vannie didn't bring a bite of it home after the supper.  When she was baking it,  the smell was breath-taking.  I was really wishing I was a wee bit human, so I could sneak a bite.

 

Vannie and Dave are off to Colorado tomorrow.  They are going to be house-sitting for Vannie's cousin, Kathryn.  I'm staying here in Hillsboro.  I really don't mind a bit.  Being on the road for three months has taken it's toll on this ole gal.  I need more than five days to get myself back in shape.  They will be emailing, calling, or Facebooking, so I can still keep you posted as to what's going on.

 

Goodnight, Friends

 

 

BEHIND THE CLUBHOUSE

Dave... his cousin and wife...Benny & Regina Adams...Vannie

Me behind the clubhouse...How cool is that!!!

Dave sitting at the Sonic...Downtown Bernice

Newest member of the Family...Benjamin Brown...Vannie's Great Niece's Son

Dave and his mom, Pearl

Looky here...Folks visiting me...Amy and John Pesnell and their friend, Kathy.

Amy is Vannie's niece.

V and D's son, daughter-in-law, and grandson

Ashley, Diane, Cooper

 

Vannie and her Aunt Robbie Green

 

Front page of the Bernice Banner

Quack...Quack

Yep!  For you Bernice Folks…for five days I was hooked up behind the infamous Bernice Clubhouse (official name Oakhurst Civic Clubhouse).  It was built by the CCC in 1938 and still is going strong.  There were about five RV spaces there, but we were alone during our stay.  Vannie said that she has fond memories of all sorts of activities in the clubhouse when she was going up.

The talk-of-the-town, while we were there, was that Bernice had officially been recognized as the birthplace of Willie Robertson.  “Who?”,  I said.  Probably most of you know who I am talking about…Yes…Star of Duck Dynasty.  He had made an appearance about a week before we arrived.  Shucks…I would have liked to have met him…and I know he would have loved to have met me!

I reunited with some old relatives of V and D’s, and I met some news one, too.  For those of you that we didn’t get to see, we’ll be back in December for a longer stay.  So if we didn’t get to see you this time…hold on tight…we’ll catch you next time.

Next stop…Hillsboro, Texas…North Texas Airstream Community!  I have a lot of old buddies there.  Can’t wait to see their shiny selves!

 

 

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

Mackinac Bridge...Across the Mackinac Strait...joining Lake Huron and Lake Michigan

Vannie was "white knuckling" it all the way across.

Had to stop on the other side of the bridge so that Vand D could breathe.

Check out the hunk I'm parked next to...I know, I know, it's a gasoline truck, but I can still look!

 

Vannie and Dave's friend from way back...Jennie Oukada and her granddaughter, Chelcie.

Met them in Indianapolis for lunch.

Wheee...a covered bridge in Greenup, Illinois, near the Lincoln Trail

Grave of Thomas Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father

Abraham Lincoln's Step-Mother

Woman cooking in a dutch oven at the farmstead of Lincoln's parents

Inside the their cabin

That rooster was feelin' good!

The Old Man in the Barn...could be the beginning of a book.  LOL

Is this cool, or what?  Vannie looks right at home.

old split rail fence

We are on the road again...heading south!  Yea!  I know it's going to be hot, but I'm ready to see some of my people.  It's been too long.

Leaving Michigan was a hair-raising experience.  That bridge...Oh, that bridge!  I could see Vannie holding on to that steering wheel like nobodies business.  I was so glad when we arrived on the other side safe and sound.  As soon as V and D saw a rest stop, we pulled it.  I don't think they had taken a breath since we started across the bridge.  They were turning blue in the face.

At our next gas stop, Vannie asked the cashier about "what was there to see around these parts."  The lady said, "Well, let's see...there's the covered bridge, the winery, and Lincoln's parent's home.  They are all just down the road.  Turn right at the light and keep going.  Can't miss 'um."  Soooooo, we headed out for a mini adventure.

Loved the covered bridge.  I was a little worried at first.  Thought I might not fit through, but made it just fine.  Thomas and Sarah Lincoln's farmstead was so interesting.  Even in the parking lot, I could see the cabin and the farmyard.  Lincoln didn't ever live here, but he visited here right before his inauguration.  Just to be in an area where Lincoln walked was special.

Staying at a casino campground tonight.  Cheap rates and nice lounging.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME ON MACKINAC ISLAND

Along the coast of Lake Huron

 

Shuttle taking V and D to Mackinac Island

 

7:30 am Mackinac Island...Hot tip - get there early before the crowds

  

8 mile trip around the island

 

 

 

Vannie is adding the last little pebble to the top of this cairn.  They were all along the coastline.

 

The Coastline of Lake Huron

Become a "fudgie"

 

Carriage Rides

The Grand Hotel

 

Dahlias

 

The Governor's Summer House

 

 

 

The Arch Rock...Now that's gorgeous!

 

 

Hiking Trails

 

Queen Anne's Lace

 

Finally rest...in the cemetery

  

”I have a question for you, sir.  Is time travel possible?”  This was a line from the 1980’s movie, “Somewhere in Time.”   Vannie and Dave said that when they set foot on Mackinac Island they felt like they had stepped back about 100 years. 

We arrived in St. Ignace, MI yesterday.  We found a great spot in the Strait State Park just a hop, skip, and jump from the place where V and D boarded the boat to take them to the island.  There were lots of difference types of campers around to keep me company…tents, pop-ups, motor homes, 5^th-wheels…alas, no airstreams.  Actually, I was feeling pumped among all the SOB’s (some other brand).

Vannie and Dave got to the island around 7:30 am and returned around 4:00.  A full day of fun, fudge, flowers, food, feces (those horses), and feet (for walking and pedaling).

They told me about…

…the 8 mile bike ride they took around the island.  They rode on the only state highway without motorized vehicles.  It was been this way since 1898.

…the fudge – they learned that the Mackinac Island Fudge is quite famous.  People that enjoy this fudge are called “fudgies.” 

…the beautiful coastline along Lake Heron – looked like the Caribbean

…Carriage Rides

…The Grand Hotel where the movie, “Somewhere in Time” was filmed...starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.  The pool in the hotel was built for Esther Williams for a movie in 1947.

…the flowers – Vannie said she especially liked the dahlias, because her dad always had dahlias in his garden in Bernice.

…the Governor’s House – this house was used as a summer home for the governor of Michigan many years ago.

…The horses – all over the place – horseback or carriage or trash truck or hauling stuff

…hiking trails

…cemetery – great place to rest

Wow….What a day for all of us!

I’ll close with another quote from the movie, “Somewhere in Time.”

Elise Mckenna played by Jane Seymour…”Come back to me!”  I think that this was what the UP of Michigan was saying to us as we head back to LA/TEX tomorrow.  There is still so much more to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURTESY PARKING AT THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE

What an awesome spot!

 

Loretta, Chuck, Dave, Vannie

 

Chuck served this at Happy Hour...his own special brew!

 

 

Wild Turkeys walking right past my bathroom window....Gobble, Gobble!

 

V and D took this shot on their hike.

 

Norway, MN...a delightful little town nearby

 

Pasties from the Pasty Oven...Vannie just loves taking "food" pictures.

 

 

Being an Airstream has its benefits…and one of them is courtesy parking.  That’s right…courtesy, as in free.  The Blue Beret, the Airstream Bible, has a listing of WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) members that have courtesy parking at their home.

During the International Airstream Rally in July, Vannie and Dave met a couple that told them about the wonderful time they had at the Little Blue House in the UP of Michigan.  The owners, Chuck and Loretta, were so welcoming.  They highly recommended we give Chuck a call if we get close by.

So to make a long story short, Vannie called Chuck…a reservation was made…and the rest is history.  Chuck and Loretta were true Airstreamers…friendly, helpful, happy, positive, industrious...and, of course, had a beauty of an airstream in its own big blue garage.   I had my own special place to park, with electricity, water, and sewer hookups. Chuck and Loretta toured me and said the nicest things about me.  I was almost blushing.  They are really beautiful people. 

Pasties...ever heard of them. We kept passing signs that were advertising delicious pasties.  V and D had never had a pasty and were very curious about what it was and how it tasted.   Chuck told them about where the best pasty could be bought, The Pasty Oven.  Vannie and Dave could hardly get there fast enough.  They ordered the pasty meal, which included a large pasty, a drink, cold slaw, and ice cream.  They discovered that pasty's are kind of like a pot pie...meat and veggies in a pie crust.  They were stuffed when they got back to me.  They had loved their pasty experience.  Vannie thought someone might enjoy the recipe, so hear goes...

Michigan's UP Pasty

3 lbs. potatoes diced

1 cup carrots diced

2 cups onions diced

2 cups rutabaga diced

2 lbs. meat or fish diced or ground

Take about a dozen 4 oz. pie crust dough balls that have been cooled then warmed to room temperature.  Roll each into a 10 inch oval.  Put 10 oz. of pasty filling that has been mixed together on a dough sheet, pull over the top and crimp the edge.  Bake for one hour at 350 degrees.  Vannie said that she would probably add a little Tony's Seasoning to spice it up a bit.

We are on our way to Mackinaw Island feeling great after our stay at “The Little Blue House.”