May 15=18 On The Guadalupe River

 Mike/Kristi rented a house on the Guadalupe river Thursday thru Sunday so all the girls , dogs, Nick (Kennas boyfriend) and us could spent the weekend together. We left Thursday morning and went to Kingwood. We loaded some of their stuff in our car so that they could take one truck and ride together. We left a head of them and headed to New Braunfels. We had an easy drive and arrived about 1:00 pm. The house was located in Sattler by the 4th crossing. It was a nice house with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It had a nice covered deck overlooking the river and also a fire pit and sitting area right on the river bank. The yard was fully shaded by wonderful Cypress trees. They got there about 20 minutes after we did. Nick was still at work and came in that night.  After everything was unloaded , Mike and I went and got some firewood so we could have a fire.  Then we all went down to the river and floated in the water. The river was low with not much current. This actually made it perfect to float and stay in front of the house. The water was so cold when you first got in it. Lexi loved swimming in the river, Max not so much and Cooper said nope not getting in. The yard was fenced so the dogs could run loose.  For supper we had hamburgers, tater tots and sausage. After supper Mike built a fire, it was still pretty warm so no one was huddled up to it. Friday morning was nice with a good breeze blowing .  Kristi cooked a big breakfast which was good. At !0:am everyone but Susan and I went on a float trip down the river.  Susan and I went up to Canyon lake , its the lowest level that Ive ever seen it. We stopped at Ace Hardware and picked up a few things. After that we just drove River Road sightseeing.  When everyone got back we hit the river again to relax. That night Kristi fixed steak and chicken fajitas. Saturday morning our plans were to go to Gruene around 2 and the eat at the Grist Mill at 5:30.  We made it to Gruene and boy howdy it was hot. The girls did some shopping and Mike and I headed to Gruene Hall to do our shopping. There was a good band playing and the beer was cold. The place was packed and it was hot.  When all the girls finally made it to us Kenna went to the Grist Mill to see if we could get in earlier. We could, but she found out that they had no air conditioning. After thinking it over we decided to go back to the house and get back in the water and that's what we did. It felt pretty good and was very relaxing. Kristi cooked spaghetti for supper and we had a really nice evening. Sunday morning we all got up, packed up and headed home.  It was a really great weekend.

April 16-21 Cedar Hill State Park--- Dallas Volleyball Tournament

 Sammi had a volleyball tournament in Dallas Friday thru Sunday of Easter weekend.  Usually we stay at Hickory Creek on Lake Lewisville mainly because Susan has a brother who lives in Frisco that we visit. This year we could only visit one evening so we decided to try out Cedar Hill State Park which is much closer to the Convention Center. It turned out very well as we were only 25 minutes away and the traffic was not too bad. We left Wednesday morning and meanderared along. We stopped at Woodys in Centerville for lunch. We stop here usually because it has trailer parking , The food is pretty good and I picked up 3 lbs of German sausage. We arrived at Cedar Hill about 2:00 pm. This is an old park and a tight fit for our trailer. There are 4 campgrounds but one was closed for renovations.  It sits on Joe Pool Lake but none of the trailer sites have a lake view.  While the campsites are dated the day use area is first class and very pretty along the lake.  The one area I really enjoyed is the Penn farm. Its located in the park which acquired it around 1972.  It has been preserved and there is a nice trail to walk the grounds. The loop is about a mile long and Cooper and I walked it  every day.  Thursday evening we went to Frisco to visit Susans brother. We were in the evening wave for volleyball Friday night which I hate. We actually finished early and got back to the camp by 10:00 pm. We had a 7:30 am game Saturday morning. It was a full day of vb. We left at 4:00 , wore out and headed home.  They played 2 more games after we left.  We played again at 9:am on Sunday morning. They lost that game and we were finished. It was a rough tournament for us, the worst of the year, We were not focused . we were 2-1 on Friday, 4-2 on Saturday and 0-1 on Sunday.  Our next big tournament will be at the George R Brown in May.  Since we got home early on Sunday we got some rest. I had been nursing a toothache since Thursday and it was really bothering me.  I napped most of the day. I didn't"t feel like cooking supper so we went out to eat. I slept late Monday morning. Still feeling bad so we decided to load up and go home. On the way home Susan called our dentist to get me an appointment. He sent a prescription in for antibiotics to take and I don't go in till next Tuesday.  Should have just stayed and got my medicine there. Anyway I felt  better at home the next morning.  Our next trip will be in June, we are headed to Wyoming,Colorado and New Mexico for about two months. This might be our last long trip as I don't like driving long hours anymore.

March 10-14 Spring Break--Sandy Creek with Peyton & Luke

 We got the boys on Sunday. Spent the day loading the trailer getting ready to roll.  We left Monday morning headed to Sandy Creek Campground on Dam B.  It's only about a two hour drive. We got a nice waterfront sites on the lake. The boys rode their bikes and dug in the dirt all evening. It was cool weather and just about perfect. We had chili and hot dogs for supper.  Tuesday morning it was about 39 when we got up. I did frozen biscuits outside in the air fryer but we ate inside.  Pancakes and biscuits with syrup. After breakfast the boys went out for the day.  We did a little fishing but the wind really blew.  Whitecaps on the lake.  No fish were caught.  We were supposed to do hamburgers for supper but I forgot to take the meat out to thaw. Therefore we had chicken strips and fries for supper. Wednesday was a repeat. Peyton did catch two crappie but that was it. That night we did have hamburgers and they were good.  It rained Wednesday night. It didn't rain Thursday but the forecast was rain Friday morning. I decided to pack up Thursday and go home.  No fun camping in the rain.

Feb 23-27 2025 Mill Creek

 The weather has been crappy for a couple of weeks.  The weatherman said it was going to be nicer so we decided to take a quick trip. We had never been to Mill Creek on Lake Sam Rayburn so we decided to try it out.  We left on Sunday, supposedly the weather was supposed to clear up but it didn't. It's only about a 2 1/2 hour drive for us.  It misted and stayed pretty cool the whole way.  I was able to set up without getting wet.  We had a nice waterfront site but is was unlevel. It took every board I had to get trailer level.  Since the weather was nasty we decided to go to a nearby Mexican food place near the dam.  It turned out to be a pretty good place.  Monday morning when I got up it was a little nippy. I went outside to change over propane tanks and somehow twisted the handle off.  I got a pair of needle nose pliers and then proceeded to twist the needle valve off the regulator.  Not able to get propane on.  Since I had left our electric heater at home I headed to Jasper .  Walmart opened at 6:00 am and I was the second customer in. Picked up a small heater and was back at the trailer by 6:30 am.  It was enough to keep the trailer warm.  It was a very foggy morning and it didn't"t clear up till about 11:am.  It kept everything damp and wet outside. Cooper and I got in about a 2 mile walk. Susan had her sewing machine set up and she just sewed.  That evening we went into Jasper to eat at The Cedar Tree Restaurant.  They had a great buffet and very reasonable. That evening we had a great sunset with a little happy hour by the fire pit.  Tuesday morning I cooked breakfast outside as the weather was much nicer.  After breakfast we went and visited my second cousin John Callahan.  He is 96 and lives with his daughter in Rayburn country.  He is still able to get around and walks a mile everyday. We had a good visit.  That evening I cooked hamburgers for supper and we had another great sunset.  One of our camping neighbors stopped by and visited. They are from Wisconsin and just down here beating the cold up north. Wednesday morning was again a little nicer and I cooked breakfast outside again. We didn't go anywhere and just relaxed around camp all day. Cooper and I made several walks.  That evening was a repeat performance.  Thursday morning we got up packed up and headed home.  It was a nice quiet trip. Our next trip will be the grandsons camping during spring break.

Jan 16-19, 2025 Lake Somerville & Volleyball

We left on Thursday for Lake Somerville. Sammi has a volleyball tournament in Bryan Saturday and Sunday. Our plans were to stay till Tuesday depending on the weather.  We stopped in Chappell Hill to eat lunch and I bought some link sausage.  We got to Yegua Park about 2 pm.  There was only one other camper in our loop.   Susan set up her sewing machine and we just chilled the rest of the evening. Lots of deer came out and fwd in the meadow beside us. Friday the weather was really nice. Cooper and I took several walks. That evening we met Mike/Kristi and the girls for supper. We had a fun time. Saturday morning the cold weather moved in. We went to Bryan around 7:30 and didn't"t get home till 4:30.  Sammis team played well.  We were really tired when we got back. The weather forecast was for really bad weather hitting Monday night at home.  We decided to get up Sunday and go on home. Sunday morning it was about 29 with 30 mph winds. It rocked the trailer all night. It was miserable outside hooking up. We made it home about noon. I got the trailer unloaded and the drained all the water for the upcoming freeze. They are forecasting snow for Monday night and Tuesday,