Bay View RV Resort – Rockport, Texas – March 28-April 3, 2016

The park is taking on a whole new dynamic as more and more of our Winter Texan friends leave and the summer campers arrive. This past week we said farewell to Steve and Karen (Wisconsin), who left Monday, and to Bob and Sharon (Missouri, or maybe South Dakota by now), who left on Friday.

 Weather this week was wonderfully warm and sunny most days, with early morning temps in the low 70s.  Even days when clouds and fog rolled in, the days were decent. Recent rain has made everything so green; the wild flowers are blooming throughout the park; birds are doing their happy dances and chirping away. 

This week was our last for “in the park Yoga.” I do have Yoga on video so I just need to motivate myself to do that. I told Dick that I’d resume walking with him if he’d agree to try Yoga with me… Hmmm, we’ll see…

Dick’s walks through the park and along Fulton Beach Road were few this week because the park’s owner was in town, meaning Dick put in extra time at the office working with him. However, his few walks resulted in seeing these egrets, herons, ibises, doves and ducks.

In Monday afternoon’s Texas Hold ‘em game Dick finished just out of the money, coming in 4^th place. He continues to enjoy these sessions, which last about 3 hours—if he’s holding good cards.

My Stitch & Bitch friends are getting fewer and fewer on Tuesday mornings as more friends leave the park. We will continue to wear our Stitch & Bitch t-shirts proudly, though, and think fondly of those who have left us, and look forward to resuming our sessions in the fall.

Tuesday afternoon was the first ever pool party, held at the Adult Club House. The day was cool and overcast, so not as many folks showed up as we would have liked. Nonetheless, we had a good time and enjoyed the hamburgers, brauts, etc., provided by the park. We forgot to bring our camera, so most of these shots were taken by friend Sharon, our activities director.

Dick continued to work through the week, and Wednesday was no different. This allowed me more time to work on the baby sweaters. (I’m almost done with #6!)

Later we went to happy hour and dinner at the clubhouse. This week’s fare was salad, chopped steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls and butter, and cherry nut cake with warm butter sauce for dessert. Yum-yum! So good…

And of course, later Dick returned to the clubhouse for another session of Texas Hold ‘em. He came away minus $1. It’s all in the cards…

We took advantage of a new laundromat on Thursday morning, located much closer to our park than our usual place. While I loaded the machines, Dick drove to Whataburger to pick up our breakfast—just have to have their sausage, egg ‘n’ cheese on a bun when we do laundry! We were done in about an hour and a half, leaving plenty of time for Dick to go back to work for the rest of the day.

At 4:00 we joined friends at Prescott’s and Pat’s site for happy hour. It was the final happy hour for Bob and Sharon before they left on Friday.

Then, a bit later it was off to the clubhouse for another evening of Pegs & Jokers. Our numbers are dwindling there, too, as it was only Bill and Carole, and Dick and me playing that night. The gals are going through a rough patch right now—we’re not doing well at all. Again, it's all in the cards. ‘nuff said… We also have Bingo and pool in the clubhouse Thursday nights, too, so that conflicts with some folks’ Pegs & Jokers schedules.

Friday morning arrived way too early. We had to get up and dressed in order to say farewell to Bob and Sharon, who were heading to South Dakota to get their licenses, as they’d recently become domiciled there rather than Missouri, where they’re from. Then, they’re heading back to Missouri to sell their home, get rid of “stuff” and spend the summer. We’re looking forward to seeing them again in the fall.

Dick spent time working on Friday, while I continued to work on the sweaters. As I was working on them, friends Jerry and Barb (Wisconsin), whom we met in a KOA campground in Utah, arrived for a short 4 day stay here in the park. They stopped by for a quick visit, and we made plans to have dinner the next evening.

Later was happy hour honoring Ed and Angie (Wisconsin) who have been Winter Texans for years, but due to health issues may not be back again. We’re sorry to see them leave, as Ed has been a fixture on the park’s construction/maintenance crew for years, and Angie who has blessed us with her fabulous potato salad , homemade pickles and cream puffs at most of pot lucks. (She also used to be the park’s cook a few years ago.) Quite a few folks turned out, and appetizers were in abundance, including oysters—both raw and steamed--which are plentiful in this area. (Thank you, John and Robbin, for these treats!)
 

Power went out that night at about 6:15, lasting for just 4 hours. Daylight lasted a while, but it sure is dark here in the park when all the lights are out! We do have 12-volt lights in the camper, but choose not to use them until we can figure out what’s going on with our invertor/convertor. (We’ll have that addressed when we arrive in southern Illinois, at Marvin and Shirley’s Kamper ‘s Supply RV dealership, along with a few other things.)

Saturday morning, after a breakfast of French toast and bacon, Dick went off to work again. I didn’t see him again ‘til a little after 4 p.m. when he came back home to get ready to go to dinner. We picked up Gerry and Barb and drove through Old Town Rockport and along the water to Paradise Key. By the time we arrived the place was really hopping; all the boaters and fishermen had come in off the water, and this is the closest spot for them for a bit of refreshment. We were able to get a table immediately in the bar area, though. Gerry ordered fish and chips, and Barb ordered fried shrimp. Dick had Mahi Mahi fish and chips, while I just can’t seem to get past their crab cakes. So very good! For dessert Dick and I split their key lime pie; Jerry and Barb ordered white chocolate bread pudding to go. (That probably would’ve been a good thing to do for us, as we were stuffed!)

We again drove along the water on the way back to the park, with a quick stop in downtown Rockport to watch the Great Blue Herons nesting atop the pin oaks. There must’ve been close to 2 dozen perched on top of the trees, strutting and dancing. Such a cool thing to see! Unfortunately, due to the dim light we weren’t able to get photos. You’ll just have to come down to see for yourselves!

Sunday morning we attended First Baptist Church of Rockport, where Pastor Scott Jones continued his sermon series on the Israelite's exodus. This week’s message focused on promises, and was taken from Joshua in the Old Testament, and Luke in the New. God’s grace makes it possible for us to live the life we were created to live: we are to fear the Lord, serve the Lord with all faithfulness, and put behind us everything that causes us to disregard God’s presence in our lives. We can live a fulfilling life when we live for the purposes and glory of God. God never fails in His promises to us; we fail Him when we choose to put ourselves before His plan and purposes for our lives. Good words. Here’s a link to his message.

After a quick stop at Walmart, we returned to our camper for just a couple of hours before heading to the Adult Club House for the “Workamper’s Thank you Party,” hosted annually by the park’s owner. What a gorgeous day for it! The sun was shining, the temps were in the high 70s, no clouds, and there was a breeze off the Gulf. The party was catered by a local restaurant, The Shack. They served BBQ brisket, BBQ sausages, coleslaw, and potato salad. For dessert, there was chocolate cake (from Ned and Joanne), and Chef Betty’s wonderful snickerdoodles. Beverages were soda, water, wine and beer. No one went away hungry, and it appeared everyone had a great time. Thank you, Paul, for hosting!

Being Sunday afternoon, we headed to the Family Clubhouse for Pegs & Jokers after the party. Six of us played, and again, the ladies were having a bit of trouble. We won just 1 of the 3 games we played. Sad…

Dick went to the office to spend another couple of hours. While he was gone, friend David returned from fishing, and they invited us to their site for fresh fried fish dinner. Whahoo!! He prepared Pompano on the grill, and Sheepshead in their deep fryer. We also had asparagus and hash browns. I provided French bread. Yum-Yum! Nothing better than fish fresh from the Gulf! The day continued to be so perfect, weather wise, that we were able to sit outside until late evening. We’re so thankful for these friends! They plan to leave Wednesday, and are looking forward to returning in the fall.

Well, that’s it for this week. We’ll have more to report next week, I’m sure, so stay tuned!

Hugs ‘n’ love,

RJ and Gail

Bay View RV Resort – Rockport, Texas – March 21-27, 2016

Time continues to slip away. Friends continue to leave, some for just a few short months ‘til we’re reunited here again, and some will not be back. We count ourselves blessed to have made friends with so many. 

Monday afternoon we were invited to happy hour at Dick and Fran’s site; they were leaving Tuesday morning for their home in Michigan. (They plan to be back next fall.) Fourteen of us joined them for this special time. The weather was beautiful with a little breeze, although it did get a bit chilly as the sun set. Fun times and good friends—doesn’t get much better than this.

Rather than our regular Stitch and Bitch hour, we elected to help Lynda with the burlap and lace flowers she’s making for her daughter’s wedding in June. It’s quite an undertaking, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. A couple more days will do it!

We continue to participate in the weekly activities, from Texas Hold ‘em to Yoga and Pilates, horseshoes, weekly happy hours and dinners. We added one more activity last week: shuffleboard!

Newcomers to the park earlier this year, Agnes and Gerry, took it upon themselves to unearth and clean up the shuffleboard courts. Betty Peachey picked up the banner and secured a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to provide finances to refurbish the Bay View shuffleboard courts. A group of volunteers from the RV park joined the effort with the result being celebrating the Grand Opening of the “new and improved” shuffleboard courts on Tuesday afternoon. About 25 folks showed up to play, watch, and cheer on those who played. Was really quite fun! Afterward we enjoyed grilled hamburgers and sausages, chips and homemade chocolate chip cookies, thanks to Chef Betty and the kitchen team.

Wednesday morning after Yoga, we again helped Lynda with the flowers. Whew! They’re beautiful, as you can see, but we’ll all be very glad when this project is over!

Wednesday’s dinner, preceded by happy hour, was Chef Betty’s rendition of chicken cacciatore, rice, rolls and butter, and rhubarb pie and ice cream. YUMMY! We’re so thankful to have her here for another season. No one went away hungry!

Afterward, Dick returned to the clubhouse to play Texas Hold ’em; he came home with $13 to the good! Yippee!

Weather this week was wonderful, although the temperatures are slowly climbing, as it the humidity. Thursday was no different. That afternoon Dick played horseshoes, after shooing away a mama painted turtle, who was intent on digging a hole in the horseshoe pit to lay her eggs. After some prodding she realized she needed to move on to a safer place.

After happy hour on Friday a few of us trekked to Panjo’s Pizza for what may be the last pizza here in Rockport—at least for this year—for some of our friends. Bob and Sharon, Bill and Arlene, Marihelen (David was fishing), and Dick and I enjoyed pizza, all the while talking and laughing. Seems we never run out of things to talk about…

Saturday brought more sunshine and beautiful temperatures. We didn’t see this, but friend Steve said there was a “hawk boil” circling above our area in the park Saturday afternoon. Apparently hundreds of hawks gather together before their spring migration, circling high overhead. Wish we had seen it!

Our last potluck dinner of the season was scheduled for that night, in the clubhouse. Over 50 people had signed up, so after happy hour at 4:00 we dug into the food. Good stuff! Everything, from jalapeno boats to cheese and olive skewers for appetizers, to marinated, spinach and strawberry, shoe peg corn, pasta and potato salads, to meat loaf, scalloped potatoes, pulled BBQ chicken, Spanish rice with smoked sausage…I could go on and on. For dessert there was apple cake, rhubarb crisp, and a special birthday cake (for friend Karen, who turned 70 on Sunday). I can pretty much guarantee that no one went away hungry!

Sunday: Resurrection Sunday! We attended the First Baptist Church of Rockport, where Pastor Scott Jones’ message was from 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, where the Apostle Paul shared these words: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (died).” The theme of his message was God is with us, and Jesus promised to be with us forever. The Cross on which he died is the ultimate expression of Jesus being with us. Jesus chose us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins rather than choosing to go to the Father, thus allowing our sins to be forgiven. By dying the sinner’s death on the cross and rising from the grave 3 days later, he conquered death and Satan’s hold over us. Thank you, Jesus! Here's a link to his sermon.

 

We returned to the clubhouse for the park’s Easter Brunch, provided by Chef Betty and her kitchen team. We noshed on cheesy biscuits with sausage gravy, baked oatmeal, deviled eggs, oven fried potatoes, an asparagus and Gruyere cheese tart, cinnamon and caramel pull-aparts, and special dessert cookies. Almost 50 people showed up for this wonderful meal, and again, no one went away hungry! Mimosas or plain orange juice was available, as well as plenty of coffee. We were so stuffed it was easy to think we wouldn’t be able to eat for a week! Chef Betty outdid herself, once again. She also provided little Easter baskets for each of us, with chocolates and packages of flower seeds in each basket.

Sunday afternoon there were enough Pegs & Jokers players for 2 tables: Jamie and Annie, Bob and Sharon, and Dick and I played at our table; Bill and Carole, Alice, Arleen, and John and Sara played at the other one. Guys took 2 of the 3 games at our table, while the gals came out ahead at the other. Such fun! This was the last game of Pegs & Jokers we play with Jamie and Annie, and Bob and Sharon for this year, as both couples leave us this week. We’ll be sure to save them seats for next fall!

Dick’s walk along Fulton Beach Road, and through our park, have netted some wonderful photos of birds and other miscellaneous stuff. The first 3 collages are from Fulton Beach Road; the next few are from our park. Enjoy!

I love the first photo of the Scissortail Flycatcher! The next is of a Female Ladder-backed Woodpecker, followed by a House Sparrow and a Great Blue Heron.

These next few photos are taken in downtown Rockport, and show nesting Great Blue Herons and a Great White Egret. 

That’s it for this week. Monday we say a sad farewell to Steve and Karen who are heading home to Wisconsin, and Friday to Bob and Sharon who are heading to Missouri (after a short trip to South Dakota to get their licenses, as they’ve become domiciled there like us). We look forward to seeing them again in the fall.

Have a wonderful week, and we’ll catch up next Monday.

Hugs,

RJ and Gail

Bay View RV Resort – Rockport, Texas – March 14-20, 2016

Temperatures this week ranged between 58° and the mid-70s in the morning hours. However, the sun quickly warmed things up, with temps in the low 80s by mid-afternoon. Lots of sunshine and breezes!

 

This week was more of the same: Yoga, Pilates and Sweatin’ to the Oldies for me; walking the park and Fulton Beach Road for Dick, and working on the weekend. On his walks through the park he saw egrets, spoonbills, ducks, tri-colored herons and sandpipers. 

His walk along Fulton Beach Road brought a sparrow hawk, egrets and gulls. 

Monday afternoon he spent a few hours playing Texas Hold ‘em, finishing 3rd & wining $5.

I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday morning at the clubhouse with friends helping Lynda make burlap and lace roses for her daughter’s June wedding. Lynda bought yards and yards of different shades of burlap, as well as lace. Then, she soaked the burlap in a mixture of water and glue, letting them dry in the Texas sun, resulting in very stiff burlap! Over the 2 days there were 14 ladies helping out: cutting petals (in both lace and burlap), and gluing, and wrapping wire. She needs 144 of them! They'll be used as centerpieces. By the time we finished up on Wednesday she had almost 70 of them done. We figure another couple days would get them all done.

Dick climbed up on the roof of our camper to fix a leak in the skylight over our shower. Apparently when the skylight was installed one of the screws was tightened too much, causing a crack in the plastic. He caulked it, and when we get to Marvin and Shirley’s in May we’ll have the skylight replaced. Wouldn’t you know that the deluge of last week brought it to our attention when water was pooling on the bathroom floor. The skylight extends a bit over the shower enclosure—yup, that’s where the leak was. 

Tuesday afternoon we went to Wii bowling, but part way through the first game it died. No more Wii bowling ‘til we get another game. Next week shuffle board will replace Wii bowling. 

That evening we went to Panjo’s pizza with friends Bob and Sharon, David and Marihelen, Dick and Fran, and Bill and Arleen. Time is growing short for some of us, as plans are being made to leave for the summer. We’ll have just a few weeks left to enjoy one another's company ‘til next fall. We decided we needed ice cream so we trekked down the block for scoops of Blue Bunny ice cream! Yum!

Wednesday we welcomed Todd and Candy and their dog Charlie (Minnesota) to our site for a visit, shortly before we all walked to David and Marihelen’s for a fish fry. Bob and Sharon joined us. David deep fried lots of Sheepshead fish accompanied by potato salad, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, pickles and olives, and coconut pie for dessert. We were stuffed! 

 Later that evening Dick went to the clubhouse to play Texas Hold ‘em.

After Pilates on Thursday morning a few of us spent time moving tables and chairs to prepare for the evening’s St. Patrick’s Day dinner. Later in the day we met again at 3:00 to set tables and finish decorating. Over 80 folks came for Chef Betty’s traditional dinner of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, Irish soda bread, and lots of table treats for dessert. YUMMY-YUMMY! After dinner the park’s Baysiders band played for anyone interested in dancing, or just listening.

Friday’s lunch was at the clubhouse for hamburgers or crab cake sandwiches. Along with the burgers and sandwiches we had veggies and dip, and left-over desserts from the previous night’s dinner. YUM-YUM!

At 4:00 a few of us went to the clubhouse for happy hour. Afterward, David and Marihelen invited us to their place for shrimp dinner. David had gone fishing earlier that day, but was skunked so he stopped and bought 5# of fresh caught shrimp for dinner. We had shrimp and leftover potato salad. O, my goodness! David boiled the shrimp with the heads on, so we had to peel them, but what a treat!!! The shrimp were HUGE! Neighbors Dan and Donna (NY) with their black lab Callie, and Bob and Maggie (Missouri) also stopped by. Lots of stories were shared, and lots of laughter!

Friday night brought a thunderstorm and lots of wind. Power was knocked out in the area for almost 5 hours, from about 4:00 a.m. ‘til just before 9:00. It gets really dark here in the park when the lights are out…  Dick worked most of the day at the office, but met me at the clubhouse at 9:30 for cinnamon rolls and coffee. Then while he went back to work, I knitted; I’m on #5 of 8 baby sweaters, so I’m making progress!

That evening Dick and I went to First Baptist Church of Rockport for The Sanctuary Choir’s Easter cantata, “The Day He Wore My Crown,” and communion. Here’s just a sample of the caliber of music we heard. Hannah Dishongh is the soloist.

Because services at the church were the cantata, Sunday we elected to stay home rather than go again. Dick went to work again (he can only work when he has access to the office computers) and I worked on the sweaters. That afternoon we met at the clubhouse to play Pegs & Jokers. This wasn’t a good day for the gals. There were 2 tables of players, and the gals won just 1 of the 6 games played. Oh, well, there’s always next time.

March Madness has struck our household, so we’ve been watching quite a bit of college basketball, which we enjoy.

Hope this finds you well. Our activities will be winding down over the next 2 weeks, as folks will be leaving for home. We plan to leave May 1 so we’ll see a pretty empty park before then. Summer folks will be arriving later that month.

Until next week, stay safe and healthy.

Hugs,

RJ and Gail