Author: mchazen

Our last two days in Corpus Christi were windy so we really didn’t do too much.  The time was mostly spent catching up on computer stuff, hanging out by the pool and preparing for our stay at Port Aransas.

This morning, we set out on the very short drive to Mustang Island and the Pioneer RV Park near Port Aransas.  Between the highway construction and wind, getting onto the island turned into a test of driving skill.  Once on the island, the winds abated somewhat and the drive turned uneventful.

Pioneer is a very well maintained campground a short walk from the warm waters of the Gulf.  After setting up, we took advantage of the sunny weather and spent most of the day on the beach.  The sand is about the consistency of powdered sugar.  No wonder one of the local areas is called Flour Bluff.  The beach stretches on for miles and is mostly uninhabited.  Now we know what the beaches of Southern California must have looked like in the 1920s.  I think we’ll like our stay here and look forward to exploring over the next few days.

We’ve been in Corpus Christi for a few days now and had a chance to get to know the town and surrounding area.  Our impression is that Corpus Christi is a classic port town with a heavy military presence from the three or four Navy airfields scattered around.  The town is strung out along the shore of the inner coastal waterway, spilling onto several of the larger islands in the area.  The air is not quite tropical, but certainly has a Gulf feel to it.  The wind is blowing almost all the time and only stops long enough to change directions.

The first day here we took a drive onto Mustang Island to check out places to camp next week.  Following a road indicating beach access, we suddenly found ourselves driving on the beach.  I mean on the sand, on the beach.  Apparently taking your car onto the beach is o.k. here. Way cool.  We took time to walk in the warm waters of the Gulf and take some pictures.  At Port Aransas, the only way off the island is via ferry.  The ferry was well organized and cut about an hour off our drive.

Taking advantage of a nice day to give the coach and Jeep and bath.

Ferry arriving at Corpus Christi side of intercostal.

Ferry incoming with load of cars.

Waiting for ferry to return to Corpus Christi.

Marty standing next to Jeep on Mustang Island.

Jeanne standing next to Jeep. Yes, you can drive right onto the beach.

Jeanne standing in waters of Gulf at Mustang Island, Texas.

We had not washed the outside of the coach since leaving California and it was becoming embarrassing.  Washing the coach turned into an all-day project.  There was about 80 feet of coach to wash in addition to the Jeep.  There was no need for a workout that day.

We finally hit an RV Park with a phone hookup and used the opportunity to do some major updating to this web site.  Using the dial-up connection was gruesomely slow, but eventually we got most of the site updated.

One day we visited the USS Lexington, which for those of you who don’t watch the History Channel is an aircraft carrier commissioned during World War II and served until 1969 after seeing action in Vietnam.  Having visited the Yorktown in Charleston and the Intrepid in New York we were already familiar with the layout of the ship.  Visiting these ships it is always hard to imagine that they were in action at one time.

Captain Jeanne on the bridge of the USS Lexington calling to launch all aircraft.

Marty steering the USS Lexington.

Full speed ahead!

Jeanne manning the charts showing our exact location.

Restored Banshee.

Restored Skyhawk.

Jeanne on the flight deck with Corpus Christi in the background.

Jeanne inspects an Intruder.

We had no idea what this was, but decided it looks like a giant clay thrower.

Marty in the engine room of the USS Lexington.

Today was mostly a lay-by-the-pool day.  We did some shopping to stock up for next week and had an excellent shrimp lunch/dinner at one of the local places that always seemed busy.  All and all, it was an excellent day.

The RV Park has cement slabs at each campsite that is perfect for our Pilates workout.  With no good running options, we were forced to run along the roads.  This is never a good option, although two dogs did help me pick up the pace somewhat.  From the size and shape of the locals, we suspect fitness is not a priority in this part of Texas.

We plan to spend one more day in Corpus Christi before moving on and have no idea what we will do.  Maybe we’ll break out the golf clubs. . . .

Today we set off for Corpus Christi and it was easy interstate driving all the way.

Shortly before driving through San Antonio we left the hill country behind.  The flat countryside is filled with pastures, farms and wooded areas.  The farther south we drove, the more flowers were blooming along the roadside in their full color.  It really was beautiful.  As we approached Corpus Christi we were reminded of the costal plains around Oxnard or Santa Maria.

A little after noon, we pulled into the Colonia Del Ray campground for a week stay.

Tomorrow we plan to explore the area.

We spent three nights in Sattler, Texas.

The first day we picked up the mail before setting off for Canyon Lake.  Once again the countryside was beautiful, but the area’s proximity to San Antonio is apparent.  The area has been discovered and new homes are being built everywhere.  Weekends during the summer must be a madhouse.

The big industry on the Guadalupe River is rafting using all sorts of floating devices.  Inner tubes, kayaks and rafts are all used.  On a hot summer day, this is a place to avoid.

Apparently, the water released from Canyon Lake into the Guadalupe River is cold enough to support trout.  The banks of the Guadalupe was lined with anglers hoping for the lucky catch.  Very few fish were caught.

The workout was a challenge.  The campground seems to be in the middle of fire-ant city and laying on the ground for Pilates was risky.  We found a long and seldom used road that was perfect for running.  It was the first time running in warm, humid weather, but I did a slow two mile run without a problem.  I’m getting close to a 5K.

River Valley Resort campground at Sattler, Texas.

Canon used at Alamo.

Close-up of inscription on canon.

Front of Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.

River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.

The second day in Sattler we took a day trip to San Antonio to visit the Alamo, which turned out to be very similar to the Spanish missions in California.  It looked totally indefensible and the small number of defenders probably made things worse.  It was interesting visiting the site and it was surprising what a large role it played in the history of the area.

Nearby the Alamo is the River Walk section of San Antonio.  The city did an excellent job of developing the river which runs through the old downtown section.  Both sides of the river are lined with trendy restaurants and shops.  You have to descend to the River Walk, so I would suppose it is a cool place to hang out on a hot summer day.  We had a very good Mexican lunch before leaving.

We set out for a campground near Canyon Lake.

The day started out uneventful, but it was destined to get weird.  To start, we hit a thunderstorm with raindrops the size of the Jeep Liberty.  Next, when we arrived at the campground, the host informed us there was not a space available and we would have to wait.  It was time for Plan B.  We unhooked the Jeep and took off in search of lunch and a place to stay.  We found both about six miles down the road in the small town of Sattler.  We finally set up camp at a place called River Valley RV Park along the Guadalupe River.  Here’s a hint:  don’t order a Reuben Sandwich in Sattler, Texas.  Ever.

Contemporary note:  The weirdest things happen on the road.  Most of the time things go according to plan but sometimes it seems like nothing goes right.  We learned not to fight it.  Go with the flow, always have a Plan B and always remember the money solves problems.

Marble Falls is a really nice town with nice people and everything you would need locally, including a Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot.  We decided to stay here a few extra days to get the feel of the place and take advantage of the good weather.

One day, we took a side trip to Lampasas, a small town where Jeanne used to live.  After driving around the town for 40 minutes, Jeanne finally recognized the house.  It was small, maybe 500 square feet and in an older part of town.  Strange that she had lived there over 30 years ago when Andy was born.  A lot has changed since then.

Another day, we took advantage of the good weather and launched the kayaks to explore the lake.  We paddled both east and west of the camp and saw some very nice homes.  We didn’t do any fishing.  Several people commented on the setup and breakdown of the kayaks, saying the folding kayaks are a great idea and seem to work well.

There wasn’t a flat place to run near the lake, so I opted for a one-week membership at the local gym.  I was surprised at how well equipped the place was and the steady stream of members.  It so happened there was a local election and I got glad-handed by one of the local politicians soaking in the hot tub.  I said he was a good man and he had my vote.

We enjoyed some really great meals.  First on the list was the catfish place that warranted two trips during our stay.  Next was the cafe recommended by the gym employees, where we had an excellent Italian meal with a very drinkable Chianti.  We also had an excellent Italian lunch in Fredericksburg on the recommendation of a local.  Finally, there was the Blue Bonnet Cafe, somewhat of an institution in the town and known for its pies.

One day, we set out for Fredericksburg and Jeanne half-joking asked to stop at the LBJ ranch.  Well, it turned into an all-morning ordeal complete with movie and tour of the ranch.  We were not aware that LBJ was buried on the property and the tour included a stop at the family gravesite.  Seeing his image and hearing his voice brought back memories, none of which were pleasant.  Now I remember why I disliked him so.  Interestingly, there were no young people on the tour.

Marty at LBJ Ranch.

Guest house at LBJ Ranch where President was born.

Family burial site at LBJ Ranch, President buried here.

Texas White House in late 1960s.

This saddle will never be filled again.

House in Lampasas, Texas where Jeanne lived and Andy was born.

Finally, one day we took a long drive through the countryside passing through Llano along the way.  The countryside looked much the same, but the drive was relaxing.

A word about the people in the area.  We found you can’t do anything without being nice about it.  For example, when we arrived at the bank a few minutes after closing, the branch manager unlocked the door and pointed us in the direction of the drive-up tellers.  An inquiry at Walmart about lactose-free cheese led to meal planning for the rest of the week.  Best of all, asking where to buy propane on Sunday resulted in a five-person debate, consulting two phone books and three phone calls, one of which was to the bank across the highway from the location to get the phone number.  Yep, the bank had the phone number of the propane dealer.  I was trapped by nice people trying to help and there was no graceful way to end the conversation.

Although there are a lot of retirees in the area, there are enough young people and families in Marble Falls to keep the place current with the times.  We found a coffeehouse with a wireless internet connection right across the bridge from the campground.  We also found that there were enough young people to support a few trendy restaurants and cafes.  The town had a nice feel to it and it is definitely on the A list.

It’s time to move on and Jeanne has us lined up for about four more weeks in Texas.  The next stop is close to Canyon Lake, a few miles north of San Antonio.

Another travel day.  After a quick field repair to Jeanne’s glasses, we set off for Marble Falls, a small town in the Texas hill country.

The closer to Marble Falls we got, the nicer the countryside became.  This part of Texas is mostly gentle hills covered with oak and cypress, with an occasional cleared area for farming or grazing.  It is really a nice area and each of the towns has a character all its own.  One in particular, Fredericksburg somewhat reminded us of Solvang.  We also passed the LBJ ranch.

Bridge at Marble Falls, Texas.

Looking across the lake at Marble Falls.

Fishing piers at Marble Falls.

Hairy turn at campground at Marble Falls. One false move and coach goes over the edge and into the lake.

The RV park was on a hillside overlooking the lake and opposite Marble Falls.  There were some tense moments maneuvering into the site.  If I had walked the road first, I probably would have found somewhere else to stay for the week.  It was probably as close to driving the coach off a cliff as I will ever come.

The weather reports had us right in the center of a tornado warning, so we decided to stay put for the day.

It was the right decision.  In the late morning, there was a ferocious thunder storm that pelted us with wind, rain and nickel-sized hail.  After the storm passed over, we got hit with hurricane force winds with gusts to 80 mph.  At one point it got so bad we pulled in the slides, raised the landing gear and aired up the suspension.  We were rocking and rolling but it protected the equipment.

What travelers made it into the park that night were shell-shocked and some even had pieces missing from their rigs. I could not imagine traveling in that kind of weather.  It must have been an E ticket ride.

Contemporary note:  Some motorhomes, ours included, are equipped with an air-suspension system designed to achieve a softer ride and improved steering control.  It works great but special attention must be paid when starting up and shutting down. 

When the motor is started, an on-board air compressor slowly inflates air bags between the coach and the frame and the coach slowly rises until the system is fully aired.

When preparing to spend a night at a campground, a manually-controlled valve slowly releases the air and the coach is allowed to settle.  After the coach settles, hydraulic jacks (collectively called the ‘landing gear”) are used to level the coach and keep the strain off the deflated air bags.  The landing gear gives the coach a rigidity so you can move around without rocking the coach.  Also, some of the systems just work better when the coach is level.

Another travel day.

We were driving to Ozona, Texas.  The first part of the drive was uneventful, but gradually drove into wind, thick drizzle and even ice.  No doubt about it, the weather had changed.  We arrived in the early afternoon and the campground was clean and well maintained.  It was ok for the night but not somewhere to hang around.

On the way we discovered one of the quirks of the coach.  Ozona is on a large mesa of sorts and while making the climb we crossed from dry, warm air to cold, moist air.  The change was immediate and instantly fogged up the windshield.  While trying to locate the defroster, the layer of fog turned into small rivulets.  It got so bad, I couldn’t see well enough to pull over.  The only option was to steer straight and hope for the best.  It seemed like hours, but after a few minutes the defroster and several towels got the windshield under control.  We learned that if you need the defroster, it is probably too late.

Not sure about traveling tomorrow, the weather reports are looking grim.

Jeanne and I got up early, picked up some McDonalds for breakfast and headed to Rockhound State Park for a quick visit before returning to camp. 

We packed up, said goodbye to Bob and Carol and headed for Van Horn, Texas.

The drive was long and uneventful.

The campground at Van Horn, Eagle’s Nest, was surprisingly nice and did fill up by early evening.  It had been a few days since my last workout so we looked for a place to run and came across a long dirt/gravel road that ran into the middle of the West Texas nowhere.  It was the perfect place to run except we were still around 4,100 feet.  Imagine running through mesquite, cactus and sage.  We even scared up a few jack rabbits.

Contemporary Note:  Sometimes it takes many years to appreciate the full value of an early-life experience.  Growing up I was lucky enough to have a mentor, John Stahmann, living across the street.  He was a ceramic engineer at Rocketdyne, a division of North American Rockwell that was a prime contractor for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs.  As an engineer, he exposed me to the scientific method by indulging my curiosity with ‘projects’ and ‘experiments’.  I am forever grateful for his insight, patience and his saying to use my head for something besides a hat rack.  I keep his picture on my desk.

So what does this have to do with Van Horn, Texas?  Well, John would tell me stories of growing up in west Texas during the great depression and the grinding poverty he and his family suffered.  Van Horn, Texas was hardly a prosperous place in 2004 and I can’t begin to imagine what west Texas was like in the 1930’s.  I often think of John Stahmann, the hardships he faced and how he pulled himself out of poverty through hard work and determination.  I now understand his subtle message to enjoy life and make the most out of good fortune and opportunity.