Going Coastal!

On March 18th we moved to Portland, near Corpus Christi, TX. It had been a long time since Bill had been to Corpus (and even longer for me - never!), so we put it on the route.

Every now and then, Billy needs a little extra company while driving. Senny is more than happy to oblige!

Forgive these two drive-by shootings, but these are, sadly, my only offerings regarding the famous Texas hill country blooms. We were there about 2-3 weeks too early and missed what was probably the "bloom of the century" (or close to it at least). Having suffered bad drought for years, they finally got the rain they needed this past winter (hmm, sound familiar So. Cal.?!). Nice orangey-red yard here (maybe paintbrush?).

Pretty light lavender-blue yard...

OK, so this is a photo of what we missed... Our friends - pretty lady, Sandy, with (bored!?!) doggy, Lucy, photographed by hubby, Kent - in front of massive explosion of bluebonnets and paintbrush!

Out on the dock, looking back at our Portland ("Sea Breeze") RV Park. We're way back, on the left.


Introducing Tracky to another new experience! He's not too sure, but he's a real trooper and willing to give it a try! Daddy coaxes, and son obliges.


As is apparently typical of the coastline around here, it was fairly windy for our whole stay. The Corpus Christi Bay was rockin' with little waves, and Ouray wasn't too sure about getting too close to such watery chaos!

Looking back towards our RV Park (down the right side). Pretty big agave-like-looking plants.

Tracky doing some of his Agility Cat training.

I spy! Tractor checks out what lies past the palm!

Last stop - Lake Travis and the Hill Climb

Lake Travis, where Bill's folks had a house right on the lake.

Below the dam. We walked the dogs across the bridge to one of the spots where Bill and his sports car enthusiast buddies used to race.

Doing the slower, bipedal version of the "hill climb." The road is closed off now to all but hikes and bikes.

Back across the bridge, which seems to be mostly used for fishing nowadays.

It's warming up, and Ouray needs a cool-down!

We go by Bill Sr., Orpha Maye, and Bill Jr.'s home. Designed and built by William Maynard Barton, Sr. in 1960, it's still standing and with only a few slight modifications (like probably the paint color!).

Mt. Bonnell...

is considered Austin's highest point at 775 feet! At the top is a park, where people have been viewing Lake Austin and the city since the 1800s.


If you like living near the water/have a boat/like still being close to neighbors and city living - well, I doubt it can get much better than this! Doesn't look like the low-rent district though, so bring a big wallet!

They look like packed-in mansions!

With their own boat houses and parks!

The capitol of T-E-X-A-S

Texas has to have one of the most beautiful capitol buildings. Not overly ornate, but simply elegant. And as with so much else in Texas, visitors were granted almost total freedom to explore it. There was a security presence (with a uniform of boots and cowboy hats - I love it!), but they were obviously there more to help than harrass. For more good photos and info. on the capitol/state, see this guy's website: http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/texas_capital.htm

A young girl does the same thing all of us (who don't have neck problems...!) do first thing - look up!!

And this is part of what she was looking up at: one more thing revolving around the star and those 5 letters: T-E-X-A-S!!

A beautiful bride has chosen a stunning location for her wedding photos. And believe it or not, this building is so big, they were able to get some great settings with no one else in the photos!

Senate chambers.

House of Represenatives.

Audie Murphy. A very famous guy, for his wartime, acting, and singing achievements. If you're like me and had only heard his name before, you might want to read up more on this incredible person: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

It was too dark for a good shot without flash (and in a hurry!), but I just loved the photo collections of house and senate members - and their "mascots" (their kids!)! Too cute!!

The beauty's also in the details.

The view out from an upstairs window - you can see it was a drizzly day.

Bill passes by some of the pretty blooming trees gracing the capitol lawn.

University of Texas, Austin

This is where Billy went to college (and worked night shifts at the hospital - crazy, long, tiring days!!!!). So we took the opportunity to visit it at night, when it wouldn't be hot or crowded.

The campus is graced by huge, beautiful trees everywhere.

The central building with its 307' clock tower. It was at the top of this tower, back in Aug. 1966 (what a year, eh?!), that the sniper, Charles Whitman, killed 14 people (and this was right after he murdered his wife and mother) and wounded 32 before police exterminated him.

Also known as the Texas Tower.

Bill in front of the school co-op/bookstore.

Revisiting the Engineering Building.

Bill's dorm room - still looks in good shape from the outside.

The Texas State History Museum. Love that Lone Star!!!

Texas' capitol building. Pretty nice, huh?! (in B&W)

Billy out in front.

Some art stuff in between the capitol building and the campus.

This was a church nearby. I just liked the effect that my little point & shoot had. It actually did pretty well, considering it was darn dark, and I just had it set on it's low light mode. You wouldn't like most of these photos if you wanted a real look, but if you're good with a sort of artsy effect, they're fine!

A bit more about Georgetown

Georgetown itself is a nice mix of new modern-day city and old, historic town. Just a bit north of Austin, it's close to all those big city amenities, but it's also removed from the worst traffic and overdevelopment.

The top of the Georgetown/Williamson County Courthouse.

One of the neat old buildings.

I loved all the old staircases on the outsides of the buildings.

It was such a charming little town square but kind of sad as many of the buildings were vacant, businesses apparently recently shut down.

The courthouse again.

The Chisholm Trail - official cattle drive trail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisholm_Trail

Gee, these little Winnebagos sure get around!! (remember the other one being held up by the giant in NM?)

At home in the RV and in Georgetown

I really enjoyed our stay in Georgetown. It felt like home - not like San Diego, but like home. And speaking of home, despite the frustrating parts of our new RV (parts not working right, etc.), we are loving the freedom it's providing us, and it really is a plush wheeled palace! It's not your old squishy camper! It's really pretty roomy - we got this specific floor plan to maximize as spacious a feel as possible. Overall, it has a very nice look, both inside and out. Bill's job of outfitting it with desk and computers and extra drawer/storage space has worked out perfectly, and with my wall hangings and blankies - and a good layer of dog hair - it truly feels homey and comfy. And lastly, and most importantly, the animals have all become accustomed to the various disturbing RV sounds and motions and have also all discovered their favorite day & night places to hang out and sleep. Well, maybe except for Scratty, who nowadays has trouble during our moves. Most likely cued by the slide-outs being brought back in, Scratty will jump behind the couch and wait out "the storm." She won't come out till we're truly settled down again. Stops for gas or lunch won't bring her out...unless a cat walk is advertised and a leash dangled behind the couch! That will bring her out for a rest stop stroll - after which, she heads straight for the couch again! We're not sure why she developed this moving day fear - she wasn't that way at the beginning.

Here's Tractor, helping his dad with packing for his trip back to SD.

The windshield area: one of the many good look-out/snoozing spots in the RV.

Roadside grape hyacinths.

They got THAT right!!!

That little orange kitty is Bill's Tractor for sure!! :)

Scratty, showerside.

Nothing beats fresh warm water off the shower floor! Mmmmm!

Is he driving or just watching squirrels and waiting for the driver??

Sometimes, when we walk the dogs, people will ask us "Is that the Driver Dog?" They see him sitting at the wheel of the RV too...

Home in Georgetown.

Fun with the clouds (and the back of a side mirror).