Sunday Dinner in the South -- 4/5/2015

Our travels find us in Louisiana today at Sweet Caroline's home our daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Joey, provide.  We join them for Easter services at their church, followed by lunch at one of the few restaurants open this day.

Mealtimes should be happy times, and this one definitely is.  We are reminded that in the South, you are asked if you want sweet tea or unsweet.  (Oh, Herb, we have been gone too long!)

Vicki thinks that would be fun to put on Facebook.

It is a rare treat that I am served mashed potatoes, so I take advantage of the lunch special.  But when it comes, I see a well in the middle filled with brown gravy.  Yuk!  Gravy made with animal fat.  Grease.  Yuk!

I ask the server if I may have plain mashed potatoes without gravy.  Of course, she says and comes back with potatoes without gravy.  She returns to my table again asking if I want butter for the potatoes.  I give in and accept the butter.

Someone at my table comments that in the South, you have mashed potatoes and gravy -- but if you don't, you must have butter.  I gotta say, it is delicious!  We laugh a lot during this meal.

Find mashed potatoes....

Vicki, Joey, Jarred, MaKayla, Herb and Willie

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Sunday, Easter Day, April 5, 2015

It's That Time of Year -- 3/28-29/2015

Spring!  Such a beautiful time of the year, with its wildflowers blooming and trees budding out.

Brilliant yellows, soft pinks, lovely cool blues and purples.  Emotions awaken! Senses are alive!

From the flat terrain of the Rio Grande Valley to the rolling hills of Northeast Texas....

Herb and Willie are at home at 4 North Main RV Park in Avinger TX, with full hookups, and all restaurants are just half a block away.

Find Sweet Caroline....

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday and Sunday, March 28 - 29, 2015

Chilean Sea Bass -- 3/24/2015

So we are sitting around at Happy Hour with Joe and Pearl, and Joe says, "Let's go to Port A and spend the night on the boat."

"Sounds like a good idea.  When?"

"Tomorrow.  We could leave bright and early, so we have time to enjoy the day there."

I feel my panic button.  What time is bright and early?  

"9A.  You don't need to pack, as everything you need is on the boat."

Calming down, I agree I can be ready at that hour.

We sleep well and text them the next morning at 8 that we are waiting by our gate with a steaming cup of coffee for them to pick us up.

It is a pleasant drive to Port A and we experience a feeling of Peace as we climb aboard the Bluewater On Your Mark.  Soon we are lounging on the mid deck overlooking the turquoise water of the bay, watching boats, planes and people.  Pearl and I worry about a construction worker near the marina digging with a shovel and not wearing gloves.  He will be sorry.

How do you spell r-e-l-a-x-e-d?  So relaxed the only photos of this day are in my memory.

Dinner is at La Playa Mexican Grill with tasty entrees of Chilean Sea Bass, and of course, a nice bottle of wine.  We sleep well.

Morning brings a sunny start to the day and we are greeted with laptops and coffee.

During our morning walks, we leave our boat cards on the Nancy G, and wish Skip and Nancy could have been here with us.

On Your Mark

All too soon it is time to return to Port Isabel -- I forget why --

Find the dock cart filled with luggage and electronic devices heading for the parking lot....

As we drive home, someone comments about how much we enjoyed the perfectly grilled Chilean sea bass dinner from last night.

                                                                                                                         Photo Courtesy of unknown photographer

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday - Thursday, March 24 - 26