Herb's Birthday at the Cathouse Bar

 Day 26 -- August 24, 2021

Today is Herb's birthday, and my gift to him is another day at Concho Pearl RV Estates.

It becomes obvious that this RV park has quite a history and I would like to know more, as it is just a glimmer of its former self.  Some of the amenities are still available, but sadly others have gone by the wayside.

It seems that it once had a code operated automatic gate, but the track is now filled in with rocks and dirt.

Quite a few other RVs can be seen behind Sweet Georgia Brown.

Children of all ages, including grandparents, can shoot a few hoops using the basketball on the ground by the goal post.

Beyond it is a deck with colorful blue, green, orange, yellow and aqua adirondack chairs waiting for a group to gather for a meeting, Happy Hour, or just to bask in the sun.

Over to the left I see the clubhouse that is now closed, but a sign reminds guests that it will be opened for shelter in case of a storm.

I really wonder why the pool was filled in -- is there a sad story here?  Poolside chairs and chaise lounges line the walls, seeming to be very lonely. 

I return from my walk to find Herb working on his birthday, giving the motor home a bucket wash.  Texas has bugs that don't have sense enough to get out of the way of a moving vehicle!

When we checked in yesterday, Christy had told us there is lots to do in San Angelo and we should drive into town to look around, and especially to have lunch at Miss Hattie's Restaurant & Cathouse Bar and Lounge.  We are intrigued and do just that.

The menu has a section on the history of downtown, which talks about the many different denominations of churches, but that bricks and mortar are not the church -- it is the people inside who make the churches the soul of the city.

It is hard to choose from the many items on the menu, but for starters Herb gets an IPA and for me it's a peach margarita.  The decor of the restaurant takes us back in time, and I would recommend Miss Hattie's, just as Christy does.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 24, 2021

A Thoughtful Gift

 Day 25 -- August 23, 2021

Being so close to the railroad track here in Texoma RV Park gives us a bonus of sound effects -- a train whistle every two to four hours throughout the night, as it warns of its approach to a crossing of the highway nearby.  Nevertheless, we sleep well and wake around 5a to 71 degrees.  Daylight in the central time zone does not come until 7a.

For my early morning walk I explore the RV park, which is a bit larger than Muleshoe, and I count 9 RVs with some empty spaces.

It is a really nice place for kids, with lots of playground equipment.  Perhaps some families who live in town bring their children to enjoy the swings, see saws and climbing bars, and there is even an area for tent camping.   Sweet Georgia Brown can be seen in two of the photos below.

Texoma Park is also pet friendly.  I'm told that dogs like fire plugs.

We get on the road around 10:30a as the temperature climbs to 82 degrees.  Soon I see the first Walmart store I've seen in about three weeks.  Wow!  And a What-a-Burger restaurant.  Yes, we are back in Texas!

There are few trees along this highway and we can see for miles.  There is even one road sign both in English and in Spanish.  We take Hwy 87 toward Amarillo, then I-27 to Lubbock.  Passing a sign for Palo Duro Canyon, we wish we had time to go there.  Maybe next time we come this way.

We have a long day of travel, and arrive to Concho Pearl RV Estates at 5:30p.  The manager, Christy, had texted detailed instructions of how to find our reserved site, and tells us to get set up, then she will bring our receipt and a gift bag.  How nice!  The bag contains several pieces of candy, some hand sanitizer, and a personal size tissue package.

We are very pleased that all sites are level, and we have our very own willow tree, but it is too hot to enjoy the picnic table this evening.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 23, 2021

"Some (Don't) Like it Hot!"

Day 24 -- August 22, 2021

Yesterday 44, and today 53 degrees?  It's getting warmer?  Wouldn't you know it would happen just as we have to leave The Enchanted Circle and make our way back to our home in Texas!  Later in the week the high will be around 80 degrees, but we must go.

I see a nice red glow at 7a as the sun climbs up behind the mountain in the view from Sweet Georgia Brown's windshield, then is high in the sky when we get ready to begin our trip.  The clouds show that it is breezy, but not unsafe for travel.

We get one last look at the village of Eagle Nest, as we make our way at 9:30a.  Friends have told us they have gotten a nice view of Eagle Nest Lake from the other side of where we stayed, so as we head toward Cimarron, we look back.

The highway ahead is a twisty windy with the beauty of nature; even the burned trees show their strong structure.

From Cimarron we turn right onto State Highway 58 toward Springer, and now get into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  Here we have wide open spaces with mesas, ranch stype farm houses, and cattle.  The agriculture appears to be hay for the animals, as well as corn.

We notice the temperature rises as we come down off the mountains, and onto the plains. The dashboard air conditioner is cooling all it can -- which is not enough, so near Clayton NM Herb turns on the generator and I turn on the house units to make us more comfortable.  Yes, we are getting near Texas.

We have lunch in the town of Hartley, south of Dalhart TX, and arrive to Texoma RV Park in Dumas at 3:30p Central Time.

This is another free park, provided by the city, with a donation box to help them with the cost of electricity.  

Children have plenty of playground equipment to keep them happy, while their family parks the RV here, and I suspect youngsters from in town enjoy it also.  Oh, and I see (and hear) a freight train coming nearby.

I will explore the playground tomorrow. 

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 22, 2021

"A Horse of a Different Color"

 Day 23 -- August 21, 2021

Yes, the temperature is dropping lower again today, but we are predicted clear skies, so perhaps it will warm up a bit.

On our last day at Angel Nest RV Retreat, we drive into town in search of a restaurant that we have not been to, and choose The Lucky Shoe Bar and Grill because of the interesting menu.

We are invited to choose a table and we find one that is socially distanced from others on one side of the room.  The first one we saw is actually at the bar where a patron goes to the cash register to pay.  We will wait for our waiter to take care of our bill for us.

Sports bars are always fun places to dine because of all the interesting decor, but I can't be sure what game we are watching -- maybe golf?

Our waitress asks us what we would like to drink and Herb tells her to bring us water and a menu for what she has on draft.  There are so many beers to choose from, but Herb selects La Cumbre, 7.2 ABV, which is Elevated IPA, Aromas of Pine and Tropical Fruit  - "Get Elevated."     My choice is a Rose-Apple Hard Cider, quite yummy.

The front door of the restaurant is open and shows a flag standing straight out, resulting from a strong breeze.  Do we have a cool front coming in?  I think it has been cool enough for me....

Coconut shrimp is my choice for lunch, and I am sorry about photographing my food, but I didn't think to say "No Gravy" on the mashed potatoes because I thought the addition of gravy was just a Southern dish!  Argh!

Herb helps me scrape some off.  He loves gravy!

At the end of the room is a table and chairs for playing cards, and a pool table.  I smile at the other decor, especially the cowboy horse painted bold colors of blue, pink, orange, green and fucia, and wearing his cowboy hat.  It is quiet there, but I suspect the dinner crowd will liven things up in the game room.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 21, 2021

Never Forget!

 Day 22 -- August 20, 2021

A cooler 50 degrees greets us this morning; the high should be 72, which is great weather.  

A short walk past the chicken yard behind Sweet Georgia Brown brings us to Stacy's Rocky Mountain Smoke Shack, where we order our lunch of brisket and sides,  taking back to the motor home to serve on real plates and use real silverware.  Off to the side of the window is his smoker that produces very tasty meats.

In the afternoon we take another trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, which traces its roots to a grievng family that lost a son in combat.  It was one of the first memorials in the nation dedicated to soldiers killed in the Vietnam War.

We search for a particular brick, which our friend Randy had told us about.  There are soooo many paths that are lined on both sides with bricks, so Herb goes one way and I go another.  Some of the bricks have been here for a long time, and I have to wipe away the dirt that has drifted onto a few.  At the point of success Herb texts me to say he found it.

                                Never Forget!

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 20, 2021

It Stops me Dead in my Tracks!

 Day 21 -- August 19, 2021

It is 52 degrees this morning, a degree warmer than yesterday and we have a promise of 73 for a high -- very pleasant, and partly cloudy throughout the day.  We start off with a very dark cloud over the shadowed mountain, but the sun is beginning to peek above it.

Walking down toward the marina, I see a sign inviting one to catch and keep Northern Pike.  I am told they are very bony and the Game Warden would like all of them removed from Eagle Nest Lake.

The floating docks are still lifted, preventing any boats from launching, but I see a fisherman casting from the bank.  I hope the catches lots of pike, as well as some fish that are better for his dinner.

I discover more of the Visitor Center to explore and note they have a large area for groups to congregate for dinner and entertainment.  In winter the fireplace will be very much appreciated.

Rounding the curve to go back to the main sidewalk, I stop dead in my tracks.  Yikes!  A snake, albeit a small one, but nevertheless it is a snake.  While stopped, I am brave enough to take a photo to text Herb.  He tells me it looks friendly.

Really, now!  It's a snake, Herb!   I step off the sidewalk to get a better look.  It doesn't follow me.  Perhaps he just wants to be left alone to continue his walk -- uh slither.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 19, 2021