Day 8 - Des Moines WA - Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The weather is pretty good today, still somewhat cool, but very pleasant in the sun, and with no wind.  Today's trip is not as long as the other days, and we arrive at the Ranger Tug factory before they close for the day. Jeff and Andrew told us they had already put the new Willie's Tug into the water at the marina in Des Moines, so we drove a few more blocks farther to see that yellow boat!

It is hard to believe that we really do have the boat that we have been hearing about for a year.  It is harder to imagine that all the stuff we brought will fit into it.  But we begin to make a few loads of things we will need in order to sleep aboard tonight.

Willie's Tug

Herb found all the necessities -- like the power cord, the white hose for water, the light switches, and the heater switch.  Yes, heater.

Are we there yet?

Check that Flemish coil!

After a late dinner, these tired people slept well.  Amidst the chaos of things that have not found their places to be stowed.  But who cares?  Jake had his regular bed, and he was happy too.


Willie of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 7 - Boise ID - Monday, May 16, 2011

From Cheyenne to Boise we see lots more snow, fog, and some treacherous driving conditions.  But we arrive safely and are anxious to get to sleep early so we can wake early and get on the road early to finally catch up to Willie's Tug!

Willie of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 6 - Cheyenne WY - Sunday, May 15, 2011

It was a bit cool (32 degrees) when we got into the truck to leave Amarillo today, but I was still doubting that the white stuff I was seeing along the side of the highway was snow.  After all, it is already the middle of May and it was in the 90's when we left Port Isabel.

Soon, there was no denying that Ole Man Winter was still around, and the beauty of it was quite a thrill to this little Southern girl.


I am also hoping that Summer is right around the corner.

Willie of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 5 - Amarillo TX via Cleburne TX - Saturday, May 14, 2011

We had been on the road for a few hours when we got a call from our neighbor Joe Segars, who said we were near his farm in Cleburne, and invited us to come by.   He and Pearl gave us a tour of the house, which included an original farmhouse that they have added onto.

(They golf -- there is also a tennis court.)

There are many bedrooms to accommodate much of their family, and they showed us the pond where a granddaughter will be married next weekend.   

We also saw the stables, and toured the area where a tornado had come through the previous week.

Several trees were lost.

After a short visit, we are on our way again, heading to Amarillo for the night, and get a wave "Goodbye" from Joe and Pearl.

Relaxing at the farm after a hard day's work.

Day 4 - Houston TX - Friday, May 13, 2011

Today is a very special day, as we honor our youngest granddaughter, Stephanie Lauren Woodward, who will be graduated from Dawson High School in Pearland TX this year.


In spite of all the extracurricular activities she has been involved in, Stephanie has found time to excel and has been awarded three scholarships.   She will enter University of Houston in the Fall.


We celebrated with dinner at her favorite restaurant in Pearland, Mongo, who does a design-your-own stir fry.  That was quite an experience and lots of fun to choose your veggies, meat(s), spices and sauces.  Dinner was delicious, but we refused dessert, opting to search for ice cream or frozen yogurt -- we were successful!  

Willie (Mamaw), Stephanie, Ed (Dad), and  Roxie (Mom)

Congratulations, Steffie!

Willie of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Days 2 and 3 - Houston TX - Wednesday and Thursday, May 11 and 12, 2011

Gaylord

We visited my nephew Gaylord Hanson in Splendora today and found him doing well following a double coronary bypass graft.  It was good to catch up visiting because we had not seen him since he came to Port Isabel at Christmas.  


He shows his pillow decorated with 'coronary arteries' that Hermann Hospital gave him.

Dark clouds greeted us as we headed back to Houston, and we ducked into Zios for a late lunch.  "Yum," as Lee Ann says.




Darker clouds greeted us as we continued on into Houston, and we got the first rain we have seen in months.  Jake asked what that stuff was............

Day 1 - Houston TX - Tuesday, May 10, 2011

It's a little like moving -- no, it's a lot like moving.  There are no supplies in the 'house' we are going to live in this Summer, so we must take everything we anticipate needing -- no, wait! -- only the things that will fit into the truck.  Well, only things that will fit into the truck and leave enough room for Jake to be comfortable.  Just as we have Jake's Bathroom in the patio of our home in Port Isabel, we have Jake's Room in the truck.

Jake's Room

I missed getting a pix of Herb measuring our laptops h-w-d so that he could fabricate a shelf for them to ride in Jake's Room.   Then I missed getting a pix of his building the shelf.

Laptops

Lotsa sweat and tears (mine) got everything packed, and we think our friend who is in the shipping industry would approve of how he loaded the space.

Stevedoring