A Chilly Beach Trip

First, let me apologize for the length between posts.  When we travel, it's rare to have internet access so I'm at the mercy of when that's available.  So thank you for hanging in there!

To say we’ve had a busy few weeks is an understatement so I’ll get right to the swashbuckling story.  Okay, swashbuckling could be a bit of an exaggeration.

Dave and I planned to leave on Sunday, March 3 for a four night trip to Rockport and Galveston, our first expedition that would be more than one night.  Unfortunately, I contracted a nasty upper respiratory infection that hung around several days so we were delayed by a night.  After testing negative for the flu, I gathered up Dayquil, Nyquil, Zzquil and any other quil I could get my hands on, figured out what dose would kill me and then backed it off one, and by Monday morning I was ready to go. We packed up all three furry passengers and headed to Goose Island State Park.

I kinda looked and kinda felt like death but I would not let some annoying virus get in the way of adventure.  I’m going to have fun in this RV or die trying (was my thought that day).

Once Dave hooked up electricity and water (remember – all outside arrangements!), we hunkered down in our rig because it was freaking freezing.  Any thoughts of enjoying the great outdoors were quickly rejected because of my condition and the bitter cold.  So I took a small nap on a small couch with my small dog.

When we’re in remote camp sites we can only get tv channels via antenna so the offerings are varied and bizarre and wonderful.  Things like Cozi (old sitcoms), Comet (hilariously terrible sci fi movies), Grit (old Western movies) and Buzzr (vintage game shows).  Oh, there are lots of channels in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese which are also totally worth watching but we settled on Comet this cold afternoon.  I was in and out of a delirious nap and wondering what in the world happened to Jack Palance’s career that he would agree to do a movie like Gor II?  Seriously, look it up.  

We left Tuesday morning for Galveston Island State Park and by then I was feeling much better.  So much better that when we passed through Bay City, Texas I spent several minutes trying to convince Dave that’s where the Bay City Rollers are from.  I think he bought it for a minute.

Dave went into the park office to reserve our spot while I waited in the RV, and he hopped back in the front seat, casually tossing off, “Oh, the park ranger says there’s an alligator warning so be sure to keep track of our pets.”  Um, WHAT??!  That’s all I need - Brodie going to sniff the edge of some grass and getting snatched up by powerful jaws he doesn’t see coming.  Dave assured me they probably tell everyone that to be on the safe side, so I insisted we put up the pen immediately to be on the safe side.  Then I calmed myself down by remembering that the alligator would have to learn how to use his claws to unlatch the hook on the pen to get poor half blind Brodie.

But our view from this site was lovely and we were happy to be settled in and relax.

The dogs got to go off leash in a small beach area and loved it, mostly because it wasn’t riding in a scary RV.

We drove home Thursday and I even took a turn behind the wheel for a few hours to give Dave a much needed break. I didn’t have any trouble although I grip the wheel like it’s my only lifeline and the muscles in my neck get very tight.  I’ll get better.

Thursday night I packed a bag so I could hop on a plane Friday morning to head to Boulder to visit Mallory for her sorority’s Mom’s Weekend.  We had a wonderful time, ate yummy food, laughed and talked and I got to see more of her life as a college student.  I’m so glad I went and I’m amazed every day at how well she’s doing.  

RVing so far is amazing and difficult and funny and nothing at all like I expected, but each day is a new experience and I couldn’t love it any more.  We did the right thing.