Endless Vacation

​The Resort. 

   The Thomas’s may not be traveling the world this summer but we are enjoying extended vacationing at the private Thomas Resort in NW Arkansas. This is a working resort and there is always much to do. 

   Debby has been keeping busy in her designer garden. A walkway through the roses has been created using pea gravel and memory stones of special people in her life. Colorful roses and a variety of colorful flowers makes her garden a special place for the senses. A birdbath with a floating solar powered fountain provides a unique option for bathing birds. A white porch swing with its own unique frame provides a relaxing place to stop and smell the roses. The “U” shaped arbor over the sidewalk alongside the garden will someday be covered in climbing roses. It is still in progress. Debby has dozens of pots with a myriad of flowers and ferns. Young plants fill the flower beds,waiting to grow up and fill in the space. 

   I am busy growing my vegetable garden, battling invasive weeds and tenacious Bermuda grass, in whose territory I carved out this piece of garden.   I should have installed the rabbit fence before planting my baby plants that I started from seed. The rabbits especially loved my two dozen tomato plants, half my sweet corn, watermelon, cantaloupe and cucumbers. Note to self:  “Never plant your corn before you plant your rabbit fence”!

   I am hoping to have a good return on my investment, however. The potatoes are looking healthy and currently blooming. Half my remaining sweet corn looks good. I may even get enough to have the Pinkerton’s over for dinner!  I bought more tomatoes and are half the size they should be at this stage. Cucumbers are coming along. Two rows of strawberries never survived. Okra is about seven inches high. One carrot survived. Onions look good. Squash is coming along. I might get enough to make a nice salad someday. 

   I have two varieties of Blueberries. I bought four plants this Spring. The plants are only 14” high but I see 4 or 5 berries already!  Almost enough for a pie!

   My 3 two-year old Concord grape vines are loaded this year!  The birds and I are very optimistic!

   My two apple trees are apparently dwarfed due to the hard freeze two years ago. I bought six Heritage fruit trees from Trees of Antiquity in California. As it turned out, T of A replaced two trees because they never leafed out or had any sign of life. The two cherry trees had a spark of life and produced a couple of leaves but they succumbed to a slow death over the summer. I reported this to aTA but because they had some life in them, they would not replace them under warranty.  The two apple trees are stumped and look damaged. They do have leaves but appear to be unhealthy. 

   Trees of Antiquity gave me credit for the two peach trees so I reordered thus Spring. As an option ordered one peach and one nectarine tree as they can be cross pollinated. I am very pleased to say these two trees are outgrowing the others by leaps and bounds!  They look extremely healthy this first year of growth. I have not replaced the two cherries yet. Still thinking about it. 

   I still mow my own 1-acre lawn. I like my new John Deere riding lawn mower. It’s the only thing they let me drive!  

   We love our swimming pool. It is a refreshing place to cool on a hot day!  It’s like lounging around the pool at a resort!  

   Except for the hard work, it’s like an   endless vacation!  

   

Fallen Eagle

​ Philip Winn

I can’t remember anyone in my life who made more of an impact  on me than Debby’s uncle, Phil Winn. This man was perhaps the most influential person in my life. He possessed the qualities that were inspirational; an example in character that had no equal. I first met Phil in 1969 when he lived in Kansas City. Over the years we visited often. He was instrumental in helping me get my HVAC Service company off the ground. I will never forget his kindness. 

   Uncle Phil passed away May 8, 2018 at the age of nearly 92. Growing up during the Great Depression and serving in the Army during World War II, Uncle Phil was no stranger to hard times. As a youngster, Phil worked hard to help support his family. Phil’s father was very influential in his life, a living example of how NOT to be a father. 

   Following the passing of his Evelyn, a union that lasted more than 60 years, Phil met Leigh and later married her. She was a wonderful Christian woman who brought new life into Phil’s world, as he did to her. There would be 8 years of wedded bliss for these two who made the most of each moment. 

   On Memorial Day weekend, May 27, 2022, the family gathered  at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Springfield, MO where he was entered with his Evelyn. 

   We say goodbye to our Fallen Eagle of the WW II era. It’s hard to let go of a man who was so important to each of us. We know with assurance that this Soul is waiting in Paradise, probably golfing with God. Rest In Peace, dear friend. 

Waco

​Waco

     

   We found the I-35 freeway this morning.  Heading north we went by the beautiful city of Austin, the state capitol of Texas.  The downtown skyline was gorgeous!  This place is famous for having famous people here. I got the feeling that Willie Nelson drank a few beers around here. 

   We pulled into Waco in time for lunch at the Silo’s; or Magnolia, as its affectionately called. Chip and Joanna have really put this place on the map. Take your pick of lunch from food trucks or shop windows.  You can choose from a  myriad of menu items from pulled pork to pimento sandwiches. We even got a glass of iced tea for $10!  No, I’m not pulling your leg!  But we did get to keep the glass. 

   Ron and I did get to sit in the shade and keep cool while the girls shopped their little pea picking hearts out. 

   It was around 4:00 when Lance and Corie came to join us. They are good friends who used to live in Oregon. It was great seeing them again and catching up with their life. 

   We drove out to see Chip and Joanna’s house in the country before having dinner at a real Texas BBQ house. It wasn’t bad. I guess we prefer the taste of NW Arkansas BBQ instead. Sorry, Texas. You can’t top Razorback ribs!

   Lance and Corie’s new home is very nice. After a good visit we headed for north Waco to check into our Best Western for the night.   We I’ll head home in the morning. It’s been  great trip.

New Braunfels

New Braunfels

 

  Our stay in the New Braunfels WorldMark was pleasant. The condos were different than others we have stayed in. Our two-bedroom unit had a loft suite. The high ceiling was covered in what appeared  to be knotty pine. 

   This 1800’s era German settlement still has some of the old country flare. It is a beautiful area and had easy access to San Antonio if you know how to use the freeway. 

   I met up with a fellow Vietnam veteran here in town. “D-ring” was actually my immediate supervisor in Vietnam. He got stuck with the nickname “D-ring” when, asa new guy on flying status, made the mistake of grabbing his parachute by the D-ring, which is attached to the ripcord. Apparently he was running late on his way to get on the plane. The parachute opened inside the storage room and silk went everywhere!  Even after 53 years he still hasn’t lived it down. 😂

   He and I met for lunch at a German restaurant called the Alpine. We both ordered the same things because German food is the best!  He and I were stationed in Germany before going to Vietnam. Our Jaeger schnitzels were awesome!  It was grew talking over old times and hearing Bill “D-ring” DeCamp drop names of fellow airmen that I had almost forgotten. 

   I was hoping to see Randy Geiger, probably my best friend in  Vietnam. Unfortunately, Randy was out of town this week. This is the second time we have been in San Antonio and missed each other. Not sure I will get another chance. 

   D-ring dropped me off at the condo. He was hoping to see my wife and friends but everyone was out. He left and Toronto and I headed to the pool for a while. We had it alL to ourselves just like we did the first day!  I love traveling during off-season!  

San Antonio

​San Antonio

   

  This morning we headed for downtown San Antonio. With traffic, construction, detours and old people trying not to get lost, we were only a half an hour late for our Alamo entrance reservations. We had difficulty finding adequate roads both going and returning. Our GPS units kept us on side roads and avoided freeways. This added to the frustration. 

   So with one doctor, two school teachers and a blind guy on board, who do you think gets the job of navigating in and out of San Antonio and catching blame for taking back roads and wasting time?  Yep!  You guessed it.   

   Downtown was not too crowded. Certainly there were tourists but it wasn’t bad. At the Alamo, we eased right inside without waiting. Lots to see here. Much history to take in. We have been here before but it’s always good to visit. This is Ron and Nancy’s first time here. Same with Toronto. 

   After the Alamo, we walked a few blocks to the heart of the Riverwalk. San Antonio really done a great job fixing up this area. It is gorgeous!  There are so many places to eat, shop and visit.  One thing we had to do, of course, was take a ride on a tour boat. So we did. This half hour, $3.50 ride now costs $22.50!  And that’s with the senior citizen/military veteran discount!  *sigh

   We had a great Texican lunch before heading back to the parking garage. The ride back to New Braunfels using the GPS things in our phones was another disaster, but we eventually made it. 

Galveston

​Galveston

   

   We are spending the night tonight in Galveston on the sea. 

   Our first day of our 7 day road trip was spent with Mark and Dawn and more than a dozen Northwest friends in Edmond, OK. It was a lot of fun seeing old friends and catching up on who’s where. We spent the night with long time friends, Brian and Sharon. One of Toronto’s best buddies, Wyoming, lives there. They had fun sniffing around and chasing each other. Sunday was Brian’s first day as the official preaching minister of Oakcrest Church of Christ. We had an appointment deep in Texasand were not able to attend services there. We did, however, stop at 10:00 to listen to their services on Facebook live. Following the communion, we got back on the road and continued Southeast for our next stop. 

   It was nearing 2:00 pm when we pulled into Holly Lake Ranch at Bill and Debbie’s. These longtime friends have been part of our lives for 40 years. All of us attended Garnet Road Church of Christ together. We even took a cruise to Panama and beyond just a few years ago. 

   We had a great visit and even got to meet some new friends, take an evening boat ride.  on Bill’s pontoon boat on Holly Lake.  This amazing Ranch sports a lot of wildlife. We got to see fish, deer, ducks and eagles. They have an amazing home in this heavily forested area. A lot of retirees settle here. We had a great evening and visited until we left about noon the next day. Debbie fixed us an awesome dinner and breakfast. Bill thanked us for coming because he said he gets to eat really good when company comes. I told him we were glad to do our part, that we had talked it over amongst ourselves and had decided to stay all week for his sake!  

   We hit the road about noon and drove to Galveston. We arrived at the ferry boat ramp about six and rode the ferry to Galveston. We made our 7:30 dinner reservations at Gaido’s on time and settled into our rooms about 9:30. 

   We slept in as we wished. As Debby is an early riser, she got up with the chickens and checked out the beach, as did Nancy and Ron. I was finishing getting dressed when Debby appeared and asked if I was ready for breakfast. The kitchen was open and we ate and had coffee. 

   After packing the car and checking out of our hotel, we headed west along the coastal road 87 towards San Antonio. It was interesting seeing all the houses raised high above flood potential. Houses and commercial buildings on stilts are funny looking. Some were 4 levels high.  We saw one or two that we could probably afford. They were very small. The RV parks had no elevated platforms. If they didn’t run fast enough during a storm, they would most assuredly drown!  

   We parked in front of our WorldMark condo in New Braunsfel at 3:00 pm. Our two story two bedroom condo is very nice. The complex is at fractional occupancy. That’s ok with us. The pool and hot tub were all ours this afternoon. We will be here for the next 3 nights.

Road Trip

​May 2022 Road Trip

     

   Today is the first day of a week

-long road trip. Together with our traveling friends, the Pinkerton’s, we head South to warmer climates and bigger tornadoes. With all of the planning, preparation and packing behind us, we hit the road for Texas. Tired of dealing with wind, rain, tornadoes and hailstones, we say adios to NW Arkansas and hello to home of the Longhorns. 

   Our first stop is Edmond, near Oklahoma City, for a reunion BBQ with several Northwestern friends of times past. At one time most all of us lived in Oregon and most of us even attended church together. Although not all of the Northwest refugees can attend, we are hopeful that many can.  

   During our absence , part of the storm damages and routine landscaping to the Thomas Resort will be repaired, while arrangements and schedules will be made for the remainder.  As they say, a better today for a better tomorrow.  

   Sunday morning we head to Holly Lake Ranch near Dallas for a visit with life-long friends from Tulsa. From there it’s down to Galveston and then to the WorldMark Resort in New Braunfels. Looking forward to seeing San Antonio again and spending some time on the Riverwalk. I have some old Vietnam era buddies here that I wouldn’t mind reconnecting with. From here to Waco to see more cool stuff and visit more friends. I have a niece who lives here but I’ve not been able to connect with her. I think there may be some television types here that Debby and Nancy might be interested in. Ron and I just want BBQ. We got these really cheap rooms at some ranch. Davidian, or something like that. I just hope it’s in a quiet neighborhood. 

  If all goes well, we go home now.