Jennifer arrived in the wee hours of Saturday – thanks to a flight delay in Houston. But we were up early for breakfast, followed by a quick trip to the Don Wes flea market – to visit the bathing suit lady (who remembered Jenn from last year!). The sun stayed out for this year’s Fun N Sun Mardi gras parade, so we enjoyed all the floats and decorated golf carts. We collected enough beads to open our own Mardi Gras store. Although it cooled down a bit, we went for a swim – just to test out the new suits. Paul cranked up the BBQ and we had a feast of fresh veggies and chicken while watching the Olympics on our Canadian satellite dish.
Sunday morning we headed off to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle. We truly enjoy the mariachi band that plays at the 9:00 service. Breakfast was enjoyed by all at a local Mexican eatery. Paul & Jenn had their ‘divorced eggs’ while Jane had Mexican eggs. On our way back home, we stopped briefly at the Outlet mall for a quick power shopping trip. But the beautiful sun convinced us to head for the pool which we really enjoyed. Sunday night’s “Ice cream social” was followed by a Valentine’s Dance but we opted to watch the Olympics.
Monday was a cold cloudy day so we headed to Nuevo Progresso in Mexico following exercise class. We had lunch at the Red Snapper, shopped, and came home with some tequila. Monday night we attended the dinner show at Fun N Sun which featured The Redhead Express – a musical family with 7 children.
Tuesday we headed to South Padre Island. Unfortunately the weather got a bit cooler, so there was no sunbathing or swimming in the ocean. We did take time to drive along the shore and pick up a few shells. For dinner we went to Louie’s Backyard – a huge place with a multitude of dining options. Since it was Fat Tuesday, the upstairs Sports Bar was even busier than usual but the food and drinks were great. On our way home we stopped to shop and Jenn purchased a pair of running shoes.
Wednesday morning Paul went golfing with the men’s league, Jane was off to her Toys for Tots project, and Jenn went to exercise class. By 10:30 we all reunited and had light lunch, and then it was time to head off to the airport for Jenn’s flight home. It was a short visit, but we managed to pack a lot of things into a few days.
In the afternoon, our Titanium friends Bill & Margaret came by – Margaret & Jane visited while Bill, Doug & Paul were busy jacking up the trailer and testing the play on the wheel hubs. Wednesday night’s dance featured Walter Plante who sings and plays the keyboard – a real one man show.
Today it rained….. and rained so our lot is once again a mud field and our external carpet is floating. Oh well, it gave us some time to find our suitcases, and begin packing for next week’s cruise. Tomorrow afternoon we will attend the Canadian Club’s BBQ / Social. Then Saturday we are off to Galveston so that we can board the Royal Caribbean’s Voyageur of the Seas on Sunday for a 7 day cruise of the Western Caribbean. We will report back early in March once we return to Fun N Sun and our lap top.
To see our pictures click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Bike Riding at Fun N Sun
We had a quiet weekend, deciding to pass on the Rodeo. Instead on Saturday morning we went to the health fair at the Harlingen hospital – there are lots of health care providers looking for business in this part of Texas. Then it was off to the Harlingen street market which was filled with “antiques and collectibles” although we have to admit that there was not much in either category that interested us.
On Sunday we tried a different Mexican restaurant in San Benito for breakfast – it was very good. We spent the afternoon around Fun N Sun and had an early supper so that we could watch the Super Bowl. It was amazing how quiet the park was and how empty the Ice Cream Social was although the Activity Office had claimed there was no interest in an organized Super Bowl party.
Monday afternoon turned into a beautiful sunny day. It was fun to see people out walking again and enjoying the pool. While Paul, Greg and Linda were riding their bikes in the park, the Valley Morning Times newspaper snapped their picture. Tuesday’s front page featured their picture under the caption “Enjoying the weather… while it lasts”. The clip read “Residents of Fun N Sun RV Resort in San Benito, ride bicycles Monday when the day’s high temperature reached 79 degrees. Temperatures are only expected to be in the mid-50’s today, with the mercury dropping to 37 tonight. The forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is a high of 53 and a low of 47 at night, with a chance for rain.”
Unfortunately the forecasters have been correct and we are now back to heavy sweatshirts and rain jackets. Of course, we know most of you are buried under lots of snow!!!
Since our Tuesday trip to the Pump House was cancelled, we headed off to Donna and had lunch at the Garcia’s sisters. This is a well known local eatery that is housed in a plain building with no signage. The sisters make a fixed amount of hamburger and once it is gone, that’s it for the day. The burgers are the size of the cook’s hand – which is the size of a baseball glove. A real cultural experience. After lunch we headed off to the outlet mall for some shopping. Sarah Getto was the evening’s entertainment – she is a 26 year old singer who plays the piano and fiddle despite being blind since birth. She has a beautiful voice and she gave a great concert.
On Wednesday morning Paul went golfing and Jane went to “Toys for Tots”. Wednesday evening was a 50’s & 60’s dance which was sponsored by the Fun N Sun group named “The CRABS” also known as Conservative Retired Adult Bikers. The evening started with hot dogs and root beer floats. We brought our own beer too! The live band “The Cruisers” played, and we had a great evening. Paul even came in second place in the yoyo competition. Jane tried the hula hoop, but no luck.
Thursday was a rainy day. Paul started his day at the local GMC dealership to get the oil changed on the truck. Good thing he brought a book, three hours later (and this was his third trip) it was completed. Ya gotta love the slower pace down here. mañana rules!
Today we are off to a nine year old’s birthday party at a local pizza restaurant. Later this evening Jennifer arrives and we are looking forward to her visit.
To see a picture click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/
On Sunday we tried a different Mexican restaurant in San Benito for breakfast – it was very good. We spent the afternoon around Fun N Sun and had an early supper so that we could watch the Super Bowl. It was amazing how quiet the park was and how empty the Ice Cream Social was although the Activity Office had claimed there was no interest in an organized Super Bowl party.
Monday afternoon turned into a beautiful sunny day. It was fun to see people out walking again and enjoying the pool. While Paul, Greg and Linda were riding their bikes in the park, the Valley Morning Times newspaper snapped their picture. Tuesday’s front page featured their picture under the caption “Enjoying the weather… while it lasts”. The clip read “Residents of Fun N Sun RV Resort in San Benito, ride bicycles Monday when the day’s high temperature reached 79 degrees. Temperatures are only expected to be in the mid-50’s today, with the mercury dropping to 37 tonight. The forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is a high of 53 and a low of 47 at night, with a chance for rain.”
Unfortunately the forecasters have been correct and we are now back to heavy sweatshirts and rain jackets. Of course, we know most of you are buried under lots of snow!!!
Since our Tuesday trip to the Pump House was cancelled, we headed off to Donna and had lunch at the Garcia’s sisters. This is a well known local eatery that is housed in a plain building with no signage. The sisters make a fixed amount of hamburger and once it is gone, that’s it for the day. The burgers are the size of the cook’s hand – which is the size of a baseball glove. A real cultural experience. After lunch we headed off to the outlet mall for some shopping. Sarah Getto was the evening’s entertainment – she is a 26 year old singer who plays the piano and fiddle despite being blind since birth. She has a beautiful voice and she gave a great concert.
On Wednesday morning Paul went golfing and Jane went to “Toys for Tots”. Wednesday evening was a 50’s & 60’s dance which was sponsored by the Fun N Sun group named “The CRABS” also known as Conservative Retired Adult Bikers. The evening started with hot dogs and root beer floats. We brought our own beer too! The live band “The Cruisers” played, and we had a great evening. Paul even came in second place in the yoyo competition. Jane tried the hula hoop, but no luck.
Thursday was a rainy day. Paul started his day at the local GMC dealership to get the oil changed on the truck. Good thing he brought a book, three hours later (and this was his third trip) it was completed. Ya gotta love the slower pace down here. mañana rules!
Today we are off to a nine year old’s birthday party at a local pizza restaurant. Later this evening Jennifer arrives and we are looking forward to her visit.
To see a picture click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/
Saturday, February 6, 2010
It's February Already
On Tuesday February 2, we went to South Padre Island for the Snowbird show (sponsored by the Canadian Snowbird Association). The show was interesting, especially the talk by one of the CSA directors. We went to Pier 19 for lunch but didn’t get much a view from their waterfront dining room since the fog was quite thick. One the way home we did some exploring taking roads through citrus groves and pasture land although we saw very few cattle. While Paul was forced to slow down on one dirt road to allow a dog to get out of the road, I noticed two donkeys standing at the side of the road. Although they moved much more slowly than birds, I still had trouble getting a good photo from the truck window.
Wednesday’s heavy rain cancelled Paul’s weekly golf game but I was still able to get to Toys for Tots. In the afternoon we drove west to an RV park in Pharr to attend a benefit show for childhood cancer. The performers were Bernie and Red, a Canadian couple from Vancouver who are stand-up comedians and musicians. We thoroughly enjoyed their performance and would definitely try to see them again next year. Their jokes about traveling in their RV were certainly appreciated by the audience who could definitely relate to their tales.
Thursday afternoon we had a surprise visit from Jeannine and Leo, a couple we met last year from outside of Sudbury. They were at Fun N Sun for only two nights while they secured the insurance for their truck and 5th wheel that they needed to head to Mexico for several months. 8 of us went out to dinner to catch up and their news and to wish them well on their trip.
Our friend Doug arrived at Fun N Sun with his Titanium this afternoon although he has to stay in an overflow site until his site dries out enough for him to drive on it. The park maintenance was kept busy all day today delivering a crushed stone / sand mixture to the wettest spots in the park – including our parking spot next to our 5th wheel. Once the wind picks up again, things will dry out and the newcomers will be able to get settled.
We introduced Doug to a new vegetable when he came for dinner – jicama or Mexican potato or Mexican turnip. It is similar to a turnip but with a taste more like an apple or pear. We served it raw with chili powder and salt but understand it can also be cooked. We understand the Mexicans serve a lot of cactus so that will have to be our next culinary adventure.
As we are watching the weather tonight (Friday February 5), the rain we received this week seems pale in comparison with the snow storms / blizzards in eastern Canada and the U.S. Today was sunny with very little wind so it was great to be outside and to be able to get back into the pool.
This weekend there is a rodeo in the neighbouring town of Los Fresnos but we have not yet decided whether we will go or whether we will stay here and relax – and watch the super bowl game.
To see some pictures click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/
Wednesday’s heavy rain cancelled Paul’s weekly golf game but I was still able to get to Toys for Tots. In the afternoon we drove west to an RV park in Pharr to attend a benefit show for childhood cancer. The performers were Bernie and Red, a Canadian couple from Vancouver who are stand-up comedians and musicians. We thoroughly enjoyed their performance and would definitely try to see them again next year. Their jokes about traveling in their RV were certainly appreciated by the audience who could definitely relate to their tales.
Thursday afternoon we had a surprise visit from Jeannine and Leo, a couple we met last year from outside of Sudbury. They were at Fun N Sun for only two nights while they secured the insurance for their truck and 5th wheel that they needed to head to Mexico for several months. 8 of us went out to dinner to catch up and their news and to wish them well on their trip.
Our friend Doug arrived at Fun N Sun with his Titanium this afternoon although he has to stay in an overflow site until his site dries out enough for him to drive on it. The park maintenance was kept busy all day today delivering a crushed stone / sand mixture to the wettest spots in the park – including our parking spot next to our 5th wheel. Once the wind picks up again, things will dry out and the newcomers will be able to get settled.
We introduced Doug to a new vegetable when he came for dinner – jicama or Mexican potato or Mexican turnip. It is similar to a turnip but with a taste more like an apple or pear. We served it raw with chili powder and salt but understand it can also be cooked. We understand the Mexicans serve a lot of cactus so that will have to be our next culinary adventure.
As we are watching the weather tonight (Friday February 5), the rain we received this week seems pale in comparison with the snow storms / blizzards in eastern Canada and the U.S. Today was sunny with very little wind so it was great to be outside and to be able to get back into the pool.
This weekend there is a rodeo in the neighbouring town of Los Fresnos but we have not yet decided whether we will go or whether we will stay here and relax – and watch the super bowl game.
To see some pictures click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/
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