Things are really getting quiet around here!

Last Saturday we did go to the beach at South Padre Island. It was an absolutely beautiful beach day so we set up our chairs and umbrella next to the truck. It was really interesting to see the beach fill up with mainly Mexican American extended families. They arrived in small convoys of vehicles, and set up mini tent cities complete with lawn equipment and all sorts of BBQ gear. This is the beginning of ‘Semena Santa,’ or Holy Week which is really a big holiday week for Mexicans on both sides of the border. To see our beach pictures click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/pjkralik/

Sunday we went to church for Palm Sunday service. There is a whole new meaning for fresh palms here, when they just stripped them off the trees in the church yard and proceeded to bless them!! The service was also filled with a surprise! Fr. Isaac has two parishes, both are housed in small church buildings which are located about a mile apart in San Benito. So, guess what! The Palm Sunday service started at our usual church – then instead of walking into the church to continue the service – the entire congregation, flanked by the Knights of Columbus and the police department vehicles – walked the mile down the highway to the second parish. Needless to say, it was almost noon by the time we got to sit down for breakfast at our favorite restaurant… LOL.

Paul washed the trailer on Monday. It was a perfect day for that activity and the pool was always nearby. We were late planning dinner, so we opted for Bayou Pappy’s Louisiana cooking - nice spicy Cajun cuisine.

Tuesday Paul started waxing the trailer. This usually reminds us how big this RV really is!! After lunch, we headed for our last trip to the Outlet Mall which was filled with people on break for Semana Santa. As usual there were deals to be had especially since Tuesday is Seniors Day. On the way home, we stopped at Big John’s BBQ for pulled pork and hamburgers.

Wednesday morning we headed for an info fair for those wanting to become permanent residents. Since that does not apply for us, it was a short visit. Jane went back to her Toys for Tots volunteer activity and Paul went to Brownsville to get a copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips – which he is using to plan the return trip home.

The last dance of the season was Wednesday night. The Cruisers provided the music and most of our park friends who like to dance attended. We left when they turned out the lights – which is early in these parts! You’ve got to remember we are in a senior’s park, so 10:35pm is lights out at the dance. :-)

March 29th was a full moon here in Texas and they call it the windy moon because of the strong March winds. Well March certainly went out like a lion here with gusts of wind over 40 mph. We really thought we were going to loose our awning despite all the straps and braces that Paul has used to protect it. Fortunately it is still attached to the trailer but Paul plans to retract it soon in preparation of the trip north.

On Thursday, Paul finished waxing the trailer while Jane chatted with a neighbor. Again we enjoyed cooling off in the pool. After supper, we then headed off to Holy Thursday church service. No more surprises by Fr. Issac.

On Friday, we planned another trip back to South Padre Island but the clouds never broke until late afternoon. Instead we cleaned the trailer in preparation for Easter weekend and our trip home. After a late afternoon swim, we headed to Brownsville to shop. We were amazed how crowded the mall was – mainly with Mexicans who had come across the border to shop. It really felt like shopping in the malls at home during the weekend before Christmas. We bought what we needed as quickly as possible and headed back to the RV.

Saturday was another cloudy day so we made our last trip to the Don Wes flea market. Less than half of the usual vendors were present. Even the bathing suit lady was packing up to return home to the south shore of Montreal so Jane had to come home empty-handed. Fortunately the fruit and veggie vendors were still there so we bought 25 pounds of 1015 onions to bring home. More onions for McGowan summer BBQ's.

Our New Brunswick friends, Harold and Marilyn joined us for a BBQ dinner – and guess what, we finally got to test out our air conditioner. It got really hot and muggy, so after happy hour, we got comfortable inside the RV for dinner.

Next week is our last week here, so we have to start thinking about packing up... YUK!