We're on the Road Again!

After two months at Bentsen Grove Resort in the Rio Grande Valley, we are ready to head on down the road to new adventures. We're sad to say good-bye to Denisa's Mother and our winter friends. It looks like the sky is crying as we headed out in our just-washed motor home in the rain. After spending most of the winter in the very bottom tip of Texas, the only way to go is up. We hope February isn't too early to head north! As we exited onto north highway 69C, we realized this is the direction we will be driving for many months.

We have traveled this road for many years, and it always seems to be a long drive from the border until we reach this border inspection point about an hour down the road. This was our first time to pass through the brand new facility that has opened up since our last trip north.

Our destination is another hour down the road to Seawind Resort near Riviera, Texas. We are camped right beside Baffin Bay, a salt water inlet from the Gulf of Mexico.

It's good to be back near the Gulf, and its many shore birds. Denisa kept taking pictures of the birds that call this area home.

They like hanging out on the jetties that reach out into the bay almost as much as we do.

The pelicans like being near the pier, hoping for scraps when successful fishermen are cleaning their catch of the day. Every seat was taken on this row of posts in the bay.

The pelicans are so used to people, that they don't mind if a couple of wanderers with a camera get very close.

Against this salt water bay, we think it is interesting to see desert cactus growing on the shore.

We are at Seawind RV Resort because they participate in the Passport America program and offer half-price camping. It also is a lovely park. In this warm south Texas environment, everything from palms to spruce to live oaks do well.

Some of the seasonal residents prove that many other plants also thrive here in this park near Riviera, Texas.

We stopped because of the nice rate. But we will continue to stop by because it is such a friendly park. Denisa was welcomed into their line dance class, and we signed up for more activities at the rec hall during our brief stay.

Our favorite activity was the Friday night fire pit meal. Volunteers start the fire in the morning, then use the hot coals to bake potatoes for everyone. At 5:00 participants bring their meat to put on the fire pit--carefully monitored all day so it will be at the perfect temperature for grilling.

At least half of the entrees have already been plated, but that's still quite a meaty picture of supper goodness! We arrived without knowledge of this fire pit event, so we were lucky to have some bratwurst in our refrigerator that were just right for the grill.

We were welcomed to a large table that offered to share their side dishes and dessert--what a friendly place! Then we stayed for the dance that allowed Denisa to practice her new line dance steps. We would see these same friends at the Saturday morning breakfast, and then at church the next day. As we watched a pretty sunset on our last evening at the park, we know that even though we love spending time with old friends, it is also fun to make new ones on our way north.