Gold Beach and Port Orford, Oregon

Bridge crossing the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Oregon. We drove south down the coast yesterday and had lunch at a nice restaurant at Gold Beach. Great homemade pie too!

The ocean just north of where we are staying at Humbug Mountain State Park near Port Orford, OR. Donnie took this photo today and as you can see it is a little overcast. It is 52 degrees now (about 4 pm), but has been getting up to mid 60s most days. We got to the central coast on Thursday (6/26) at Newport. We planned to spend a week at Beverly Beach State Park there, but it was so jam packed that we decided to head south to Port Orford to avoid the crowds. Newport was way too "touristy" for our tastes.

A bay near the Port Orford docks. We were told that the whales come in to the bay to feed on crill most days. Didn't see any today, but I did catch a glimpse of one as we were driving down the coast from Beverly Beach State Park on Friday. It was pretty exciting seeing the whale breaching. We plan to get the binoculars and do more whale watching in the next day or two.

Glenns Ferry, Idaho

Our RV space at Three Island Crossing State Park in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. This is a beautiful park...very green and well kept. It is on the banks of the Snake River, on the old Oregon Trail. So far this is one of the prettiest campsites we have had. It was so enjoyable that we stayed for several days.

Donnie overlooking the Snake River.

Pool Boys

PaPa and Grandma just had to get the boys a swimming pool for those hot Artesia days. Rylee and Parker took to "swimming" really fast (check out all the flotation devices! Ha!). Casey thought it wasn't a bad place to cool off either! We had a great time visiting Casey, Angie and the boys. We were lucky to spend a couple of long weekends with the kids while staying at Deer Spring RV park in Mayhill (we were there April, May and part of June). We were there for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Angie and Casey really spoiled us while we were visiting! We loved it! Thanks kids!! Also...Donnie had his checkup in Lubbock on June 19th. The surgeon was very impressed with how well Donnie's shoulder is healing. Only more more appointment scheduled for October, then he'll be free! Yippee!!

Luckenbach and Seguin Texas

Hill country wildflowers. There are not as many bluebonnets as we have seen in the past. Think the winter and early spring was too dry to produce much color.



We took a day trip to San Marcos and Seguin on Monday. San Marcos is an interesting city and I found one of my favorite stores, Half Price Books, there. While in the area we drove a few miles to Seguin, then stopped to check out the Sebastopol House. Built of concrete in 1847, the home has no stairs or hallways connecting any of the rooms. It is an impressive house and the landscaping was really pretty.
Hey Betty Newmon...didn’t you and Rick live in Seguin at one time?



We made a side trip to Luckenbach on the way home from Fredericksburg on Tuesday. We saw the whole population (3) and a couple of roosters. Not much happening there during a weekday. We were invited to come back that night to see “Mr. Jukebox” (whoever that is) perform, but we decided to pass until we actually recognized the singer’s name.

Blanco State Park

View of highway 281 bridge from Blanco State Park low water crossing. The river is beautiful and the water is so clear you can see the fish.
The park is right in the middle of town, and its location makes for great day trips to other areas. It is less than an hour drive to Fredericksburg, San Marcos, New Braunfels and San Antonio.
The dam at state park. The park personnel stock this area twice a year with catfish and trout. Donnie still hasn't done any fishing here and we are leaving tomorrow (4/4/08). Guess he'll have to wait until we visit again.
We are here at one of our favorite sites. All of the spaces have lots of room and nice views. Sure have enjoyed the two weeks we have spent here but will soon be time to head to Aubrey TX. We plan to visit my sister Kathy, her husband Joe and daughter Megan. We also plan to join in the 75th birthday celebration of the church in Denton, where Kathy and I attended when we were growing up. Donnie and I were also married there 35 years ago. It's gotta have a historical marker for that!
This is the "swimming hole" at the park. We have seen a few brave kids in it during spring break, but Donnie and I are too wussy to try it! Although one of the park hosts here say the water usually stays at 72 degrees, as it is spring fed. Speaking of park hosts, we have been asked to host here whenever we want. Sounds like it would be interesting and everyone here is very nice and friendly, but we aren't quite ready to do that yet. Maybe in a few years when we get tired of traveling.

Rio Hondo RV Park

Twin Palms, one of two RV parks we have been looking at here in Rio Hondo, TX. We are staying at this park for the week to see how we like it. There is a pool and hot tub, game room, library and laundry. It is in the center of town within walking distance to a few stores and restaurants. Rio Hondo is about 10 miles east of Harlingen, and a thirty minute drive to Port Isabel and South Padre Island.

South Padre Island

March 17th. View from our restaurant window, Dirty Al's, of one of the marinas on South Padre Island.
If you are ever on South Padre Island you have to eat at Dirty Al's. Real casual, interesting atmosphere and good fish tacos. See a pattern here? Donnie and I love sampling the local cuisine!

The beach at Isla Blanca County Park in the middle of spring break. Lots of sand and people celebrating the week off. The wind was pretty strong, so made for big waves for wind surfers. Notice there are no photos of Donnie in his speedo?!?! The beach police evicted him before I could snap his picture. Just kidding...

Marble Falls and Guadalupe River

Becky, Shelby and Donnie at Marble Falls City Park. We made a day trip to Marble Falls while we were staying for the week of Feb 25th at Blanco TX State Park. The park is small (only 52 sites) but roomy, uncrowded spaces to park the trailer. Weather was good and we met some really nice fellow campers there. While in Marble Falls we had lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe. The cafe has been in Marble Falls since the 1930s and the food (especially the pie) was great.
We took another day trip to Guadalupe River State Park. We have never "camped" there before and wanted to check out the RV sites. The river runs through the park and there were several swimmers, but it was too chilly for us! We are heading to Mustang Island near Corpus Christi for a couple of weeks. Guess we didn't get our fill of the area when we were there in October.

Lubbock Texas

We're back in Lubbock. We expected to be here for another six weeks for Donnie's therapy but he is doing so well the surgeon said it isn't necessary. Yeah! We celebrated by going to the Stars and Stripes Drive-In last night. Saw great movie, The Bucket List and enjoyed the old-fashioned concession stand too. (2/23/08)
We have been doing the tourist thing here lately. There are some interesting buildings in the downtown area including the old Cactus Theater.
Artwork on the side of a business downtown.
Can you tell Lubbock is the birthplace of Buddy Holly? We really enjoy spending time here, but plan to head south next week, depending on the weather. We have been trying to decide where to go first, the hill country or the coast. Guess we'll flip a coin!

Birthday Party for Rylee and Parker

Rylee and Parker Jarratt's birthday party on Saturday, Feb 9. Angie's friend Melanie as the clown. All the kids loved her. Melanie was also the face painter. She is so talented.
The guests at the party, probably 30-40 people counting Moms, Dads and Grandparents. Everyone had lots of fun. Face painting, games and great food...Best party Grandma and PaPa J have ever attended. Great job Angie and Casey!!
Rylee had a great time
The circus ringmaster and her hubby. Great mustache Angie!
Rylee makes a good tiger...
Grandma Becky and Parker in his tiger disguise.
PaPa Donnie in his birthday mask. Handsome devil!!
We loved the Jarratt Brother Circus and so did the boys! Rylee blowing out his candles, as Parker watches his big brother in action. We had a great visit with all our kids. Sorry the boys were sick later. Too much fun and birthday cake?

Abilene TX

City park in downtown Abilene. We have been "camping" at the state park south of Abilene near Buffalo Gap. Decided we needed a break from Lubbock. Also Donnie had a a few weeks off before he begins therapy. We plan to head to Artesia to see the grandsons, and help them celebrate birthdays on Saturday, 2/9.

Old train depot in Abilene. Interesting building built back in the 1930s.

She's in her traveling mode...ZZZZZZZ!! We are on our way to Abilene State Park for a few days, then Lubbock is next. Donnie's surgery on shoulder scheduled for Nov 30. (11/20)

Waves at Mustang Island. Great day to be beachcombers...
Shelby digging for clams...
Shelby's favorite beach activities...running around like mad and chasing seagulls.

Our RV space at Mustang Island State Park near Corpus Christi. Good site with a "front yard" and walking distance to the beach. (11/15)
Casey, Angie and boys..Thanks for the retirement bubbly!!
Here ya go Sherry! Finally got a photo of those little umbrellas! (11/18)
The Lexington Air Craft Carrier in Corpus Christi bay. Thought Lance and Paul at the COOP would find this interesting.
Had great gumbo and fish sandwiches here near the Lex. Still getting our fill of seafood! (11/17)

We "camped" here at Ray Roberts Lake State Park north of Denton TX (near Becky's sister's house) recently. We are a little behind on posting photos as we haven't had any internet service lately. Beautiful lake and the they say the fishing is great. Donnie didn't have time to "drown any worms" this trip, maybe next time! (11/5)