Finally a good internet connection!

I wanted to say how much we enjoyed our visit with cousins, Terry and Marcia Hood.  We felt fortunate to have this time together. (Mid January)

Daughter, Sheila, friends and family enjoy visiting the "Worlds Largest" Anything.  So, in their behalf we ventured to Hildago, TX near the Mexican Border - home of the "World Largest Killer Bee".  It was a nice little town and one of their claims to fame is that it was the point where the first Killer Bees entered the US.

The town lights up completely at Christmas time and the Hoods were just a few of many people traveling through there at Christmastime.  They said it was quite spectacular.  The bee is still dressed in it's lights.

 

In the town is the home of Ramón Ayala (born December 8, 1945, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México) is a Mexican musician, composer, and songwriter of norteño and conjunto music. Known as the "King of the Accordion," Ayala has recorded over 105 albums for which he has received four Grammy Awards. )

 

 

There were 3 buses lined up next to him home preparing for a road trip but we did not see him.

  This blog is frustrating because it won't let me turn the photos the proper way

 

Behind again

Again I must apologize for being behind in my posts.  Too busy seeing new places to spend much time at computer.  I am far behind.  We had a great time in Texas with Friends and Family, then went to Natchez, MS to enjoy the Blanton family.  Now we are in FL and spent the last few days with John and Judy Ness in Lady Lake FL near "The Villages".  Tomorrow we will pick up anchor and travel a little further south in FL for some new adventures.  Hopefully we will have some down time and internet service at the same time and I will try to "catch up".

 

BUT HE'S GOT MY GOLF BALL!

Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, Texas 1-23-2013

We met up with cousins Terry and Marcia Hood (who were staying in Mission, TX for the winter) a couple of times.  They are always fun to hang-out with and we thank them for sharing their time with us.

 Lunch at Riverside Inn on the Rio Grande River

 

Mexico on the other side of River

Quinta Mazatlan

 

Now it is McAllen wing of World Bird Center. There are nature trails, over 100 species of birds and over 100 species of tropical

 

Progresso, Mexico

We always have a fun time going over to Progresso, Mexico which is close to Harlingen. It is the only Mexican street we feel safe in visiting. Great place to go for medical supplies, services, jewelry making supplies, shopping, Damiana and other liquors.  This time Tom and I stopped into Gloria's Beauty Salon to try a Mexican haircut. We were both getting rather shaggy and cousin Terry said he goes there. They were good cuts but very short so we won't need one again for a while. My little girl was new and spoke no English. She was so nervous and just cut a few hairs at a time so it took her a long time. I thought she would never finish. The good news is Tom's cut only cost $4 and mine was only $5!!!

 

 

Edna Hockett and Donna Gibbens at the Red Panties Bar

This man made custom bracelets with thread in minutes.  Boy did his hands fly!

Harlingen, Texas

Harlingen is a great place for retired people.  Everything is convenient and close to many interesting places. 

Below is the original sculpture used in casting the famous bronzed Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, VA. depicting the raising of the US flag over Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, during World War II. It is over 100 feet high and weighs 130 tons. It was given to the Marine Military Academy 1981.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Enjoyed a New Years Party at Park Place, Harlingen Texas.  May each of you be blessed in the new year!

Dale & Carolyn Kaufman, Donna & Tom Gibbens, Edna & Larry Hockett

2013

I have been negligent on updating this blog.  For this I apologize!  The connections are so slow that it's hard to upload.  Hopefully I will get to a good spot soon to catch up.

We had an uneventful trip down to Texas, which is good. We went directly to the dealership in Alvarado where we bought the coach last year and spent a few days there getting some warranty work done. From there we drove on down to Harlingen, TX (not far from Brownsville) and arrived on the 30th. It was still Christmas here, which seemed really strange to us. We stay at Park Place while in Harlingen.