Today's adventures - still Day 929 (Year 3, Day 196)

Bastrop, TX

I should mention that while we had temps in the 70s and 80s in Houston last week, it got down to 23 on Friday night and 25 last night.  On Saturday, the water in our hose froze, despite leaving the water in the sink trickling.  Fortunately, we had a mostly full fresh water tank, so we just turned on the pump until it all melted.  The high was 41*.  Today was a bit warmer, at 51, and it will be about 80* by Wednesday.  Gotta love the Texas weather which can't make up its mind whether to be hot or cold!  Either way, very grateful we're not in the snow belt.  I know our friends and family in NY and NJ are getting hit pretty badly.  Even Raleigh got it's share of some snow and ice.

Also, this was an amusing water tower we passed on the way into Bastrop on Thursday:



The day started out with Mitch going outside (in 25* temps) to try to fill the flat tire.  He was unsuccessful because he thinks it's a bad seal, so we had to call roadside assistance to put the spare on.  Tomorrow he will go to a tire store to see if they can fix it.  This was all finished by 1:30.  He took a nap until 2 and then we decided to visit Historical downtown Bastrop; a place where I was really delighted to go!  I confirmed once again (first time was in Arcadia, FL, then Gatlinburg, TN and then Faith, SD) that my favorite places to spend time in are quaint, old-time small towns that really haven't changed much through the years (where you can find photos taken in the late 1800s to early 1900s and although you might see stagecoaches or trolleys in the photos, and the roads may be paved rather than dirt or cobblestone, the buildings are the same as the ones you're standing in front of.  I love to imagine myself back in time, standing in the same place as those who went before me (of course, I also love the beauty of nature - especially waterfalls, but I am unable to take long hikes in such places).

I didn't realize just how rich in history Bastrop is, especially since I never heard of it before.  They really don't teach much US history in school.  In fact, it is really where Texas started, with Baron de Bastrop working with Moses Austin, and then his son Steven to negotiate a deal with Mexico to form a US colony.  If not for Bastrop, Texas would still be part of Mexico!

Here are a few photos of the town:

      

We started out at the Visitor Center / Museum, which was really quite magnificent, with a lot of authentic antiques from collections in the area.  Each area of interest was put into a separate room, complete with artifacts, murals with explanations and history, and videos.

A sculpture and cute bench in front of the Visitor Center:

  



The very first motorized fire truck used in Bastrop:

  

Some of the other rooms in the museum:

          

Our next stop was the Colorado Winery (named for the Colorado River which runs outside).  It's a very small operation; in fact, they only sell their wine in their own store.  For $7, we got to sample about 8 different wines, and purchased 2 bottles.  Yes, a splurge at $20/bottle, but well worth it, especially for a special occasion.



On the way back to the truck, we passed this company.  Sorry it's blurry - it says "Honest Lawyers!"

New location - Day 929 (Year 3, Day 196)

Bastrop, TX

Wow, I didn't realize I hadn't written for almost a week; it's been pretty busy.  For this post, I will relate my travels and observances about where we are now, although I know I promised to write about our trip to NASA, which will be in an upcoming post, once I can find the time to upload the photos.

Bastrop, TX is the midway point between Houston and San Antonio, and is about 25 miles east of Austin, where Mitch will be working in the field.  As stated in previous posts, we couldn't find a campground with long term availability any closer, although we'll keep trying.  Unfortunately, the closest synagogue is in downtown Austin and it's a bit too much of a schlep to go there on Shabbat, but we'll play it by ear; maybe going once a month, or at least once or twice.

We left Houston on Thursday (Jan. 5th) at about 8:00 am.  We got up and started the road-readying process at 7 and expected to be ready to leave between 9 and 9:30.  We were surprised and pleased that we have the routine down to a science now, and it took us only about an hour!

The distance was about 120 miles, and we arrived at our new campground (KOA Bastrop/Colorado River) at 11:00.  I did the driving and there were no stops along the way.  Weather was fair -- there was a bit of drizzle for about 70% of the trip, and no traffic except for leaving Houston.  With help, it took us over an hour to get into the site, mostly because there was a tree with overhanging branches in the way.  Finally, the owner came and sawed off the branches, and then it took 5 minutes to back in.

Overall, I'm not very impressed with this place, although it has a lot of potential and is probably much nicer during the summer.  There's a nice pool/spa area (closed until April) and the Colorado River is at the end of the road.  There's a sitting area and fishing deck, but they are overrun by weeds and impossible to do anything at.  Out of our window, I see an open field, also overrun by weeds, so there is absolutely nothing aesthetically pleasing to look at, which is something I enjoy when working or walking.  At least the road around the campground is asphalt, so I can ride my urb-e up to the office (although it's a shorter distance than the last campground in Houston, so I can push myself to walk there instead).

We did our first grocery shopping in the area at an H.E.B. (a large Texas chain).  We went to one in Houston and were very disappointed, as it was small and very Hispanic oriented.  This one was quite the opposite -- almost like a Whole Foods and Target combined!  We fell in love with the place!

Unfortunately, when we returned from shopping, we discovered we had yet another flat tire, but nothing we could do about it then.  Mitch spent most of this morning (Sunday) filling it with air, but being unsuccessful (he thinks it's a broken seal), we called roadside assistance to put on the spare.  Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll find a tire store that can repair it.  Meanwhile, it's 12:30.  Mitch has some stuff to finish up and we were hoping to go into the historical downtown area to explore.  Specifically, we want to go to the Visitor's Center/Museum and the Colorado Winery, which is around the corner from there.  Bastrop actually does have a lot to offer.

Happy New Year 2017! - Day 923 (Year 3, Day 190)

Houston, TX

First, a word about Shabbat.  We went to a community Shabbat / Chanukkah dinner on Friday night, which was very lovely, with a lot of singing, interesting words of wisdom, good conversation, and delicious food!  We also went to services on Saturday.  This is a great congregation and I hope to return some day.

Saturday night was New Year's Eve - the 40th one Mitch and I are ringing in together!.  I think we have become real old fuddy-duddies, in that neither of us had any desire to celebrate or do or go anywhere special (we heard that they drop a giant sugar cube in Sugar Land).  We didn't even play our annual game of Scrabble over nachos and drinks.  Mostly we just watched our shows on the computer, stopping at 11:00 (Central time) to watch the ball drop in NYC (then we saw it again an hour later).  We did manage to stay up until midnight, which was pretty good because people in this area LOVE fireworks.  Starting at around 5pm, you could hear and see various displays being shot off, but it went absolutely crazy at midnight.  We stood outside and were able to see a panorama of fireworks - from all directions.  Nothing near Macy's Thanksgiving display, but it was pretty nice.  I just hope 2017 is a much better year.  Personally, other than cleaning out our savings once again for repairs, we still have a lot of blessings to count.  The world, however, is a very scary place right now and we can only pray for peace and stability.

On New Year's day, we mostly just vegged out.  In the evening, we went to our friends (mine from HS) - Miriam & Ira for dinner (she made an awesome salmon, quinoa and spaghetti squash casserole).  I can't believe none of us thought to take any photos!!!  I hope another 40 years doesn't go by before we see each other again!

Today (Monday), I did a little bit of work, although most companies are closed, so it was very quiet.  Mitch is undertaking a huge electrical project today -- rewiring the lights above the stove which somehow have a short in the system.  They run on the DC system, which means when we're not hooked up to electric, we can't use the main kitchen lights, so this is the next best thing.  Except they haven't been working.  I'm trying to stay calm and ignore the total disaster area in the kitchen.  I know he will clean up the mess when he finishes.

Tomorrow we need to start packing stuff up and getting road ready once again, since we'll be out all day Wed. and we need to leave Thurs. morning.  I probably won't write again until the weekend, at which point I will tell all about our trip to Johnson Space Center - NASA Mission Control.

More campground - Day 920 (Year 3, Day 187)

Houston, TX

Not a whole lot going on right now.  Business is very slow, but that's to be expected during the week between Christmas and New Year's.  We're trying to make the most of this time off, but unfortunately, there really isn't a lot to do around here without either spending a lot of money or traveling 20-50 miles in heavy traffic; neither of which we want to do (we'll already be spending a small fortune to visit NASA on Wed).  So yesterday, we ran a few shopping errands and hung out.  We rode our urb-es around the campground, but it was a bit chilly and very windy.

I forgot to mention that this past week, we both started a new endeavor of an exercise routine.  There is a very nicely equipped gym here, so starting this past Tuesday, we've been getting out of bed 1/2 hr earlier (7:00) and going to the gym.  Mitch has been using the universal, rowing machine, bike, elliptical and treadmill; the only thing I'm able to use right now is the treadmill, but it's important that I get my endurance level up for longer walks, despite the arthritis and bursitis in my hip.  I went from a 5 minute walk on Tuesday to 17 minutes today.  I hope to reach at least 1/2 hour by the time we leave next Thursday.  Then, all I need to figure out is how to continue this routine when we're in a place without a gym.  For Mitch, he'll be back in the field, walking anywhere from 5-10 miles a day.  For me -- I'll really need to force myself to get out and walk, even if just around the campground.  Yes, the thought to join a nationwide gym is tempting, but I have no way to get off the campground and I'm not willing to take round trip taxis 3-4 times a week.

Anyway, here are a few more photos of the area behind the clubhouse:

Panoramic view - line of rocking chairs overlooking the lake.  On other side of window is the lounge and gym.



Sitting by the lake.  That table is actually a gas firepit!



Another view of the pool.  On the left is a grill and kitchen area.



Bar stools around the marble counter kitchen area



Tonight is Shabbat.  We are going to a community dinner at synagogue tonight so no major meal preparations today!

Chanukkah celebration, pool - Day 918 (Year 3, Day 185)

Houston, TX

We did attend the public menorah lighting in Sugar Land (what a sweet town!!!).  There was music and dancing and a large crowd.  They gave out light sticks and "gelt" (chocolate coins) to the kids, and followed the lighting ceremony with donuts (which we didn't partake in -- we wanted to leave the area before all the crowds did).  Before the lighting ceremony, there were the usual speeches by the rabbi, prominent members of the congregation, and politicians -- the message by all being one of hope, and that we need to share the light to dispel the darkness.

The ceremony was held in the Town Square in front of City Hall.  What a beautiful town this is!  Lots of very upscale mom & pop stores, and office buildings & condos above them.  Not an old timey town (in fact, very modern), but quaint all the same.  I wish I could have gotten better photos, but it was dark.

Streets, with lights on all the trees.  I'm not sure if they're there all the time or just for the holidays:

 

City Hall (you can see the menorah in front of the steps), and large fountain with beautiful sculpture:

  

Mitch sitting in front of the menorah:



Juggler on stilts:



People gathering around:

    

"Shamash" (lighter candle) being lit:



Three candles lit (this was the 3rd night).  We are standing behind it.



After the ceremony, we went to this really cool sushi restaurant.  Coincidentally, just the other day, Mitch was reminiscing about a place we visited in California in 2010, which had a plates of sushi moving around the restaurant on a conveyor belt (the cost was based on the color of the plate).  Interestingly, we found such a place about a mile up the road from town square!  The 2nd picture shows the conveyor belt.  This was only 1/2 of the restaurant.  There was an identical setup on the other side.

  


Changing topics now.....

The weather here has been in the high 70s and low 80s.  Yesterday we actually had a lot of sunshine and 80 degrees.  I pulled myself away from work for a few hours to go swimming.  It was so delightful (and still hard to believe it's the end of December!).  A few pics of the pool, and Mitch relaxing (can you find him?)

  

And one last note regarding our upcoming travels...  we do plan to leave next Thursday - Jan. 5th, as we made reservations for NASA for next Wed.  We were unable to find a campground with long term availability in or even close to Austin, so Mitch will need to commute at least 25-30 miles each day (it's ok - he gets paid for this travel time plus mileage).  The reason is that a huge tech and music festival ("SxSW" - South by Southwest), a major rodeo, and spring break all happen around the same time in March.  So we'll be staying at a nice park in Bistrop, TX.  This campground is right on the Colorado River and I'm told it's a very lovely place to be.  I'm looking forward to it.  It's also about 130 miles from here, so we can make it in the morning.

Shabbat, Chanukkah - Day 915 (Year 3, Day 182)

Houston, TX

We went to a different Chabad this weekend-Chabad of Sugar Land.  The commute was so much better -- less traffic and smoother roads.  We also found the congregation to be much more fitting to our likings; it was smaller and more intimate, with much more "ruach" (spirit).

Saturday night was also the first night of Chanukkah which, coincidentally, is also Christmas Eve.  There will be a public menorah lighting on Monday which we hope to attend, as well as a community Shabbat dinner next week, which we also hope to attend, if we haven't left for Austin (which we shouldn't, because I already booked a tour of NASA Johnston Space Center on Jan. 4th).

Reminiscing of Chanukkahs past:

http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/2014/12/day-173-of-journey-myrtle-beach-sc_16.html

http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/2015/12/chanukkah-day-539-yr-1-day-161.html 

This year, decoration wise, is the same as last year.  Today, we had a lot of challah left over so we both made our own versions of croutons (mine came out better!).  We didn't have a chance to visit the kosher grocery store yet, so we are going to make latkes (potato pancakes) from scratch.  Or at least Mitch will.  Latkes go great with sour cream and/or apple sauce.  Mitch's sister Doris gave us amazing homemade ginger applesauce at Thanksgiving which we haven't opened yet, so this will be a great inauguration!

Dinner w/Team, moving again - Day 912 (Year 3, Day 179)

Houston, TX

Mitch's regional boss invited all the team members who are working in Houston to a holiday dinner last night - at the Outback Steakhouse (we had delicious salmon).  It was nice to meet new people.  In fact, one couple is staying at the same campground we are (although they are leaving tomorrow) -- Rick and Dee.

Several people are being reassigned; one couple is going to OK City, Rick & Dee are going to GA.  We will be leaving within the next 2-3 weeks to Austin, TX.

Not much else to report.  Work is very slow right now.  We plan to take a day off next week to visit the NASA Johnson Space Center.

Will keep you posted!