Texas - again

1 February 10 - 8 February 10

Thanks, Gary - I did.

To all who were not at our house during the moving out phase:

We moved our belongings to Oregon because that is where we intend to live after our adventure is over. We are looking very strongly at Gold Beach, OR, it is in an area known as the 'Banana Belt' extending south to Crescent City, CA. Look at the weather there compared to Grants Pass, OR on any given day. We had intended to move back to Grants Pass before we spent a week there in 35 degree fog, plus the town has grown into a Grey haired mecca since we left there thirty years ago. The only problem is there was NO planning as it has a river running east-west through the south end of town with only one bridge in the town(city now) portion. It is a real nightmare if you are going anywhere in the area on the other side of the bridge.

We sold everything – NO toys left – including the house knowing we would leave the area. We bought a 39' motor home, gas, fully self-contained. If you are claustrophobic this is not the way to live. It is 360 square feet of living area with the sides extended. There is a lot of storage space, Now which door is that in?, with considerable cabinet space on the inside. One thing we did, and we are happy about it, was opt for a double door refrigerator with freezer above in place of the smaller refer and a pantry. We can still buy food at Sam's and make smaller packages and freeze them. We were talked into gas and I'm not sure it was a bad idea. Service is considerably cheaper when it is time. Fuel costs are less while that is offset by the difference in mileage. We are averaging around 7.5 mpg so far over the 4500 miles we have traveled to date. We also tow our car on a dolly. They do not make a tow bar that would work for our car, but I see more 'four on the ground' vehicles behind Rvs than dollies.

For anyone wanting to contact us:
email ray – dot - chambers -at- ymail – dot - com or miriamgrbac -at- ymail – dot - com
snail mail 4712 Smith Stewart Rd
Vienna, OH 44473

Spent our last day in San Antonio looking a God's wonderful creation. Drove and walked in an Audubon Nature Preserve. What a sight to see birds never seen in the Northeast or Northwest. Drizzled the whole day – the weather called for 10% rain and that was what I would call it.

We are in San Benito, TX – home to the 'legendary' Freddy Fender – for two weeks. We have spent two days on South Padre Island sightseeing and bird watching. I will not say the temperature is in the 70s while you are getting hit with snow. We had that storm as rain, 2+ inches, Wed and Thurs. We are supposed to have rain again this week Wed and Thur. I haven't found much in the way of historical sights here, but the bird watching places are a dime a dozen. The East coast of TX has hundreds of sanctuaries and wildlife refuges including hundreds of miles of trails.

It takes some getting used to listening to people talk, but then most of the people here in the park originate in the north. You hear more Spanish than English when you are in a store, though.

It gets harder and harder to find a church that has an English service the farther south we go. It is also a little distracting when you attend a Southern Baptist church and every third word is 'Amen'. I have nothing against 'Amen' as such but there is a limit. Pastor, you have spoiled us. I had the first experience in my life where I have walked out of a church service -Pentecostal- today. I am not proud of the fact I left, but I came to hear God's word. We had been there an hour – about 45 minutes in and I wrote for Miriam “Where's God?” as they had not talked about God – only the results of the sales drive they just had and the one they going to start along with music that was WAY to LOUD. I can tell you who was first, second, and third in the youth and adult divisions and what their prizes were. We will make a better choice for Wed and Sun this next week.

Pictures:
Long Billed Curlew - you said what about my beak?
Great Blue Heron – I have my lunch – want a bite?
Multi-colored Heron – I can have a bad hair day!
Roseate Spoonbills - fishing
Colors in the sand – What can be done by wind and water