First, our morning stretch class, step outside, oh boy it’s so cold. This is the temps in both F & C. Our Northern friends will not feel bad for us…
but this is what we have been used to since arriving in Southern Texas We have breakfast then off to Lowe’s.
Success! We find the correct screws, Costco is next door so we pop in to exchange a pair of jeans.
Heading back we make a stop at On the Grill and I enjoy a margarita, Allan is pleased they have Michelob Ultra Amber on draft. The words behind the bar match our flag.We head back, prepare and enjoy dinner. The hot tub didn’t work over the weekend and as it’s still chilly I suggest we walk over clothed so ensure it is heating. Yes it is, but after walking there I decided I wasn’t up to changing and heading back. Settle for watching TV wrapped in blankets.
Today’s mission, cause there is always one. Find a #10 screw to replace some corroded ones. But first breakfast tacos made with left overs and eggs.
Isn’t she cute from this angle?We are walking to O’Reilly Auto Parts in San Juan TX, about a 40 minute walk. No luck finding a screw but at least have a head start on our daily steps.
Tonight’s activity, .25 a card, we splurge and get 2 each. Games each have a different combination of patterns, small picture frames, kite, regular bingo and of course black out bingo. The couple who sat down next to us were nice. Sounds like it should be fun, right! Neither of us were having much fun. We bailed on the extra last cards, returned to Bailey, put on our suits and headed to the hot tub. It is frickin freezing! We last about 2 minutes and retreat to Bailey.
We explore the grocery store, well actually we went shopping for the normal stuff and found some interesting items. When we were in Mexico many vendors were breaking this up and packaging. No idea what it was then but found it today. It is a type of cactus. Found a recipe and made cactus salad which even Allan approved of.
Next up tacos!
Again, Allan approved. As my nephew used to say “What the heck is going on around here!” Wish we could get this stuff at home.
Slept in 🙁 didn’t get up till 722 so missed our 730 stretch class. Doesn’t matter because the highlight of today will be our HEB’s delivery. Delivery is scheduled between 9 & 10a.
928a he’s here. Allan rushes out, B2, (glitter pup) looks onThe exchange is happening…
Here’s the loot!
On the crazy weather everywhere front. This is our son’s place in Victoria, BC
Action packed day! Start with a 630a Wellness Check. It’s a blood test where they check for a multiple of issues. We don’t, at least I don’t know of such a test at home. Blood given, if there is an immediate issue they will call today or tomorrow, if not pick up results in 5 days.
Next, morning stretch exercises.
Next, back to Bailey, complete work, shower to get ready for the day. We have a potluck at 5p on the next street, Banana St. We are on Cherry St but are assured Cherry Pickers are welcome.
Next, realize we are almost out of small bottled water. Allan, always thinking says HEB delivers lets order for delivery all the stuff that is heavy to carry ie small water cases, big waters, beer and wine. This is our first online shopping order, place it for delivery tomorrow morning.
Next, Dollar Tree, where everything is still $1 for a tray to take Allan’s famous wings to the potluck.
Next, walk to HEB to pick up the wings and get our 10k minimum daily steps.
Next, back home hang out here and attempt to catch up on this blog!
AND decide we will go to the St. Pete’s race. Allan finds us a resort (with a hot tub), books it and orders, what we hope are great tickets to the race.
Next, 4p Allan preps and Traegers the wings.
Next, we arrive at the host home at 505, everyone is there. 33 people arrived before us for a 5p event! Drop your food on the table and set up your chairs. It was fun, good food, met new people. Shortest event ever, 630p we were back in Bailey and we were one of the last to leave.
Next, Card Bingo, first time for us. Nope, didn’t win.
but first the runners Allan ordered, based on our DIL, Megan’s recommendation arrived.
Can’t wear them outside so will wear them to exercise class in the morning. Yes, we are participating in those classes!
Donkey Race time!
Red, the gentleman, on my left takes us under his wing and teaches us the rules. We look rather bored but we really aren’t!
Rules = .25 per bet, must bet 2 – .25 (50) per race on donkeys 1 thru 6.
The jockeys for this race Allan is returning after collecting our winnings – notice his clenched fists?Between the two of us, we won 5 out of the 6 races.
Buy replacement water filters so we can stop buying jug water for coffee. The closest RV supply store is an 1h36m walk. We accept and off we go.
We are searching for a bar to break up the walk but no luck. We arrive at RV Service Center in Alamo TX and buy the filter. We learned in some parks you need a sewer donut so we get one of these as well. Our friend, google will teach us what to do with it.
We head back and try a different route hoping for a bar. No luck! We do encounter 2 rather mean dogs at separate residences, grrrrr
We wake up to wicked wind. Maybe the windiest we’ve ever experienced. We are anxious to go to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. We have inquired and are assured this is a safe crossing unlike the Reynosa which everyone says is very dangerous with the Cartel ruling. In spite of the high winds we head out. We’re such adventurous troopers!
Our @lyft driver is informative during the 32 minute drive and introduces us to a free watch TV app Pluto. He watches TV between rides with it. We ask about a ride back from the border, he assures there are many cars, both Lyft and @Uber in the area available.
We are dropped off at the bridge.Proceed across it unaware there is pedestrian toll and an attendant anxious to take your money.We cross the bridge
We’re in!We didn’t have breakfast so first stop is lunch. We walk along the main street and settle upon Red Snapper Restaurant.It’s happy hour! 2 for 1 Margaritas ya me! Allan has the boring Dos Equis Amber and no happy hour. I had the best cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped shrimp ever. Allan had the stuffed pepper came with the traditional beans and rice. I made the better choice! I even convinced non fish eater Allan to try a wee bite, his comment “It’s not horrible” high praise from him when referring to fish.
The facilities are as bad as the food is good. The ladies has a door so warped it doesn’t close completely and never mind lock. Allan wondered what the extremely low door knob was aboutWe stroll the streets and view the many vendors offerings.
And of course, the required flamingos!Who’s that handsome cowboy??
The only thing we bought was a little bottle of vanilla for .95. We did compile a list of things to get on our next visit including getting a mani/pedi. It’s approaching 3p, still very windy, we decide to head back to avoid the lineups to get back to the States. We cross over with almost no line up.
Back in Texas Allan opens his Lyft app, zero cars available – Uber, zero cars available. The wind is blowing us silly. The video doesn’t do justice. IMG_1420
What to do now? We are avid walkers, Progreso TX is about an hour walk which would be OK but it’s along a flat sandy highway. You can’t see far it’s so sand blown, sand gets into our eyes.
We continue our road side deliberation, a Toyota Sequoia driven by a sole woman makes a U-turn and comes back to us. “Need a ride?” she asks, Allan “You a Lyft or Uber? “No, but it’s good I’ll take you where you are going”. We’re not sure, do we or don’t we get in. Why would a lone woman pick up a road side couple? Allan decides.. “OK thank you”. We engage her in conversation, turns out she just dropped her son at the border for orthodontic braces tightening work. Her husband owns Apple Dental They make it easy to get there. Even if you are timid in crossing the border they have you covered! “We Are Located Behind the Mexican Exit to the United States. If safety is your concern, we are located next to Mexican Customs. While entering Nuevo Progreso at Mexican Customs, just turn to your left. We are located in the plaza behind customs next to HSBC Bank.”
Miriam was our guardian angel! She delivered us back to the resort and didn’t want to accept payment. We insisted, she finally accepted when I said to buy her kids something. Such a sweetheart!!
Me showing off the sun I got today despite of the awful wind, maybe because ofWith this corny joke I bid you good night!
We took yesterday to familiarize ourselves with our new 30 day home. Head to the gym this morning. We’re impressed with how much there is to do here, woodworking, stained glass, euchre, shuffleboard, pickle ball, golf, clown classes even and so much more! This is just the exercise schedule. I’m miffed I forgot my gym clothes but will make due with what I did bring.
We explore outside our gates. Most parking lots have this type of security camerasI’m pretty happy, not only is there a grocery store, H.E.B with an interesting history within walking distance but there is also a yes wait for it!! Dollar Tree!! where everything is still My FaceBook feed includes Tropic Star is on an old orchard so there is an abundance of orange and tangerine trees and although I do not have a mason jar on board I am happy to go to the aforementioned Dollar Tree to purchase one. Stay tuned for the “how does it work report”
Dinner then off to the hot tub. Have to get a photo of it. Hoping to get to Mexico tomorrow.