Thanksgiving with the Family

Maynard and his supervisors.

My brother, Maynard, hosted Thanksgiving at his house this year.  The first time my siblings had been together for quite a while.  You would think we would have taken a group pic, but we didn't even think of doing that.

The Texans were playing:)

Caden's first Thanksgiving.

I was in charge of making the dressing and the pies.  The pies were made the day before but I was the first one up Thursday to get the dressing ready for the turkey.  The crew showed up early so they could watch the Texans play (and win in a cliffhanger)

If any of my family has more pics, forward them to me!!!

Next stop-Tyler State Park

The drive to Tyler was uneventful but I did stop for gas for the first time - baby steps!  I've decided I much prefer to drive on larger highways or the interstate.  It is hard to pull over to let people pass on two lane roads.

Steaks on the grill.

Its been many years since I have been to Tyler State Park.  It is the first place my kids ever went camping - Doug was about two.  Its very pretty with lots of trees and a lake.  We got all set up and Ann met us there early in the evening - she is another member of the WOWs!!  Ardell and I have decided she and Suzanne will be the group's chefs.  We ate very well all weekend:)

Gourmet eggs.

Saturday we drove into Tyler and did the grand tour.  Ardell and her family lived there for about 10 years.  She was amazed with all the changes.  I, of course, bought more gear for my Casita living.  This time it was an EZ Up shelter.  Yeah, right.  Not so EZ Up but it was EZ Down so I guess that counts for something.  Its going to take some practice for me to be able to put it up by myself.  Also, got some real marshmallow forks so our  s'mores would be easier to make.

Cheers - Mimosas!  Ann and Ardell are under my new EZ-Up.

Sunday after a gourmet breakfast (including Mimosas) we hiked around the lake and just lazed around. Ann fixed another gourmet meal that night and we enjoyed another campfire.

Monday morning we got packed and headed out.  Much easier this time - I had never unhooked:)  I drove back to Houston and went to my brother, Maynard's, house.  I did let him back the Casita up his driveway!

Another fun adventure!!

Lake Somerville - COE Park

View from my back window in the mornings.

My second camping spot was at Lake Somerville Corp of Engineers Park.  One of the good things about being older - you get a 50% discount.  I like it!  It was about a 4 hour drive to Lake Somerville so it was good towing practice.  This was my first back in experience - Ardell directed me and I did pretty well for my first time.  Two of the men camping nearby complimented me - we won't mention the third guy who stared at me the whole time.

Caden and Leigh Anne

Me, Caden and Doug

This was a really fun week!  Ardell headed to Austin to babysit for a few days but I had lots of company. Barbara (my sister), Doug, Leigh Anne, and Caden all came out to spend the day.  Doug and Leigh Anne stopped in Brenham and got bbq for all of us.

WOW!!!  Women on Wheels (or wine)
Suzanne, Jeannine, Peggy, Ardell

Ardell's Tent - double decker blow up mattress, dresser, night light!

Lots of deer in the park.

Suzanne came out to camp for the week.  Her sister, Jeannine, and I are good friends.  This was her first time to came in her new trailer.  Jeannine came and spent the week with her.  One of my high school buddies, Diana, came for the day.  Ardell came back mid-week and camped in her tent.  Lots of fun and laughter during the week.  We call ourselves the WOW's - women on wheels - or maybe that should be women on wine.  We're not telling.

Those Dwyer Sisters!!!

Friday morning we packed up and headed to Tyler State Park.

Home, Sweet, Home!!!

Jeanne (salesperson) and Victor (trainer) teaching
me all there is to know!!

 

My sister, Ardell, and I drove to Rice, TX to pick up my Casita on November 6th.  A friend had given me a towing/backing lesson the weekend before (thanks John!!) so I had at least towed once before I picked up my Casita.  Jeanne had all my paperwork done and Victor had it ready for delivery.  Ardell was the super note taker so, hopefully, we wouldn't forget anything!

I'm supposed to do what???

I'm not sure she's got this!

Victor took us all through the Casita and showed us how it all worked, hooked it up to my car and made sure all my lights, etc. were working, and then sent me on my way.  We headed to Navarro Lake with a stop for propane along the way.  I made it!  My first site was a drive through so I didn't have to think about backing up my first time out.

Al, Elaine & Clancy

Right across from us was another Casita -  Al, Elaine and their dog, Clancy.  They were so helpful and taught us a lot.  Al even checked my hitching and showed me how to do it properly.  Navarro Lake was really a pretty spot.  We stayed there 3 nights with trips into Corsicana for camping supplies.  Ardell slept in my "guest room" the first night and then moved into her tent.  I'm sure that means something:)

Hitching up - look at that backing job!

Ready to head out - Lake Somerville here we come!

One last chore!  Dumping was probably the easiest thing I learned.