Corpus Christi - Texas

It had been many years since our last visit to Corpus Christi so we took the opportunity to spend a couple of days there having a good look around.  Corpus Christi is a 21/2 hours drive south from San Antonio and is positioned on the Gulf of Mexico.  As you can see it has a nice beach and is a very clean and friendly town.  It was good to see the sea after spending the last 6 months in a very hot San Antonio and to be able to enjoy the cool sea breezes.

Corpus Christi is also the home of the Texas State Aquarium which is a most interesting place to visit.

It has an amazing collection of animals and fish many of which we do not have in Australia such as the Bald Eagle the National bird of America.   They also have a very interesting array of Amazon creatures.  Most of which you would not wish to meet in the jungle.

Other outdoor exhibits include turtles crocodiles, stringrays and otters who thrill the crowds with their antics.   To see more of what this Aquarium has to offer have a look at http://www.texasstateaquarium.org/

The USS Lexington which is a now retired WW11 aircraft carrier is also located here and very worthwhile visiting.

It's decks are huge.

It has an impressive war history.

Over its many years of service many sailors payed with their lives so we could have the freedoms enjoyed today.  The poem below speaks of their sacrifices.

To know more of this champion of the sea, go to www.USSLEXINGTON.com/

Best wishes to all.
Bev and Ross

May 2012

Since our last entry we have had a quick trip to Canada and now have all of our goods and chattles back in San Antonio.  It was great to spend time with our dear Canadian friends and we plan to go back to Canada for Christmas this year.  When we returned to San Antonio our grass was 6 inches tall and after a good mow looked very good.  At the moment the grass grows as you look at it. 

Even our back yard is taking shape.

Our herbs are flourshing.

As we no longer needed our 4WD we decided to sell it for a smaller and more economical car.  When the time came to sell it we could not part with it.

We are now a 2 car family and with Dennis' truck parked in the driveway we now qualify as Texans as most of the neighbours have at least 3 cars sitting in their diveways. This car is a much more comfortable ride.

We have a number of small creatures who come to visit each day and really enjoy munching on nuts.

We were delighted that our friends Trish and Murray were able to spend a few days with us.  They were on their way to Kansas to pick up their motor home and to continue their sightseeing of America.  They have been coming back to the USA for 6 years now and remain as enthuastic as ever about their adventures.  We took the opportunity to have an 'at home' and Dennis was able to join us. To read more about Trish and Murray's travels and time spent in San Antonio have a look at http://warwarekrvusa.blogspot.com/

We also had the opportunity to catch up with Randy and Wanda Reynolds.  Many will remember them as they were posted to Canberra for 3 years.  Wanda's dad Ed joined us as did Jannette Curry, a friend who is best know for shooting rattlessnakes who encroach on her property.

On the final night of Trish and Murray's visit we had dinner at Dennis' home and the best of 2 worlds can be seen in the photo below.  Penfolds from OZ and 'very,very hot sauce' from Tx.





We had a great time with our friends and hope to see more of you come for a visit.  We have been back in San Antonio for 6 months and the time is flying so if you want a fun holiday come for a visit as you are all welcome.

Best wishes,

Bev and Ross

First Communion

On 14 April Patrick Hess the youngest of Dennis Reilley's grandsons celebrated his first communion at Mount Sacred Heart School, San Antonio, Texas.  Before the service commenced he and his brother Brendon posed for a snap.

This was a great opportunity to get the Reilly, Hess and other family members together.

Folllowing the service we all returned to Dennis' home to share good times and food with family and friends.

Dennis has a great outside entertainment and bar area. Jilly holding up a bottle of real 'Moonshine'.

It was a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Best wishes,

Bev and Ross

Easter

Easter Greetings from Texas.

This Easter we were treated to a new experience.  Our next door neighbours Mary Alice and Albert invited us to their family gathering on Easter Saturday.  Their Mexican culture is very family oriented and we were warmly welcomed by their family and friends.  The children are the centre of attention and the "Big Event" of the day is the assault on the giant Pinada which swings high in the air and each child is encouraged to take a large bat and try to split it open.  Once this happens the children scurry for the candy which is inside the rabbit.

The parents spend a great deal of time and money putting the event together.  It  is done in two parts and this shows mums and dads getting stage 2 - the Easter Egg hunt, up and running.

The children have great fun with the confetti filled eggs and really get a kick out of smashing these brightly coloured eggs over their mates and the adults.

Then it is the time for the adults who are all armed with bags as they race to get the prized eggs.

Ross did not escape the confetti shower.

On Easter Sunday we spent time with our Texas family and Liz and Dave hosted a very nice brunch.

Brendan, Liz and Theresa enjoyed a quite moment to chat.

While the boys Dennis,Steve, Dave, Justin and Patrick watched the football.

We hope that you have a peaceful Easter.

Best wishes,

Bev and Ross

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

Sunday afternoons are best spent when you can enjoy time with nice people and last weekend we had our lovely neighbours over for a Sunday lunch.

From left to right you will see Mary Alice, Albert, Kaci, Keith and Ross. 

Keith and Kaci have a set of triplets who are 4 years of age and Mary Alice and Albert have 2 boys aged 5 and 8 years.  The children had a picnic on the lounge room floor and were a delightful group to entertain.  Below is Clair, Cameron amd Brice.

Kate is a ball of energy. Adrian and Cameron were more intent on TV and toys.  

We had a fun day and will be getting together again very soon.

Best wishes to all.

Bev and Ross

Bandera, Texas

The last time we visited Bandera Texas, was in 1993 when Bev was posted to Ft Sam Houston.  Bandera is a small country town about an hours drive from San Antonio and has a population of some 970 people. It is the self proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World.

It is a typical American small town which features all the stores we have seen in the Western movies of a bigone era, but now with a modern twist.

In 1993 the banner below read 'Welcome Winter Shooters".

Some of you may of heard us mention the Arky Blue's Silver Dollar Saloon.  Happy to say it is still the same as it was in 1993.

 Even has the same sawdust floors.

It was fun to return to Bandera where it seems life has changed little since 1993.

Best wishes,
Bev and Ross

Settling into San Antonio

February started of with another birthday for Ross and this year he celebrated the day with Richie, the eldest son of Theresa and Steve.  Theresa organised the cake and thoughtfully had the cake decorated in the colours of Australia.  A good night was had by all. 

Dennis our old mate shouted Ross out for the evening on his actual birthday and this is the two of them having a quite an after dinner drink.

As many would know Ross as a young man belonged to a world famous band called the Leedons who were a huge hit in the country town of Bathurst.  However, he had longed for a Richenbacker and so at the tender age of 62 yrs he is now the proud owner of one.

We still enjoy our time in the kitcken and fortunately our home has a good sized kitchen.  We are still keen to try new dishes and below is our now famous Dublin Bay Prawns.

We are now into spring and everywhere there are masses of lovely wild flowers.  In a field very close to us there are masses of Blue Bonnets which is the State flower of Texas. 

Now many have heard that everthing is bigger in Texas, well in the case of this 3lb cinnamon roll one has to agree.

More to follow.

Best wishes to all,

Bev and Ross