April 10 2020
We arrived in Fredricksberg Tx on 4/7. cute town! due to COVID-19 pretty much everything is closed up. Darn, we want to come back to this town and explore further. We did go on a drive the other day. Willow City Loop. Such pretty scenery! Today we are going to check out Lady Bird Johnson county park. Hopefully it will be open. All the texas state parks are closed. We are at Hill Country rv park right in Fredricksberg. Lot #18. $180 for a week. It is a mix of a few short termers and people that live here yr round. The drive from Brownsville to Fredericksberg was uneventful with minimal traffic. except san antonio. a little busy there but not to bad.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
April 2 2020
On a sadder note. Our best Canadian friend John died on March 8th. So sad for all who knew him. We were able to attend the funeral thru facetime and so glad we could do it that way. John was one of a kind and he is going to be missed beyond belief. We have facetimed with laurie on a number of occasions. she is holding up but this is really hard for her. She is hoping to join us for a couple of months next winter. I really hope that holds true.
some campground springtime beauty
yep, we are all bored here. someone is cutting a tree down and the golf carts lined up to watch the days excitement!
Toilet paper is a hot commodity!
Bode is getting so big! 3 months now.
the line at the HEB at 8am! that's just to get in!
of course it has been exceptionally hot and humid this month. we actually ran the air conditioning for days in a row!
Beth trying to steal some of my toilet paper. cant trust anyone!
the only plus these days. Gas and diesel are getting cheap. todays prices are $1.60 regular gas and $2.11 diesel.
3 weeks ago the shelves at Walmart.
campground baby ducks are getting big!
swan loves the fountains and daily showers
one of our last days out and about. listening to music at Lauguna Bobs. good band.
Wisconsin party. one of the last gatherings at the campground before things shut down.
well, we do get a pretty sunset.
Good bye John. you will be so missed. Walk them clouds with your buddy Marlon. I know he was happy to see you.
we loved our social hours!
On a sadder note. Our best Canadian friend John died on March 8th. So sad for all who knew him. We were able to attend the funeral thru facetime and so glad we could do it that way. John was one of a kind and he is going to be missed beyond belief. We have facetimed with laurie on a number of occasions. she is holding up but this is really hard for her. She is hoping to join us for a couple of months next winter. I really hope that holds true.
some campground springtime beauty
yep, we are all bored here. someone is cutting a tree down and the golf carts lined up to watch the days excitement!
Toilet paper is a hot commodity!
Bode is getting so big! 3 months now.
the line at the HEB at 8am! that's just to get in!
of course it has been exceptionally hot and humid this month. we actually ran the air conditioning for days in a row!
Beth trying to steal some of my toilet paper. cant trust anyone!
the only plus these days. Gas and diesel are getting cheap. todays prices are $1.60 regular gas and $2.11 diesel. 
3 weeks ago the shelves at Walmart. 
campground baby ducks are getting big!
swan loves the fountains and daily showers
one of our last days out and about. listening to music at Lauguna Bobs. good band. 
Wisconsin party. one of the last gatherings at the campground before things shut down.
well, we do get a pretty sunset.
Good bye John. you will be so missed. Walk them clouds with your buddy Marlon. I know he was happy to see you. 
we loved our social hours!
April 2 2020
Well, what a difference a month makes.....Corona Virus has overtaken the country. also known as COVID-19. Everything and I mean everything but essential businesses are shut down or a few restaurants are take out only. In a month the country has gone from a couple of cases and a couple of deaths to (todays numbers) 216,000 cases with over 5200 deaths. It has gone from a no big deal sort of virus to everyone is anxious and concerned. Face masks and disposable gloves are non existent on shelves. Along with toilet paper, papertowels, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, liquid soap. ALL Gone and has been for over 3 weeks. Grocery store shelves are nearly bare. No meat, poultry, deli meat, cereal, soup, pasta/rice, fresh produce very limited. no eggs. This is absolute craziness! I never thought I would see the day that lines were formed to get into grocery stores that were HOURS long. People hoarding, rushing to stores if word goes out that TP is available somewhere. .
Nursing homes and hospitals are in lockdown. Funerals are limited to 10 people, if there is a funeral at all. All activities at campground have stopped with the exception of people being allowed to walk or bike if a 6 foot distance is kept from anyone that does not live in your household. So we have gone no where except the grocery store on occasion to purchase what we could. For 3 weeks already..... We gather up with Beth and Todd in late afternoon for a game of bean bags and/or a cocktail but that is it. All the Canadians left 2 weeks ago as they were worried about borders being closed and not being able to get home.They must all do a 14 day self isolation when they get home too.This campground is pretty deserted.
We canceled our Big Bend trip as the campground closed and I doubt that the national park will be open by april 7. We still have our reservation in Fredricksberg tx next week when we are supposed to leave Brownsville but once we arrive there it will be a shelter in place sort of vacation. No businesses are open. Pine Harbor still says they will open may 1 but I seriously question that possibility. I have no idea where we will go if that doesn't open.
Well, what a difference a month makes.....Corona Virus has overtaken the country. also known as COVID-19. Everything and I mean everything but essential businesses are shut down or a few restaurants are take out only. In a month the country has gone from a couple of cases and a couple of deaths to (todays numbers) 216,000 cases with over 5200 deaths. It has gone from a no big deal sort of virus to everyone is anxious and concerned. Face masks and disposable gloves are non existent on shelves. Along with toilet paper, papertowels, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, liquid soap. ALL Gone and has been for over 3 weeks. Grocery store shelves are nearly bare. No meat, poultry, deli meat, cereal, soup, pasta/rice, fresh produce very limited. no eggs. This is absolute craziness! I never thought I would see the day that lines were formed to get into grocery stores that were HOURS long. People hoarding, rushing to stores if word goes out that TP is available somewhere. .
Nursing homes and hospitals are in lockdown. Funerals are limited to 10 people, if there is a funeral at all. All activities at campground have stopped with the exception of people being allowed to walk or bike if a 6 foot distance is kept from anyone that does not live in your household. So we have gone no where except the grocery store on occasion to purchase what we could. For 3 weeks already..... We gather up with Beth and Todd in late afternoon for a game of bean bags and/or a cocktail but that is it. All the Canadians left 2 weeks ago as they were worried about borders being closed and not being able to get home.They must all do a 14 day self isolation when they get home too.This campground is pretty deserted.
We canceled our Big Bend trip as the campground closed and I doubt that the national park will be open by april 7. We still have our reservation in Fredricksberg tx next week when we are supposed to leave Brownsville but once we arrive there it will be a shelter in place sort of vacation. No businesses are open. Pine Harbor still says they will open may 1 but I seriously question that possibility. I have no idea where we will go if that doesn't open.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
3/7/2020
one month till we leave here. plan on heading to Big Bend National Park for 3 days/4nights, then onto Fredrickbergs Tx. for a week. then slowly move our way back to Wi. things move slowly here at Winter Haven resort. We stay busy but just not quite busy enough. We go to muscle toning on M/W/F and occasionally make it to a bingo game a week. Have gone to the hot tub a few nights after dark with a beer. I try to bike ride almost daily an hour or so. finally found a bike trail outside of the park that is nice but only 7 miles total. We have gone to the island a few times and listened to music. heard a good band The Castaways at Laguna Bobs this week. excellent island music. today we went to Harlingen's first Saturday market days. met jan and phil there. bought the licorice I went for. yummy...then we all stopped for a couple of drinks and chatted. beth, todd and I went to a shrimp boil here at the campground one night. it was good, but probably wouldn't to it again. although we do have tickets for the Hawaii night meal. a mardi gras parade and gathering was fun also one day.
the castaways in SPI. excellent!
beth and I with our st paddy day dates!
sunsets are getting pretty
They had a Wisconsin party here at the park. Met a few other Wi campers. fun night
dolphin watch tour.
mardi gras parade and gathering. beth is such a ham!
fun day bar hopping on SPI. found chairs at Claytons overlooking the gulf. beautiful day to be out
Had a fire on the one Saturday night that it wasn't windy. had a good turn out of neighbors who enjoyed having a campfire.
one month till we leave here. plan on heading to Big Bend National Park for 3 days/4nights, then onto Fredrickbergs Tx. for a week. then slowly move our way back to Wi. things move slowly here at Winter Haven resort. We stay busy but just not quite busy enough. We go to muscle toning on M/W/F and occasionally make it to a bingo game a week. Have gone to the hot tub a few nights after dark with a beer. I try to bike ride almost daily an hour or so. finally found a bike trail outside of the park that is nice but only 7 miles total. We have gone to the island a few times and listened to music. heard a good band The Castaways at Laguna Bobs this week. excellent island music. today we went to Harlingen's first Saturday market days. met jan and phil there. bought the licorice I went for. yummy...then we all stopped for a couple of drinks and chatted. beth, todd and I went to a shrimp boil here at the campground one night. it was good, but probably wouldn't to it again. although we do have tickets for the Hawaii night meal. a mardi gras parade and gathering was fun also one day.
the castaways in SPI. excellent!
beth and I with our st paddy day dates!
sunsets are getting pretty
They had a Wisconsin party here at the park. Met a few other Wi campers. fun night
dolphin watch tour. 
mardi gras parade and gathering. beth is such a ham!
fun day bar hopping on SPI. found chairs at Claytons overlooking the gulf. beautiful day to be out
Had a fire on the one Saturday night that it wasn't windy. had a good turn out of neighbors who enjoyed having a campfire.Sunday, February 9, 2020
Feb 9th 2020
And we are back from brads. We got to meet and spoil our precious new grandson Bode Thomas Rykal. He is absolutely adorable! And such a good baby! They are so lucky and until they have a cranky baby they wont really know how good they have it. We fed and rocked and held and spoiled him for a week and enjoyed every minute of it and we miss him already.
Interesting flight home. We had a long layover in Dallas tx. 6 hours. After multiple gate changes and basically walking all over DFW airport all day we get to our gate and they announce that a smaller plane was sent and plane was now overbooked by 7 people. Looking for volunteers at $125 a ticket to bump. one gentleman took that. no one else did tho. Then next offer. $250. No one bites. Next offer $550. 4 people jump on it. tom and I discuss it knowing that next plane out is 8 hours later and we have already been there for 6....no one else takes the $550 so eventually we did thinking that $1100 in plane vouchers is a lot of money to have in our back pockets. Everyone around us thanked us for doing that as the plane wasn't going anywhere overbooked. So now we have many many hours to kill. Find a bar and have a few beers on the food vouchers they gave us. Took a nap in a relatively comfortable chair, walked a lot and ate yet again. After again many gate changes we finally get to the gate and no plane. "Oh, its late getting in from LA." so an hour later we finally start to board and take off. Upon landing in Brownsville the pilot announces that the landing may be bumpy and to secure everything. We start to land and suddenly the plane goes full power and goes up...wth...we fly around for at least another 20 -30 minutes before we see lights again and land...not a word was issued during the last 40 minutes from the cockpit. we will never know what happened. but I wondered if we had gotten hijacked! Anyway, made it back to Winterhaven at 2am. EXHAUSTED! 24 hours after getting up to leave brads house. eii yi yi
Friday we made pea soup and had beth/todd/phil and jan over for dinner. good to catch up with everyone. Damm wind hasn't stopped gusting since we got home so we cant even plan to have a fire
Brett and Bode.
Bode is just so darn cute and barely has any photos taken!
Plane vouchers. yeehaw!
love this video
mallory and bode
grandmas pretty dang happy. he loves to be held!
He will learn how to read early I think
Breanna came over one night to visit and meet Bode. She is his first cousin to meet.
family pic
Our Brett.
Sip and paint wine class. I loved the sip. Picture turned out lousy
Jan and I rockin the place. Longboards on SPI. the others were so embrassed!
Our new residents in the park.
And we are back from brads. We got to meet and spoil our precious new grandson Bode Thomas Rykal. He is absolutely adorable! And such a good baby! They are so lucky and until they have a cranky baby they wont really know how good they have it. We fed and rocked and held and spoiled him for a week and enjoyed every minute of it and we miss him already.
Interesting flight home. We had a long layover in Dallas tx. 6 hours. After multiple gate changes and basically walking all over DFW airport all day we get to our gate and they announce that a smaller plane was sent and plane was now overbooked by 7 people. Looking for volunteers at $125 a ticket to bump. one gentleman took that. no one else did tho. Then next offer. $250. No one bites. Next offer $550. 4 people jump on it. tom and I discuss it knowing that next plane out is 8 hours later and we have already been there for 6....no one else takes the $550 so eventually we did thinking that $1100 in plane vouchers is a lot of money to have in our back pockets. Everyone around us thanked us for doing that as the plane wasn't going anywhere overbooked. So now we have many many hours to kill. Find a bar and have a few beers on the food vouchers they gave us. Took a nap in a relatively comfortable chair, walked a lot and ate yet again. After again many gate changes we finally get to the gate and no plane. "Oh, its late getting in from LA." so an hour later we finally start to board and take off. Upon landing in Brownsville the pilot announces that the landing may be bumpy and to secure everything. We start to land and suddenly the plane goes full power and goes up...wth...we fly around for at least another 20 -30 minutes before we see lights again and land...not a word was issued during the last 40 minutes from the cockpit. we will never know what happened. but I wondered if we had gotten hijacked! Anyway, made it back to Winterhaven at 2am. EXHAUSTED! 24 hours after getting up to leave brads house. eii yi yi
Friday we made pea soup and had beth/todd/phil and jan over for dinner. good to catch up with everyone. Damm wind hasn't stopped gusting since we got home so we cant even plan to have a fire
Brett and Bode. 
Bode is just so darn cute and barely has any photos taken!
Plane vouchers. yeehaw!love this video
mallory and bode
grandmas pretty dang happy. he loves to be held!
He will learn how to read early I think
Breanna came over one night to visit and meet Bode. She is his first cousin to meet.
family pic
Our Brett.
Sip and paint wine class. I loved the sip. Picture turned out lousy
Jan and I rockin the place. Longboards on SPI. the others were so embrassed!
Our new residents in the park.Tuesday, January 28, 2020
jan 28 2020
It has been beautiful weather thus far this month. Quite a change from last year. It is still windy, but we have had days of no wind which has been awesome. Jan and Phil arrived a couple of weeks ago and are staying at a campground near us. So we have gotten together a few times. We had a girls only day to mexico and had a blast. We went to SPI the other day and attended a Market. Bought a few things and then onto Louies Backyard BBQ for ribs. Yummy as usual. Then onto Longboards to listen to music. Todd and Beth, along with some friends of theirs and Jan and Phil went also. another fun day. Today I helped with the Winter Haven Health fair and we had an great turnout and the vendors who came were so generous on their door prizes. I had a fall on my bike the last week and fortunately, it turned out I had no serious damage but I was limping around a few days. I guess I don't bounce as well as I used to. Kinda thought at one point that I may have dislocated my elbow...pretty painful.
we head to brads tomorrow to meet bode. cant wait. will be gone a week. many baby pics to follow!
Jan and I knew all the words so we had to sing along. poor beth and todd...so embarrassed to be seen with us!
local talent
Mama duck and her 9 babes at the park.
Bode is getting bigger
Went to Lucky Barrel for the NfC championship game. Noisy but fun even tho the packers lost big time.
Went out to the Space Ex center to see what that was all about. Not much happening the day we were there,.
Brett and Bode. I am pretty sure he likes being a big Bro.
It has been beautiful weather thus far this month. Quite a change from last year. It is still windy, but we have had days of no wind which has been awesome. Jan and Phil arrived a couple of weeks ago and are staying at a campground near us. So we have gotten together a few times. We had a girls only day to mexico and had a blast. We went to SPI the other day and attended a Market. Bought a few things and then onto Louies Backyard BBQ for ribs. Yummy as usual. Then onto Longboards to listen to music. Todd and Beth, along with some friends of theirs and Jan and Phil went also. another fun day. Today I helped with the Winter Haven Health fair and we had an great turnout and the vendors who came were so generous on their door prizes. I had a fall on my bike the last week and fortunately, it turned out I had no serious damage but I was limping around a few days. I guess I don't bounce as well as I used to. Kinda thought at one point that I may have dislocated my elbow...pretty painful.
we head to brads tomorrow to meet bode. cant wait. will be gone a week. many baby pics to follow!
Jan and I knew all the words so we had to sing along. poor beth and todd...so embarrassed to be seen with us!
local talent
Mama duck and her 9 babes at the park.
Bode is getting bigger
Went to Lucky Barrel for the NfC championship game. Noisy but fun even tho the packers lost big time.
Went out to the Space Ex center to see what that was all about. Not much happening the day we were there,.
Brett and Bode. I am pretty sure he likes being a big Bro.
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