Otis On The Run

Since being in our Texas R.V. park with lots of fenced in yard area, Otis (nicknamed Odie) has REALLY improved in his walking. He is on the run everywhere around the park! Check him out! He's even improved since these video clips were made!

Volunteering From Across The Country

Modern technology has made it possible for me to stay involved in my volunteer work for the Chippewa County Animal Shelter in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. I'm currently creating fliers for monthly specials, posting pictures of adoptable animals to the Petfinder.com website, and keeping the shelter's webpage current. My skill at producing fliers is steadily improving. Here are samples of November, December, and January:

In November 39 cats were adopted!


In December 43 cats were adopted!!!

This is my most favorite special of all. We're off to a good start with 4 black cats adopted on the special's first day! Here are some cute reasons for adopting a black cat that a couple of volunteers came up with:

• Holding a black cat is very slimming.
• black cats will match any decor.
• A lint brush isn't required for a black-tie affair.
• When you love a black cat, luck is on your side.
• Black cats are like onyx, a beautiful gem.
• Hey, they don't care what color you are!
• Love knows no color.
• They are the least likely to be adopted.

Reality Check

Before anyone gets too far gone into thinking that once you hit the road all the troubles of the world are left behind, let's have a reality check. After a week of achy, dark, rainy, freezing temperatures, while in our wonderful Winter get-away location in Texas, it’s a perfect time for such a topic. When we first arrived in our nice Texas RV park, I heard Prin give out a yelp upon lying down. My first thought was something might have bitten her. The next day Charles gives out a yelp upon lying down. Hmm? Now I’m thinking the only thing I’ve heard make me yelp like that are sand fleas when they bite. The next day I discovered the answer, when I yelped from something puncturing my skin through the leg of my jeans, and yelped again when the heal of my hand was punctured trying to brush it away! The culprit is a thorny ball called a goats head, and comes from a plant officially called a puncture vine.

The thorny seed is a vicious looking little thing, isn’t it?

The puncture vine itself is an innocent looking weed. I’ll definitely be watching for it! The pain inflicted by goat heads is right up there with my memory of sand fleas, but I’d have to rate them as second in their noxiousness, as they don’t come after you! Mostly life on the road is good, but there are still finances to juggle, bills, taxes, grumpy people, incompetent assistance, health issues, vehicle repairs, poor internet connections, and bad movies. Starting Monday the week's weather is going to be sunny and 65 degrees. Ahhhhh! All life’s negatives will seem a little gentler!

Blanco, Texas

This is Highway 281 which our RV park is on. This is 281 heading south to Blanco. Blanco is about 6 miles away.

Blanco has a town square with an old courthouse in the center. It is now a visitor center.

This is the west side of the square which 281 runs by. I saw a theatre sign on one of the doors where plays may be held. I'll have to see, if it is still active.

This is the south side of the square. The corner business is a restaurant/bar and down the street are antique shops and a clothing boutique.

This is the east side of the square. The pink building is city hall and the grey building down the street is the jail. I didn't get a picture of the north side of the square, but I spotted a cute cafe' with outdoor seating that Roy and I'll have to check out. It's a sweet little town that of course has spread from the old downtown square to some chain stores out on the town's edges.

Miller Creek RV Park, Texas

Miller Creek RV Park is located off Texas Highway 281 halfway between Johnson City and Blanco. It's 6 miles to each of these small towns. It’s about 35 miles west of Austin and 60 miles north of San Antonio. Our camper is behind the black truck on the right side of this circular drive. This area of the RV park is for long-term residents. It is more rustic than the polished part of the park where overnighters stay and rallies are held. We like it for its home on the ranch feel. A full hook-up lot is $325 per month with metered electricity. Previous metered electricity has run about $20 per month.

There are about 20 camper sites on our circle. I think we have the best spot. Our picture window looks out onto our own private yard. We were lucky to get it, as a couple was pulling out as we were settling in. There is one 5th wheel to our door side, but it is only occupied a week or two every few months by a man who occasionally works in the area.

This is the view looking into the park. Look what a nice big yard we have! Can you believe Otis is now walking the length of this yard and more without the belly strap and leash! It’s a perfect area for him to practice in, as the ground is soft and the fence protects him from the road. You wouldn’t think that roads would be an issue with his disability, but when he decides to, he can run about 30 feet quite quickly.

This rural road runs behind the camper. That’s the end of our camper in the picture. This road will be good for Roy’s bicycling and mine, when I get started. There is a lavender farm down the road that I have to check out.

This is the head of the park looking out the gate. There’s a nice central grassy area that Otis occasionally explores. In the center of the rock circle is a tiny "Otis-sized" Palm Tree he enjoys lying under.

This is the view out the window behind the couch. The round building is a huge shower and the square building next to it is the laundry.

Isn’t this a cute painting on the shower building?

This is the interior of the shower. The water comes through the holes in the hanging washtub, and the whole silo is one big shower room! I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like it would feel like showering in a rain storm! I'll let you know after I give it a try. We're liking our new home a lot!

One Year On The Road!

January 1st is not only the start of a new year, but our one year anniversary of being full-time RVers! Monday afternoon, December 27th, we left Vicksburg heading toward Texas. Life on the road is good, with home cooked meals, playing computer games, and naps. It took us 3 days to make a 10 hour trip! Travel nights we like to spend in truck stops or Wal-mart lots. The hum of the trucks in truck stops allow us to feel comfortable running our generator to power the ceramic heaters and our toasty electric blanket. This was an especially nice spot, as it provided a big yard for the dogs. Otis even got a couple of nice walks out through the field behind the camper. Wednesday night we pulled into Miller Creek RV park. We've posted its website under our links. It is located at the junction of highway 290 and 28l between Johnson City and Blanco, Texas. Our first impressions of the area are all good. We will be here until the Summer heat encourages us to move on. Pictures of the RV park and area to come.