Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, totally worn out, shouting "Wow...What a Ride!"

Monday, February 17, 2014

Houston

We came to Houston for two reasons, to visit family and go to the RV Show and what a time we had there.


Many years ago Dave's Uncle Ray moved to Houston, after his divorce he met a lovely true blue Texan lady whom we have come to love very much.
A number of years ago we all attended a wedding in CT where we invited them to visit us in VT if there schedule allowed, well they took us up on our offer, we spent a great couple of days together site seeing. In 2011 we were going through Houston on one of our vacations, another great time was had by all of us visiting Old Town and eating some great BBQ. Now no trip to Houston would be complete with out a visit to spend time with them. Friday late afternoon we headed over to their home, lots of catching up was in order since it had been a few years between visits. We finally ended up heading out for dinner to a local Korean Restaurant where we had an enjoyable meal, picky eater that I am I even found something to enjoy then and a few days later the leftovers were just as good. Finally around 9pm we headed back to our park, 12 miles away but it takes 30 minutes to get there. Saturday late morning we headed back to Ray & Beth's home, they asked if we would mind going to the Container Store, they have been working on a design for storage in their garage and wanted our input. After a few hours there their design was complete and ordered, I spent time wandering the aisles getting lots of ideas for storage. Afterwards we headed back to Ray & Beth's home where we watched the movie Bad Grandpa, they had told us about it and wanted to share it with us. We all enjoyed the movie and laughed the whole way through, afterwards we headed out to dinner to Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant. We had the best Mexican food we've ever had, of course we were too busy eating to take any pictures, our waiter Issac was top notch, he let us sample the different sauces prior to ordering our entrees. Dave and I ordered Mole Pablano and Pork Carnitas, everything was done to perfection, so much so we just had to try their deserts which were just as good. We are already looking forward to our next visit next winter, this is the meal we will compare all subsequent Mexican meals to. Sunday Dave and Ray headed to the Container Store to pick up the order that was placed on Saturday,  Beth and I stayed home and visited. When they got back we headed to Goode's BBQ, while a good meal we've had better, we made a stop at Home Depot then headed back to their home where Dave and Ray got involved in a small project. Ray & Beth have a beautiful swing that a contractor told them it would be $500 to hang it from their porch ceiling, well Dave knew he could do it for a lot less. A few parts from Home Depot and an hours worth of time and the swing was hung. Since rain was expected for Sunday night we headed home in the late afternoon to get the outside stuff packed up for our move the next day.


Monday we headed out of Houston :) to Stephen F Austin State Park for two nights, since the weather has been cool, rainy and dreary we weren't able to enjoy the park but hope to someday get back here when the weather is nicer.

So how did the Houston RV Show go, very well indeed. We arrived there about 12:30, the first dealer we browsed through was Holiday World of Houston. They are a big dealer for Keystone and Grand Design.  We found the Grand Design Solitude 369rl very comfortable and offered us almost everything we wanted in our next rv. Tom Marino, a salesman for Holiday World, worked us up a price, he came back with a decent starting point but since this was the first dealer we had stopped at we wanted to keep looking. We continued looking knowing that the ones with  figure prices weren't in our budget but it was still nice to look at them. After 6 hours we had found nothing that came close to what we had seen in the Solitude for a comparable price. So we let Tom know we were on our way back, by 7:30 we had come to an agreement and made a deal we all were comfortable with.We made arrangements for a Wednesday afternoon pickup, where after a 2 hour PDI and the obligatory discussion with the Joe Grossen from the financial department, she was ours. Our only issue during the walk through was the awning, coming home from the show the driver either got to close to a tree and scraped it up good, one was ordered on Wednesday and we were hoping it would be in so we could get on the road Sunday, we wanted to drive through Houston Sunday morning hoping it would be the best time for that. By the time we were done Wednesday at the dealership they had both rigs set up for switching out, since the old one wasn't connected to power or water we moved over only what we would need for the evening and for breakfast. Thursday after a quick trip to Home Depot and Walmart we got started moving stuff, first on the agenda was getting shelf liner down, since in the old rig the liner was always moving around when we took things out decided this time to tack it down with some light weight adhesive.The rest of the day was devoted to moving the kitchen over and by 7:30 most of it had been transferred. Friday was spent finishing the kitchen, bedroom moving day and getting the bathroom cabinets emptied in the old rig, our new bathroom has in place of a closet 4 large deep shelves so was pondering what to do in there. For now I've put lots of baskets in them, we'll see how that works. The basement is much larger than the old rigs so he was able to move most of the stuff that we've been carrying in the truck into the new rig, he also spent some time keeping up with where our awning was. Friday the awning arrived at the dealers, the service manager said they would call us Saturday morning around 8:30 to let us know when we would be coming in to the bay.




So much more room to entertain in, more storage more everything :)




Forgot until Wednesday night how much I had missed my king bed.










We had a great experience with Holiday World RV of Houston and our salesman Tom was great, no high pressure to buy and always checking in with us while we were on the lot. Would recommend the to anyone looking in the area for an RV to at least go in and see them.





Friday evening since we were so tired we headed about a mile down the road to dinner at Good Ole Boys, they are located in an old garage and were recommended by the salesmen from the dealership. It is what is know as a real hole in the wall but has some of the most outstanding fish Dave has eaten, crawfish, baked oysters and grouper were what Dave had, hand cut onion rings and a fried shrimp basket for me with a piece of pecan pie to go. Not only was it some of  the best fish we've had at $57 (plus tip) you couldn't beat the price.















Saturday about 8:45 one of the techs came over to see if we were ready for them to take it away, by 9 they had taken it in and we went out shopping, one last massive shopping trip to HEB and a few other stops, we got back a little after 12, no rig in our spot so we headed over to the service area. The gentleman who drives the forklift to move all the rigs here saw us, he had one more to get out of the way and ours we would them be coming out. The new awning works and looks great, we've tried all the systems and everything seems to be good to go.

Saturday we also had our first guest come over, Dave's uncle and aunt came out to see our new home, it was so nice to have the space to entertain like we enjoy doing. After a short visit we headed to Good Ole Boys again for dinner. Boudin balls and fried mushroom started our meals, followed by two rib eye steak dinners,  a 2 & a 3 BBQ meat plates and 4 slices of pie all for $74 (plus tip) sure can't beat the prices or the food. We spent a little time talking with Ray & Beth back at the rig, next year we plan to visit them in Houston and take in a rodeo, we always have enjoyed our time with them can't wait until we see them next year. Early to bed Saturday for and early departure sunday, I'll leave the details of which for another blog.

Until next time...

12 comments:

  1. CONGRATLATIONS....it looks beautiful!!! I need a couch like that :O) Right now all I want is a new mattress...the stock one is already sagging. CONTAINER store...hit on in Indy and loved it. Got my glass pitcher we use to make smoothies there. If you need organizers...gheez that's the place to go! Family visit sounded perfect and you are eating at the Hilton.... Warm up in Alabama...spent the entire day at the beach. Finally some color....travel safe!

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    1. Thanks, love the couch and so far the bed is fine, got some good ideas at the Container store but never bought there, ended up at Walmart where it was a bit cheaper. Changed our AL reservations a bit, staying at Rainbow Plantation for 4 nights, hope to catch up with you then.

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  2. Am I having a senior moment? I didn't realize you were going to the show to buy a new RV. Boy it looks grand and it sounds like you really like it. Both the bed and the refrigerator look like Kings. What made you decide to trade? And is your new one longer/bigger than the old one? Congrats on getting it. You've been a couple of busy bees, that's clear.

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    1. Since our time at Gulf Waters when we wanted to entertain but space prohibited us we've been seriously discussing a new rig if the price was right, after all we got a bigger truck so we could if we found the right one. Bed is a king, fridge is quad door though not residential, large pantry. Longer by almost 5 feet and an additional slide perfect for entertaining and for us.Texas was rough on the wallet but the spending is done.

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  3. Wow, congrats!! You've had a busy winter so far!! What's next? ;)

    Your new coach is beautiful. Enjoy!!

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    1. Thanks, think that's all the changes for a long while.

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  4. Awesome! I know you both will love your new home! Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, we are enjoying it already and look forward to entertaining in VT, TX and wherever we may be.

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  5. Looks like a great new home. Congratulations! Isn't it an awful lot of work to more from one RV to another? Exhausting, but it sure feels good when you're done. We know.

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    1. Thanks, it fit the budget and gives us the room we wanted, yes it was a lot of work to move but sure didn't need any additional exercise those days.

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  6. Congratulations on your new home ... enjoy it for many years and many adventures.

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    1. Thanks Erin, gives up lots of room to entertain on those days when outside entertaining isn't viable.

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