December 25-February 14, 2023
We hope everyone has had a good start to 2023. We've enjoyed our time here on the TX Gulf Coast. Between family and friends, the time has gone by quickly and now it's time to head toward TN, but before we do I just want to catch up on our doings of the last couple of months.
We have received many inquiries on our lot, we even had an offer but it was way too little. It will go back into the rental pool when we leave, hopefully, in the near future we will get an acceptable offer. If we don't we'll probably be back next winter for a few months. As of this writing, we have not heard of any work starting on our TN property. We've had a difficult time with communication from our contractor, we think he took too much work on but he has assured us he'll have it ready (crete pad and utilities) before we get there on 3/1, we do have backup plans just in case he doesn't.
In January our friends Paul and Cindy came to visit Port Aransas, they stayed in another local park. We first met them when they were workamping here at our park, Gulf Waters, back in 214-2015. We've caught up with them a number of times in our travels, always a fun time. We enjoyed a few meals together, we taught them Dave's game and they taught us a new game, Pegs and Jokers.
Almost weekly we've caught up with our friends Vic and Phyllis, between fishing, a touristy outing, and card playing we've had some good times with them. We'll see them when we get back to IL since we are in the same campground all summer.
Our weekly visits with my brother and sister-in-law have been fun, I haven't spent this much time with my brother since we were kids. We're all going to miss our Tuesday evenings of cards. We'll see them again this summer when they stop in to visit our folks.
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| Christmas Eve with my brother and family |
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| Andy & Kati |
Gulf Waters has a different feel to it this year, it could be due to so many of our friends not being here this winter, some of them now own homes in the area. Between medical issues and parents needing care some of our friends did not make it down. Our friends Denny and Joyce did though, at least for a while, they were our neighbors the first winter we were here and we have remained good friends since. Mid-January Denny wasn't feeling good and ended up in the hospital, we were called upon to do doggy daycare for their sweet lab Ellie. As it turns out Denny has cancer and they have returned to PA, with the help of friends that came and drove their trailer back to PA while they flew back. We wish Denny all the best and hope this is just a bump in the road.
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| During our only happy hour, Dave served oysters our friend Denny before he ended up in the hospital |
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| Sweet Ellie |
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| Paula & Steve-former Gulf Waters owners who now own a house here in Port Aransas |
Fishing hasn't been too good this winter, but Dave got out many days to try. He's turned into the go-to guy for those new to surf fishing in our resort. It seems his name comes up whenever anyone is talking about surf fishing and needing advice. Since this year could be his last for a while he has been piecing together his equipment instead of buying anything new.
We did get some spectacular sunrises and a beautiful moonrise.
I sure wish we could have made it down there while you were there. That area is definitely on our bucket list. We are going to Florida next year so maybe we can make Tennessee on our travel route and stop by and see you guys!
ReplyDeleteWe sure wish you could have made it so you could surf fish with Dave. You'll just have to come to TN for some river fishing.
DeleteSo many changes in life and friends, that is why we have to do what we want to do and not postpone it. You are one of our many friends who have new beginnings and moving on. We know of friends selling homes, buying homes, constructing homes, moving out of the country, all sort of changes. Life can bring many surprises just like your friend Denny. But, I believe your 2023 will be a good year for both of you since you will be busy building and owning a new property. As long as you have low expectations with builders and contractors, your new digs in TN will bring new beginnings and happiness. - MonaLiza
ReplyDeleteAll kinds of changes, so many friends no longer on the road and doing life a different way. It's all good, we're trying to figure out what works for us.
DeleteYay I can comment again!!
ReplyDeleteHave a fun trip to TN!
Not sure what's going on. It's got to be on your end because if I change the settings to anything else I can't reply.
DeleteThanks for the update! Sorry to hear your lot is still on the market. Hang in there. You'll get a decent offer. People love to lowball in popular areas assuming the owners are desperate to sell. Good on you for not biting. In the meantime, the rental pool should help :)
ReplyDeleteHope your contractor keeps his promise. Fingers crossed for you. Safe travels and hope you have a great summer.
Things are almost done in TN, just the electrical inspection left. Now the river is rising and we may have to delay going there.
DeleteTennessee sounds like a good settling place. We are hoping to make it to the Guklf Coast next winter. Things just seem to get in the way.
ReplyDeleteTN reminds us of VT which we loved. Who knows if the property doesn't sell we might be in TX too.
DeleteLooks like tons of fun. I feel a trip to the beach coming on, I hope.
ReplyDeleteOops, hit enter before finishing....haha....TN is a great place to settle, esp on your own land. I am just right outside Nashville, less than 30 mins. Been here the better part of my life and although this is home and I have always loved TN...with all our growth in the last seven or so years, I am ready to move out. Prob, retired, own my home, been here all my life but....its almost come impossible to live here as a single retired woman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I imagine the growth around Nashville had been crazy, much like where we used to live in NY. We found the Clifton area to be very reminiscent of where our VT was located. We've spent the last 10 years RV'ing, looking for places to settle with our RV, our TN property will only be for RV's because it's in a flood plain.
ReplyDelete