878: Before and After

December 30, 2020-January 31, 2021 

We timed our leaving from Goliad State Park so that we would arrive in Port Aransas soon after check out time. Shortly after leaving our friend Jackie texted and said the renters had left our site  Down the road a bit some of our intermittent brake problems reoccurred, a sensor indicated our trailer brakes weren’t connected. Then we threw another turbo code that Dave was able to clear with our code reader. We did make it safely to Gulf Waters, we knew we had time now to delve into what the issues could possibly be. But first, it was time to catch up with friends and to say hi to our beach. 

One of the commenters from my last post asked if I’d share how we lost so much weight in the past 6 months. We have followed no “diet”, what we have done is intermittent fasting, we don’t eat after 8pm and wait till noon to start eating, we do count calories but have not cut any foods out, we just eat less. We have done lots of walking, we are now averaging 7 miles of power walking daily, except while we were selling Christmas trees. Prior to July 21, we had been averaging less than 30 miles a week, we are now up to 55+ miles a week. Basically, it boils down to moving more and eating less, doing it together has made it easier to achieve our goals. Dave has 10 more pounds and I have 5 more to goal, Dave has lost 56 pounds and I’ve lost 53. We both feel so much better and are looking forward to getting out on some trails next winter when we are in AZ where hiking opportunities abound. 

Before-6/30/20

After-1/2/21

On January 2nd we decided to visit the local Dodge dealer to see what they had on their lot as far as dually trucks went. They had 2, a 2018 Ram short bed and a 2021 Ram Limited long bed, we took the short bed for a ride but after a short discussion concluded we really needed a long bed. After all the 2 toolboxes, hitch, extra propane tanks, and generators wouldn’t fit in the back of a short bed. So off we went to see if we could even qualify for a loan, well long story short, I guess when your credit score is 878 they’ll give you just about whatever you want. We now have a dependable under warranty vehicle again, since next winter we’ll be traveling a lot this is quite reassuring. 

Before

After

Everything fits!! 

Scenes from the last month. 

For many years at Christmas, my Dad would get me a special gift, all of which are stored away in our storage unit in IL. These days he always sends flowers wherever I am, doing the Christmas tree lot means these flowers come after we're settled somewhere. As usual, they were beautiful, they and the thoughts behind them are very much appreciated, thanks so much, Dad. 

Dave has been enjoying the fishing and I've spent some time watching/reading while he's fishing. 

Steal A Fish looking for handouts

Whoopers from our friends Steve and Paula's deck.

We've enjoyed lots of beach walks.

A walk at The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.

Sunrises have been beautiful.

1/1/21 What a beautiful start to the year

Sunsets can be just as spectacular. 

It's been a great month, we've joined our local bubble of friends, we've gone out for a few late lunches when restaurants hardly have anyone in them, once again supporting our favorite dining establishments. 

We are here until March 15th when we’ll take a month to get back to IL, our expected arrival date there is 4/12. Our trip will north will take us to Houston to see family, with a stop beforehand at one of our favorite state parks, we’ll then head up the east side of TX where Dave will have access to lots of crawfish meals. 

Until next time…

Christmas In Goliad

 December 22-29, 2020

Our ride to Goliad State Park was an uneventful one, we arrived soon afternoon and were on our site shortly after arriving. We were last at Goliad in December of 2013, we have a site in Karankawa loop which is a full hook up area. The Jacales Camping area is basically a parking lot area with water and electric, in the Jacales loop they are currently only let every other site be opened. There are also 3 tent-only camping areas that have access to water.

Site 8

Cute camper that was here the whole time we were

While the park is close to US 183 the road noise never bothered us, it was a great place to spend a week before going to our winter spot in Port Aransas TX.

Goliad SP is just outside of the town of Goliad, while the town square was lit up for the holidays we never ventured into any of the shops this time. The one I had wanted to go into is no longer here. L There is a connecting trail from the campground into the town, we walked it and various other roads every day so as to get our daily steps in.

 Goliad courthouse square with her Christmas lights shining.

Wildlife we saw on our walks.

Goliad has a large flock of vultures, they roost nearby. When I see vultures in Texas it brings back memories of growing up in east Texas. My folks were youth fellowship leaders and often took a group of high shcool/college kids out hiking and camping. On one of those ventures they hit a vulture while in my folks only ever new car. From that day on the kids were known as the Vulger Vultures. This year we watched the vultures on our evening walks, Dave kept saying they were vultures vulturing. 

This area is steeped in the Texans fight for independence, on-site is the Mission Espiritu Santo. A walking path from the campground to the Presidio La Bahia, Fannin’s Memorial, the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza along with the Statue of the Angel of Goliad. We visited them all, for those interested in Texas and its history, you would certainly enjoy a few days here discovering the different historic sites.

From Wikipedia “The first declaration of independence for the Republic of Texas was signed in Goliad on December 20, 1835, although the formal declaration was made by the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Goliad County was the site of two battles in Texas Revolution. The Battle of Goliad was a minor skirmish early in the war. However, the subsequent battle of Coleto was an important battle that culminated on March 27, 1836. Col. James Fannin and his Texan soldiers were executed by The Mexican army, under orders from Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna, in what became known as the Goliad Massacre. This event led to the Texas Revolutionary battle cry "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Although many remember the Alamo today, fewer remember Goliad. The site of the massacre is located near Presidio la Bahia, just south of the town of Goliad.

In 1874, Juan Moya, a prominent Tejano landowner, and Mexican army captain who fought in the Texas Revolution, was lynched, along with his two sons, by a mob who suspected them of murdering a neighboring family in Goliad County.

Goliad County is also the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, who led the Mexican army against the invading forces of Napoleon III in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 ("Cinco de Mayo").”

Mission Espiritu Santo

                                                                    Presidio La Bahia

Angel of Goliad

Fannin’s Memorial

La Bahia Cemetery

I found a geocache at the cemetery. 

General Ignacio Zaragoza

We took a ride to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. We saw birds, gators, snakes and big trees. I imagine during migration season you'll see lots of different birds. 

Our Christmas was quiet, with calls to family and friends, walking and a small ham dinner-no overeating this year. 

Annual Christmas picture

2019-what a difference a year can make

We enjoyed an evening stroll around the mission looking at their Christmas display.

One last campfire, it won't be till March before we're able to enjoy another one. 

Tomorrow morning we head to Port Aransas and Gulf Waters Beachfront RV Resort where we’ll stay until mid-March.

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!! 

Until next time...