2017 Rockport Texas

January 13, 2017 

Rockport Texas for 6 weeks

We normally leave for winter vacation the day after Christmas. This year because of commitments for Sherry’s weaving business we were delayed until the 13th of January. The weather forecasters were predicting a winter storm so we were trying to stay ahead of the bad conditions. We traveled south to Indianapolis and then took I-70 west to Effingham Illinois. Then south but we ran into Ice on the roadway and the windshield wipers were building up with ice as we drove. This lasted for twenty five miles then the roads cleared and we continued driving to reach Little Rock Arkansas. We overnighted at a Walmart and continued south the next morning. We had filled the water storage tank at home as the weather was above freezing. However the water was leaking from under the RV as we used the pump. We try to add enough fresh water when we leave to allow for toilet use.

     We stopped at a restaurant in Marshall Texas and couldn’t open the entry door to the RV. Were lucky to have a Class C motorhome and could gain access through the front doors. We continued to use this access until we were able to repair when we reached Lagoons RV Park in Rockport Texas.

 After arriving in Texas I discovered if I turned the drain valves to the on position and then to the off position they quit leaking, the seal on the valve must have reset itself.

Sherry’s mom and Bennie were already here at their condo and they were happy to see us arrive.

  

          After troubleshooting and determining with the help of several neighbors that the lock would have to be replaced. Bill our neighbor helped me cut the old lock to pieces so we could remove the defective bolts that were jamming the door shut. This was a Tri Mark lock and it has alignment pins these pins came loose during our travels and extended into the door strike blocking any chance of getting the door open.

     We took the parts to our local RV parts place Camper Clinic and with the help of their service tech we ordered a replacement. They didn’t have one in stock but were able to have it shipped from San Antonio it arrived the next day. So we secured the door with a rope until the replacement could be installed. I purchased Loctite from Ace Hardware to keep the pins from causing future problems. After spending $163 dollars all was back in operating order.  

     Sherry discovered water on the floor next to the Kitchen slide. Upon investigating I found the drain plug on the outside of the water heater was leaking. With some Teflon tape I was able to stop the leak. We left an internal panel off and ran a fan to dry up the water on the floor, after we had soaked up all we could with towels.  

     So for fun after the above we went to the Jam session at the Rialto Theater in Aransas Pass.

 Bennie at Goliad Mission

 Mom, Bennie and Jay at Goliad Mission

Bennie, Carol, and Mom Nancy boat tour

 Randy and Carol hunting shells in front

of Laguna Reef condo.

      Randy on the Industrial boat tour

Bike riding, Pizza at Panjos with friends from the park and lunch with Mom and Bennie at their condo. We typically play card games or Tri dominos in the evening with the folks. If the weather is nice we set out with neighbors in the RV park for Happy Hour and visit. We attended several lectures at the Texas Maritime museum on diverse subjects. We had family members that came to visit for a week in February and we showed them the local sights. This included the Big Tree, Aransas Wildlife refuge, the beach at Port Aransas, the beach at Rockport, USS Lexington, Padre Island national seashore, and lots for restaurants. We also took the Industrial boat tour from Port Aransas to Ingleside and learned about lots of oil rigs and equipment. This was a great informative trip.

 Big Foot oil rig

 Ship for laying pipe

 Gulls were close to boat tour

 Just enjoying the ride

Note the large cranes to pick up rigs.

      The downside to this Texas winter stay was Bennie not feeling well.

       

      In years past we had talked about seeing the Missions in Goliad Texas. Sherry, Mom, Bennie and I took a day trip and went to Goliad. We toured both Missions and the fort. This is where Mexican Santa Anna of Alamo fame executed Texas General Fannin and his 300 volunteers. “Remember Goliad” became the rallying cry for Texas forces.

      Downtown Goliad is a quaint town square with a courthouse and businesses surrounding. We had lunch at the Hanging Tree restaurant. Right across the street on the courthouse lawn is the Live Oak tree that was used as a hanging tree for law breakers sentenced from the court.