October 30th - New Braunfels - Mathis Texas

October 30th   - New Braunfels  - Mathis Texas                                   Weather – Clear 7 C                       

Total Kilometers this trip – 7323.3                                                         Kilometers today - 250.0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIONA

Travel day today, we travelled from New Braunfels to Mathis Tx.

Things went smoothly until we stopped at a rest area, I decided to turn the bus off – dang if it would not start again.  I did not know we were this close to Mathis, otherwise I would not have stopped, but I did, we were 10 miles from home.  So I decided to run to Powell’s home to get some big blocks so I could keep the bus blocked up while I went underneath. 

I went and got the blocks and Vadie tried numerous times and I tried again before I put the blocks under, but to no avail.  I put the blocks under, got my tools out and was already to go under, I thought I had better try one last time – well if it did not start – how can I fix it if it ain’t broke GRRRRRR.

BUT – the engine purrs when it is running (knocking on wood – my head LOL)

Char had dinner ready for us, chicken and dumplings and stuffed mushroom caps, very delicious.

After dinner, Powell and I carved a pumpkin, my 6th year of carving and Powell's first carving.  It turned out very well

Special Person – Fiona – Happy Birthday lovely lady.  Sorry we could not call you as we did not have cell phone service – seems to be sporadic here, just like internet.

October 29th - New Braunfels Texas

October 29th   - New Braunfels Texas                                                  Weather – Clear 4 C                       

Total Kilometers this trip – 7073.3                                                         Kilometers today -  0

Here are some pics of our mugs and other items which we purchased yesterday at the Pottery Festival.

 

Today was a touristy type of day. 

First thing on the agenda was breakfast, a place we had not gone to in a long time – IHOP.  The breakfast was delicious and the service was very good.

After breakfast we went shopping for Microsoft Street and Trips 2013, and found it at Office Depot in San Marcos.  Our small GPS took us well out of our way, oh well, it was pretty to see San Marcos as well.

We then headed for San Antonio, where we went to a number of different stores.  It seems as the prices are significantly lower than what we are used to.

We then headed to Natural Bridge Cavern.  This cavern was discovered in the 60’s and has been a tourist attraction since the 70’s.  We went on the Discovery tour which led us underground to a depth of 205 feet.  It sure is fascinating.  

October 27 & 28th - New Braunfels Texas

October 27 & 28th  - New Braunfels Texas                                          Weather – 11/13 C                         

Total Kilometers this trip – 7073.3                                                        Kilometers today -  0

On Saturday morning I went with Vadie to Gruene TX, this is where the pottery fest was being held.  It is a quaint little community, a real tourist attraction.

At the Pottery Fest there were about 60 potters selling their wares.  Wow what a variety.

I stayed with Vadie for the morning and went to one of the sessions, she showed how to make fancy art one a bowl or pot. Vadie took me back to the coach, where I struggled to get a number of things repaired, which I only made things worse.

My headlights, windshield washer and living room lights did not work. I repaired the living room lights and the windshield washer but then things started going real bad.  Now the headlights, parking lights, turn signals and flashers do not work – dang how frustrating.  We were going to go shopping after the show but I was really tired so we decided to stay at the coach and watch a movie.

On the 28^th, I took Vadie to the festival, as she had an awful time finding a parking spot.  I picked her up at 4:30 pm and then we went shopping and out for dinner. Vadie had a wonderful time at the festival and learned lots, enough to take it home and use her knowledge.  We have a movie camera, and she taped a lot of the lessons, which will also help her in case she forgets something.

After taking Vadie to the Pottery Fest, I came back and worked on the bus.  I got the park and headlights working, both low and high beam, the turn signals and 4 way flashers now work as well.  Since things went fairly smooth today, I decided to repair the licence plate backup camera, but then I had to fix the licence plate holder too.  Well, lots got accomplished today.

We went shopping at Buc Ees, wow is this a store, has everything, lots of gas pumps, cheap fuel, gas as well as diesel.

We went and had supper at Grist Mill, an old cotton mill from the turn of the century, the meal was delicious and lots of it.

Tomorrow hopefully I will be able to get make on track with the blog, so many things happening.

October 26th Mathis - New Braunfels Texas

October 26th Mathis  - New Braunfels Texas                                       Weather – 18 C                

Total Kilometers this trip – 7073.3                                           Kilometers today – 237.6

We travelled today to New Braunfels TX, as Vadie has a Pottery Festival there on Saturday and Sunday.

On our travels up here, we had quite a thunderstorm and rain shower, but it did not last long.  However it sure did cool things down. The temperature in New Braunfels was 11C, quite a temp change from the morning, the wind was blowing too to help cool things off.

We got settled and then decided to look around the place.  We saw Camping World as we came in so we decided to go and see what it had to offer.  While we were going there, Char called and said that the wind is really blowing there so it would be a good time to go look at a 1995 Bluebird Wanderlodge, and so we met them at Camping World. 

We headed out to see the coach, it needs some repairs as it had water damage from the air conditioners, and the Aqua Hot does not work either, both could be big ticket items. 

 Jacuzzi tub

 side master bed

 water damage to ceiling, walls as well

Once we finished looking at the coach, we decided to go out for dinner, at TJ’s, a wonderful burger and fish restaurant, it sure was busy.