I give UP !

When we wished for a white Christmas, we didn't mean 2 feet of snow. 'Tis pretty, though - because I don't have to drive to work. We hope to be dug out by the 8th.

We wish every one a Happy New Year.

Linden's 5th Report (from Corpus Christie)

November 24, 2012  -  One of the campers landed a 40 inch shark while surf fishing here in the park along with several other kinds of fish.  Fishing has been very good here in at the park.

November 25  -  A 48 inch red drum was taken today.  I fished for about an hour and a half and caught the smallest whiting that I ever caught.  After catching 2 more I quit.  The three fish I caught in total wouldn’t have made a decent fish sandwich. A camper came in with a helicopter in his trailer.  He expected to fly it right out of our parking lot.  Of cause that isn’t going to happen.

We have 3 more couples from New York in the park.  One from Baldwinsville, one from Rochester and one from Lakeville.  Tom Roule and I met the one from Lakeville when we held the first rally at the Lakeville Firemens field.  He is the electrician who helped us get electric working. 

December 10^th  -  A couple from Montana arrived in a 42 foot long 5^th wheel.  They also had a van that they use for sightseeing.   Nine kids are traveling with them. Three more stayed home in Montana.  All the kids are very well behaved.

December 16^th  -  Two German girls came into the park today with a “made in Germany”  motor home.  (Picture attached)  They landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, traveled across Canada to Vancouver and then south on US 1 through California and then to Corpus Christi and Padre Island National Seashore.  They are on their way to Key West.  They’re on a one year vacation.

Had two big doings today.  A big grass fire in the park during the day.  In the evening a

drunk ran into the barrier around the Homeland security cameras at the entrance to the park.  He took out three 12x12 posts that hold up the 4x12 planks that are backed by ½ inch thick steel that is 12 inches wide.  Held together with inch thick bolts.  He smashed the planks, bent the steel plate and bent all the bolts.  Being drunk he didn’t get hurt too bad although he put his head through the windshield and ended up in the hospital.

December 20^th  -  We are experiencing very high winds.  Gale force winds woke us up during the night and we pulled in the slides.  We rocked and rolled for around 7 hours.  Temperature dropped from 80* in the day time to 60* at night.  Wind gusts were as much as 45 MPH.

There are two pictures shown.  Both motorhomes were made in Germany and shipped to North America.

Walt and Beryl Linden

wlinden@juno.com

Christmas wishes from the Fadales

As you know, Tom and Joanne's house burned while they were in Arizona last winter. They send their best wishes. TR

Merry Christmas to All of Our Motorhome Friends,

This year we find ourselves in our hometown for the holidays.  We cannot thank everyone enough  for all their thoughts, prayers, cards, calls and emails.  They have surely kept us focused on the task of the house build as well as realize that we really miss being on the road with anyone of you.  We want to wish you and your families the most blessed of Christmas wishes and hopes for the New Year. 

Attached are pictures of the house at this point, they even gift wrapped it for the holidays.  Not really! but they had to cover everything yesterday so the inside isn't filled with snow until the windows are installed.  Things moved slowly up to the point of the house demolition but have really moved now. Everyday we are somewhere picking out something. We will keep you updated. 

Please take care, travel safely and keep in touch.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thomas and Joanne

 

We're Dreamin' of a white Christmas

Tonight, we barbeque, like real
 campers

To folks who head south, it's ok to be jealous. 
You with green grass, synthesized holiday ornaments wishing for the real thing - well, we have it.

  

Wishing everyone a 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Tom & Sharon

Southeast Area FMCA Rally Info

The Southeast Area Rally is from February 6th to February 10th with early arrival Feb. 3rd. 

Day Passes are $7 per person for one day, $10 for 3 days for vendor tents and displays.

Rally passes are below. 

Before 1/13 - After     

	GENERAL PARKING 2 PEOPLE	$140	$155
	HANDICAP PARKING 2 PEOPLE	$140	$155
	30 AMP GENERATOR 2 PEOPLE	$305	$320
	HANDICAP 30 AMP GEN 2 PEOPLE	$305	$320
	NO GENERATOR DRY CAMPING	$140	$155
	FULL GENERATOR 2 PEOPLE	$140	$155
	PASSPORT - ALL ACTIVITIES NO COACH PARKING ON GROUNDS	$109	$124
	GUEST OR CHILDREN OVER 12	$60	$75
	CHILDREN UNDER 12	FREE	FREE

Tampa RV Show

Folks in Florida might be interested in the Tampa RV Show. 2012 attendance was over 54000.
Dates are January 16-20, 2013. 
Location:
Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 US Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33610

Cost ain't cheap, $10 per person plus $6 parking. There is a $1 coupon on the web site. Site is:

http://www.frvta.org/rv-shows/2013-florida-rv-supershow/ 

Linden's 4th report

November 4, 2012  -  I mentioned the light show in my last report.  Today campers came in to our park who were in the storm area.   They reported hail and highwinds.  The Navy station reported sustained winds of 50 MPH with gusts up to 70 MPH.  We didn’t feel any effects from the storm as we watched the light show from our park.  When we went shopping we saw utility pole broken in half all along the causeway to the beach

November 7^th  -  A Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is believed to have been caught in the Gulf Stream currant and ended up in the Netherlands weak and exhausted.  The Dutch fixed up the turtle and shipped it back to Texas by plane.  After months of treatment and rehabilitation at an aquarium here at Padre Island is was set free today with a transmitter taped to it’s back.  Kemp’s Ridley turtles are an endanger species.  TV cameras and a large group of people were on hand to bid the turtle fair well.  He hit the water and was gone like a shot.

November 11^th  -  The wind has been howling here for two days.  Today we went down to the beach and watched the sea gulls take off and land in the strong wind.  They always land facing into the wind.  The glide in, hover a little and the drop to the ground.  When taking off they face the wind, stretch out their wings, lift off and turn so the wind can take them up off the ground.  Sometimes, because of the strong wind, they over shoot their landing spot.

When on the ground they walk sideways always facing into the wind.  Nature is really

something to watch.

With these high winds the campground has really emptied out.  The tenters were the first ones up and out of here.  In their place had a big Montana 5^th wheel come here from the beach.  The high tide in conjunction with the high winds pushing the water make for a very high tide.  Most of the beach is under water.

November 12^th  -  Went to the Texas Roadhouse with two other veterans and their wives for our free Veterans Day lunch.  They have a special Veterans lunch menu on Veterans Day.  Two of us had steak that was very good as was all the other food.

November 15^th  -  All the workers and volunteers made a dish to pass.  The park furnished a turkey and a ham which the lady park employees cooked.  It made a great thanksgiving dinner.  After dinner Joe, the park superintendent, spoke and gave an award to one of the park employees.  The last few days the weather has been nasty and the tides have been higher than usual.  Water covers the entire beach right up to the dunes.  The beach will be closed until the weather front changes and tides return to normal.

November 17^th  -  The high winds and high tides have returned to normal.  A lot of fisherman took advantage of the good conditions.   Catching 15 to 20 fish each. Pompano, drum and whiting ranging from 12 to 28 inches.

November 18^th  -  I elected to fish today in the morning.  All I caught was one decent size sheepshead, a bunch of small whiting and a smaller catfish.  Other fisherman decided to fish in the afternoon and did great.  Story of my life.

November 19^th  -  Beryl and I went shopping today.  On the way home we stopped for gasoline.  Price per gallon broke the $3.00 mark at $2.97.  I hope this is a trend.  The sunrises have been outstanding.

November 21^st  -  The weather and the fishing have been great the last few days.  The campground is near full for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We have a new system for people checking in.  It will take some time for campers to get the hang of it.  The biggest problem is that people can’t figure out what date to put down for when they plan to leave.  It’s as simple as adding two numbers together.  Example:  If you arrive on the 1^st and plan to stay 2 days you will be leaving on the 3^rd not the 2^nd.  They put down the 2^nd because they plan to leave on the 3^rd.  Beats me.

November 22th, Thanksgiving  -  Four volunteer couples went to the Golden Coral for Thanksgiving dinner.  We went early and only stood in line about 20 minutes.  When we left after dinner the line was out the door and around the building.  This is a new type of restaurant known as a “Golden Coral Pavilion” which replaced the old Golden Coral.  It’s bigger and has a larger selection of food.   The food was very good.

Walt and Beryl Linden

Ed and Gale Austin sent us a note about their travels.

Dear friends and family, It is that time of year when Ed and I take off for the west for the months of Dec/Jan where we will stay in Boulder City NV   Use our regular address and our cells are: E-607-279-6018 & G-607-592-9444.  We are trying to miss storms and will leave home Sun. 11/11/12 (traveling thru Ohio/Ill/OK) and expect to arrive in NV by next Sun.  If all goes well we will then travel to Fla for Feb/Mar and home early April.  We always look forward to seeing friends and family in these different sites, even if it is only once a year.  Take care of yourselves, stay well and travel safe.  Love you all, Ed and Gale

Gas Price Information

Just looking at recent gas prices. Those of us living in New York are paying an average of $3.80 per gallon.

• The national average for gas is $3.40 per gallon.
• The national average tax rate is about 23 cents. (Diesel is 24 cents)
• New York is about 33 cents.

Just wondering, where is the other 30 cents per gallon we pay in New York going?