mvalwayshome

You know you are in Texas when you see the 80mph signs. They flashed by so fast I couldn’t take a picture of them. We were the slow pokes compared to those cars trying to make good on the speed limits. I was able to check out this sign:

Rest Area sign.

On a side note about rest areas: Why are all the signs over 10′ off the ground? I would assume in the future someone will think that Giants roamed the land. “See the signs indicate very tall people lived here.”

We did stop at a rest stop and noticed the bees checking out some flowering pine? I don’t know what tree it actually is, but you could tell that the area recently received rain and the plants all over taking advantage. Pretty…

Pretty Pine – knotty and worn

Bees buzzing around the pretty little flowers

Then we stopped for lunch. As we walked around the truck, we saw a terrible sight. One of the back passenger side tires was blown and torn. The outside tire was also bad. We called the folks up. Luckily, a tire service was just 2 miles away. We cautiously limped to their location.

Truck tires in the middle of nowhere in Texas

The most wonderful experience then happened. The tire technician changed out the tires in less than 30 minutes. We were back on the road soon after. We couldn’t believe our luck. Their service was impeccable. If you are going to have tire trouble in the middle of Texas, make sure you are close to these guys!!

We didn’t know what to make of our next stop. Small towns next to super highways are sometimes dubious. We stayed at a hotel chain that had up to this time was pretty reliable concerning quality. We decided not to eat at their free breakfast bar after discovering

Coffe maker – filter holder exposed

We don’t know many people who use their garbage disposal flapper as a coffee filter holder. Very creative because it fit perfectly. Creativity did not win over my stomach automatically saying…not this time little lady.

So long Texas.  Maybe we will be back along the southern border closer to the water… in our boat.  We bought a boat?!?!

On the Road…

We finally packed everything up. Our wonder Daughter and her Husband ( who is wonderful also! ) helped us load everything on the truck. Thanks for all your help!

Leaving Arizona on a hot and muggy August afternoon.

Have you ever driven across this great land of ours? It is tedious and exciting and boring all at the same time. It becomes almost a game of “look there they are again” as you see the same cars and trucks traveling in the same direction. Sometimes you pass them. Sometimes they pass you. Occasionally seeing the same folks at the same rest stop. Almost ready to make friends, but alas, not so. We are all hypnotized by the constant road hum and concrete cracks making that railroad thumping noise.

We bought a boat!! We still can’t really believe it.

Sold the cars within 12 hours after listing them on Craig’s list. Started giving furniture and appliances to our dear Daughter and her friends. The rest went to Goodwill and Salvation Army. Everything not donate’able was thrown away. We had lots of very old “memorabilia” that we have been carrying around for years and years moving it thousands of miles ended up in our local landfill.

It is unbelievably hard to let some of this “memorabilia” go. Lots of memories, emotions tied to everything. But, our decision was if we haven’t touched the said item in over 1 year and it won’t fit on the boat, let it go. Sniff sniff. Silent sobs as ‘precious stuff’ ended up leaving our home.

We put the house up for sale. Found someone to take all my houseplants and small indoor trees. Glad I was able to find a place for these plants to go to a new home where they will be loved and tended. Another silent sob as I saw the plants that I have had in our home for over 10 years. A couple have been our guests for almost 20 years. They were quite beautiful. We thought seriously of bringing the tree on board if only we could figure a way to get it on a boat. This is an opportunity to start with a small plant and love it the same way. Don’t tell Wayne.

New rule: “Now that there are no plants in the house to clean the air, no farting!” oops, too late!

The survey – boat inspection – went well.  An offer was made and accepted.  We own a boat!?!?

Now… what?

We have a house and a boat.
We need to put the house up for sale. We need to get rid of gobs of stuff!

We own a boat??

We did decide on the DeFever 47 foot, POC – Performance Offshore Cruiser.  One of many different styles and sizes Arthur DeFever designed.   We chose the DeFever 47 POC as the best fit for us.  Survey completed.  8 people aboard during the survey. The Broker and his lovely wife, the Boat Owner, Surveyors and their helpers.  We pretty much stayed out of everyone’s way as the engineers were poking and looking at all the systems on board.  It was quite exciting.