It seems that I have been very remiss in making updates to the blog of late, and I can only blame the pre-Christmas rush. In addition we have been working to finish the projects begun here at the park before we complete our time here and move on. We arrived here in mid October and it sure don't seem that more than two months have passed, but they have and another year is drawing to a close. Here is hoping that everyone out there has a truly blessed Christmas.
One nice thing to being in north Texas at this time of year was to be able to attend the Christmas program at their church for the little children. Being full-time RV folks we don't always have that privilege.
It has been cold part of the time but we have also had some really nice weather, but since north Texas does freeze, we will not miss the weather as we move farther to the south next week.
The weather here in north Texas has been pretty poor for the past week or so, and it has reminded us of the reasons we don't usually stay here this late into the season. Even so, we had some really great times over the past weekend. Thanks to this website we were fortunate to meet and spend some time with two couples who are also Escapees! On Friday evening we visited Charles & Gloria, spending the evening in getting acquainted and generally having a great time. Then on Sunday afternoon we got to visit with Mike and Heidi who are also Escapees and who read the website!
If you ever wonder why spend the time to create a site like this one, friends is the answer. Life has taught me that the old saying "To have a friend, be one" is very much a fact. I have long believed that one receives from life pretty much what he gives to others along the way. No bad weather can begin to lessen the wonderful benefits of gaining new friends!
and we had sun in late afternoon. Last night was the coldest night so far this winter with a low of 27 degrees. But today has dawned bright and sunny with temperatures once again rising and should be 50 today and mid 50's in a few more. We did have our first significant frost last night but the snow was all to our south!
then travel on south to Rockport for the winter. Unfortunately our weather went downhill terribly just before they got here and we can't even blame them for bringing it. It was actually warmer in Cedar Rapids the day that they left than it was here in the Dallas area. We have been running about 15 degrees below normal for this time of year! Even so, visiting friends can easily warm a cold day!
The big dinner is over now and the leftovers are all that remain. What a day it turned out to be and part of three really wonderful days with all of our family together once more. Everyone had a really great time and of course we also ate too much!
Now it is Saturday and both sons from out of state have started the trek back to their homes. One really great thing that came of all of this was the decision that it is never to go so long before a family gathering again. Current plan is to meet for next Thanksgiving at the home of our son in Kentucky. That will be great so we do hope that it happens.
Saturday dawned clear and beautiful. Weather is expected to change for the worse over the next day or so, but it was near perfect for our big gathering. Here at the lake, all is serene once more and life has returned to normal. One of our frequent visitors to this lake is a float-plane that often stops by for a few practice landings.
This is a day that we always seem to enjoy, no matter where we happen to be, but this year is one of those very special ones.
We have three sons who live in three different states, Washington, Kentucky and Texas. This year, all three families are here with us for the special day. We also have some really nice weather for the day and it will be long remembered. With family as scattered as ours, this type of gathering doesn't happen all that often.
Things have been going well at the park and we continue to keep busy. The doctor routines are nearly completed for another trip and Pam has recovered from her required visit to the dentist.
I hope that everyone who reads our site will be enjoying this day as much as we. Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving Day!
I can also now proudly announce that I have been doing well on my "things to do" list. In fact, I have done so very well that I can now state that I have just completed the item which was scheduled for Dec. 1!
Like most things, there is a catch. You see the item was planned to be completed by Dec. 1, 2007........
We have now returned to our RV home in Avalon Park after a great week in Branson. The good fortune to have come for Veteran's Week was accidental, but we highly recommend it. If you are a veteran and have not had this experience, consider a visit. We found 
that the timing not only saved considerable money, but the experience of recognition for service was a thing that I will long remember.
There are two things which make Branson a truly noteworthy experience above any other tourist place that I have experienced. This community still remembers the value of military service and they are still a Christian community and they proudly state that at almost every show. In several shows as well as signs at several locations in the town there were messages to the president stating that "The United States of America is still a Christian country!" Nowhere was that made more clear than the veterans show given by Tony Orlando.
Tony's special show has been given each year since 1994. Should you wish to attend it is wise 
to go on-line to get tickets early as they are gone very quickly. All tickets are free to vets and their families, but you must show proof when you pick them up. Many of the show discounts do ask for proof but they accept about anything that you have to be a vet to get. That means any kind of military or VA ID card, discharge cards, memberships cards to any veteran's organization or association (American Legion, VFW, etc), special qualification cards, a DD214 or many other items. The key is that wearing of military emblems is so common in Branson that they do want something more than just your word in many cases. Free drinks and food discounts are also very common but you do usually need to ask for them. Many restaurants do give 10% or more discount all week long and several shows even let the vet attend for free. Colonel Oliver North was one of the guest speakers for the show.
This week is a great experience for any veteran, but I think particularly so for those of us who served in the Viet Nam era and who were treated so badly because we wore a military uniform. This week went a long way toward healing a wound that I have carried ever since I was spat upon for my pride in the Navy uniform that I wore. While I will never forget being taunted as "Baby Killer" at the gates to the New London Submarine Base so many times, this experience did a great deal to push that to the past. I have never before felt the pride in what we did so much for so long as in this one week!
We took a break from our duties at the lake to make a week long trip to Branson, Missouri. We are staying in a time 
share condo and didn't bring the motorhome. It is nice in some ways, but this, along with our recent trip to California has really brought home the advantages of RV living & travel. Living from a suitcase, sleeping in a strange bed and such were much more fun before we lived in our RV.
One thing that has been especially rewarding for us is the fact that our timing has turned out to be during an annual salute to veterans that is an annual event here. It has been very gratifying to experience this as there are many shows and other places which are giving discounts to veterans. The Andy Williams Show discounted two tickets to each veteran by some $10 and to morrow we will be attending a special show by Tony Orlando that is for veterans and is free to vets and their spouses. As one who has not previously experienced Branson, all that I can say is that you have to see it to believe just what all is here!