Saturday/Sunday/Monday April 14th,15th,16th Final

Two days of gambling and free food produced a net total of $1,600 in winnings, all done by Katie I might add.

Katie's birthday was on Sunday, so see got some extra comps.

Horseshoe also owned by Harrah's had a giveaway on Sunday of two free king size not the real thing comforters from 2:30 to 6:00. We qualified for those as well, but prior to 2:30 the line started and in no time was very lengthy. It became so lengthy that it stretched around the whole casino. Katie and I looked at each other and said "no way". Katie said she could have got in line when it first formed and then called me on the walkie talkie, but she still had to wait in a long line and to make matters worse wait until 2:30. Just not worth it when we didn't need them anyway. The people in line must have been sleeping with no covers.

We watched the Jets game on Sunday night...bummer...but considering all the flights they had to take over two days, and the fact it was in Minnesota...understandable for me...I thought that was going to happen.

I forgot to mention about the drive...Love how our 2015 Rav 4 rides on the highway, but not so in love with the seats on a long drive. The seats have beveled edges which our 2010 did not have. It seems one is constantly moving because of undue pressure on our butts. So Katie and I went on a search for some kind of cushion, to cushion the blow so to speak. We found a couple of good size and pretty firm outdoor furniture cushions and we had measured to make sure they covered the whole seat. Wow...what a difference! no more squirming on the long drive, one of the best purchases we have made. We will only use them on long drives, but are they good for that!

Monday morning we got away from the hotel around 8, but stopped in Sioux City at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, we were curious what it looked like. It was quite big, well decorated, and overall a very nice place. We decided to join the rewards club, so we each got $10 in free play and Katie an extra $10 because of her birthday month. If you played for one hour you each got a free Hard Rock T Shirt. So we did...Katie saving my bacon again, and got our T Shirts. This would be a great place to stay if the Interstate got closed down again for storms.

The rest of the drive was uneventful, the roads were great all the way. We checked before we left. Evidence of the storm, but roads clear and dry.

We got home about 8PM...grabbed some groceries and did some unpacking from our totally loaded vehicle. A lot of weight in there, and not just from the two of us.

Tired...but thankful for a safe trip, and the best partner one could have.

And so ends another great trip to the Valley and back

until next time...

Thursday/Friday April 12th 13th

Closed up the trailer and got on the road around 7:30 AM. We are taking an alternate road home which bypasses all the major cities except for San Antonio.

Going through San Antonio was good, not too busy and pretty easy. After that it was really smooth sailing, mostly two lane roads but lots of passing lanes, and some 4 lane. Even slowing down for small towns was not a big deal. This is a no stress drive as opposed to driving through Fort Worth and Waco which almost always seems to get backed up.

On Friday we also bypassed Oklahoma City and after that easy driving as always. I would definitely take this route again, both coming and going. Just avoiding the traffic in Fort Worth is worth it.

We got lucky and missed all the storms which seemed to be to the West of us and behind us. Some very severe, but for us the drive was great and we arrived at Harrah's in Council Bluffs just after 4PM, an 8 hour actual drive.

Got checked into our room, we were hoping for a suite but they were all gone. Doesn't really matter that much as the rooms are great anyway.

Used our free spins and had the buffet with second one free, and made $100 for a couple of hours. Came back to the Hotel and I had to do all sorts of tricks to get the Jets Game. Caught the end of the 1st and the rest of the game. There was the odd pause, but it was good anyway, and the result and the game itself was awesome!

Then we went back downstairs to the Casino even though we were tired from the drives...but luck smiled upon us and we made another $180. So for little time gambling up $280..pretty good and thanks to Harrah's for the free rooms. Katie got $40 in points as it is her birthday on Sunday. We also get a free quilt each on Sunday.

and so ends some more great days in the Valley

more later....

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9th, 10th, 11th

We don't want to feel pressured during the packing process, so we are just taking our time and getting organized.

We are leaving Thursday morning at whatever time we wake up, and then we are taking a different route home which basically bypasses all the big cities except for San Antonio. Fair amount of two lane highways, but we are told they are not very busy. We'll see. So this time it is more about enjoying the drive, instead of go fast with lots of traffic.

We will be in a place called Lawton Oklahoma tomorrow night and we have a hotel booked which can be cancelled up to 4 PM without penalty. I always try and book those kind in case a bad storm arises, car trouble etc. and we can't make it.

Temperature has been nice the last couple of days, quite a bit of rain yesterday. Calling for 100 degree temperatures on Friday...not for me thanks.

and so ends some more great days in the Valley

more later...

Sunday April 8th Final Mexico Day

Wow...what a day!

Katie and I walked over the bridge and got picked up at the corner by our friend Charely. When we went shopping the other day, Katie bought a mortar and pestle, so she can grind some spices she got from her friend Durga. Charely took us to her mom's store so her mom could look at the mortar to see if it was real or made from some composite. Good news, it is real and it was nice to meet her mom.

Then we went to visit the family. Karelly had just got back from Monterrey with her grandmother on the bus. She had to get up very early so she was tired.

The family already had signs on the wall, they always celebrate Katie's birthday on April 15th and mine but not until July.

Great hugs from everyone.

After awhile they made dinner for us and they had a traditional mexican cake with our names on it.

Charely and her sister Dulce did their usual great job of translating for us. We just love them too, they are so considerate.

After dinner, we loaded all the pictures and videos that Katie took at the Quince onto a laptop. Karelly started to relive her Quince again. The computer was slow so it kept pausing, so she also watched on Katie's Camera. We learned that the photographers charged a lot of money for the pictures and video they took at the Qunice. Basically it boils down to around $2.00 per photo, and these are digital photos. Sounded like a lot to us. We said that Katie took 155 still photos and also video, but Erika said she wanted us to be able to enjoy the Quince, so she would never ask Katie to be "The Photographer".

Livario put some music on, and Eric did a dance from music he likes...Now this is a kid who when we first saw him was laying on a bed with an oxygen mask on with a breathing problem and has to be taken back and forth to Monterrey for treatment. You wouldn't know it now!






Livy did a dance, then she came and grabbed my hand and we started to dance. Katie didn't get a chance to get the camera out for our dance. She is really good and it was fun. We didn't get a chance to dance at the Quince. Then dad and Livy and dad and the two girls were dancing. Eric went and grabbed a board which has a guitar fret written on it with a marker, and he was then into air guitar.



and I don't know who started it but next thing you know, the cans of foam and easter eggs with confetti breaking over your head was in full force. The whole family was in on it, and everyone was laughing hard. This is the result....and I can tell you we never did anything even close to having fun like this in my family...too bad.

This was a neighbors puppy they brought in, the big Shepard was outside

This was the sign that greeted us when we came in

After the foam and confetti fight, and some more aftermath fun,  Charely came back from taking her sister home. Now it was time to say goodbye, this is always the hard part. Erika crying, the kids crying, and us. Better this way than at the bridge though, it is always worse there.

Charely drove us to the bridge, through customs, and back home.

And so ends another great day in the Valley

packing starts tomorrow

more later...

Friday April 6th

Some grocery shopping today, Katie and I decided we want to eat better than we have been eating until we leave for home.

But today we invited our friends Charely and her sister Dulce, to come to our place and we would take them out for dinner. They do a lot for us in terms of translation, rides etc. They both speak very good english and spend part of their time in the US and Mexico as there dad has a trucking buisness.

We went to Cracker Barrel as they had never been there. It was good, with lots of good conversation and laughs.

Came back to our place and talked for a long while.

We will see them again on Sunday when we go to see the family.

and so ends another great day in the Valley...

more later...

Tuesday/Wednesday April 3rd and 4th

Katie and I had grocery shopping to do...later on our friends Bonnie and Al dropped by for a visit. Watched the Jets game at night...win in overtime...50th win overall, and Connor scored his 30th goal in overtime!

Today we were going to go to Mexico so Katie could do a little shopping, but it was actually on the chilly side with the wind and some rain...so we didn't.

This made me smile in a big way, and proud dad...

Feast...son Jeff's first poetry book and the only Manitoba Author...#1 bestseller

and so ends another great day in the Valley...

more later...

Monday...April 2nd

Today...was just a day for puttering and relaxation. It was hot and it was very windy all day.

Katie and I examined a different route for driving back, which is mostly two lane with passing lanes every so often, and going through lots of small towns. A more relaxing drive to be sure, but adds about an hour travel time.

We would end up staying overnight in Wichita Falls, however, the motels with the best ratings are very expensive, and the others leave something to be desired. I think the prices are up because they have you as a captive audience.

In the end we decided to take our normal route and with the hotel in Gainesville that we already have booked.

We watched the Jets game at night...a win...and resting big buff..but a defensive struggle it was not...final score Jets 6 Ottawa 5

and so ends another great day in the Valley

more later...

Sunday April 1st

Nope this is not an April fools joke...as usual Katie beats me at golf...soundly

We went golfing with our friends Al and Bonnie this morning at 7:30. Beautiful morning and little to no wind.

Katie was on fire and shot 41 on the front 9. What did Jim shoot? 46.

Both of us kind of fell apart a bit on the back 9, as this was the first game we have played
this year. Katie shot 50 and so did I.

It was fun though, with good company and nice weather.

Yesterday we went to Bestbuy where I purchased a Roku Express Stick. This was to test whether at some point the box that Spectrum provided is really necessary. It is free for a year but supposed to cost $11.99 a month after that which is ridiculous. At this point in time we can't find out if we are going to have to pay the $11.99 or not as we are on the bulk plan from the park. In theory this should add the rental onto our bill but then take it off again. If I was sure they were going to do that, I wouldn't bother with the Roku, but I can't be sure as Spectrum is handling this whole changeover so badly, and there is a different story from every employee.

At any rate I hooked up the roku, use the Spectrum App and this shows me there is no need for the Spectrum box...all for a one time $29 purchase. I think I will keep it as we will be back in Canada or on a holiday elsewhere, when the free year expires.

On Saturday we also went back to the flea Market, and got another Air Fryer, so that we could bring one back for son Jeff and his girl Cat. We also got a Mandolin Slicer. Because we went earlier there were more stalls open and a lot more people.

and so ends some more great days in the Valley

more later....