Oh my goodness!– 2 months have slipped by since my last update; where has the time gone??
Let’s get you caught up on my life since Feb 27th!
After leaving Buffalo we headed north and visited with Edith and Bob for a couple of days. While with them we did some more research on the family tree and visited with a distant relative in a near by nursing home. Thelma and I had never met before, although I had communicated with her about 20 years ago regarding our family ties. She is coming up 95 years of age but certainly looks a lot younger. Her mind is clear and she is in reasonably good health. Our family in common certain have enjoyed longevity along with good mental and physical health.
I have been doing family research for some time now and was quite surprised when Edith called me last summer to see if there might be a family connection between us - sure enough to our surprise there was! We have kept in touch since then and have become friends.
Next update coming very soon!
Bye for now,
Anne
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wednesday February 27th, 2008
Heading back to Buffalo today - the land of ice and snow!
We left South Padre Island this morning at 8:30 – the day was beautiful – the sun was shining bright and the wind had died leaving what seemed to us like an early September morning – the temperature was about 65 degrees F. The couple we were staying with had the heat on in the house during the night because of the low temperature. When we arrived at the Brownsville airport the ticket agents were dressed in winter parks – the fellow who waited on us was rubbing his hands and using his mouth to blow on them as he tried to keep warm. Allan and I were dressed in short sleeve T shirts!
It was hard saying good bye to our wonderful friends we stayed with for this last week, but that’s what happens at the end of vacation. We will be seeing these people again this summer – the time will be upon us before we know it. MR made us some egg sandwiches to take on our way – did they taste good. The cheaper airlines do not feed you during your flight other than a soft drink and pretzels – this is no substitute for a meal but then again the meals on those more expensive flights often don’t taste like real food. Sandwiches are a wise idea which ever way you fly.
We left Brownsville at 10:30 a.m. - flew to Houston, then to Cleveland where we got our first glimpse of snow then on to Buffalo - we landed at about 8:00 p.m. It was a long day but we reminded ourselves that we are retired now - what better way to spend a day than doing some leisurely travelling and lots of people watching.
We left South Padre Island this morning at 8:30 – the day was beautiful – the sun was shining bright and the wind had died leaving what seemed to us like an early September morning – the temperature was about 65 degrees F. The couple we were staying with had the heat on in the house during the night because of the low temperature. When we arrived at the Brownsville airport the ticket agents were dressed in winter parks – the fellow who waited on us was rubbing his hands and using his mouth to blow on them as he tried to keep warm. Allan and I were dressed in short sleeve T shirts!
It was hard saying good bye to our wonderful friends we stayed with for this last week, but that’s what happens at the end of vacation. We will be seeing these people again this summer – the time will be upon us before we know it. MR made us some egg sandwiches to take on our way – did they taste good. The cheaper airlines do not feed you during your flight other than a soft drink and pretzels – this is no substitute for a meal but then again the meals on those more expensive flights often don’t taste like real food. Sandwiches are a wise idea which ever way you fly.
We left Brownsville at 10:30 a.m. - flew to Houston, then to Cleveland where we got our first glimpse of snow then on to Buffalo - we landed at about 8:00 p.m. It was a long day but we reminded ourselves that we are retired now - what better way to spend a day than doing some leisurely travelling and lots of people watching.
Buffalo had its share of winter while we were away but not enough snow that we needed to shovel the car out of the parking lot - Allan just swept off the windshield and drove away. We were expecting to have have more difficulty - we were lucky.
'Till next time,
Anne
February 26, 2008
February 26th, - We are heading back to Buffalo tomorrow!
Today has been a beautiful sunny day with high winds. The ocean is wild as you can see.
This is the view from our accommodations on South Padre Island
Here we are crossing the bridge between Port Isabelle and South Padre - see how the water is brown in colour - it is because the sand is churned up because of the wave motion.
Two people were sail surfing - using the wind to their advantage - at one time he was lost in the waves and could not see shore
The noise was so loud you could hardly hear each other talking
The wind was so strong they decided to surf sail again once the wind decreased
This is the highest building on South Padre Island it is 30 stories high and close to the ocean
This is the a new high rise going up and it is 31 stories high I believe - you count and see what you come up with. This one is also close to the ocean - there is no bed rock for foundation support - it is assumed if an earth quake or a hurricane should happen these buildings will not be standing for long
View from the public access to the beach
Sending another update soon,
Anne
Sunday, March 16, 2008
February 25, 2008
Today has been another leisurely day with nothing more than shopping and visiting, very relaxing - how am I going to adjust to home???.
If you should ever have the experience of visiting South Padre Island you must take the time to stop at K’s Jewelry. The owner has been here for years and makes awesome jewelry. You design it she will make it or you can purchase items she has already made. People pick shells and parts of shells along the beach, take them to Kay and she turns them into a piece of art. Many bring the necklaces home to family and friends as souvenirs of South Padre – one lady had 35 made, she came by to pick them up when I was at the store. They were just beautiful!
Anne
Men - doing the guy thing
Miles of shrimp boats are docked due to high fuel costs - residents are afraid they may loose the shrimp boats and the delicious shrimp they catch entirely!
Yucca
Yucca
Yucca
Who can find the Pelican?
The Padre
The causeway bridge between South Padre Island and St. Isobelle
They have a swing bridge - small scale but operates similar to the one on Manitoulin
If you should ever have the experience of visiting South Padre Island you must take the time to stop at K’s Jewelry. The owner has been here for years and makes awesome jewelry. You design it she will make it or you can purchase items she has already made. People pick shells and parts of shells along the beach, take them to Kay and she turns them into a piece of art. Many bring the necklaces home to family and friends as souvenirs of South Padre – one lady had 35 made, she came by to pick them up when I was at the store. They were just beautiful!
Anne
Men - doing the guy thing
Miles of shrimp boats are docked due to high fuel costs - residents are afraid they may loose the shrimp boats and the delicious shrimp they catch entirely!
Yucca
Yucca
Yucca
Who can find the Pelican? 
The Padre
The causeway bridge between South Padre Island and St. Isobelle
They have a swing bridge - small scale but operates similar to the one on Manitoulin
February 24, 2008
Today we traveled to the NABA International Butterfly Park in the Rio Grande Valley near Mission, Texas. We did not see the number of butterflies we had hoped; however it was interesting to see the park, the various shrubs and flowers they have planted to attract the butterflies and how the park was designed to allow walkers to view the flitting butterflies as they travel from flower to flower. We were about a month early to see the Monarch Butterflies; they are still hibernating in the Mountains of Mexico. Another year I would like to take the 5 day tour from Brownsville to the butterfly sanctuaries in the Michoacan forests in the mountains of Mexico. This year’s coach tour is not going until March which was too late for our plans this year.
We had lunch at the WHAT A BURGER chain in Rio Grande City then traveled to Roma Texas on the Texas/Mexico border. We walked the streets of Roma in 90 degree F temperatures – gosh it was HOT! Roma was rather quiet with little going on; however the community of Ciuda Aleman in Mexico directly across the Rio Grande River was alive with music and people singing. Somewhere over there was a party.
The area surrounding Roma is well known by birders as there are several different kinds of birds passing through. We met a couple of birders from Thunder Bay; they have retired and volunteered their time to work with the birding association in the area.
The community of Roma has been used in many of the older western movies. There are many historical buildings still standing, some are still being used – not necessarily for their original purpose.
We had to take a detour from the main highway just outside of Roma on the way back to South Padre Island due to a automobile accident, this gave us the privilege of traveling through another quaint little town. These Texan’s are so close to the Mexican boarder they seem more Mexican than Texan. They speak Spanish and live as Mexicans.
Another very interesting and enjoyable day!
There were fluorescent cones with notes "watch for rattle snakes" - just a few days before we arrived here there had been a 5 foot long snake which struck at the gardener - it missed him thank goodness!
The Sugar Hackberry
We had lunch at the WHAT A BURGER chain in Rio Grande City then traveled to Roma Texas on the Texas/Mexico border. We walked the streets of Roma in 90 degree F temperatures – gosh it was HOT! Roma was rather quiet with little going on; however the community of Ciuda Aleman in Mexico directly across the Rio Grande River was alive with music and people singing. Somewhere over there was a party.
The area surrounding Roma is well known by birders as there are several different kinds of birds passing through. We met a couple of birders from Thunder Bay; they have retired and volunteered their time to work with the birding association in the area.
The community of Roma has been used in many of the older western movies. There are many historical buildings still standing, some are still being used – not necessarily for their original purpose.
We had to take a detour from the main highway just outside of Roma on the way back to South Padre Island due to a automobile accident, this gave us the privilege of traveling through another quaint little town. These Texan’s are so close to the Mexican boarder they seem more Mexican than Texan. They speak Spanish and live as Mexicans.
Another very interesting and enjoyable day!
There were fluorescent cones with notes "watch for rattle snakes" - just a few days before we arrived here there had been a 5 foot long snake which struck at the gardener - it missed him thank goodness!
The Sugar Hackberry
February 23, 2008 Day 20
Squeegee Kids - you find 'em everywhere!It just doesn’t seem we have been away 20 days – I could get used to this quite easily!
I have been finding it difficult to update my Blog on a daily basis now that we are with friends, we are always talking and doing fun things there just isn’t the time, so I do hope you will be patient with me – I will get it done. Saying this, it sounds like I am making it a task that must be completed regularly – A Job! Not ‘a! It’s a journal - we‘ll get the updates when we get’em!
This afternoon we visited the “Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site” which is about 5 miles north of Brownsville, Texas. Some history I am interested in – like family history, early settlers and their hardships – that sort of thing – but wars and battles NOT! After 40 years of marriage though you realize it is a give and take world so I tagged along. The only thing I found really interesting were the watch for rattle snake signs, and to my amazement there were many signs. I didn’t see any snakes but that could be denial – you know mind over matter. I certainly didn’t hear any so if they were near they weren’t afraid of me – they probably knew I would freeze still and they could get away easily.
Here is Allan’s synopsis on the battle field excursion.
Not having had any previous knowledge of battles between Mexico and US Troops, it was interesting to find that in 1846 the United States used this small battle as a chance to provoke Mexico into a war to defend their land. Mexico lost to the United States which later caused them to negotiate a peace agreement giving up New Mexico, California and Texas south to the Rio Grande River to the Americans.
The Americans won this battle against Mexico because their troops were better trained and they had modernized cannons which shot cannon balls that exploded when they hit, mortally wounding many the Mexican soldiers of their enemy.
It was a very hot day but the breeze made it a pleasant walk throughout the field. As in other historical sites there was various written historical information boards which helped fill in the information on the battle
Many artifacts have been taken from the field over the years, before it was declared an Historical Site people were able to walk the field with metal detectors and take their finds off the property. What a great loss in historical value to the site.
If you are interested in finding out more about this battle and the site look on www.nps.gov/paal
Have a good day,
More updates to follow.
Anne
I have been finding it difficult to update my Blog on a daily basis now that we are with friends, we are always talking and doing fun things there just isn’t the time, so I do hope you will be patient with me – I will get it done. Saying this, it sounds like I am making it a task that must be completed regularly – A Job! Not ‘a! It’s a journal - we‘ll get the updates when we get’em!
This afternoon we visited the “Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site” which is about 5 miles north of Brownsville, Texas. Some history I am interested in – like family history, early settlers and their hardships – that sort of thing – but wars and battles NOT! After 40 years of marriage though you realize it is a give and take world so I tagged along. The only thing I found really interesting were the watch for rattle snake signs, and to my amazement there were many signs. I didn’t see any snakes but that could be denial – you know mind over matter. I certainly didn’t hear any so if they were near they weren’t afraid of me – they probably knew I would freeze still and they could get away easily.
Here is Allan’s synopsis on the battle field excursion.
Not having had any previous knowledge of battles between Mexico and US Troops, it was interesting to find that in 1846 the United States used this small battle as a chance to provoke Mexico into a war to defend their land. Mexico lost to the United States which later caused them to negotiate a peace agreement giving up New Mexico, California and Texas south to the Rio Grande River to the Americans.
The Americans won this battle against Mexico because their troops were better trained and they had modernized cannons which shot cannon balls that exploded when they hit, mortally wounding many the Mexican soldiers of their enemy.
It was a very hot day but the breeze made it a pleasant walk throughout the field. As in other historical sites there was various written historical information boards which helped fill in the information on the battle
Many artifacts have been taken from the field over the years, before it was declared an Historical Site people were able to walk the field with metal detectors and take their finds off the property. What a great loss in historical value to the site.
If you are interested in finding out more about this battle and the site look on www.nps.gov/paal
Have a good day,
More updates to follow.
Anne
Following Photos are of the Palo Alto Battlefield
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