It is time to test out the brand new 1959 Airstream! We drove to Union Grove park on Stillhouse hollow lake near Salado. The HOTC unit is having a camp out here this weekend, and the weather is supposed to be in the 70's all weekend. We were the first to arrive, and set up in site 8. We had camped here about 13 years ago in our first Airstream when we went to the Parker thanksgiving. It is a nice Corps park, and would be right on the water if the lake was full, but the lake looks like Whitney lake; about 12 feet low. We got here without any problems, but did have to adjust the striker plate on the door to allow the deadbolt to latch. Since we were the first to arrive, we decided to go to an estate sale down the road to find junk we didn't know we needed. We did! It was a deacon's bench turned into a double rocking chair. It will be great for the screened porch, and in the meantime we will look like the Beverly hillbillies on their way to California. Only I couldn't talk Shelly into riding in the back in the rocking chair. Oh well, the mental picture still makes me laugh. We built a fire in the evening, and visited with Debi and Jim Rich.
Friday, February 14
Valentines day! Beautiful morning, but the wind got gusty in the afternoon. About 40 miles per hour gusts. Ugh. We showed the Airstream to several people, and everyone was impressed. By the evening, the wind had let up, and we were able to build a fire by the screened shelters. It was a central location, and had a wind break. Shelly cooked taco soup, and a pecan pie for the pot luck supper. Both went over well. By 8 o'clock the wind was almost calm, and the moon coming up over the lake made for a perfect evening. We sat by the fire until about 10.
Sunset
Saturday, February 15
Sunrise over the lake
Almost a repeat of yesterday, but the winds were only gusting to about 20 mph. We drove to Salado, and went to several antique stores. We watched a glassblower make a custom vase for a lady, which was very interesting.on the way back to camp, we stopped at the same estate sale to look for a small pan. As we were leaving, we noticed a stack of firewood, and asked if it was for sale. He took $5 for the stack, which was handy, because we were out of firewood after the last two nights. Doesn't everyone buy firewood at estate sales? We stuffed ourselves again at the potluck, and sat by the estate sale firewood fire until about 11. The wind had calmed again, and the moon over the lake made for another great night. 
Sunday, February 16
These days are running together, and almost carbon copies of each other. Which is great, since they are almost perfect days. We decided on staying here another night since there were 4 other couples staying. Shelly and I drove to Killeen, just to say we've been there. We've been there. We stopped at a flea market, and were amazed at how much stuff there was we didn't need. It was a bizarre bazaar, but now we can say we've been there. We sat by another campfire and visited with Lance and Laura, Debi and Jim, Henry and Shari, and Jennifer and Craig. The wind let up again just after dark, and made for another picture perfect evening.
Monday, February, 17
Got packed up to leave, and said bye to the others. We called twin lakes rv, and found they don't have any sites for the next two nights. We planned on staying at Stephen F Austin state park, if the rv park was full. It was about a 3 and a half hour drive, but would have been shorter if I wouldn't have got off of hwy 36 in Brenham. Maybe I should drive with my eyes open next time. Checked into the state park, and walked the dogs down to the river. We drove into Sealy to wash clothes and buy groceries.
One of the fun things to do on a road trip!
One of the fun things to do on a road trip!After waiting at the laundromat for about an hour and a half, Shelly shows up almost in tears. She lost her IPhone! I don't have my phone anymore, so we had to find wifi for the IPad. McDonalds came through again with wifi. We were able to put the phone in lost mode using the IPad, and it showed the phone to be behind Subway on hwy 36. That was close to Walmart where Shelly lost the phone, so off we go! We checked the service desk at Walmart again, but no phone. Shelly retraced her steps again, and found the phone tucked away next to a pink shirt that matched the phone. Whew! We got lucky! Amazing how much we rely on that thing. Back at camp we relaxed after an exciting afternoon.
Tuesday, February 18
We packed up fairly early (9ish) and drove through Houston on the north tollway. $10.50 We got to Tyler and Ashlee's about 11. We visited for a while, and then I got to go play in the sand pile with Parker. We walked to a playground about a mile away, and I got to play on the slides with Parker and Dallas. Dallas seems to have no fear of heights, and loves even the tallest slide, giggling all the way down. Parker seems a little more hesitant on the tall slide, but still laughs all the way down.
Parker loves Gramma's and Grampa's camper, and kept asking to go see it. He is in the "why?" Stage and wants to know everything. 
Dallas checking the polish on the Airstream
Parker and Dallas going for a drive
Shelly and Dallas
Wednesday, February 19Tyler and Ashlee
Ashlee ordered pizza from Dominoes while we were at the park, and it showed up just as we were getting back to the house. Perfect timing, and good pizza. After getting ready for bed, Parker got a bit cranky. I think we wore each other out.
We put Parker's model rocket together after breakfast, and drove to an empty subdivision to fly it. We used all six engines, and had fun. I think Ashlee, Tyler, and I had more fun than Parker, but he enjoyed the countdown, and chasing the falling rocket. Ashlee's grandfather got to see the last two times we shot the rocket, and enjoyed seeing it. After lunch, we left and drove south to Shore Acres to see Connie and Johnny. Connie fixed crab cakes and salad. We visited on the front porch until about 11, and tried to make up our mind on whether to go on to galveston. We decided to wait until morning to make that decision.
Thursday, February, 20
We decided on heading north instead of Galveston because of the weather. Rain and wind are predicted for today.
Connie and Johnny's campsite!
We made it home in one piece, despite the wind. We have several minor fixes on the Airstream, but it was a great maiden voyage!
