November 1 - 30 - Randolph AFB, Canyon Lake, TX

We came here to Canyon Lake, TX to spend the the holidays with our oldest daughter, Jean, and her family. We stayed at the Randolph AFB FamCamp. What a wonderful place. Our spot was nestled in the trees with great protection from the wind and cold.

It also was visited each day by a group of deer. It was so much fun watching them interact. They protect the young until a certain time. Then they are treated just like other adults. The dominent doe seemed to rule until "big daddy" buck came around.

There were also great trails to walk on anytime of the day. One would always be able see some deer grazing and only stopping to acknowledge your presence. It started to help get us back into shape. It's just too easy to sit around and do nothing.

This is the longest time that we planned to spend, so far, in one place since we started our Full Time RV travels. It gave us a time to reconnect with our grandchildren and their lives. They have turned into fine young adults before we knew it. Such a treat to see them.
Enjoying the sites, sounds and smells of this world is what we work each day to accomplish. One of the sights that we were privileged to witness was the Monarch Butterfly migration. The trails along the Guadalupe River were filled with the butterflys. They looked like "grape clusters" hanging from the trees. Absolutely awesome sights witnessed.

There was also the fall season changing of the leaves. We found out about the "Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, TX. We decided to make the day trip and what a trip. The colors were really awesome. then there was the stopping for lunch and a great tasting piece of pie. I think that's the best part of all these travels, the food experience.

We were also able to reconnect with friends from our time in the early 80's that we spent in San Antonio. Chris and her "beau", and Roger & Marilyn to start with. Great times shared with great friends. It was really fun to see the kids and how they've grown up. It was wonderful to sit and share life's experiences with each and every one of our friends. What full lives each has lived thus far. So much fun reliving the old times, seeing how much has changed and how much is still the same. We are so grateful to our friends for sharing their time and lives with us.

Last but not least, I was able to do "some" fishing and enjoy the company of some new friends. It was sooooo nice being only five minutes from some great fishing. Canyon Lake is like all the rest in the area, low and getting lower. That area of Texas was 17" short of annual rainfall and the lake showed it. Just during the time that we were there, the was a huge drop in the lake's level. It's really sad to see it happen. Hopefully they will get rain up north so that the lake can recover. I was told tht last year it was really high and the drop I saw was just over the last year. Scarry when you stop to think how vital water is to our survival. All in all I caught enough fish to feed all seven of us many meals. The 22" catfish was just one of the many catfish, bass, crappie, & perch. We ate more fresh fish than ever before.

This was an exciting time for Roseann & I. November is a very busy month for us to celebrate much. This was the first time in many years that we were able to spend this time of celebrations with our family here in Texas. What a treat.

The first special occasion was Tim's ??? birthday. This one was extra special because it was the first one he celebrated as a retired person. Yes, he finally decided to "retire" but he'll still work when it comes his way. He's just not the type to sit around and do nothing.

The next special occasion was Thanksgiving. My mom, Eleanore, came to visit from Albuquerque for a week over the holiday. We are always glad to have her with us. She had a special time feeding the deer each day. She couldn't believe that they would come so close to the RV. The deer would wait for her each morning and night. If she was late, they would stomp their feet in the hopes that she'd hurry up with food. A treasured moment for sure.We spent the day at Marshall's sisters house and ate and ate and ate. Such great cooks, Christy & Marshall. They'll never starve, for sure. This is Jean, grandma & Marshall enjoying the moment together.
Then came our wedding anniversary, 44 years. We have been so blessed during that time. Up & downs but great times never the less. A special day and time for sure. I'm definitely still in love with this special woman.