On the way to Minneapolis. Through ALBQ, then to Denver. About 5 hours travel time. Be there for three days, then home.

Grapevine / The Stockyards

Today (May 29) we are taking the train from Grapevine to the Stockyards in Fort Worth. The Stockyards are part of the history of Texas and a lot is done to keep the traditions alive.
Boarding at the Grapevine Train Station, the vintage rail cars take you on an approximately 30 mile trip to the Stock yards.

Outside the Grapevine Station there is a War Memorial and I thought that this was an interesting sculpture.

Of course, no train ride in Texas can be complete with out a holdup along the way.

Once at the Stockyards, we made a trek on foot over to a Mexican establishment for lunch, and then returned to the Stockyards to catch the return train. We arrived back at the stockyards in time to see the daily cattle drive down the streets of Fort Worth.

This of course is fitting as the Fort Worth Stockyards was the start of the famous "Chisholm Trail." This trail lead from these stockyards up into Kansas and beyond.

That's it for now - a windy trip home tomorrow. Then we'll get ready for our July 4 adventure.

Byron Nelson Golf Tournament

Spent yesterday, or most of yesterday at the HP Byron Nelson Golf Tournament. We arrived about 11AM and left about 4PM. By that time we had enough sun and crowds. We watched golf on holes 1, 2, 17, 16, 15 and 10. We spent the most time on 16 and 17, just because it was easy to find a place to stand in the shade close to the green. The greens are really the place to watch. The green at 16 was very interesting and to see the way the Pros read the green was interesting also. This had a hole location that if you got behind the hole, their chance of making it on a single putt was very limited, and once past the hole, the ball ended up on the bottom of the green. The course is well designed for people to watch at the greens with each one in an amphitheater type setting so the spectators can sit/stand on the sides and above the green. The number of people was tremendous. The age range of attendees seemed to favor the 20-30 year olds. I think that more than half that age group had a beer or other adult libation in their hand. Not that I did not want one or two myself, but I have found that in hot weather, water is the better choice. On the way out I got a couple of souvenirs. Might not get to another Golf Tournament of this size. Of course there was a ban of taking pictures, so the souvenirs and the pass are the only evidence that I have that I attended.

Miracles happen, or just luck. Scored some free tickets to the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament for tomorrow. Perfect stranger asked if we wanted tickets.

Grapevine

After an uneventful trip from Lubbock through Wichita Falls, down 287 to 114 and into Grapevine, we arrived yesterday about 11:15AM. We did spend a little time in Wichita Falls getting the Motorhome washed at The Falls Truck wash. Located behind Flying J and boasting a large Chrome Shop, the folks did an excellent job of washing and waxing the Motorhome. Included in the package we purchased was hand drying the Motorhome. It looks exceptional.
After arriving at The Vineyards Campground, we took an hour or so to set-up. This is what I call a "full set-up." It included the sun screens, leveling, flushing out the rear radiator, flushing the battery compartment and rinsing the A/C condensor.
Then it was off to find a car wash for the Jeep. One of the downsides to owning a white vehicle is that it shows all of the dirt, especially all of the tar that gets thrown up by the Motorhome in the construction areas. Though we did not get all of the tar off, it looks about 1000% better than it did.
Our camping compadres all trickled in and by 6:30 we were grilling burgers and stuffing ourselves on fabulous desserts.

 The Vineyards Campground is in excellent condition and the improvements that they have made are exceptional.
One of the first things we noticed was a new "Camp Store."  Located up by the entrance it is a nice feature.

Makes a convenient place to buy those last minute and  forgotten items, like eggs, milk and the like.

As you can see from this photo, showing the back side of the entrance to the park, it is a well maintained park.

The paved roads are very nice and it makes a pleasant experience even in the rain. The new sites that were added look exceptional. An example is this one.

 A nice back in spot with very attractive stone work. Other new sites included decks, especially in areas where the ground sloped a great deal. They even have some "along the road" spots as you might be able to make out in this picture.

 And you do have the lake to look at and enjoy, along with a variety of animals, birds and water fowl.

The special treat with coming here on Memorial day week end is the free fireworks show.

We are already planning to make reservations for next year.

This morning we are off to Great Wolf Lodge to partake of their wonderful breakfast buffet, then to run errands - including, I am sure, the requisite stop at the Denton Camping World. This evening is the annual dinner at Babes for fried chicken and chicken fried steak. All served family style.

Preparing for our annual trip to The Vineyards campground in Grapevine, TX. This is a very nice park, owned by the City. Looking to see the improvements.

Gazebo Update

DELAYED due to problems with Blogger.com

The wind has blown, and the rain finally came and neither has had much effect on the Gazebo. During the high winds, gusts of up to 60 MPH, we see some flexing of roof panels and occasional daylight as one may lift a little.
As far as the rain, what little we had (about 20-30 minutes worth with lightening)  drained off as it should. The house side drained into the gutter and was taken away from the door/patio and the other three sides just dripped onto the patio.
Temperture wise, it is a little warmer under the Gazebo when the sun is out. This because of the black color. It has it benefits as when the evening cools, it is a little warm under the Gazebo due to the risdual heat.
Would have posted this sooner, but Google is having a little trouble with the site.