"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

March 31, 2009 We headed over to Walt and JoAnne’s after noon and started making sauce. Kathy doctored up a jar of ragu with some special spices turning it into an more of an Italian pasta sauce. Then she broke up greens and created a salad. Will mixed up some butter with fresh garlic and smothered a loaf of French bread. And so we had Tuesday spaghetti dinner. We ended the meal with a Happy Birthday Will song and cake. We spend the evening in Luckenbach listening to host Levi Darr and a circle of pickers. Danny Terry and Levi started it off. Joan came with her mandolin and several brought along guitars. We had a surprize when Hal Brown came along to play a mean harmonica and a thrilling flute.

March 30, 2009 Happy Birthday Will. We spent the day at Luckenbach. Danny enjoyed finding out about Harley’s; we shared our book and stories with him. Will relaxed under the live oaks working some Kudodu. Connie, he is addicted! We walked among the live oaks and grand cedars near Grape Creek and the day turned over. Bob and Dolly came over from LBJ State Park. We met them there a few years back when we volunteered there together. Danny, Lorna and their new little puppy, Kapo; Cowboy Doug Davis; Shannie; Walt Perryman; and a few others stopping by to soak in the flavor of Luckenbach were all there to celebrate with Will. Tonight was poet night; it didn’t seem to fit very well at Luckenbach, but there were a few listeners. Thanks to everyone who called, emailed and facebooked with greetings for Will.

March 29, 2009 We stopped by to visit with Jo and Walt; both have recovered well from their various surgeries. Nice beard, Walt! It was great to spend time with them. We revisited our Russia trip sharing the book and telling stories. Will gave Walt a few pointers on guitar picking. Kathy made us a salad of fresh veggies we were given in the Valley and Walt brought out some shrimp to much between our chatting. We had another great evening at Luckenbach hosted by Cowboy Doug Davis. It was some evening with Bill Lewis, Soul Patch, Phil with is guitar and harmonica, Jimmy Lee, Rick came out from working a few times to knock the house down with his harmonica, and Luke had a light touch and soft sound like Paul Dezman on the sax. Cowboy Doug surprised everyone when he brought out his trumpet and played a bit with Luke!

March 28, 2009 The afternoon found us at Ladybird Park outside of Fredericksburg. The evening led us to Cowboy Doug playing at the Hilltop Café, about 10 miles north of Fredericksburg on US87. The place was jumping! All the tables in the two rooms were filled and people spilled out on to the porch. The voice of Cowboy Doug filled the space with songs old and new. We sat at the bar for a time then got a table right beside Doug. We ordered a quesadilla and ended up with a Greek cheese appetizer too that the waitress missordered. It was a good evening with good company and good food.

March 27, 2009 Here we are in Fredericksburg. We just stayed home most of the day feeling content to share our space with reading and puzzling. In the afternoon we headed down to Luckenbach. The place was polluted with motorcycles. Mike Haley was outside with a few pickers. As it got colder everyone headed inside. Kathy did some networking using the dancehall wifi then we headed back into the bar. Shan and Annie had joined the circle. They are such sweet people including us in conversations and making us feel like family come a visiting. You can just picture them as boots and sparkled sandles! Bill Lewis showed up and played a few tunes. A mandolin, dueling twelve strings, a harmonica and a few guitars filled the room with music and voices blended it all together. We love the unamplified sound and the spirit of Luckenbach.

March 26, 2009 We woke to a cloudy foggy misty day. Parked at the picnic area with a view off 173, we were lazy and read and puzzled between sips of coffee then it grew darker instead of lighter. Will checked the weather map on our I-phone to find if we drove north a few miles in the direction of Bandera; we could be out of the rain so we reorganized the Roadtrek and off we drove leaving the rains behind us. Well, actually it is following us. We got to Bandera and pulled into the city park by the river and checked the map. We decided to drive north to Kerrville through the clouds that touch the earth. At Ladybird Park in Fredericksburg we had breakfast. Yea, I know it is noon, but we are on retirement time. The rains caught up with us again. While we were walking around Fredericksburg, the sun came out, the clouds dispersed and we spent some time playing tourist. We walked in shops looking at dust collectors, munched goodies from Rustling Robs, and Will spent time in Hill Country Music...

Rio Grande Overlook on US83 March 25, 2009 We had a nice slow morning, coffee, puzzles and reading. The day got lighter, but the sun didn’t peek out. We headed out to Falcon Dam and drove out to the center. Each country has its own little electric plant. The water is high in the lake with trees sticking out of the water; ducks are enjoying the cover. At the center of the bridge there are two pillars, flags and a view of the water. We turned around there and went back. We still had to stop and get our vehicle checked over and Will had to show his ID, his new passport card. The card has all the information of the passport, but is the size of your license. Handy ID. The road is lined with Mexican Olive trees and they are in bloom now. We spotted a few scissor-tailed fly catchers, a mocking bird, doves, a caracara (Mexican Eagle), and…a coyote! At the scenic overlook outside San Ygnacio we met a couple from Quebec and chatted about sites and stops of travelers. Kathy shared some Hawaiian c...

March 24, 2009 Today is a good day to drive! We departed from Santa Maria where we had spent the night at the little community center. When we woke this morning, two masons were working on the renovations of the old church. On our last stop in Progresso, Mexico we found Damiana, liquor. It is named for the plant it is made from; and our grand daughter is named from this plant. Nicole, you are going to love the bottle; it is a chest and belly view of a woman! We enjoyed our last visit to Ay Jalisco. A group of spring breakers were there enjoying the music and one young man had a sombrero that he tossed on the floor and everyone danced around it. The band had fun with the group and played that chicken song and had everyone clapping along to the dancers doing the chicken dance. Heading west into the sun! Through McAllen, Mission, Sullivan, Rio Grande City…. Following just a few miles south is The Wall. As we see it, the USA just gave hundreds of acres of prime river front property to Mexi...

March 23, 2009 A froggy joined us for morning cleanup! After morning cleanup John and Sylvia showed up with breakfast! Homemade waffles! and Wisconsin maple syrup! Calida stopped by to give us a hug goodbye too. We will miss Harley's over the next ten months.

March 22, 2009 Happy Birthday Will and Lori. We got Lori a flower from Progresso. Will got lots of cards and hugs. Mary and Bob joined us along with Connie and Bud for Will's birthday celebration and our last visit to Harley's this season. The Grannies Gone Wild got wild and had another join the ranks. It was such a fun evening. We said our good byes to friends we won't see till next season and headed to the Roadtrek to dream of being on the road again. Before the festivities Will got up on stage and performed a song he wrote for John.