Company Has Arrived

That was an interesting outcome to the Super Bowl.  It looked like a runaway until the lights went out!  Neither of us did any good on the betting squares, not even close.  I didn't think the commercials were all that great and the half time show left me with a "is that it?" feeling.  But I have to admit I am glad the season is over and I can have my TV back.

We were busy on Monday doing laundry, going to the grocery and doing some cooking in anticipation of going shopping Tuesday and expecting Karen and Ron on Wednesday.

As it turned out, the shopping was cancelled due to the illness of one of the driver's husbands and our company arrived around 2:00 on Tuesday afternoon, a day ahead of schedule.  Their cabin was empty and they were able to move in.  Otherwise they would have spent the night with us.

This gave us an opportunity to take them around a bit on Wednesday before Tim and Cindy flew in.

We first stopped at Our Lady of San Juan of the Valley Shrine and Basilica.  It is a beautiful church and grounds.  This is the main altar banked with flowers that people bring constantly.  There are also many, many candles lit in front of it.

The grounds are large and impressive.  Sculptures of the "stations of the cross" that mark Jesus' journey to be crucified are spaced throughout.

From there we went to Harlingen to see the original casting used to make the bronze Iwo Jima memorial that now resides in Arlington National Cemetery. 

Also buried here is Cpl. Harlon H. Block of Weslaco, TX who is depicted in the memorial.  He was killed in action five days after the flag raising.

We watched a movie on the taking of Iwo Jima.  We have seen it before but it still brings tears to my eyes when I think of the thousands of boys who lost their lives on that small island.

Next up was a small showroom of Classic Chevrolet cars.  Here are Karen and Ron next to a 1961 Corvette that they would have loved to own when they first married 54 years ago!

My first car was a 1956 black and white BelAir like this one but mine was not a convertible.

Of course one of the most famous Chevrolets of all was the 1957 model.

From there we stopped at an antique store where Karen & Ron bought a mirrored beer sign originally from Cincinnati.  Shhh!  It's a Christmas gift.

By then it was time to head home so Ted could make his airport run.  Cindy and Tim arrived just in time for Margarita Hour in the clubhouse.  After a few drinks and some appetizers we all came to our trailer and had a light dinner.

It wasn't long before everyone was heading to their own place to turn in early.  It had been a long day and we were meeting at 9:00 this morning.  Destination:  Mexico.

We made our way to Progreso this morning before 10:00.  Our first stop was for coffee and pastry at Renee's Bakery.  Being serenaded by mariachis that early in the morning is a real eye opener! 

Ted bought a new black belt and had his hardware transferred from the old one to the new one.  I bought a few more things at the drugstore to fill additional requests.  And that was it for us.  But the others were Christmas shopping from cowboy boots to leather wallets, necklaces, belts and things in between.  We were going to be loaded down on the way home.

We ended the day on the music patio in Progreso having a drink to celebrate Karen and Ron's 54th wedding anniversary.  We came back across the bridge and ate brisket at Fat Daddy's.  It was late afternoon when we finally made it home.

Later we took Cindy and Tim to the grocery so they could stock their kitchen with some items.  Tomorrow we are taking a boat ride on the Rio Grande River.  Y'all come back, ya hear!