Coastal Texas

 We left the heat of Laredo TX and the Mexican Border for the wind of the coast.  We stayed in a beautiful state park, Mustang Island State Park, then stayed on the beach for one night on Magnolia Beach.  

Magnolia Beach

The beach was nice, and hard packed.  We were very close to the shore line but it never got to us.  It rained but it was still lovely to watch the rain on the beach and the waves going out.

 

Our neighbors

On the Bayou RV Park (above)

Angleton Tx.    This as a really neat place.  We were right on the bayou and Gene was able to fish right behind the rig!

Next stop was Galveston Island State Park.  Very nice! neat, clean and very windy.  easy ride into Galveston.

Mexican Border

I guess I never posted about our view of the Rio Grande and the Mexican Border!  We were staying in Laredo Tx. and of course had to see the border!

Road to the bridge and border

Along the Rio Grande

Rio Grande

Mexico

Trains going to Mexico

GPS of the border

It was very hot!  97 degrees!

Mustang Island and coast of Texas

 We have moved on from Laredo Tx and the 100 degree heat to the coast of Corpus Christi.  We stayed in a state park called Mustang Island.  very nice  not one the beach but just a short drive.  Beautiful.  Wind whipping!  It has rained the entire time we have been here.  Only views of the beach through the window.  That is really ok because it gives us time to just look around and explore by car.

Little critter welcoming us

Beach at Mustang Island

Port Aransas Pirate Ship!

Ferry from Port Aransas to  Port Lavaca

Our view from the Magnolia Beach in Port Lavaca

Rather that sit in the rain admiring the beach, we are going to leave in the morning and travel back to Galveston and slowly begin the sojourn back to Massachusetts.  We believe we will be back some time in the middle to end of May

My Son's Best Friend Vinny

 Katie called me today and said " I have some bad news.  Vinny died in a car accident last night"  

Vinny Rafferty was my son Jon's best friend.  Best man at his wedding. Yin for his yang.  

I always thought that as long as Vinny was around, I would still have a part of Jonathan to hug. The last time I saw Vinny was at Jon's memorial last June. It felt so good to see him and to have his hugs! Like an extension of Jon. Now he is with Jon.

I am so sad for his family, his wife Chrisi, his kids, and friends.

The pain I feel for Jon is still raw. This just adds to the sadness. I am grieving again, and so are Jon's friends. Most of all, so is my daughter, Katie. She lost her brother a year ago and lost his best friend yesterday . I am in Texas right now. I cannot hug her or cry with her physically, but she knows that I am with her.

Vinny, rest in peace my dear.

My heart!

At our pool!

Singing!

Vinny with a beard

Katie & Jon

Lake Cassa Blanca. Laredo Tx

 We left San Antonio and drove about 140 miles south to Laredo TX. We are staying at the Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. Very nice. There is a overlook where we will be able to look right into Mexico!

Visitor center at Laredo.

Just a sweet little thing telling us to have a great day!

Our view on top of the state park and an old prison

This is a very beautiful state park. lots of places for the public to picnic, swim and fish! BTW. very hot here today - 94 to 100 degrees!