Tuesday PM
August 23, 2016

Sunshine all day today!!!!

Lela and Noel actually got to float around in the plastic pond today.

Couple of Mermaids

This morning began with some tasty bacon and eggs with biscuits. After breakfast I had to deal with a battery issue in the Silver Star, which was finally rectified in the afternoon.  We are once again road ready.

This evening we returned to the aquatic center for Noel's swim training.  She continues to train for a half Iron Man race in April.  She is being trained by Green Multisport Training.

This is Patrick her husband and coach from

Green Multisport Training

Tomorrow 8/24 will be our lovely Granddaughter, Shelby Nichole's 18th Birthday.  We will be on the road to Bedford TX to visit with Lela's Brother, H. E..

Happy Birthday Shelby!

Yesterday, Monday, We headed to Huntsville, TX to visit with Drew (Grandson) who is a senior this year at Sam Houston State University.  Grandma needed to see where he lives and help him to get moved into his new digs.  He has a roommate (Justin) to share expenses. Of course there was the obligatory trip to Wal-Mart for Drew's necessities. We hung pictures, posters and arranged his room.

Drew's Duplex

Noel & Drew 

G'pa, Drew and G'Ma

Drew is a member of Sigma Chi

view from bed to kitchen

View from kitchen into Drew's Room

Drew's Dog, Bailey

View from front door through living room and kitchen

There was a stop at Whataburger.  on the way home.

Because G'pa likes Whataburgers.

After our burgers we went to the Aquatic Center for Noel to work out in the pool.  She had already done an hour on the bicycle in the morning.  She is really serious about her race in April.  Lela and I just marvel at her stamina and determination.

Aquatic Center

Lap after Lap

Noel "listening" to Coach Pat

Saturday PM
August 20,2016

The Sun was out today!!!!!

Noel fixed a crockpot cinnamon pastry for breakfast this morning.  It was very tasty and well received.

It was suggested and approved that we travel to College Station TX, the campus of Texas A & M to visit the George H. W. Bush (41) presidential Library.  We found it to be interesting as well as educational.

The pictures below are from the library.  http://bush41.org/

The entrance

This marble wall lists all the big contributors to the library

First exhibit is a few 1960 era cars

The Avenger.  Bush's type torpedo bomber

G'pa, George and Patrick taking a break

George and Barbara

Noel and Lela - Daughter with Mother

Capital Display

White House Replica

Plaque on the wall in the next photo

Oval office

Have your picture taken in "the chair" for a fee

Campaign memorabilia

Desk at Camp David

Actual panel from Berlin Wall

The east facing (East Berlin) side is blank

Abrams Tank used against Saddam Hussein

George H. W. Bush, 41st President

Exit

https://www.lupetortilla.com/

Early dinner at Lupe's.  This is Lela's favorite place for flautas.

We all ate too much and are now watching Olympics on the couch trying to stay awake.

Friday PM
August 19, 2016

Today was a longish day of travel as we traversed Arkansas and much of Texas as we headed to Noel and Patrick's home in Dobbin, TX.  Much of the day was behind the windshield wipers as the rain continued.

We started to get some breaks in the rain as we entered Texas, but then it was spotty showers the rest of the way.  However the sun returned in the late afternoon and the forecast is promising for tomorrow.

Yesterday, Thursday, we returned to the old town of Hot Springs to check out the bath houses. The whole of the East side of the street is called bathhouse row.

There is a great history there of speakeasies and gambling and baseball spring training. Check this site.  http://www.hotsprings.org/pages/history/

The rain continued as a drizzle all day. 
We were in a steady drizzle most of the day, but we continued to make lemonade.

Where we parked the Silver Star.

Anyone want to pet an Alligator?

The view of town from the summit of West Mountain

This picture has Martin's name all over it.

The baseball field claimed several major league

teams including the White Stockings (now the Cubs)

and the Pirates.

Many players took advantage of the bath houses and the springs

while training.

Inside the men's locker room in one of the bath houses

Men's gym

One of the bath houses converted to a micro brewery.

All their beer is brewed from the spring water.

Micro brewery menu of beers

(Jared in mind)

Water fountain in the Arlington Hotel.

Notice there is no cold water spigot.

The water which comes directly from the

spring is 140 degrees.  This water is from a holding tank

which allows it to cool, but it is still warm.

Inside the Arlington Hotel

Check it out here

http://www.arlingtonhotel.com/

Bath house row looking south

Bath house museum

Catfish for dinner

Inside Mr. Whiskers

I told Lela she could get a "rock" for our anniversary.

I was thinking precious stone,

This was her choice.

What a girl!