Paul & Lela in The Long, Long Trailer

April 3, 2017 Monday

Today we are in Dobbin, TX. Noel doesn't have to work until Wednesday so we are extending our trip by two more days.

Thursday morning we left Las Cruces (Hacienda RV Park) https://www.haciendarv.com/ heading to Fort Stockton TX. http://fortstocktonrvpark.com// There was a restaurant (The Road Runner) on site so we opted to eat out. We could have had a rally there as we were on of six Airstreams in the park overnight.

Mountain view at Las Cruces

I have some pictures of the landscape in west TX that I might add at the end today. Ft. Stockton RV Park was okay.

Yard art in Ft. Stockton park

more yard art

Friday we were headed to Seguin, TX. All our days were planned to be 300 to 350 mile trips, as that is six hours driving time. When we arrived at Twin Palms RV Park. There was neither twins nor palms. It was pretty much a neglected park. http://www.twinpalmsrvtexas.com/ We called ahead about an hour to Flatonia, TX. We secured a site in Flatonia RV Ranch for the night. http://www.flatoniarvranch.com/

Saturday morning we headed to Galveston, TX for Noel's half ironman race. We arrived at Bayou Shores RV Resort about noontime and got set up. http://www.bayoushoresrvresort.com/

The view out our door

our new window signage this year

On the bay outside our spot

Noel and Patrick stayed at Moody Gardens, a resort destination. http://www.moodygardens.com/ We went there to meet them and check out where the race was going to be on Sunday.

THE OBJECTIVE!!!!

Finish line.

Noel and her bike, "Dream Crusher"

Noel & Mom

Bike is racked and preparations are complete.

Noel brought some chicken and rice to the Silver Star for her pre-race meal. We visited for a couple hours and then she was off to rest.

Sunday morning came early as we left to get a parking space at 6:15 AM. Traffic was backed up and we were guided to a spot about a 15 minute walk from the hotel.

Noel entered the water for the swim portion of the race at 8 AM.

pre-swim with friends

In the bay awaiting the horn to start swimming

(Itinerary: 1.2 miles swim in the Galveston Bay, 56 miles on the bike, and then 13.1 miles to run) We spent most of the day waiting for her to pass by where we were standing.

waiting (not so) patiently

coming out of the water

Not a happy swimmer

Coming out of the water there are volunteers called "rippers" who help you get out of your wetsuit.

Ripped out and on her way to the bike.

We saw her come out of the water, and then again as she was returning from the cycling portion of the race. The half marathon was within Moody Gardens so we were able to spot her a couple times as there were three loops of the track to complete the race.