Weekend of Whelmed

 

What a summer, y'all.  

We purposefully don't camp in the hottest months here in Texas, because, well, a thousand (degrees) reasons not too, but man! I've been looking forward to this weekend for _months_ because I know how much more settled and rested and relaxed I am when we go camping regularly.  Between the stress at work, family situations, and the political climate in Texas right now - I've been overwhelmed. (If you're not aware, Google: Texas HB 1927, Texas SB1, Texas SB4, and Texas SB8... don't even get me started about how the SCOTUS failed Texans this week; THIS is the reason we all panicked when RBG died last year, y'all) 

Knowing that we had a long Labor Day weekend at Lake Livingston State Park, my mindset and mood this past week has been a hundred percent better.  With my work schedule easing up Friday afternoon (not a single team member had a live web on Friday, and nearly half the team was out on early vacation), RDB and I took off for the park and arrived a little after 6.  Not wanting to cook, we found the Blue Duck on Yelp and went into town to have dinner and support the locals. Generous pours of whiskey from the bartender were the saving grace (read the review, you'll see). 

I had a hard time getting to sleep Friday (to be honest: here lately most days I suffer from revenge sleep procrastination) but RDB had no trouble dozing off on the lazy-boy in the living room.  I woke the next morning to him having set up the coffee maker for me, ready to go with HEB's Texas Pecan decaf (my fav) and a cup.  He asked me later on in the day: "Have I told you yet today that I love you?" You do, RDB, by the sweet things you do for me. (Over and over again, I'm reminded how I found one of the good ones!)

We got a hankering for one of our favorite camping meals - jalapeno cheddar sausage with fried eggs and roasted veggies (I need to get a Camp Cooking post done for that one!) - so we went over to the local HEB and picked up groceries. 

Also picked up a bunch of strawberries and marshmallow fluff - RDB saw a picture of roasted fluff-covered strawberries and was intrigued.  Y'all - lemme tell you - THIS WAS GOOD!  It would be much more fun outside over a campfire, but hello-1000*-Texas-in-September, we roasted it over the flame in the kitchen.  A note, if you want to do this: it's more about getting a bit of char on the marshmallow fluff vs. trying to actually roast the berry.  That little bit of burn + the cream of the fluff + the sweet tartness of the berry = heaven in your mouth.  10/10 would recommend!

We settled in Saturday afternoon to watch our favorite movie (yes, again. We won't ever get tired of Matt Damon's humor in The Martian!) and enjoy being out in our camper.  RDB mentioned that he's heard people comment on "why would you go camping when you just sit in the camper all day?" Well, because it becomes a home-base to check out other small towns. It's a new view outside the windows, even if we are watching a movie. It's a chance to go for late evening walks among the trees once the sun has gone down.   Really, I don't need a reason at all; rest is my why.

And it looks like I'm not the only one who loves to rest....

And yes, we need to have a talk about him smoking cigars in the camper.  He's getting a little crotchety in his old age! Ha!  Of course, he deserves a nap after the walk and photo shoot we had earlier in the afternoon.

Speaking of well deserved rest, RDB was conked out with his head on my lap as the movie played on, when a text came in from Big Bro D out on vacation with his girlfriend in Colorado:

Yeah!! I am over-WHELMED with joy at how happy he is right now! I'm thrilled for him and A - they are such a sweet couple and compliment each other so beautifully; its a real joy to see how happy Big Bro has been these past months.  Looking froward to a wedding in the future and a great marriage for these two! (And even closer than all that - looking forward to camping with Big Bro in November after Thanksgiving!)

Sunday morning we woke up leisurely, and decided to go out for a late lunch rather than cook in (and heat up) the camper.  It's hit or miss sometimes, and unfortunately, it was another miss with the Mexican food place we went to back in town.  The outside was so cool, and the interior decor was a feast for the eyes, but the food was lackluster at best.  Our dining out choices were, well, under-whelming this trip. As Big Bro would say: it'll make a turd.  Lol!

At least the margarita was good!

Back at the camper, we broke out the mini Rummikub set I inherited from Grandma Ford; the box still smells like her living room in Arizona.  I won't say who won all four games we played (me) but it is one of my favorite games. 

Another movie to end the day - one from the Star Trek trilogy (what can I say? We like our space based science fiction!) and another relaxing evening. I'm so grateful that we have a three day weekend and reserved the campsite till Tuesday so that we have several full days here to rest and hang out.

I got demoted (dog-moted?) from my seat. 

Monday morning I woke to the delicious smell of coffee, and RDB gently rubbing my shoulder.  Did I say I got one of the good ones, y'all? Because I did!  We spent some time outside the camper (ominous clouds means that we may see rain as we pack up, but at least it cooled things off for a bit) before we took a drive around the campground for RDB's Park and Drive YouTube Chanel. Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Poppers in the oven for lunch (thanks again, HEB) and it was the beginning of a great afternoon. 

We really do enjoy extending our stays an extra night, even though we know we won't be sleeping over - this weekend it gave us the chance to play a few rounds of Mario Cart 8 (which RDB won, nearly ever single time!) and sit outside again enjoying a few beers in the some-what cooler weather.  By Monday afternoon, we practically had the entire camping loop to ourselves. 

We finally packed up and made the return trip home - only about an hour and a half away, we were home before dark, backed into the driveway and greeted by Tali (the cat) who was just a little annoyed that she wasn't invited on this trip.  Needless to say, her level of attention seeking over the next few hours will likely be overwhelming.  

We were in site #99, Pin Oak Loop at Lake Livingston State Park.  Same as our last visit, not much cell service (I'm back home finishing up the blog and am blown away by how fast the photos are uploading in comparison) A nice amount of shade during the later part of the day, super close to the bath house, but a real challenge to get backed into because of the site marker on the other side of the narrow road. That being said, RDB never ceases to amaze me with his ability to navigate those tight spots. 

For more camping photos, go here.