USS Lexington

 Well, we've been here for a couple weeks and haven't done much except drive around so we figured its time to see some of the local sights. About 10 minutes down the beach is the USS Lexington museum.

The Lexington is a WW2 aircraft carrier, built in 1943 and was the last one to be taken out of service about 20 years ago. It was called the blue ghost because of its colour and the fact it was declared sunk 3 times by the Japanese. This is the hanger deck, one floor down from the flight deck and was where planes were stored and repaired. There is that much room again behind me.

 Anytime I can fly in a plane and shoot guns is a good day.

Apparently I shouldn't have done that.

 After I was let out with a warning, I decided to give an anti aircraft gun a try. This has an optical sight and actually moves so I ended up trying to shoot people who were sitting down the beach in a cafe. Good thing I didn't have any ammo.

This is where the captain ran the ship. He didn't even get a wheel to turn, that was left to more lowly sailors. To my left was the flight deck and straight ahead was the pointy part (bow).

 This is the aforementioned bow. I was sitting behind the upper row of glass windows in the last picture. All of the different types of planes which flew off the Lexington are located here on the deck. They range from WW2 planes to this Apache helicopter.

They shouldn't have left this one running, I almost got sucked into the engine. Fortunately I weight more than I appear to. This was the most challenging plane to land on the carrier because it flew at over 1400 MPH and landed way faster than most. The F4F was used in Vietnam mostly.

 You may find it hard to spot but in the centre left in the picture is a Japanese flag. During the battle of Leyte Gulf a Kamikaze Zero hit the island where the flag is, killing over 20 and injuring over 200. 12 of the dead were pilots who couldn't take off so went up there to watch the fighting. This carrier suffered the most damage of any carrier which didn't sink. 

It is an amazing thing to see. We spent hours walking through the different levels and areas of the ship. Over 2600 people worked here and hundreds died during its various battles. The size of the sleeping areas, the galleys(eating areas) and the heads(washrooms) are huge. Notice how I picked up some sailing lingo. 

After a day of wandering the nooks and crannies of the Lexington, we walked about 100 feet down the beach for refreshments. Notice how close the ship is. When we found out the Margaritas were $1.00 apiece we stayed a little longer than planned. Seafood appetizers were $2.00 off so we had some of them as well. I think we'll be back; we just won't bother with the ship next time.

The building in the centre is where we stopped for a break. Behind that is the bridge to Corpus Christie and the grey building to the left is the Corpus Christie Aquarium. I think we'll go there soon; probably when we get a craving for Margaritas and sea food. Its only another 200 feet down the beach. What a great spot. Too bad we weren't camped right here.

Our Journey from Home to Here

Its been a long and winding road from home to finally arriving at Corpus Christie Texas. Perhaps a refresher on where we've been is in order. A quick and dirty rehash if you will. After leaving home on October 15th., our first stop over was near Flint Michigan, 195 mile trip due west taking 5 hours and $58.00 in diesel.

Next, we drove 207 miles south west to Elkhart Indiana for the RV tours and museum. Took 5 hours and cost $68.00 in diesel.

Through Chicago going due west for 248 miles took us to Colona Illinois in 5.5 hours using $115.00 in diesel.

Then a 5 hour drive going west took us to Des Moines Iowa. It was 196 miles costing $65.00.

Took time to do a bit of house cleaning after driving 227 miles in 6 hours to York Nebraska. Spent $80.00 on diesel. A sunny but windy drive again going due west.

Now 6 hours almost straight north took us to Valentine Nebraska in 268 miles, using $95.00 in diesel. This was a real western spot with the stock yard next door and the smells and flies to add authenticity.

Rapid City South Dakota became our longest stay so we could go to Mount Rushmore, Custer's Last Stand  and the Badlands. Going mostly north west, it took us 5 hours and 222 miles to get there and burned $85.00 in diesel. This is our farthest west and we'll turn south from here.

Due to the distance, this was the only stop over we made where we weren't at a campground but at a Flying J truck stop in Cheyenne Wyoming. The noise of the trucks coming and going made for a restless night, but it was just one night. We drove south west for 6.5 hours, going 312 miles and using $128.00 in fuel to get here.

 Monument Colorado was our next stop after driving 150 miles in 3.75 hours going due south. Fuel costs were $52.00. Although we had been below freezing before, this was our first snow. A beautiful spot though.

Going due south again brought us to Santa Fe New Mexico after 7.25 hours and 357 miles. Fuels costs were $123.00. Hopefully the last of the snow.

Straight south brought us to Las Cruces New Mexico in 6.5 hours and 290 miles, using $119.00 in fuel. Nice and warm, it really feels more southerly here.

Now we're into Texas, getting close! 289 miles and 6.25 hours going south east (notice the direction change) brings us to Fort Stockton Texas. Took $88.00 worth of diesel to get here. Texas wild country with rattler warnings and thorns/briers instead of grass. Lots of room to ourselves though.

More south east travel brings us to Bourne Texas, just west of San Antonio. The drive took 6 hours and was 289 miles of flat relaxing drive. Used $105.00 worth of diesel to get there. Got to see the Alamo and San Antonio's beautiful River Walk while staying here.

Finally, our last leg of this journey to paradise. A good days drive too with only 4.5 hours and 189 miles of south east driving. Fuel use was only $43.00. So, if you've been doing the math, we drove 1563 miles west to South Dakota then turned and went south 1109 miles. Turned south east into Texas and went another 767 miles. Based on the picture above I think the drive was worth it.

Looking along the side of our home you can see across the bay to Corpus Christie. Warm sunny with a distinct tropical feel. A palm tree rustling beside our front door adds to the ambiance. I think we'll enjoy it here. If you want to know the gritty details we got just over 11 miles per gallon on the trip. Not too good for a car but darned good for a home I think.

A visit to San Antonio

One of the main reasons we wanted to stay near San Antonio was so we could go to the Alamo. We have heard the story of the Texans who fought and died here since we were kids and was looking forward to finding out what was truth and what was Hollywood. Surprisingly, the events were depicted quite accurately in the movies we've seen. A story of 200 men who all died fighting over 2000 Mexican soldiers doesn't need much embellishment.

Although most of the fort has been built over in the years since the battle, the main areas involved in the fight are still there. A creek flows through the fort and supplied all their water but in preparation for the battle, it was thought that there may be a siege so a well was dug to make sure water would be available. This is the well they dug. The wall with the arched door was called the long barracks and was where most of the Texans  retreated as they were overwhelmed. Mexicans set up cannon and shot them to bits. Over 160 died there.

The Alamo was originally built by monks and used as a religious compound to convert the natives. During the battle, Texans who retreated into the chapel were killed by cannon fire as well. About 20 died here.

This was one of the cannon used in the battle. They had originally been captured from the Mexicans and when the Mexicans overran the fort they turned the cannon on the Texans.

The grounds are well looked after and beautifully landscaped, not like the dusty yard it was during the battle. About 20 men surrendered after the battle, including Davey Crockett. They were all executed by the Mexicans then stripped and piled up and burned.

Somewhere we had gotten the idea that there wasn't much left of the original Alamo site, just a wall or two and the facade of the chapel. Its much more complete than that. A number of movies have been made here and the visitors centre had artifacts from the original battle as well as props from the movies. Lots to look at.

The Alamo is in the centre of downtown San Antonio. Flowing through the centre of town is the San Antonio River. Over 100 years ago they started to build walkways and parks along the rivers shores. There are miles of beautiful walkways along the river as well as canals such as this one which runs right through the Hyatt hotel. 

In the centre of town the river makes a big loop which is a beautiful walk with flower gardens and cafes. The map beside me shows the miles of river which is part of the river walk.

Every once in awhile there is a foot bridge that lets you get to the other side. Water taxis are available if you wish to sit and enjoy the view. Its hard to imagine this is right downtown.

There are miles of walkways with lovely flower gardens and huge trees.

Once we got away from the downtown area we expected the trail to peter out, but we did first. We walked a few miles and the scenery stayed beautiful.

Once in awhile we can across a grotto like this where small streams entered the main river.

We didn't feel like a $15.00 tourist burger so we left the river walk and found this plaza where we stopped for lunch and had Mexican. Gave us enough gas to power our way back.

Of all the cities we've been, this has to have the best and loveliest downtown area. If you're ever near San Antonio allow time to walk along the River Walk. You'll love it. We sure did.

A few days at San Antonio

After leaving Santa Fe, we left the skiff of snow behind and enjoyed a sunny drive to Las Cruces New Mexico. We stayed here 2 years ago so not much new to report, but you can check our blog from then to learn about Billy the Kid and other Las Cruces info. The little bit of snow in Santa Fe was enough to cover the back of Harvey with muddy spray so I took time to clean it pretty.

Our next leg takes us through El Paso which is on the Rio Grande river. That means Mexicans may try to sneak across the river so on the only road out of town, there is a permanent inspection station. I'm not sure why but the cars were examined and a dog walked around each of them but the motorhomes were waved through without inspection. Maybe I could make some extra cash filling up with illegal immigrants.

This is our campsite in Fort Stockton Texas. Not many amenities here. We did get some wind and sand for entertainment. That grassy stuff on the ground isn't actually grass, its some evil plant with burrs covered with thorns. If you step just right, the thorns go right through your crocs and you know it. I was a bit worried that they might give me a flat tire; they're that bad. Anyway, you learn quickly to stay off the plants.

Fort Stockton has one of the nicest visitor centres we've seen. You have to admit, thats a cool road runner. All festive and all.

This is part of the entrance to the visitors centre. Isn't that something? Its such a small town that the visitors centre is probably the biggest feature in town.

The main reason that Fort Stockton exists is because of the fort which was built here to protect settlers who were moving west and unhappy Indians would try to persuade them to go back, usually by massacring them. The fort is still there so we had a walk around. Seeing the barracks and the jail was all and good but the most interesting thing we found was this wagon. Knowing I'm a John Wayne groupie helps explain why I'm tickled to find this treasure. I mean, he may have sat in it, wow!

Next stop is Boerne Texas. You will note we don't quite have the place to ourselves like we did in Fort Stockton. I'm assuming that everyone stayed there once, just like us, and wouldn't go back to be terrorized by ambushing burrs. None of them buggers here so we're going to start taking walks again.

Got tired of walking around the campground so we went for a drive. The town of Fredericksburg was a great place to spend a couple of hours. Its just like St. Jacobs (if you know where that is), all touristy and trinket shops. Founded by Germans as well. Admiral Chester Nimitz, who commanded the Pacific fleet during the second world war was born here and the largest Pacific War museum is here. The top of the museum is built to look like the top of a war ship.

If you are a fan of country music and are over 30 years old, you probably have heard of the song "Luckenbach Texas" by Waylan Jennings in 1977, when outlaw country was king. Google it, its really cool. Anyway, we had to go there; it was just a few miles away.

There actually is a place by that name. A general store, a dance hall and a blacksmith shop is the total extent of the place. Oh yeah, 3 different bars. Its a magnet for would be outlaws and was loaded with bikers and their girls. Had to have a beer to get in the zone. Now there's an outlaw.

Well, after one bloody light beer this outlaw went looking for the toilets. All I can say is, I'm just glad I didn't have to sit down to get relief. Rustic and well used. Well, I've been to Luckenbach Texas and couldn't find Waylon and Willie and the boys, but it was fun anyways.