Nuestro Pod and the TexasMini Roundup

Everything was a go for the trip to the Texas MiniRoundup.  The weather looked great,Nuestro Pod had gotten a bath and was loaded and we were ready to go.  We decided to leave early on Fri morning asthere was a “cold front” moving in, and we hoped to beat the change in winddirection.  Normally, we have a nice tailwind when we head north.  Anyhow, when weleft the wind was almost dead calm, it remained that way until we were almostto our destination.  We even ran throughsome fog, fortunately it didn’t last long. We arrived at I.B. Magee Beach Park about 11 am with thesun shining and the wind was blowing pretty hard.  Peggy L with Herb & Boon were alreadythere.  We got all set up but didn’t putup the dome due to the wind.  Thankfully,the wind die down later in the day and we were able to get the dome up. Beingthat it was so windy and the feel of sand hitting you in the face is not thatpleasant, we decided there were a few things we needed form the store.  On our way out was saw the Podderflyarriving. The store we went to was in Aransas Pass,which meant we had to take the 5 min ferry ride across the ship channel to getthere.  Since this was the weekend forthe Texas Sandfest we knew there the traffic coming from the other directionwould be more than normal.  What wedidn’t expect was a line of cars, trucks, trailers and other assorted vehiclesthat would stretch 2-3 miles.  Althoughwe didn’t see him when we went through, one of our fellow Podders, Czardastxhad been in the line.  After getting ourgoods, we decided it would probably be in our better interest if we didn’t goback the same way we came.  Instead weopted for the 40-50 mi trip back through Corpus Christi. Arriving back at our site Czardastx still had not arrived but hadupdated Butterfly Lee that he was in the ferry line. Everyone did there ownthing for dinner.  We all got togetherthat evening for awhile and enjoyed one another company and conversation.

Saturday, everyone did what they wanted.  Awhile after taking a walk down the beach andjetty (see wildlife friends pictures) we decided to visit the TexasSandfest.  We took the back streets towhere I thought the walk to the event area wouldn’t be too far. (You knowwhat’s coming don’t you, you’ve been there) it was about a 2 ½ mi walk to getto the event area.  Needles to say myother half was none to please.  On thebright side the had a good number of vendor booths which we browsed through andpurchased a couple of items.  We thenwent through the Master competition areas. They were still working on building the sculptures (See pictures below)so we didn’t see the final results.  Nowall we had to do was walk back to the truck ugh.  Peggy & Herb had gone to a local seafoodplace to get a menu. We and Paul (Czardastx ) had been visiting when Lee askedif we would like to go in on ordering some shrimp, Paul had a very strong urgefor wings and we hadn’t eaten lunch until we got back from the Sandfest, so wegraciously declined.  From what I heardthe shrimp were delicious.

Sunday it was time to leave, check out time was 12 noon.  Peggy, Herb & Boone pulled out firstheading to the South Padre National Seashore for an overnight of drycamping.  Paul pulled out next and thenLee.  We had decided prior to coming thatwe would pay for an extra night but leave late Sunday afternoon.  We were glad we did as we had/have a minorproblem with the Pod.  For some reason wewere not getting water to the kitchen facet. I couldn’t find anything wrong.  Wewere still getting water to the toilet & shower.  Since we weren’t that far from our dealer westayed overnight and called the service dept on Monday morning.  Unfortunately, they were backed up andcouldn’t fit us in.  I spoke with Susanat Forest River and if we can work it our there isa RV place where we live who might be able to check it out.  So we spent the rest of the morning on thebeach and visiting the University of Texas Austin Marine ScienceInstitute, which we found very interesting.  

I think all who where at the Mini Round up had a goodtime.  It’s always nice to meet and getto know fellow Podders.

A quick update on the sway control I install just before theMini roundup.  Going there, there wasn’tany wind to speak of, coming back however, we ran through quite a bit of wind.Everything from a tail wind to crosswinds to quartering winds.  The sway control really seemed to do itsjob.  So far I am very pleased.

Location for the Texas Mini Round Up

4 Pods in a row

Attendees from left to right Herb in back Peggy & 4 legged Podder Boon in front

Lee in back Myra in front, Mary & Paul, the other Paul

Sandfest

Partially finished sculpture

A heron which we were able to get within 3-4 ft.

Another wildlife friend who just begged to get his picture taken.

A White Ibis in the boardwalk surrounded pond which is accessed from the park.

Watching the occasional ship arrive & depart is always interesting

Happy Podding