Dora, the Greeting Ambassador

Not much happens when you're parked somewhere for 3 weeks. We're still at Lake Whitney RV Resort in Whitney, TX.

I've been doing a lot of walking with Dora. She loves to explore, while Sammy loves to sleep. I've met some very nice people - Kevin, who's parked next to us on the left, and Judith and her dog Precious, who's parked next to us on the right. It's wonderful meeting new people, each with their own story and history. Most are either retired or work remotely, like Judith who's a Spanish translator, or the young couple 2 spaces down, from St. Johnsbury, VT, which is only 1 1/2 hours from where we live in NH. He's a tutor and she's a graphic designer. A few are are just out for a camping weekend before returning to their "sticks and bricks" houses. Most full timers are older folks but a few have young children. Once in a while someone will pitch a tent, although most of those are just passing through rather than staying long term. So there's all kinds of people, with all kinds of stories, a rich diversity of humanity.

I've been asked how I meet so many people. I have a dog, a very friendly dog, who loves everyone. Dora has applied for the job of official greeting ambassador. The first people I generally meet are people out walking their dogs, or people who my dog wants to say hi to on our way by.  As was the case with Nancy and Pat. I was out walking Dora and I commented on their very classy RV, then Dora wanted to say hi, then Nancy fed her almost an entire small package of dog treats as Dora went through her repertoire of tricks, then Nancy wanted to meet Sammy so Jim walked over with him. Next thing we knew they invited us in for a visit and we became good friends, even if it was for a short time.

Russ is an lovely older gentleman who tent camps full time since his motorhome was totaled in an accident. He's been looking for another one but hasn't yet found one to his liking and budget. I was walking back from the dumpster when he was just setting up. He looked to be having a bit of difficulty, so I offered to help. He commented that his tent was a little on the older side and somewhat challenging for one person to manage. He said he might have to find a wife to help if he was going to keep using it. I laughed and said it might be less trouble to just buy a new, easy set-up one!

Russ's tent setup

Many times I meet someone at the laundromat during the weekly wash ritual and we have a lovely conversation while waiting for our laundry. That chore never stops just because we're traveling. Sometimes I wish we could use throw away clothes like we use paper plates. Hey, don't judge me. The last thing I want to do on my winter excursion is wash dishes.

The weather has taken a turn on the chilly side. It was 20 degrees for the past few nights, with daytime temps in the 40s and 50s. Last night wasn't quite so cold and today it's in the 60s with bright sun and no wind so it feels very nice. Here's the thing though - it may have been a chilly 20 degrees at night, but there was no minus sign in front of that, which is what I see from back home.

Chicken Express is a fast food chicken chain that's quite popular in this area. I know the chicken on the sign is supposed to be a chicken going very fast, but to me it looks like a dead chicken just laying there. Am I the only one who thinks this looks like road kill? What does it look like to you? Hard to un-see it now, isn't it?

Here's some random photos from the area.

Every parking sign in the parking lot had a single bird on it. Curious.

Apparently this needs a translation for teenagers

Berries on a plant called Heavenly Bamboo, which isn't really bamboo

Large flocks of grackles swarm through parking lots. Anyone see the movie "The Birds"? This female is dark brown and the males are black.

A lovely place to relax on a leisurely Texas afternoon

An abandoned bird nest by the shore of Lake Whitney

Sun shines through Ashe's Juniper trees at Lake Whitney. There are small blue berries all over the ground, which are supposed to be edible. Dora seems to like them occasionally.