Shelter in place

When we finally set out from the RV dealership, it is April 8th. In all, we've been there for about two weeks. Thankfully, most RV parks in Texas have remained open during the shelter-in-place orders. The RV parks are requiring stays of 2 weeks or more. We are heading to Mystic Quarry Resort in nearby Canyon Lake, TX. We will be hunkering down there for the next three and a half weeks. 

This is where I see my first ever firefly! They are too elusive for me to get a picture. I did, however, get a picture of my first ever inch worm. They are easier to find as they keep falling from the trees above us.

Out for a Bike Ride

Mystic Quarry is pretty quiet, so we have to find things to do to keep ourselves amused. 

Bocce Ball

Balance Exercises

Steer Ropin'

Right across the road from us is the Guadalupe River. We are able to take walks and bike rides around some of the river areas.

Now, I've never been in Texas before. My only experience has been driving through the western desert of the state, so I'm quite impressed by the Hill Country. It's not only hilly, but it's green! I'm liking what I see of this part of Texas.

Towards the end of our stay, we're getting a little stir crazy. Even though many businesses are closed, the roads are still open. We drive through nearby Fredericksburg, which is a cool looking town. It's along the up and coming wine county of Texas. We head as far north as Johnson City then east to Lakeway (near Austin), and come back through Braunfels in the south. All in all, a pretty area. We will need to come back and explore when the towns are open again.

We are definitely ready to move on by the beginning of May. Our next reservations are in Livingston, TX where we're spending the month at the Escapees Rainbow Park.  

I thought the Hill Country was beautiful, but as we drive east, the landscape turns even greener and lusher. Wow! When we arrive, it doesn't take long to get settled in. Our neighbor, Jerry, is very gregarious and friendly, and he and his wife, Lupita, make us feel welcome. We're social distancing and all but having company certainly helps alleviate the tedium of  confinement! 

Oh, did you know that Tornado Alley runs right through Texas? Jerry tells us that they had a tornado warning the week before we arrived and had to shelter in the restrooms. The tornado actually touched down about 15 miles north in the town of Onalaska!!! Yowzah!

Now that we're here in Livingston, we have to get ourselves settled and a lot of paperwork done for our move here. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, all the government offices are closed! After a month in Livingston, the state is starting to ease restrictions, but not enough to open their offices. As long as we have to wait, we take a short vacation down in Galveston.

We hit Galveston at a good time. I've been keeping track of the Covid-19 cases here and in Livingston, and they have been very low. However, because of the pandemic, tourism here in Galveston is down, so we get to experience the beaches without the crowds! The ocean is warm, like in Mexico.

By the time we get back to Livingston at the end of the first week of June, the government offices have re-opened. We are able to get everything and everyone appropriately licensed and registered. 

By now, the heat and humidity is getting to be too much to bear. Even with the added insulation and dual air conditioners, we can't do much outside, so we decide to head north to cooler climates.