I must be dreaming

Going sailing has always been on my bucket list.  Now being conservative and realistic, just to sail on a little two-man scout camp boat would have met that requirement.

Last fall I was with Chad little family, we were having a picnic at a little park in their "Dream" neighborhood watching the boats come in for the evening past Kemah Broadwalk.     I especially watched the big sailboats and the people lounging around on the decks.  That was would be so fun...but that's how the other richer half lives...something I could only wonder and dream about.

Then   at the girl's school Fall carnival, the school staff  auctioned off different goods and services as a fund raiser for the school.   One of the teachers was offering a sailboat cruise.    Chad and Janet made sure they won it!

I'm so happy they waited for the weather to warm up and that they timed it for when I was there (Grampa Karl was suppose to be too).

Finding our way to the right dock

 Heading out to sea.

Our little crew

 The pictures might look like we had the boat on our own...not so, Orlando, Sylvia and (Sylvia's cousin) were really manning the boat. 

 Orlando (funny guy...as in quick witted) put Chad to work hoisting the sail.

 

 Just enjoying the good life.

 

 Janet looking like she belongs on a sailboat.

Violet was loving it too,  

even though at home she was sure she didn't want to go. 

Little Lucia preferred being down in the cabin laying on the couch. 

 We thought she'd fall asleep...but she never did.

 

Janet looking beautiful with her man.

 Chad's lounging around was short lived.

They soon put him to work steering the vessel

 I think he liked it.

Then he got a little help from a little helper.

 Interesting tidbit...everyone on the boat spoke Spanish, including the kids, but me.
Spanish was Orlando and Sylvia first language, Chad's entire family is fluent. I can say Hola,
In fact Sylvia (she's a teacher at Violet's school)  raved about Violet perfect Spanish and how easily she can transitions and translates between the two languages.  But everyone was gracious enough to speak English for my benefit..except for an occasion boating instruction.

Orlando told a hilarious story about a time they were at a restaurant and they  were commenting (making fun of)  in Spanish this white guy's toupee who was sitting at a near by table.  (instead of combing it, he probably feeds it, etc).  After the meal the guy came over and introduced himself in perfect Spanish.    They said they learned their lesson...never again do they indulge in private Spanish conversation in an English speaking crowd.

 Way too soon our three hour cruise was over and it was time to head back to land.

 

Now it was my chance to lounge on the bow of a 36 foot sailboat and wave to the people lining the Kemah boardwalk and having a picnic at the park.

It was an amazing adventure.  Thank you Orlando and Sylvia.  Thank you Chad and Janet.
And at next year's Fall Carnival could you make sure you bid on Orlando and Sylvia's sailboat cruise.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

 Wednesday was an exciting day.  Because Chad had worked most of the weekend he took Wednesday off to go the the big Houston Livestock show with us. 

Violet helped me cook a quick breakfast before we headed out for the day.  The weather forecast was for RAIN...all day.  So we went prepared...rubber boots, raincoats and umbrellas.
   It was beautiful all day.

.

 It seemed a bit strange to me that we were driving into the city

to go to a Livestock show.

 It had been years since I had been to a "Country Fair"

This took me back to my roots.  I loved it.  

It made me realize how much I miss country living.

 Watching the chicks at various stages of hatching was a favorite.

 Of course seeing the pigs really brought back a flood a childhood memories.

Oh the stories I could tell about pigs.

 As with all fairs there were plenty of vendors with goods to sell.

This photo needs a caption.

Chad trying out a machine the vibrates your whole body

 and cures anything that ails ya'. 

So much to see and do and climb on.

 

  Ben loved the tractors.

 There was a wonderful activity to help the city kids to understand where their food really comes from.

 We took the kids home...did a quick turn around and headed back for the rodeo and concert.

 But first we enjoyed dinner at Papasitos.

 So good!

 I didn't even realize it...I love rodeos! 

This was so fun to watch...even way up in the rafters.

Then came the Florida Georgia Line Concert.

 It was really fun and exciting

...but the acoustics were lacking.

It was jam-packed fun day.

The Neon Boneyard

As a last adventure with Jake here in Vegas we visited the historic
 Las Vegas Neon Boneyard.

 The Boneyard isn't historic...but everything in it is.

Old Neon signs from Vegas' colorful past.

 Here's one for Clark.

Do you remember any of these?

 We went at 9:30 am but unfortunately it was blazing hot already

and the kids were getting toasted.  So we ended up cutting our hour long tour down to about 45 minutes.

But I did get our name in Lights.