Mike n' Lisa's quest blog: Livingston Texas Escapees

We were released from our last job Saturday, December 21, 2013 and with both the Bronco and Trailer's registrations both expiring. We have been exploring options of moving to Texas all along but with our job gate guarding taking us all over the state, renting an RV site, even in Port A where we have been spending most of our down time just seemed unrealistic and a waste of Money. I have not been in Idaho since the end of June when circumstances required our presence. Prior to that time we had also been in Texas some months. Just seemed silly having to return to Idaho for no other reason than to register vehicles. Finally we learned of an Organisation called Escapees. Who have tailored their service to assist aquiring a Domicile for travelers like ourselves. Getting a bit ahead of ourselves, however. First we had to get to Livingston, Texas some 300 plus miles from where we were at.

From here:

By way of many small Texas towns, almost all forgettable except one, Navrasota. Has a clothing optional RV park. Anywho......

Ok, the reason this Pizza Hut is here is because you can have a Jack and Coke with your Pizza. I s&^t you not. Half of the restaurant is a full service bar with a big "Pizza Hut" neon sign behind the bar. Back on the road.

So many of these small towns, unless located somewhere near the oil fields are just freaking dying. Anyway, I was reminded of the movie The Last Picture Show. Where the young people, (now old people. Think Jeff Bridges and Timothy Bottoms and Cybil Shepard) desperately wanting to seek a life elsewhere. Makes sense. It's a depressing thought. High school football, religion and work is all that seems to be going on around these places. I'm sure they are good people but not my lifestyle.

And onward

Driving

Until we had to stop at a local Wally World due to fog.

Oh this, this is Sunset along the beach at Port A. Not fog. However driving in the fog in other states might seem risky, driving in fog in Texas is downright Suicidal. We long ago stopped taking pictures of cars passing on double yellow lines and on hills. Here it seems to be more of the norm than the exception. The craziest drivers I have ever seen have been in Texas.

I'm not sure about other places, but in Texas it is not uncommon to pull out of your driveway onto a 70 mph highway. On even a moderately busy day this requires going like a bat out of hell. Bronco rarely sees 70 even on the freeway. Too noisy and expensive. I am not sure she has seen 80 in the past ten years which seems to be the prevailing legal speed limit on the toll roads. And like other states, most drivers like to keep it around 10 over. Keep from getting a speeding ticket. Aaaannnd the condition of road that Texas slaps a 70 mph sign on is not just puzzling, it's awe inspiring.

Did I get distracted? My resolution is not to multi task as much. Back on topic.

Gradually the scenery began to change.

Lake Livingston

and

More Lake Livingston

And More Lake Livingston

(Camera One_

(Camera two)

Onward to Livingston

We took some selected shots. Forgot to take a pic of the City sign while entering Livingston but oh well. Please also disregard the different datestamps from the camera and employ your "suspension of disbelief" One of the few terms I remember from College. We had to backtrack a bit.

Finally Arriving

And after over 5000 miles towing a heavy assed trailer, in all kinds of terrain and all kinds of temperatures and almost flawless operation, (with the exception of the occasional teeth grinding malfunction that is usually easily fixed} Both clutch in the Bronco and DC converter in the Trailer died. A 12 volt Battery Charger is a good stand in for the converter and costs only 50.00 bucks until I get around to fixing her. Not too expensive. The clutch, well we will find out on Friday.

when we got there, we found out the park is 55 I guess and over. They weren't going to let me in. I just chuckled and showed em my ID. Hehe.

K, I'm lying.

We were a little nervous about the Natives. Would they be hostile? Not when you have Alcohol. Amazingly popular even in this partially dry county. Seriously, Escapees is the neatest thing since micro brewed beer. A 140 Acre complex and RV park. Given what our scenery was around San Antonio we were very pleasantly surprised, It's gorgeous.

Our present CG

Full HU's 19.00 bucks a day, or 110.00 a week. This place is the full service retiree hotspot. Activity Center, pool, clubhouse, Ice Cream store, Laundry, Showers and amazingly an on location medical facility to assist the elder seniors. Non stop little activities that I don't appreciate now but will someday if I am fortunate to live so long. Lisa is right now off to Pinochle night. Today was New Years and a free Black eyed pea Lunch (for those that don't know, the black eyed pea eaten on New Years is a good luck omen} On site insurance agency to help with the transfer of Insurance and also amazingly helpful people at the National HQ. who walk you step by step with the somewhat nerve wracking requirements of getting a car registered and acquiring a Texas Drivers license.I know I sound like a commercial here but these folks are fiercely proud of their Organization. A local politician did not like losing an election here at one point and retirees, these ones anyway apparently made a point of making sure he was not elected. He sued as so many in Texans like to do because he claimed they were not full time residents. (Seriously the most ostentatious lawyer commercial I have ever seen predominate the airwaves here. The insurance costs are the highest in the nation, triple what we paid in Idaho) The Domicile aspect of Escapees has been through the Court system and is an entirely legal address.