Last year we were asked to attend the Kansas All-Valley Day Event and we didn't follow up, so when we were sent information this year we sent in our reservation and today is the day.
After our 2 mile walk, breakfast and showers we headed to Donna, Texas, about 20 miles away. We left early and I'm glad we did. Even though there was quite a bit of parking, it was filling up fast. As we walked to the front door, we met our friends Raymond and Carolyn.
The planning committee set up the seating so everyone was arranged by location in the state - Southeast, Northeast, Northwest and Southwest. We set with our friends who are from Baxter Springs and also a couple from Riverton on our left, and two couples from Wellington on our right. I cannot remember the wife's first name from Riverton, but it was easy to remember her husbands - Jesse Jackson. They were such a nice couple and in visiting I found out she used to serve on the KS State Tourism Board and worked in PIttsburg, KS with their Visitors Bureau. She knew several people that I have known over the years due to my municipal government background. The wife of one of the couple's from Wellington used to be the Assistant Supt. in Wellington. Dean's oldest son Heath is serving in that position now as well as Director of Special Education. Isn't it a small world?
Our lunch was amazing - it was catered by a group from Mission. We had chicken (so tender you could easily cut it with your fork), mashed potatoes, vegetables, grilled bread, cake and beverage (tea, water).
After lunch Rusty Rierson from Augusta (Leon, KS) was the entertainment. We were impressed with his singing ability, his very comfortable connection with the group, his true country sound, his humor and his love for our country!
Prior to the meal they sold tickets for chances to win LOTS of prizes, I'm guessing well over 100. Whoever was in charge of gathering these prizes did an amazing job. While we did not win anything many people won some great gifts.
I thought it was very interesting they start each year with "0" dollars and pay for the event with the tickets they sell to win prizes and the tickets to attend the event/meal - I believe there were close to 300 people attending. I'm pretty sure the prizes were all donated. Any monies left over are also given in prizes. I was impressed and the people who put this together are a very dedicated bunch. There is no doubt they work extremely hard to bring this all together each year for their Kansas friends.
To all my Kansas RVing friends who visit the Valley, I would encourage you to put this date on your calendar for next year - January 22, 2020 for Kansas Day at Trophy Gardens RV Resort at 11 am. Rusty Rierson will again provide the entertainment. If you are interested in attending and need more information let me know and I'll make sure you have it.
After the event, we made a quick drive to Don-Wes. I was looking for a wooden card stand and a card holder for the card game hand, knee and foot. I could not find a card stand like I wanted, but I did find the card holder.
There are 11 cards for each pocket - hand, foot, and knee. Such a fun game.
A few pictures I took at Don-Wes Flea Market:
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| Parking Lot - it closes at 4:00 pm - we arrived close to 3:00. |
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| Some metal signs, characters for sale. |
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| Fruit stand. |
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| Walkway toward the main building from the parking lot, as we are walking back to the truck. |
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| Booth inside of shirts |
Our next stop was at a Tire shop to see about tires for the truck - the 4 tires on the back. The front tires were replaced last fall while we were in Sandusky, OH. We recently joined the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association). The savings on the these four tires will pay for our annual membership for four years. We felt like their membership was well worth the money for tires and a few other items. The tire shop can order the tires for us, but we will make payment through FMCA.
I wanted to make one last stop at Sam's. While we were there a few days ago I forgot to purchase sliced almonds. I use them almost everyday - a few in my morning yogurt - and I'm almost out.
Back at Bentley we relaxed the rest of the evening and I worked on the blog. I could not believe it when I went to post it later and everything I had added or changed was gone! I have no idea what happened - it's never occurred before but I wanted to cry. Instead I just went to bed! Lol!
Thursday, January 24, 2019 - Slow Start on This Cold Morning; Visiting with Friends - All Day Long!
I'm getting into a bad habit of sleeping in and I don't like it. I am missing my "alone" time every morning. My husband is the greatest guy - and I love being with him - but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy this special early morning time by myself. It helps me get off to a good start for the day.
It was too cold again this morning to walk - 37! Ugh, what's with weather like this here in South Texas? (It is almost always better than Southeast Kansas though) I had not visited with just Nancy and Flora for awhile, so I was going to walk over to visit this morning. Dean decided he would walk along with me so we could get some steps in after a bum morning with no exercise. We had a nice visit before we left. On the way back Ron and Kim (who was parked on the other side of the fence behind us last winter) were out, so we stopped to visit with them for 30-45 minutes before we made our way back to Bentley. We are blessed to have met so many wonderful people through the Heartland Owners Group, Escapees, Winter Texans, and through the blogs I follow.
Once home, we made some lunch. About 2:30, Jack and Lynette stopped by. We visited about the places we have both traveled to. At 4 we took them for a ride southwest of us to visit a nearby park that sits on the Rio Grande near a large dam. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the park they were not permitting anyone to come in. We think that was because it was near closing time. Our next stop was at The Riverside Cafe where we enjoyed a pork tenderloin sandwich and an order of battered french fries. We all agreed the meal was delicious. We both shared the sandwich and fries with our spouse, as it is quite a bit of food. The best part, it is a very reasonably priced meal when shared!
We returned to the park about 5:30. I got started on the blog around 6 and at 9:50 I'm about ready to quit and head to bed.
It looks like next week is going to be busy, busy, busy!
God bless you all for following along with our travels.
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