Our 38 day Waltz Across Texas has officially begun!  After safety inspections, in-rig visits, and an orientation day, we are now starting most days with morning coffee hosted by the AVC staff. This seems to get us off to a good start for the day’s activities.

One of our first activities was a visit to the Moody Gardens in Galveston.  Before we took the 30 minute drive to Galveston, we had to figure out how to load a scooter into the back of a pickup truck. 

It was like a bunch of keystone-cops…we were not sure how to grab the scooter so we didn’t damage it, and we were lifting it about 4.5 feet above the ground, to put it into the truck bed. Next, we had to figure out how to fasten it down and protect it from the potentially stormy weather.  It took a bit of time, but our problem-solvers successfully completed the task!  In the end, we made it safely to the Gardens, scooter and all!

Our caravan of 24 members, has adopted a mascot, and named him Tex. Tex is a long-horned steer who has decided to help us create memories along our Waltz Across Texas.  Quite the adventurer, here Tex is making friends with one of the raptor statues at Moody Gardens. 

Tex also made friends with Tailgunners Rick & Sharon Gilbert

And, with Dennis and Beverly.

                                                                                                             

And Viola...Tex really likes Viola's scooter.  He says she should be a race car driver  because of the way she handles the turns!  

Tex made friends with many other caravan members, as well. Some of his memorable activities included lunch in the cafeteria, a ride in the paddle wheeler, and a 4D movie. He says he got really soaked in the rain getting to and from the paddle-wheeler, but still enjoyed the day. He especially appreciated Rick taking him to the movies. 

Tex enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria with his new pals, who were nice enough to share their chips.

View of the Moody Garden Pyramids from the Paddle Wheeler

Looking pretty cool with our 4D glasses! 

We concluded our day with an excellent meal at the Café in the Park, located in the Moody Gardens Hotel. Tex had a full day and decided he is going to like being with the Adventure Caravans group.

The next day, Tex joined the Caravan in seeing the sights of Galveston, learning about the Great Storm of 1900, oil drilling in the Gulf, visiting wood carvings in Victorian neighborhood and touring the Moody Mansion. We all returned to our RVs a bit tired from a full day, but had a wonderful time visiting the sites. Tex spent the whole day getting to know Tailgunners Rick and Sharon, helping them with passing out cards and counting heads on the bus. He loved the crab dip at Joe’s Crab Shack next door to the oil rig museum and watching the pelicans fly around the harbor. Where will Tex go next?  I wonder if he'll like the Space Center?  

Today's contributor:  WagonMaster Stu Flood 

Today's contributor:  WagonMaster Stu  Flood