Glass Recreation Center

Since Duane and I have plans to stay in the Tyler, TX area for a bit longer this year, we bought yearly memberships to the Glass Recreation Center where we play indoor pickleball.  

The Center,  consists of an outdoor area with fishing pond, paved walking trails, and a baseball field, 

and a large building for various indoor activities.  The Entry to the building is on the left.

Inside the front doors is a large vestibule with a large check-in area.  To the right (in the 1 story part of the building above), are two gathering areas, 

plus small rooms for arts and crafts, computer, and snack room.

Next to these rooms is the large gym with an indoor walking track on the balcony around the perimeter.

To the left of the social area is a nice weight room

and a room with treadmills, elipticals

recumbant bikes, and something I've never seen before--a stepper that operates as part of an escalator.

To the right of the building is a nice-sized fishing pond with a paved track circling it.

On the left is a paved path circling a wooded area and connecting to the pond path.  The paths combine for a total of 1/2 mile of nice outdoor walking.

In front of the building on the left is a concrete pad with 2 basketball courts.  This area is in process of being roofed and relined to include outdoor pickleball courts.  To the left and further on is the baseball field.

The Center has three designated play areas for children.  One is by the baseball field,

one by the walking paths,

and a cozy reading nook in the building.

Today the pickleball courts were dominated by better players.  The three courts were full with enough people waiting to fill 4 more courts.  I decided that my time would be better spent walking outside in the sunshine and mild breeze.  This turned out to be just what I needed to regain my cheerful self (see Sick Of It post).

Hope it's warm again tomorrow!

Louise and Duane

Sick Of It

So far we've had three totally sunny days, but I'm still not feeling my sunny self.  I fear that I need lots of sunny warm days to get rid of my SAD--seasonal  affective disorder. Fortunately, the weather is predicted to be sunny and 10 degrees warmer tomorrow, and another 10 degrees on Sunday.  Unfortunately, rain and falling temps are predicted after that.

Hope I feel better by then.

Louise and Duane

Warm Weather, Please

When we were in Tyler, TX last year for our doctor visits, the weather was typically springlike with rain and chilly temps quickly giving way to warm weather.  This year so far we have been having cold weather.  The temp last night was below freezing for several hours.  We had to disconnect the water hoses and wait for the sun to unfreeze them this morning.  

Before we left for pickleball we had to defrost half the truck windows--the half that were shaded by the house.

When in Tyler we play pickleball in the gym of the Glass Center, about 5 miles from the house.  We noticed that in the last year the floor has been stripped, smoothed, and refinished.  

The rose in the middle represents Tyler as the Rose Capital of the World.

The new floor makes for good footing, but unfortunately, the glare is worse!

The Center is in the process of installing outdoor pickleball courts.  We hope we can play on them before we leave the area.

No pickleball tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Same Park, Different Spot

When I took this picture of our rig last April, the sky was blue and the air was warm.  We were in the back row of pull-thrus, the third from the front.

This year the sky was still deep blue but the temperature was 50d but the wind chill factor reduced it to about 40d.  I waited until sunset had washed the color from the sky and reduced the cold wind to a cold breeze before venturing out for a few quick photographs.  

This year we are parked in the row to the right of the one above, and the second site from the far end. 

I noticed that in the last year the owners had added a bit of yard art--a giant rooster by the office/laundry/library,

and a giraffe by the owner's cabin.

Yard art was also installed in the brand new fenced in dog play yard.

More sunshine predicted for tomorrow!  Woo hoo!

Louise and Duane

Travel Day Delays

Our 190 mile trip from Conroe to Tyler (TX) was punctuated by several delays.  First was an hour's stop at the Conroe Discount Tire where our spare tire was returned to it's hidey hole and our 5 year old tires

were all replaced by nice new ones.

We had a construction delay in I 45

then smooth sailing under beautiful blue skies when we switched to US 79,

and TX 155.

We cruised across Lake Palestine 

and into Tyler (where the breeze was showing off The Colors).  We made one more stop at Camping World to get the house inspected, before driving to our new home on Lavender Road for the next couple of months.

After set-up we drove 30 miles to Kilgore to visit with son Jeremy, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandkids Allie and Luke.  An hour or so later we picked up our mail and came home.

Our visit was short, but we will be seeing a lot more of of them and our two other sons and 5 grandkids in the months to come.

One week to play before starting doctor appointments.

Louise and Duane

Light And Still

There are two differences between today and yesterday here at the Thousand Trails RV Resort at Conroe Lake TX.  Yesterday was dark gray with mist all afternoon and a chilly east wind.  Today the sky is light gray with heavy showers this morning giving way to dry skies this afternoon and evening and just a light cool breeze.  Yesterday our activities included taking a brisk walk around the park and holing up with heaters running for the rest of the day.  Today's activities included walking the park and packing up the garage after Duane loaded the bike while running the air conditioner.

Moving day tomorrow.

Duane and Louise.

Lead Again

Several days of clouds made the sunshine yesterday extra sweet.  By the same token, the one day of sunshine made the return of leaden skies more depressing.  To distract ourselves on our walk today, we stopped to play at the little kids basketball court (rim is 8 foot, court is small).  After sinking a few baskets

we walked down for a look at the lake and found two brave (or stupid) souls on the choppy water.

I think that's a blue heron flying in front. 

We stopped at the dock slips to add a boat to our wish list.  This one's aluminum

this one's steel hulled, which led us into a discussion of the relatives merits of each

We noticed that a redbud tree

and a willow had added their colors to the spring pallet slowly making its way around the park.

After lunch we were hoping to practice a little pickleball, but misty showers had made the court too wet for safety.

One more day here at Conroe Lake.

Louise and Duane

Loving It

The weather was still chilly today, but the cold north wind was replaced by a chilly eastern breeze.  The sun peeked in out of thin clouds.  All of this made the temperature just about perfect for our daily afternoon walk around the park.  It would have been good for pickleball, too, if we hadn't had plans for this afternoon.  The good news is that the temperatures are gradually warming again.  The bad news is that the warmer temps will be accompanied by more showers.

O, well. Maybe we can get back on the pickleball court tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Contrasts

Today when I took my daily walk, I felt as if I was standing in front of a fire.  When I walked north, a cold north wind made me cold in front and the warm sun in the south made my back toasty.  When I turned a corner, I was warm and cold on the opposite sides.  

Yesterday's evening sky

today's evening sky.

Sunny wins over cloudy any day.

Louise and Duane

None Too Soon!

After 5 days of clouds,  and two days of rain, we were finally treated to a glow of sunlight 

thinning clouds,

and proof that the blue sky is still up there--just before sunset.

The cold north wind is keeping temps in the 30's and 40's but the clouds are predicted to be gone for a while.

Very glad to see them go!

Louise and Duane

Hmmm

Today, trying to ignore the dark gray, cold, wet day outside, I  was looking in the cupboard we have above the tv where I keep my dvd's.

It seemed a bit "off" somehow.  First, the top of the cupboard stops about 3 inches from the ceiling.  I wondered why I have dead space instead of three more inches of cupboard heighth.

The next thing I noticed was this little light which is, I guess, supposed to light the inside of the cupboard.  I wondered why it is off center.  I also wondered where the power switch was located.  I looked on the top of the cupboard and found wiring coming from the wall but not hooked up to the light.

Now all of these things are making me go "hmmm":

Why the dust-collecting space instead of extra cupboard space, why the light is off center, and why have a light that isn't wired in and doesn't have a switch?

Wish I'd seen all that before we bought the house!

Louise and Duane

Colors

More clouds today as we walked the park.  We needed a color boost to cheer us up.  

These mockingbirds aren't colorful but their wonderful songs are.

Bright yellow dandelions join the green and white of the clover.

The weather was gray, but the air was nice and warm.  

Tomorrow, back to gray and chilly.

Louise and Duane

Routines

On days when we have no trips planned, we quickly settle into a routine. 

Each day we try to get some kind of exercise--play pickleball or walk 2 miles in 40 minutes, or both if the weather cooperates.  We do some kind of chores if need be, or make phone calls.  The rest of the time we do our stuff.  Duane watches tv and does stuff on the computer.  I watch some tv, but mostly read or work pencil puzzles like Soduku, cryptograms,  crosswords, etc. 

Today Duane drove to town to play pickleball indoors.  I walked around the park reading my book.  In the afternoon Duane arranged for new tires to be put on the house, and we washed the house windows.  I texted puns and jokes to the older grandkids and worked cryptograms. 

This sounds great to people who still work and don't have much leisure time, but it can get old in a hurry.  Recently we've been exploring the idea of sitting more.  Knowing, as we do, how quickly we could tire of this,  we're seriously thinking of the best place to sit.  We are also exploring the idea of work camping again--at least for this year and we have made arrangements to transfer our Thousand Trails membership to someone else. 

Not quitting the road entirely yet,

Louise and Duane

Cloudy But Nice

After two beautiful sunny days with chilly wind,

the clouds are back With them came a cool breeze and warmer temperatures.

After lunch after we walked the park we had enough energy for 18 holes of mini golf.

A couple of hours later we commandeered a pickleball court for an hour of practice.

Between times I accomplished a chore that I've put off for 2 years; I cleaned the inside of the truck.

Now we're tired.

Louise and Duane