Thursday the 25th, Sheila left. I was on a roll as far as walking goes, so I
took Stella out before it got too hot. I
got caught up on laundry, and things like that.
Friday, I got up and started my walk early again to avoid the heat.
There was a couple that started walking just after me. I stopped for Stella to pee, and they stopped
behind me. I started again, and they
started again. When I stopped a second
time and they again stopped , I said “Hi…. Nice day for a hike isn’t it?” The lady advised me she spoke very little English, she was Agath and her husband
was François, and they were from a hamlet in French Quebec. She asked if I knew how to get back if I
walked a little further. I asked how far
they were wanting to go and she said about ½ mile. I told them they could walk with Stella and
me. Got there, and they asked if they
could walk further. We went out 1 mile,
and then came back. She speaks very
well, using words like perhaps, and her grammar was flawless. She just struggled at times for the correct
word. We played guessing games, I gave
her words and she selected the correct one.
They were very nice, and they are staying in an RV just a few rows over
from me. They do NOT have a tow car. We agreed to walk again the next day.
We met, but this time I took them up the hill to the Lajitas
golf resort. They have a small deli that
is open only Fri-Sun in off season. We
took Stella, of course. It is only a
little over maybe ½ mile, but it is all up hill. Stella and all of us did great. They are about my age, he may be a little
older. Not really sure, but he does wear
a leg brace. He needs to get his knee
replaced. I think he’s waiting till they
go back home. Stella and I shared an egg
burrito, and I can’t remember what they got.
While we were talking over our food, I suggest they take the golf course
tour. It is only $50 for a cart, and you
get to drive all 18 holes. I almost
guaranteed them I’d refund their money if they were unhappy. They said they would go, and asked if I would
go with them, and they’d pay for my cart.
I said I’d go, but I would pay for my own cart.
As we left, Stella got to the street to leave and decided
she wasn’t not going to walk. No matter
how I dragged her on her leash, she would not walk. I ended up carrying her. My back was hurting so bad by the time we got
home, that I didn’t do anything else the rest of the day. Well, I did call and make reservations for
the golf carts. We had a start time of
10:20am. I got with them and we agreed
to go up at 9am and have breakfast at the resort restaurant, then we’d go to
the golf course from there. I did manage
to start working on my blog, but that was the extent of my Saturday.
Sunday, they came a little early. They were really excited. Off we go, and we arrive at the restaurant
and we sat on the patio because I had Stella.
I got the regular breakfast, but they got the buffet. I also ordered Stella an order of ham. Breakfast was funny, cause they didn’t
understand the white stuff by the biscuits.
I explained it was gravy. Hey
opted to forget the gravy. Whey they
brought Stella her ham, the plate was placed on the patio to rapidly, and it
banged really loudly (didn’t break), and Stella got so scared she started
peeing and running til she hit the end of her leash. I finally got her settled down, but she would
not eat.
We got to the golf course, and the man recognize me from
golfing, and knew that I was doing this only so they would take the tour. He refused to charge me. Lucky me.
François insisted on handing me his card, so I just paid with my card
and we left. Then he spoke with Agath
and she explained that they had to pay me back.
I apologized for not getting her to translate at the time…. We agreed
that I’d take $50 from François and he would also owe me a margarita. Now we are talking really well. I am cheating on this as these are repeat
pictures of the same golf course Sheila and I played, but I tried to post
different ones. It was a wonderful
day. We parted and agreed we’d walk
again Monday.
Monday, we did walk.
I also had to trade trailer spots, so I was busy all day. We all did go for a short walk in the
evening. I offered to take them on a
drive thru the National Park, and we’d do a couple of mini hikes.
Tuesday, we headed out fairly early. We packed lunches for a picnic and we were
off. My pass officer Sanchez gave me had
expired. He was on duty and this time he
recognized me. I asked if he remembered
me, and he said unfortunately. I
explained that Sheila had gone, and with it went the one we got while she was
here. HOWEVER, my Canadian friends had
one. TADA! I was finally legal. In we go.
We drove up to the Chisos lodge, as our first hike was going
to be the mini hike to the Window View.
It was beautiful, and François made it with no difficulty. We then went to the restaurant because François
decided they should buy my lunch. I
finally convinced them I’d really rather have a picnic. We did than, then we were off. Yes, we had Stella with us. They had never been to Hot Springs. The time they went, there was no parking and
they were there illegally because you are not supposed to take RV’s down. We stopped at Panther Junction for gas. Again François and I argued about him not
paying for my gas. We then agreed that
he owed me two margaritas. (His wife is
always involved in our conversations because she has to translate.)
As I left the gas station, we were looking all around, and I
made a wrong turn. It was obvious that
after driving 15 minutes we hadn’t hit the one way road, that we were on the
wrong road. We all agreed that it would
be fun to see where we were going.
Another 30 minutes later, we see a car and ask them where we were. We were driving southwest…. Away from
civilization, and to rough out back camping on the Rio. Lacocha or something like that. We turn
around and get the correct road to Hot Springs,
This time, I took
them all the way. That road gets more
narrow every time I drive it. We made
it. The heat was getting to me, and I
really felt bad. I just walked them to
the first rock outcropping and told them I would give them one hour and come
get them if they weren’t back. We all
agreed on that.
They made it back safe and sound, and then we headed for
Boquillos Canyon Overlook. We got there
and they just loved it. I took lots of
pictures, but mainly of the two of them with their camera. We drive all the way to the Canyon hiking
trail, then headed back home. They so
enjoyed the ride.
On the way home, I stopped at LaKiva Bar. They let me take Stella on the patio. François came out with me a margarita. We all talked and then had a second
margarita. Then a terrible wind/dust
storm came in and we all scurried to the car.
My awning was out and we were afraid it would be ruined. We got back to the RV Park and it was
quite. Nothing happened there. I learned my lesson about taking it in before
I leave.
Tuesday, our last day to hike together, I took them to the
arch Gary and I found. This time, we
went straight to the dump, and hiked only the last couple hundred yards. It was, however, all uphill. We made it, then came back. They packed all day, as they were leaving
Wednesday. I had new neighbors, and they
came over and asked me to eat dinner with them.
I said okay, and I offered vegetables.
I went to the local resort grocery and paid $10 for two packages of
Alexia Potatoes to stir fry (it has veggies and seasoned oil). We were eating dinner when Agath and François
came by on their bikes to say goodbye.
They joined my new neighbors and I and we all drank wine for a while and
just visited. It was a great time. I invited them to come by for breakfast
before they left, since they weren’t in a hurry. They asked if 8:30 would work for me. It
did.
Next morning, Wednesday, I made them bacon, eggs, Bisquick
Biscuits, and real bacon gravy. I want
you to know that they both cleaned their biscuits and gravy off their
plate. François ate 6 pieces of bacon,
which I thought was funny. Agath asked
how to make the gravy, and when I told her it was made with bacon grease, she
asked if butter could be substituted since it was healthier than bacon grease.
HUH? I said sure, but it will not
taste the same. That would be plain old
white sauce. Not sure if she’ll ever try
it, but I think she doesn’t let François eat bacon very often. They left.
I sort of missed them. They were
fun to walk with, and I enjoyed their company, yet it was just a short time
each day.
I emailed her some pictures I had taken while with them, and
she replied thank you and that now when they are out, she and François say, “
here’s to Connie’s health” and have two margaritas. Yup, my kind of people.
Because of my wifi problems here at Lajitas, I am just uploading in a group. No editing of the blog. Sorry.
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