Well . . . We were hoping today would bring about a better day, but the morning was just as tough and hot and very HUMID. As I never have been a very good sleeper I was up early. It was hard not to be up early considering it was still very humid and hot early in the morning. Plus if you didn't know you were in San Antonio one would guess you were in a tropical area with the humidity and with all the birds. Lots of birds all singing their songs with some very tropical sounding ones. As nature was calling in more ways than just the birds, I got up and ended up fiddling around trying to stay cool while I let everyone try to sleep as long as possible. Mark finally got up and I didn't realize he had a bit of stress having difficulty sleeping. His brain was going a mile a minute trying to figure out where to get the tire fixed and still something was not right with the way the van was driving. We also were supposed to check out at 11 am and yet we didn't even get camp set up until 4 am taking a little bit to actually fall asleep. He decided to start with asking the manager for compensation for not having any electricity and to please allow us an hour or so extra to get checked out. The park was far from full so we were hopeful. Well I don't know what we were thinking because she was not very understanding with our weary travels and lack of electricity. Unfriendly or lacking compassion and understanding are a couple of nice words one could use to describe her. I have to admit I used a few other words to describe her. She hesitantly gave us an extra hour to actually break down camp and get out. As we discussed our day, Mark decided to head out and try to find a place to fix the tire and maybe have someone look at the van and the transmission. I was supposed to get the kids up, have them shower (as they were very sweaty and stinky due to the humidity) and get some breakfast. He was hoping to be back in time to help get the trailer all broken down and put away so we could head to the river walk and the Alamo. Everything was going reasonably well until Ksenia had problems with the shower. Once we got that worked out I realized that Mark had all the food in the back of the van . . . that he was driving. Ugh!!! After a few texts discussing lack of food and his lack of success with the van he came back to camp. The kids and I had the trailer mostly put back together and so as we all tried to keep our patience in check, we hooked up the trailer and headed out to breakfast. IHOP was the spot of choice. We talked about all the options while we ate and finally had food in our tummies. We were still tired but at least full. We went over to Wal-Mart. The transmission was fine and Mark felt good about that but still something wasn't quite right so after some contemplation, he wanted to try changing the hitch to put the trailer up higher and more level. This idea seems to be working and he is feeling better again. I really know nothing about the intricacies of cars so as long as Mark is happy then so am I. We also found a miss-marked tire for a really good price. We bought it and took it out to put on the back of the trailer only to realize it had five bolts in the wheel and not four. So off we went to find someone to help us change out the two wheels and hopefully have a bigger crescent wrench to tighten up the ball on the new hitch.
Mark with the Big A$$ crescent wrench to tighten the ball onto the hitch. Actually he is just acting as it is not good to over tighten a ball hitch as that could cause it to snap off.
The guy who helped us with the wheel issue was kind enough to do it for only $3. We gave him $5.
So finally off to the Alamo and the River Walk. We headed out only to find parking wasn't easy. Instead of allowing us to pay for an extra spot for the trailer, all parking lots wanted to charge a minimum of $45 to park the car and trailer. Ugh!!! That was ridiculous. After wandering around the city looking, getting hotter and crankier (at least I was getting crankier - Mark was doing a pretty good job considering he had very little sleep). Mark (somehow still in good spirits) decided to go back to the trailer park and unhitch the trailer and try again. We weren't going to travel all the way to San Antonio and not see the Alamo (part of the curriculum he teaches). He really wanted to see it and it was pretty cool to see.
All of us in front of the mission.
Finally having made it through the Alamo, I was not feeling well. I was really worn out for many reasons than just tired and hot. Mark jumped on the phone with his Mom to find out how much we were going to miss if we didn't do the river walk since I wasn't feeling well. Making the executive decision he decided to go get the trailer and head toward Beaumont. So here we are on the road to Beaumont. We should arrive in about 45 minutes. We have had dinner. We are looking forward to a good shower and hopefully a good night sleep with electricity for the fans. Tomorrow we are planning on playing at a water park about 30 minutes from the camp ground before we head on to New Orleans.
Other than needing sleep, I'm feeling a little better and looking forward to the rest of our trip, putting the last days difficult events behind me. It is a once in a life time vacation so I can't let this get me down. Good night for now. :o)
Mark here - MUCH BETTER DAY. Hidden Lake Resort is awesome. Very clean with great facilities and very reasonable prices. Mom and Dad, if you are ever in the Beaumont area you should check it out.
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Location:San Antonio
Thank goodness for Hidden Lake Resort--what a blessing after Travelers RV. I sure hope you get a good nights sleep. The water park should be a real refreshing break. Hopefully you are passed the problems and the rest of the trip will be smooth. You know we ran unto some challenges--arriving in the middle of the night at City of Rocks, our radiator went out on us, having the top of our tent trailer stolen and heat and humidity (probably not as bad as you are dealing with). We love you very much!!! Your Dad said, "and may the wind be at your back"
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