Now Near Austin, TX - At the McKinney Falls S.P.

Sunday was spent finalizing the repairs on the VRRV's awning, now I can use the slot in the roller to add on a shade curtain as needed:

Here's a photo of the four of us at The Alamo on Monday:

Tuesday was a mild tourist day, a visit to the Dzuit Meat Market in Castroville, TX then checking out the Landmark Inn and surrounding properties.  Neat little town with lots of history, will have to spend more time there next time we're visiting the Machidas.

Wednesday, February 14

Valentines Day, we left the Machida's SKP campground and headed towards the congested city of Austin.  Lots and lots of construction, way too many cars and people as with most big cities today.

We met up with a good friend of mine from my Army days.  Bob C or "The Cuozz" was in Desert Shield/Desert Storm with me at the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery HQ.  Bob was a Signal Officer, dealing with communications electronics and methods for all the units assigned to the Corps Artillery...which ended up being three Field Artillery Brigades and their supporting elements!

I can't say enough about the Cuozz, he was regarded by the artillery as a great CESO (Communications Electronics Signals Officer).  He got us what we needed and more, and the only reason we could talk and communicated during the war was because of his and his people's efforts.

Cuozz could "lay hands" on balky commo equipment and make it work once again.

Cuozz was also a "Renaissance" man and would eventually teach yours truly and other Army Captains the nuances of Wine and their tasting.  My time in the sandbox would have been quite worse without officers like Cuozz to "get things done".

We met him at his son's home, and he guided us to lunch at a place called Proud Mary near where he lived.

Great lunch, great telling of stories and he brought Martha up to speed on what made up the rich life he's lived.   Now, Martha understands why I hold Bob in such high regard.

Lunch at Proud Mary's

Bob "The Cuozz" and I, he's truly a renaissance man.

After we got Cuozz back home, we met his son Jamie in whose home Bob is living.  Then we hooked the CR-V back onto the VRRV and drove about 15 miles to the McKinney Falls S.P.  We'll be here two nights before heading towards the Houston area to see CCjon of ridingthehorizon.com.

Great visit with Bob, it made the crazy traffic in the Austin area worth dealing with.  As I have remarked about the traffic conditions since I moved to the Denver area in '97, he also remarked that things have gone to hell in Austin since his son moved there in '98.  Too many people.

Here's our campsite: