Belton, TX

SUN., MAY 15, 2022 thru THURS., MAY 19, 2022

We left Austin on Sunday at 1 PM and traveled 66 miles north on TX 130. After leaving Austin, we were in the countryside, and it was a pretty ride. We arrived at Basin RV Resort in Belton, which is home to (brother) Andy & Linda. They, too, are full-time RVers and Basin RV is their “home base.” Linda was waiting at the picnic table to greet us. Our own welcoming committee! We got settled and then the six of us (Stapps, Hannafords & Troys) headed to the pool. A fun time cooling off and catching up. Linda had made a pork dinner for all of us, which we enjoyed in the spacious club house. Brendon, our 17-year-old grand nephew, was also able to join us. So fun to see him after two years. He’s maturing into a delightful young man! After dinner the six of us (Brendon hung back at home) headed to a dance in a neighboring town. Gary doesn’t dance (much to my angst) but it was fun to watch A&L and their friends 2-step. Cheryl & Joe are fabulous dancers, although they don’t 2-step, but they were able to do their own thing to several dances and make it work. I danced the Electric Slide line-dance with Barb, one of Linda’s friends. And Barb’s husband twirled me around the dance floor so I could experience the 2-step. The dance was in an historic 1923 building. Loved the vintage feel! Afterwards, we all headed back home. A&L were staying at their son and daughter-in-law’s house since Blake & Misty were out-of-town. They were enjoying quality time with Brendon. The Hannafords and us headed back to our tiny homes. 

Sunday night was also the night of the full lunar eclipse… Gary & I ended up sitting on a picnic table in our pjs with the Hannafords and watched the lunar eclipse for an hour with binoculars and the naked eye. No picture taking… we just enjoyed. It was a gorgeous night and a Big Sky to watch it all. These are the unexpected moments that we cherish. A very special evening. 

Monday, May 16th, was grocery shopping in the morning and pool time in the afternoon and dinner once again over at A&L’s… burgers on the grill. Brendon joined us and we played Blank Slate (game) outside in the shade listening to the birds chirping at Linda’s wonderful bird feeders. 

We had mail delivery arrive while here and received a belated Christmas gift from (nephew) Mike and family. A new outdoor sign for our tiny home, which was desperately needed as our other one had ripped in Galveston, and I’d thrown it out. Y’all could not have chosen a more perfect gift! Thank you! We look forward to seeing all of you in a few short weeks! 

Tuesday was laundry in the morning and pool time in the afternoon… again. Notice a pattern forming here? At night it was our turn to host dinner, and we had everyone over for sesame chicken. It was quite tasty despite my forgetting to add the sesame to the sesame chicken. lol. Afterwards we headed to the clubhouse to play Mexican Train. A fun time. There are as many different ways to play Mexican Train as there are people who play it! Always interesting to “negotiate” the rules! Once again we got to enjoy Brendon’s company, and I think he was our big winner for the evening. 

Wed., the 17th, I got a haircut with Linda’s hair stylist. We made it a girl’s outing and Linda, Cheryl & I headed out for lunch afterwards. We shared a vegetarian dish. The boys also headed out for lunch, but did not share. What a surprise?! We all did another afternoon pool swim, and then enjoyed dinner at the Hannafords, which was Cheryl’s delicious caprese salad and skillet lasagna. Afterwards we headed to the clubhouse to play the card game “golf.” Cheryl got in trouble for bending the cards in her angst not to give Gary any good cards. We really can’t have those two sitting next to each other! 

Thursday Gary was up early to get an oil change done. Andy gave Gary a ride to drop off the truck. Linda, Cheryl & I headed off to a coffee with Linda’s Newcomer Group. A fun time. Everyone was very welcoming and the food was delish! Then it was time to pick the truck back up again from the dealership. Another afternoon at the pool, followed by dinner in the clubhouse. (Nephew) Blake & Misty & Brendon picked up famous Miller’s BBQ and we all enjoyed a feast! Thanks Blake & Misty and A&L for dinner. It was delicious! So wonderful to catch up with my nephew and his family. It’s too long between visits! After dinner we played a few rounds of Blank Slate. Then all too quickly it was time to call it a night. 

It was the perfect 5 days. We’d all done so much sight seeing in Houston and Austin that we were looking forward to some downtime of hanging at the pool, visiting with family, game playing, good conversation and excellent meals! The Hannafords are now honorary members of the Stapp Clan.

Tomorrow we move on to Waco.