HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Although Joe and I have been members of the Traveling Supremes for some time, this New Year’s Rally was the first rally we were able to attend.  Those of you who could not make it this year sure missed a TEXAS SIZED Rally.  Our week was packed from the moment we arrived until the second we left this morning.  We were met with a schedule filled with Texas history, incredible food and awesome entertainment…not to mention making wonderful new friends at every turn! Nineteen rigs, including new members, Glen and Melanie Joziatis, from New Hampshire, (who unfortunately did not arrive until New Year’s Day) attended the rally, plus Polk and Linda Brian, who stayed in a cabin when their truck   experienced engine problems and they had to take their trailer back home and drive in by car.

The rally was held at the San Jacinto Riverfront RV Park on the beautiful San Jacinto River, where we enjoyed breathtaking sunsets every evening. I was amazed by the TEXAS SIZED fish Gary Bogle caught almost every day off the dock.  Rumor has it that if there are fish anywhere in the area, Gary WILL catch them…and that he did!   

We began our sightseeing with a Port of Houston Turning Basin tour aboard the ferry, “The M/V Sam Houston”, where we enjoyed passing international cargo vessels and learned about the operation of one of the world’s busiest ports.  On Friday, some of us went to the San Jacinto Monument, where we were treated to an incredible view of the city of Houston.  At the museum, I was impressed with the knowledge of Texas history by our “Texas Proud” members!  We completed our sightseeing with a guided tour of the Battleship TEXAS, the last of the world’s “dreadnoughts,” the big-gun battleships designed and built at the beginning of the 20^th century.  It is the only battleship still afloat to have served in both World War I and II.

To say we were served TEXAS SIZED meals is certainly an understatement!   From homemade soup and sandwiches, a beef brisket dinner, a New Year’s Day fried turkey dinner with all the fixins’ and homemade pie, to our own TEXAS Chili Cook-Off, complete with Mike Bruce’s homemade CRÈME BRULEE for dessert, no one went hungry, that’s for sure!  There are some SERIOUS TOP CHEFS in the Traveling Supremes!

Our Master of Ceremony, Ardis Schenk, outdid herself with our western-themed New Year’s Eve celebration.   Our multi-talented members entertained us with several skits:  Marie Moreau’s, “The Proper use of a Public Ladies Restroom”, “She’s Got You” by Patsy “Rosalyn Odom” Cline,  Polk Brian and Barbara Smith’s duet “Everything is Beautiful”,  “Retirement Home Dance” by Burnel and Marie Moreau, Nancy and Bob Skinner, Romola and John Laninga and Fletcher Christian,  “Texas Chili Cook-off “ with Bob Skinner, Jack Bruce, Joe Schenk and myself.  The vision of Judy Gamble on her tippy-toes, with her arm slung over a mammogram machine, telling her sad tale of woes to Judge Mike Bruce is emblazoned in my memory forever!   Our entertainment ended with a beautiful tribute to our servicemen, with John Brandon singing, a cappella, “My Country Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The Star Spangled Banner” and Polk Brian’s recitation of America “Why I Love Her”… what an evening!  

A TEXAS SIZED Thank you to Jack and Linda Bruce, Mike and Christine Bruce and Joe and Ardis Schenk for a wonderful rally…what a great way to close out 2011 and ring in 2012!   A special thank you to all our new friends in the Louisiana Traveling Supremes who made us feel so welcome!

Cindy Marz

Photo Credit: Barbara Smith