Wylie, TX -Quilting, Ham Radio, Food, Friends, & Family

“Miss you already! Thanks for helping me learn sign language and playing games!” Such a sweet text to receive. We had a really nice time camping with full-time traveling RV friends while at Lake Tawakoni, Point, TX. Fun to get to know them better.

Travel Day: Thankfully we had good weather today. It was windy but manageable. We drove northwest to Greenville and then west to Wylie. It is great to see the wide open spaces. East Fork Park is campground and day use on the south side of Lavon Lake in Wylie, TX. The city of 54,000 people is right here and lots of business about 1/2 mile down the road. (It is part of the whole metro area of Dallas.) Kevin said the couple at the guard shack had the first “true Texas” accent he had heard in a long time. Then he started repeating what they said in a Texas drawl but, of course, being deaf, the words on the iPad accessibility were the same, no matter what accent or drawl you have. We started laughing soooo hard! 

This place, wow! Super wide sites, few trees, asphalt road, gravel, 1 board uneven pad, concrete table, grill, fire ring (fires banned). Kevin’s office view and the side view is of the lake and it is very pretty. We can see the land on the other side. Behind us is the road to the day use picnic tables and covers.

Oh the bugs and spiders! The spiders are the most worse we have encountered in all traveling. 

We came to the Dallas area to visit my aunt and uncle. It was so great to give/get big hugs. We starting visiting and it wasn’t long before my uncle and Kevin were in the other room where he was telling Kevin all about Ham radio. Kevin has been interested and was able to learn a lot from him. My Aunt and I, of course, were in the sewing room and talking all things quilting. It was wonderful. For lunch they took us to Mimi’s Star Cafe. They were passing here one day and she said she would like to eat here. Now they come at least once a week. It is breakfast and lunch.  Rated: I Can See Why They Come Here Once A Week! 

When we were talking about church for the next day, My Aunt said a lady in her Sunday School class used to do Sign Language interpreting here. I said I didn’t want to put pressure to her to sign for me the next day.  When we got to church this sweet lady was there to interpreter for me. It was wonderful being able to watch her. Later I asked how she got started signing and she said she used it as a teacher. 

After church, we rode with them to Spring Creek BBQ. You know how everyone has a different like for different BBQ? I can say this is probably my utmost favorite! A worker walks around and delivers the most delicious flavorful rolls. Crusty on the outside and soft inside. Rated: When Can We Come Again?

We looked up grocery stores and was surprised there are no H-E-Bs around this entire area of Dallas, TX. Interesting. We decided to stop at a Tom Thumb grocery store in Wylie. Wow, it is nice! Large section of great looking produce. I was very impressed. Kevin said it didn’t quite reach the high rating of Publix. Why? It doesn’t have fountain drinks. HAHAHA 

Oh the severe thunderstorms and tornado watches we had this day. I think we got about 2 inches of rain. The roads looked like oceans and even had waves of water; so much water! We made it the 1 -1/2 hours to visit another wonderful couple. He was my church pastor when I was little and our families have stayed in touch all these years.  What an enjoyable time we had. She was a delight! She grabbed my hand and showed me around. She loves to watch the birds in the backyard and she showed me her art. She is incredibly gifted as an artist. So fun! He made us turkey, veggies and the best potato salad. Later for desert we had his homemade pies – apple and a mincemeat with vanilla BlueBell ice cream. He is a great cook! Kevin was great being my American Sign Language interpreter. At one point, our friend took me to her room to show me something. I turned to ask Kevin to come to interpret and she waved her hand and said, “OH, we don’t need him.” That gave us a great laugh. She was good at pointing out things she wanted me to see. It was great to visit and catch up; they have done amazing things for different countries as missionaries. They said they enjoyed our visit and begged us to come see them again. We will see them whenever we are in the area.

My Aunt and I went to Best Little Retreat Center in Texas. It is an amazing place! I didn’t want to ever leave! Look at this website and see all the pictures on the inside of the building! This is a great place to come, set up, and doing some sewing/quilting. You can pay to come for the day or get a membership and come more often. Even though I didn’t use it, I really liked the homey feeling with the full kitchen and snacks, drinks, ice cream, etc. for purchase. The ladies there were so friendly and would come over and talk even though we didn’t know them. They were intrigued that I am a full-time RVer plus I quilt in our 5th wheel. 🙂 She and I took a break and went out for lunch and then came back and did some more sewing. 

As we were leaving the quilting place, I bought a few things: an Oliso iron, little pads of paper that I like the size, Magic Pins, and a phone holder. I needed a new iron and when I saw all the ladies there, including my aunt, using that brand, I learned more about it and knew it would work great for me. We both had the most enjoyable time together.

The next day, on Kevin’s lunch break we went to Walmart. I wanted to get a ton of snacks, especially for him, for this weekend. We have two of our longest travel days coming Saturday and Sunday. Snacking helps him, he said. 

My aunt and uncle came to HOWE (footnote 1) for dinner. We ate Cheesy Beef Potatoes with a side of green beans. Had a nice visit. Dessert was coffee and donuts. We all said we really enjoyed our time together. They ask that we visit them again and we will. 

Stay tuned for the absolute worst and hardest travel days we have ever had….

1. “HOWE” is what we named our Alliance Avenue 36-ft 5th wheel. See: Home On WhEels and we pronounce it Howie. We live and travel in it full-time around the country.