WE'RE B-A-A-A-A-C-K!!

We've returned safely from Del Rio, TX (and Acuña, Mexico)! Linda and I had a great time! Bob (H2GF's step-dad) and Irma (her mom) were gracious hosts who kept us well fed and made us feel right at home.

We went to Acuña three days in a row. It is right across the border
(the Rio Grande)
from Del Rio. Linda, H2GF and I went Thursday, Irma came Friday, and BB (H2GF's sister) came Saturday. Each day we walked and shopped and had a good time.
After watching Irma cook beans in a clay pot we decided that we HAD to have a bean pot of our own. When we went back to Acuña with Irma, she helped us pick out two, one for us and one for Major Dad. Then we had to take them home and "cure" them. The curing process involved filling them with salt water and letting them sit overnight. We took them back to our motel room and filled them up. Unfortunately, we missed the part where they seep, so when we woke up we had water all over the sink countertop in the bathroom, as each pot had lost about an inch to an inch and a half of the water. Next we drove them back to H2GF's house to finish the curing process. Unfortunately (there's that word AGAIN) we didn't catch the part where we could pour out the water and start fresh, so we tried to drive with Linda holding the pots of water. Right. And did I mention that the house was down a two mile dirt/gravel/bumpy road? Anyway, Irma put them on her stove and finished curing them.
We can't wait for some fresh cooked beans from our pots!!


It was nice to see BB, we had heard a lot about her. We also got to meet one of H2GF's brothers, who is in the Navy and was home for Christmas.

It took us about 12 hours each way, with a stop on Sunday in Houston for a late lunch with H1/DIL1. They had picked out a BBQ place close to the interstate for us to meet, but when we got there we discovered it was closed on Sundays!! Fortunately, right across the street was a non-descript looking Mexican place, which we weren't even sure was really open, although the sign was lit up. Inside it turned out to be very nice, larger than expected, and the food was authentic and good!