Week 1 - Getting Here and Getting Settled

We are finally settled and have started working, living and playing here in Corpus Christi.  Thanks to Derrick and Andrew, the motorhome, Jeep, cats and contents arrived safely at Hatch RV Park on Wednesday, August 6th.

Lot 302 - nice corner spot in the back of the park

They got in early enough that we were able to get the MH situated and head back up to San Antonio so Andy could catch a flight back to Ketchikan.  Before dropping him off at the hotel, though, we stopped to see the Alamo and got dinner at a Cajun place - Pappadeaux Seafood. Andrew was in heaven eating crawfish etoufee - a culinary reminder of his time on his mission in Louisiana. I had steak...

Andrew at the Alamo

Crawfish Etoufee

Once back in Corpus Christi, we finished getting the motorhome set up.  We are very pleased with the park.  Hatch RV Park is family owned and is only 6 minutes from the hospital.  It is quiet and is used by many working people.  There are some vacationers, and a few families with kids. It's a perfect location for us.

On Friday we went Padre Island National Seashore.  Wow!  It was amazing.  I had never played on a boogie board before.  I saw people with them and knew we could rent them.  Had to try it.  It was so much fun!  The water here is incredible.  The waves were not so huge as to be intimidating and the temperature is pretty much bath water.  We had a great time!

Padre Island National Seashore

Boogie board fun

I started work that night and worked through the weekend.  Spohn Memorial is a little "tired", but it's a good place.  The staff is great! They have been so welcoming.  I work on the Med Surg floor where they have 28 beds - fewer than my job at St. Mark's where there were 34, but more than Lone Peak (20 beds).  The word is that the hospital is being torn down in 3-5 years as they are combining Memorial and Shoreline hospitals.  Truth be told, retrofitting Memorial would probably be really hard.  Hopefully, they will get it all worked out for the benefit of the people of Corpus Christi.

Derrick got his remote office all set and started back on Monday.  He even held a video conference with his team at Domo.  Happily, I didn't hear a thing.  The air conditioners are the perfect white noise and I slept while he worked.  True to his decision, he works when I work (or sleep).  We are both really happy with the arrangement.

Kitty cats have settled in, as well.  Gryffindor seems to "own" the bedroom in the back (even going so far as to think a drawer was a good napping spot!).  Boudreaux owns the front - resuming his perch on the back of the couch.

They provided major entertainment on the way here - terrified as they were. Andrew's monologue on how they reacted during the trip is provided at the end of this entry for your listening pleasure :-)

That's about all for now.  I work Wednesday and Thursday this week, but am happy to report I have block schedule of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for most of the assignment.  That means Derrick will work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and we will get to play Thursday-Saturday.  There is lots to do and see in Corpus Christi.  We will keep you in the loop!