That’s what the signs say in Tanglewood Shores, a neighborhood adjacent to Canyon Lake in … you guessed it… Canyon Lake, Texas. We laughed when we read them because we have said all along that this journey is about “seeking home”, never imagining that “home” could be in Texas. I mean, how different from Santa Cruz can you get? But we are in escrow on the little house pictured above and below, set to close on July 10 if all goes as planned.

Life is truly strange. If Nicole hadn’t decided to move to Rockport, and if Noche hadn’t had that horrible car accident, this wouldn’t be happening. While waiting for Nicole to return so that we could help her get settled, we went to the hill country again … in part to escape the stickiness of the coast but also to take Noche to an orthopedic specialist in San Antonio. We found a state park campsite along the Guadalupe River for the first two nights. They were full for the weekend so we moved to an Army Corp campground on Canyon Lake with a first-come, first-serve loop, and promptly fell in love with the lake. 75 degree water, aqua-colored against a blue sky filled with puffy white clouds… what’s not to love? Well, the heat, perhaps. And the wind. Though the latter helped with the former it was still pretty intense at times. But I could jump in the lake on my floaty-thing to cool down and drift with the wind from our campsite to the boat ramp so it all worked out well.

Per his norm, Steve started real estate shopping and per mine, I began reciting the litany of why this place didn’t work. But when he called an agent about showing us a property, I went along. Nope, that wasn’t it. And another house. Nope, that wasn’t it. This was just what I wanted. No temptation to do something silly.

Then Chad took us to a third house, almost built and not yet on the market, walking distance from our campsite. Whoops… that’s when the trouble started. This one looked like “home”! It was little and cute. Josh, the builder, is quite the craftsman with red cedar, and it is a “circle house”… my favorite! Moreover, it was within our budget, even once we furnish it and put in a driveway and landscaping… with enough left over to buy a used boat!

So… a deal was struck and if it plays out, we’ll call Canyon Lake home come December (and Chad can buy more diapers!) It will be strange to buy a house, lock it up and leave but that’s what we’ll do. We still have places to go and people to see and life on wheels isn’t ending yet.

But nothing is done until it’s done, and good luck, bad luck, who knows? Stay tuned…

Nicole has arrived in Rockport but her furniture hasn’t. No matter … thanks to lawn furniture and air mattresses, she will be comfortable until it comes (hopefully) Sunday. In the meantime, Steve and Dennis alternate fishing with building her a little dog yard for Ranger. Nancy organizes and feeds us. And me… well… I try not to be too cranky in the sticky heat (not very successfully yesterday, unfortunately.)

Nicole flew into San Antonio on Sunday and we relocated to the same (thanks again Nicole for those KOA gift certificates!) so Daddy could help her buy a car. It was stressful but she is now the owner of a Cadillac Catera. It appears to be in good shape … one owner and she’s got all the records … and it was a bargain. We’re waiting to find out what’s wrong with it but so far, so good! It’s pictured next to her new little cottage in Rockport above. It’s tiny but cute as a button, and walking distance to the library and my new favorite veterinarian. The water and her aunt and uncle are close by, and her landlord is generously allowing us to camp on a large grassy part of the property. This is the “before” photo. I’ll have to post more when she has a fence and furniture, as well as today’s fishing report. Dinner should by yummy tonight!