August 24th

 It sure is quiet here in the Park. I did go to the Cowboy Church Sunday and then out to Dinner.  It's good to eat out and feel safe about doing it. We went to Nancy's Cafe . Hand sanitizing before entering and masks on until seated.  I found out as soon as I got home that I left my Cell phone back at the Cafe, so I beat it back over there. But they were closed, I had parked directly in front of the cafe and my car said connect a phone, and I clicked on it and my phone was connected to my phone which was inside the Cafe  So if I wanted to call anyone I would have to be in front of the cafe, 😄  I got out of the car and peered in the window and saw my phone by the cash register with a little note on top of it.. So this morning I went over at about 7:30 and got my phone. Of course since I was already there I had a great breakfast.

Sure is a different world now with this Virus raging down here. The stores like Penny's , WalMart, Target etc. all have carts sitting with people who spray them down and of course no one gets to enter without a mask. 

Park Rules

• Park Rules

RIO VALLEY ESTATES RULES AND REGULATIONS

Effective September 30, 2020

Rio Valley Estates has park rules so residents know what is expected of them. Adherence to these rules is required of all Rio residents. City, county, and State laws are enforced in the park. You shall not use the park or your lot forany illegal puroses, or in any manner to create a nuisance or trespass. Conducting a business within the park is prohibited. Good neighbors make the entire park a better place.

ADMISSION

This is a senior park for people at least 55 years of age. We will accept couples where one person is over 55 if the other is at least 40 years old. Children and adults under 55 are not accepted as permanent residents, but may visit and stay with a resident for up to 2 weeks per season. Residents will be charged a $10.00 fee per week per person for any guest who stays longer than two weeks. Residents MUST buy a guest identification badge for their guests.

Any new resident(s) to the park MUST under go a background check ($25 each.), residency application, sign the rules and other paperwork, and be approved by Managementbefore purchasing a home in order to live in the park. This process also applies to all seasonal renters.

 All rents and fees are due the first of each month. After the 5th of the month a late fee of $10. will be charged. An additional $10. late fee will be assessed after the 15th of the month. Returned checks for insufficient funds, a “stop payment” or any other reason will be the responsibility of the tenant for a charge of $25.

All residents will need a remote for entrance into the Park. They are available at the office for purchase by fulltime residents and by lease for short tem residents ONLY. No remotes are to be used by anyone other than a resident of the Park.

 AMENITIES

Rio Valley amenities are here for the use of Rio Valley residents and their overnight guests and are not open for use to the general public. Residents must accompany any guest under 18 while using ANY amenities.Please observe all pool rules as clearly posted in the pool area. Name badges should be worn by all residents and guests to all park functions.

 Laundry is available outside the park office. Hours are posted in the laundry room.

 Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Recreation areas except at approved functions.

Smoking is not permitted in any building including RESTROOMS.

 MAINTENANCE

Mobile home owners must maintain their lots by either doing the work themselves or hiring someone to do the work for them. This includes lawn mowing, spraying for weeds in rock areas, weeds around your home, tree and shrubbery trimming, tending to fallen fruit from their trees, and the washing and upkeep of one’s home on the outside. THIS INCLUDES THE SUMMER MONTHS. A charge of up to $250.00 (as deemed by management) will be assessed each time the park has to attend to a lot that is overgrown.

One must obtain Management’s approval before digging or planting trees and bushes. No castor bean plants may be planted.

 Before construction of any additions to your mobile home, awning, or shed you must obtain Management and City approvals, and conform to building ordinances, as well as submit plans and drawings of said addition to the office for approval. TV dishes over 18” in diameter are not permitted, and dishes must be installed on the back of the home.

Outside contractors working in Rio Valley Estates must be insured, bonded, and carry Workman’s Compensation insurance, and register at the office every time they enter the park.All contractors are responsible for disposal of trash and debris OUTSIDE of the park.

Branches and clippings must be placed in front of the mobile, on your lot, where it can be seen. If you have a large amount of clippings, please save some for the following pick up day. Large cactus and tree limbs must be cut in 2 foot sections.Clippings will be picked up Mondays and Fridays, weather permitting. Please keep your clipping pile to 4’x4’x4’ to avoid a back-up in the dumpsters. Take your garbage anytime to the dumpsters located in the back of the 99’s.

 The resident is responsible for the sewer line from the home to where it connects to the main line. Any stoppage in the line, other than from underground tree roots or an underground break in the line is the resident’s responsibility. Resident is responsible for the water line from the resident’s home to meter. Resident is responsible for the electric line from the home to the meter. Management is not responsible for any gas or electric lines.

 VEHICLES

No vehicle repairs are allowed in the park. The park speed limit is no more than 15 mph and will be enforced. NO ATV’s are allowed. All golf carts MUST have lights or flashers after dark. Only licensed drivers are permitted to drive golf carts. Any driver under 18 MUST be accompanied by the golf cart owner. For purposes of identification of your golf cart, place your lot number on your cart where it is visible. If walking after dark, please wear reflective clothing or carry a light, for your safety.

 No parking on the grass for more than 2 days. All golf carts and cars MUST have concrete, rocks, or patio blocks underneath for permanent parking. There is no parking on the street.

PETS

Pets MUST be on a leash AT ALL TIMES when outside of your home. We have a pet park where you may exercise your pet. It is spayed for fleas and bugs on a regular basis.No pet fences or outdoor pets are allowed. You must clean up after your pet. There is a maximum of two (2) per lot and weighing no more than 25 lbs. each. When one pet passes, you cannot get another. Pets are not allowed in the hall, lobby, card room, pool area, laundry, or other residents’ yards.                

DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS!

 HOME FOR SALE

You may place a “for sale by owner” sign, no larger than 8x11 inside the front window with your number and home information on it.

 If you do not wish to sell it yourself, you can list it with Ranchero Sales, Inc.

 NEIGHBOR COURTESY

Out of respect for your neighbors’ privacy, please avoid cutting through lots. Evening Quiet Time in the park from Sunday through Thursday begins at 10:00 p.m. Evening Quiet Time on Friday and Saturday begins at 11 p.m. Loud music disruptive to the neighbors is not allowed at any time.

 STORAGE

Utility trailers and car dollies are the only things allowed in the bullpen, and parked around the edge of the fence. Leave access to the storage shed, dog park, and piles of dirt and/or crushed rock. No dumping or trash allowed to be left there. There is no charge for this storage, but if the bullpen is full, you must take your item to an offsite storage facility.

All RV’s and travel trailers are to be parked in rows A or B and a $50. storage fee per month is charged. If requested, those sites will be reversed for seasonal monthly customers. Once those rows are full, you must take your item to an offsite storage facility. This rule will be up for revision once rows A and B are remodeled.

 BUG INFESTATIONS

Any resident’s home known to have any bug infestation must have their home exterminated by a professionally licensed contractor ASAP to eliminate the spread and to ensure the safety of all residents. A letter on the company’s letterhead must be provided to park management stating the home is treated and free of bugs. Failure to do so will be a violation of the rules.

 TERMINATION AND EVICTION

Management may terminate the lease agreement or evict a resident for:

The tenant fails to timely pay rent or other amounts due under these rules:

Conviction of a violation of a federal or state law, or local ordinance which violation may be deemed by Management to be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of other residents of the community.

Violation of community rules and regulations or any applicable law.

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY

All persons who enter or live in the community do so at their own risk. Management and ownership of the community absolve themselves from all liability or responsibility pertaining to loss by accident, damage, fire, theft, vehicle or any other cause to person or property, regardless of the location of the incident in the community.

Iowa trip

 I always think how I would love to live back in Iowa, or atleast live there in the summer, then I think of tornados and such and think safer down here. But we of course just went through a hurricane that dumped 12 inches of rain on us...

Well, I decided to drive up to Iowa, and guess what? A huge storm came through and wreaked havoc over about a 160 mile stretch across the State. It started out getting quite windy and getting very dark, then  very very windy and very very dark! Time to go to the basement! Power went out! Friends Barb and Butch came over as they don't have a basement. Wiunds were clocked at 83 in Jefferson, 0ver 90 in Perry and over 100 in DesMoines, and Marshalltown 113.

The Report on the news said 10 Million acres of corn flattened, many grain bins destroyied

Barb's blog too see many of their pictures.  https://brooker3.blogspot.com/

a few I took

Trees and branches etc. were strewn across most roads in Jefferson, one of the pictures shows limbs pulled back off the street, there were even tree limbs that fell on roofs and did considerable damage. Some huge trees uprooted

We worked a couple days getting my Sisters yard back to normal, and neighbors were helping neighbors and pickups stopped to haul debree away.

below is a picture I took, I thought it so pretty, My sister Mickey had some pretty "Naked Lady's" flowers but most of them got knocked down in the storm

"Naked Ladies"

July 30th

As soon as Dan saw the power pole leaning, I understand that AEP was called, no one came out, also several other people called them, then I called them, no one came. I know they were very very busy getting electric turned on for many folks. I was just going by the office when a AEP truck went by and turned to go out of the park. I hurried as fast as I could and thank God there was some traffic so they had to wait. I pulled up and yelled at them and the one guy got off the truck and I told him I need help there's a power pole with a transformer leaning over my mobile. They turned around and followed me home. They accessed the situation,they were from Laredo, and they didnt have the equipment to fix the pole they took pictures and sent them to a crew that could help. Later another AEP truck from the Valley came and said the location of the pole was too close to the park models and they needed a special rig to set a new pole there. They said they would be back the next day and advised me I should not stay in my mobile but...I did, the next morning a huge bunch of AEP trucks came along the 400's and one came behind the 400's where the grass back there was like a swamp, but they had some kind of huge matts they put ahead of the truck and came across the back yards of the 400's, and there were around 6 guys working to get the new hole drilled and set the new pole before taking out the old one. It took a good 7 or 8 hours 

July 26th

As I write this I have a power pole leaning over above my mobile. If it were to fall all the way it would fall on the shed attached to the house. I would hope it would not start a huge fire like the one at 404, owneD by Glenda Warren. that fire started by wires falling on the shed. It went up in flames quickly, I was scared it would spread rapidly to other park models and mobiles. But the Weslaco Fire Dept. did a good job of getting the fire out, high winds and all.
A few pics taken from others who posted them on facebook,

Linda Millers awning off, dont think theres a picture yet

I stayed at the  Delux Inn next to the park. I felt so much more at ease there. Especially when the weatherman said 70 to 80 mph wind. WOW DID IT ROAR, and blow hard for hours at a time.
I had 2 small window awnings tore up, besides the power pole leaning over the mobile.
Dan was right on to checking everyones mobiles for damage, I saw him real early from the Motel riding around with Jan. They are calling anyone with major damage. folks need to give him a big thanks for ........as he said he wants to keep us safe. He has had big head aches with the gate this Summer. Someone mentioned he leaves gates open at night and on weekends for anyone to enter the Park, What are they thinking? When it doesnt close for any reason he is on it.

Donna

July 24th

Is anyone else getting bored staying in so much? I still can't believe this is happening.
My next door neighbor Maria Marin  and her live in has the Virus. I talked to her this morning and she is really sick. So now that makes 4 here in the Park. DA and Kathy are doing good now but I hear she was really sick with it. Now still some weakness but they are doing ok.

I have been watching some  really good movies on Netflix, crocheting, and doing a little mask decorating. (A little bling on the masks). Taking care of my plants and some cleaning out of drawers, closets,  and cupboards.

It's neat to drive around the rural areas,  cotton is being picked, big bails in the fields like those huge round hay bales you see up North only the cotton is wrapped in white plastic. I also was going to pick up my yard man the other day and saw a neat cactus in bloom, it's like the one in Marge and Ann's back yard.

There's some big concrete pads now in the 99's. I guess the owners are expecting some big rigs to take those spaces. I wonder just how many will even come down this Winter. I guess the weather will bring most down. We will see....

Mark Probst has added lots of pictures of the new pads and pictures of the new mail building, on the Rio Valley site on facebook.

Donna

July 11th

Hi everyone, I suppose the big story is how hot it is!!! 😎 I just talked to friend Arlene Fisher and she said it was hot in Iowa also. Well, really this is the usual down here, atleast in Iowa it doesn't last for 4 to 5 months. I usually don't water the yard much but I saw on the weather forecast no rain in the future so decided to water. Bobby had installed under ground water sprinklers. But the grass had grown over them and I could hardly find them, but turned on the system and was able to locate them. so I have been trimming around the water heads and watered for a bit this morning.
A lot of work has been going on in the Park this Summer. I feel so sorry for the guys who have been doing so much digging out in the 99;s. I think there will be 50 amp in most sites except A B & C and wether they get any more done this summer I just don't know. Also making bigger pads for the larger units.

Sure seem close together tho

Our pool and buildings all closed up,  I have heard a few folks say they may not come down as early ....just have to wait and see.  And worrying about the Canadians coming down. Hope and pray they will be able to come.

I see Mark Probst has put some pictures on the RVE site on Facebook, and yes there are those barriers dividing the lanes for a short distance coming in the park, removed the other day as a new mobile came in on #287 and replaced  now.

A card for the Family of Prudentia Garza is on the board to sign and a card for Jo Roberts on the death of husband Buzz