Up the Coast

Boca Chica Beach

We made it to Brownsville just in time.  A nasty weather front was moving in and we decided to stay put for a few days while it passed. We got hit with an ice storm one day.  Brrr, cold damp and wet.  The Rv park was tight quarters and the weather was depressing.  One day  we drove down to the beach just outside town.  Even that was odd – just  a weird vibe in this area.  You drive down this road for miles and miles and then it just ends in the Gulf.  No parking, no trees, no nothing. Not even a garbage can.   Just the water and sand and a STOP sign.  We later had lunch on South Padre Island which is lined with touristy restaurants, bars, and tee shirt shops.   We checked out the rv parks here, they were also cramped but would be better choice if staying in this area.  The rest of our time was huddled in the Biff staying warm.  Blame it on the weather but Brownsville was brown and had no charm.   No quaint little coffee shops or anything other than box stores and it is definitely a border town.  Next stop Port Aransas.

Port Aransas

What southwest Texas was to oil rigs the towns on the coast are to oil refineries and shipping ports.  And it is bustling! Port Aransas is a shipping port with large tanker ships coming from around the world.  Jack found a phone app that tracks all the ships – just type in the name of the vessel and it shows where its’ current position is via GPS.  Pretty cool.  We stayed in Aransas Pass which is across the bay from Port Aransas.   There is a free ferry that shuttles back and forth all day.  The weather was still on the bad side but taking the ferry and watching the ships was fun.  It has plenty of beaches and is close to the protected  Padre Island National Seashore.    A word about the beaches on the Texas side of the Gulf coast.    Yes, it was winter and I am sure they may be nicer in the summer.  But they all seemed very windswept with not a tree in site.  The barrier islands were mostly brown grasslands ( and there are cattle).  They let you drive on the beaches which may appeal to some folks but in my mind made them seem dirty.  And do be careful if you plan on driving on them -  four wheel drive would be required  as there can be patches of very soft sand.  We saw one person get immediately stuck thinking their vehicle could handle it.  It could not be pushed out and a tow vehicle was necessary.

Padre Island National Seashore

  The RV park here was much newer and nicer and sites much bigger.  Although it still could have been better.  Right off the bat we got a knock from our neighbor behind us asking how long we were staying.  Apparently, she felt we were too close to her rig.  "Umm, the RV park staff guided us back."     Needless to say that colored my perception of the place.  But we wanted to watch the SuperBowl and stayed for four days.  And yes we were affected by that 20 minute blackout that hit the West coast in the middle of the game.   What did we miss? Oh – Seattle scored again?  All I can say it was a sad sad day for the Broncos.

We left Port Aransas and took the back roads up to our next destination Galveston.  It was an interesting drive taking us from brown grasslands to some more wooded areas and then the massive refineries around the Houston area.  We got up close and personal to the refineries driving smack dab in the heart of some really big ones!   Ahh there is a barrier island with beaches somewhere – really??  Whew,  we crossed  over another deep water inlet and it began to look more like a beach coast you expect with iconic beach houses.  Too bad you can still see all the refineries if you look west.   

“Galveston Oh Galveston”, - is that Glen Campbell singing in my head?  We pulled into Dellanera RV  City Park and stayed the next four days.  Finally, a well spaced RV park and it was right on water.   I enjoyed this park although quite cold and windy, I was able to take some walks along the beach.  Galveston is filled with a variety of old houses with interesting architecture being revitalized (and some not so nice areas) along with the expected tourist traps of a beach town.  We did not check out Moody Garden and it was still too cold to walk around much.  It was very windy the whole time we were there making it difficult sometimes to even open the door to get out of the Biff!   I was ready to get inland and out of the wind and see the sun  maybe sometime soon.  We were in off season and by the amount of hotels and restaurants, I expect this place gets quite hopping in high season and around Mardi Gras.  All in all it is good mix of charm with enough things to do to make it a good destination.  Now if I can only get that song out of my head.

Down by the River

The drive from Fort Davis to Alpine is short and scenic but shortly after leaving Alpine the landscape becomes more arid and desolate. Vast, remote and quiet are the overpowering words that come to mind.   It reminded Jack of some the areas around southwest Utah and northern Arizona.  There are very few trees or vegetation with wide open rock landscapes. The closer we came to Big Bend National Park the truer these words.   The park is named for the bend the Rio Grande makes as it heads towards the Gulf of Mexico and also forming part of our southern border with Mexico.  Crossing the river is leaving the country and a border violation.  But rock throwing is allowed.

Look I can see Mexico!

There is a small town just outside the entrance which is good place to fill up the tank, once inside the park the distances are not trivial.  This is not your typical hustling bustling NP.   We were told it was the middle of high season but compared to other NPs this one felt lonesome.  We opted to spend our first two nights in the even more remote Cottonwood Campground. Keep in mind this is dry camping no power, water or sewer. And we found out later absolutely no lights at all in the park.  So make sure you have a working flashlight is my piece of advice.

We arrived to a scenic area with large sights and only one other RV.  The sun was shining. The cottonwoods were gold and shimmering.  It felt like a warm autumn day.  I sat outside and enjoyed a glass of wine soaking up the sun and mild temperatures.    It was hard to believe that there were warnings of a cold front hitting. That Arctic Vortex thing again - winter is coming. Nah – how can that be on such a beautiful day?  We explored the nearby areas that first day, and found the Rio Grande and the beautiful Santa Elena Canyon.  We decided to come back the next day and hike the canyon trail. 

Hiking in Santa Elena Canyon

 That night there was no moon and clouds were moving in so no stars either.  It was pitch black dark.  Darker than any place I have ever been except maybe on a cave tour when they turned off the lights.  It was that kind of absolute dark outside.  We turned off all the lights in the Biff to experience the full effect.  It is a very strange experience for a modern day person.  Absolute quiet and darkness, total absents of all the modern day noise and ambient lights that surround us.  It was like having your eyes shut but they weren’t.   

We made an early start the next day and hiked the Santa Elena Canyon.  The weather got progressively colder and windier as the day progressed.  We had a late lunch at the lodge in Chisos Basin.  The view was phenomenal!  The next morning we moved over to the Rio Grande Village area of the park.  There are two campgrounds in this area  - one with hookups and one without.  We opted for no hookups as it is much prettier.  We decided to stay as long as our batteries held out.  This area is little more populated. We did see other campers and even fellow Excel owners.  We had nice visit comparing notes about our rigs.

There is a very nice nature trail that winds down to the Rio Grande.  Along the trail were some handcrafts left laying out from across the border artisans. No artisans in sight. Hmm , you are not suppose to buy anything as that would be illegal and against trade agreements.  However,  donations were accepted in the glass jar and this little roadrunner has a new home.   Sorry,  I didn't bring the camera thinking I would be back in the morning but the javelinas had other ideas.  On our morning walk, Wodi and I  saw a pack of the these hog- like animals in front of the trail head.  I think we'll leave Mr. Piggies alone and headed back to the homestead.  We were planning on  staying another day but the RV batteries had other ideas.  Due to the colder weather, the heater was running longer causing batteries to deplete sooner than expected.   So we hitched up and left Big Bend. We hope to be back some day.

Those black dots are javelinas!

Hit the Road Jack

View from Davis Mountains State Park

Hey Jack - It’s about time we hit the road again.  It has been a long stretch and I had the hitch itch bad.  We finally got back on the road on beautiful sunny morning in January.  First stop Moriarty. What? Wait – that is only twenty miles away.   We stopped at RV Sales for a fast repair and we were quickly on our way again.  Whew, we got out of there without a new Excel this time.  Next stop Roswell. Oh, well that first day on the road is good one to take it slow and get re-adjusted to life in the BiFF (our name for our Big Fricking Fifth wheel).   Is everything packed away properly and button down securely? Did we bring everything we might possible need for the next 6 months?  Did we bring the dog???  You get the picture. We did an overnight in Roswell and were quickly on our way again the next day a little more relaxed but still adjusting.    Fort Davis, Texas here we come!

Driving through southeast New Mexico and western Texas it was very much evident that the oil industry  was alive and booming.  Oil tankers abound on the roads and oil rigs everywhere on the landscape.  The communities of Carlsbad and Roswell looked quite robust since the last time I drove this way due this new oil boom.  But I have to say the drive from Carlsbad to Pecos, TX is some of the more barren land anywhere!  So if you have to see an oil rig this is the place to do it, cause there ain’t much of anything else to see on the Permian Basin.  Glad to say once you get south of I10 on Highway 17 the landscape does improve greatly.  It is still quiet dry but the addition of mountains and wide open ranges adds character.   Who knew Texas had mountains? 

We stayed in the small town of Fort Davis for the next three days.  The weather was clear and made for some spectacular star gazing.  There is a very nice state park just outside of town with full hook-ups if you come this way.  We did not stay at the park because their site said it was closed for the season but that was not the case as we found out when exploring the area.   They decided to open early.  Oh, well we were already settled in nearby MacMillen RV park. This is off season according to the locals but apparently in the summer this place gets quite bit of tourists due to its’ cooler altitude and the nearby McDonald Observatory.   One night we did a star party at the observatory.  We froze our tushies off but definitely something that should be done.  We were a party of about 50 brave souls but we were told in the summer it would swell to 400.  There is something to be said for visiting places off season.  The stars were magnificent!  It is amazing what the night sky looks like when the air is clear and no city lights.  The star guide speaker had this high powered laser light that easily pointed out the constellations.  Hmm that’s a Pegasus? Sure it is, if you say so. 

We took a few drives to the nearby towns of Alpine and Marfa. No, we did not see the mysterious Marfa orbs.  This is a land that cowboy songs made famous.   I think I see some deer and antelope playing over that way.  We enjoyed the area very much but it was time to head to the even more remote Big Bend National Park.  Oh - don't forget to check out the Fort Davis fort! 

Historic Fort Davis

Spring is in the Air

Old  Cave Entrance

Ahhh!! Kentucky in the spring!  Gentle rolling hills filled with bright greens and flowering trees.  We stayed at a small RV park on the outskirts of Cave City near Mammoth Caves National Park.  This time of year the area was quiet but based on the number of attractions geared towards kids, I suspect the area is busy in the summer.  Jack and I both were here with our parents when we were young so it was fun remembering the area.  We did one of the cave tours one day and just enjoyed the area the next few days taking a few drives just to see what was around.   The weather took a turn for the nasty and we decided to stay put for a few extra days.  It was a quiet and relaxing week.  It has been long time since I saw a proper spring and I enjoyed it very much.   But alas it was time for us to get moving, home was waiting.

Green River crossing 

We did two nights hitched up at Tom Sawyer RV park near Memphis. Only park I have ever seen that offers free washers and dryers.  So I spent a few hours washing clothes and not doing much of anything else except watching the mighty Mississippi.  She was a high and swift this time around,  flood warnings were being issued for later in the week.  (See my earlier post for more about the Memphis area).
   

The next day we stopped just over the eastern Oklahoma border near Checotah.   There is nice KOA even if it is right off I40 exit ramp.  It has a nice nature trail and borders Lake Eufaula.  We have stayed in this area before it makes a good stopping point for us.  We usually just do an overnighter here but decided to stay for two.  I have always been curious about the area so the one day we checked out the town and nearby state park which is on Lake Eufaula.  Lake Eufaula is larger than you might think from only seeing it from I40.  The weather was lousy but the state park is nice and quite large. There are two campgrounds one with full hookups (side by side) and the other with water and electric.  The one with just water and electric is the better of the two with sites being more spaced out and no side by side hookups.  We just might stay at the park next time if we have extra time.

One of the mornings we got a very earlier wake call from our ADT house alarm service!  We told them we were out of town and to send the police to check it out.  Our neighbor met the officers with our house key, they checked over the house and all was well.  Whew! Guess it was false alarm but not sure why it was triggered.

The Big Texan

We left on Tuesday morning with our goal being to make it to Amarillo for the night.  Again, it makes for good stopping point for us.  The Amarillo area is very flat and each time we come here I swear it is even drier and windier than the last time.   We usually stay on the east side at the KOA.  The park is okay but not the prettiest part of town.   We did not unhitch so we called up the BigTexan  (anyone who has ever driven this stretch of I40 knows what I'm talking about).  They offer a free Cadillac limo service, we rode in pure tackiness.  I did not attempt the 72 ounce steak this time but there was one brave soul attempting it while we were dining   The steaks are good and the atmosphere is totally a cliché but a hootin and hollerin good time.

We left Amarillo Wednesday excited and sad at the same time to be on our last leg of the adventure this time around.  The landscape turned familiar. It was good to see it again after being gone for so long.  Wait Wait Wait for it - AhhhaaaChoo! Yup, the allergies are back too!   We stopped in Santa Rosa for lunch at Joseph’s (our tradition when we are on this stretch of I40).  Oh man it was so yummy to eat real New Mexican chile again!    Why is it that last 100 miles is always the longest?  We pulled up our driveway and yup the homestead was still safe and sound and with all our belongings intact!  Adios amigos till next time!

Drive Away Home

Bye Bye Beaches

The winter season is at an end and time for all good snowbirds to drive home.   There is a definite feel that the party is over at TGO (The Great Outdoors RV Resort).  So one fine mid April morning we hitched up and said our goodbyes for the season.  First stop St. Augustine.  So it was only a short ride about 100 miles away, nobody said we had to rush home.  We spent the next 5 days near the beach and soaked up the summer weather knowing the further we headed north the cooler it would get.  I thoroughly enjoyed the RV park where we stayed on the north shore area.  Walking distance from both a river for sunsets and the Atlantic Ocean for sunrise walks.  We were on the less touristy side of St. Augustine but it was close enough to partake of the tourist traps  and history which can be fun if the mood is right.  This was good time of year to visit, all the spring breaks were done and school was not out for summer, so the crowds were light.  Relaxing and beautiful but with enough things to do around the area if so inclined.  

St. Augustine's old city gates 

We headed out on a Friday morning working our way to Kentucky to visit Mammoth Caves.   We did an overnighter on the road.  We actually had chance to visit with my sister Carol and hubby Joe who were also leaving for home from Florida. We happened to stay close enough to their hotel. Nice coincidence!  Ok so we called them told where we stopped for the night and they stopped there too.

The drive the next day was stressful with almost constant traffic.  This stretch on I 75 is always busy due to its proximity to Atlanta.    We decided to stop early and visit the Chattanooga area for a few days.  After seeing billion or so signs for Ruby Falls we just had to stop.  Unfortunately, the weather turned bad and talk about tourist traps!  I think Ruby Falls and Rock City have to be the original tourist traps which defined the meaning of the word hence forth for all time.   And they are expensive!  We opted out and took few nice drives enjoying the spring colors in the area.   Wish the weather was nicer I would have liked to walk along the riverfront area,  the city of Chattanooga did a good job revitalizing the area.  Sorry no pictures of this area.    Next stop Mammoth Caves.

Dinner with a view at Caps!

Winter Hibernation

View out back.

Our gator.

Our final destination for the year was the sunshine state Florida.  We decided to try out one of the snowbird parks and ended purchasing our own little piece of paradise.  Yes, we are living the cliché! We are now official snowbirds! We purchased a lot at a RV resort near Titusville called The Great Outdoors (TGO).  It is geared toward the golfing crowd with its very own golf course plus all the expected amenities including our own little gator in the pond behind us.  We were a little leery at first of all the gators around but they seem to leave everyone alone, still I would not leave a dog unattended.

Canaveral Seashore 

TGO is bordered by the St. Johns Nature Preserve and near the  Canaveral National Seashore and Kennedy Space Center.  I had great time all winter walking and bike riding the trails, using the pools and many fitness classes.  I even caught a glimpse of a bobcat and river otter right on the grounds.   The surrounding area is slightly depressed due to some of the NASA layoffs but it just makes for the area being less crowded than the typical crazy touristy Florida.   We had a great time exploring the area and saw some really beautiful places.  We also get to see rocket launches from the nearby Kennedy Space Center – very cool.  Plus the touristy places are nearby if you are so inclined.  We kept talking about going to Disney World or one of the other parks but never made it to one.

Wetlands nearby TGO

We did take a trip up to South Carolina in the BiFF for the holidays and also a flight home. It is always good to be with family around the holidays even if not exactly on the right calendar day.  Sweet Jean Louise and hubby Matt were gracious dog sitters and even gave Wodi a bath while we were in New Mexico!  Glad we did get to check in on the New Mexico homestead.  We walked into a very very cold house.  Turns out the boiler was having “ issues”.   Jack and our neighbor Dave spent that first cold night jerry rigging the boiler until heater repair man could get there in the morning.  BRRRR!    We were lucky no pipes broke.   A big thank-you to our great neighbors!  It made the return to TGO all the more appreciated after the snowy and cold weather!

It;s Flipper off the side of boat!

Soon after returning to TGO we took another trip down to Naples to visit my brother Paul and wife Bonnie.  It was a mini family reunion with my sister Carol and hubby Joe also coming down from Chicago.  We had a great time taking a boat tour of the Everglades and visiting all the local happy hours.  Fun time but the RV parks down there were so expensive and it was high season and crowded everywhere.  Glad to get back to own spot in TGO. We hunkered down for the next month or so getting to know the Titusville area and meeting some of neighbors and making new friends.

That's Jack!

The family with me in the middle.

Back on the Blog Again

Ok, so after my last post I have been remiss and have some catch up to do.  This is going to be a quite abbreviated account of the last few months.   We left Memphis in early November 2012 and headed down the road to Tupelo hoping to catch up with the Natchez Trace .   Lot’s of Civil War and early Mississippi River history along this way.  The RV park itself was well kept and very close to the Natchez Trace Parkway but the noise was horrible! It was very close to the intersection of two major interstates.  So we looked at some of the Natchez Trace spots nearby and high tailed it out of there lickitty split. 

Next it was on to Vicksburg.  The weather turned cold, drizzly, and dismal plus I spent a day in a doctor’s office for an infection that got the better of me.   Again there is quite of bit of history in this town on the shores of the great Mississippi.  Plus a lot of casinos.  Never did get to see the famous Civil War Cemetery but we did check out the historic courthouse and the waterfront mural.     Wish I could say more but we spent a few days holed up due to the weather and my illness. 

Ahh! sunshine and the shores of the Gulf.  Sunshine makes everything better!  We spent a few days in a tight but well cared for RV park not too far from the Gulf shores in Biloxi.  There are some casinos here as well and signs of devastation from hurricane Katrina is still evident everywhere but I did like this area.  Or was it the sunny and warm weather?  Next stop Florida!