Day 11: El Paso...a whole lot of nothing going on

Found a cool looking yarn shop on the internet and stopped by there this morning.  There was a sign on the door saying "Be back at 10:00".  Looked at my watch and it was 11:10.  Ok....decided to come back later so I went to the local mall and walked around only to confirm that I hate malls.  Left there and stopped at Talbot's....I used to really like Talbot's but their idea of fashion has changed over the years but, what the heck, I'll stop in.  Looked around and nothing caught my eye so I stopped in the restroom before leaving.  While sitting on the commode, my phone rang.  Wouldn't normally answer it under these circumstances (and wouldn't normally share this little story but it is kinda funny) saw that it was my dentist - dang it....I gotta take this call.  To bring you up to speed, two days before we left on this trip, I had a root canal.  All went well until last Thursday when my jaw began to hurt and I can't open my mouth all the way.  Some would call this a blessing (a George-ism no doubt).  He said it was fairly normal in that my jaw muscle was traumatized (as were the ladies in the store listening in on my call) and to take advil and call back only if it swells.  Whew...was out of there in a dash.

Hello? 

People drive in El Paso similar to the way they drive in Atlanta.  Three people cut me off (and one was behind me!) without so much as a howdy-do.  One cowboy cut in front of me as I was trying to turn left and, I couldn't help myself - I honked.  Uh Oh.  He looked at me, smiled and waved as if I were giving him permission to cut me off at the pass.  Guessing this would not be a good place to have a fit of road rage, I smiled back and gave him the queen's wave (not exactly the jesture I wanted to give him).  Conversely, the speed limit in the park where we are staying is 7 mph.  Ever try to go 7 mph?  It is not possible.

 

Next stop - Walmart.  This girl just can't seem to pass up a Walmart.  Picked up my advil and a few other things then decided to stop back at the cute yarn shop.  Same sign still on the door. 

Mayaluna Yarns

George-ism of the day:  That sign has been there for a year!

 

What I'm knitting:  Ladies, I'm taking orders for Cowls.  Go to PAGES/Knitting Projects for further details.

 

What's for dinner:  Got this great cookbook, "6 Ingredients or Less" for crockpot cooking by Carlean Johnson.    We're having Golden Chicken and Mushrooms tonight (this is an actual picture of my crockpot!).  You can get the recipe on PAGES/Recipes.

Golden Chicken and Mushrooms

 

Day 10: Travel Day

Today we travelled 270 miles to Anthony, TX which is at Exit 0 on the northside of El Paso.  We are also 25 miles south of Las Cruces, NM.  Listened to a new book-on-tape (see "Books On Tape" on the right hand column).  Saw an Air Force Radar Blimp along the way, otherwise, a very uneventful ride.  Had a gift card from the in-laws to Red Lobster so guess where we ate?  Just going to kick back and watch some TV tonight.

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  1,739

Air Force Radar Blimp

Day 9: Big Bend National Park

This morning we ate at Shirley's Burnt Biscuits, a local breakfast place famous for their biscuits and fried pies.  Being from the South, I'm a pretty good judge of biscuits and fried pies.  Shirley's biscuits are more like rolls and a tad "burnt" on top...not like the light and flaky biscuits I'm used to so I'm giving her a 3.  However, her fried pies are to-die-for...flaky crust and lots of good stuff inside.  My favorite is apricot and hers were excellent so I'm going back in the morning for more and I'm giving her a 9.5.  The only person who gets a 10 on fried pies is my mom.....I can still taste them and hers are still the best ever!

 

Shirley's Burnt Biscuits

Big Bend Nat'l Park
 

On to Big Bend National Park.  We started at Panther Junction driving 20 miles south to Boquillas Canyon Overlook then Rio Grande Village.  This area is suffering from severe drought and the Rio Grande, which is not so grand, is so low you can walk across it in places...very sad.  I do believe I could hit a driver over the Rio Grande into Mexico - and I'm certain Muriel could!

 

Rio Grande River

Mexican Trinkets

We could see wild horses across the river and the Federali's were standing guard with rifles on the Mexican side.  The Mexicans left trinkets on the US side with a message to leave money in the container by the rock.  Problem is, if they are caught crossing the river to get the money, they are arrested and, if you are caught making an illegal purchase, you are arrested. 

So...20 miles back to Panther Junction then 13 miles to Castolon/Santa Elena Junction and 22 miles down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and scenic it was.  Up to now, the scenery was somewhat boring, brown and dusty but this area was pretty interesting.  8 more miles took us to Santa Elana Canyon where the paved road ended and we travelled 13 miles on a gravel road to civilization.  This is a huge park, not my favorite, but miles of desert, mountain terrain, dried up creeks with lots of cacti and drought tolerant plants.

 

 

 

George-ism of the day:  Me:  So far, we haven't seen any wildlife in the park.  George:  Honey, I''m sitting right here.  HA! 

 

Wildlife in Big Bend:  1 Roadrunner, 1 lizard and George!

Day 8: Exploring SW Texas

U.S. 90 in SW Texas follows alongside the railroad tracks.  The RV park here in Marathon is on the northside of 90 and the railroad tracks are on the southside of 90.  I had a bet with George that the train would not wake me up.  I am a very sound sleeper and George wakes up at the least little sound so I figured this was a sure bet....I lost.  The train woke me up twice (12:21 and 3:15) and did not wake him up at all...what gives.  Still don't get why the train has to sound its horn in the middle of town.

 

We were thinking of playing golf this afternoon at the Alpine Country Club but, after a drive up there, discovered that it was only 9 holes, no grass on the fairways and pretty much looked like what some refer to as a "dog track".  Oh well....on to Fort Davis.  This fort is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail.  We walked around the entire compound and saw the newly restored Commanding Officer's Quarters...quite luxurious for that era.
 

 

Sul Ross State University is a beautiful campus in Alpine.  Founded in 1917 by Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the Governor of Texas from 1887 - 1897, houses 2,000 students which comprise two-thirds of the town of Alpine. 

 

 

We then drove up to the town of Marfa which, we heard, was a cute little artsy-fartsy town but were disappointed.  So, we had an ice cream and headed home.

Day 7: Marathon, TX

Armisted Nat Rec Area



Bridge in SW TX



We travelled further West on US 90 today  into the hinterlands of Texas passing an old Railroad Bridge and Rock Quarry.  Then were stopped at the Immigration Check-Point and were asked if we were both US citizens.  Answering "yes" got us through without any further questions or inspection...fo figure - we could have had a load of Mexicans in the back of the RV and they would have never known any difference. George looked left and announced that we could now see Mexico - still kinda creeped me out.  Passed Seminole Canyon State Park, Amisted National Recreation Area on the Pecus River and, interestingly, the Judge Roy Barnes Saloon and Museum.  Didn't stop but pressed forward trough the Oshman Canyon, Lozier Canyon, Palma Canyon and Sanderson Canyon.  And through all of that passed a Fed Ex truck.....they really do go everywhere!

 

Pecos River



SW Texas Terrain

We arrived in Marathon in the late afternoon and, after getting the RV set up, went exploring.  Marathon comprises a total of 5.2 square miles with a population of 430.  There are 4 restaurants in town, 2 are breakfast and lunch only and the other two lunch, dinner and bar menus.  We first drove 30 miles up the road to Alpine, population 5,905 just to check it out.  Back in Marathon, we went to the local saloon and had a few drinks (best Prickly Pear I've had).  Bartender, Chris was very friendly but ready to close up when we walked in.  We heard they had good pizza but the cook was sick so the restaurant was closed.  Then a regular, Steve from Wyoming, showed up and we all talked for a while.  Gage, a high-end motel/restaurant/bar next door was open so George and I went there for dinner outside in the courtyard.  After Chris closed the saloon, he joined us and we had a great evening.  At the end of the day, we felt as if we knew half the town.

George-ism of the day....after having driven over 1,400 miles in the RV, he commented that driving the car felt like driving a tinker toy!

 

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  1,469

Karen at The Saloon

 

 



 

 

Day 6: Off to Del Rio

Did a load of laundry this morning before heading out to Del Rio.  I'm giving this laundry room a 5.  It was pretty nice and clean except for the floor which was very dirty and you know something is bound to fall out of the washer or dryer onto the floor.

Del Rio is just an overnight stop in our quest to get to Big Bend National Park by the weekend.  This park runs alongside the Rio Grande River and literally just across the border from Mexico.  The park we are staying in tonight is within 5 miles of the border and I am a bit nervous about being this close to Mexico after the episode the US had last year with the Mexicans.  If you don't hear from us within a day or two, call 911.

 

The drive here was typical scrub Texas landscape...i.e. nothing for miles on end.

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  1,301

 

Day 5: Austin City Limits

 

Gauge Knit

Took off up to Austin today, just a mere 45 minutes north of San Antonio.  Visited GAUGE KNIT which is a very quaint little knit shop just full of life and favorite gathering place for ladies to knit.  The owner introduced me to Ravelry, the website everyone is using these days to get free patterns and ideas for your next project...cool!  She also gave me a tip on where to go for lunch.....

 

Hula Hut

Need a bigger boat...

 HULA HUT is a Polynesian/Mexican restaurant on Lake Austin and has the best shrimp tacos in Texas.  Most of the seating is outside on their very large Pier and Patio where this very big plastic fish is sticking out of the water in all his glory.  Speaking of tacos...only in SW Texas can you get a taco just about anywhere - fill up your tank...get a taco; get your truck washed...get a taco; buy a new pair of shoes...get a taco (I made up that last one but the first two are TRUE!).  Call me a taco snob but "I ain't buying no taco from a gas station"!

Crenshaw Cliffside

Fazio Foothills

Next stop - Barton Creek.  A 4* Golf & Spa Resort in SW Austin and home to PGA Pro Ben Crenshaw.  In 1985, the developers of Barton Creek Resort & Spa looked out across some 4,000 acres of raw land and envisioned a world-class residential development comprising multi-million-dollar estates, a private country club and a resort complete with European-style spa and fitness center. And it was all  designed to harmonize with nature and preserve the splendor of the Texas Hill Country.  There are 2 Fazio courses, a Crenshaw course and a Palmer course.  Would love to play golf here some day....I can dream can't I.

Barton Creek Residence

Once back home, George's 92-year old Uncle Bus and Aunt Barbara, who lives a few miles away in Cibola, came over to visit for a spell. 






 

Day 4 - The Riverwalk

George worked today so I took off late morning to The Yarn Barn in downtown San Antonio. I like to visit local yarn shops to see what's new and what they are working on.  This is a very cute shop situated in an old historic home in the downtown  area and, being Monday morning, it was slow so  they had lots of time to spend with me. One of the owners has a Ragdoll kitten - what are the odds!  I showed her pictures of Isa & Anna and she showed me a picture of her orange and white, 22-pounder....lots of laughs.

 

Stopped at Walmart, had a prescription filled, picked up a loaf of bread then went back to the RV to get George.  He worked until 3PM then we went down to The River Walk which is just an amazing place in the heart of the city.  We took a riverboat ride past the restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfast hotels and cute shops.  After that, we walked to Rita's on the River and shared a late lunch and pitcher of Margarita's.  Afterward, we walked over to The Alamo for a "photo op" with George's new camera.

 

Day 3: San Antonio at last...

Arrived in San Antonio at 5PM after 408 uneventful miles.  After stopping for gas for the fourth time this trip (this rig doesn't pass an opportunity to fill up), we happened upon a twin rig (see pic below) from Quebec, Canada.  We've crossed so many bridges that I am starting a separate page (if I can figure out how) of pictures of bridges we've encountered.

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  1,110

 

George pumping gas...again!

Twin Allegro Busses



Downtown Houston

I-10 to San Antonio

 

Spring 2013 Trip: Day 1 & 2

Well...we are On The Road Again.  Taking the Southern route (I-10) all the way to Las Cruces, NM.  First of all, BlogSpot is now Blogger and the format of this website has completely changed which is why I haven't posted since we left at Noon on Friday.  Having said that, I'm still learning the new format and, hopefully, by the time we get home in 8 weeks, I will have it down pat. 
 

George relaxing w/Anna

DAY 1:  George drove 375 miles from Summerfield, FL to Milton, FL which is just East of Pensacola.  Very nice park, Gulf Pines KOA, conveniently located just off I-10 with a Continental breakfast included.  The kittens did very well and have completely explored every nook and cranny of the RV.  George did an EXCELLENT job of plugging every possible hole.  Did I mention that he is the most  patient, enduring and wonderful man I've ever met? 

 

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  375

DAY 2:  Got on the road around 9AM and drove 408 miles to Sulfur, LA which is just shy of the TX state line.  As we passed through Mobile, AL, we saw the Carnival Cruise Ship Triumph moored in Mobile Bay and had to sigh - rather be RVing.  Two very uneventful days trying to get miles under our feet so we can relax in San Antonio for a few days.  Hey Louisiana DOT...your roads are crappy - LET'S GET TO WORK!

TOTAL MILES DRIVEN:  702