Left Texas for New Mexico......

Our Location: Gage Rest Area, Gage, New Mexico

 

 

We slept well at Fort Stockton Walmart and were up, out the door and filling with fuel before 7:30 AM. On the road before 8 AM and moving right along. For future reference, the Walmart was easy to find but very crowded with rigs later in the day, the Dot Rest Area a few miles further down the road was very nice, spacious and not a typical Texas rest area. The parking area for all vehicles was not lineal but more like the others with individual spaces designated for rigs, cars, etc. Very big lot, lots of room and a very nice rest center as well. I would definitely stay there in the future. 

 

 

The flat views along I-10 in southwest Texas.

Can you see the mountains way over there?

We are getting closer and closer....mile by mile, minute by minute.

 

For the first time we actually drove through El Paso, usually we take a bypass of some sort, I think maybe the Loop but today we just headed on through. A pretty easy drive on a Sunday before lunch. In fact we moved to Mountain Time before we entered the city and so are now 2 hours behind Ontario. The roads were good, not too busy and we motored right along. 

 

 

Tiny little hill in Texas.

I think George calls these Century Plants.

This was hanging over the valley as we approached El Paso.

 

We checked out a few other stops and made note of them in our little journal for future use. Always nice to know things along the route that you've travelled before. Memories aren't all they should be when you get a bit over 19. 

 

 

Interesting sculptures in El Paso.

 

We climbed into New Mexico with ease and continued along I-10 West for the remainder of our drive today. Smooth sailing, only a few slow downs here and there even with all the construction areas. 

 

 

Neat idea, street names on the overpasses.

I think Patsy might have posted this but it's a new one for us.

 

We are close to Butterfield Station, just past their exit of #62, I believe. We would have pulled into the Cabana area to park but couldn't get to the roadway leading there. For future reference, to get to the lane take the car pathway. The big rigs park in front of the lane and you can't get to it. We pulled forwarded into a large gravel area some distance from the washrooms but still in front of the casitas. We can stay for 24 hours. Behind us are train tracks, in front of us is I-10. It's for one night and I think we will sleep well. 

 

The rest area at Exit 0 in Anthony, not sure if it's Texas or NM.

 

Called dad when we arrived and let him know where we are. He was happy to hear from us. The hunt is over and Jesse was the only successful one in our bunch. Congrats Jesse!!!! 

 

We have entered this fine state for an overnight visit.

 

Sunny, warm and blue skies, we are fortunate to have had such a wonderful travel day. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

 

The Roadrunner!!!!

 

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

 

They are not Louis L'Amours  Far Blue Mountains but they are still inviting, and addictive. 

 

Deb

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long travel day......

Our Location: near Fort Stockton, Texas

 

A quick post, we're tired and hungry and dinner is cooking while I type. We left this morning before 8 AM and our goal was Sonora, Texas but at some point we decided we wanted to go farther and turned the Big Dog's nose west on I-10 and let him run. He stopped twice to drink today, this morning before leaving and then again just before lunch time at Menard, TX. He's due for another sip soon, he's resting about the 1/2 full mark. 

 

 

Heading out this morning from Bellmead along Hwy 84.

Some nice colour and views along our travels today.

Gatesville water tower. A much larger town than I anticipated.

Sunny, warm, and fairly breezy but an interesting view out the windows. Rolling hills, a bit of the long, flat vistas as well but nothing mundane in colour for too long. We enjoyed State Highway 190 for most of the trip until shortly after 1 pm when we dropped down on to I-10. We had planned on making the rest area about 25 miles past Fort Stockton but found this cute little spot and so we shut down here for the night. 

 

One of the many little towns, cities we past through today.

Definitely not very busy, is it?

Sure is pretty.

 

Talked to dad when we arrived. They too are getting a bit of sun and nice weather. Nothing as balmy as we are but still nice for them. 

 

 

Lovely sign in Goldthwaite.

One of the little picnic areas that dot the landscape across Texas.

A huge armadillo. (not real of course)

Daughter Bradey sent a text today while we were driving through Brady, TX. How funny is that?

 

On that note I'm going to sign off and have some food. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the photos. 

 

 

Most of our roads today were pretty empty.

Prickly pear is growing everywhere.

Love the rock cuts here.

Pretty isn't it?

 

Until next time.... take care, be safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

Change of plans, Sonoran Desert National Monument.........

Our Location: Sonoran Desert National Monument

We left Quail Ridge this morning shortly after 8 AM but not before we offered some assistance to 3 gentlemen that were trying to cut a limb from a tree on a spot not far from our spot. They were using an axe that was not making the job easy. I offered them my sawsall to use. They were like three little boys in a candy store, happy as all get out. By the time we’d finished packing up they had finished with the limb and returned my saw. 

 

The mountain views before we left Quail Ridge RV Resort, Huachuca City.

We changed our minds about our destination this morning and so instead of heading for Why, Arizona we came to the Sonoran Desert National Monument. We still have no cell service but I think we will enjoy this spot better or so we think so far. 

 

Views on our drive today.

 

We turned left on AZ 90 toward Benson, climbed onto I-10 West and travelled to Exit 199 which lead us to I-8 West. From there it was a straight shot to Exit 140, a left turn on to Freeman Road and then straight across the roadway, over the cattle guard and onto BLM 8009. We followed this until the T in the road, turned right and parked on the left just before the brow of the hill. A nice spot for sure. 

 

Tucson City Limits.

 The drive was uneventful, the kind we like. We had no issues getting into our spot and have a very wonderful view. We think we’ll be here for about a week but that is subject to change at any time for any reason. There are a few places I think we can walk while we are here and I think we will take advantage of it while we can.
 

A rest area on I-8.

 

We set up everything, and had to put the awning out to keep some of the sun off the fridge side of the Igloo. The sun was warm and we opened the windows, the big door and a vent or two. However before long we were closing them up again as the sky clouded over and things cooled off. 

 

Mileage signs along the way.

 

We started the generator tonight as the batteries do not seem to be holding a full charge. After all the checking I’ve been doing I think the MPPT control charger is faulty and will be having it tested when we reach Quartzite at some point, or maybe we’ll head to see Slab City to Solar Mike. We’ll see how it goes.
 

Sights along the way.

 

So again, no cell service but we do have internet and we’ll be keeping in touch that way. 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Until next time… take care, be safe,

Deb