The Lone Star State…….

 

Our Location:

Walmart, New Boston, Texas

We left our Rest Area spot this morning just a couple of minutes before 8 am and arrived here about 4 pm. It’s 400 miles/648 klm. The Big Dog rolled along between 60-65 mph/95-104 kmh, at these speeds he loves to drink, we used a little over 38 gallons/144 litres. He ran flawlessly and the Igloo followed faithfully behind. Diesel prices today ranged from $2.94 - $4.23 per gallon.

Baled cotton.

Unharvested cotton.

We reached Arkansas very quickly this morning.

The drive was long but no construction stoppages, some single lanes but nothing else. It was a perfect driving day, we stopped often to stretch, look around some rest stops, made notes for the future. The great thing about this route is it’s pretty flat compared to the route we usually take. We like that for a lot of reasons but a big factor is Riley is having less sinus issues taking this route.

Truck/rv entrance to this rest area.

The car entrance.

Nice isn’t it.

Upon arrival we were given permission to stay, we called Dad, texted sister, and had a late lunch. It is very warm here, 87f/31c when we arrived but it has cooled off some, not sure what the actual numbers are but it will be warm for sleeping. 

Texarkana water tower.

At the New Boston Walmart.

We started the day in Missouri, went thru Arkansas and are a short distance inside of Texas. We think we have about 4 more nights in Texas, 1 night in New Mexico and within a day or two after that we should arrive in the Quartzsite area. That of course is just a rough idea, things could change at any moment. So to date we have spent an hour in Michigan, 1 night in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, we did not spend a night in Arkansas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time……

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

We didn’t go as far as thought we would….

 

Our Location:

Missouri Welcome Center, Missouri

Our day started with a very crisp nip in the air and frost on most things. By 8 amCDT we were frost free and wheels rolling after a quick sip at Murphys for the Big Dog.

Our first stop of the day.

We rolled along and not once did we have to stop for any construction, slow downs in speed limits, narrow lanes, single lanes, but always moving at nothing less than 45 mph/75klm. We stopped often and enjoyed the slower pace. 

The leaves look rusty here.

Our first glimpse of Rend Lake

We had plans to stop at the Arkansas Welcome Center tonight but when this one appeared we veered right and are truly happy with our choice.This is a massive lot, tons of space, big dumpsters and lots of cans.  We are parked against the curb with our slide open toward the curb. We have our panels out, charging the battery but they aren’t visible from the lot. We sit here with the door open enjoying the 75f/24c temps with a slight breeze. It is a good life.

You can park here overnight.

And it is away from the trucks and noise.

Come past the nose of the delivery truck veer toward where I’m standing and you will see the view in the above photos.

For our own reminder and perhaps knowledge for anyone on this route we are marking Rend Lake rest stop the premium stop in our future SOUTHWARD journey.  DO NOT enter the truck, rv parking, instead use the car parking entrance, DO NOT PARK THERE but go thru, past the welcome building, veer to the right and keep going. At the lake side you can park overnight, but not on the grass. There is a circle drive so no issues turning around. We asked in the WC and were told parking back there is permitted but not on the grass.

We crossed the Mississippi River today.

We entered the state of Missouri 

And we are still in Missouri tonight at her Welcome Center.

Tomorrow will be a long day, we both agreed but the two after will be short. I think I could get used to this way of travelling.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb