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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellmead, Texas.....

Our Location:  Walmart, Bellmead, Texas

 

 

 

An uneventful travel day. The kind we all like, isn’t it?
 

Traveling through the edges of Tyler, Texas.

 

We left our spot in Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, Louisiana at 7:45 AM under misty skies, humid, sticky conditions. The temperature as we pulled out was 65F/ 18.3 C. That would be our high for the entire day.

 

I bet you can guess where we are in this photo.

 

We zipped along I-20 into the state of Texas but departed at Exit 571A, heading for Tyler. We journeyed along mostly on TX 31 with a few minor little pieces added in, until we came to the construction where this cute little road meets up with I-35 in Bellmead. Hm….construction, construction and more construction. However we hung a left, letting the Big Dog run along the on ramp to I-35 S where things smoothed out considerably. For future reference, this is a nice road (TX 31), a bit bumpy in places but overall very good. Except for a small portion it is a divided highway from the exit we took to I-35. I would certainly recommend this road for anyone looking for a way across that area. We took the loop around Tyler and Athens as well. We had to travel through Corsicana and a number of little slow down towns. Cute little towns and maybe one day will stop and check out a few things, but today wasn’t that day.

 

Corsicana, Texas under cloudy skies.

 

The interstate, meaning I-20 West was good except for a fairly long stretch (or maybe it just seemed long) through Bossier City, LA. It was awful, humpy, bumpy, dips, valley, hills and perhaps even a mountain or two in there. We stopped at the Texas Welcome Center but failed to see a Welcome to Texas sign. We noticed a sign that indicated the Texas State Line but nothing else.

 

I filled up earlier for $2.69 a gallon, but this isn't bad.

 

The skies continued to mist, drip and a couple of times for a couple of minutes each time it actually rained enough to use the wipers on regular speed for all of 3 or 4 minutes each time. The sun managed to show its lovely self once or twice but not for long. Tonight we are under cloudy skies still. When we pulled off the road for the day here in Bellmead the temperature on the dash of the Big Dog was reading 45F/ 7.2C. Going to get close to the freezing mark overnight but hopefully the further we move south and then west we will find some warmer weather and plenty of sunshine.
 

Sorry about the mirror but it's a great mural isn't it?

 

I spoke with my sister in law Janet a number of times today due to lingering family business. Hopefully it gets sorted out before long. I also chatted with my dad when we arrived here, letting him know we arrived safe and sound, where we are and what our plans for tomorrow are or at least what we think they are. Even if I don’t mention talking to my dad, I call him every time we travel. Once we are safely off of the road, it’s a quick call to let him know all is well. While talking with Dad I was informed that nephew Jesse was the lucky or skillful shot today, getting an 8 point buck. Congrats Jesse!! Not as big as Leah’s but still nice!!!! Haha.

Texas 31, not busy and a good road.

 

On that note I’m going to sign off. Tomorrow will be another travel day and I’m hoping to rid myself of this headache before morning. Thanks for stopping, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Very informative sign.

 

Thinking of George and Suzie, wishing them good days and nights!!!

We are staying in this small city, just north of Waco, TX.

 

Until next time…. take care, be safe.



Deb