Trip Down and Arrival

For those who requested that I blog again from Texas this winter, I am going to honor that request., but I expect some feedback from those people! Blog comments and/or email is very much appreciated. This first entry will be extremely long as I took it from my notes on the way down and much of it is information that may only interest those who may want to take our route sometime. (for instance, diesel prices and fill spots, routes and road construction and camping spots.)

Sunday 11/29/09

Everything was packed the day before, and the 5th wheel was pulled in front of the hosue. We got up, finished everything that needed to be done in the house, threw last minute items in a suitcase and left at 5:15 a.m.

We got to Shelby about 6:30 a.m. and dscovered it was too early for the Shelby mini-mart/gas station to be open on a Sunday. So did a potty break in the 5^th wheel and kept on going. The sun came up and was bright for a while. Diesel was filled at Petro in York for $2.72 where we also grabbed coffee, a breakfast sandwich and an Omaha World Herald and headed down 81. Next stop was at a rest area near Bennington, Kansas, shortly after getting on I-35.

Fueled and had lunch at the Travel Center on the Kansas Turnpike near Wellington, Kansas. Diesel was $2.68 there. By this time the skies were totally gray and the wind was blowing harder. Temps were only in the high 40’s.

South of the Kansas line there was a lot of road construction with one lane traffic and it was stop and go for quite a while with even more construction closer to Oklahoma City. We had planned to stay on I-35 on the east edge of Oklahoma City, but all of a sudden traffic slowed almost to a standstill. We were in the right hand lane and everyone was trying to move over into our lane. When we got close to the intersection of I-35 and I- 44, we decided we had no choice but to go right on I-44 West around Oklahoma City. As we made the turn, we could see the problem was a semi overturned on I-35 that was causing the lane closures. I-44 traffic was good, then we hooked up with I-40 east and then I-35 south again. Even more construction south of Oklahoma City and we also met with some light rain.

We got to exit 86 (Wayne, Oklahoma) about 4:30 p.m. where we stayed at American RV park 1 ½ miles east on Highway 59. ($20). We were told they had rain on and off all day, and it was a little muddy. We didn’t unhook, just plugged in and got water, ate supper and went to bed early. It got down to near freezing, but we stayed warm.

Monday 11/30/09

We left Wayne about 7:40 a.m. The sun was shining brightly even though it was cool, and it sure helped the mood. Filled with diesel at $2.63 (north pumps) and ate a hot breakfast at Flying J at Ardmore, Oklahoma.

We made a brief stop at the Texas Welcome Center to pick up a new map. They just don’t make maps like they used to, do they? Or maybe I wore it out by wringing my hands aroundit as we drove through Texas last year?

Last year we took Highway 380 west from Denton, Texas This time we decided to try a different route that might be a little faster (And last year when we came back home, there was major construction on 380 so we figured it was still in process). Took I-35 West around Fort Worth and caught I-30/I-20 west to catch Hwy 281 south. The traffic was heavier, but not bad. We filled with diesel for $2.75 at this exit (386).

Before long we were in Texas Hill Country and the tree colors were more vibrant than I remember last year. I calledahead to make sure there was room for us at Miller Creek RV park 5 miles south of Johnson City. Last year we stayed at the one in town, but wanted to try a different one. We pulled over just off the road on large bare area and had a quick sandwich in the truck. We have discovered that almost all of the picnic areas right off the highway in hill country are not for RV’s. Some have no way to pull out without turning around, and most have a lot of low hanging trees.

By the time we got to Johnson City, the sky was overcast again – it had obviously rained some there recently. If the weather had been more pleasant, I think this one may have been nice to stay more than overnight, but as all we wanted to do was rest, it served that purpose quite easily. Not full – very quiet - $30.00. Forecast was for big storm system with rain moving in all over Texas for Tuesday and some talk that it could get cold enough to ice up in hill country. We decided to see what the morning would bring.

Tuesday 12/1/09

When we awoke it was close to 40 degrees, so no worry of icing. Although the forecast for south of us was heavy rain, we decided to go – we could always stop and wait out the rain somewhere if necessary. We wanted to get out of the hills because Tuesday night was supposed to be much colder and if there was rain, it would be icy for sure. It was just a light mist as we left about 8:30 a.m.

We filled with diesel ($2.65) at a Shell station in Blanco, but should have gone just south of town where there was Exxon station that would have been easier to access, but we didn’t want to have to turn around if there was nothing else ahead. The Garmin can tell us if there is fuel ahead, but not if we can get in there with the 5^th wheel.

North of San Antonio we took the exit off 281 that would take us to the 1604 East Anderson Loop. Next time we should make sure to get in the left hand lane right away if we can. You turn left at the second light – which you can do from the two left lanes, but once it goes down to two lanes, have to be left to catch the on ramp to 1604. Once on 1604, smooth going until a big divide where we thought we were NOT in the exit lane, but ended up exiting anyway. Fortunately, we stayed left and were able to just merge back on to 1604!

1604 eventually becomes just a two lane road. Although there had not been any rain as we hit San Antonio, when we hit the two lane section of 1604, some rain started in earnest – heavy at times. Not much on this section of road and we pulled over to the side and went in the 5^th wheel for a potty break. Got soaking wet with rain. Temps still in the 40’s, so we were freezing. (at least I was!)

1604 circled back west south of San Antonio and then we caught I-37 south for about 50 miles and then back onto 281 south. Rain continued to be heavy at times, and in places there was a lot of water on the road and we almost hydroplaned once – it was time to slow down. Stopped at a pull off spot and got soaked again going into the 5^th wheel for a cold sandwich. Kind of a miserable day so far.

We were down to ¼ tank of fuel and did not want to try to make it into Alamo on that, so we stopped at a Valero station in Premont ($2.63). Had to go in to ask them to turn on pump and you pay inside, so I got wet and cold AGAIN! Temps now about 50 degrees and it would stay that way all the way to Alamo. Should have kept going to Falfurrias as there was a nice big station south of town (and a Walmart). Both looked fairly new.

As we continued the last 60 miles or so to Alamo, the

skies lightened up a a bit and the rain slowed to a light mist.

Exited off 281 onto 107 east by Edinburg and over to Alamo Road and south to Casa Del Valle. We stopped at the office for our packet and were welcomed by the managers. Got backed into our spot with minimal arguing and angst. Curt got everything hooked up well enough to make it through the night. Soon after he came inside, there was thunder and a big rain. That was the final push of the storm though, and it didn’t last a long time.

I spent a little time arranging inside the 5^th wheel while waiting for the rain to stop. A lot more organization will probably follow in days to come. I have to do it quickly because once Curt thinks that something is in a certain place, he doesn’t understand why it has to move somewhere else! I have already discovered a few things I forgot – eye drops (I swear I put them in but they cannot be found), and my cooking oils and sprays (I keep those in a small cabinet by the stove and when I was packing the pantry stuff I forgot that cabinet.) But we can buy those things and so far we have all the really important stuff – finding it is the key. Little things are tucked here and there for traveling and unpacked and put elsewhere once we arrive.

Wednesday 12/2/09

Today it was sunny until late in the afternoon and we had a high of about 70 degrees. The sun felt wonderful! I have forgotten how quickly the sun can warm up the day down here. It quickly went from being jacket weather to capri weather.

I took care of business at the office and completely reorganized bedroom and bathroom cabinets. All I really have left to do is organize the food stuff in the pantry and other kitchen cabinets. Curt worked outside until mid afternoon – getting the sewer system hooked up, satellite dish aligned, wheel covers on, and drying out and organizing the underneath compartments which were a little damp from rain blowing in.

The line dance group met at the hall but we didn’t dance. Barb is our instructor and her husband died yesterday of an apparent heart attack. She is from Canada, but fortunately her daughters were able to fly down to bet with her after their father was stricken. So we stood around and visited a little while and signed a card for her. It was good to see acquaintances from last year though.

Late in the day, I washed the outside of the windows because I could not stand to try to look out anymore They were filthy from the rain and road grime. Then we opted to spend a quiet evening and get rested up.