At least they waited

Our trip home has been plagued with challenges, but we are happy these came at the end of our trip.  After leaving Missouri, we dropped down into Arkansas and then picked up I-40 into Oklahoma.  The interstate was so bumpy that at one point we actually pulled off the road, thinking we had a flat tire!  We made it to Choctaw, OK, to a beautiful new KOA next to a brand new casino.  The next day we had a bit of rain and wind.  On the I-35 at the outskirts of Fort Worth we hit a hellacious bump in the interstate, which set up a bad "hobby horse" action between the truck and 5th wheel.  This apparently yanked loose a wire in our cableing from the trailer to the truck and for the rest of our trip we have had intermittent but insistent beeping warnings that the trailer is unconnected!!! And then reconnected... and then unconnected... and then reconnected.... you get the idea!  Grrrrr!  Russ has looked and looked but cannot find the loose connection, so we are resigned to the beeps.

That day we traveled to Midland-Odessa, in the middle of the hot, dry, and very booming Texas oil fields.  We were lucky to find one spot in an older, rocky campground, which was filled (as were all the others in the area) with oil field workers.  More rain and thunder that night.

Onward thru El Paso, with a stop at Camping World right before crossing the state line into New Mexico, temp outside - 104.  Just as we pulled into the parking lot at CW, we get a low tire warning.  Turns out we have a sharp rock embedded in the thickest part of the tread on a back tire.  These are the new tires we purchased before the trip, but neglected to add road hazard insurance. Camping World was great, but they could only help us put on the spare.  We hitched up again and linped to Hacienda RV in Las Cruces.  A very nice resort, close to the historic part of town, where we had planned to walk and shop and dine.  But nooo, we could not continue our journey without a spare, so off to a tire shop for a replacement.  More rain and thunder that night!

Next stop, Tucson, and it is already 100 driving through Phoenix at 10am.  It was just a short, half-day to LazyDays RV in Tucscon, we have stayed here before, a very nice campground.  I remarked to Russ that at least we would be out of the afternoon thundershower area now.  Wrong!!  More thunder and rain that afternoon - so no dip in the pool for us.  At least the temps dropped down into the 80's instead of the expected 102.  And a nice steak dinner and live jazz at the resort's Florizona restaraunt.  I had the spicy shrimp, mmmm.

 

Moving on to Blythe - high temp 115!!! Upon arriving at the KOA, right on the Colorado River, we find we cannot lower our landing gear.  A bolt has sheared, and the gears will not turn.  Since this has happened before, Russ had some spare bolts - but could not locate them!  The truck is running to keep the dogs cool, and now I think it may be 120 at the back of the truck where Russ is laboring to replace the bolt with one that he found on another piece of, thankfully, non-essential equipment.  So, we spend another hour in town looking for more bolts, instead of enjoying the pool.

Finally, we trek across California to Ventura, heavy traffic the whole way but no mishaps.  The usually annoying fog never looked so good!  Yea, lots of visits with friends and Russ' daughter, lots of good food and long walks in the cool, beachy breeze.  Let's hope the run up the coast to home is uneventful.

Lazy!

Lazy!  That's what I am!  I have not posted for 10 days, we have been traveling home and I have just been too lazy to fire up my laptop.  I blame it on the IPad!  Really, I do!  *smiley*  I cannot get pictures from my cameras to the 'pad without the laptop as intermediary.   I have just been using the 'pad to check mail and keep up with FB.  And it is really great for navigating around city streets, finding places to go, weather, music, everything else.  Oh, for want of a usb port.  Laugh, you PC tablet users, I know you have one!  Ah, well....

Stage Stop Campground

  We stayed at the Stage Stop Campground in Neosho.  Great little place, especially for kids, with the antique farm equipment and a campfire every night.

Afternoon Croquet

An afternoon playing croquet with the family,
Missouri style rules (use your mallet any way you see fit!)

 My brother Todd and his friend Nick from California
are playing by their own rules, too.

 My sister Barb, husband Jerry,
their son Cory and daughter Beverly.

Jessica's Wedding

Ok, sorry!  I have been having so much fun visiting my family that I have neglected the blog.  We are on our way back now, so I will do a quick catch up.

We wanted to see family and attend our niece Jessica's wedding - we spent the week going from lunch to dinner to coffee, lots of fun but hard on the waistline.  I come from a line of great cooks, and my sister, brother and dad all like to entertain.



Jess's wedding was a beautiful, casual country affair, at their home in Lowell, Arkansas.  Her best friend and her two sisters were bridesmaids.
This photo take by Tracy Owen, her photographer, and posted on Jess's Facebook.

Evan, Dad, Me, Norman

Hmmmm, wonder if I am white-haired too? 
I will never know!!!

Fire Ants!

We stopped in Canton, Texas at Mill Creek Ranch Resort.  Very nice park with the longest sites we have seen on our travels.  Since we were only overnighting, we did not unhitch, so could not take advantage of all that luxurious room.  I think I counted 9 ponds on the property, and fortunately not a mosquito in sight.  However, amid all the abundant and beautiful grassy areas lurked the equally abundant Texas Fire ants.  I blithely stood in the cool grass while awaiting doggy duty when the little horrors swamed and showed their irritation at my intrusion by stinging/biting/whatever-they-do the most tender parts of my feet and ankles!  Lesson to self - when in Texas, wear cowboy boots!!!

Now, for the food.  That's what you are waiting for, right?

We had one choice within walking distance that was not a chain.  Located just at the entrance to Mill Creek Ranch, the tiny Street Taco Shack (www.streettacoshack.com) was recommended to us by the Resort employees.  We ordered the Three Taco combo - chicken, pork al pastor and pork carnitas with rice and beans and the Chips Fiesta with guacamole, queso, and salsa, and quickly scurried (as fast as my itching feet could travel) back to the trailer.  One bite of the carnitas taco and fiery but flavorful salsa and we immediately regretted not buying more food.  Savory, spicy, cheesy, creamy, crunchy.... oh my!  Sorry I did not snap a pic, I was too busy fighting Russ for my share, which in view of my injured condition I reckoned I deserved more than him.  But he has such long arms, and is so fast!!   Anyway, don't miss it if you are in the area.  We might even have to swing back that way - grin!

The Fauna of the Fredericksburg KOA

Every day we walk the dogs over to Kamp K9, the doggie park in the KOA.  On the way we pass these three Texas Longhorn Steers, dubbed Huey, Dewey, and Louey.

They are gentle, and used to people, but dogs have to stay 20 feet from the fence.  Riley, part cattle-dog, would like to get in there and run around; while Holly, part princess, could care less.

They both get pretty excited by the wandering pair of Guinea fowl.  All their scooting and head bobbing and clucking is soooo tempting to canines!  The Guineas sometimes go through the fence to a neighboring ranch where a horse and several miniature donkeys reside.  Wish I had the videocam with me as those donkeys charged around their pasture after the Guineas. 

Riley has tried to scale many trees in pursuit of the tail-swishing defiant little red squirels.  And we cannot even walk them up near the office, where a flock of hens and a rooster or two have the run of the place.   There are so many places for the dogs to walk safely here in the park though, I think Holly might have even lost a pound or two.  I know I have!

Crawfish Festival

Fredericksburg held a Crawfish Festival over the weekend; I love seafood and convinced Russ to brave the crowds of shoppers and tourists downtown for a taste of the spicy, briny crustaceans.

What was I thinkin'?  Russ is a meat-eatin' cowboy from Dallas!  He twisted the head off two of the little red guys, got disgusted and high-tailed it to the booth selling kabobs!  Grrrr...

On the other hand, more for me!!

Buc-ee's

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day Weekend, and Thank You to all who serve their country, their city and their community!!

Ever hear the phrase "everything is bigger in Texas"? 

Well, we stumbled upon the biggest gas station (travel center) we have ever seen.  Known as Buc-ee's, we first spotted a huge sign with a beaver on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin, in the town of New Braunfels, and being curious, exited the freeway to get a closer look.

They do not allow 18-wheelers, and there were no signs that said it was a gas station, nor any signs advertising prices.  I saw at least 15 bays, each servicing 4 vehicles!!  We paid $3.49 for diesel, by far the lowest we have seen on our trip so far. 

Then I went into the "store" which sold everything from hunting gear, to clothing, shoes, jewelry, and souvenirs; and sporting a central island selling, what else, BBQ!!!!    Crazy!

The Salt Lick

The Salt Lick in Driftwood, just outside Austin, is our absolute favorite BBQ.


I know this is beef country, and the brisket is great.  But the pork ribs....  you can smell them the second you exit your car.

I have a hard time not running to the front door!

This pit is just inside the door, they finish off the meat here, and plate it to order.

 The smoke is sweet, the ribs are dry-rubbed with a vinegary sauce on the side if you want.  Served with beans, cole slaw and warm German potato salad. 

Todd and Russ tried the chicken and rib plates and proclaimed it juicy and smoked just right.  Nick tried the brisket and ribs.  I just had ribs, and when I was finished, I tried to sneak a bone off someone else's plate, but their bones were bare. 

Sorry I did not get pics of Nick and Todd -
they always had food in their faces!

The jalapenos are HOT, HOT!!!

Luckenbach

Luckenbach, Texas.  Population 3.

On weekends and anytime Willie Nelson and friends are in the dance hall - Population 1,003.

Below -
the Post Office/Store/Bar/Local Hangout/Museum

"Everyone is someone in Luckenbach"

Todd and Nick

My bro Todd and his neighbor Nick dropped by and spent the night.  The were on a working trip from California to New Orleans then up to our family farm in Neosho, Missouri.  We had fun driving around town, admiring the local Sunday Houses whose style is unique to the Hill Country.

This chapel above, built by the German settlers in the 1800's in Fredericksburg, is constructed with timber and limestone blocks.


Contemplating the jail, with barred windows and doors and of course, no air-conditioning. 

Had to be brutal in the 100-plus degree summer days.


Below, wildflowers still everywhere along the roadsides.  The orange-red Firewheels, cone-flowers, and other flowers that I just call white or blue or yellow - what are they??

BBQ in Llano, Texas

We finally made it to the KOA in Fredericksburg, Texas - the heart of the Hill Country.  It's warm and mildly humid here, the mornings are cool and breezy, just perfect for long dog walks around the Kamp.  There are lots of small red squirrels here, just to drive Riley crazy.  Chickens, guinea hens, longhorn steers, horses, miniature donkeys surround the Kamp, Riley has never been so close to other animals and he thinks it's great, Holly ignores them all.

Tuesday we drove up to Llano, to Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ.  It is our second fav spot in the Hill Country, very casual, small town.  This is the original site, but they have opened several other locations.

You step up to the pit outside and tell the cook what kind and how much smoked meat you want.  He will dunk it in the sauce kettle on the right and place it on the plastic tray.  Today's selection was cabrito (goat), sausage, pork ribs, beef ribs, prime rib, chicken and lean or fatty brisket.  I want some of everything, but we settle for pork ribs and fatty brisket.

We walk inside, they weigh up the meats, and we choose our sides - potato salad and cole slaw.  Beans and bread for sopping up all the juices are free.  Next time we will skip the sides because the beans were our favorite - savory with chunks of meat and very spicy jalapenos floating on top.

The dining hall is typical family style, filled with well worn wooden picnic tables and benches.  Paper towel rolls serve as napkins, but the food is so good that I am unashamedly licking my fingers, while Russ is knife and forking it.  I think he is faster because I blink and our goodies are gone!

Mmmm-mm!!

Hatch - the Chile Capital

Hatch, New Mexico



We drove through the mountains again, west this time, destination Hatch, NM.  They call themselves the Chile Capital of the world.  It is really a tiny town of 5,000 surrounded by acre upon acre of chile fields, pecan orchards and other crops. 

And home of "Hot Damm Chile"!!


And, incidentally, closest town to Spaceport America, which we could not tour since we had the dogs with us and it was 90 degrees outside with no hope of shade.

It sure is an eye-catching place!

We came in search of Sparky's Burgers, Barbeque and Espresso - - specifically the famous Green Chile Cheeseburger.

I opted for the 2-meat Barbeque Plate, pulled pork and brisket of course.

Russ chose the Green Chile Cheesburger, and cole slaw, salt content be damned!

And here is the now familiar picture of Russ chowing down...

The burger was fresh, spicy, rich, tasty... and he ate it all.

I was really impressed with the bbq beef brisket.  It was perfectly smoked, no sauce to interfere with the rub, and oh so tender!  The corn and green chile side dish was spicy and sweet, even the beans were well balanced and tender.

We were glad we drove almost 2 hours to this fun place.  Unfortunately, Russ ate half my meal as well as his and later that evening he was regretting the "mass quantities" consumed. 

But he needed the calories for our next trek down to Las Cruces, through El Paso, and out onto the west Texas plains.

Gila Cliff Dwellings

The Gila Cliff Dwellings are north of Silver City, New Mexico.  We camped at the Silver City KOA, which was a very nice spot, with great owners.  The drive up to the Cliff Dwellings was long but not difficult. We wound through pastoral valleys, past lakes and pines and ranches. And up and down a breathtaking ridge, if we were not used to the cliffs of Highway One in California, I would have been terrified. Well, maybe just a bit nervous...

You can just see one dwelling in the arch on the left.

Then we hiked for an easy half hour up to the dwellings themselves. 

We saw a few petroglyphs, but mostly were just in awe of the construction and location. Russ said if I exclaimed "Wow!" one more time, he was going to remove his hearing aid.   Holly ate his other one back in Tucson, so he only heard half my "wows" anyway!

Some of the walkways were right on the edge!

The dwellings were built around 1270 AD and abandoned around 50 years later.  There are quite a number of "rooms" which we were told housed about 40-50 families. 

We are standing on the ledge you can see in the picture above.  Do I look nervous?  I sure was!

This is how we climbed down to reach the trail to go back to the truck.  I made Russ go first, of course.
Just an awesome experience!!

The Velvet Elvis

We read about the Velvet Elvis Pizza Company in a local brochure and decided to drive south of Tucson, up into the hills to Patagonia, in search of this funky cafe which serves artisan pizzas and healthy salads and mexican fare.

Peeking over Russ' shoulder is the King himself.

I think this is the third picture of Russ with a giant plate of eats in front of him!  In this case, Chile Rellenos.  I have the pizza with peppers and the best house-made chorizo ever.

In between us is a tender, whole wheat roll the size of a softball, which we fought over the entire meal.  You can see I have possesion of it for the moment...

Well worth the drive!

The Haboob

 

A giant dust storm enveloped Tuscon, called a Haboob. It came upon us while we were sitting outside our trailer at Lazy Days RV Park.  The wind in front of it was howling, the flags standing straight out horizontaly, with dust driving into every crack. 

We packed up the chairs and dog kennel, brought in our slides and closed up the trailer, hoping to keep most of the dust outside. Then we loaded the dogs in the pickup and drove it behind a sheltering building to wait out the storm.

Despite the wind, the temperature was still in the high 80's.  The haboob passed over in about 45 minutes, then the cleanup began!!

These are not great pics, I was worried about getting that fine grit on my camera lens. 

But I think my legs got a nice "sandbuffing"!!

Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone is really geared for young boys, so of course Russ loved it!

We checked out the Boothill Graveyard, where many souls were buried with their boots on.
This is where the men killed in the shootout at the OK Corral  on October 26, 1881 are buried.

. 

Here Lies Lester More
Four Slugs from a 44
No les, no more

Here Lies George Johnson, hanged by mistake 1882
He was right, We was wrong
But we strung hime up, and now he's gone. 

 We could not get into the OK Corral,
so Russ burned some of his youthful energy
on the swingset just outside the corral fence.

You can't see it, but he was grinning so's I
could see his back molars, yes sirree!