Fluid Plans

 

I grabbed a photo from the past that sort of reflects my state of mind at present.  CarHenge, someplace in Nebraska, I think.  Around 2009.

The last time I posted we had just finished up a great time in City of Rocks state park, North of Deming, NM.

We enjoyed a short days drive from there to Benson, AZ where we stayed overnight and visited a dear friend in the Escapee’s park.

From Benson, it was on to Tucson, and Gilbert Ray campground.  One our favorite stops on our westward journey.

We spent three days there catching up with old friends and enjoying the beautiful weather. 

On Sunday, the 15th, we made our way to Quartzite to meet up with some other friends.  Had a fun time celebrating a wedding anniversary.

Checked out some previous camp sites one story afternoon.  Down in Kofa wildlife refruge.

The day after arriving in Quartzite we received a call that Wanda’s mom had been admitted to the hospital.  At the time, things didn’t appear to be too serious. We decided to just stay near Dome Rock.  As the week progressed her mom’s health continued to decline.  On Friday afternoon, the 20th, we decided that Wanda should fly home.  We broke camp around 3PM and stayed in a RV park near Buckeye on Friday night.  Early Saturday morning I dropped Wanda off at the airport in Phoenix, and Sally and I started the long drive home.

From Phoenix, to Deming NM, to Junction TX, to Huntsville, TX, to home.  Four hard days of travel.  Sally was so tired of riding, she didn’t want to get in the truck the last two days.  I drove through rain, sleet, snow, hail, and 60 mph crosswinds.  Quite an experience dodging those tumble weeds on I-10.

Wanda has spent eight of the last ten days in the room with her mom.  Nights of little sleep, along with the stress of the situation, is beginning to wear her down, also.

As I type this, her mom is still in the hospital.  Pneumonia and other complications have really taken a toll.  Things begin to inprove yesterday and we’re hoping she gets to go home tomorrow or Wednesday.

That wraps up our Winter travel plans.  Sally and I will be happy just to have Wanda home again…..jc

City of Rocks

 

We departed home on Tuesday, the third.  A day later than planned, but the weather forecast of heavy rain and the threat of tornados for Monday had us hanging at home.  The storm came through as predicted and we had two confirmed tornados in our County.  Thankfully they were EF-1’s, and caused minor damage.

Tuesday afternoon found us at our normal first stop. Sandy Creek CoE near Jasper, TX.  After getting set up I happened to notice something in one of the truck tires. A quick trip back into Jasper looking for a tire store.  Found one with thirty minutes before closing.  They removed the tire and found a two inch screw. Removed the screw, applied a patch, and I was ready to go before five.  Twelve bucks.  I thought it was quite a deal.

From Jasper, we moved on to Cranes Mill CoE on Canyon Lake, near San Antonio.  Nice weather Wednesday and Thursday.  We made the drive into San Antonio for some shopping along the riverwalk on Thursday, and it was shortsleeve temps.  The weather started changing Thursday evening and we awoke Friday morning to a temperature of 24 degrees. On Friday, we made a Walmart run, and met some friends for dinner at a wonderful little Italian restaurant near the campground. Saturday’s low was 22 degrees, and it was 24 as we pulled out of the campground.  A good day’s drive got us to Balmorhea State Park.  A couple hundred miles short of El Paso, but a really nice place for an overnight. 

Sunday found us on the road early, again.  Bypassed El Paso to the North, and made our way to City of Rocks state park north of Demings, NM.  Our first time here.  A very unusual geological formation in the middle of nowhere.

We had a beautiful spot back in the rocks for Sunday night. 

Though the park is a couple thousand acres, I would think the main boulder field to be about forty acres.  Oh, to be a kid again and have this place to play in.

Holes used by Native Americans for grinding grain.

The ancients also left a few other reminders of their time here, if you knew where to look.

 

 

On Monday morning we lucked out and got one of the eight electric sites.  We wanted it so we could watch the championship game between Alabama and Clemson.

After getting set up in our new site, I headed out for a hike.  Going up there!

It didn’t take long for the trail to get real.

Desert water hole.

Gaining altitude.

Another water hole.  Large round pads, no claws, Mountain lion?

I made it to the top.  A good start for 2017.

Love this Country…….jc