November 30 - December 3 - We Finally Left Texas

It was nice not having to hook up this morning and nicer yet that the wind had stopped. It was 29 when Bill took Xena out first thing but the sun came out and it was warming a bit when we left at 8:19. I made bacon this morning, toast, fruit and scrambled eggs for Bill. We didn’t have to leave really early as this was our short day.


The ride was uneventful. We started listening to an audio book so that made the miles go faster. The scenery was very drab and lots of nothing. We stopped first thing at Flying J just outside of El Paso to fuel up and then again mid-morning for everyone a bathroom break. This time the bathrooms did not have any heat and those seats were cold! We stopped at a small rest area for lunch that did not have facilities, but that was OK, we used the RV. We had to go through a Border Patrol stop where the dog sniffed our truck and RV and they asked if we were US citizens but didn’t ask for ID. Seems kinda pointless to me. Later we saw two Border Patrol trucks with horse trailers along the road out in no where.

Trail riders outside of Ft Stockton

We arrived in Ft Stockton at about 3 today but that is after the times changed back to Central Time. We’re at the Ft Stockton RV Park. We stayed here last summer. It’s a few miles east of Ft. Stockton, but since we’re not going into town that is fine. We think they put us in the wrong place as according to their map, this area is not a pet area. Bill said they didn’t ask him about pets. Once again we didn’t unhook, but we did put the water and sewer lines on. I did 2 loads of wash. It was really nice out when we arrived. In the sun it was pretty warm, but still chilly in the shade. I called Dr. Cox and made an appointment for my knee. Can’t see him until the end of December so hope it doesn’t get super painful before then.

After we got settled in we watched everyone else arrive. We counted at least 12 more units in after us, mostly Class A’s. I was going to fix pork chops on the George Foreman for dinner but they had a small café here and Bill really wanted to eat there since we didn’t get to last time we camped here. We both had chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, pole beans, a biscuit and a slice of pumpkin bread for dessert and a glass of tea. It was a good meal for $7.95. We got the last open table but it sat 6 so a single man came in and we asked him to join us. He’s from Michigan and now headed to CA for the winter near where his daughters both live. We had a nice time chatting with him.

After dinner we took Xena for another walk and I put chicken in the crockpot for overnight to make chicken and dumplings within a couple of nights. It appears our TV shows are not on due to “specials” so Bill is reading and I am going to try to get on the net.

December 1 – Only 24 more days until Christmas! It’s going to be a rough month when we get home.

We left at 8:45 this morning and again, it was pretty cold out. Some water that leaked made ice under the RV. We stopped for fuel first thing as there’s not a lot along the highway across Texas. I am so glad we have an audio book to listen to as there’s not much traffic and it gets really boring.

We stopped mid-morning for everyone’s bathroom break and again, there was no heat in the bathrooms and boy, those stainless steel toilets are cold! I guess it’s good in the summer! We stopped for fuel again in Junction, TX so after filling up we pulled around to the back of the station and had our lunch. Arrived at Boerne, TX at the Top of the Hill RV Park at 2:30. There are almost 100 spaces here and met people from Florida who are now full timers. Why you’d spend the winter here instead of Florida, I just don’t understand. They said it gets pretty full after Christmas and they have rally groups and nice facilities. It’s cold though!

We took Xena for a walk around the park and there are some nice units here but also some year arounders that I just don’t like. They tend to trash things up in my opinion unless they are closely monitored. I made pork chops, sweet potatoes and salads for dinner. Then we set up both laptops so we could each do mail and whatever else. I have been checking on seasonal jobs and volunteering in National Parks. We need to make some decisions and get our applications in for next year.

Watched a couple of shows and now it’s time to read.

December 2 – We left earlier than out deadline by 15 minutes! 8:15. No one should have to drive a big RV through 2 big cities in one day. Butthead drivers think you can stop on a dime and change lanes like you’re in a little sports car. I was glad to have them over with!

Just as we got on I-10 this morning we saw an overturned motorcycle on the westbound side and Bill said there was a body bag. Traffic was backed up a ways and there were tons of police turning it around and another bunch not letting any other cars come up the ramp. Later we learned that a guy challenged the police in the middle of the interstate after leaving home saying he was going to commit suicide. The police ended up shooting him on the highway.

Our morning break was in the nicest rest area we’ve ever been in in Texas. It was Guadalupe and it was a super nice stop. We spent most of our drive today listening to the rest of our audio book. That’s the only way to drive across Texas! For lunch we timed our stop for fuel also at Flying J. We also got our empty propane tank refilled at the same time and splurged on pizza slices for lunch that we ate in the RV.

The drive through Houston after that was LONG. It’s about 30 miles to cross the city and suburbs. We did see some Texas longhorns along the way and it was interesting that we were passed by a stream of Border Patrol vehicles again. We arrived at our campground, Hidden Lake RV Resort in Beaumont, TX at 2:45. It’s a really nice small park that is only 2 years old. It’s on a lake with catch and release fishing. There are about 10 back in sites on the water but we chose a pull through. Nice couple owns the place.

It’s easy setting up when you don’t have to unhitch or hook up the sewer! We took Xena for a long walk around the whole park and critiqued the RV’s. Then I made chicken and dumpling for dinner and fresh zucchini. The dumplings were not up to par since I used bisquick. Scratch are so much better! Went ahead and got my shower tonight and washed my hair so I don’t have to do it in the morning. Kerry called and we had a nice talk. I miss talking to her and Karen every day.

I spent some time tonight looking again for places for us to work at a National Park next summer, watched some TV and did my journal.

December 3 – I was not ready to get up this morning! This driving every day is getting old fast. We just had cereal for breakfast and a pear since we are out of bananas. Bill had to put some air in a couple of the RV tires so it was about 8:20 when we left.

Our potty stop was to fuel up at the same time but they had a problem with the pump so it took longer than planned. Then I wanted to stop at a Wal-mart along I-12 in hopes of getting some Hubig pies to take to my family and friends, so we planned it with our lunch break. I didn’t get the pies but got some bananas and subs from the Subway in Wal-Mart. We ate in the truck and kept on trucking...to another try at a Wal-mart down the road. Again, so Hubigs, so sorry to my family and friends.

My shopping stops caused us to not get to Southern Oaks Mobile Home and RV Park in Gulfport, MS until almost 4. It’s actually a mobile home park with one RV section and then several spots scattered throughout the park. It’s nice enough but not someplace you’d want to stay long as we gather most, even in the RV’s are permanent residents. It’s fine for 2 nights. I made venison cube steaks, broccoli and Bill chose Kraft mac and cheese for dinner. Then we took Xena for a walk and it’s cooling off outside. Guess we’re headed into that cool Florida weather we heard about.

Planned out our day in the area tomorrow, watched TV and read.