Mesilla

On our way through Las Cruces, on Wed we stopped in Mesilla ( a historic Mexican part of the city) to see if we could find a couple of rugs for the trailer.  We have two now and love them.  They are fairly inexpensive, wear very well, and look good on the living room floor.

  Lots of choices in rugs but none of them passed inspection by R.  So we moved down the road.

Parked in Arizona

   We are parked in our friend's driveway in a little place called Arizona City, near Casa Grande.  It's great to be stationary for a few days.  After my doctor's appointment on Monday, we will move the rig to Yuma.  The dentist said that with a Tuesday appt my new bridge should be ready on Thursday.  If there is a problem, we have Friday as a back up.
   When we are done with Algodones, we will pack up and head for Tahoe.  Our first work day is Monday the 9th, but it would be good to arrive at the campground a day or two early to get things set up and clean the volunteer trailer before then.  The trailer has been vacant for 6 months so there may have been some critters hanging out during that time.  The USFS is going to have it sprayed for pests before then so that should help.    
    Tomorrow we are driving into Phoenix to take an old friend to lunch.  She lost her husband a couple of years ago so we try to see her when we are down here.  It will be fun and we are going to Rubio's for lunch.  Excellent fish tacos !!!   Tomorrow will be a good thing.

Thursday April 28.2016

Wilcox, AZ    Nothing special about Wilcox, another small town that is fed intravenously by I-5.  It is the exit for Chiricahua National Monument.  If you have not visited it, do so.  Spectacular rocks.  A neat windy road.  The campground is only for smaller rigs, 26 ft and under, however, so if you have something bigger, park it in Wilcox.
   Only 150 miles to travel today.  Then we will be at Bob and Betty's in Arizona City.  From there we can go into Phoenix to see friends and also my cardiologist (on Monday).  On Monday afternoon we will move down to Yuma for a few days.  We have an appointment with our dentist in Algodonis On Tuesday morning.   Our dentist in Canby gave me an estimate of over $8000 to replace my bridge and other work.   Too expensive.!!!  I would rather not help him buy a new Porsche right now.  The work in Mexico will be a fraction of the amount.  :)

San Antonio

Last Tuesday we checked something off of our Texas Bucket List.  We went to San Antonio.  Just for the day, however, so we could not see everything.  Randomly pick one of the Missions.  San Juan.  A good one.  Had a great tour guide, visited the museum, watched the movie.
   Drove downtown.  Had no idea where to go, Just put Riverwalk in Google and followed the directions.  It is Right Downtown.  After driving around and around we finally found a parking lot where I could get the dually into a parking spot and luckily it was only two blocks from the Alamo.
   Checked out the Alamo and then headed to the river walk area.  It was definitely worth the hassle.  Very cool area.  Lots of shops, lots of cafes and restaurants,.  Lots walking opportunities.  Even a boat ride; guided no less.  San Antonio is a definite must see.  Can we find a place to volunteer there?

Tuesday April 26 Still in Texas

Yes we are still in Texas.  Less than 300 miles from the border.  Left LBJ this morning at 9:30.  We had mixed feelings leaving.  We really liked the volunteer staff.  Really liked several of the rangers.  Really liked central Texas.  We gave the park mixed reviews.  Four days working is too much.  Three would be better.  You gice the same tour, over and over, sometimes 5-6 in a day.  With minimum breaks in between.  Too much.  Not awful but would not go back.  Maybe something else in Texas.
   We are camped at Balmorhea State Park, a few miles south of I 10 at exit 209. which means we are still over 200 miles into Texas.  Our last hours and a half was tough.  Bucking a head wind of about 35 mph.  Not scary just ate fuel.  It is 8:11 right now and the wind continues.  Hopefully it will be gone by tomorrow.  Had our leftovers from we went to Coopers BBQ in Llano a few days ago.  Wow was it good!!!
   The plan is to get through most, if not all of New Mexico tomorrow.  Thursday end up back at Bob and Betty's in Arizona City.  

Sunday 4/17

An interesting day.  Yesterday was rainy in the morning.  My tours were conducted from under cover of carports and porches.  The weather got better in the afternoon and visitor count was nearly 400.  The forecast for today was ominous.  Warnings of rain, several days of heavy rain.  Oh boy!  This morning was cloudy, warm and humid; but no rain.
    However, in the last few minutes the front to the east has reached us.  The wind picked up and switched directions, the temperature dropped and the sky looks much darker. I think our "dry spell" is about to end.  The weather here in central Texas is very changeable.

Llano another time

Last Tuesday we drove the Willow City loop again.  The flowers were even better.  

 The trip began with a stop at Coopers BBQ in Llano.  This is what a Texas Barbecue is all about.

Water heater

The water heater stopped heating water on electricity; gas still worked.  When our friend David came by and crawled on his belly into the kitchen cabinet, he discovered that the electrode was bad, understandable after 10 years.  A new electrode is on its way.  Maybe tomorrow.
  Warm today,  86 was the high.  We are not used to humidity.  Well, we are, winter in western Oregon.  We are just not used to humidity and heat.  And this area is not humid by east Texas standards.  Our friend Ron, from south of Houston, says he gets nose bleeds here in central Texas because it is so dry.   I just have to smile.  What would he do in Phoenix or Ajo or even eastern Oregon?  
    Two weeks (8 days of work left for us here at LYJO.  Sunday the 24th is our last work day.

Wild Seed

The Wild Seed Nursery is on Hwy 290 between Stonewall and Fredericksburg.  In the winter its not too busy, but right now.......  Wow.  Look at the color!

Mama and the little one

The kids are growing but still cute.

many legs

This guy caught my eye.

Another cool building

The town square of Blanco ( pronounced  Blank O ) holds the former county courthouse of Blanco County.  The current one is in Johnson City,(look at a earlier blog entry) but this one still has lots of charm.

color

GRUENE

Yesterday we met some old friends from Minnesota in Gruene (pronounced green) which is a historic area of New Braunfels.   We had lunch in a charming restaurant, the Grist Mill.  Our table was outside on a deck overlooking the Guadalupe River.  The building is part of the remains of a cotton gin.  The time spent and conversation was even better than the food and surroundings.
 
Lunch was followed by several hours of what we call "bummin' around".  We checked out some art. Wandered through a huge antique shop. Found a leather "Aussie style" sun hat.  Generally we had a great time.

Bluebonnets

There's a back way out of the park.  It involves using our clicker to open two back gates to get unto Martin Road which leads out across the Pedernales River and to the highway.  Although it is a country road it is paved all the way.  It flows between fenced land that is being covered with wildflowers.  Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, and some others (of unknown names )  On the way home last evening we stopped for a few clicks.

  This road provides us some of the best views of wildflowers in the area.  R and I feel like this is our secret road.  Pssst  Don't tell anybody !