2/28/14

Homeward Bound!

 

Rockhound SP New Mexico

We leave Arizona feeling sad as it’s too soon to return to the cold.  But the mindless days of sitting in the sun and looking at the mountains are over for this winter.  Reality, in the form of doctors’ appointments and dealing with Medicare, calls.

Our first night on the road is at Rock Hound State Park in Deming, NM.  Lovely small park with a brand new bath house…which is not finished and not open.  The lights of the city are  twinkling through the windows.  Beautiful!

DSC_6849

DSC_6836

 

DSC_6841

We experience another gorgeous sunset.  Our thoughts turn to next winter and the possibility of spending time in New Mexico.

After another 350 mile day, we are in west Texas at Monahan Sand Hills State Park.  This is our third visit as it is so convenient to I-20.  The exit is almost the entrance to the park.  It’s practically deserted, maybe cause of a forecast of ice in the AM.  We decide to NOT get on the road in the morning.

DSC_6865

The wind howls all night.  I wake wondering if we are to blow over?  Our new stabilizers are working great but, infrequently, the gusts do make the trailer shiver.  The next morning it’s 30F for hours.  We wait until noon to shower and head out to the grocery store.  It will be another night in the sand hills.

Late in the day the sun emerges.  I take a quick walk…the wind is still bitter cold.  Oh! Missing those 80 degrees of last weekend!

DSC_6855

DSC_6857

DSC_6861

DSC_6862

The wind makes lovely patterns in the shifting sand.

I stay inside reading for most of the day.  After dark, on my way to the bath house, another trailer pulls into the campground, proceeding cautiously.  A white gleam bounces off my flashlight.  It’s a Casita!  Heading back to our trailer I say “hi” to these brave souls coming in after dark in the cold.  They are shocked when I point to our Casita a few spaces away.  John and Gail have just  come from Rice with a brand new 16 foot Casita!  They appear overjoyed to have a knowledgeable(?) person to help with the set up.  I am feeling great to be able to help.   I fall asleep wondering if they will be able to get the furnace turned on.  Hope they will not be human popsicles in the AM.

DSC_6867

They are fine commenting, a bit, about the hard cushions!  I quickly give them info on the forums and we say “goodbye”.

Holiday Park Campground on Benbrook Lake, is our destination for Thursday night.  It’s a COE with hookups at a senior discount.

Benbrook Lake COE

DSC_6876

We take a walk, David grills chicken, then we both read until bedtime.  So nice to have electricity with heat and the cell phone charging!

In no rush to hit the road this AM as we must drive through Fort Worth and Dallas.  Wonder when rush hour will end?

Many emotions are being experienced.  Sadness at leaving the desert, dread of cold and/or snow at home but also a happy anticipation of seeing friends, reconnecting with loved ones and settling back into a routine.

Time to wake the hubby and head out!

25 comments:

  1. I bet the new Casita owners were so tickled to drive up on you and get some hints! Eat up every moment driving back home...hope you timed rush hour perfectly. Nice parks you are picking! Be safe...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was such a coincidence that I was outside when they arrived! A real meant-to-be event. It was very, very dark and we would have not seen them until leaving time the next morning! Tickled, yes!

      The DFW I-20 is a bit of hell. Equal and maybe worse than driving through Atlanta!
      Following you closely until the great reveal!

      Delete
  2. Know what you mean. I'm headed home today too and it's bittersweet. What luck for those new casita owners to have you right next door on their maiden voyage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bittersweet is a great way to describe it! It was all bitter until we got about half way home. Now we are thinking of all the positives.

      Serendipitous encounter for sure!

      Delete
  3. From our experience, rush hour never ends in the DFW area. Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing you and hearing all about your wonderful journey. Not sure I would like all that sand........jc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right! We missed the work crowd but the 18 wheeler trucks were horrible! And we had Sylvester in his crate crying the whole 50 miles..he's not accustomed to being locked up.
      We treated ourselves to a Denny's brunch after the ordeal!
      See you soon!

      Delete
  4. I trust you have a safe trip home. So glad to get to spend some time with you this winter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We really enjoyed our time with BJ and you! Hope to do it again next year!

      Delete
  5. You Two sure mapped out a terrific trip this winter....I enjoyed tagging along in your rear view mirror...I've marked your campgrounds for future reference...as JerryC said going through Dallas-Fort Worth is never something you look forward to...Safe Journey and thanks for sharing...Horst sends

    BTW...GREAT photos, especially of the desert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always fun to have you along for the ride! Thanks for the nice words. DFW is a nightmare!

      Let us know if you get in our area!

      Delete
  6. So glad you guys were there for John and Gail...I bet they were relieved to see another Casita!!! What luck!!!
    Hope you have a safe journey through DFW!! We are hoping the worst of the winter weather is behind us!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I do hope the worst of winter is over. I keep checking the Montgomery, AL 10 day forecast. So want it to be warm and beautiful at the GE& H.
      Are you still planning to attend?

      Delete
  7. You sure are finding nice places to stop along the way.

    How fantastic that you could help the new Casita owners and point them to the forums.

    I am sad your trip is ending, too, but I am so glad you got that amazing break from the horrible winter weather here. It should be okay by the time you make it home. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. We can make do with "OK" weather. Just do not want to see snow and ice! As you mentioned recently in your blog....."spring is coming!"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey if you lived in NM you wouldn't have to contend with that DFW traffic any time! That is a heck of a lot of sand! That couple will remember you for a long time. I still remember the first one that helped me and his name was Lindy. Super guy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Moving to New Mexico! Like the way that sounds! Can't see it happening in our current situation but life does tend to shake things up regularly.
    The couple... still can't believe I was there when they arrived!
    Happy for you with your wonderful weather and beautiful views!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can't imagine how happy we would have been to stumble across another T@DA owner in our first week out . They are so lucky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, I do think they were happy to see us. And it was FUN.
      Enjoyed your posts on southern AZ. We hope to spend more time there next year.

      Delete
  12. Can't imagine how happy we would have been to stumble across another T@DA owner in our first week out . They are so lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes we still plan to be there!! Looking forward to meeting you guys!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. According to Shorty's roster, we are camped next to each other!

      Delete
  14. How fun to meet another Casita owner and a new one at that! Hope you didn't experience any more bad weather on your way home and that you took some of that AZ sunshine back with you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. No sun for a few days but we were blessed with warm temps into the 70's for our last two travel days! So thankful to drive and camp in spring-like weather for the last of our journey.

    Hope you are still enjoying FL....it will be warming up there soon and the forgotten coast will be calling you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello, thanks for the comment on my blog. (now I sound like a spam comment...) If you want to know the park I mentioned, drop me a line at shadowmoss at gmail and I can give you the name and address. There were empty slots all winter, so that part shouldn't be an issue.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Some nice shots. Good luck to you and your endeavours.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

    ReplyDelete