We talked about going across country for a long time…so we finally went half way across! Our best friends, Donna and Jeff, moved to Caldwell Texas 2 years ago so it was time to see what the hubbub was about. I get it, it’s BEAUTIFUL out there!! So here’s how it went…

Left on Saturday morning, June 4th heading for Williams Arizona via the I-40, where we stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park. The roads from Havasu to Williams were torn up so bad we thought we might have nothing left of the RV by the time we got there but a couple of seats on top of the chassis. I’m not exaggerating either. Rather than fix the roads, Arizona just puts up signs that say “Rough Road” or our favorite, “Rough Road, May Crack Windshield”. Unbelievable! Add to that, torrential downpour for at least an hour coming into Williams and it was a real white-knuckler! But we made it and hunkered down for the night.

In the morning we left, headed to Albuquerque. The roads improved but were still not great, but the state is absolutely beautiful, especially the northern part where we were, off the I-40. We got excited to see the sign for Winslow Arizona along the way… You know…standin’ on a corner? So of course we stopped and took silly pictures!

Along the way was such beauty, especially in New Mexico. I’d like to plan another trip just to explore the Land of Enchantment by the way. We stayed at Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post and would give it an A+. Such an adorable park with a great store and adorable vintage RV’s you can tour.

Our friends, Gloria and Stuart, who live in Rio Rancho picked us up for dinner and we had a great time at Sobremesa eating traditional Spanish food, and the guys really enjoyed the craft beer.

In the morning we got up and out early for the 5.5 hour drive to Lubbock. Now let me say this…the state of Texas is absolutely beautiful, and their Governor obviously spends the taxpayer’s money on the taxpayers. The roads and all infrastructure was excellent! But there is one thing that’s curious. The speed limit on the highway is 80 which is bad enough, but on the little state highways, mostly 2 lanes in each direction, right next to houses, the limit is 75!! And the trucks pass everyone like crazy! I assume that’s why they have about a million cemeteries? Every few miles, another cemetery. I find that interesting…

We stayed at Mesa Verde RV park in Lubbock. It had rained 7 inches in 7 days and it was quite humid. I got bit by mosquitoes 5 times sitting by the pool for only 15 minutes. It was a nice enough park…basically pulled in, ate dinner, watched TV, then pulled out early for the 6.5 hour drive to Donna and Jeff’s.

Donna and Jeff live on a beautiful country road way out away from any main towns…just about 30 minutes from College Station. We loved College Station and their stores like HEB (grocery), Specs (booze), and of course, Nothing Bundt Cakes! They took us to lunch at C & J BBQ in Bryan and it was delish!

They built a beautiful home and huge shop which sits on 4 wooded acres. So many trees and birds. It’s like a bird sanctuary and it sounds like I imagine the rain forest sounds.

We went for walks and really enjoyed the outdoors. When it got too warm we came in and hung out. Happy hour starts at 4pm in Caldwell! Pepper captured Donna and Jeff’s hearts and I was afraid Donna was going to keep him! And I’m afraid he wouldn’t have minded!

One night we had a crazy thunder and lightning storm that dumped a bunch of rain. It blew down trees and fences all around but we were safe under their RV building next to the shop. Pepper has no fear so he enjoyed it from the dash!! Crazy dog.

We took a trip to San Antonio to see the Alamo and the River Walk. The boys did the Alamo and we checked out some shops. Then we all walked around the river (for a short time, it was hot) before stopping at Mad Dogs Brittish Pub for lunch. They served Scotch Eggs as an appetizer so we had to try them. Basically it’s a hard boiled egg wrapped in pork and deep fried. Very yummy actually!

We stayed with them for 7 days and really enjoyed hanging out with our best friends. Jeff made us a beautiful and large wind chime made out of pipes that he tuned into actual musical notes. I love the sound of it on our patio.

I missed them immediately after we left. This will be a yearly tradition for sure. We may even meet half way now and then.

Sunset our last night at their house. We got up and left at 8:00 am the next morning heading to Fort Stockton Tx. We decided to take the 10 home since the 40 had such horrible roads. The 10 was 100 times better and actually a more direct route.

On our way to Fort Stockton we drove to Fredericksburg which is the Wine Country of Texas. We didn’t want to take much time so we just found a place to stop and have lunch in the RV. We’ll put it on the list for our next trip.

Hilltop RV Park in Fort Stockton was really nice and adorable. Very nice people and very clean.

The best sunset ever!

What the heck is this?

On the road by 8am the next day heading for Deming New Mexico. Roads are still great, but hitting a lot of wind. Went through El Paso on the way out of Texas. Beautiful over-passes and infrastructure in that town.

Deming New Mexico wasn’t much to speak of but they have a great Mexican Restaurant called El Camino Real. Really friendly staff and delicious food. We got it to-go and they served me water and offered chips and salsa while I waited. So nice.

We stayed at 81 Palms RV Park in Deming. Nice people, they only take checks and cash which is different, but it was nice. Very hot and windy though.

The next day we hit Arizona pretty quickly after leaving Deming and decided to go explore Tombstone. What a fun time we had there!

Made it to Cotton Lane RV Park in Goodyear Arizona around 6pm and boy was it hot! It was 91 degrees inside the RV with the AC blasting and an hour later it was 92. Go figure? It didn’t cool off until well after 9pm. The park was nothing to speak about. It’s actually a 55 and over place and is very nice. It seems they only rent out a few spaces in the back where there are NO trees or grass. Also, no store.

Anyway, early in the morning we were out of there heading for home! We took the 10 up to the 210 and 15 then the 395 and came down the 58. We were home by around 3:00.

What a great trip but it’s always so nice to be home. I’ll never complain about California roads ever again after some if the places we drove.

The RV is going in for new shocks and stabilizers before we go on anymore long trips. We may be heading to Virginia in the fall…we’ll see!