Tombstone AZ on Tuesday the 9th of March

We visited the town of Tombstone, AZ about 15 miles south of the RV Park we are staying in, Western Horizons RV Park. Our friends the McKierans, belong to Resorts of Distinction Group, so they were able to invite us as guests in this private resort. 

Tombstone is a quaint western looking town that has shows hourly depicting the gun fights of old in the West.   They also have the Boot Hill Graveyard.  It is truly a cemetery that they've added some humor to.  Here's some fun photo's from there.

This and That ...........................Sunday and Monday

Beep Beep - we're coming thru ..............................................

Traveled 351 miles on Sunday from Marathon Texas to Deming, New Mexico.  We are on Interstate #10 and went thru some very interesting scenarios.

The buzzards in Texas are scarrrrrrrrrrrrry.  They were everywhere along the road having a snack ont he road kill.  They have big red heads and curved black beaks - they are the size of turkeys.  ISH !!

El Paso, Texas is much larger than we thought. And you can see the poverty in Juarez, Mexico from the freeway.  What a site - reminded me of Progresso, Mexico except the Rio Grande is only feet wide.  10 lanes of traffic and lots of it.  Trucks, RV's and lots of rigs moving.

Las Cruces is full of feed lots and pecan groves - miles of them.  And miles and miles.  Thankfully we didn't have the windows open as I understand the stench from the feed lots is quite aromatic.  Didn't smell in Cracker Barrel tho where we had an early dinner.  My favorite stop  -  no truck stops today - thank goodness !!

But we made it to the Walmart in Deming, New Mexico.  I asked Denny how he could take his bride to such a posh resort. !!!    There was another motor home exactly like ours staying there also.  They were from Florida and were spending the winter in Texas.  Not warm in either location.  We had a great conversation on blogging for $$ and I got some tips from her.  Will investigate those ideas and you may see some of them. 

We are about 100 miles from Tuscon and there are miles and miles of pecan and walnut groves lining the freeway.  Actually, we decided to stay west of Tuscon in Benson or St David for a few days.   It's pouring rain but 50 degrees - thank goodness. 
  

Saturday, March 6, Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is 75 Years Old

I'm glad we're not that old ............yet !!!!

Hey - they have road runners in this park.  This park is a fabulous piece of savage beauty.  And it is HUGE!

We only saw a small part of this park and want to come back to camp in the park.  Most of the park is generally closed in the summer because it's too hot.  Winter is their prime busy season.  The Rio Grande River seperates the park from Mexico so smuggling alien Mexicans and drugs is a big border issue in the park too.  Our vehicle was dog inspected on our way out of the park.  There are Border Patrol stations all thru Texas.  I asked to take a photo of them but they said it was illegal.  There are many open Border Patrol jobs down here if anyone is interested. 

The mountains and desert are a very desolate beautiful land.  It was 70 degrees, cloudy and quite comfortable.  We had a picnic lunch at Chisos Basin and we even did a hike.  Here's some more photo's. 

I didn't know there were mountains in Texas - did you?

It was a very long drive from Marathon - 70 miles but slow going with switch backs and narrow roads.  It made my "winky wiggle" to look over the edges.  But our decision to visit this park was a very good one.  IT IS A TREASURE FOR ALL TO SEE !!!!

Friday, March 5, Junction to Marathon, TX

This is the Park Headquarters at South Llano River, Junction Texas.  Very nice park with 50 amp electricity and HUGE sites. Only $17.00 a nite.   The campground hosts were born and raised in Isle, MN., so they are very familiar with Lake Mille Lacs and Father Hennepin State Park.  It truly is a very small world out here.  Especially in the South in winter, talking to Snowbirds.

Traveled 261 miles today to Marathon, TX.  Heading to Big Bend National Park on Saturday with our car.

We are staying at Marathon on Friday and Saturday nite.   Notice the Southwest motif.  Very nicely done however it is For Sale.  Almost everything in this town is for sale.  Had dinner out at "The Burro" and got introduced to some of the "artsy" culture in this small town.  Very nice. !!!

I missed a stone step coming out of the restaurant and fell on my left knee and twisted my right ankle - I was so embarassed !

The cactuses were just starting to flower.  They had a central firepit with comfortable furniture and free
firewood and starters for us. Very nice touches !!!

First Day Road Running .........Beep Beep

360 miles today - Alamo to Junction, Texas
9:00 AM til 5:00 PM 
8 hours includes a fuel stop at the Flying J, breakfast at the Flying J ( truck stop mama !!), and 2 breaks for potty stops.  Also 2 dog sniffs at the Border Patrol stop.  No illegal aliens or drugs so they let us go ! 

We are at Texas South Lano River State Park tonite.  Beautiful area with pecan trees and approx 800 turkeys - protected in this wildlife refuge.  They are everywhere.  It is so quiet here - we can hear the turkey noises.  I'll get some pictures in the morning.

Surprisingly the satellite TV is working.  Dinner in the motorhome tonite.  Early bedtime and back on the road tomorrow. 

Loading Up

We spent most of the day packing up and taking care of loose ends.  And then tonight I played cribbage and took 3rd place out of 24 women playing.  Not too shabby !!!   Gary and Lois Anderson, our neighbors from Canada, invited us to join them for dinner tonite so I didn't have to cook.  Denis finished up the laundry and we double checked our shed to make sure we had everything loaded.  We are excited to move on to a new place. 

We're heading out in the AM ( Thursday ) and will drive from the valley up to San Antonio and head west on Freeway #10 from there. 
Time for bed - it's 11 PM
6 AM comes early. 

Seniors Gone Wild

On Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 a group of us went to a Winter Texan Fiesta in Mission, Texas.  There were 6 groups of entertainers that performed on stage in a stadium that was shaped like a bowl.  ELVIS was there.  The Mission Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event in appreciation for the business that we bring to the Rio Grande Valley.  The temp was 85 and it was sunny !!!    Beautiful to be outside.  See the photo's below.

Elvis was here -------