Been on the road for the past two months. I've never experienced so many high wind conditions in our 17 years of RV travel. Starting with winds so strong they shut down the I-8 fwy 40 miles East of San Diego. We managed to get through but it cost us a slide topper. Ironically about the only time we didn't have strong winds was at the Windy Hill Campground in Roosevelt AZ.
The DW has always wanted to go to the Big Bend National Park and since her son was working in SW Texas we could kill two birds with one stone. Having seen so many pictures of the park we were looking forward to seeing it in person. Unfortunately that didn't happen. There was so much dust in the air it was almost impossible to see the surrounding mountains. Then there was the drought. The Rio Grand was so low it was possible to walk to Mexico in some areas. So after 5 days we continued our journey to the McAllen area where her son was working.
The winds and heat seemed to follow us along the Rio Grand to an area I hope to never see again. That is almost all of West Texas. The exception was Alpine TX. A town I'd visit again if I didn't have to go through Texas to get there.
After Big Bend, we visited the Amistad National Recreation area. Unfortunately the drought had taken its toll on the reservoir. It was quite low and compared to the pictures, disappointing. But dry camping in wind and dust was only $3.00 a night.
When we finally made it to our destination in the McAllen area, we stayed at an RV park a few blocks from DW's son. Unfortunately, son's work got in the way of any real visiting time. One lunch and one dinner during a 6 day visit.
The next segment was one I'll never forget. My need to escape West Texas caused me to do something I normally wouldn't do. I drove for 300 miles to Canyon Lake, TX in high winds. I'm still recovering after two weeks. Canyon Lake is a Corps park and a great one to visit if you're in the area. IMHO, it's located in the best part of Texas. That would be the Texas Hill Country and New Braunfels in particular.
Another great Corps Park we stayed at was in Coleman TX. Lakeside park at Horde Creek Reservoir. There's actually two parks and two entrances to the park. GPS took us to the second entrance. It was closed. Not a problem except finding a place to turn around on a twisty hilly narrow two lane highway. Found a road leading to a cemetery. Turned out to be a wide one lane road. Drove in about 150 feet, disconnect toad and backed Pace into sandy area. Keeping fingers crossed we could get out and drive 10 miles back to the park. After 3 days at Lakeside, I was still exhausted and ready to head home. DW had other ideas.
So we're off to Hobbs NM. It's only 250 miles away and I'm kinda rested after 3 days at Canyon Lake so not a problem driving for 5 hours in moderately high winds. Hobbs is an Oil town and it's booked up. One park had a 50 amp outlet next to a large building. The water hookup was about 100 feet away. With no shade and the high heat that didn't appeal to us. Because of the 95º + temps, we ruled out boon docking. So we persevered. Artesia NM was only 70 miles away. Problem is Artesia NM is another oil town. The oil workers have discovered cheap housing in the form of travel trailers at RV Parks with monthly rates. Good for them. Not so good for travelers. The RV parks are loaded with oil workers. The park we stopped at had 4 spots out of 130 set aside for travelers like us. We found the one spot where the electric didn't work. An hour later after DW found a maintenance worker the problem was solved.
After a night with some sleep we were off to an area NE of Santa Fe NM. Six or sever parks along the Rio Grand about a half hour from Taos. Sounded like a winner. ID'd a large park 25 miles North of Santa Fe. When we pulled in, discovered park booked solid. Other parks also booked. Ended up staying in a casino parking lot 12 miles down the road. Thankfully the weather had cooled. I'm exhausted but looking forward to a nice spot on along the Rio Grand the next day. Next morning DW says she doesn't want to go. For the past week, I've been wanting to go home and DW wanted to continue traveling. What happened? Can't explain. But we decided to return to L.A.
From Tesuque NM to Dancing Eagle Casino in NM. It's only about 130 miles. I can do it. So off we go, accompanied by strong winds and high heat. Next day we're off to see some ancient ruins at the Homolovi State Park in AZ. Will the winds ever stop? Will they ever be behind us?
But for the roads with expansion joints every 50 feet Homolovi State Park is an OK park. Bump bump bump and a bit pricey for 30 amp service and water. The ruins were a disappointment. Seeing signs warning of quick sand on the other side of a fence gave me pause. Also left me thinking it would be OK to miss the ruins. And I thought rattle snakes were the only thing to watch out for. Fortunately we didn't sink into any quick sand nor did we see any rattlers. Non-the-less, I was happy to continue heading home.
So we're off to Seligman AZ. Been there, done that but there's not much to choose from. Reserved spot at KOA. As always they warn there are only 3 sites left. So we reserve. When we get there, the park is about half full. When we leave in the morning the park is about half full. I guess it's the way RV parks attract customers.
Now we're only a short 400 miles drive from the house. I've done it in one day. But this time I'm tired and the wind is getting worse. Wind forecast, 15 - 25 mph with gusts to 50. Sounds like more of the same. We left heading to Bullhead City where the winds were forecast to be less. The forecast was wrong. Winds were just as bad if not worse. Forecast was more of same for next two days. So we're at Bullhead City until tomorrow. Then were off to a spot about 100 miles from the house. Could easily do it in one day but for Easter Sunday when I suspect the entire street will be loaded with cars visiting family and not a spot to put the Pace when we get home.
The DW has always wanted to go to the Big Bend National Park and since her son was working in SW Texas we could kill two birds with one stone. Having seen so many pictures of the park we were looking forward to seeing it in person. Unfortunately that didn't happen. There was so much dust in the air it was almost impossible to see the surrounding mountains. Then there was the drought. The Rio Grand was so low it was possible to walk to Mexico in some areas. So after 5 days we continued our journey to the McAllen area where her son was working.
The winds and heat seemed to follow us along the Rio Grand to an area I hope to never see again. That is almost all of West Texas. The exception was Alpine TX. A town I'd visit again if I didn't have to go through Texas to get there.
After Big Bend, we visited the Amistad National Recreation area. Unfortunately the drought had taken its toll on the reservoir. It was quite low and compared to the pictures, disappointing. But dry camping in wind and dust was only $3.00 a night.
When we finally made it to our destination in the McAllen area, we stayed at an RV park a few blocks from DW's son. Unfortunately, son's work got in the way of any real visiting time. One lunch and one dinner during a 6 day visit.
The next segment was one I'll never forget. My need to escape West Texas caused me to do something I normally wouldn't do. I drove for 300 miles to Canyon Lake, TX in high winds. I'm still recovering after two weeks. Canyon Lake is a Corps park and a great one to visit if you're in the area. IMHO, it's located in the best part of Texas. That would be the Texas Hill Country and New Braunfels in particular.
Another great Corps Park we stayed at was in Coleman TX. Lakeside park at Horde Creek Reservoir. There's actually two parks and two entrances to the park. GPS took us to the second entrance. It was closed. Not a problem except finding a place to turn around on a twisty hilly narrow two lane highway. Found a road leading to a cemetery. Turned out to be a wide one lane road. Drove in about 150 feet, disconnect toad and backed Pace into sandy area. Keeping fingers crossed we could get out and drive 10 miles back to the park. After 3 days at Lakeside, I was still exhausted and ready to head home. DW had other ideas.
So we're off to Hobbs NM. It's only 250 miles away and I'm kinda rested after 3 days at Canyon Lake so not a problem driving for 5 hours in moderately high winds. Hobbs is an Oil town and it's booked up. One park had a 50 amp outlet next to a large building. The water hookup was about 100 feet away. With no shade and the high heat that didn't appeal to us. Because of the 95º + temps, we ruled out boon docking. So we persevered. Artesia NM was only 70 miles away. Problem is Artesia NM is another oil town. The oil workers have discovered cheap housing in the form of travel trailers at RV Parks with monthly rates. Good for them. Not so good for travelers. The RV parks are loaded with oil workers. The park we stopped at had 4 spots out of 130 set aside for travelers like us. We found the one spot where the electric didn't work. An hour later after DW found a maintenance worker the problem was solved.
After a night with some sleep we were off to an area NE of Santa Fe NM. Six or sever parks along the Rio Grand about a half hour from Taos. Sounded like a winner. ID'd a large park 25 miles North of Santa Fe. When we pulled in, discovered park booked solid. Other parks also booked. Ended up staying in a casino parking lot 12 miles down the road. Thankfully the weather had cooled. I'm exhausted but looking forward to a nice spot on along the Rio Grand the next day. Next morning DW says she doesn't want to go. For the past week, I've been wanting to go home and DW wanted to continue traveling. What happened? Can't explain. But we decided to return to L.A.
From Tesuque NM to Dancing Eagle Casino in NM. It's only about 130 miles. I can do it. So off we go, accompanied by strong winds and high heat. Next day we're off to see some ancient ruins at the Homolovi State Park in AZ. Will the winds ever stop? Will they ever be behind us?
But for the roads with expansion joints every 50 feet Homolovi State Park is an OK park. Bump bump bump and a bit pricey for 30 amp service and water. The ruins were a disappointment. Seeing signs warning of quick sand on the other side of a fence gave me pause. Also left me thinking it would be OK to miss the ruins. And I thought rattle snakes were the only thing to watch out for. Fortunately we didn't sink into any quick sand nor did we see any rattlers. Non-the-less, I was happy to continue heading home.
So we're off to Seligman AZ. Been there, done that but there's not much to choose from. Reserved spot at KOA. As always they warn there are only 3 sites left. So we reserve. When we get there, the park is about half full. When we leave in the morning the park is about half full. I guess it's the way RV parks attract customers.
Now we're only a short 400 miles drive from the house. I've done it in one day. But this time I'm tired and the wind is getting worse. Wind forecast, 15 - 25 mph with gusts to 50. Sounds like more of the same. We left heading to Bullhead City where the winds were forecast to be less. The forecast was wrong. Winds were just as bad if not worse. Forecast was more of same for next two days. So we're at Bullhead City until tomorrow. Then were off to a spot about 100 miles from the house. Could easily do it in one day but for Easter Sunday when I suspect the entire street will be loaded with cars visiting family and not a spot to put the Pace when we get home.
