I-35

It had been years since we have gone to the Rio Grande Valley using I-35. We debated on which route to take. Butch said we really should go down 77 as it is shorter but when I googled it in google maps we found out it was 10 miles longer...not that that matters.  I-35 isn't bad until you start hitting the "cities" Ft.Worth, Waco, Austin and San Antonio. Then it seems you are hardly out of one before entering the next. Perhaps not such a big deal in a car but a bit different in a motorhome pulling a car. At any rate I think we will be going north in the spring on a different route. We didn't have any trouble per se it is just that the concentration level has to stay quite high for an extended length of time. Very hard on the driver. In Waco a truck passed us and indicated a problem with our RV by pointing down. We were not near a place to stop but we finally pulled off to look and our steps were out. We have had a bit of an issue with them not working as they should so will have to look out for that and we silently thanked the trucker. THEN about 10 miles further a trucker went by us on the right, honked and made a gesture with his fist that neither of us could figure out. We were once again in a place where stopping or pulling off was not working but we finally pulled over and found nothing amiss this time. Butch suspicioned in the beginning that he was ticked because we were in the middle lane and not driving 70 mph. We like to stay in the middle lane if we can. So one trucker out of hundreds being ticked at us might have to be the norm! Oh well, next time we will leave I-35 to the truckers.
Sunday should be a pleasant last leg of our journey. A weekend trip traveling to the valley works out well.

Last night we were looking for a restaurant and finally stopped at a gas station and asked for a recommendation. They guided us to the Italian Garden and it was very good choice. Butch had Spaghetti and Meatballs and I ordered Chicken Siciliano. I also asked our waitress to bring a carry home box when she delivered our plates so I could immediately put half aside. The last time we ate Italian I hurt myself by eating way too much and I did not want to repeat that unpleasant experience. So by putting half aside ahead of time it worked out great and now I have a delicious meal waiting for me in the fridge.
Later...

Change of plans

We are at the Rio Raft RV park in Canyon Lake TX. We have stayed here before. We are using our Passport America Membership. It is only about 10 miles off I-35. It was a relief to get off the fast track of I-35. We will be heading out of here on Sunday morning so the traffic should be as light as it ever gets that day.
We had the AC on most of the day and even so when we stopped here (near San Antonio) the heat was a bit of a shock when we stepped out of the Moho. The gal who checked us in warned that it is supposed to get really cold tomorrow night (mid to low 30's) and the wind is supposed to be strong. That is one of the reasons we decided to hold up for a bit. Driving in the wind is not fun. Also Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA friends Terry and Lisa Linder live in a condo here when they are not living in their 5th wheel somewhere else. So Magnolia Park can wait. After all we will be there for 5 months.

Quick Note

Just a quick note because I am tired tonight. Last night we were in an RV Park all by ourselves, Butch was asleep and the wind was blowing at 40MPH and the rain was coming down hard. I had to wait for it to abate before I could get to sleep and then Angel decided to be a stinker at 4:30 AM just when I was getting some good and very much needed sleep.
We had the MoHo serviced to the tune of $351 including RV park rent. They were very thorough with the servicing. Butch knows because he watched. They did catch several things that would have given us issues in the future, like corroded battery cables. It is all part of the cost of enjoying our lifestyle.
So then we boogied on down hwy 69 and it was bumpier than I remember. Now we are in a little RV park on Hwy 82 in north Texas.
For supper we enjoyed one of those pans of precooked Hormel Roast Beef . I cooked some peas and sweet potatoes and apples. It really hit the spot. Those pans of precooked Hormel meats are sure handy to have on hand. Especially when we are on the move.
Now a shower, a little TV and early to bed for me. 

Big Cabin OK

We are parked at the Big Cabin RV Park connected to Big Cabin Diesel at Big Cabin Oklahoma where many of the "Big Boys" come to get their units serviced. We are scheduled for 8:30 AM tomorrow for an oil change. Butch had talked to a fellow while we were at Thunder Bay Resort  about his RV overheating and he was told to never put more than 19 quarts in when he changes the oil  so Butch had some concerns. But he talked to Trace, our go-to guy at Big Cabin Diesel and he said that even though the book says it takes 22 quarts they cannot put in the full 22 quarts. Some always stays in the pan. It is only 22 quarts if it is a dry engine. He says that is also why the oil looks dark right away after an oil change which is another issue Butch was concerned about. Sometimes he can pick the darnedest things to get his undies in a wad about.
We came early because there is wind (45 mph) predicted for Oklahoma today...go figger... there is always wind in Oklahoma. But the calmest part of the day is early morning so we got up and around early for the 60 mile trip from Carthage MO. So now we have a quiet day in a place where we have no acquaintances. It is fairly warm and Angel is enjoying her view of the countryside out of the screen door. There are cattle in a field that is very close to the park. We are definitely out in the country.  Being out in the country with no one around gives me far less anxiety than being in a city. I know there are people who feel exactly the opposite.
I finished a bracelet for my sister Theresa yesterday. I have it ready to mail and will get that done asap.

So tomorrow after the oil change we will be making our way down hwy 69 towards Texas. Most likely we will overnight in a Texas Welcome Center. They encourage overnight stays and also have security. No hook ups but we can live with that for a night or two.

Odd and Ends

Our shower last night was an experience in itself! I used a dab of shampoo about the size of a dime and the suds were super abundant. My skin and hair felt super smooth. Soft water is such a treat. After my shower I cleaned the shower walls and they cleaned up in a jiffy and were as slick and smooth as my skin. Coachlight RV has its own water system as they are very rural and have to wash lots of RV and other vehicles in conjunction with their RV business. It is worth a stop here just to experience super soft water. I remember mentioning this to someone (can't remember who) and they told me they didn't like soft water because it made them feel oily and slimy. I cannot fathom it. Must be a matter of perspective. Today I plan to wash everything I can get into the washer.

Black and white cluster bracelet made for Susan Brooker

License plate seen at a mall. Low self esteem?

Peculiar Dental Care? Many questions arise...Pick Axe?

Just a few items in my miscellaneous folder. Hope your day is a good one.