At Bastrop State Park

I left San Antonio on the 15th headed to Austin.  I'm enjoying the driving part much more now.  The countryside is different than what I'm used to and it gives clues to how the people live in this part of the country.  I keep taking side roads to see more than what the freeways can offer.  Takes longer to get there, but that's the point.

I had to go by Sandra Bullock's place in downtown Austin.  What an interesting downtown area.  Very old looking with a lot of eating places and shops. It had a feel of being very old, and very trendy at the same time.  With it being spring break, it was crawling with kids and there was some large concert going on which aided in bringing them out in droves.  I tried a picture while driving down very narrow crowded streets (a bit stressful with the trailer), but had the sepia on for some reason on my phone camera.  That's why Sandy's place is weird looking.  We then headed over to Lady Bird Lake with a very nice trail and wonderful views of downtown.  The whole over all feel of Austin is very nice.  Like all towns, it has it's bad neighborhoods, but over all, I liked it very much.  At least what I saw in my short time there.

We ended up the day at a campground in Bastrop state park.  I couldn't believe how nice it was.  Texas has sure fooled me with all it's lakes, creeks, rivers and even pine trees.  It's a much prettier, nicer state than I gave it credit for.  With very nice people.  I had a bit of electrical trouble with the trailer, and one of the guys camped nearby spent a bit of time helping me fix it.  Everyone I've met has been very friendly and helpful.

Finally feeling Better

I remember why I don't like to drink too much.  Most of today was not too much fun trying to nurse a hangover.  Tonight, at last, I feel almost normal again. And I have a good connection, so I'll catch up.

Someone got to sleep on the road.

We spent another long day on the road. Not much to see on that road.  Hardly anything to break up the drive or stop for.  Except this

The world's largest roadrunner.

 
Spent the night at a truck stop on Friday again.  Again talked to some interesting truckers.  Then headed up the road (120 miles) to San Antonio.  After so much desert, it got prettier.  Not that it takes much to get prettier.  Trees and rolling hills.  And the occasional creek.  And it got cooler.  Almost comfortable

Hopefully, the last of the road pics.

Pulled into the KOA in San Antonio.  Prices are higher this week, of course, because it's Spring Break!  Good timing on my part.  I had tried so hard to avoid it.  I thought it only happened around Easter.  I'll probably have to deal with it for the whole trip. 

When I went downtown to the Alamo and riverwalk, you would believe everyone took the week off.  The alamo was horribly crowded with a line around the block to get in and I had Cash anyway, so we just looked around the gardens.  I'm not that fond of museums anyway.  Much rather see the people and the countryside. 





Cash was a good boy on the walk down the river.  Heeled and never caused a problem.  Good to know for the rest of the trip in case I have to play the "service dog" card.  I feel like the trip is really just getting started.  I got through the desert and now can check out interesting places and people.  I'm starting to slow down and not feel so rushed, even though I never have much to feel rushed about.   I'm doing much better at living in the moment.  That said, after spending the night here again, I'm off to Austin tomorrow.  Supposed to be a pretty town.

In San Antonio

This will be a quick catch-up post then I'm off to downtown to check out river walk and the alamo.  I spent the night before last at another truck stop on the way here.  We pulled in here (KOA) yesterday then went to the store to get some supplies I forgot and generally cleaned up me and the trailer.  Spent the evening chatting and drinking way too much wine with my neighbor camper.  Slept little of course and feel pretty rocky this morning.  I will have pictures, I hope, and more to say tonight after the cobwebs clear out.

East of El Paso

 I have a great connection tonight.  I even got to watch Survivor!  And I am listening to music on the radio (ITunes) while I write this.  And I finally figured out how to post pictures on this thing.  (See the last post.  I added a couple to it)  Not that I have any decent pictures to post.  The sky is a clear (boring) blue and everything I've seen in this desert looks the same.  No nice light or anything interesting.  So I've been taking pictures of the road signs to prove I've come this way.  Through Arizona, 

into New Mexico (really boring and redundant) 

and finally into Texas.  

I sure do hope El Paso doesn't represent Texas.  It was a lot bigger than I thought with a lot of traffic.  You can see Mexico to the right of the freeway and it looks like a sprawling, dusty, brown, dry, horrible place to live.  Needless to say, I didn't get off the freeway to check it out any further.  It could be a nice town.  After all, San Diego is also a border town and it is wonderful.


I pulled into a truck stop to spend the night.  Not too noisy and it's free.  They also have toilets, which come in handy, as well as food.  I will mostly drive for the next couple days till I get closer to San Antonio or Austin.  I might head up to Austin first and see what's there.  I just want to get through this desert stuff.  By the time this trip is over, I may never go to the desert again.  And there haven't been any wildflowers, or anything green.  Just dry and brown. Cash has been a trooper,  but he hates the heat too.  He's mostly been sleeping on the floor behind the front seat to avoid the sun.  He's none to anxious to get out and walk around either.  Seems to get stickers every time he does.  Did I mention I hate the desert?

Day 1 and 2

I've had two days of bad connections at campsites, so I've decided to stop at Burger King for coffee and breakfast and update my blog.  At this rate, I will have gained 10 pounds at least by the time I get home.  That is, my bigger, fixed home.  For the next little while, this is my home.

The weather has been almost too good.  Clear skies and warm to hot.  I sure have regretted not getting that air conditioner fixed.  And I still have tons of desert to go through!  Lots of noise with the windows down.  The first night was spent in slab city.  Very interesting place.  Home of Salvation mountain.  And lots of interesting people.  From druggies to snowbirds.  In fact, the whole southern part of both of the states are filled with snowbirds.

I spent most of the second day driving to Tucson (where I am now)  and trying to stay cool enough.  Cash has been riding very well.  But he doesn't like the heat or desert any more than I do.  We've mostly seen lots of cactus and road signs.  Boring and interesting at the same time.  Too hot to get out and walk much, plus too much sticky stuff and too dry.  Did I mention I hate the desert?  I don't want to think how many miles I have to go before I get out of it.

Stayed in a nice state of Arizona park last night.  Had to have a really nice Aussie kid back my trailer in.  And he did it from the wrong side!  I could have, given enough time. Honest.  But  I do need more practice, for sure.

So far, so good.  I plan on driving a good amount for the next few days till I get to San Antonio at least.  Save my site seeing for more interesting places.

Almost Ready

Cash and I have had our haircuts and are almost ready.  Today I will finish packing up the truck and getting the last of the stuff for the trailer.  Broken up by bowling and dinner with a friend. That pretty much leaves this am to finish up.  The plan is to check out the surf in the morning.  If it is good, I will hit the waves then leave.  If not, I will just leave.  And so it will begin.  I'm getting more excited about it.  I was a little unsure for awhile, wondering what the hell I was thinking.  There could be a lot of really boring days and nights.  But I am bringing along movies and books and other stuff to keep me occupied when the weather sucks.  Can't wait to see what the south of our country offers.  First up is the desert (yuck).  Hopefully there will be a lot of wildflowers to take pictures of to help break up the long drive to San Antonio.  I'm not sure where I will spend the first night.  I do plan on stopping by slab city, maybe staying there.  But then that's the plan for the whole trip....playing it by ear.  My next post will be from...somewhere in the south.