Texas 2011 - Days 25, 26, 27 and 28

We’ll make our final Texas 2011 post an amalgamation of the events and sights from our long (four day) drive home.

Day 25

After hugs to Jerry and Gigi, we headed out of the canyon (confirmed our campsite was 612 feet down). Sunny day for travelling.

Saw lots of cattle (more than on whole trip) then a GIANT cross (and Stations of the Cross and numerous RVs and big trucks stopped) in Groom…leaving Texas.

Immediate change from empty plains to lush agriculture as we crossed in to Oklahoma (this by the way was the cat’s 7^th of 10 states on this trip).

Saw first Route 66 sign in Elk City. Other things:

-Cordell, OK (I was going to be called Cordell if I had been a boy)

-Wind farm in WEATHERford

-Oklahoma toll highways (worth the $)

-sang MANY Oklahoma songs

-stayed in Mingo RV Park, very much a trailer park, know what I mean?

Day 26

After emptying water tanks and a stop at a good RV store, today’s sights:

-two tires burning under a bridge on highway; huh?

-“Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Convicts”

-“Do Not Drive Into Smoke” (especially after tires!)

-cars approaching covered in snow…what???

Stopped in Rolla, Missouri when we saw snowy cars; good plan. Major blizzard in St. Louis, our original destination. David did final winterizing of trailer. Mexican dinner and hotel sleep.

Day 27

Cold, clear and sunny. Good day to travel. Sights:

-emus in a field

-lots of Route 66 signs and memorabilia shops

-near Bourbon, Missouri, store sign “Firearms, Ice Cream, Beer and Liquor”

Day 28

Good hotel sleep (king sized bed); sunny start…

-“Prairie Rehab” (or don’t mow this ditch)

-road signs side-by-side: “Conservation Area” and “Shooting Range”

-Oil Wells pumping near St. Elmo

-another Big Cross (turns out to be “World’s Largest Cross” http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/4116)

-Greenup, Illinois

-four running whitetails

-mini oil wells

-scary GPS tour of Indianapolis

-three buildings side-by-side: IVF, Plastic Surgery, Senior Living

More driving in to Birch Run, Michigan for an outlet mall. Two tshirts and a belt after 90 minutes.

Quick border crossing. LONG drive from Sarnia to home (10:45 PM)

All seemed well except for smell; yep, freezer died while we were away. Much stinky cleanup then bed sometime after 1:00.

Final Words

A marvelous trip filled with warmth (from people and nature), incredible sights, adventure and lots of love between us.

Pat, our sister-in-law, said the new mantra will now be “Where to next and how soon can we get away”. Maybe after we buy a new freezer.

Enjoy the last photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TripHome?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLIxqme57SlRw#

Our photo gallery is here:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 24

Day 24

Kind of a cloudy start to the day, but decided to stay one more day.

Off to the Office to check in and heard that the sheep we saw yesterday were from some farmer who set them free (dang) and that yes, we HAD seen a meteorite last night. Yippeee...

Visited the Interpretive Centre and the Souvenir shop, behind which was a bird blind and we saw a Towhee, a couple of warblers, a morph White-crowned Sparrow and a gaggle of birds!

Back for lunch and then a walk along the creek/river. Saw the five deer and David was within 5 or 6 feet. Evidence of beaver (a stand of chewed trees) but imagined the dams or the beaver themselves have been blown.

Got back and Jerry and Gigi offered a bike ride and we declined. I read, David sorted pictures and all was well.

They returned and we had our Happy Hour (our last with Jerry and Gigi and our last in Texas for this year anyway). Now THEY had heard that we DID see some kind of wild sheep yesterday. Like that story better.

In for spaghetti, then, as I was writing this entry, David called me out. The deer were in our campsite, a turkey or two was being laid and the rest were high in the trees near by (we wondered how they survived the coyotes and now we know).

We went off to view once more that “the stars at night are big and bright...” with J and G. Saw great stars, Milky Way and FIVE satellites!

Boohoo, will miss J and G as we missed Linda, Denny, Marilyn, Brad, Nancy and Allan! Love Texas!

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 23

Day 23

Best Day EVER! Okay, there have been great days with family and friends for sure, but this was unbelievable.

Up early...it was only 38 degrees F! Yikes! But the sun came out and the sky was blue.

Were convinced to tackle the Lighthouse Trail with Gigi and Jerry, VERY seasoned bikers who, I think, thought we were more seasoned (and fit and young and and and) than we are!

They shuttled us to the trailhead and we took off about 10:45.

Now, I'm not good at aiming my tires on small paths OR going down hills, so I was worried. David, of course, is fearless. But Gigi taught me and coached me and all three of them were kind in waiting for me when I needed to walk and not ride.

We reached the foot of the “Lighthouse”, about 3 miles in, relatively unscathed.

Then a fairly arduous climb straight up to a plateau that, when reached, took our breath away. You'll have to see the photos...I don't have the words.

I felt exhilarated and very proud of us. The foot climb down was treacherous, especially for me, and we went down backwards (no photos of that thankfully).

The return ride was faster and I was much braver and we made it. I didn't want it to end, so we rode the extra mile back to the campsite.

Lots of cold beer and stuffed jalapenos were our rewards. As were the 20-30 wild turkeys who were everywhere on the campground along with a deer.

Some resting, photo uploading, a visit with Arkansas neighbours who wanted to tour the MH, good dinner and the aches are starting.

Took a drive with Gigi and Jerry to see some stars at the furthest campground and saw a shooting star and what appeared to be a meteor (long shiny stram and ten bright green burst at end! Really. Just what I needed to end this best day ever (sadly David stayed with Cassie). Jerry and Gigi are the kindest most generous people with their time, treats and encouragement. Lucky us.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 22

Day 22

VERY windy day so tough drive to Palo Duro Canyon SP. There were tumbleweeds and dust storms everywhere. It's very flat here.

In Tulia, saw the evidence of a thriving wheat industry once with many cement silos near rail tracks. Now the fields are filled with cotton.

Got supplies in Canyon but it's a dry country, so we had to find our way to a Buffalo Chips shop tucked beneath the interstate. Phew.

A short drive to Palo Duro SP and an amazing new set of views...this time we were heading to the bottom of the canyon for the campsites (Caprock Canyons SP was on the rim).

Part of the State Longhorn Cattle herd were feeding right by the entrance and posed for us.

Drove through the whole park to scope out views before pulling in to site 18. Jerry and Gigi were right next door! Had a beer and lunch. David snoozed and I went on a 2 mile hike to work off some energy. Visited with Ken Springer from West VA who is finishing a road trip to find his future “wintering over” place (has chosen Truth or Consequences, NM). He's also writing about Tamales for an Ohio newspaper column, and has visited 63 places so far. Will Google him when I can.

Have resident Cardinals and Golden-chested Woodpeckers (loud!) on the site. Dinner and NCIS and Good Wife. Good day!

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Palo Duro https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/PaloDuroCanyonStatePark?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSUrIGD9tqTrgE#

Texas 2011-Day 21

Day 21

Started the day with a Roadrunner sighting on the way to the garbage dump. Cute little birds! It was overcast and windy with a few sunny breaks.

We rode to the Visitors Centre to see more buffalo (the Texas State Herd) but no luck today.

Took a 5 KM hike on a trail with beautiful vistas at every bend (the OMG continues). Then spotted a HUGE orange and black feral sow down below us in the grasses. Her six piglets were following. Heard that Texans raised pigs for meat during WWII then couldn't afford to keep them after the war and let them go. In these few decades, they've become completely wild. It was amazing to watch them walking, feeding and Mama wallowing in a water hole. Great moment.

Jerry and Gigi from Dallas picked us up at 6:00 and drove us down in to the canyon for a different perspective. Had some wine together then dinner. Met with Joe from Ottawa tenting nearby. He came in for a chat about cameras and astronomy.

This was a real “people” day. Good!

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Texas 2011-Day 20

Day 20

Time to start heading north. We got groceries (boohoo, they can't SELL alcohol until AFTER noon on Sundays).

We headed on to the Texas Forts Route to Fort Chadbourne. Amazing. A family had purchased the abandoned fort several generations ago, and in 1998 decided to get funding to restore and show the site to others.

The husband and wife team do most of the work, gather all of the donations and grants and even conduct tours (as the wife did with us). It's so lovingly restored and shown with pride. We visited the graveyard as well. I'm so glad we stopped.

Up north we headed through the Wind Farms of Sweetwater (as far as the eye can see in ALL directions...but nothing else there!).

The soil was redder than that in PEI. We saw huge, commercial cotton fileds (David got me a cottonball and it IS very soft). We saw an old Cotton Gin. Then a dead feral pig (yep!).

We're now very aware of all the Mesquite in the fields. The story we heard was that, when there were cattle drives, the cattle ate the Mesquite pods/berries that are there for very little time. Then they pooped the seeds out all the way across Texas. Now, Mesquite is a scrub tree and there are many controlled burns to rid the land of them.

The further north we went, the flatter the land and you can see for miles.

We got to Caprock Canyons SP around 4:00 and have been saying “Oh my God” since.

There's a huge canyon with buffalo roaming free outside the Visitors' Centre. More evidence of controlled burn here (was in December, we've learned) and things are black, sooty and a little stinky.

We walked near our campsite and viewed the canyon there (OMG).

We saw a Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Curve-billed Thrasher across from our campsite (OMG).

We took a bike ride and saw 2, 3 then 6 muledeer (OMG).

We waited for the sun to set over the canyon (OMG).

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#

Texas Panhandle Plains https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasPanhandlePlains?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWcrNXF6ZqJEg#

Texas 2011-Day 19

Day 19

A bit overcast this morning, but a good one for a bike ride.

TWENTY-TWO kilometers later, we'd taken a couple of the laid-out trails no rattlers!), got lost a few times, paid for another night, seen a penned-in buffalo (here's a video) saw ONE (and only one) Prairie Dog in its own town and viewed the almost O.C. Fisher Lake we were were on.

Oh yeah, and a flat tire for me. Not too far from home, but had to pump up twice. It was likely the Mesquite or cactus thorns, I'm sure.

Back to change the tire and a late lunch. Pam and Steve from San Angelo pulled in next door. They had just bought and were trying out a MH similar to ours. David helped them set up. We then relaxed in the sun and joined them later for a drink, more talk, and more info about Texas. They are true Texans with THE cutest accents.

Another awesome day though cloudy and a bit cooler (okay, it WAS in the 70's), but it cleared and there was another beautiful sunset.

Here are our photo albums so far:

Graceland https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/Texas2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3P6PSMu-fccQ#

Texas Coast https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasCoast?authkey=Gv1sRgCOnL4seqxajzOg#

Texas Birds https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasShoreBirds?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3YoPbnhZrOwQE#

San Antonio https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/SanAntonio?authkey=Gv1sRgCLn-z6HlovS2tgE#

Texas Hill Country https://picasaweb.google.com/daharries/TexasHillCountry?authkey=Gv1sRgCMP1n8v7_JaGGg#