Midland, TX–Feb 22, 2013

We arrived at Midland RV Park a day late due to our unscheduled stop in El Paso. The park is full due to all the oil worker and activity in the area. 

The park isn’t much but its closest to my aunt and uncle’s home.  Here we are sandwiched in between all the worker’s rigs. 

Debbie on the path to my uncle and aunt’s house at the end of the path.

Frank and Shirley share a picture with us.

Our visit was too short!  We really enjoyed our visit here. Frank scanned some family photos which he gave us. They and their daughter Lori gave us tour of downtown Midland and Lori’s office.

Later they took us out for our first taste of Texas BBQ about 20 minutes away.

 

After all, one of my interests was to try all the BBQ joints along the way through Texas in search of the best one.  I didn’t know at the time that I could have stopped then and there as it turned out to be way and above any others we tried.

We had to stay on our original timeline due to reservations we had for the rest of the way to Padre Island, so we tentatively planned to get back together for a longer visit.  We decided to meet up at Davis Mountain State Park on our way back west.

El Paso, TX–Feb 21, 2013 An Unscheduled Stop

We made an unscheduled stop in El Paso at Rocky Mountain Cummins, one night free in their parking lot.

The problem first occurred a few days back. We were leaving the campground in Bowie, as we were going up the the freeway entrance ramp.  It felt like engine missed a beat, but it also felt like it could have been a bump in the ramp. After that the engine ran fine.

Leaving Las Cruces we experienced the same thing. Now although still subtle, it seemed more like a engine miss but,  just a couple of times and then it ran fine.

Leaving Van Horn we experienced the same thing. Today we were headed for Midland for a visit with my aunt and uncle.  As we were approaching El Paso it seem that we didn’t quite have the normal zip.  Then going through the city we were defiantly losing power and could barely keep the speed up.  I thought about stopping to get it check out, as we passed the Cummins shop on the way out of town,  but thought we would get it checked out in Midland. If it turned out to be something time consuming, at least we would have some family there. And Interstate 10 looked straight and flat as long as the eye could see.

After about an hour of limping along at 50 mph, a ridge of mountains appeared in the distance in front of us. As we approached the base of the mountain range, it became obvious we couldn’t make it over and we decided to take the next off-ramp and go back to Cummins. Of course there weren’t anymore off-ramps and then the right lane was closed ahead.  We stopped in right in front of the barricade to evaluate our options.  There was light traffic so we were ok stopped in the lane with our emergency flasher on and the mile of lane closed signs behind us

Almost two hours and 150 miles east of El Paso. I knew we didn’t have power to continue over the mountain pass and since it was now one lane, I was afraid to try and get stuck. Especially blocking a mob of mad truckers.  Looking at maps on the computer and using our Verizon Jetpack to access Google maps I could see a rest stop a mile or so ahead on the opposite side . I tried to see ahead with binoculars but the highway curved to the right. I did see an unmarked exit road about 100 yards ahead that connected to a frontage road that ran along side the highway. We decided to try to get to the rest stop on the frontage road, even though it was not clear looking at the maps if it would connect and not dead-end.

I also called Rocky Mountain Cummins. They wouldn’t be able to look at it until the next morning but said we could overnight at one of their sites which had 30amp power and water.

We waited until there was no traffic behind us and I slowly (as fast as Horizon would go)  ventured out in to the center lane. We made it up to the turn off and on to the frontage road. We could only creep along up hill because pushing the pedal down too far caused the engine to start miss firing but at least we didn’t hold up traffic.  We lucked out as the road joined up with the rest stop road which went under the interstate.   On the westbound side we made our way back to El Paso at 40 mph.

The next morning Cummings fit us in and started evaluating on the problem. Turned out to be a clogged fuel filter.  They had up back on the road before noon.  A great shop with very friendly people.

I was surprised the filter had clogged up so fast as I just had the rig serviced in Marysville at the dealer before we left at the end of Oct. The Cummings mechanic said he didn’t thing it had been changed that recently.  That night I pulled out the receipt which I keep in the computer using Neat Receipts. Surprise, they hadn’t charged me for a replacement but they should have offered. I usually have the service done at the Freightliner shop and they have always taken care of everything.

I now carry a spare filter and gallon of diesel fuel.

Van Horn, TX, – Feb 20, 2013

Van Horn KOA $36 1 night.  FHU. Level, Mature trees between the sites.

The park has a small restaurant and Debbie and I tried their breakfast before our departure and it was very good. Since we only stayed for one night not much to report.

Las Cruces, NM–Van Horn, TX – Feb 18 - 19 2013

Las Cruces, NM – One night stop en-route to Padre Island, TX

Hacienda RV Resort $40 1 night. FHU side by side. Level raked gravel.

On our first stop here a few years back, they offered a complimentary breakfast and a friendly reception. This stop, the girls behind the  counter seemed to be bothered by our checking in and they have discontinued the breakfast, instead using the room for a gift shop. 

We had to try the landmark restaurant,  La Posta de Mesilla again. The building was originally constructed in the 1840's and the interior is very well decorated and picturesque.

Our first time there, I needed first aid after just a small sample of the Salsa  or Pico de Gallo. Not sure which one and I can’t tell you how the meal was because of my singed taste buds.  Strange, Debbie who can not go to much farther than the cool side of medium, thought it was on the warm side but ok. I can make it to the warm side of medium, but I had the perspiration and flushed face of a marathon runner crossing the finish line as we left the restaurant.

Pictures from La Posta de Mesilla website.

This time I asked for the “gringo” salsa. It was hot but I could taste the fabulous meal this time.

The have about 160 different tequilas available.

Bowie, AZ Feb 17, 2013

Mountain View RV,  a Passport America park $14.00.  Power, water and sewer but we didn’t need anything but water since we were only stopping for the night.  We’re in the middle of nowhere, in a valley,  with a mountain view, somewhere  in Arizona.

An old airplane is in one of the sites. The mountains in the background.

An abandon building in the distance.

I decided to walk over and have a look but I forgot, every plant in the desert has stickers!  I got this close before I noticed by socks were covered with stickers. (wearing shorts)

This is the innocuous looking bush responsible.  I hadn’t noticed until it was too late and the stickers were working their way through my sock and becoming very uncomfortable.  The building was probably empty anyway.

We are very good at stopping at parks which have railroad tracks in close proximity.

Friendliest cat I have run into in a long time.  Followed me all around the campground.

Green Valley, AZ - Feb 9 - 16, 2013

We arrived here at the De Anza RV Resort, just south of Green Valley, early afternoon.  As soon as we were set up, we left for Debbie’s folks home.  We had a nice time catching up and having dinner together.

We are staying here a couple of weeks before heading on to Padre Island where we have a reservation at an upscale RV resort.

During our stay we visited the Tumacacori National Historical Park. Although we have been to Green Valley many times we have never stopped here. It’s only about five minutes from the RV park.

Mission San José de Tumacácori.

Debbie exploring the interior of the main building.

Debbie explores the out buildings.

Talk to the Paw.   Ty crawled under an afghan on the back of the couch that Debbie had knitted for me. He didn’t seem interested in hearing about the mission.

Overnight in Dateland, AZ

Friday, Feb 8

We have left Palm Springs after a wonderful month. Our departure was early than normal as we’re trying to beat an approaching which is now entering the west side of the valley. We can see the clouds coming over the mountains in the west.

Now on our way to Green Valley just south of Tucson, AZ.  We plan on taking two days stopping for the night at the Dateland campground on I8. 

We travelled down the east side of the Salton Sea after I missed the turn that would have taken up down the west side, which we have traveled before.  We passed by dozens of train engines stopped on the tracks running parallel to the road. Not sure why they are parked. Some have long line of train cars connected and some are just sitting by themselves.  

The campground is about a quarter mile from the Dateland restaurant-souvenir-gas station down an unpaved road. Sites are level but extremely narrow and maneuvering in and out of them is a challenge because the park’s interior roads are also vary narrow.  Only room for one slideout tonight.

We are virtually alone in the campground which is out in the middle of the dessert and it should be quite and peaceful. But we are also only about fifty yard from a very busy train track.

Ty, a cat on a mission. Exploring his overnight surroundings.