Mule Shoe, Texas ; a great little town with a Big Heart!

I'd heard there was a large cold front coming across the plains and on eastward. So I didn't know whether to follow my planned route or "chicken out" and get south as far and fast as I could. But that little town of Mule Shoe sounded interesting from what one of the RV'ers on a facebook rv group was saying about it, and I had been across I-10 a dozen times already, not counting times in the truck with hubby. I was ready for something new so I decided I'd visit Mule Shoe, regardless of the forecast. On the way there I saw several miles of those huge windmills. They have always fascinated me, so high up on strong steel poles, their blades moving in a rather slow rhythmic pattern, On the ground beneath were fields of the remains of recently harvested cotton.

At the east end of town are huge cattle yards and an auction barn, A National Wildlife Refuge is on a road south of town, and had it been warmer I would have visited it. The town also has a very large antique store and many varied and interesting items were displayed outside.  As it was not only cold , but windy as well,  I forego visiting these places of interest.  I'm sure it would have been well worth my time. I can only hope to revisit some point in the future.

The nice thing was that in the center of town there was an empty gravel lot with hook-ups for 7 or so RV's, and all free for up to three days, then a small fee. What a nice accommodation  for a town of this small size! I stayed one night there and just hooked up to electric as I had water on board and had just dumped my black and gray water tanks in Abilene.

As night began to fall I noticed the muleshoe shaped decorations on the lightposts clear down the main street of town, adding a very unique atmosphere.

The next morning I was ready to put miles behind me and get to a warmer ( I hope) place.

 I would liked to have stayed longer but with the cold and me not feeling all that great, I felt it best to get on over to Clovis and get started SW to Alamagordo, NM.

Thanks for visiting!

! Peter 5: 7-9 Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you...

Thanksgiving Week and Repairs

Tuesday morning surprise! and not necessarily good..

I got ready to depart Lake Mike Conner Campground near Collins, MS. I unhooked the electric, put up the automatic jacks and picked the pads they rest on. I hadn't unhooked the car so nothing to do there except to plug in the braking system, or so I thought. The car battery was dead.... again. It had been giving me problems off and on. I was still able to tow it so I went to Auto Zone where the battery was promptly replaced at no charge as it had been under warranty. So it was going on 2 pm when I actually got going for the day.I drove to just west of Monroe, LA and stopped for the night at a truckstop. Gave the pups their attention and took myself to bed.

Wednesday Morning... I got up feeling quite refreshed and as the traffic didn't look too bad I decided to put as many miles behind me as possible. When I got close to Dallas/ Fort Worth area I had to decide whether to stop at the last rest area before the metropolis or go all the way through. Traffic was getting heavier and it was late afternoon, but I still felt fine so I decided to go for it. For some reason I always feel better when I have that leg of the journey behind me.The first place I found to stop was a rest area west of Weatherford about 7:30 pm. I was tired but I got the dogs fed and played with them a bit before heading to bed myself.

Thanksgiving Day...  found me continuing on toward Abilene, looking for a campground along the way. I stopped at one to inquire the price, but declined to stay. As I was pulling away to get back on I 20, a man in a pickup truck jumped out at the stop sign and informed me of a very flat front tire on my Rav. (I had had the tires checked before leaving PA as to the likelyhood of making the trip to AZ) Wondering where I could get the tire changed on Thanksgiving day, I started to slowly make my way around the next corner heading for the ramp ahead, when I spotted a tire shop on the far corner and a man walking around there. I pulled in and 'Yes, he could change the tire for me'. His wife came out and said they wouldn't normally be open but this year they were going to their daughter's for late afternoon dinner. I was so glad to find someone open and so close!! That was only one thing I was thankful for that day!

He had the tire changed quickly. It was a mess! I cannot imagine I had driven very far with it flat as I wasn't that far from where I had spent the night. I tipped him $5 which he didn't want to take but I insisted. He also informed me the other front one was not looking too healthy either. It was wearing very unevenly.
So wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving I left and got on my way. I still had about 70 miles to go to Abilene where I planned to stay till the holiday weekend was over. I stopped at another rest area to get some lunch and walk the dogs. I checked the net for RV camps. I chose to try one about 8 miles east of Abilene, and right off of I 20. They were not open but it had pull-through sites available on the honor system. It was a quiet campground with full hook-ups.The sites are gravel, but grass in between each space. There is a laundry shed with 2 washers and dryers available.  I was able to get tv reception here with about 10 channels. I pulled in and set up, and fed and walked the dogs.  I noticed no one else had their awning out so I took that as a sign that it could be windy there without too much notice, so I left my awning retracted as well.


 I heated up leftovers for my supper and just chilled the rest of the day. I sat and looked out my huge front window as the day was ending. What a beautiful sky!

The next day I snapped these pictures...

I did put out my awning long enough to take this one

And this one of the early morning sky

Rough looking entrance but don't judge it by that

Friday's galavantings... I called the nearest WalMart to see what they had for tires and if they could possibly get me in on Saturday. They said that Friday (Black Friday... ugh) would actually be better as they weren't that busy, but Saturday they would be. So off I went to Abilene. I decided to make it a worthwhile trip. I not only got tires put on, I also got a much needed haircut by a gal who also wasn't very busy that day. 'Terri' took alot of time with me giving me little hints and really working with my hair and gave me her opinion of products that would help my overly-dry hair problems. We talked and laughed and had a good time.

 I had a hard time figuring out how to take a good picture of us until she showed me how.

(permission granted to post her picture)

I also did some shopping for needed items on my list as I was still waiting on the tires.

It turned out to be a rather long day. Both Sasha and Izzy were glad to see me when I got back. Even though my feet hurt I took them out for a long walk and gave them treats and lots of hugs and petting.

Saturday...whew, getting tired of running! I was able to get my car in for alignment, and a good thing too, as the front was way out. And likely the cause of the flat.

 I also found a car wash nearby and took advantage of that.

On the way back this favorite drive-thru kept calling my name... I just had to stop and get a Cantina Power Bowl Burrito!

Home at last! done running!! (Home being the motorhome presently)

I surely had alot to be thankful for this week! Safety, provision, faithfulness of the Lord to supply my needs whatevr they were. The Bible says He will supply our need. I like to turn that around to " if I do all I can in my human ability, and He doesn't supply it, I don't need it"

Thanks for coming along on my journey!

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you

On to Houston

Just when I think I am going to get caught up something else happens and I find my self further behind than I was before. How does that happen??

After I left Biloxi I drove the next couple days and took my time getting to Houston where I met up with Tex-Cyn, friend, fellow RV'er and blogger. I spend 4 days at the campground she is parked at. We had fun checking out the sales at PPL RV sales there in Houston, and had lunch one day at Olive Garden. We also visited  fresh food market where the prices were really good. We talked, took pictures and I met several of her friends. She has a nice little patio area beside her RV with several different plats and yard ornaments. She has it fixed up really nice! Her beautiful Saluki dogs have a safe outside run to exercise in. In the field in back of the RV park are these two burros. Beautifully colored but not too friendly. Perhaps they were afraid of Izzy.

She often thinks she needs to be friends with everything and everybody,

 even if they don't share her sentiment.

Cindy and I were laughing so much we could barely get a good picture taken.

We did enjoy our visit and I hope she gets back to Pennsylvania in the not to distant future to visit her mom, because then I would get to see her also.

 

Next stop was Goose Lake, Texas, just north of Port Aransas.

 

 

 



Last Day in Big Bend Nat'l Park

Dec 17th, Monday

I have been seeing some beautiful places here in the park! I am just awed by the ever-changing mountains and land forms. I left the Cottonwood campground near Castolon, and headed for Santa Elena Canyon. (long distance photo)

I stopped along the way at the old Grand Canyon farm, own for years by the Sublett family.

It was very interesting to me to find that alot of the area, now grown up in mesquite,  in the early 1900's was once valuable cropland.

These are the main house ruins behind the brush growth.



How many feet walked in and out of these doorways; how many hot meals awaited Mr Sublett, after a long hard days work............. I can picture him coming in tired, sweaty, and hungry.

If these walls could tell us of the happy times and hardships these settlers knew.......

Back on the road to Santa Elena Canyon...

Rules say no dogs on the trail, so I had to leave Izzy and Joe in the RV.

and so I started down the path...

The Canyon walls are gorgeous!

 There are sections of board walk down to the river.

 I went for quite a way ..... snapped the best picture I could,

then remembered I had forgotten to lock the RV, so back I went.

It was interesting but you cannot see much though the opening as it seems to curve, and the law forbids any crossing of the river. Still worth the visit, realizing Mexico was near enough to reach out and touch.

Heading back toward Castolon, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (because vehicles over 24' are not recommended to take the dirt base Old Maverick Road) I stopped to get photos of the Tuff Canyon.

 

I was standing on the edge of a "cliff" in this lower picture , which is quite bold for me :)

Continuing on back to Castolon I spotted these free-ranging horses near the side of the road.

This tri-axle truck came barreling down the road just as they were about to cross. Fortunately they turned and weht back.

I was able to get several photos before I, and they, had to be on out way.

Three beautiful horses!

I felt very blessed to experience all of this in one day!

the beautiful mountains, the vast open spaces, the history of this valley,

 and the spirit of freedom displayed by these horses.

 

I drove  northward and picked up RT 118 at Maverick Junction. leaving the  BBNP. I turned west on RT 170,  and headed for the BB State Park. Iwanted to fo;;ow the border as far as I could.....

But that's another post......

 

Big Bend National Park 2 and Javelinas

Dec. 16th, Sunday . (This post is picture heavy.... for my kids and grands)

 As I left Boquillas Canyon, I headed back towards Panther Junction. Here is the tunnel you have to go through on the road between Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village. I didn't get a picture of it going in so I was sure to get one going out.

Getting back to Panther Junction I then took the road to Cottonwoods campgrounds.

Here are some scenic pictures of the mountains along the route.

 

Fins of Fire rock chain....

You can see a large "fin" to the left in the photo above.

See the "mule ears" to the right of the sign.

and here....

Another traveler.. they were hiking over to get a better look at the "ears". Check out their website.

I haven't had time yet but intend to...

I decided this was as good a place as any to eat lunch. That granola bar I'd had fro breakfast was way past gone! My h-m bread with tuna salad and a Roma tomato with green olives on the side.

Then on down into the valley below.

More interesting mountain shapes....

 

The different colored layers of  rock formations are especially intriging to me.

I stopped at the Cottonswoods store and information building. I failed to get a picture of it but theses old buildings were near there.

I didn't stay long, just wanted to get to the campgrounds and set for the night.

As I went to walk the pups, I saw this herd of Javelinas across the drive. Whoa, I better wait a bit...

Interesting creatures, but I had been warned about them, so stayed my distance,

They will eat your dog!

Lowering sun glowing on the mountain at the end of the campground.

Tonight, we sleep under the beautiful cottonwoods!

and more to come tomorrow!