FROM THE ARKANSAS RAINS TO THE TEXAS SUNSHINE:))

 

WE HAD GUESTS FOR SUPPER TO-NIGHT

It was the first night on the road we didn't require any heat to keep warm.  The rain pattered away on the roof reminding me of tenting days gone by.  The drone of distant I-40 slowly faded as I drifted away into RV la la land in Hazen, Arkansas.  

IT’S A RAIN SOAKED MORNING AT A CRACKER BARREL STOP IN TEXARKANA TUESDAY MORNING

Kelly was up before me again & it wasn't long before we were getting things squared away for the day's journey.  I should clear a couple things up here first of course.  Seems I have to do a lot of that!!  Kelly questioned my use of the word's pooh pooh in last night's blog.  I explained that when someone pooh pooh's something it means they generally don't like it.  Nothing to do with the other......well, you know what I mean.  I had used those words in describing 'high enders' pooh poohing or not liking this kind of park.  No paved roads, custom curbs, manicured lawns, bubbling hot tubs, pristine pools, or patented palm trees.  We had never seen many RV's in this park before but when we pulled out this morning there were 6 big fancy diesel bangers & a couple of large 5th wheels huddled to-gether over in one corner of the park.  Opposite corner to where the Bayfield Bunch was so maybe that tells me something.  And, by the way, I just happen to love those big colored fancy-do swirly paint jobs on those  big coaches & must admit I am envious.  As previously posted, white is not my color!!  Oh, & Kelly suggested I stop referring to rich folks as high enders.  Ok, ok.............geeeeeeezzzzzz anyhow!!

ON THE SHORES OF PEACEFUL AMON G CARTER LAKE NEAR BOWIE, TEXAS

We hit the road in the pouring rain at 6:20 a.m. with the addition of another $120 worth of gas from the Citco gas bar nearby.  Shell & Exxon are also at this interchange plus convenience stores so it's a good fuel stop for anyone.  Visibility in the darkness on a rain soaked highway is always difficult let alone on an Interstate with ka-zillions of trucks whizzing by dousing you with road spray & grit from countless tires.  That stress filled little drive lasted for 190 miles until we reached Texarkana, Texas & pulled into a Cracker Barrel. 

 

MAX FELL ASLEEP IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR

It was our 4th time in this particular CB & we chowed down on a breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausages, & wall paper paste.  By the time we left Cracker Barrel the rain had stopped & there was a bit clearing in the heavy cloud cover on the horizon to the west.  I-30 through Texarkana has been under heavy construction for the past two years & it was a real nerve buster again maneuvering through those cement construction barriers that were obviously set up with Volkswagon cars in mind.  Ok, ok, I know.......wall paper paste??  Well, how else can I describe that stuff you folks down south here call............grits!!!!

FEROCIOUS MOTORMOUSE DOG ON THE PROWL

Three years ago on our way home from the southwest we came through Dallas using the I-20 bi-pass south of the city.  We made out OK but I haven't felt like tackling Dallas again so we generally detour around it by going north.  We tried the 380 Denton route a couple of years ago & it was all infested with heavy traffic, construction, & traffic lights.  Last year we got off I-30 at New Boston & took highway 82 going up & over through places like Paris, Sherman. & Gainesville.  Planned to go that way again but at the last minute decided to try a new route from Greenville up highway 69 & joining 82 near Sherman.  Turned out to be a good decision because it was nice quiet 2 lane highway.  We had been Interstating it ever since we crossed the border at Port Huron & I was desperately needing a good old back roads fix.  Can't tell you how nice it was to get off the stock car track & back out into the peaceful countryside.  We will not be on another Interstate until we reach I-10 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  Saw our first cactus & yucca's in the little western town of Celeste.

THAT GANG OF GEESE ARE KEEPING THEIR DISTANCE FROM THE  GATOR DOG ON SHORE

The heavy forests of Arkansas slowly began to diminish the further west we went.  Fewer & smaller trees as begin reaching the eastern edges of the great plains.  More cactus appearing along the roadside & in the fields.  More small scrub trees & the land is flattening out.  West of Gainesville & Muenster is a little place called St. Jo & this is where we make the left turn onto my favorite part of the journey.  From here to Tularosa NM it is a serene 2 lane highway winding through many small west Texas towns with names like Bowie, Jacksboro, Throckmorton, Haskell, Old Glory, Aspermont, Post, & Tahoka, just to mention a few.  Light traffic on this road all the way with nice rest areas & vast scenic plains stretching for as far as the eye can see.  The plains have a beauty all their own but I'm afraid I couldn't live there.  Got to have my trees!!

 

AND THIS IS WHAT KELLY WALKED INTO WITH BARE FEET

We have an Escapee Club book that lists many out of the way areas for RV'ers to stop & Kelly found one just 3 miles southwest of Bowie, Texas about 2 miles east off highway 59.  The narrow paved road ends at Selma Park on the shores of Lake Amon G. Carter.  This is so much a perfect spot for the Bayfield Bunch.  We are camped right on the shores of the lake with only the camp host as distant neighbor.  The dogs can run free & we only have the crickets & frogs competing with the sounds of wind in the small scrub oak trees & tiny breeze driven waves lapping on the shore.  We even have our own resident herd of small geese at the water's edge. 

MOTORMOUSE PUTS THE RUN ON OUR SUPPER GUESTS

Being Canadians from afar we are not always alert to some of the flora & fauna of the southwest that can cause grievous injury to the unwary.  To-day the unwary one turned out to be Kelly.  She had taken off her shoes & socks & was stretched out in her chair catching some rays when she decided to get up & go into the motorhome for something.  I was about 30 feet away when I heard her holler & figured she had stepped on a sharp stone or something.  But, it had turned out to be more than that.  She had walked right into a patch of cactus burrs that neither one of us had noticed.  She couldn't move or take a step because of the pain.  I was able to get her lowered to the ground away from the brambles & the bottoms of her feet were embedded with cactus spikes.  I was very worried at this point so asked her if she thought she would still be able to make supper later.  I won't tell you what she said to me!!  Took her awhile to delicately remove all the prickers & it's safe to say this story had a happy ending.  We had chicken burgers for supper:))

MINUTES BEFORE WALKING INTO THE CACTUS PATCH JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR!!

 

OUCHY OUCHY OUCHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are in no hurry now that the temperatures are warmer & we are away from the Interstates.   Might be a nice sunrise over the lake too.  We hope to sleep in to-morrow morning & just maybe go out & graze in the morning grass for awhile.   We'll head further west later but not sure how far.  Maybe Haskell or maybe Brownfield.  Or maybe I might end up in the middle of the lake if I make anymore wisecracks about Kelly's little cactus dance this afternoon............:))

Mondays miles traveled.......285 miles

Tuesdays miles traveled......452 miles

(there may be a lot of mistakes in to-night's blog because right now I am so tired Kelly's got me propped up in my chair with a broom handle)

GROANER'S CORNER:((  I dreamt that I was a muffler. When I woke up, I was exhausted.

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