Continuing The Drive To Texas Hill Country - (Balmorhea, TX)

I got up early to work on our September financials.  They haven't exactly been a priority lately, so they won't be posted quite as timely as usual.  :)

We were slow getting started and pretty soon our target time to leave was 11:00.  Of course, we hadn't unhitched, so it wouldn't take long to be ready.

I had plugged in our Pressure Pro tire monitor and noticed that our newest trailer tire was about 5 psi lower than the others.  So, I got out our air compressor.

I love this Sears Craftsman 1.5 gallon 150 psi air compressor.  But it seems every time I tell people about it, Sears takes it off its website.  However, today, right now, it is there at the link above.  :)

The only thing I haven't really liked about it is that spiral, hard plastic hose.  Well, I inadvertently solved that problem today.

I wasn't using an extension cord and tried to stretch the hose a little too far.  I pulled the compressor over and it landed on the hose breaking it in two places.  Oops.

I know it may be hard to believe, but I actually had a back-up hose that came as part of a compressor accessories kit I bought a couple years back.  "Had" is the appropriate word as it was more brittle than the original.  I broke it just attaching it.  Sheesh.

Now, here is where the new GPS comes in handy.  I'm still not a fan of the GPS for the RV.  If we listened to it while towing, it would take us on routes that we don't want to go and could get us in trouble.  But, when in an unfamiliar town and just driving the Jeep, it's proving itself worthwhile.

I just typed in "hardware" and it gave me several stores.  The closest one turned out to be less than a mile from the RV park.  I selected it on the GPS and drove right to it.

I got a flexible compressor hose and was back in business.  When I returned, Paul, the owner of Sunny Acres, was chatting with Linda.  He was a very nice guy and offered to give us a compressor hose, but it was just like the two I just broke.

He was fascinated with our story and Linda gave him a card to check out our website.  He gave us directions to the interstate while I proceeded to connect the hose to the compressor and added the tire inflator to the other end.

Four years ago, I wouldn't have had a clue how to do that.  Seriously.  But I wrapped each end with some seal tape and had it ready to go in minutes.

I threw on my kneepads to crawl under the slide.  Did I tell you Linda bought us kneepads a couple weeks ago?  Well, they sort of make me look like I should be in Star Wars, but they sure are comfortable and really easy to get on and off.  I can't believe we went four years without them.  :)

Here's a link:  CLC Kneepads

Anyway, the little compressor hose episode delayed us about a half hour.  But we were on the road and heading east by 11:30.  Today's trip would be 235 miles to Balmorhea, TX.

As we left Las Cruces, I snapped a shot of the Organ Mountains to my left.

Las Cruces was a piece of cake compared to driving through El Paso.  That's our second time through, and I have to say it wouldn't bother me if I don't have to do it again for a long while.  :)

On the east side of El Paso, we drove toward more mountains.

Staying on that one road, I-10, for that long is a bit grueling.  We made one stop for fuel out in the middle of nowhere, but other than that, it was just driving.

Even though it was only 235 miles, Linda was quite ready to get off the road.  If we had more time, we probably would have stayed at the Balmorhea State Park.  But since we are just doing a quick pass through, we chose the Saddleback Mountain RV Park which is right on the interstate and is a Passport America Park - $10 a night for full hook-ups with 50 amps.

You register for the RV park at the convenience store at the end of the off-ramp.  It's pretty simple.  Hand the guy $10 and he tells you to take any open site.  No rules, no speeches, just go park.  :)

The little gravel park has 20 pull-through sites separated by native landscaping.

The sites are long enough that we didn't have to unhitch and we could still get the Jeep in the site behind the fifth wheel.

Other than being right on the interstate, which is great for convenience but lousy for quiet, this is a nice little RV park for those passing through that want to stop and rest for a day or two.

Believe it or not, there is also a little nature trail through the desert to observe native plants, birds, lizards, butterflies, and whatever other critters you may find.

Again, it's not the kind of place we would normally stay.  But in our current travel mode, it works out great.

We arrived early enough to touch up our seminar presentations, and I worked on my "RV Humor with Howard".  I'm going to be the entertainment Friday night at the Rally.  I've never done anything like this, so I hope people laugh - at the content, not my incompetence.  Yikes.  :)

As the evening wore on and we tired of working on Powerpoint presentations, Linda checked in on Facebook.  There she learned that her nephew Scott had just been accepted to participate on a cross-country bike ride.

It's part of the Bike & Build program.  As part of the cross-country bike ride, the participants stop along the way to draw attention to the need for affordable housing.  In addition to donating money to local programs, on ten days of their journey, they actually join construction crews and assist in the building of homes.

There are several different routes and Scott will be doing the 72-day Providence, R.I. to San Francisco route next year.  Scott (his first name is William) hasn't done a whole lot of traveling, so this will be an experience of a lifetime.

His challenge is to raise $4,000.  We were happy to be his first donor and you know I don't turn loose of cash easily.  :)

If anyone else is interested in helping out Scott and the Bike & Build program, here is a link to the William Nicholas Bike & Build Profile page where you can learn more about him and donate if you wish.  We'd appreciate any help you can give him.  :)

Note that donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Also, if for some reason Scott cannot raise enough money, he will not be allowed to ride.  However, whatever donations have been made on his behalf will still go to the Bike & Build organization.

Well, that's about it.

We were going to stay here two nights and make sure everything for the Rally was planned and ready to go.  We won't get much time to work on things once we arrive in Kerrville.  :)

But Linda really didn't like today's drive, and she doesn't want to do 300 miles into Kerrville on Sunday.  So, it looks like we will be making one more stop about half way tomorrow.

We're getting there.  :)

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Comments

[Dan and Gail Brogdon]

Dan laughed when I put the gardening kneeling pads in with the boards he places under the motorhome jacks. But, those pads are the first thing he grabbed when he opens the door to get the blocks of wood. :) We'll probably get to Kerrville about the same time, as we had a new air filter overnighted to a Freightliner shop in Amarillo, so will not be leaving Amarillo until about noon today. We knew it would need to be changed soon, but thought it could wait until we got to Kerrville. Not so. And of course, none of the three Freightliner shops had the one we needed. Just had a call from the shop and it has arrived. And Dan was happy with how easy it was to get it off, so should be easy to replace. :) See you soon. Safe traveling.

[Laurie Brown]

You're doing the same hops we normally do from AZ to Texas Hill Country: Sunny Acres to Balmorhea - either the PA park or the state park (with it's mind-blowing naturally heated pool). Our next stop is usually South Llano River State Park in Junction, TX... wonder if you'll be there tonight?

Long driving days, but not too bad now that we know some beautiful spots (Davis Mountain State Park in Ft. Davis is a lovely park, too).

Glad your mechanical problems are solved. Safe travels!

[klueck]

Welcome to the knee-pad crowd!

[KarenInTheWoods]

Glad you two are well on your way, and solved all your brake problems! Nice little compressor. Do you know if will it run power tools? Or does one need a bigger reserve tank for that purpose?

[LakeConroePenny]

Yes, Karen, it will power some air tools. I have one just like it. It is easy for me to carry, that is another reason why I like it. I don't think it would be sufficient to frame up a house with a big nail gun, but I have used an air ratchet, and sander with it. Also I use it for stapling trim. It will power a brad nailer, and palm nailer, but I rarely use them. Happy Trails, Penny, TX

[Kathy Salsbury]

Looks like you are going to make it! Awesome. "I love it when a plan comes together". Enjoy the Rally!
Bruce and I have to move to Las Cruces in November, for he is to play Santa at the Mesilla Valley Mall. We did a drive-thru Sunny Acres about 3 weeks ago. Would love to stay there, but it is a bit 'dear' for a month long stay, and we have to pay electric. Though, it is a pretty park.