Week One 12/6/08


Left Oshkosh Sunday 11/30/08 at 7:00am just after the 4+ inches of snow on the 24th, the first measured fall of the winter . Weather cold, but roads OK. I think we looked like a "carnival" leaving town with our 5th wheel, truck, bikes, and kayaks, but the toys are fun. Headed towards Rockford, IL, down hwy 39 then 55 to St. Louis. Snow flurries in Madison, but road conditions OK. Spent the night in Cahokia RV Parque just out of St. Louis on the Illinois side, Cahokia, IL. Dark entering park, so after hours registration. About 4 inches of snow on the ground. Covered 443 miles and spent a comfortable night in the RV, fireplace on and heaters going.

Monday 12/1, again an early start 7:00am, wet snow fall on the ground. Out of snow by noon and into Oklahoma. Found a very nice RV park 60 miles west of Tulsa, OK on old "Historic Route 66", Oak Glen RV Park in Chandler, OK. WIFI in the park, so got updated on E's, and a couple of SKYPE calls. Temp high 48 degrees and diesel prices have gone down to low of $2.46 a gal. Covered another 460 miles today, highway 44 toll road most of the way.

Tuesday 12/2, left Chandler, OK heading towards Amarilllo, TX on hwy 40 and sometimes historic route 66. Temps hit mid 70's on the road today, observed numerous coyotes along the hwy, alive and road kills. Covered 300 miles finding a very nice RV park called Amarillo Ranch RV Park. Indoor pool and hot tub. Noticed signs along way advertising the "Beef Capital of the World" and found "The Big Texan Steak Ranch" just a mile from our park with limo service to the restaurant from our park, so a steak seemed in order for tonight. Their advertisement included a "FREE" 72 oz. steak if you can eat it in 1 hour, with 2 sides. Not for us, but low and behold someone was there trying. A young lad from South Korea, they put up in front on a stage with lights, camera, and a digital timer. Realize 72 oz's is 4-1/2 lbs. If he finishes in one hour it's free, not finishing cost is $72.00. Ouch on both ends! We heard on the news this restaurant was going to be featured on the Travel Channel. Our meal was great, we shared a sirloin for two. Live entertainment around the tables with a "Waylon & Wille type format. Fun! Well we left before the steak guy finished, but with 30 mins left looked like a full plate yet. I can't imagine.

Wednesday Dec 3, left Amarillo, TX in heavy winds, you know those Texas winds. Some thoughts about staying put, but after further review, traveling southwest with strong north winds, thought we would proceed with caution. Turned out no problem, some challenging gusts, but generally OK. Crossed Texas panhandle into New Mexico, observing very large cattle, dairy farms, range antelope, and huge open prairie. Took the local route following hwy 60 / 70 SW thru local agriculture country. Interesting life style, and clearly being impacted by the local economy. Heaven only knows what is to come. Temps from our high of yesterday at 75, now mostly in the 40’s. Went through Roswell, NM without evidence of any “outer space objects”. Entered the mountain range near Alamogordo, NM, very pretty, not a cloud in the sky, temps in the 50’s, not bad for mountain country this time of year. Settled into RV park about 5:15pm, Edgington RV Park, husband & wife operated, near Alamogordo, NM, very friendly and welcoming.

Thursday Dec 4, beautiful morning 8:00am start. Continued on hwy 70 southwest towards ST. David, AZ. Not far along the way, we found a National Monument Park, “White Sands Dunes”. Took a side track 8 mile scenic tour. Very beautiful fine white sand dunes, very much like silica sand. Twenty, thirty plus feet high. Maintenance crews plowing sand from wind much like snow. Great visit! Continued on towards our destination, stopping at “Texas Canyon” to observe some magnificent rock formations. Arrived at Western Horizon Resort in St. David at 4:30pm. Office closed, but night host had all the paper work with site assignment. Quick tour of park. Nice club house, pool, hot tub, activity center, etc. Plan a 4 day stay here before heading to WHR-Kino Bay Mexico.

Friday Dec 5, breakfast up the road at a local place called “Patton Place”, run by a former short Wisconsin resident from Phillips, WI. Not what you would call first class, but the food was good and the conversation fun. Economy bad here also. He also runs a heating & air conditioning business with no orders on the books. Ouch! Fun visit. Then went to tour Benson and surrounding area. Found an RV truck wash for our departure wash before going into Mexico. Then went up to Sierra Vista and Huachuca City supporting US Army Fort Huachuca. Found a municipal golf course, maybe a round on Monday. Also toured an RV park we are scheduled to stay at on our return out of Mexico. Stopped and inquired about Kartchner Caverns State Park. Picked up a brochure for a possible visit, they say it is great. Beautiful cloudless day, temps mid 70’s. Grilled pork chops supper.

Saturday Dec 6, lay low day. Stayed in the RV park. Shari and I walked for an hour around the park. Afternoon read books, Bob walked desert for 1-1/2 hours. PM Steak dinner in the activity center. Beautiful clear blue sky, temps in the 70’s.

End of week One