tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16498261854460461392024-03-19T00:54:23.998-04:00Jon's JourneysMy blog follows my travels through the US & Canada in an Escape 21 Travel Trailer towed by a Ford F150 3.5 Ecoboost Off Road.
For anyone interested in additional photos I have a <a href="http://www.lakeshoreimages.com"> Web Page</a> with photos & journals of all my trips.
<a href="http://vermilye.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-post.html">Shortcut to first Blogger post</a>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.comBlogger2521125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-46594971367172898382024-03-18T18:36:00.004-04:002024-03-18T18:38:22.606-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 155<p> Monday, March 18, 2024 - Henry Horton State Park, Lewisburg, TN - 128.9 Miles, 5,904.5 Miles for the trip</p><p>I forgot to post a photo of my mouse eaten chair yesterday so here it is:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDFwo6jN9YscXDDA4h3RjFk449zKlDd3RlY2IyOyTyuph2T3bYLi2SXXvuKAlecKogIT_WZUKp6DanstICqGHRk9KLQAz3nAc8QRhj6CreHa-ojti1Lv5gYlXauLDai83abmYHA42bN5Q55vDqOyOmpY9RsI01kpuZIRs3m8aWkZrE_7EqWG2g0xl/s1000/IMG_3270.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDFwo6jN9YscXDDA4h3RjFk449zKlDd3RlY2IyOyTyuph2T3bYLi2SXXvuKAlecKogIT_WZUKp6DanstICqGHRk9KLQAz3nAc8QRhj6CreHa-ojti1Lv5gYlXauLDai83abmYHA42bN5Q55vDqOyOmpY9RsI01kpuZIRs3m8aWkZrE_7EqWG2g0xl/w300-h400/IMG_3270.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mouse Eaten Chair</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Not a bad drive on I 40 to Henry Horton other than the potholes. They don't fix them, they just put up signs letting you know they are in the road. It isn't a recent problem; I noted the same signs in my journal 2 years ago. In any case, they are correct - there are lots of them. I arrived at Henry Horton around 12:30.</p><p>They are doing work on the main campground road & have a gravel detour to get into the camping area. I'm in site 31 (where I've been before), a water & electric site on asphalt. Has a picnic table & fire ring, needed a 2" drop on the tongue, level side to side, slight railroad noise, and close to the bathrooms. $33.89 per night. I didn't hook up the water line - it is suppose to go down to 25°F by morning; at 5:00 it is 47°F. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWHhj8XyiKTPQ-oZffNRYEfODElvJj6W4oDMDlyDZlNj_cJ9WVwyRkN0rUdJcSCKPbIjLe4GSHj7weNqn4m1Lk7fiS6hUqqi2V9qtCIeKrF4QoS0ZRLEHU9t1MQB5l_huO0wsogxhJsmrF40p8g2-s4umLR4NN93xmCR9sAoi-vRuYbGmiZt3VNbG/s1000/IMG_3275.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWHhj8XyiKTPQ-oZffNRYEfODElvJj6W4oDMDlyDZlNj_cJ9WVwyRkN0rUdJcSCKPbIjLe4GSHj7weNqn4m1Lk7fiS6hUqqi2V9qtCIeKrF4QoS0ZRLEHU9t1MQB5l_huO0wsogxhJsmrF40p8g2-s4umLR4NN93xmCR9sAoi-vRuYbGmiZt3VNbG/w400-h300/IMG_3275.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 31</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It is nice to have internet connections at the trailer. Verizon is fast at 69.26Mbps down & 15.05Mbps up. Unfortunately, I can't give you the data rates for AT&T. My phone shows 3 bars, but my Netgear AT&T cell modem died. It won't turn on. The battery is swollen, and it won't run with it in or out. It is probably more than the battery since the NetGear website says that it should run without one if it is connected to a stable USB supply. I have to be careful if I have to replace the entire modem - it is running a long retired real unlimited (at least I have hit 80GB in a billing period without a slowdown) plan that is only $23.49 per month.</p><p>I finished <i>Highfire</i> on the drive to the campground, and am about 1/3 through my first real book in years - Steve Berry's <i>The Omega Factor</i>.</p><p>Dinner was an Evol Chicken Enchilada Bake.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-27980249929946708552024-03-17T19:32:00.004-04:002024-03-17T19:32:39.626-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 154<p>Sunday, March 17, 2024 -Pin Oaks Campground, Natchez Trace State Park, TN, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 5,775.6 Miles for the trip</p><p>My stomach survived the BBQ. By 12:00 we went from a full campground to 3 trailers left in this section, and a couple in the section next door. </p><p>I decided to do a load of laundry since the machines were $2.00 each, but discovered that I was out of Tide pods. The dryer takes 2 $2.00 runs on high heat to dry a normal washer load of clothes.</p><p>I packed up the laptop & both modems and headed to Walmart 10 miles away. Of course I bought more than the pods, but then sat in the parking lot, fired up the modems & had a usable signal on the AT&T. It wouldn't do FaceTime with either my daughter Karin in Takoma Park, MD or the Guidos somewhere in Florida, but voice worked OK.</p><p>Back at the campground I started the 30 minute timers for the heaters in the bathroom (there are 2 gas fired heaters, one for the main area & another for the showers). Started a load of laundry next door, then headed for a shower. Not bad for a state park. No bench in the drying area, but a high shelf that is reachable from the shower, particularly because there is no shower curtain. About 1/2 the drying area floor gets wet. 3 Hooks, no shelf in the shower. Good low volume shower head, and plenty of adjustable hot water. While there is no bench in the drying area, there are 4 showers, and a bench outside the shower drying areas that runs the length of the showers and gets most of the heat from the gas fired heater. Overall a B.</p><p>Since I washed the pants I was wearing, a deciding factor on the replacement pair was tomorrow's weather report. Morning temperatures at Henry Horton State Park (tomorrow's stop) will be 23°F. While I won't be getting there until at least noon so it is likely that it will be warmer, the high is only going to be 47°F, and the next couple of days have highs in the 50's, so my flannel lined cargo pants seemed to make the most sense.</p><p>Not all that warm here at 58°F at 2:00, but no wind, so I sat outside reading. I finished Screwed, the second (and last) in the series by Eoin Colfer. I'm also listening to one of his audio books - Highfire. I usually try to avoid the same author on both, but they are different enough that there is no confusion between the two. I started The Exchange of Princesses by Chantal Thomas. It was a slow start, and I found a copy of Steve Berry's The Omega Factor in the laundry room & decided to read an actual book. The princesses will have to wait. An interesting observation - my Kindle is set up so that the time is at the top of the page. I have become so used to looking at the top of the page for the time that I keep doing it reading the paper book. Somehow that doesn't work!</p><p>Anyhow, I opened the truck tailgate to pull out my second favorite chair (my favorite is a rocker, but a pain to open & close. As a slid out the chair a mouse jumped out of it. The chair is an air cushioned version that has an air bladder behind the 2 layers of the back cover. The mouse chewed through the back, filled it full of stuffing, and moved in. He couldn't have been there long - I used the chair at Village Creek. In any case, he jumped out and ran into the truck bed. I opened the folding bed cover & pulled out everything without finding the mouse. Finally, I thought like a mouse & looked in the hollow handle of my jack. The mouse was looking back at me. He wouldn't shake out, but a baseball like swing sent him flying into a tree. Unfortunately for him, he didn't recover. So, I tossed the chair & put everything back in the truck. I didn't get in as much reading as I expected.</p><p>Still no internet connection at the campsite, so I'll make a trip to the lodge to post this & check my mail after dinner. </p><p>Dinner was a Butterball turkey burger and the rest of a batch of fresh asparagus.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-88453730494651070032024-03-16T18:37:00.000-04:002024-03-16T18:37:01.857-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 153<p>Saturday, March 16, 2024 -Pin Oaks Campground, Natchez Trace State Park, TN - 176.9 Miles, 5,775.6 Miles for the trip</p><p>Part of the drive was on US 64, the rest on a very heavily trafficked I 40, even a couple of stop & go sections. My GPS got lost near the campground - it looks like the road is new. In any case, I eventually found a road that led to Pin Oaks Lodge Road, which also goes to the campground.</p><p>I'm in site 43, a full hook up site on gravel with a fire pit, charcoal grill & picnic table. It needed 2 1/2" side to side & a 4" drop of the tongue to level. Different rates for Saturday & Sunday, and a 25% in season senior discount plus taxes & reservation fee averages out to $34.35 per night. The campground is crowded - only one or two empty sites & they have reserved tickets on them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIywZvhw3O2-Wc3sIrWNb72bf0K9UZdo7nuT1CjdOQ0GLJQjbPFOnwuJQXpRBtFgqWdYRnfInERw97ECjuyFm1Dup8jRNO5q5UQUQ_dafsza3i2G6AovT2HYMlHsBkeafyw4OejGTLXXPlbYDHL9FvnwmL7buF8UJd2MtTee3rRap8K64LBYdab1A/s1000/IMG_3269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIywZvhw3O2-Wc3sIrWNb72bf0K9UZdo7nuT1CjdOQ0GLJQjbPFOnwuJQXpRBtFgqWdYRnfInERw97ECjuyFm1Dup8jRNO5q5UQUQ_dafsza3i2G6AovT2HYMlHsBkeafyw4OejGTLXXPlbYDHL9FvnwmL7buF8UJd2MtTee3rRap8K64LBYdab1A/w400-h300/IMG_3269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 43</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A sunny 67°F outside, I sat & read. You won't know any of this until I find a internet connection. While my AT&T cell phone shows 1 bar, no data, and the Verizon phone shows SOS only. No park WiFi. So, for the first time on the trip, no connection to the outside world (although I can still listen to XM Radio). </p><p>I don't remember having this problem the last time I was here, but can't look up my old pages in line. I looked at the Dreamweaver page I posted from on my 2022 trip & it showed AT&T at 7Mbps & Verizon at 2Mbps. I was in site 23 which is visible from my current site.</p><p>I may take a drive with the modems to the lodge to see if there is coverage there. Otherwise, it won't be until Monday to post the next 2 day's journals.</p><p>I checked at the restaurant at the park lodge & they are having a BBQ Buffet. That may be a bit hard on my recovering stomach, but they also have their normal menu so I might try them for dinner. </p><p>I checked with the front desk & they gave me the password for the lodge WiFi. I also looked over the Buffet, and there was plenty that I was comfortable eating, including one rib. Good but somewhat expensive compared to my usual meals.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-36952721652927315282024-03-15T18:24:00.001-04:002024-03-15T18:24:28.912-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 152<p>Friday, March 15, 2024 - Village Creek State Park, Wynne, AR, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 5,598.7 Miles for the trip</p><p>A stormy night! We were on the edge of a bunch of strong thunderstorms overnight. Light to heavy rain, lots of lightning, even a bit of small hail. It stopped around 8:00AM. We are down to 4 trailers in the B section of Village Creek. The trailer with 3 kids left this morning. I will never complain about one night stops - they pulled in around dinner time, got 3 bikes out of the trailer, did the usual set up while the kids cruised the park, made dinner just before the rain started, then packed it all back up and headed out around 9:00AM. Makes my overnight stops look simple.</p><p>While the rain has stopped, it is a dreary day. 60°F, gray skies & soggy. I did my usual forum & journal reading on the laptop, then spend the morning reading on my Kindle. I started <i>Plugged</i> by Eoin Colfer, a new author for me. So far an enjoyable novel.</p><p>Very light rain started around 11:00AM. Since I'm out of milk, I decided to make a run to Walmart. While only 9 miles from the park, it is a 25 minute drive - lots of curves. An even longer drive back - The speed limit in the park is 30MPH for most of it, at least until you get among the campsites, and 4 miles of the drive is in the park. All double lines, and a truck in front of me decided that a safe speed was between 10 & 15MPH. Took a long time to get back.</p><p>Back at the trailer I decided to head for a shower. 2 showers in the Men's bathroom, one handicapped. The smaller one has a bench in the drying room & 1 hook on the wall. No door or shower curtain. The large, fine spray shower head aims at the drying area, and soaks almost all of it. Plenty of hot water with an adjustable temperature control. While there is a ceiling heater in the bathroom over the showers, it never ran & it is 55°F outside; a bit warmer in the bathroom, but cool for a shower. Overall, a C.</p><p>As of 3:00 we are back to 5 trailers in the 30 site campground - a small single axle trailer just arrived. Around 5:00 a large crowd of RVs arrived - we are now up to 16.</p><p>Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Chicken Fried Rice bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-15447503338053008242024-03-14T19:07:00.000-04:002024-03-14T19:07:08.915-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 151<p>Thursday, March 14, 2024 - Village Creek State Park, Wynne, AR - 159.8 Miles, 5,598.7 Miles for the trip </p><p>Not a bad trip to Village Creek. I started out with $3.09 per gallon non ethanol gas at the Toad Suck store. I only needed 10 gallons; best price for straight gas I've seen, in fact it is the same $ as the 10% gas at Loves on the way. Although I planned to take the back roads between Conway & Wynne, my GPS detoured me saying that part of the road on my route was closed. Since parts of the 2 lane roads didn't have a nearby alternative, I decided to go with the route the GPS picked which was almost completely on I 40. Very heavy traffic, but while cloudy, no rain.</p><p>I arrived at Village Creek State Park around 12:30, signed in at the visitor center & got 25% off for today as a senior discount. No discount for weekends (tomorrow). I'm in site B49, which is on top of the hill. First time I've stayed in the "B" campground - nicer than the one below, and there is cell coverage on both AT&T & Verizon - AT&T at 3.06Mbps down & .6Mbps up; Verizon at 14.9Mbps down & 1.0Mbps up. My notes on previous visit at the lower campground show no cell coverage.</p><p>The site is full hookup on a concrete pad that is only 1/2" off level, a charcoal grill & fire pit, and close to the bathrooms. Some of the sites have steep entrances, but most have level pads. With fees, discounts, and taxes, $39.03 per night for two nights. A near empty campground.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng_Iy7pQolV9S8_AzEK7VCEyRtDnkQ4FeqHGDumoIOrw3v_GWiUFLAFQS0uCpZdDsGLlq3GsDx1Y1rVGcloj3odrv9xI_LJ9l4_ihz9qEj15nNgsqyXivBB8twSFyCCjNTMwAST_trlbHJ3oTa1EnSE7X_G0neqwrj0DRpLockfAhRIE_TvRp-nQT/s1000/IMG_3267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng_Iy7pQolV9S8_AzEK7VCEyRtDnkQ4FeqHGDumoIOrw3v_GWiUFLAFQS0uCpZdDsGLlq3GsDx1Y1rVGcloj3odrv9xI_LJ9l4_ihz9qEj15nNgsqyXivBB8twSFyCCjNTMwAST_trlbHJ3oTa1EnSE7X_G0neqwrj0DRpLockfAhRIE_TvRp-nQT/w400-h300/IMG_3267.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site B49</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After setting up I sat outside and read for most of the afternoon. Talked with a couple originally from NY now living in Vermont. They were interested in information about Quartzsite. </p><p>Dinner was a Guy Fieri's Sweet & Sour Pork bowl. I picked it up by mistake - thought it was chicken, but it was pretty good.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-27301635463035846882024-03-13T17:57:00.002-04:002024-03-13T17:57:51.993-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 150<p>Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - Toad Suck COE Campground, Conway, AR, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 5,438.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>A rough night. I don't know if it was something I ate or some nasty germs I managed to catch, but I was up most of the night with a stomach bug. By lunch time everything was back to normal, but I'll need to empty my black tank sooner than usual! I know, too much information.</p><p>A mostly cloud covered day, although short periods of very warm sunshine broke through every once in awhile. A warm night, the morning low was 58°F, although most of the night was over 60°F.</p><p>I spent the day sitting outside, although I moved in a couple of times when the wind got too strong. I'm currently listening to a Walt Longmire novel by Craig Johnson, <i>The Western Star</i>. It is read by George Guidall, who reads most of the Longmire series & is an excellent narrator. My current Kindle book is <i>The Man Who Smiled</i> by Henning Mankell.</p><p>There is a wide variety of RVs in the park. A few spaces down from my site is a 45' 5th Wheel with 5 slides pulled by a semi truck with a Smart Car on the back of the truck between the cab & the 5th wheel. A few spaces down from that is a Scamp 13.</p><p>Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Herb Roasted Chicken bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-30185966521088531972024-03-12T18:50:00.001-04:002024-03-12T18:50:25.489-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 149<p>Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - Toad Suck COE Campground, Conway, AR - 94.9 Miles, 5,438.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>Another day, another COE (Army Corps of Engineers) campground. I discovered Toad Suck because of the name; I had to find out why. The name Toad Suck has, like many, a couple of different origins. The most often quoted is "when idle rivermen would congregate at the local tavern where they would 'suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads'". It has been voted the worst named town in America by FindMyPast.com. More information about Toad Suck at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_Suck,_Arkansas" target="_blank">The Wikipedia entry for the community</a>. </p><p>I'm in site C7, a mostly level site on a concrete pad on the opposite side of the road along the river sites. Yes, the campground is on the Arkansas River, same as the Aux Arc campground. There is a dam on the river at the campground. The site is water & electric for $13.00 per night with the Senior National Parks card. There is a picnic table & fire pit at the site. One of the bathrooms is nearby. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRzoaU-PicwCNJhs_WsCxgcR0lSMtIx3x4YNYwylTDzbfDI2p9wUMdS-RfTets3w3Q-oxKSi_SP1aDeu45GNEFnkztjiAY6M_W1-X5YvZ8Y051ub6BmKJjOabDKA2DcFULlGfBkdBENXweqbexsQJkF91YHl77guy7p7WiKhJWWmN03woiVt8VpVG/s1000/IMG_3264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRzoaU-PicwCNJhs_WsCxgcR0lSMtIx3x4YNYwylTDzbfDI2p9wUMdS-RfTets3w3Q-oxKSi_SP1aDeu45GNEFnkztjiAY6M_W1-X5YvZ8Y051ub6BmKJjOabDKA2DcFULlGfBkdBENXweqbexsQJkF91YHl77guy7p7WiKhJWWmN03woiVt8VpVG/w400-h300/IMG_3264.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site C7</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After setting up, I headed into Conway for a haircut. There are a bunch of barber shops in Conway; I picked the wrong one. A nice enough haircut, but at $50.00 it was the most expensive haircut I've ever had. I should have asked how much before I sat down. I didn't give my usual $10.00 tip, So, try someone other than Mac10 Cuts.</p><p>Both on the way & way back there was construction and a single lane section on E. Dave Ward Drive, one of the main roads between the campground & Conway. A very long wait on the way, not as bad going back. </p><p>After my haircut I headed to the shower to get rid of the leftover itchy hairs. There are 4 individual bathrooms in the building, 2 men, 2 women. They are all handicapped accessible, large rooms with the shower at one end a half width wall between the shower & the rest of the bathroom. A fold down seat next to the door for your stuff; another fold down seat in the shower. High pressure, medium volume showerhead with adjustable temperature. While there is no shower curtain, the room is large enough that most of the floor outside the shower stays dry. Overall, while I don't like the non aim-able high pressure shower heads, I rate it a B.</p><p>Dinner was fried chicken & fresh asparagus.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-21428785984535459832024-03-11T18:26:00.001-04:002024-03-11T18:26:22.405-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 148<p>Monday, March 11, 2024 - Aux Arc COE Campground, Ozark, AR, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 5,344 Miles for the trip </p><p>Another cool night at 36°F, 38°F when I went for my morning walk. There was a heavy mist on the river until the sun burned it off. I didn't hear any train horns overnight; the first of the day was at 7:30AM.</p><p>The last time I was here the black vultures hung out in the trees. This time they are on the shore line behind my trailer. Beautiful birds when they are soaring overhead, but they sure are ugly up close.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyeCAfssXHipG7GO6tTmQpCsbMsbngisddNdhqLJsWbgeukwkHmFG2b6qQpKzudzt4ZX0H7bHP509yBGgTYryf5DjNp8_d-ZOas7l7VFbbqHOwt3_P6WAUkIBh_lx0yo82gHSbaNFhyx6RY6iB-43Zs27PUChP7QV6hLnSY9HMvFfi7ZoPYt1lByV/s1000/_JV38704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyeCAfssXHipG7GO6tTmQpCsbMsbngisddNdhqLJsWbgeukwkHmFG2b6qQpKzudzt4ZX0H7bHP509yBGgTYryf5DjNp8_d-ZOas7l7VFbbqHOwt3_P6WAUkIBh_lx0yo82gHSbaNFhyx6RY6iB-43Zs27PUChP7QV6hLnSY9HMvFfi7ZoPYt1lByV/w400-h266/_JV38704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vultures</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I called and got a 2:00 appointment for an oil change at Whitson-Morgan, the Ozark Ford dealer. I stopped at the Walmart on the way back from the Ford dealer, but it was a "neighborhood" version with little food. Not any better luck with the grocery store in town; a reasonable amount of stuff, but not what I was looking for. </p><p>Back at the trailer I headed for the showers. 2 showers in the men's section, one handicapped. The standard shower has a standard shower head and a non adjustable temperature push button with a 9 second run. Plenty of hot water (almost too hot) but no shower curtain & the shower aims at the drying area. A bench & 1 hook in the drying area; the floor gets 3/4 covered with water from the shower. Overall, a C-.</p><p>Dinner was a Butterball Turkey Burger & a salad.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-52427065968267670972024-03-10T18:25:00.001-04:002024-03-10T18:25:27.798-04:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 147<p>Sunday, March 10, 2024 - Aux Arc COE Campground, Ozark, AR - 131.5 Miles, 5,344 Miles for the trip </p><p>While it was a cool 35°F overnight and only 36°F when I packed up the trailer, but the time I got to Ozark, AR it was a comfortable 65°F.</p><p>Today's drive was north on US 69 to I 40, and east to Ozark, AR. A fairly short drive. No one at the entrance station at the Aux Arc campground so I headed to my site. I'm in B27, next door to the host site at the front of the B section of the campground. The site is on the Arkansas River, which, because of the Corps of Engineer's dam is actually more like a lake. There is a lock on the other side of the river for barges & boats to get around the dam. Active railroad tracks on the other side of the river that include loud horn tooting. </p><p>My site is a water & electric on unlevel asphalt - Needed 3" of lift on the tongue & 3/4" side to side. For some reason my receipt shows I paid the full price for the site, ie $26.00 per night even though I put in the information for my Senior National Park card which cuts the price in half. I checked the Toad Suck receipt (my next COE stop) and it showed the price cut. It isn't worth trying to straighten it out so I'll live with paying full price. The bathrooms are a short distance away. There are 2 in the park, one at each end of the .75 mile row of sites. I've stayed in the middle; a long walk to the bathrooms!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbHkoPDPX8SFyiiXCAmQXET5rW4kdMTh7p9296KgYpseu7oV9hyphenhyphenWud_agM3lea4VRhltZXToBhlVuun8ThdP8sfquxphesOK2NsHrVblNvG2IlSxm5Abq5r5R_9P4HcW3PVxUWb2gmoWxnpADXIhmSnYmq_On_-DC8TMLscLVKslT92a0XZA7QGaX/s1000/IMG_3260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbHkoPDPX8SFyiiXCAmQXET5rW4kdMTh7p9296KgYpseu7oV9hyphenhyphenWud_agM3lea4VRhltZXToBhlVuun8ThdP8sfquxphesOK2NsHrVblNvG2IlSxm5Abq5r5R_9P4HcW3PVxUWb2gmoWxnpADXIhmSnYmq_On_-DC8TMLscLVKslT92a0XZA7QGaX/w400-h300/IMG_3260.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site B27</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I checked the internet - AT&T is 48.8Mbps down & 16.3Mbps up, while Verizon is 76.9Mbps down & 9.5Mbps up, both checked with a MIMO connection to a pair of outside antennas.</p><p>After setting up I headed to the Maytag Laundromat to do a large load of clothes. Somehow I lost a sock, the first time on many trips. I even got to recheck both the washer & dryer I used, and no luck. It is possible that the sock is in the fitted sheet, although I did my usual check of the corners. </p><p>Back at the trailer I did my afternoon back exercises, then sat outside until dinner.</p><p>Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Biryani bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-6187168299487051752024-03-09T17:42:00.002-05:002024-03-09T17:42:16.458-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 146<p>Saturday, March 9, 2024 - Arrowhead State Park, OK - 190 Miles, 5,212.5 Miles for the trip </p><p>Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight (unless you live in Arizona off the Navajo reservations).</p><p>An interesting drive. My GPS said 153 miles & 3 hours. That didn't happen. I was on US 70 a little past Kingston about to cross Lake Texoma on the Lake Texoma Bridge. About 100 yards onto the bridge were two pick up trucks at right angles to the road, one on top of the other, completely blocking both lanes of the bridge. It must have just happened since no one was in front of me. I stopped, backed up 400 yards or so to get to where there was room on the side of the road. About 10 emergency vehicles showed up; the projected time for opening the road was 1 1/2 - 2 hours. There was just enough width to the road for me to turn around, and at the suggestion of one of the volunteers I back tracked to Madill & took US 377. Just outside of Madill, a freight train stopped across the road & didn't move out of the way until 45 minutes later. So, today's drive was 190 miles & 5 hours.</p><p>I'm in site 18 in the Turkey Flats campground in Arrowhead State Park. Full hookups on a concrete slab that is off level by 1 1/2" side to side and 1/2" front to back. While there was no indication when I made the on line reservation, it is an ADA site. I hope that won't be a problem; the park has more ADA sites & is mostly empty. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjyz_5uKzJiFloyb648tetyiK0-wO_dzmQeLFDa0UbEUjhIS14t-WKRRqkbcKAj5Bad4xb-O0UPdlQRAvsB5wpgTIjFGdoyHYAk08AFj_FvQuQ5Asxbw3Uw8bEAXg0LmCHOnliNFhWj8W1L79P9dP0IWmnGtGBiWoBD0Uu88wxjopNwBbiQmgiMRC/s1000/IMG_3259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjyz_5uKzJiFloyb648tetyiK0-wO_dzmQeLFDa0UbEUjhIS14t-WKRRqkbcKAj5Bad4xb-O0UPdlQRAvsB5wpgTIjFGdoyHYAk08AFj_FvQuQ5Asxbw3Uw8bEAXg0LmCHOnliNFhWj8W1L79P9dP0IWmnGtGBiWoBD0Uu88wxjopNwBbiQmgiMRC/w400-h300/IMG_3259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 18</td></tr></tbody></table><p>While clear skies with lots of sun, it is only 58°F at 3:30. After setting up I headed for a shower. There are 4 individual shower rooms, 2 of which were locked. They have a sign that says they are all locked from 9:00PM to 7:00AM. The one I used had a high pressure, non adjustable shower head with adjustable temperature handle, and a wall between the shower & the drying area. It needed to be full to hot for reasonable hot water. The stream is strong enough to almost hurt. While there is a drain in the shower section and the wall between it & the drying area, the water sprays past the drain & within seconds floods the entire drying area floor to at least 1/4" deep water. There is a fold down seat that serves as a bench, and 3 hooks, although they are low enough that if you hang long pants on any of them the bottoms of the pants will get soaked. Overall, a D.</p><p>Back at the trailer I read for a bit, typed this post, and caught up on my email. AT&T is 54.9Mbps down & 7.4Mbps up. I didn't check Verizon. </p><p>Dinner was an El Monterey Cheese Enchiladas.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-85952462955786053842024-03-08T18:42:00.001-05:002024-03-08T18:42:44.943-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 145<p>Friday, March 8, 2024 -Lake Murray State Park, OK, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 5,022.5 Miles for the trip </p><p>While the rain held off until after last night's dinner, there were mild thunderstorms throughout the night. This morning started out cool at 55°F, damp, but no rain. Unfortunately, it never got much warmer throughout the cloudy day. At noon it was all the way up to 56°F.</p><p>After my morning walk I cranked the thermostat on the electric heater to 68°F and spent the rest of the day sitting in the trailer reading. Around 3:30 a light rain started, just enough to hear the patter on the roof. I must still be used to the low humidity of the desert; at 56°F outside, 68°F & 61% humidity in the trailer I'm freezing.</p><p>Feeling lazy (although it isn't much work to throw something into the microwave) and knowing that I wouldn't hit another campground with a restaurant until I reached Tennessee, I headed to the Lookout Kitchen for dinner.</p><p>Dinner was fried fish with French fries & steamed vegetables. </p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-36338600608743208852024-03-07T18:42:00.000-05:002024-03-07T18:42:13.866-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 144<p>Thursday, March 7, 2024 -Lake Murray State Park, OK- 184.1 Miles, 5,022.5 Miles for the trip </p><p>While yesterday was a quiet day, not so much for the late night & early morning. Thunderstorms with medium rain. The leaves on the tree I was parked under were ready to fall off; the rain put about half the leaves on my truck & trailer. Most blew away on the drive, but there are still a few stuck in corners.</p><p>Most of the drive was on TX secondary 2 lane roads, again with the usual 75MPH speed limit. Since my top is 65MPH when towing, I got passed a lot. A short stint on I 35 just before the campground. I had an interesting minor scare on the way. I drove by a sign (in Texas) for Arrowhead State Park. I originally had 3 days scheduled for Lake Murray State Park in OK, but decided to cut the road time down by dropping a day & adding an Oklahoma state park half way between Lake Murray and my original next stop. Seems there is an Arrowhead State Park in TX as well as in OK. Glad I don't need to backtrack 100 miles to get to my next stop! I stopped at the Wichita Falls Walmart for a some supplies, and the attached Murphy gas station for the cheapest gas of the trip - $2.759 per gallon.</p><p>I'm in site 31 in the Elephant Rock campground. I've stayed at Lake Murray before, but at the Buzzard's Roost campground. This one is right on the lake. A full hookup site with a level concrete slab, picnic table & charcoal grill next to a family bathroom with showers. $31.00 tonight, and $32.00 for tomorrow (they add a dollar for the weekends). While I didn't have to unhook to level the trailer, I did because I plan to eat at the restaurant here in the park.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYq35K6SzEeFaXxd6dM0Uhtwl-eK3mxy15wHRxaqqrSWL2WEwODn1eIKdIdwp12SGT4zs2jw8ZVCmrY4UUCbadfg6rMvBQr7mmt4NLHBU9lbzfpLsiGU9iRSdL_POTBU4uJmyrzkHy7qFhZcbLdqYtA0mgVsSEzJKeE1ZFddM5tXE5X5NgT206CNG/s1000/IMG_3256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYq35K6SzEeFaXxd6dM0Uhtwl-eK3mxy15wHRxaqqrSWL2WEwODn1eIKdIdwp12SGT4zs2jw8ZVCmrY4UUCbadfg6rMvBQr7mmt4NLHBU9lbzfpLsiGU9iRSdL_POTBU4uJmyrzkHy7qFhZcbLdqYtA0mgVsSEzJKeE1ZFddM5tXE5X5NgT206CNG/w400-h300/IMG_3256.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 31</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last night I finished Ross Pennie's Zol Szabo series, #3, <i>Up In Smoke</i>, and started #4, <i>Beneath the Wake</i>. On the drive here I finished listening to Frederick Forsyth's <i>The Avenger</i>, and will need to find a new audio book for tomorrow morning's walk. I probably should have downloaded a new book yesterday; the internet, at least AT&T is pretty slow here at 6.33Mbps down & 2.49Mbps up. I have heard of his <i>Day of the Jackal</i>, but never read it so that will be the next audio book. While it took 10 minutes, it did download from the New York Public Library.</p><p>Dinner was at the Lookout Kitchen Restaurant - a chicken fried steak, baked potato & mixed vegetables.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-36221438664958499492024-03-06T18:42:00.002-05:002024-03-06T18:42:45.718-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 143<p>Wednesday, March 6, 2024 - Fort Griffin State Historic Site, Albany, TX, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,838.4 Miles for the trip </p><p>Another quiet day on the trip home. I do mean quiet. This is the quietest campground I've ever stayed at. About once an hour you can hear a truck going by on US 283, and that is it. There are 35 sites in the campground, a mix of full hookup, water & electric, and tent sites with water only. At this time there are 5 RVs in the campground, and at least two are either hosts or workers - they have 100 gallon propane tanks next to their trailers.</p><p>I got voice mail that I didn't see, and called Long Beach, talked with Mike & he explained that the dates for the Bolerama are set aside for the entire park. Their system should not have let me make a reservation on line, but it did. Reservations for that weekend can only be made by voice, starting on March 21. So, I'll try again. At least I'll be in the same time zone by then.</p><p>I read most of the morning and afternoon. Around 2:30 I headed for the showers. There are a couple of bathrooms in the campground. The closest one to my site has high pressure/low volume shower heads in family bathrooms. I prefer the older building a bit further away, but with a standard shower. I rate it an A - large drying area with bench & 2 good hooks, a shower curtain, shelf in the shower, and plenty of hot water. The only fault I can find is the shower head is about 1' too low.</p><p>Bach at the trailer I made a batch of chili for dinner (and, 3 more that will go in the freezer). Not as good as the last batch. I used the tube type of turkey and I think the fresh ground is a better choice. It was also a bit dry - I cooked it outside on the Coleman grill/stove and it is almost impossible to turn it down low enough to simmer. In any case, I now have 3 more meals.</p><p>That was about it for the day. I'm reading Ross Pennie's Zol Szabo series, #3, <i>Up In Smoke</i>.</p><p>Dinner was Chili.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-66254624189045449142024-03-05T18:01:00.000-05:002024-03-05T18:01:07.992-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 142<p>Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Fort Griffin State Historic Site, Albany, TX - 232.5 Miles, 4,838.4 Miles for the trip </p><p>I was on the internet at 8:00AM sharp to make reservations at Long Beach Conservation Area in Ontario, Canada for the Bolarama Rally & our trip to the Algonac Rally in September. The reservations went through OK, they charged my credit card, and I thought I was set. About 2 hours later Anne got a call from the Conservation Area that our reservations were canceled; we had to redo them later in the month. I did get email canceling both mine & hers, but have no idea if the September reservations are still on, or why they canceled the July reservations - the reservation system for the season started at 9:00 EST today. You can't talk to anyone there - all you get is an answering machine with an announcement about the reservation dates & times. I left a message; hope they will call back.</p><p>About 3/4 of today's drive was on I 20, the remainder on 2 lane 75MPH roads. </p><p>At Fort Griffin the campground is first come, but I forgot that you need to go to the visitor center a few miles away to register, give them a site number, and get a window tag. I'm in site 5 (at the suggestion of the person running the visitor center rather than going to the campground, picking one, then coming back), a water & electric site on gravel for $12.00 per night that is level enough that I don't need to unhook. Since I'm a long way from anywhere, I probably won't unhook over the two days I'm here. A nice shady site a reasonable walking distance to the bathrooms, with a picnic table, fire pit & charcoal grill. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYmCcQ82rQtYt-rfcF5oQ2l78Kk1oqFSEh9Afqgxkfv8Wb6tChIkg_EFZY3brktAC_mmaFmwA_eTDyN5sxpoLxeFrvvbmeNnEbRH9YLL75xa96Wq1BjB7Chog7F25xCbvcIgYST3FsQ7MGxXb2or2Ix0rDvf_XmaBt90xlAZbdcRO1qCiQpCS9NOO/s1000/JVZ_2834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYmCcQ82rQtYt-rfcF5oQ2l78Kk1oqFSEh9Afqgxkfv8Wb6tChIkg_EFZY3brktAC_mmaFmwA_eTDyN5sxpoLxeFrvvbmeNnEbRH9YLL75xa96Wq1BjB7Chog7F25xCbvcIgYST3FsQ7MGxXb2or2Ix0rDvf_XmaBt90xlAZbdcRO1qCiQpCS9NOO/w400-h266/JVZ_2834.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 5</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I did my usual speed tests, first with Verizon. Both my phone & Jet Pack show a "5G" Verizon connection, but neither will make a data connection. AT&T shows 4.9Mbps down & 1.8Mbps up on a "5G" Extended connection. The data is fast enough for internet radio & posting today's photos & pages.</p><p>At the visitor center there is a small herd of longhorn cattle so I stopped for a couple of photos:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYOEvvltz5rh4qiNT28LwO06y_HJE8TzAROc16hbAGXU8Orp9whMe7JrlMlxmageEVZ8i6L0P58pOzzqOGAAEdVrLjy5etyDDSGVNGDpubENyrQ-4ANuQMEaldLmmB7-ExPbCQQzeDov7LVaOP_kKVo7cEaceMy85hqPije2kqdGIJItH024WgOo5/s1000/JVZ_2829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYOEvvltz5rh4qiNT28LwO06y_HJE8TzAROc16hbAGXU8Orp9whMe7JrlMlxmageEVZ8i6L0P58pOzzqOGAAEdVrLjy5etyDDSGVNGDpubENyrQ-4ANuQMEaldLmmB7-ExPbCQQzeDov7LVaOP_kKVo7cEaceMy85hqPije2kqdGIJItH024WgOo5/w400-h266/JVZ_2829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z8JBPntksvkaiTi5jhlIErhxuHUxMTQwTjpDIgvMlPPhyVIUJVbJVi7oJlmjPQ_fyLish0-mUoWqbNBa1afbLvgDaRWAHO00VdW1bja0DadIoqnXidx7TQP0KcCNDPKxgROmlF95wDfRXn0tjAm8b0_Q7ArDHd-GIzY3TzZUMKjetPoMRlK6x5iS/s1000/JVZ_2832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z8JBPntksvkaiTi5jhlIErhxuHUxMTQwTjpDIgvMlPPhyVIUJVbJVi7oJlmjPQ_fyLish0-mUoWqbNBa1afbLvgDaRWAHO00VdW1bja0DadIoqnXidx7TQP0KcCNDPKxgROmlF95wDfRXn0tjAm8b0_Q7ArDHd-GIzY3TzZUMKjetPoMRlK6x5iS/w400-h268/JVZ_2832.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Longhorns</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I spent the remainder of the afternoon reading. I'm on book #2 & the 3rd that I've read of Ross Pennie's Zol Szabo series, <i>Tampered</i>. Unfortunately, I've already read #5 and know too much about what is happening in the doctor's life. This is a series that should be read in published order.</p><p>Dinner was a grilled Butterball Turkey Burger & broccoli/cauliflower/carrot mix.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-12795177438139341892024-03-04T18:14:00.000-05:002024-03-04T18:14:16.023-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 141<p>Monday, March 4, 2024 - Whispering Pines RV Park, Odessa, TX, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,605.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>An interesting evening yesterday. My neighbor tied his dogs up outside the trailers and the leash was long enough that one of them ate my sewer hose. She also tried to eat one of my trailer chocks. She is a 6 month old puppy, so I kind of understand. The owner offered to go & get me a new sewer hose, but since only a few designs fit in the housing that Escape built under the trailer, I'd rather get one myself. I went to Walmart & they only had a kit that included 2 10' rather than one 15' hoses; both won't fit in the storage, so one will go home as a spare. The owner paid for the new hose.</p><p>I did a speed test for both AT&T and Verizon. Here, Verizon wins: Verizon 52Mbps down & 20Mbps up. AT&T 2Mbps down & .1Mbps up.</p><p>I got an email reservation confirmation for a site at Lakeport State Park in Michigan for September 4 - 10 for the Algonac Rally (it is moved to Lakeport because Algonac is closed for a rebuild), so Anne & Guido's early morning reserving efforts came through. Now I need to do the same tomorrow for our Bolarama reservations in Canada for July and the one night stop on the way to the Algonac Rally.</p><p>I went to the local HEB pretty much just to see if it was a big & diverse as I remembered. I have been to one before, but it has been years. It sure is a Texas sized store. I did find a couple of things I wasn't able to find at a bunch of grocery stores & Walmarts west of the Mississippi, so I didn't go back to the trailer empty handed.</p><p>Back at the trailer I had lunch, then read for the afternoon. At this time I'm listening to Frederick Forsyth's <i>Avenger</i>, and reading Ross Pennie's <i>Tainted</i>. I have enjoyed his Zol Szabo character, and hope to read more. I feel dried out - could it be the 19% humidity in the trailer? There was more moisture in the air in the Quartzsite, AZ desert! </p><p>Dinner was an InnovAsian Orange Chicken Bowl, one of those bowls I haven't been able to find west of the Mississippi.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-7867045888918150022024-03-03T18:28:00.001-05:002024-03-03T18:28:28.644-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 140<p>Sunday, March 3, 2024 - Whispering Pines RV Park, Odessa, TX - 163.2 Miles, 4,605.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>Not a bad drive today, although all on interstates I 10 & I 20. I kept looking at my gas gauge since it wasn't dropping. Checked the mileage and it was 18.1MPG! Now this has never happened when towing, and when I stopped at a rest stop I discovered why - a very strong tailwind. The end of the trip was crosswise to the wind, and by the time I reached the RV park in Odessa, I was down to 16.9MPG, still great.</p><p>I'm in site 9, a full hookup, back in site on gravel for $50.00 per night. Cash only. No picnic table or grill, but like yesterday, it is windy enough that outside the trailer is pretty much out. Very tight sites and, as far as I can determine, no bathrooms even though at least one of the reviews says they have them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzChuWTRk8tDF8fk4cY6qATA1F-I1pDcznlNhX4XzDFFE6n3nnL8guITYQVsscDJmX6nBTsnpmyBj2kSNc7s78pGEkZ3l7ppKCDlISjyKeWkXwLLNDFfkWPYo-hTG9LSlBxU6EyhBhSHUkOjyq9rgVHRwdvlO7so6x6Uey_NuvZPE9riosjVyG0DS/s1000/IMG_3253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzChuWTRk8tDF8fk4cY6qATA1F-I1pDcznlNhX4XzDFFE6n3nnL8guITYQVsscDJmX6nBTsnpmyBj2kSNc7s78pGEkZ3l7ppKCDlISjyKeWkXwLLNDFfkWPYo-hTG9LSlBxU6EyhBhSHUkOjyq9rgVHRwdvlO7so6x6Uey_NuvZPE9riosjVyG0DS/w400-h300/IMG_3253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 9</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After setting up I headed to Walmart for some supplies. Lots of dollar stores, and a HEB 3.5 miles from the RV Park. Since the wind is gusting at 30MPH or so, I spent the rest of the afternoon in the trailer reading. I also made my usual Sunday phone calls. My brother is finally seeing some advancement on the construction of his new house in the Catskills (well, it is actually destruction - they are knocking down the existing house to make way for the new foundation).</p><p>Everything at home in Oswego is going well, although they had lots of wind the other day, enough that power was out at the house for 24 hours. The whole house generator ran without problems.</p><p>Dinner was a Benihana Hibachi Chicken Rice bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-58371782952450272092024-03-02T18:44:00.001-05:002024-03-02T18:44:41.695-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 139<p>Saturday, March 2, 2024 - Oasis RV Park, Van Horn, TX - 250.6 Miles, 4,442.7 Miles for the trip </p><p>Back in an old road trip stand by - the Oasis RV park in Van Horn, TX. A bit funky, although not as funky as it was with the previous owner. Still, lots of I 10 road noise as well as trains. The good? Easy off from I 10, and a useful stop after the City of Rocks when heading east. </p><p>I got an early for me start at 9:30 and although I 10 was crowded, it wasn't too bad until I hit the single lane sections north of El Paso. Just as much work going on as there was on the way out. I arrived at Van Horn around 3:00, including the time zone change to central time adding an hour to the drive.</p><p>I'm in site 21, a full hookup, level site on gravel, no picnic table, grill or fire pit (far too windy for a fire anyway) for $27.00 for the night with a Good Sam discount. I don't know what type of discount I had on the way out in the fall, but then it was only $25.00. Like last time, no one here at the park. You call a number and the owner tells you the available sites & says he will stop by for the money. The trailer was at 82°F when I stopped. Ran the AC to get it down to 76°F, but will need the electric heater tonight; the prediction is for 46°F overnight.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjOI2M92A7fA__MrVCfgj8ni34pXwo03JV4ZW9ouIeFUy_gSl7vker-fRaV7vy0JLg9xk6YKB574VgKMaAqPFTLEGIWrcXU5dFO41gg2K72Ut4Gy7Wk8FW56-O2gx3213oLg5U9_6j6K9w9MqZwZQPh9Ouk3rSBvGOy_dVb_h0nuKOUy3JKTwn4dy/s1000/IMG_3252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjOI2M92A7fA__MrVCfgj8ni34pXwo03JV4ZW9ouIeFUy_gSl7vker-fRaV7vy0JLg9xk6YKB574VgKMaAqPFTLEGIWrcXU5dFO41gg2K72Ut4Gy7Wk8FW56-O2gx3213oLg5U9_6j6K9w9MqZwZQPh9Ouk3rSBvGOy_dVb_h0nuKOUy3JKTwn4dy/w400-h300/IMG_3252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 21</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One good thing about the Oasis - great internet speeds. 27Mbps down & 2.6Mbps up for Verizon, and even better 43.3 down & 14.47 up for AT&T. Since it is the first day of a new cycle for Verizon, I'll go with AT&T for the night. On the other hand, another bad - it looks like Chuy's, the Mexican restaurant across the street is still closed. Since I'm level without unhooking, I'd rather leave the trailer connected so I can't go out looking for another restaurant. Another freezer meal - too windy to cook outside even if I had a table to set the grill on (NPR told me yesterday it is now OK to end a sentence with a preposition).</p><p>Dinner was the last of my frozen homemade (well, trailer made) chili.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-26776762461989437732024-03-01T18:23:00.004-05:002024-03-01T20:03:28.550-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 138<p>Friday, March 1, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip </p><p>Last night after dinner I decided to head for the showers, hoping what little sun we had today warmed up the bathroom. Warmer than the outside 51°F temperature, but still cool for showering. 2 showers, one handicapped, a low volume fine spray showerhead with a soap dish & shower curtain, drying area with 4 hooks, no bench or shelf but dry deck on the floor. This is one of the few places where I replace the showerhead with my own low volume, course spray. I suspect at least one of the hosts does the same since the showerhead is only hand tight. In any case, with the normal fine spray head the water is cool by the time it reaches you and you need to run another push button cycle to rinse since the water is the softest I've ever experienced. Very long run for the push button - at least 2 minutes. Overall, a C+.</p><p>By the way, the Verizon cell service here is fast enough at 38.8Mbps down & 2.3Mbps up. AT&T is dead in most of the park, a weak signal and no data at best.</p><p>Around 10:00 this morning I headed out to the Gila Cliff Dwellers National Monument. I visited the <a href="https://www.lakeshoreimages.com/cliffdwellers.html" target="_blank">Monument in 2015</a>, and wanted to see if it had changed since then. No changes, but I believe the Nikon Z8 did a better job of dealing with the wide dynamic range between the bright sun & heavy shadows.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRcFvydpXeGXb5Rve2O8y1JNuQlZWaTiTl4AN1-b7nMtRZ0-XnTEsCsAgqi9jQaPQ_l0LYdsAZ18FQyeQ7jr-E7KhHWf4dLEPoVNyHP_ggGfuGQWwRV3fftVx7xGL_zgThU8fM6S27uuyOQ520-Jnc7r5szImaR56VaTtSWG8BoZe3nGW-93GYrKs/s1000/JVZ_2774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRcFvydpXeGXb5Rve2O8y1JNuQlZWaTiTl4AN1-b7nMtRZ0-XnTEsCsAgqi9jQaPQ_l0LYdsAZ18FQyeQ7jr-E7KhHWf4dLEPoVNyHP_ggGfuGQWwRV3fftVx7xGL_zgThU8fM6S27uuyOQ520-Jnc7r5szImaR56VaTtSWG8BoZe3nGW-93GYrKs/w400-h266/JVZ_2774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfoTL8FFGXvTkiQNTGGwUtHNXcpOkriD8BONl_WtlFnthaG1QEcq4rM-ZGrgw_1KbC0nEc3d0RLMJfWfThnzn7gE9zlBmy9Npi77wNzx6uHF5OyPEieMhFkBrHm8ZpcY7Mtqtp0FRjEY46xHmRMix27qMg1hsJQ2XpkSzYhxi7e0iUHX6XdX00aob/s1000/JVZ_2779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfoTL8FFGXvTkiQNTGGwUtHNXcpOkriD8BONl_WtlFnthaG1QEcq4rM-ZGrgw_1KbC0nEc3d0RLMJfWfThnzn7gE9zlBmy9Npi77wNzx6uHF5OyPEieMhFkBrHm8ZpcY7Mtqtp0FRjEY46xHmRMix27qMg1hsJQ2XpkSzYhxi7e0iUHX6XdX00aob/w400-h266/JVZ_2779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o5boTrP-YO8VhWat-Je2_v_LPer2t2SpC-beZA31X5zqtmsg4LwRH61VK3ZhuRA6zTn0XTmZeKjD_TWbSWkXluewydeSDy40F5wMt3oZKm99AB_Hh8lAK2MSP2aG5kpYDI3yIJJ5tNV-qJLObBajAQ3OCRtkVlmAFtIcqa0SqBuZyra61n0X3Z3c/s1000/JVZ_2805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o5boTrP-YO8VhWat-Je2_v_LPer2t2SpC-beZA31X5zqtmsg4LwRH61VK3ZhuRA6zTn0XTmZeKjD_TWbSWkXluewydeSDy40F5wMt3oZKm99AB_Hh8lAK2MSP2aG5kpYDI3yIJJ5tNV-qJLObBajAQ3OCRtkVlmAFtIcqa0SqBuZyra61n0X3Z3c/w400-h266/JVZ_2805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9pW2zJs_IpW7Vb_18Ljwb7jFsBIYdB9unu3xXwviCZImGVUn22CiYczU5eDSqDw-7jnKBGkDoVPRSBAs3tslhsabdTQ5xhRRzwqaa9ZyIpu0J4iEw6OCL9OjU0EgHDHB9dlm9-VIqoPvBCOFA-doWQCbVIsfZ6-o77w3HC1G0B7iB3cEkHDBW41N/s1000/JVZ_2823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9pW2zJs_IpW7Vb_18Ljwb7jFsBIYdB9unu3xXwviCZImGVUn22CiYczU5eDSqDw-7jnKBGkDoVPRSBAs3tslhsabdTQ5xhRRzwqaa9ZyIpu0J4iEw6OCL9OjU0EgHDHB9dlm9-VIqoPvBCOFA-doWQCbVIsfZ6-o77w3HC1G0B7iB3cEkHDBW41N/w400-h266/JVZ_2823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Many more images at<a href="https://www.lakeshoreimages.com/24trip/day137.html" target="_blank"> today's LakeshoreImages page</a>.</p><p>I took NM 15 back, but rather than following it all the way to Silver City, switched to NM 35, and NM 61 to get back to the City of Rocks. That is a bit shorter drive than going to Silver City, and skips many of the twists in NM 15 north of Silver City, as well as having center lines (although most of them are double yellow) for the entire drive. I got back to the campground around 3:15.</p><p>Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada with Spanish Rice & Beans bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-9591649560247892272024-02-29T19:06:00.001-05:002024-02-29T19:06:22.497-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 137<p>Thursday, February 29, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM, Day 3 - 0 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip </p><p>Welcome to the day that only happens ever 4 years!</p><p>We did get some rain - large drops for about 5 minutes around 6:00PM last night. The wind also picked up enough to rock the trailer on the gusts every 10 minutes or so. It cooled off fast; at 6:00 it was down to 50°F. The rain came back, light & heavy until a little after midnight. The temperature kept dropping, down to 34°F by 11:30. I was waiting for the pitter patter of the raindrops to turn to snow. My radar app showed snow falling on three sides of us, but none here. Luckily, there was no usual morning drop of temperature. </p><p>It was 38°F when I went for my morning walk, 47°F at 11:30AM, and a high for the day of 53°F. Little sun until late in the day, the batteries at 87% at 11:30, and 94% by 5:00.</p><p>Another do nothing day. I spent most of it reading in the trailer. </p><p>Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Tikka Masala bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-5699960315122525162024-02-28T19:33:00.001-05:002024-02-28T19:33:37.919-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 136<p>Wednesday, February 28, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip </p><p>Last night the wind died down to a "gentle" 10 - 15MPH. At least the trailer stopped rocking. My Maxx Fan lift mechanism died due to the pot metal gearbox shattering. This is an often reported problem with the Maxx Fans, and while mine died quite awhile ago, and I have the replacement gearbox, I can't replace it until I can get on the roof. No problems up until the 40 - 50MPH winds of yesterday. The lid was slamming up & down hard enough that I thought it might shatter. So, I removed the screen and bungee corded the lid to the screen latches. I'll leave it like that until I need to run it to cool the trailer. Probably won't happen for a bit - low 60's predicted as highs for the week.</p><p>I discovered that the anchor chain for the picnic table isn't attached to anything, so I could have moved it to the correct side for a trailer. Too late now since I can't do it without hooking up & moving the trailer, but good to know for next time.</p><p>While I started with 81% batteries, with the mostly clear skies & cool temperatures, by 2:20 the batteries were back to full. </p><p>I made a trip to Silver City (about 31 miles north) to revisit the Silver City Museum, and do some shopping at the Silver City Albertson's. The museum looks much the same as the last time I visited. </p><p>The first three photos in the bottom row are from the copula windows. A climb up three long, narrow flights of stairs; I don't know if it is the 6000' altitude or just age, but quite a climb! The last photo is the gift shop.</p><p>I put a couple of photos here, but you will need to go to <a href="https://lakeshoreimages.com/24trip/day136.html" target="_blank">today's LakeshoreImages page</a> for the rest.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IG9UA-8jbdT5s3ewwlyf_oiqzqWG5XdPllXI1vgQ8gt-qP19ARD3c_1edd1Y3h0jLFHfZagMbzfIHq2HhAHdlkAgg_oVS84vFtShsRrpvQXI8flW9ZixlkydisabtUn3LkHhtaE7fusTMfwbwHl_chY7owihLqx1j9j6zi6-Yg3PakArUQaYbTxb/s1000/JVZ_2753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IG9UA-8jbdT5s3ewwlyf_oiqzqWG5XdPllXI1vgQ8gt-qP19ARD3c_1edd1Y3h0jLFHfZagMbzfIHq2HhAHdlkAgg_oVS84vFtShsRrpvQXI8flW9ZixlkydisabtUn3LkHhtaE7fusTMfwbwHl_chY7owihLqx1j9j6zi6-Yg3PakArUQaYbTxb/w400-h266/JVZ_2753.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver City Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysb4fKfy-MumdmAssDJMVNiNTonsWFB1socrvObr5XydVRhxTv3fHgvTHAnCH1VESiiSBxv0MGLwKrhPN_P6mIlbkdXTGYwnZuZfg-aOH7D2ArdeaGUJuAWpFZ6tw7hV1ZcyLf4CbuyhV5pwi3bvO5zCtnUeQ8yQ9yIeNiq61_JIuCdjYiDg6Lpor/s1000/JVZ_2758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysb4fKfy-MumdmAssDJMVNiNTonsWFB1socrvObr5XydVRhxTv3fHgvTHAnCH1VESiiSBxv0MGLwKrhPN_P6mIlbkdXTGYwnZuZfg-aOH7D2ArdeaGUJuAWpFZ6tw7hV1ZcyLf4CbuyhV5pwi3bvO5zCtnUeQ8yQ9yIeNiq61_JIuCdjYiDg6Lpor/w400-h266/JVZ_2758.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver City Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcCsORM5vIuEVo_RE31OOGdh-Gs1w3rm75V_NfNVLl8h06PYGQ-_daH6pXo78GsbATTkYiSjXxZBC-B73V7m0LqYCqM2ZqkMkfhEY0ueUQ7sMHUSThd4SawD1oFWugUxqhNAgWVA8V3RL37XD_QffF_3E9AUdXk0C891r980h6OH11YpPkR_T6q3u/s1000/JVZ_2760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcCsORM5vIuEVo_RE31OOGdh-Gs1w3rm75V_NfNVLl8h06PYGQ-_daH6pXo78GsbATTkYiSjXxZBC-B73V7m0LqYCqM2ZqkMkfhEY0ueUQ7sMHUSThd4SawD1oFWugUxqhNAgWVA8V3RL37XD_QffF_3E9AUdXk0C891r980h6OH11YpPkR_T6q3u/w400-h266/JVZ_2760.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver City Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pk2X4Wzheos_-H6rbWDhAphL3KOeym9h_DCcgsuoOYUhUonrLxT5tBbGGJmHTTYor5fSEpYz8JRLPNOwfvv1349-eA5HRIm4eaeqlF6S-Y3ejdNUcdNKuhFzLc14UcjpxASvsu4_deNMRoZupWi6AkIacJad8w_q0JzrxGEy1rsFpILdTSShY1PP/s1000/JVZ_2762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pk2X4Wzheos_-H6rbWDhAphL3KOeym9h_DCcgsuoOYUhUonrLxT5tBbGGJmHTTYor5fSEpYz8JRLPNOwfvv1349-eA5HRIm4eaeqlF6S-Y3ejdNUcdNKuhFzLc14UcjpxASvsu4_deNMRoZupWi6AkIacJad8w_q0JzrxGEy1rsFpILdTSShY1PP/w400-h266/JVZ_2762.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver City Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After a quick stop at Albertson's, it was back to the trailer. Much better mileage without the trailer & headwind - 21.4MPG.</p><p>Much cooler than yesterday. At 2:45 is is already down to 58°F and the clouds are moving in. It is still windy enough to need a jacket. My weather app says it is raining, but it isn't. I was hoping to get some nighttime star photos since the campground is well isolated from city lights, but unless we get a clear night it isn't going to happen. Even the usual great sunsets haven't happened.</p><p>Dinner was a Country Kitchen Chicken Pot Pie. First time - "Delicious Eats by Kardea Brown." Strange cooking instructions - "Place in a room temperature oven, set oven for 350°F, and bake for 40 minutes." It took an additional 10 minutes to reach the required 165°F, and one pie provides 3/4 of the daily sodium limit, but it was edible.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-87193105923911973382024-02-27T18:55:00.002-05:002024-02-27T19:45:02.659-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 135<p>Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, NM - 31.2 Miles, 4,192.1 Miles for the trip </p><p>Another windy day with 28MPH wind & 53MPH gusts. Most of the drive was into the wind - I averaged 10.3MPG for the trip. For the first time I had problems setting up the trailer - a wind gust caught it at the same time I unhooked from the truck & twisted the trailer enough to change the side to side levels on the Anderson levelers. I had to hook up again, level the trailer, and without a wind gust it worked OK.</p><p>I'm in site 1, also called Bootes (the dry sites among the rocks are named after constellations). This is my favorite site - fairly level and deep enough for both the trailer & truck. Good view & close to the bathrooms & visitor center. $13.00 per night ($10.00 per night + a $12.00 reservation fee) for a dry site on gravel with picnic table and grill. The only fault I can find with the site is the picnic table is anchored with a chain to the wrong side of the site for a trailer. Great for vans or class C's that pull in, but wrong for anything that backs in.</p><p>Be sure to arrive with empty black & gray tanks. If they have a dump station, I haven't found it. They do have a couple of water fill stations. A warning - the water is very soft. If you shower, expect to spend more time rinsing than washing!</p><p>Even with the sun & 62°F it is not a sit around outside day, even with big rocks shielding part of the site. According to my weather app, the wind is going to go down to the 12MPH - 15MPH for the rest of my 4 day stay.</p><p>Since I didn't do my morning walk at the Roadrunner RV Park, I turned it into an afternoon walk here. Still wind gusts that are almost strong enough to knock you down. As the volunteer at the visitor center noted, "at least there are no bugs!"</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMZaVGTsgqn7UYV3kvex3V0L4soOWIYVW0ez2_qxXTRgEW_6ZYWCIevIJWV1MpnpBg9E-MhJl3TTqv7jsppWzlVDzE5XwtstWzP3zfOgbrDb5Ycg4Pi2X6ciLHMkxPl96Ok9jfBcHeJd3F2V3ASzbqA0SP6KCE2rlXfl5feSXC8qSwv3rpg1cGIm2/s1000/JVZ_2745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMZaVGTsgqn7UYV3kvex3V0L4soOWIYVW0ez2_qxXTRgEW_6ZYWCIevIJWV1MpnpBg9E-MhJl3TTqv7jsppWzlVDzE5XwtstWzP3zfOgbrDb5Ycg4Pi2X6ciLHMkxPl96Ok9jfBcHeJd3F2V3ASzbqA0SP6KCE2rlXfl5feSXC8qSwv3rpg1cGIm2/w400-h266/JVZ_2745.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6VIRxsFzKbBRUHBYIed8Zf3tBgAyiQGzloC0DLXa9btq5We7n_dSnXYTexiRegcMsOLB5z3GWeozdce9UJog3lMK_6_qOCrXK1ohd1j6WwQjc2XH10uOC_xE2EqFf7IGleyZ6_VolyMVbOSvFAbAy8Dq0vfSWQGuwYPwhmHKj4lYgIb3yE83fUcL/s1000/JVZ_2746-Pano.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="1000" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6VIRxsFzKbBRUHBYIed8Zf3tBgAyiQGzloC0DLXa9btq5We7n_dSnXYTexiRegcMsOLB5z3GWeozdce9UJog3lMK_6_qOCrXK1ohd1j6WwQjc2XH10uOC_xE2EqFf7IGleyZ6_VolyMVbOSvFAbAy8Dq0vfSWQGuwYPwhmHKj4lYgIb3yE83fUcL/w400-h131/JVZ_2746-Pano.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the Campground Panorama</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsubHlTRBpPxkJgpfZllI5WcdCaEwwGmnghmdPTtrZInq81tvGbfr6S548XEOLFMNLDi7Li70W_9yVLZ-ckkR9bhAqLTKRq0sPdR-bXV8rrVP5e-zyMK3xnpn9ptvSySj_7IGNCbEuGfq4469p30RcNOtEnl89_lAc6foaeA9rk1OMnh0ktS7R-Ub/s1000/JVZ_2751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsubHlTRBpPxkJgpfZllI5WcdCaEwwGmnghmdPTtrZInq81tvGbfr6S548XEOLFMNLDi7Li70W_9yVLZ-ckkR9bhAqLTKRq0sPdR-bXV8rrVP5e-zyMK3xnpn9ptvSySj_7IGNCbEuGfq4469p30RcNOtEnl89_lAc6foaeA9rk1OMnh0ktS7R-Ub/w400-h266/JVZ_2751.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Group Area</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There is a large (4.1MB) version of the "More of the Campground Panorama" at <a href="https://lakeshoreimages.com/24trip/day135.html" target="_blank">today's LakeshoreImages page.</a></p><p>Dinner was an El Monterey Chicken Enchiladas Bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-18695192318498255462024-02-26T19:01:00.001-05:002024-02-26T19:01:35.051-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 134<p>Monday, February 26, 2024 - Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, NM, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 4,160.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>I mailed a singing birthday card to my friend Anne in Binghamton, NY. The post office insisted that it had to go as a package because it was too thick. I'm used to paying a bit extra to mail my talking or singing cards, but $5.55 is more than I expected. I could have overnighted it for $47.50, but passed that up. By the way, there is no overnight to Deming - a couple of years ago I had an overnight package sent to me & it took 3 days.</p><p>I discovered that one of my propane tanks was empty (I have them on auto switch over so I have to look under the cover for the red band on the regulator with an auto inspector mirror, so I first tried the place I'm staying in - they had a tank, but no certified operator. Went down the road to Tractor Supply, which almost always has propane, but not in Deming. They sent me to the Little Vineyard RV Park, which happens to be next door to the Roadrunner RV Park where I'm staying. No problem with the fill, although expensive at $3.96 a gallon. </p><p>No sitting outside - while at 74°F, it is warm enough, there is a steady wind of 20MPH with 33 MPH gusts blowing at the back of the trailer. By the way, the trains run closer to the RV park than at the Lordstown KOA, but they are not all that loud, and not that many of them. The road noise from I 10 is barely noticeable. Still, basically a parking lot with hookups.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSVQPTjXWIps3Ba4Kxlt4NtHxM1KmF9-eF89uS0-cMc6WTNMeyveibS7GCM65pjJEAL2lFjfubjfmIrnEWTV_NgzBrG2s-P9YUcnXhaIegmhKfbE-woYb0mbaaHCh2xJhwwdtxWYxCLmq2Kwz5ctOEvBQJ3FEMq8lp7aRHb0UOZ4bIS2fBOWgeaMy/s1000/IMG_3249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSVQPTjXWIps3Ba4Kxlt4NtHxM1KmF9-eF89uS0-cMc6WTNMeyveibS7GCM65pjJEAL2lFjfubjfmIrnEWTV_NgzBrG2s-P9YUcnXhaIegmhKfbE-woYb0mbaaHCh2xJhwwdtxWYxCLmq2Kwz5ctOEvBQJ3FEMq8lp7aRHb0UOZ4bIS2fBOWgeaMy/w400-h300/IMG_3249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 66, Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, nm</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The rest of the day was spent reading <i>Green Mars</i>, the second of three long books about the colonization of Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. I finished listening to <i>This Side of Brightness</i> by Colum McCann, and started Frederick Forsyth's audio book <i>The Veteran</i>.</p><p>Dinner was a Boston Market Sweet & Sour Chicken meal.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-78950162868335706052024-02-25T23:20:00.000-05:002024-02-25T23:20:17.982-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 133<p>Sunday, February 25, 2024 - Roadrunner RV Park, Deming, NM - 235.1 Miles, 4,160.9 Miles for the trip </p><p>The original plan was to stop for 2 nights at the Lordsburg KOA. I had reservations, and did stop, did 2 loads of laundry, and took a shower. Unfortunately, I have been having a bit of left arm pain and upset stomach (the stomach seems to be a permanent problem) and it was suggested that I make a stop at an emergency room to be sure it wasn't a heart attack. Probably should have called 911, but there isn't a hospital in Lordsburg, and there is one in Deming, 60 miles down the road. So, I packed up and ended up in the Roadrunner RV Park in Deming. I'm in site 66, a pull through with full hookups on gravel. $34.98 per night with tax. </p><p>I headed to the Deming emergency room around 5:00, got hooked up, donated multiple vials of blood, tested, and they determined that I do not have any heart problem. I have to say they had a very together team that had everything they needed to determine if I was having a heart attack in less than 5 minutes after I walked in the door (although they did a chest X-Ray an hour after I got there). Let's hope there is just one exciting day per trip & I've had mine. So, back to the RV park at 8:30. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8AtW203F-2EnhhKhlBw-vB-gvBBa_Si-ZOZWH6sBcgWxnUtK-vhnzMbyD5oUQfoNOEcWG_m9FqkoGrINYJ98hi20A17TqjKtn_W0MRSJAtPR1vxrzs96EVJ0oFPOHOCydNQ8mlEZegdxPJajLZM4dUhpM3LX027KP_JIbeS9YVnW-Qb59ZiHFEEb/s1000/IMG_3247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8AtW203F-2EnhhKhlBw-vB-gvBBa_Si-ZOZWH6sBcgWxnUtK-vhnzMbyD5oUQfoNOEcWG_m9FqkoGrINYJ98hi20A17TqjKtn_W0MRSJAtPR1vxrzs96EVJ0oFPOHOCydNQ8mlEZegdxPJajLZM4dUhpM3LX027KP_JIbeS9YVnW-Qb59ZiHFEEb/w400-h300/IMG_3247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site 21 at Lordsburg KOA</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'll post the site photo for Roadrunner tomorrow - while there is a full moon, it is a bit dark for site photos.</p><p>Dinner was a couple of chicken thighs & a salad.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-63626282205897675042024-02-24T19:34:00.001-05:002024-02-24T19:34:10.074-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 132<p>Saturday, February 24, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip </p><p>Last night I took a photo of the moon rising over the eastern mountains:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPGjTmUVH0QX2Nzr_3MG8KxHXA8VNjfcAS34YMF1C2IGcZz6tFHMEilR_xH660xpYRwqZVa3sNXbdyxmtH9t0kxGvd1l595cmlyoXh8YVA4e3eGezdw74uUKNWwV8kyoE-6CAfemMtESycC6tbtxLY86lzEOymUSGgjp-yXUkG_DoIxfr3FdZzCBz/s1000/JVZ_2733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPGjTmUVH0QX2Nzr_3MG8KxHXA8VNjfcAS34YMF1C2IGcZz6tFHMEilR_xH660xpYRwqZVa3sNXbdyxmtH9t0kxGvd1l595cmlyoXh8YVA4e3eGezdw74uUKNWwV8kyoE-6CAfemMtESycC6tbtxLY86lzEOymUSGgjp-yXUkG_DoIxfr3FdZzCBz/w400-h266/JVZ_2733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another quiet day; I didn't even drive out of the park. During my morning walk I went through the "B" section & found an Escape 17. As of this morning there are 2 Escape 21's, 2 Escape 19's and an Escape 17 in the park.</p><p>In the mid 70's, and a fair amount of overcast. I spent most of the day sitting outside reading. I did put away the grill and took down the sign, hummingbird wind chimes & the hummingbird feeder. I really believe that hummingbirds know who puts up the feeders. When ever I take one down while the hummingbirds are still active they fly to where the feeder was, look around, then fly over to me & get in my face. </p><p>That was all for the day. Dinner was a Benihana Hibachi Chicken Rice bowl.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649826185446046139.post-18306415778112318742024-02-23T19:36:00.001-05:002024-02-23T19:36:38.375-05:0023 - 24 Trip to the Southwest, Day 131<p>Friday, February 23, 2024 - Gilbert Ray County Park, Tucson, AZ, Day 4 - 0 Miles, 3,925.8 Miles for the trip </p><p>Not a lot going on today. I did make a trip to Allstate to get my new NY Proof of Insurance document for the next 6 months of auto insurance. There are a bunch of Allstate insurance locations in Tucson, so the last time I was here I put the nearest in my GPS to make it easier the next time I was here. Went to the GPS location & it is gone. I did find another one 13 miles away (and only 9 miles from Gilbert Ray) & put it in the GPS for next time.</p><p>A short stop at a Fry's for some supplies, then back to the trailer. There are signs all along the way telling you traffic tomorrow will be a zoo because of a "Special Event". I'll probably hang out in the park.</p><p>Dinner was a Butterball Turkey Burger & a salad.</p><p>Until Tomorrow -</p>Jon Vermilyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795574896967665840noreply@blogger.com0