Marathon, Tx

Yesterday I spent the day getting familiar with the area. I went to a few galleries and then the Big Bend Museum. It is located at the university and they do a very good job. It shows the history of the area from before the spaniards got here. Very interesting and presented very well. I really enjoyed it.

Then I decided to drive to Marathon, it is 30 miles away and is a small village. It reminded me of Las Cruces when I was a child. A sleepy little village with cafe's and several art galleries. I enjoyed the drive over too. The area is a lot like southern NM and AZ. I could see for miles!!!

Tomorrow I have an appointment to have my truck looked at. It has not been the same since the last oil change.

Thursday is Big Bend Park day. I'm looking forward to it. I might book a raft trip.

Trip to Alpine Texas

I left Sweetwater early yesterday morning. The trip was uneventful, for a while. I saw a sign for Stanton, Tx that read: "Home of 3,000 friendly people and several old sore heads". I love this country! Then I drove thru Midland, Tx, home of President and Laura Bush. It is much larger than I thought.

I should have filled by gas tank before I left there as there is not another town for about 200 miles. Needless to say I ran out of fuel 19 miles from my destination. I called OnStar and since I had 1 gallon left they could not help me, I had to be completely out of gas. I stopped at a spot that looked safe to me. I was on a 2 lane highway and found a spot that had 4 lanes and I pulled over as far as I could. I then got ahold of a towing company and "they don't deliver fuel". By that time I was totally frustrated. I called the RV Park and they called the Highway Patrol and a very nice patrolman brought me 5 gallons of fuel. This took about 1 1/2 hours. I then limped into town and put $45 in so I could get to the park. It was a very hot frustrating afternnon.

Normally I get 300 miles to a tank when I have the trailer attached. This time I got 257. I went from 10-11 mpg to 8.3!!!! I have an appt tomorrow to have it checked out. This is NOT ok.

Even in the state I was in the area is beautiful. You come over a hill and there is a beautiful green valley. The rv park is very nice, the spaces are level and large enough to park your truck without sticking out in the driveway.

Today I'm going into town and checking it out. I just don't feel like driving for a long time today.

Abilene Tx

Wed. I went to Abilene to visit a girl I went to high school with. It was really good to see her and catch up. We met her husband for lunch at a Bells Chicken Rest. They serve family style and with your choice of meat you get corn, green beens, gravy and rolls. Plus it was all very good.

Then we went to Frontier Texas. It is a history of western Texas and they do a great job. I really enjoyed it. It gave a history of the Indians and how they were eliminated from the area. I was impressed that they did not sugar coat it. There were video images talking about their part in history. There are 2 rooms in the round that are very well done. I highly reccommend you see it, if you are in the area.

Sweetwater Tx

I left Oklahoma early Monday morning. I stopped and had my trailer and truck washed before I hit the road. I felt sad and glad at the same time. Sad to be leaving family but glad to be on the road again. I got here about 3pm. The manager and his wife came over to help me and show me where everything is. Some Elks Lodges have RV facilities and this is one of them.

Wed. they have hamburger night, for $5 you get hamburger w/fixings, fries, beens and a drink. Plus it was good.

Not sure where I will be next. I'm on my way to the Big Bend National Park in South Texas. I'm hoping the weather will be good (cooler) while there.

Eye,etc

I had cataract surgery on my right eye several weeks ago and today I went to the Dr and now I have an infection. So, I'm here for at least 1 more week. I am so ready to be on the road again.

This is very dissapointing news.

Tomorrow I'm going to Carnegie to visit one of my ex-sister-in-laws. She is very nice and I enjoy her company. Friday my sister-in-law and niece are coming up from Texas for a visit. We might take them to the fair.

I've been knitting and have a scarf started that incorporates beads in the pattern. It is not one that I can just sit and knit and watch tv or visit. I have to really concentrate on the pattern. This might be the only one I do. I think socks are next. I enjoy knitting them.

My sisters is doing very good with her new dog. He is a pleasure to be around and so funny. Such a clown!

Rain,etc

It is raining right now. I checked the weather on tv this am and they said NO rain for Ok city. Guess they did not look out the window. It is pouring. We are going to visit a friend, Crystal, in Tulsa. I hope we don't get rained on the whole way.

I've just been getting some loose ends taken care of. New glasses, new sewer hoses, truck serviced, etc. I'm planning a trip to southern Texas but I just checked the temp down there for the next month and it is still HOT. Not sure how long I will stay down there.

My niece and family are moving to Tucson soon. I thought I would find a park closer to them, but it looks like I might stay in Tucson longer than a few months. We will see.

My sister-in-law and niece are coming up next week end. That will be nice. We haven't seen them since the funeral. She seems to be getting along ok. She has a strong support group where she lives. She is quite active in her community and there are other widows in the group.

Branson

My sister and I went to Branson, Mo for a few days. We decided we needed a few fun days. It was a nice drive over and the hotel was nice. However, we discovered that they do not provide coffee pots in the rooms. :( Branson is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. Just 6200 population. But a lot to see.

We went to a time share presentation, for $100. Needles to say we did not buy. Then shopping and the Showboat. The show was good but the food was VERY good. Then home to bed. The next day we shopped and then went to see the Sons of the Pioneers. They were fabulous and the food was ok. They brought Sheryl up on stage for a bit. Naturally, I had left my camera back at the hotel. We did not take one picture.

Yesterday we left at 8am and took a back road to the 44. It was a very pretty but slow road. Got back home about 3pm and it was good to be home. Billie was on my lap as much as possible. Last night there was a storm that passed thru and I was worried, but my trailer did not even rock. Just wind and rain.

Today I'm tired and just unpacking and doing laundry.