Cline’s Corner, NM

We knew we would not want to drive seven hours to get through Albuquerque to the RV park we have used in the past. Options for stopping short of Albuquerque, yet get the mileage we need, are limited. Cline’s Corner is an area we have passed through, but thought it a bit rough. New owners have evidently turned that around. The travel center has been expanded and has considerable paved parking. We were interested in overnight camping and an online check looked promising. As it turns out they have recently redone the camping area. All roads are paved. All utilities are new. It is spartan, yes, but great for an overnight. Up at the travel center there is a restaurant and other services if needed.

We were listening to the Virginia Tech vs North Carolina football game that went into 6th overtime so we did not venture up to the travel center. By the way, the Hokies managed to win that game.

The over the air TV here is magnificent thanks to antennas on Sandia peak, so we are enjoying a nice overnight break before another long day on the road tomorrow. Verizon has four bars of LTE  service here, so internet is quite good.

We are on schedule so will take a down day in Winslow, AZ.

Olde Towne Cotton Gin, Quanah, TX

This was a brutal day’s drive. Going through Dallas is never fun, but today it was particularly bad. It took an hour to pass through on I-20 to I-635. We gave up on the plan to take 635 to 35E to 380 due to the number of wrecks making the interstate unbearably tied up. We cut across to 114 to 287. It made for a very long first driving shift for Barbara and poor Bella had to go a very long time before her potty break. There just wasn’t any good  place to pull the big rig over for a break until we reached Decatur, TX.

We arrived at our campground just at five and since we had pre-paid we were able to just pull into our site and setup. The office was still open checking in a young international couple in a rental RV, so I went in and picked up some ice cream as a reward for Barbara having such a rough drive this morning. I like those kinds of rewards because I get some too!

We have enjoyed stopping here several times now. The campground is on the site of an old cotton gin, and the main building that housed the gin is still here. It is now a nice social hall for guests. Even on the hottest days we have found the air flowing through the large open doors to cool the interior to a comfortable level. There is a nice pool out back, too.

Another six plus hour driving day is ahead tomorrow.

Longview, TX

It has been awhile, but we are on the road again. We are westbound headed to St George, UT to join the FMCA 4Wheelers for some jeeping fun.

For those reading that are looking for RV park information we can highly recommend our present stopping point. Just inside the Texas line westbound on I-20 is the Fernbrook RV Park in Longview, TX. It is two miles off the interstate and very quiet. The property is immaculate and the staff are wonderful. We are not unhooking the toad, so can’t say for sure, but it does not appear that there are any restaurants or shopping nearby. I am sure they are out there in the town of Longview, just not real close.

The Louisiana interstates continue to beat you up pretty bad, but they do seem to be working on improving I-10. Interstate 49 had some nice spots, but damn, most of it was like riding a hobby horse. We will be revisiting it next month as we return by way of Natchitoches for catfish etouffee at Momma’s Oyster House.

Gulf Coast RV Park, Beaumont, TX

After a wonderful few days with friends in Harper, TX over Labor Day Weekend we were back on the road and heading for Beaumont, TX. It was a long rainy day, but we were rewarded with a surprisingly nice park. Gulf Coast RV Park is a large, well-appointed, campground in Beaumont. After all the rain the area has had over the last few days it was nice to see all the sites are paved. Still, Bella managed to find the soggy parts of the dog park.

We have been having a hard time getting good information about the path of Tropical Storm Gordon. We know it is expected to cross over or near Gulfport, MS, which is our next stop on the way home. All indications are that it will have passed over Gulfport before morning. When we get up we will check the weather to ensure the winds will be conducive to travel, and also check to see that the campground at the Navy base will be open.

Route 66 RV Park, Edgewood, NM

Well, we had planned to try Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 59 to cut the corner from US 160 to US 191, but we had conflicting directions from multiple guidance sources. None of the GPS sources like Apple Maps, Google Maps and Garmin wanted us to use BIA 59, so we drove on by and found these three tools still could not agree on a route. We went with US 191 since the Carrier’s Atlas indicated it was the closest approved carrier route. All went well down to I-40 where we then headed eastbound.

Sadly, just east of Gallop, NM at the Continental Divide all traffic came to a stop, and stayed stopped for an hour. A semi had suffered a blowout, crossed the median and struck a westbound Greyhound bus. There were numerous fatalities and debris completely closed the westbound lanes. We saw many ambulances heading west and law enforcement and ambulances passed us eastbound. It also appeared that two police escorted school buses were used to transport the less severely injured to the Gallop hospital. We were fortunate to be near the front of the backup and were eventually on our way with lessened traffic due to the congestion behind us. It was a tragic day for those involved in the accident.

We arrived at Route 66 RV in Edgewood, NM an hour late, but happy to be in one piece.

Campground entrance as you approach from the west on Hwy 333

Typical western campground on the interstate. Roomy, with friendly folks.

Bayfield, CO

We have stopped for the night in Bayfield, CO on our way from Buena Vista to Monument Valley. The campground is a jewel just off US 160 as you approach Durango. Riverside RV Park is a bit more expensive than our usual Durango park, Alpen Rose, but is right on our route. The landscaping here is beautiful and there is a brook that circles through the park. 

Barbara was particularly taken by Al the pet Alpaca.

We met Fred and Joyce DiManno for a brief happy hour once they arrived. They are also members of the FMCA 4Wheelers and were at the Buena Vista rally with us. They live in Boulder City, NV and have come to Bayfield to spend two weeks with Habitat For Humanity.

We are just here for the night, but a longer stay would be nice if we decide to explore this part of Colorado.

Mary Murphy Mine and Pomeroy Lake

This is our last day of trails in Buena Vista, CO. We visited Pomeroy Lake and Mary Murphy Mine. It was another day spent between 11,000’ and 12,000’. I would like to say we have acclimated to the elevation, but we still need to take an occasional deep breath. Out resting heart rates have not yet returned to our sea level norm, and are still in the high eighties for the most part.

I wish we had pictures of Saint Elmo, CO. A few hardy souls still live in this town that once had a pobulaton of over two thousand mine workers. The general store sells antiques from the area, and more importantly, ice cream. There are about one hundred chipmunks, and one mean squirrel,  that hang out across from the general store waiting for handouts. The store sells little bags of nuts for a buck, good for the squirrels and good for the store. People literally have chipmunks climbing all over them to get the nuts. Barbara had a ball.

We have enjoyed our stay in Buena Vista and exploring the local area. Leadville was a nice treat, even if it was to take Barbara to the clinic to get medication for her continued eye irritation. If you get to Leadville be sure to visit the mining museum and have lunch at the Tennessee Pass Cafe. We are already planning next year’s return to this beautiful area.

Mine relics

Pomeroy Lake in the distance. We are having lunch at 12,000'.

Departing Pomeroy Lake overlook.

Approaching Mary Murphy Mine in the distance.

Returning from Mary Murphy Mine.

More mining relics.