Across Texas

This morning we were up at 6AM and on the road by 8AM.  Our goal was to be in Abilene by 4 PM.  Its 365 miles from Shreveport, LA and as the day before, the road (I-20) was for the most part a straight and mostly smooth road. Our goal is to average 55-60 MPH with trucks speeding by at 75…FUN!  Along the way, one could see in the Piney Woods section of the state the impact from the severe drought, as many sections of pine trees were dead.  As we headed West into the Prairies and Lakes section of the State around Dallas/Ft Worth, there were also many very large horse ranches with estate homes and gated entrances with their ranch name above them along the way.  Since it was Saturday morning, the traffic was good until we hit Dallas/Ft Worth area.  As we drove West into the Panhandle area, the land flattened and became slightly rolling with low hanging mesquite and oak trees.

While on the road, we were passed by a motorhome towing a car from South Dakota.  The wife was waving furiously at us and the driver honking….???  About an hour or so later we pulled into a rest area and parked next to the same motorhome.  On our way back from the restrooms, the driver pops out and says: “What’s the chance of having two couples from New Jersey in North Texas at the same rest stop?”  They are from Cranford, NJ.  Sold their business and home 5 yrs ago and now live in their motorhome full time.  They were heading to Phoenix area for the winter. They declare South Dakota as their official residence since there is no state taxes or other fees.  They visit once every 5 yrs to update their driver’s license.  We ran into them again at the next rest stop and found out that we are following the same route to AZ.  We talked about Alaska as they were there for 5 months in 2009 and we are on the waiting list for 2012 (WBCCI Caravan).  Harried tales….

We arrived Abilene about 3:30 pm and pulled into camp.  Met a farmer from Bismarck, SD in a huge motorhome who was heading to Phoenix area for the winter.  Said that South Dakota has been transformed with the discovery of the high quality crude oil with state impact expected for the next 40 years.   Good access to Internet tonight so will catch up.  Rain tonight.  Heading tomorrow to Van Horn, TX in the Big Bend area East of El Paso.