Around the US in a Campervan

Palmetto SP (TX) to Tickfaw SP (LA)

Didn’t do quite so many miles as the previous two days. Took it relatively easy. We got a late start and didn’t get out of camp until almost 11:15am. We apparently sprung a slight leak in our black water tank and had to stop and make sure it was empty. We haven’t used it this trip since we’ve been staying in State Parks so much, but there was some cleaner and water from several test flushes when we bought the van. So we made sure it was empty and resolved to do some repair work at a later date. We also emptied the grey water tank and were going to fill up the fresh water tank, but the Palmetto SP water was sulfurous and pretty smelly and we really didn’t want that in our fresh water tank.

We hit Houston about 1:30 pm and all the mess that implies. Nasty construction everywhere! Cities like Houston are the reason I usually avoid interstates if at all possible. I was glad Jay was driving because it was pretty hairy.

Even though we weren’t making good time, we stopped at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Chuys. I learned to love Chuys when I lived in Austin, and they are a great local, TX chain. They only have restaurants in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas/Ft. Worth. It’s the home of the Chuychanga! It’s also the place where a coworker and I got quite tipsy during Happy Hour drinking frozen strawberry margaritas once-upon-a-time. Good times. Anyway, Jay wanted to know what all the fuss was about, so we stopped and ate waaaay too much for lunch. So much in fact, that we didn’t stop for dinner and kept driving to make up some time.

So we pulled into Tickfaw SP between Baton Rogue, LA and New Orleans, LA about 8:15. Miracle of miracles, LA state parks stay open (with an attendant) until 9pm, so we actually paid before camping for a change.

Tickfaw SP is a great SP. About 10 miles from I-10, so near enough to be convenient for an overnight stop, but secluded enough to be quiet. As usual, with state parks, there is lots of room between campsites and pretty good facilities. Jay loves the showers, although I still think Picacho SP in AZ was better. I’d definitely spend some more time in this park.

Continue reading →

River View RV Park (Texas) to Palmetto State Park (Texas)

Continuing the punishing drive to rescue the cat, we put in 490 miles today. Val contributed 20% of the driving time and 90% of the swearing time (She drove through San Antonio).

Continue reading →

Picacho Peak State Park (Arizona) to River View RV Park (Texas)

Day 15 – Our cat has sent word that she likes it at the Grandparents house more than at ours. (Something about wet cat-food, sleeping in the garage, and all the pets and attention she can handle.) We believe that the cat is being brainwashed, and must rescue her. For that reason, we have undertaken a speedy retreat to Florida. Today we drove a punishing 475 miles (171 out of Arizona, 164 through New Mexico, and 140 into Texas). We hit I-10, and just kept going….

Continue reading →

Leaving the Grand Canyon, we stopped at a museum for a guided tour of a typical original Pebloen ruin. Then we drove south in Arizona to Picacho Peak State Park. Over this (mostly downhill) drive, the van got the best MPG (16!) of the trip so far. Continue reading →

The Grand Canyon is impressive!

If you have a fast internet connection you can click below to see a large panoramic image:

Panoramic image of the Grand Canyon (2MB)

Albuquerque, NM to Grand Canyon, AZ

Today was not much but a lot of driving. We had a bit of a slow start since the radiator had frozen and we had to jump through some hoops to get it thawed and liquid again. It was bitterly cold in Albuquerque, which wasn’t usual at all. Yesterday it never got above freezing and the low was around 10.

Continue reading →

Last night and today were for family time. We stayed with Jay’s aunt and uncle and had a lovely visit with them. Then for dinner tonight, 3 of Jay’s other uncles drove up and we all had pizza for dinner at a great little pizza joint. Most of Jay’s family does some sort of “RV” travel and so they were all pretty keen to see the van and hear about our travels. I think I passed muster as the latest addition to the family. 😉

Jay’s Uncle Jim also had the best suggestion for the van yet: an electric blanket. He does a fair amount of RVing in cold weather areas. Jay and I both thought this was possibly the best idea for combating the cold weather yet and are going to stop on our way out of town to pick one up. Brilliant!

Lake Brantley SP to Roswell, NM to Santa Fe, NM to Albuquerque, NM

Before talking about anything else for today, I’ve got to state: today we had an adventure. So we’re driving out of Brantley Lakes state park just like we always do. Jay was driving and we had set the GPS up to take us north to Roswell. After looking at my (old fashion, incredibly non-gadgetty) traditional Rand McNalley map, I had assumed we would go back out to the main road and turn right. No big deal.

Continue reading →