Off again today into a new state, Arkansas. We drove for not too long today, just a few hours, but most of it was freeway. Mike prefers not to drive on the interstates if he can help it as he likes to see things along his route (old boarded up towns?), I on the other hand like to get where we are going in the shortest possible time whether it’s along the freeway or not. As you can imagine we have had more than one disagreement about this. Anyway, today Nell took us along the I30 Almost all the way, and then we had to drive just a dozen miles into Ashdown and the campsite we are staying at for the next two nights. We got checked in and we escorted to our site; there are two separate areas here and we are in the one way in the back. There are only two other trailers back here with us; maybe the guy checking us in figured we would make too much noise to be around other people!





We took a drive back into Ashdown proper this afternoon. It’s a cute little town, especially the drive from the campground to town. There are some nice houses on really pretty lots along the road, the only problem is it smells a lot like sewer. After getting some food for the evening we went back to the trailer so ike could do some more booking; we are now booked in to San Diego through the middle of December; yeah, I’m excited about being back in America’s Finest City.

Mike: I'm looking for Bill Clinton, is he here?
M

It's exactly 18 months ago today that we finished work and headed out on the road. It surely doesn't feel like that long but I guess taking off 7 months in the middle there has something to do with that. We have definitely visited a bunch of states (39 at last count) and yet we have seen so little of this country. I think we could probably zig zag across the US for the next 10 years and still not see a fraction of what's out there. We are still enjoying the trip, most days anyway, and don't see stopping in one place just yet.



Mike left me in bed this morning and went off to get a new rim and get the tyre fixed; I had a nice little bit of me time while he was gone. He was really pleased when he got back that everything was taken care of and we have a spare tyre again now. While I got caught up with the blog that I have been seriously neglecting he did some other chores that he's been putting off. A very exciting and productive day all round.

Mike: Man to labor in the fields, UG!

After talking to the folks and the puppies this morning we went for a drive. First we went into Whitney which is a nice little town although since it was Sunday today everything was closed, and then we went to Hillsboro which is a town of over 8000 people but there was not a lot going on there either - maybe it's because the Cowboys were playing today that everywhere was deserted. Mike went inside a Tractor Supply store today for the first time and I think he has discovered his new favourite place, I hope he doesn't want to stop at everyone we see cos they are everywhere.
We tried to eat in Hillsboro but all the Mexicans were either closed down or closed for the day so we headed back to Whitney and ate there at a nice little place before stopping at the grocery store. About the only things we bought at the store were ice-cream and cookies - I'm going to feel really bad about it in the morning!

Mike: I want a tractor so I can go to the tractor store more often!

We had a long drive today all along the freeway but we decided to follow the Thousand Trails directions rather than listen to Nell until she sorts herself out, we don’t want anymore Texas streets. We were on the road over 5 hours with just a few bathroom and gas stops and there wasn’t a whole lot to see. We did pass a lot of shopping areas which gave Mike the opportunity to flip off Target on numerous occasions which was quite amusing. He no longer likes that store since while we were in Louisiana they wanted to swipe his driver’s license when we tried to buy beer, and they also wanted to do the same thing when we had to return a lamp shade. I can’t imagine why they need to swipe it for a return of non-alcoholic stuff but Mike wasn’t being parted from his license and so now he’s boycotting Target.
We got to the campground after 2; it was really easy to find for a change. It’s a huge park with lots of private sites that are surrounded by trees. We have TV, internet and cell phone service, and there’s an ice-cream shop at the entrance to the park – life is good!

Mike: Target sucks! Yeah Walmart!

I felt much better this morning than I did yesterday morning, maybe because last night I actually got some sleep. The night before I think I finally got to sleep around 5am as it was so bloody windy; I felt sure that the awning was going to be missing by the morning as the wind was really blowing. It would be all calm and quiet and then there was this noise like a train coming through the trees just before the trailer would rock and roll and the awning would rattle. It was horrible, and I’m sure Mike would agree with me as to how bad it was if only he had been awake!
We decided to do a little shopping today and we both managed to get some cold weather clothes for when we get back to San Diego. We actually might get to use them here, especially first thing in the mornings, as it’s been down in the mid 30’s the last couple of nights – I hope the deer are keeping warm. Despite the cold mornings the afternoons are beautiful so this p.m. we paid a visit to Lake Medina; the water level is ridiculously low here too, but the deer and the cows are abundant. We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting out under the awning conversing with the deer and roadrunner before we hitched up the trailer ready to leave in the morning. Several of the deer wanted to get up close and personal with Mike while he was working around the side of the trailer, he got goosed in the behind and they were really interested in what he was keeping in the side door.

Mike: Nosey little buggers!

On the drive in yesterday we passed a Batteries Plus and so this morning we drove back there for them to take another look at the batteries for Mikes tool set; turns out the batteries have had it and to have them rebuilt will be $55.00 a piece. As a new tool set is the same price we headed for Harbor Freight and picked one up – and it was on sale – so now Mike has no excuse for not taking care of any repairs in the trailer.
After taking care of business we drove into San Antonio. For such a big city there was hardly any traffic, we parked really easily, and there were very few people walking about the streets. The first place we went to when we got there was the Alamo. Here I learned how, in 1836, 200 men (including one from Wales) defended the mission for 13 days from General Santa Anna and his troops. All the men were killed, either during the fighting or by execution, including Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Commander Travis but not John Wayne! There is so much historic significance at the Alamo but it’s hard to imagine the battle that took place there. It is a simple stone structure with beautiful tended gardens – hard to believe that this area played such a big part in the formation of Texas.






After leaving the Alamo we took a stroll along the River Walk which was a little disappointing. It was pretty, but I was expecting cool little shops along the riverbank, but it was almost entirely restaurants. Also a lot of the paths were closed off for renovations so we had to keep going back up to street level to get around the construction. It would have been nicer if there had been places to sit along the river other than on a restaurant patio. At least it was quiet, I can only imagine how chaotic it gets during the summer.

Mike: San Antonio is just another big city!

On the road again today to go to the next place. We got an early start even though we didn’t have far to go. Mike gets up early anyway and we seem to have the packing up down to a fine art now so from the time I get out of bed till we are on the road only takes about an hour, even when I have to clean the loo.
On the way out of the park I finally took a picture of the cows that we have passed everyday, the ones with the headgear. I’m not sure why they have these things wrapped around their heads, maybe to keep their horns on?



We headed straight west, through San Antonio and into Hill Country. The drive was ok, mostly along the freeway until we started heading north, then the roads became a little narrow and less busy. We were following Nell’s directions and had just made a turn when a truck waved for us to stop. He asked us if we were going to Thousand Trails and suggested we find a different route than where Nell was taking us as he claimed driving along Texas Street would ‘wreck our rig’. I thought maybe he was exaggerating but assumed he had a good reason for us not going that route so we followed his directions. When we got to the Thousand Trails entrance we saw down Texas and I am so glad we listened to the lovely man; it was basically a dirt track with more holes and ruts in it than anything I have seen – what was Nell thinking?
We checked in with the ranger and drove around the park looking for a spot. It’s not a bad place, right on Medina Lake, with lots of space and lots of room between spots. There’s also lots of deer, they are everywhere. We finally settled on a space and got set up, with the deer watching every move. Each time I went in a bag or rustled something they would get a little closer – I think maybe some folks have been feeding them!






After we were done Mike tried to tune in the TV. Turns out we have 2 channels, no internet and my phone only works if I stand just so with one leg in the air – it’s going to be a long four days.
To get over the disappointment of no connection to the outside world we took a drive and ended up visiting Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World. It was a very cool place, cool buildings and lots of dude ranches.

Mike:These deer are really "cheeky", they'll pick your pocket if you let them!