Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.
April 1, 2016
I get up early to clear up the last bits, getting ready to hook-up and drive out.
Of course there are last minutes visitors to share coffee with; and we get on the road;
Heading east, with our aim on a park in Benson, AZ, tunes playing, we enjoy a sunny drive; with a stop in Eloy for a washroom break and to pick-up a bite to eat.
Temperature rises to about 78 F during the drive. As we approach Benson, it drops to 68 F.
Once set-up in the campground, the penny drops; we miss Happy Hour; Elaine ask me if I am playing pickleball today...
We come to the realization that we have really left our community.
I raise a glass to all the people that are having Happy Hour right now; or thinking about doing so.
We have entered Apache Country. The region that we so appreciated last year on our way back home.
The sunset tricks the photographer to seize the moment.
While driving, I got to think about the people that we shared our time with.
I need to acknowledge the heroes, decorated or not, that we had the chance to rub elbow with, share happy times with, play with, talk and listen to. The men and women that, by duty, endured personal hardship in indescribable conditions for the protection of their country, their family and their comrades in action.
I salute you with respect.
April 2, 2015
On the way to Van Horn, TX
We are traveling in Cochise Country.
From Benson, AZ, we enter New Mexico; then cross into Texas. I figure we will be in Texas for another 2 days before we enter Mississippi; how is that for size?
Well, in Texas, everything is bigger.
During all of our travel today, we keep looking for dust devils; the micro dust storms that originate in the fields and desert along the road. They look like mini tornado, wavering from the ground up and traveling along; when they are close enough, you can see them start, a circle of dust on the ground, growing up and slimmer as they take strength. This time, we can only spot a few, here and there, mostly in the distance; usually at the bottom of a mountain.
Another phenomena we are observing today is mirages. Mainly in the low spots between mountains. It appears like water flowing in the valleys ahead of us. We could notice the same effect on the road.
I am always interested when we come across a feed lot: large fenced areas, equipped with feeding apparatus and shelters, where ranchers bring their cattle to live and be feed; by the numbers: I might be challenged by ranchers if I guesstimate in the thousands. Need to come out west to see this!
We come across a continental divide at an altitude of 4,585 ft.
And a crossing into another time zone, the Central time zone; now just an hour behind Toronto and New York.
A cool, comfortable day at around 64ºF most of the day.
April 5, 2016-Tuesday
We have covered about 1,700 miles since we left Yuma last Friday.
From Yuma, AZ to Benson, AZ (~300 miles); to Van Horn, TX (~376 miles); to our friendly Walmart in Kerville, TX (~376 miles); to Beaumont, TX (~360 miles); to Beloxi, AL (~336 miles).
We are staying in a nice park, with easy access from the highway.
Last night, in Beaumont, we stayed in a park that we visited 2 years ago. Very nice; we had a swim before dinner. We intend to return.
The temperature most days has been in the 75ºF range; today, it reached the low 80"s.
The state of Texas has taken the most time to cross so far; I would estimate over 900 miles.
While driving into mid Texas, we started seeing colourful flowers along the road and in the median; I remember making this remark before when we traveled through here; a mix of pink, red, yellow and purple. Then a while later, the colour coral added to it. What a peaceful scenery to follow for miles and miles.
Louisiana we remember for its infamous bumpy road on I 10; we were again surprised by the bridge system built over the bayou. 18 miles of two lane bridges, running separately for both directions, built on pylons in the swamps of Louisiana. Very unique.
Elaine is doing an excellent job of finding and setting-up park reservations.
Tomorrow, we have approximately 250 miles to go, to reach Fountain, FL.
We are booked there for 6 days; we will regroup after that.
Fountain is located about 30 miles from Panama City, FL, where we intend to spend some time on the beach and at some familiar places that we know from our past stays in the area.
April 1, 2016
I get up early to clear up the last bits, getting ready to hook-up and drive out.
Of course there are last minutes visitors to share coffee with; and we get on the road;
Heading east, with our aim on a park in Benson, AZ, tunes playing, we enjoy a sunny drive; with a stop in Eloy for a washroom break and to pick-up a bite to eat.
Temperature rises to about 78 F during the drive. As we approach Benson, it drops to 68 F.
Once set-up in the campground, the penny drops; we miss Happy Hour; Elaine ask me if I am playing pickleball today...
We come to the realization that we have really left our community.
I raise a glass to all the people that are having Happy Hour right now; or thinking about doing so.
We have entered Apache Country. The region that we so appreciated last year on our way back home.
The sunset tricks the photographer to seize the moment.
While driving, I got to think about the people that we shared our time with.
I need to acknowledge the heroes, decorated or not, that we had the chance to rub elbow with, share happy times with, play with, talk and listen to. The men and women that, by duty, endured personal hardship in indescribable conditions for the protection of their country, their family and their comrades in action.
I salute you with respect.
April 2, 2015
On the way to Van Horn, TXWe are traveling in Cochise Country.
From Benson, AZ, we enter New Mexico; then cross into Texas. I figure we will be in Texas for another 2 days before we enter Mississippi; how is that for size?
Well, in Texas, everything is bigger.
During all of our travel today, we keep looking for dust devils; the micro dust storms that originate in the fields and desert along the road. They look like mini tornado, wavering from the ground up and traveling along; when they are close enough, you can see them start, a circle of dust on the ground, growing up and slimmer as they take strength. This time, we can only spot a few, here and there, mostly in the distance; usually at the bottom of a mountain.
Another phenomena we are observing today is mirages. Mainly in the low spots between mountains. It appears like water flowing in the valleys ahead of us. We could notice the same effect on the road.
 |
| Cattle feed lot |
I am always interested when we come across a feed lot: large fenced areas, equipped with feeding apparatus and shelters, where ranchers bring their cattle to live and be feed; by the numbers: I might be challenged by ranchers if I guesstimate in the thousands. Need to come out west to see this!
We come across a continental divide at an altitude of 4,585 ft.
And a crossing into another time zone, the Central time zone; now just an hour behind Toronto and New York.
A cool, comfortable day at around 64ºF most of the day.
April 5, 2016-Tuesday
We have covered about 1,700 miles since we left Yuma last Friday.
From Yuma, AZ to Benson, AZ (~300 miles); to Van Horn, TX (~376 miles); to our friendly Walmart in Kerville, TX (~376 miles); to Beaumont, TX (~360 miles); to Beloxi, AL (~336 miles).
We are staying in a nice park, with easy access from the highway.
Last night, in Beaumont, we stayed in a park that we visited 2 years ago. Very nice; we had a swim before dinner. We intend to return.
The temperature most days has been in the 75ºF range; today, it reached the low 80"s.
The state of Texas has taken the most time to cross so far; I would estimate over 900 miles.
While driving into mid Texas, we started seeing colourful flowers along the road and in the median; I remember making this remark before when we traveled through here; a mix of pink, red, yellow and purple. Then a while later, the colour coral added to it. What a peaceful scenery to follow for miles and miles.
Louisiana we remember for its infamous bumpy road on I 10; we were again surprised by the bridge system built over the bayou. 18 miles of two lane bridges, running separately for both directions, built on pylons in the swamps of Louisiana. Very unique.
Elaine is doing an excellent job of finding and setting-up park reservations.
Tomorrow, we have approximately 250 miles to go, to reach Fountain, FL.We are booked there for 6 days; we will regroup after that.
Fountain is located about 30 miles from Panama City, FL, where we intend to spend some time on the beach and at some familiar places that we know from our past stays in the area.
