The Trip Has Ended

At 11:50am, Jan 2, 2010, we arrived back at our semi-fixed location and the trip was officially over. The total mileage for this event was 2,623.7 consuming roughly 370 gallons of #2 diesel @ $995.00. Yes, boys & girls, that's about 7 miles per gallon. Not bad when you weigh close to 50,000 lbs and have the aerodynamic shape of a box car.

We didn't get to cache as much as we thought we might but we did manage to cross the 2700 number with a current find total of 2726.

We made one of the 10 "Must Do" trips for any RV-er and have a much better idea of how to plan a return trip. We really had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. I could have, however, done without the Toe Truck experience or the run-down battery episode.

I don't know if we'll ever get a chance to participate in the Burning Man but we know we can live on our own for a week or more without leaving much of a trace (except the holes in the desert when I buried the coach to the rear axle).

Dexter was ecstatic to be away from sticker burrs and scorpions and Tommy has pretty much rid the coach of "desert dust" by sweeping it out 3 or 4 times.

Next year for the Holidays, we'll be at the beach - probably at South Padre Island. The drive is shorter, we get to stay in Texas and the weather is warmer.

Attached are the final arrival photos. As we passed by DFW Airport, we caught a picture of an AA plane landing. This is not something we saw in the desert. The other photos show the gate opening of our Gated Community and our final parking spot behind the barrier chains. We welcome any comments, suggestions, or questions.

Happy New Year to each of you in 2010. We hope any of you who travel in this manner have safe and happy journeys.

Tommy & Austin with Dexter the Dog (AKA The TXCacheDogs)

New Year's Day - Traveling

We left Las Cruces and headed down IH-10 East towards El Paso and Texas. The morning was cold and our water lines were frozen but we had loaded up water the night before so the situation did not cause any concern.

It was a travel day - all day. I'm sorry to report that the only excitement was the brief stop in the US Border Patrol Inspection Station along IH-10 outside El Paso. We have some pictures of the process. Basically, they announce via signage that all lanes must exit into, and under, a huge sun shield / shed into 2 or 3 lanes of traffic where each vehicle is inspected by a group of officers. They have cameras monitoring you as you approach and I assume they select which are the target vehicles during the slow creep up to the stop sign and the uniformed officer. Some vehicles get a lot of questions and some get waved on. We got waved on with nary a word spoken. Dexter was hiding under a blanket in his bed and missed the whole thing.

From there we merged onto IH-20 near Van Horn, TX. We drove through Pecos (leaving the Mountains behind us), Odessa, Midland, and into Big Spring. Miles & miles of Texas. We are stopped at MM 191 in a Rest Area having dinner and posting this Blog entry. Most of the larger Texas Rest Areas have free Wi-Fi and this one is no exception. We'll grab a movie (DVD) after dinner and sleep until dawn. We have just 4.5 hours to go before home with one required fuel stop. I plan to visit the Flying J outside Abilene at Tye, TX. Flying J has special RV pumps separated fromthe cars and the commercial trucks. With their free RV Card, you get the cash price (even using a credit card) and a one cent per gallon discount. If we get started early (like 6:45am), we can be in Carrollton and home by Noon Saturday.

Of the photos, some show the last vestiges of the mountains as we left the El Paso area and moved onto a broad plateau. I also included a few shots of the US Border Patrol Inspection signs and of the process as we approached the checkpoint.

Thursday - Almost to Texas

The day started in Benson, AZ, where we spent the night after a good cache day. No sign of the RV Park Manager this morning nor his warnings about knocking over the water spigot. We made it out safely and without any mishap.

Just a few hours later, we were crossing into New Mexico and speeding on towards Las Cruces. We arrived at the Hacienda RV Resort just before 2pm. What a difference from the Pardners RV Park. Wide streets, a clearly marked entrance and an office staff that greeted us warmly. They even wanted to meet Dexter and we brought him in for a look. His day was made with a dog biscuit and we marveled in the differences between the 2 parks. Of course, Benson was 20 bucks and this place was 70. I guess money does buy happiness!

They parked us next to a high dollar Prevost nestled among 3 or 4 other Prevosts. Being 45 feet long got us a super site and added another 10 bucks to the bill. This is being posted via their complimentary Wi-Fi but then I guess we really paid for it.

So, the highlight of the afternoon and evening was the drive out to see Steve & Raymond and their new place at the foot of the Organ Mountain range. The Organ Mountains are part of the southern tip of the Rocky Mountain range that ends in El Paso just 20 miles down the road.

The mountains look close enough to touch from their backyard but they were still a mile away and about a mile higher. Raymond said their place was about 4300 feet above sea level and the top of the tallest peaks stretch nearly to 10,000 feet.

We spent several hours talking about our mutual experiences in Quartzsite and learning all about their terrific house. It is very energy efficient and built in a southwestern adobe style with a courtyard and 15 inch thick earth walls.

We sat in their living room watching the sunset and talking about how they found the place, how long the drive was to Dallas, and all manner of other topics that occurred to us at the time. It was too cold this time of year to spot any rattlesnakes or scorpions in the desert just feet out their back door.

We left there about 8pm and had dinner at an Appleby's near the RV Resort. We're doing laundry tonight and will head back into Texas in the morning.

There is a Border Patrol checkpoint about 15 miles down the Interstate where everyone is stopped for a brief search & questioning but we have passed through them before and it is a simple process. Even Dexter, who is half Chihuahua, rates only a passing glance

The only photos I have to post are a couple taken out the front windshield of the RV as we descended IH-10 into Las Cruces. They show the Organ Mountain range in the distance. Steve & Raymond live on the far side of Las Cruces at the foot of these mountains.

Wednesday - The Return Trip

We started early as planned after topping off the RV diesel tank ($125.38 - thank you) and heading East. The Garmin evidently didn't know we could bypass Phoenix via AZ 85 and IH-8 but we drove that way anyway. It was a good decision and part way down the road, the Garmin caught on and led us the rest of the way into Benson.

We stopped at the Pardner RV Park which turned out to be pretty small and nearly full of slightly decrepit trailers (the monthly rate was $195 - go figure). The Manager was helpful and the daily rate was $20 instead of the $24 listed on the web site. The Manager didn't seem to know what a web site (or the Internet for that matter) was so we didn't press the point.

We decided to try some caches in the roughly 90 minutes of daylight left and found TWELVE ! Benson is a hot and cache friendly place.

We ate at Reb's Cafe (where the food was edible but nothing to write about). Dexter got his obligatory evening walk and we're posting caches and writing this Blog before bedtime. It will be an easy drive from Benson to Las Cruces tomorrow. I think I have Steve & Raymond's number and their directions to the RV Park. We'll send an email and/or call when we hit town. We hope Las Cruces is as cache rich as Benson.

Our only photo is of the Benson,AZ, Welcome sign and a couple semi-decent cache picture.

Day 12 - Our last full day in Quartzsite, AZ

As is typical of our vacation time, the weather was near perfect on this last day and the forecast for the next few days is even better. It was near 70 today with no wind and bright sun. The next few days (through the weekend) promises mid 70's and similarly sunny days.

We spent the afternoon combing the Flea Market tents and seeing what was set up. The Main Event is not due for another couple weeks and it was clear that more & more vendors and visits are hitting the town. Attached are a few pictures of the various sights in a couple flea market spots.

For lunch, we can recommend the Best Mexican Food (yes, that's the name) as true to the Tex-Mex we are used to in Texas. Complimentary chips & salsa and a friendly wait staff with attentive service. They even had a special which Tommy ordered. Our total was only $19 and we were stuffed. The Ice Tea was clear and fresh. The food was hot on hot plates and the refills were also complimentary.

We have washed clothes and ourselves. The tanks are empty and full as required and tire pressures are good. We hit the road after topping with #2 diesel at the Shell truck stop around daybreak.

Raymond advised that trying to make it to Las Cruces in one day will be an effort. Dexter likes the breaks and we were going to stop in Tucson, AZ, then go on to Las Cruces the next day. In researching the places to stay, we saw that Tucson is very Anti-RV and has ordinances prohibiting them anywhere except at the Beaudry RV Park. We even read one report there a guy was hassled by the police in the middle of the day while stopped in a shopping mall to buy supplies and lunch. We decided not to patronize any town that dislikes us and our money so we're moving on to the the next town along I-10 at Benson, AZ. Arizona, in general, does not seem very RV friendly having closed almost half their rest areas and prohibiting RV's in almost every town unless you stay at one of the grossly overpriced RV Parks (I say grossly over-priced when they charge $38.95 to $49.90 for an overnight rest and parking spot). We figure $15 to $17 is fair for an overnight stop and $20 to $26 for a daily rate with 50 amp service and free Wi-Fi.

Anyway, it was fun in Quartzsite and we're marginally depressed to be heading home but happy that we had a good time and we'll see Steve & Raymond on Friday.

Happy New Year (a day early)

Day 11 - Monday Morning (Last Week)

The weather service was correct. Considerable cloudiness covered Quartzsite this Monday morning. It was overcast and cool when Dexter & I went for his walk. He wasted no time leaving a desert deposit and we went back to fix a Skillet Breakfast of eggs, bacon, peppers, onions, and potatoes. We decided today would be our travel day back into town and are picking up the campsite right now. I'll post some pictures later after we settle in at 88 Shades RV Park again.

The plan is still to depart Wednesday morning for points east and Las Cruces in one day.

Late Day Update -
We went to Parker, AZ, to grab some caches and see the new Wal*Mart. One of the caches was actually in Wyatt, CA, where Wyatt Earp spent some of his final days. Parker was okay but nothing worth the hour drive to get there and back. I think the generally overcast and gloomy day spooled our sunny outlook. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer. It will be our last day here in Quartzsite. The drive to Las Cruces is almost 8 hours and I am not sure if we can make it in one day or not. Dexter likes to stop along the way and it would be a solid 8 hours of driving to get there.

More Tomorrow

Day 10 - Sunday (after Christmas)

Hello again. We are really having a good time and I'll attempt not to complain but we have noticed a fairly typical pattern here in Quartzsite. It may be because they only have traffic for a few weeks each year and they need to milk the tourists or it may be that we are used to Texas hospitality which is lacking here in the desert. (or at least in Quartzsite).

The complaint is that they are very, very expensive for some items. Food and Restaurants come to mind 1st. Taco Mio at 130 East Main Street is today's lunch issue. We value good service and good value for our dollar. When we walked in, we thought it was a walk-up, order, and then sit down because no signs indicating otherwise were present and no hostess greeted us. While standing at the front counter looking at the menu board, a lady asked us if we wanted take-out or eat-in,. We said eat-in and she told us to be seated anywhere and she would wait on us. Success at sitting down.

The prices were typical for what we've found here for lunch - an average of $8.75 to $10.25 per person. Not bad but higher than what we typically encounter. The odd thing was she asked us if we wanted chips and salsa. That should have been the 1st clue. Chips & Salsa are almost always part of the Mexican dining experience. Chips & Salsa in Quartzsite were $1.99 and the refill was another $1.99. My iced tea was $1.85 and Tommy's coke was .99 - however, each refill was another increment of the same cost. When we got ready to pay and leave, Tommy had half of his food left and asked for a to-go box. The foam container was another $3.00 added to the the bill. Our lunch of $8.75 and $9.25 came out to $25.50 with the extras. It was tasty though.

We spent part of the day going through the exhibits in Tyson Wells across I-10 from Quartzsite where things seem to be starting to happen. I got a new watch battery and we bought some small trinkets. We looked at a lot of tools/hardware and kitchen goods as well as the usual flags, pennants, spinners, caps, and t-shirts. Rocks were everywhere and priced as if they were scarce. There are many nice things here but don't expect "rock bottom" prices. A set of nice Geode book-ends will set you back a thousand dollars.

Did we mention necklaces and beads? They are everywhere. If you want little drilled rocks on a fishing line, this is the place!

Only 5% of the shops, stalls, and tents are set up. The big event starts in the 2nd week of January so we only have the "first comers" to tour at this early date.

Traffic will be a nightmare when another 150,000 people arrive. The main street often has jams now and getting into the Pilot Truck stop or Love's or Shell is a wait for 15 minutes for a spot near a pump. I can't imagine when gridlock occurs how tempers stay under control. We were cut off at the Pilot by a lady who pushed in between Tommy in the Explorer and a truck being filled because he had about 3 feet of open space. She nosed in and never looked up.

However, the people at the tents are nice, parking is okay at the event tents. We are enjoying the area and the fun of being here. I just had to post some of the reality pieces so any of you that visit won't be caught off-guard.

Dexter is enjoying the desert and our evening walks. We have seen no snakes, scorpions or coyotes - yet. We have a nightly campfire and the RV systems are working great. It cools off at night but warms up in the sun early the next morning. It averages about 62 to 65 during the day and touches 40 at night.

Tuesday evening, we'll go back to town and stay at 88 Shades RV Park so we can do laundry, empty tanks, re-fill water, and take SHOWERS. The next morning, we'll head east through Phoenix to Las Cruces and a visit with Steve & Raymond.

More tomorrow.