Tuesday April 7…10:00pm
We woke up early, but stayed at the Leesville, Louisiana Walmart until about 9:00am taking advantage of a good internet connection.
Drove about 128 miles (206 kms) today, and made it across the mighty Mississippi River to Natchez, Mississippi.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Leesville, Louisiana
Monday April 6…11:00pm
Had a great nights sleep at the Walmart in Livingston, Texas. Left there early and headed towards Louisiana.
We made a minor detour to the Leesville Lake Reservoir State Park in Louisiana. Actually, it was a really nice spot, and we paid the $2 US entrance fee for the day use area. Too bad it was such a windy day again, but we still managed a nice walk on their nature trails and still enjoyed a blue sky day. Found a little turtle…he sure didn’t seem like he wanted his picture taken, but at least we didn’t step on him!
Had a great nights sleep at the Walmart in Livingston, Texas. Left there early and headed towards Louisiana.
We made a minor detour to the Leesville Lake Reservoir State Park in Louisiana. Actually, it was a really nice spot, and we paid the $2 US entrance fee for the day use area. Too bad it was such a windy day again, but we still managed a nice walk on their nature trails and still enjoyed a blue sky day. Found a little turtle…he sure didn’t seem like he wanted his picture taken, but at least we didn’t step on him!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Livingston, Texas
Sunday April 5…10:30pm
Got up early and stopped for internet before leaving Victoria. When we did leave, it became fairly windy. It was a strong cross wind, and I really had to hang onto the steering wheel at times.
Very boring scenery until we got to Houston. We decided to take the toll road that rings around Houston, but even on a Sunday it was fairly busy. Reminded me again of why I will never live in a really big city like that.
Got up early and stopped for internet before leaving Victoria. When we did leave, it became fairly windy. It was a strong cross wind, and I really had to hang onto the steering wheel at times.
Very boring scenery until we got to Houston. We decided to take the toll road that rings around Houston, but even on a Sunday it was fairly busy. Reminded me again of why I will never live in a really big city like that.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Victoria, Texas
Saturday April 4…10:45pm
Well we got up in time for the sunrise this morning, but it was too cloudy on the horizon!
We got an early start, and were on the road by 7:30am. Once we got off South Padre Island, Highway 77 is 4 lanes, with a 70 mph (113 kmh) speed limit in most sections. We only do 55 mph (90 kmh) at the most though, and that’s what I had the cruise control set at for much of the day. The road surface was near perfect (especially compared to Mexican highways!), and with Sherman’s new suspension, tires, and wheel alignment it was a very comfortable drive.
Well we got up in time for the sunrise this morning, but it was too cloudy on the horizon!
We got an early start, and were on the road by 7:30am. Once we got off South Padre Island, Highway 77 is 4 lanes, with a 70 mph (113 kmh) speed limit in most sections. We only do 55 mph (90 kmh) at the most though, and that’s what I had the cruise control set at for much of the day. The road surface was near perfect (especially compared to Mexican highways!), and with Sherman’s new suspension, tires, and wheel alignment it was a very comfortable drive.
Friday, April 3, 2009
South Padre Island (day 2)
Friday April 3…10:15pm
We planned on waking up in time for the sunrise, but we missed it by ten minutes!
We walked Whiskey on the beach, and then Bill and Bonnie came over for pancakes mid morning.
We planned on waking up in time for the sunrise, but we missed it by ten minutes!
We walked Whiskey on the beach, and then Bill and Bonnie came over for pancakes mid morning.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
South Padre Island
Thursday April 2…midnight
We made it to the suspension and alignment shop at about 8:00am. They got to work right away, and we sat in the motorhome while they worked.
We made it to the suspension and alignment shop at about 8:00am. They got to work right away, and we sat in the motorhome while they worked.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mercedes, Texas (day 3)
Wednesday April 1… 10:30pm
Made it to the Goodyear Tire Center in Weslaco, just about 7 miles from the RV park, at about 9:30am, and it was almost 1pm by the time we had two tires installed and one wheel moved from front to back. To be fair, I had said we weren’t in a rush and to look after anybody else first, and they were pretty busy.
Made it to the Goodyear Tire Center in Weslaco, just about 7 miles from the RV park, at about 9:30am, and it was almost 1pm by the time we had two tires installed and one wheel moved from front to back. To be fair, I had said we weren’t in a rush and to look after anybody else first, and they were pretty busy.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mercedes, Texas (day 2)
Tuesday March 31…11:00pm
I spent most of the day researching my tires on the internet. The size for our motorhome is a 7.50R16, which is an oddball size that is very difficult to get. There is a comparable size in the newer metric standard, P235/85R16, but most sources mentioned that they are slightly wider and will possibly touch the sidewalls of each other on the rear. I finally found some trustworthy info that said it would be okay to use the slightly narrower P215/85R16 and the local Goodyear dealer confirmed that this is the way to go. So I have an appointment to bring it in tomorrow morning at 9:30am. Then on Thursday, I will get new springs and a wheel alignment on the front end.
I spent most of the day researching my tires on the internet. The size for our motorhome is a 7.50R16, which is an oddball size that is very difficult to get. There is a comparable size in the newer metric standard, P235/85R16, but most sources mentioned that they are slightly wider and will possibly touch the sidewalls of each other on the rear. I finally found some trustworthy info that said it would be okay to use the slightly narrower P215/85R16 and the local Goodyear dealer confirmed that this is the way to go. So I have an appointment to bring it in tomorrow morning at 9:30am. Then on Thursday, I will get new springs and a wheel alignment on the front end.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Back in the USA!
Monday March 30…11:30pm
What a day!
We left Allende at about 8am, and headed towards the border at Reynosa. Leaving Allende, we had to go north towards a toll road that would take us away from the outskirts of Monterrey. As is usual in Mexico, there is a choice between the toll road or the free road in the same basic direction.
What a day!
We left Allende at about 8am, and headed towards the border at Reynosa. Leaving Allende, we had to go north towards a toll road that would take us away from the outskirts of Monterrey. As is usual in Mexico, there is a choice between the toll road or the free road in the same basic direction.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Allende, just outside of Monterrey
Sunday March 29…9:45pm
We left Matehuala at about 8:15am, and drove north on the Mex 57 highway. This is a four lane highway, through a desert area. For the most part, it was in good condition, and we averaged 80 kmh (50 mph). Lots of truck traffic, but because it was a Sunday morning it was pretty quiet otherwise.
We left Matehuala at about 8:15am, and drove north on the Mex 57 highway. This is a four lane highway, through a desert area. For the most part, it was in good condition, and we averaged 80 kmh (50 mph). Lots of truck traffic, but because it was a Sunday morning it was pretty quiet otherwise.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Matehuala (Real de Catorce)
Saturday March 28…9:30pm
We had set the alarm for 6am, and got up at that time.
Had a quick breakfast and coffee, took Whiskey for a short stroll before leaving her in the motorhome for the day, and actually made it to the front office by 7am. There was a different person there, and we asked if he could call us a taxi. He got on the phone, and less than five minutes later, a taxi arrived. It cost 40 pesos ($3.60 CAN, $3.00 US) for the ride to the central bus terminal.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Matehuala
Friday March 27…10:00pm
We were up before 7am, and Ruth went to make sure Alejandra and her son Antonio were awake as well. They came to Sherman to have a coffee and juice with us before we left. Antonio was excited because we promised him a ride around the block in the motorhome. He has decided that his mother should sell the house and they should buy a camper!
We were up before 7am, and Ruth went to make sure Alejandra and her son Antonio were awake as well. They came to Sherman to have a coffee and juice with us before we left. Antonio was excited because we promised him a ride around the block in the motorhome. He has decided that his mother should sell the house and they should buy a camper!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Zacatecas (day 2)
Thursday March 26…9:00pm
Alejandra took us into Zacatecas on her way to work. She didn’t have to be in early this morning, so it was about 10am when we left her place. Then, she gave us a quick tour of the historical area before dropping us off at the entrance to the El Eden silver mine, which is very close to downtown.
Alejandra took us into Zacatecas on her way to work. She didn’t have to be in early this morning, so it was about 10am when we left her place. Then, she gave us a quick tour of the historical area before dropping us off at the entrance to the El Eden silver mine, which is very close to downtown.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Zacatecas
Wednesday March 25…11:30pm
We actually had a pretty good sleep parked at the Pemex gas station. We were expecting it to be a bit noisy because of the trucks that use their engine break on the hill going into town, but it wasn’t too bad at all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Just north of Jalpa
Tuesday March 24…8:30pm
We were up early again, before 7:00am. They filled the various swimming pools with fresh water, as they do every day, and Ruth and I went for a swim. The mineral hot springs water that they fill the pools with is a constant temperature of 39C (98F). You’d think that’s too hot for swimming in Mexico, but it feels just right, and it sure is easy to get into the water.
We were up early again, before 7:00am. They filled the various swimming pools with fresh water, as they do every day, and Ruth and I went for a swim. The mineral hot springs water that they fill the pools with is a constant temperature of 39C (98F). You’d think that’s too hot for swimming in Mexico, but it feels just right, and it sure is easy to get into the water.
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