Arkansas

After spending last night in OKC with Aunt Miche, we finished the drive today into Arkansas. Aunt Miche took the kids to the toy store and told them she would buy them whichever toy they wanted if Mom and Dad approved. There was much deciding and re-deciding before they walked out with a toy submarine being attacked by a giant squid and a sperm whale and a boat. They play well together.

It was great to see Miche and I hope she comes up to see us.

It was good to finally get out of the desert environment and back into something with rivers and elevation changes. I do like me some mountains. These in no way compare to the Pacific Northwest, but after Del Rio they are very nice. I bet it will be a beautiful Spring.

The RV park here at Monte Ne is our type of place. It is way out in the middle of nowhere. We have already seen a herd of deer 15 strong. WE are getting used to the fact that the campgrounds we like need and will tolerate a little customization. Cutting limbs, digging and piling dirt to get level, things like that. We don't like the neatly manicured, trimmed and tidied parks. We like it a little wilder and this one fits the bill nicely. I will try to post some pictures later.

There are some RV stores nearby too, that will help us get some little things fixed. We also need to wash IRV after the trip. Lots of things to do. But tonight, rest. It wasn't a long trip, but it was a trip and we earn a short recovery.

Abiline

Safely arrived in Abiline. No big hiccups. As usual, the first time packing everything after three months of sitting takes longer than expected. Then when we finally stopped, there was some extra adjustment as we remembered how the slide outs where supposed to go.

Something different this time though. I don't have that excited buzz about this trip yet. We will be seeing my sister tomorrow though and that will help. Seeing Mom again after such a long time will be awesome too. OK, now I'm getting excited.

There is another Open Range here in the park. I stopped and talked to the very friendly Frank who owned it. He bought it new in 2008 though it is a 2009 model. He is very happy with it. I have nothing but good things to say about them as well. He had a blowout today on the passenger side rear most wheel. He says he wouldn't even have known if someone driving along side hadn't told him. That is reassuring.

I am trying to remember to post some pictures of how I made my heated hose for anyone that is interested in that sort of thing.

A few notes about Abiline. The Denny's off I-20 on the East side is awful. Worst restaurant I have been to in years. That's saying something. Got a drink spilled on me, every order was wrong, bathroom was filthy. Just don't go. Also, the RV park...apparently there are only two. This one is 40 feet from I-20. Yup. I can almost tell you what brand of car just drove by, except so many are driving by together. Talk about noisy. Oh well. Adventure equals discomfort.

Bye Bye Del Rio

Tonight we prepare to head out of Del Rio TX. It is unusual here in that I worked mostly with the same other nurses. And, there were usually only three staff, one charge and a triage. I got to know these people better than I usually do and I grew to really like them.

I'll miss them.

Tomorrow, we are off to Abiline. Next day in OKC then on to Springdale for the next contract. Time to see if we remember how to move this pig.

1/23/12

Got the step ladder rigged back up to the ladder on the back of Irv. Rigged for travel. Air pressure checked in all the tires. Getting ready for more travel. The route is not difficult, but isn't very heavily populated. That means few RV parks along the way to choose from.

I got the cold weather hose rigged partially today. Stupid kit from Amazon. It comes with heat tape for a 25 foot hose and fiberglass insulation for a 17 foot hose and plastic wrap for a 50 foot hose. Great. Tomorrow I go to home depot and get something better. Gotta keep the hose from freezing. Hopefully it will work.

Max found a dime I left on the computer desk, picked it up and appropriated it for himself today. Then, after holding on to it for a while, he handed it to me and told me, "Here... Take this and go get something you want."

1/19/12

Got more stuff done today. Missed Sarah and the kids more too. Was whiling away the hours goofing off on the internet this evening when I heard what sounded like Satchel eating his food. But Satchel was sitting right behind me.

Every morning we find Satchel's water dish filled with mud. We knew from tracks and the occasional glimpse that it was a raccoon washing his food in Satchel's water dish. Water can be hard to find here in the desert. Tonight I managed to sneak the door open a little and watch what turned out to be two raccoons eating the dinner that Satchel left behind. I snuck back and grabbed my cell phone because Sarah has the good camera. I would have loved to have had the good camera. It didn't take long for the little guys to notice me. They seemed not to mind as long as I moved slowly and didn't come out too far. Satchel was a vibrating bundle of nerves right behind me, but to his credit, didn't move after I told him to sit.

1/18/12

Sarah and the kids are in Houston. It's lonely here.

I did manage to get some things done. Truck washed, work out done. Dishes, shopping. OK, so not too much really. I get more done with Sarah here. More chores tomorrow.

On the other hand, Sarah got a clean bill of health from the doctor and we are now officially done with the HAVE to do list prior to leaving. Free to go.

It's amazing how much better life is with your family around. I'm looking forward to spending some time closer to my Mom.

1-15-12

So, Michael went ahead and sped up the tooth extraction process by standing too close to a dancing Max. There was a head collision and a much looser tooth resulted. Last night he woke up and decided to work at it a bit. The result:




Starting the preliminary stages of organization for the trip to the next contract. Nothing big, just getting oil changed, donating unused stuff and so on. Ready for the next adventure. This one promises to be more consistently cold than we have had to deal with before. Should be another interesting adjustment.

I am going to start making more of an effort to record some of the crazy and fun things the kids do, just so we remember. In that vein, the other night Michael was sitting on the toilet just before the shower and invited Max to come 'pull my finger'. He seemed pretty impressed with the results. Stay classy kid.

Sarah is taking the boys to Houston again next week which leaves me alone here with Satchel. We have spent more time apart this contract than at any other time since we were married. Don't like. We work best when we are together. I can think of half a dozen couples right now who routinely spend days and weeks at a time apart from each other and I don't know how they do it. I'll miss them and count down the time until they return. Meanwhile, I'll try to take advantage of the relative calm to get a few things done.

I am considering changing the Adventure Nickel over to its own website instead of using blogger. Don't know if it will make a difference or not. I may try to grow it into something more than just a blog. Time will tell.