Day 7 Almost Home

WHERE ARE WE? Steele, North Dakota

Today we were tasked with traversing northern Nebraska, South Dakota, and half of North Dakota.  For anyone who has traveled this road you will agree with me that although the countryside is beautiful, it is not exciting at all.  There is not a lot of greenery yet either.  With a lot of it being rolling hills and pasture land, there are not much for farms or towns.  The towns we do pass by are the typical Dakotan towns with the round water tower that looks like a golf ball on a tee. 

There are lots of abandoned houses and farms along the way that show how the little guy can not exist anymore.  

So I put in my earpods and got a good book going on my Iphone and the miles just melted away.  Next thing I know I am 700 kms deep and just shaved a day off my trip.  This was my trip today.

I was beat after a big day of travel and when the sunset showed up in my rear view mirror and it meant that I didn't have to move off the couch, I couldn't resist.  Should be a short day tomorrow.  Good Nite!!

Day 6 Enjoying City Parks

WHERE ARE WE? Stapleton, Nebraska

Just a travelling day today. I put in my earphone and listened to a couple stories on Alaska Bush Pilots and that helped to pass the miles away.  The country is dry by the looks of it all the way up into Nebraska. Things are nice and green right now but if they don't get rain that could change.  We are far enough north now that some of the trees have no leaves yet.

Gas prices are starting to get back to where they were.  I stopped today where gas was $3.19 for cash.  A few days ago it was $3.79 so quite a difference.

We travelled a few more kms than usual today and ended up in a little town called Stapleton Nebraska.

They have a town park with 4 RV spots.  $15 for the night and that gets me power so I can run my little electric heater because it is going down to freezing tonight.  I should add that it was 30C this afternoon.

And the sun sets here just like everywhere else!!

Day 5 Red Dirt Country

WHERE ARE WE? Perryton Texas

Kinda got a late start this morning because I had forgotten that once I crossed into Texas we changed to Daylight Saving Time.  I went through all day yesterday without figuring it out until I realized this morning that the clocks in RRV didn't match my phone.  Duh!!!!  So we hit the road about 11 oclock.  It is a little bit windy today but it was behind me for the most part.  By the way it is my friend David McGill's birthday today.  We have known each other for 71 years!!!

We are in northern Texas and the land around here is red earth.  The red earth brings back memories of my younger years working in this part of the country.

They are talking about a bit of a drought in these parts this year and as we crossed a lot of rivers today I noticed not many with water in them.  Hope not because these guys grow a lot of crops here.

We are noticing that the price of gas is going down.  The lowest around these parts is right on my path today.  Most places are 3.59 to 3.79 but we found it for 3.19 at a Walmart.  About a $30 saving!!!  Good way to start the day.  

 We did go by a big dinosaur on the top of a hill.  There must be some bones around here somewhere!!

This was our route today.  Again a little over 400 kms.  2300 behind me and about 1700 to go. 

Got all parked up and sat in my chair with my feet up for a bit.  A body just needs to relax once in a while.  

I'm parked right under the water tower here and plugged in to power and yes, it is free again.  You gotta love all these city parks.  This one is called Whigham Park if your lookin.  And I managed to catch a sunset!!! Good Nite!!!

Day 4 With a Little Snow

WHERE ARE WE? Hamlin, TX

Woke up this morning with a pitter patter on the roof of RRV.  Because I had a long travel day yesterday, I had decided to get a late start this morning.  I needed to get some groceries and Walmart was right there so when there was a break in the shower I ran in to do some shopping.  

While I was in there I saw a sort of a memorial that said Uvalde Strong!!  So I got to looking closer and then I remembered what it was about. Here is what happened. On May 24, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States, where 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, a former student at the school, fatally shot 19 students and 2 teachers, while injuring 18 others. Ramos was killed 77 minutes after entering the classroom by law enforcement officers.  What a sad thing.  Anyway this guy jumps into the shot as I'm taking a picture.  We got to talking and he says the shooting about ripped the town apart, but after some time it brought it back together stronger than before.  He told me to call him Hippie because he rode a Harley most of his life and loved life like a hippie.  He had heard about our school tragedy in Canada and said it really hit home around here.  He shook my hand and we carried on.  Americans are wonderful people!!  

While I was shopping I was tempted to buy these and take them home, but I doubt they would make it in the heat.  

It was still fairly overcast and the wind had got up but I decided it was time to roll.  Might as well make a few miles today.

First thing was when I started RRV and looked down and this is what I saw!! My friend Patricia from Ontario will have something to say about it I'm sure!!! lol

So I headed over to the Murpheys to get some fuel.  Sounds like prices may start to come down today.

The scenery along the way was nice and green today along with some yellows of wheat crops almost ready for harvest.  It was a little windy today but I still made over 400 kms.

We went through a bit of high country and look what we ran into.  Yup that is snow beside the road.  What the heck!!!!

I found a little city park on I Overlander that has power and water sites at no charge for 1 night and because it will be a little bit chilly tonight that might be the answer so I can plug in my electric heater to take the edge off.  I know 9C is expected and for someone who has been in 30C for the last 6 months, it might be a little bit chilly for me.

I managed to catch a sunset tonight.  Good Nite!!!

Day 3 with the Birthday Boy!!!

WHERE ARE WE? Uvalde, Texas

My choice of spots to park last night was not the best.  I figured being in a hotel parking lot would not see lots of traffic but I was wrong.  And I was right beside the highway that has non stop truck traffic was on the other side of me.  All night long there were trucks roaring and beeping and phshing and sleep was not very good.  So I was up at 6 am and just got ready to leave.  As many of you know, I don't show many sunrise pictures so enjoy this one.  It is my birthday today so I may as well get at it!!!

Fueled up this morning with 2500 pesos worth to take me to my first stop in Texas where gas will be cheaper.  Funny thing is that I pulled up about ten minutes to 7 and the night shift was just washing up the area ready to go home and the morning shift guy was there already but he said he didn't start work till 7 so would I mind waiting.  Sure I said and he leaned on the back of RRV and we chatted as best we could with my minimal Spanish and his minimal English.  At 7 on the nose, the began fueling me.

And off down the road we went.  We passed some really beautiful mountainous country around Saltillo and Monterrey and the green grass showing was like a breath of fresh air.  There is nothing but manufacturing in the valleys with lots of new plants going up.  The economy can not be suffering down here at all. 

I arrived at the Mexican/USA border around noon and stopped to turn in my TIPs.  The nice lady was there was very efficient and withing 10 minutes I was headed up to US Customs. 

You now have to pay a toll to enter the border area

the Banjercito where you turn in the TIP

I was detained at the US border awaiting inspection.  I have been cautioned about various reasons I should be wary about the US border none of which I believe.   Well first thing was the big orange barrier that stopped me from entering.  They block off the entrance used for over 9 ft so that all the cars go through the detectors and they just make us tall boys wait until someone comes and moves the barricades.  (Big trucks have their own entrance).  2 minutes later I was at the window where the nice young lady wished me happy birthday and asked a couple questions and came on board and looked in the fridge. (which I had cleaned right out).  She then sat on the floor and spent a couple minutes petting and playing with Archie.  He loved her and licked her and I think made her day.  She handed back the passport and off we went.  

Had to pull up tight to barrier to allow trucks to pass behind me

They always keep things tight and windy at the border.

We headed north on #83 highway with the intentions of following it all the way home.  We are almost directly south of Brandon where we are right now and #83 takes us straight north to Manitoba.  Uvalde is my destination because there is a Walmart there to restock the fridge.  I can't get too carried away because I will have another border to cross in a few days.

Oh yes, I did go out for a Birthday supper at Jacks.  I didn't have steak as I had planned because they had a special on Chicken Fried Steak and a couple in the parking lot told me I should have it, so I did.  It was delicious!!!   By the way, thanks for all the Birthday wishes I received today.  I'm almost 72 years old!  Well I will be in another 365 days!!!

And back to familiar territory, (Walmart camping!!)  Early to bed after a bit longer, but great day.  Good Nite!!!