Summer Camping Adventures Part 2

Part 2 of our adventure, has us traveling from Caballo Lake State Park in NM to Springerville, AZ to stay for a few days in the same RV park as my parents.

On our way there we encountered a thunderstorm that dumped tons of rain and even some tiny hail on us. One town we drove through, Magdalena, New Mexico, had deep water running downhill at every intersection. They got enough of the tiny hail that it gathered on the ground and looked like snow. My picture is not good but maybe you can kinda see it.  Crazy!!

Once we arrived in Springerville, my parents were waiting for us. They helped us get the trailer backed in and we started to get it set up. But we had a little incident.  After getting it up on the leveling blocks on the driver side, LW went to unhook the hitch. When it came loose from the ball of the truck, the trailer rolled backward and sideways and fell off the leveling blocks. It bent one of our stabilizer jacks. It still works. It was a little scary, especially since mom was sitting inside the trailer to get out of the sun. But she was ok and the trailer is ok. Just another learning experience.

While here I have helped mom and dad with a few things, the boys played golf in Show Low AZ, we have played cards, gone out to eat, shopped, done laundry, and just enjoyed being with each other. I last saw them in January of 2019. We were scheduled to come visit in the summer of 2020 but had to cancel due to the pandemic, so it's been too long and a much needed visit.

We also did a balloon release in honor of what would have been my brothers 50th birthday.  (There's a post on FB about this release.)

Here are few things we saw in Springerville...a yard full of metal art, an old cemetery, and the historical village.

Wednesday we went to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.

Petrified wood

Petrified wood

Painted Desert Inn

See the petrified wood log up on the top?

Thursday morning we  pack up and head out for Williams Az on our way to the Grand Canyon.

Stay tuned for Part 3.

Summer Camping Adventures Part 1

The JnL Roadshow is on the road for the summer with our travel trailer.  Part one of our adventure found us staying at La Hacienda RV Resort in Lakeway as LW finished his school contract for this year.  Of course I spent my days in the pool!

On Thursday, June 24, we left La Hacienda and headed to Junction TX and the 10/83 RV Park.  The park is right off Interstate 10 and had easy access.  The spot we got was shaded and there was a terrific breeze.  We were  very close to the North Llano River.

On Friday we headed to Van Horn TX and the Wild West RV Park.  Since we are in West Texas desert country this park was very deserty.  Is that a word?  No shade, very hot but it was easy to get in and out of with the trailer.  While here we had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant called Chuy's (not connected to the Chuy's we know).  Inside the restaurant is the Madden Haul of Fame.  Supposedly John Madden stopped here and returns when he comes through West Texas.  There was a mural and a chair and tv reserved just for him.

On Saturday we arrived at Caballo Lake State Park in New Mexico.  We were very close to the Rio Grande River and could easily drive to Caballo Lake.  We actually put the kayaks in the lake for a bit but it was so windy it made it difficult to kayak.

Here are some of our views along the way.

Hang on for Part 2 coming soon!

Houston June 2021

 After leaving LB's house in Fort Worth, I drove to Houston to meet up with LW, who was attending a conference there.  After checking in, I found the pool while I waited for LW to finish for the day.

The next day while he finished up at the conference, I went exploring.

First I found Water Wall Park.

Next  I drove past the Beer Can House. Can you imagine having this house as your neighbor?  I guess there are no HOA rules about covering your house in beer cans.

Then I found these giant Beatles statues at a trailer food park but the gate was locked so I didn't get very good pictures.

Near there was Graffiti Building.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Last I went to the Houston Zoo.

After the zoo, it was time to pick up LW and head for home.

Camping Adventures of 2021

 This will be an ongoing post about our adventures with our new travel trailer. Follow us and enjoy our adventures.

New Year's Day saw us setting up at Sunset RV Park in Spicewood for a couple days trying to remember all that we were taught. The park host helped LW back the trailer into our site since it was his first time doing so. We got all set up and enjoyed the evening hanging out and doing nothing. The next day late in the afternoon we realized we had no hot water. The park host came to help but couldn't figure it out so we called technical assistance but still no luck. No big deal we can make.it one night without hot water. The trailer is 4 days old so we will return it to the dealer for them to solve the problem the next day. Unfortunately on Sunday when we pulled away we had no brake lights or turn signals on the trailer so we called our son to come over and follow us. We pulled over in Hudson Bend Middle School parking lot and called for a tow. 4 hours later the tow truck shows up but he brought a flat bed truck and no way of getting the trailer up there. So the decision was we would tow it to Crestview in Buda (where we bought it) while the tow truck follows with his lights and acts as an escort. Talk about a nerve-wracking 45 minutes drive! We left it for Crestview to figure out the problem.  The next weekend we went to Buda to get the trailer after they told us it was a fuse in the water heater. Ok supposedly all fixed and also a blown  fuse in the truck was why we had no lights. Didn't even know there was a fuse box in my truck that was related to the trailer. Good to know.  So we took it back to our storage spot. All good, right?

Me waiting on the tow truck for 4 hours

Hold on! On January 15 we head to the storage spot to hook up and head out to Lake Buchanan for the long weekend. We got the truck in position and found that the tongue jack will not raise or lower. We are not sure how to hitch it up if that doesn't work. Call technical assistance again. Someone failed to mention if the trailer will be sitting for an extended amount of time that we should unhook the battery. Not sure a week and half is considered extended amount of time but ok, good to know. Also found out there is a manual way to raise and lower tongue jack. Good to know! We finally get hooked up and on our way to Big Chief RV Resort outside Burnet on Lake Buchanan. Arriving after dark and hooking up by the light of powerful flashlight was a new experience but we did it and finally got something to eat around 8:30. On Sunday we find that it appears our toilet is blocked and we have no hot water again. Luckily there is a guy called Uncle Troy on site for just such issues and he helps LW with the toilet. But he can't figure out the problem with the water heater. We change the fuse thinking it might be that again but no luck. So Monday when we check out we head back to Crestview to leave it with them AGAIN! The following Saturday we pick it up and find out it had a bad electrical board which they replaced. So we took it back to the storage spot till we head out again.

The view 

On Tuesday January 26 we brought the trailer over to La Hacienda RV Resort in Lakeway for the week. It's only about 20 minutes from LW's school so I'm hanging out here while he works. As I sit here on Saturday night under the awning in 80 degree weather on the 30th of January, I'm reflecting on how this trip we have yet to have an issue. Fingers crossed!  Well we made it through a whole camping trip without an issue.  Thank goodness!  

 The trailer is safely stored at the storage spot until our next outing on February 12.  Until then...