Westward Ho 2015

Last stop Ho Hum RV Campground to a grand finale to a great adventure.

Westward Ho 2015

Oct 19 Spent a quiet night at Gulf Coast RV Resort in Beaumont TX. Passport America $20. Cement pads, very clean and nice people. After free breakfast this morning, we are heading to Hollywood Casino in Bay St Louis, MS for couple nights. We have noticed this Fall that most campgrounds are full at night so are pre-booking our stays. Something we haven't had to do as much in the past. Last night was last time Chuck and Ruby joined us. They are off to Baton Rouge for couple of days. We are all getting closer to our winter homes.

Oct 21st Great stop at Hollywood Casino in Bay St Louis. They had my favorite, Mr Cashman. I was surprised to find penny machines and I ended up ahead by $80. Fun time. Now on to Ho Hum in Carabella Beach. Looking forward to grilling fresh fish on the beach tonight.

Westward Ho 2015

SAN ANTONIO

Next stop Economy Inn RV Park, Ozona TX on our way east. Not much but okay for the night to rest. 

Then on to Pioneer River Resort, on the river in Bandera, TX to check out the 11th Street Bar and Grill.  Live band under the stars and Chuck & Ruby and Greg and Kathie were not disappointed. Ghost town with not much else to do but an interesting stop on the way to San Antonio.

While there we took our friends to Luckenboch, TX. Willie Nelson sings about and another fun stop for a cold beer. Couple pickers played songs including some by Willie Nelson while we enjoyed our beers outside. Always a fun stop. They still have big names entertaining there every month. Last weekend was Miranda Lambert. Gotta say "been there, done it"

 

 We stayed at Braunig Lake RV Park at the south end of San Antonio while we explored the Alamo, the Riverwalk and the history of the area.

Howl at the Moon

Westward Ho 2015

Oct 10

We continued south in New Mexico stopping at Boot Hill RV, Alamogarda NM for a fun stop. Chuck and Ruby’s RV broke down but they were lucky to find a knowledgeable repair service, excellent service from their extended warranty and a great little campground with the best burgers in NM nearby. 

We bought a saucer and headed into the sand dunes to sled. Whooohoo !

Oct 12 

We had such a fun day in Cloudcroft yesterday. Now we understand the endless hours George and Sandi have spent reshaping and remodeling their chalet in the mountain. It is beautiful. Kathie and I loved shopping in Cloudcroft and did luck out on some clothing and accessories. Lots of laughs, great food and great time with good friends. Now time to hit the road again. Heading to Bandera, Texas to dawn our cowboy hats and boots for a stomping good time.

Westward Ho 2015

When finished exploring the Grand Canyon, we have been getting our ‘kicks on Route 66’ in downtown Williams, AZ

An unscheduled stop in Gallup, New Mexico worked out great. After we arrived we zipped off to the local movie theater and watched 'Intern'. Lots of laughs. Then Sat. we got up and scooted down Rte 66 to do some errands and enjoy a late lunch at Jerry' Cafe. Line up at door the entire time there. Mexican food was worth the wait. Today we are moving in to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta.

We travelled east from the Grand Canyon on I-40 stopping at USA RV Park, Gallup NM on our way to the Balloon Festival. This was John and my third trip to the Balloon Festival but it was fun seeing it thru new experiences of Greg & Kathie and Chuck & Ruby. We stayed at the Leisure Mountain RV park which was adequate for touring the area. Nearby at Tijeras on old Route 66, Dept of Transport had put in a stretch of road with grooves that plays ‘America the Beautiful’ when you drove over it. We did hear it  clear as a bell and had to do u turns while driving back over it 8 times. What a hoot. This stretch was originally paid for by National Geographic.  We were up at 4 am to be on the road to the balloon festival for lift off at 6 am. Over 500 balloons took off all around us. Cold but totally amazing.  

Did some touring on the Turquoise Trail and found the town of Madrid where movie, Beer for My Horses was filmed in 2007. Part of ‘Wild Hogs’ where they were suppose to be in Illinois or Missouri the first night was also filmed here in 2014. Ate at Mine Shaft Tavern which was fun.

How wonderful that schools were out today for kids day at the Balloon Fiesta. When we got here at 6 am the fields were already filled with families. Then the squeals of delight filled the air as hundreds of their favorite characters rose above them looking down to enjoy their smiles.

Westward Ho 2015

From Bryce we headed west thru Kanah on Highway 89 through mountain country to Williams, Arizona where we booked in to the Grand Canyon Railway CG so we could tour the Grand Canyon.