On the Road to Fort Stockton

Up early for last-minute tasks before we head west.  Took dogs to Doc's for the week -- that took nearly two hours because I had to take each one separately with all the paraphernalia they'll need for a sleepover.  When Steve got home we finished the last few things on the to-do list and got rolling about 1:30.  Traveling through the hill country we couldn't believe the effects of the lack of rain, never seeing it this dry.  Most live oaks look okay, but cedars in many areas are turning what looks like a nice fall color.   It's hard to believe that rusty color means they are dead or dying.  Sorry for the poor quality of the picture.   I'm taking these as we're driving. 

In other places even cactus looks stressed.  Passing blackened areas grew all too common.  Carelessness the reason for fires, no doubt.  Temperatures wavered between 99 and 101 all the way. 

Crossed many creeks, now only chasms in the landscape, water substituted by stones.  Rivers, no longer flowing, reveal islands surrounded by shallow pools. 

We are guessing that the dozens of dead deer beside the road must have been searching for moisture and green vegetation.  It was so sad to see the once-magnificent animals with brittle hides stretched across bones bleached by the fiery sun.    Mesquite trees seem to suffer the least from the drought.  They remain green and fresh looking. 

As we venture west the rolling hills give way to flattened heights, a hint at mesas to come.   Upon these tabletops are the windmills, spinning in an endless ballet.  We call these Langoliers, because of the movie by the same name.   They give Steve the heebie-jeebies.  


 We pass miles and miles of rocky outcroppings and scrubby bushes, seemingly endless.  And I had to ask:  Who OWNS all this ?   And why ?   Periodically you'd see what obviously was a home, but I couldn't think of a reason to live out in the middle of all that.  

We arrived at the Fort Stockton RV Park at 6:30, unhooked the trailer, turned on the a/c, then headed to town.  A small Mexican restaurant found with good reviews on the internet was the destination for my birthday dinner.   Upon walking in the front door, the first thing you see is a wall full of pictures with people wearing a velvet sombrero.  I'm guessing they mentioned it was their birthday.  I was NOT going to tell them it was mine.   <grin>   The other thing you see at the front door is a sign that says "This is not a fast food restaurant.  If you do not want to wait 20 minutes for your food to be prepared, then you're in the wrong place."   It was worth the wait.   The service was great and the food very tasty.  Steve had the steak tampico and I had something from the petite appetite menu, since I knew I'd fill up on chips and salsa.    Everything was great.  To finish the meal they give you a small globe of lemon/lime sherbet.  Nice.   If you're ever in Fort Stockton, you'll have to stop at MiCasitas.  

Back at the trailer I took some time to open my gifts from far away.  I had planned to open presents first thing this morning, but I ran out of time.  My sweet friend, Ruby, in Australia sent me all sorts of amazing gifts !  Ruby, I love it all !   I won't list everything here, but I have been very, very spoiled !   The very special gifts are those which are handmade, including a blouse which Ruby made (she's an awesome seamstress), a beautiful scarf for cooler weather (if we ever see it again), and a puffy heart sewn from lovely red oriental fabric.   And so much more !     My other parcel came from Michigan.  Joyce, I absolutely love the Norwegian box.  I adore little boxes !   And even better when they have silver jewelry inside !   Thank you SO much for sending them.    The first present I opened was a chocolate chocolate cake made by my great friends Dick and Julie.   I HAD to have a birthday cake !   Since Steve was nodding off I sang Happy Birthday to myself, in my crazy little head.  Made me feel better.  


After this I needed to type some blog stuff, and here it is, the ending.   It's late, I need to get into bed since we will start early again tomorrow and move in the direction of north.  Cooler climes, here we come !   Goodnight everyone.