January 14, 2006

January 14, 2006

Big Bend National Park to Del Rio, Texas

YEAR 2 DAY 211

 

Today was mild, with a high, thin overcast layer of cloud. It's the first overcast day we've had in a long time.

This morning we prepared for departure, hitched up, and pulled out of Rio Grande Village RV Campground. We drove about 20 miles to Panther Junction, and stopped to buy some diesel. I didn't want to fill up, because the price of fuel at the only service station in Big Bend National Park was high. We bought $20 worth of diesel, then headed north on Hwy. 385, heading out of Big Bend. It was about 40 miles to the park gate, then about another 30 miles to the first town, Marathon. Big Bend National Park is one of the largest U.S. National Parks, and one of the least visited, due to its remoteness. At Marathon, we filled up with diesel. Oh, for crying out loud ... diesel was more expensive at Marathon than it was at Panther Junction in Big Bend !

At Marathon we got onto Hwy. 90 heading southeast. We stopped for lunch at a road side rest area.. After lunch, Joanne drove for an hour or so, to Langtry. We've agreed that she should drive an hour or so a day, to increase her driving skills. Handling a one ton diesel dually, with 30 feet of trailer behind it, at speeds in excess of 100 km./hr. is pretty challenging. Here in West Texas, the distances between places is so vast, that even the two lane undivided highways have a speed limit of 75 M.P.H.. A long day of driving across miles and miles of nothing but scruffy looking desert brought us to the city of Del Rio.

We pulled off the highway, and checked into Buzzard Roost RV Campground & Saloon. Yes, yes ... a campground with a honky-tonk. Welcome to Texas ! We got set up in our site, Joanne went off to so some laundry, and I did today's accounting. We had a late, simple supper, then we both composed some e-mails. There is Wi-Fi here. I sent and retrieved e-mail, and updated my blog. I did today's journal entry, then read for awhile before going to sleep.

DSK