TOUR AMERICA, 2020: FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS, THE LONE STAR STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:  Fort Stockton RV Park, Fort Stockton, Texas

July 16, 2021

Temperature 96 Degrees

The Difference A Day Can Make

Our New Home

Going to the Source For The Needed Information

When my head hit the pillow last night I don’t remember a thing after that.  Both of us had a really great night’s sleep.  We both woke up feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

The one thing, well really two, things we have to get used to are the hour we gained and when the sun comes up and goes down.  The time adjustment will be no big problem.  However, sunrise is now around 7 am and the sun doesn’t set until about 9 pm.  We’re used to the sun coming in the bedroom window around 5:30 am and by 7 pm it is getting dark.  We both woke up this morning about 6:30 am and said to one another it sure is dark in here!  

As promised pictures of our new home.

The road leading in from the service road.  It’s dirt and gravel, it’s full of pot holes, and it has ridiculous rumble strips all the way in.  It doesn’t make a good first impression.

You really can’t miss where you have to go for registration.

The office.  After Barbara went to register she came back out and said Did you know my name is Cathleen?   What?  I made the reservation so what in the world was this all about?  In addition we discovered later not only did they have the name wrong, they also had us as staying only one night.  Well, we were so tired yesterday we just let it all go until this morning when we went back and straightened everything out.

The name in front of the pond says Frog Crossing.

Other animals are allowed.

The gunslingers.

A different kind of porch swing.

The pool looked so inviting.  Then I took a closer look.  It was full of dead bugs -ugh.  So much for taking a swim this week.

OK, so where are all the first time RV’ers?  All those renting rigs for the first time.  All those taking their first vacation in an RV.  Granted, this is primarily a transient park but still.  But you’ll get no complaints from us.  Having the whole park to ourselves is fine by us.

Our new home.  It is hard packed dirt, reasonably level, partially shaded, and as is obvious all utilities are right where they need to be.  Unfortunately, it is right on the road leading in so we do get a lot of traffic going by early morning and late afternoon.  However, once we got the privacy curtain on the windshield, the reflectix behind it, and the curtains closed inside we no longer hear nor see what is going by outside.  It is a nice place to call home for the next nine days.

Today I did what I should have done a long time ago.  I placed a call to Cummins and Allison for information regarding normal operating temperatures for the engine and the transmission.  Regarding the engine I was informed that the thermostat only begins to open at 190 degrees and doesn’t fully open until 200 degrees.  There is a warning light and warning buzzer if the temperature reaches 225 degrees which is considered overheating.  Bottom line, running between 195 and 205 degrees is perfectly acceptable in the 100 plus heat we are in.  Regarding the transmission in stop and go traffic, again in the 100 plus heat we are in, 200 degrees is normal.  The transmission will normally run between 195 and 205 degrees as well.  It will also on occasion go as high as 230 degrees on a long uphill climb while towing a toad.  Now I know and now I can rest a bit easier while out on the road.

This morning we decided we both needed a treat.  We had heard many great things about the Road Runner Cafe which is adjacent to the office.  Well, let’s go for breakfast.  What a fantastic place and what a delicious breakfast for both of us.  Everything is made from scratch.  Barbara went home raving about the pancake she had.  It was the size of a dinner plate and so light and fluffy.  The breakfast sausage was home made and just as delicious.  We’ll be going back.

What a different day today was on The Road of Retirement.  A good night’s sleep and a few phone calls changed the whole tenor of our day.  Oh, about our AC, it has been working just fine.  I have no idea what happened yesterday nor can I explain how it fixed itself.  We’re both glad that it did.  So on we go traveling together, holding hands and singing our song.  God has blessed us with a wonderful life.

Thanks for stopping by today.  We always enjoy your company and appreciate your comments.  Be safe out there.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!