#17: The adventure continues...differently

In the last post I published, I was sitting in a Target parking lot waiting on my Airstream to get fixed. I wanted to provide an update since then…

The dealership called me that the afternoon to let me know the Airstream had been fixed. Relief! I picked it up, got a download on what they did to fix it, and headed back to the same RV park where I had stayed the night before. I remained local in Albuquerque for two reasons: 1) The sealant that they used on the roof to fix the leak needed to settle completely, so I was advised not to drive far, and 2) I wasn’t sure where or what my next move was going to be, given all the threat with COVID-19. Not a problem to stay in the area for another night. The challenge (problem) was that the forecast was calling for low temperatures and a rain/snow mix that night.

After settling into the campground, it started to rain. Low and behold, water began to drip into the trailer from the same spot it had been dripping previously. Although the amount of water leaking was much less, there was still a leak. Given that, I had no other choice but to head back to the dealership first thing in the morning. I had to get this Airstream fixed.

In the meantime, amid the Airstream drama, things were continuously getting worse with COVID-19. I had started stressing about what my next move was going to be. As we all experienced (and still are experiencing), there was just no telling what was going to happen next. Updates were taking place every day with park closures, restrictions, and limited availability. Cities and states were going into lockdown. I had an unsettled feeling about it all, and I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable being on the move as I was.

Logistically, I didn’t want to end up in a situation where I was stranded somewhere alone, or God forbid - sick. Morally, I didn’t feel right potentially contributing to the problem by moving around and using public facilities (gas stations, toilets, campgrounds, etc.). In addition to my gut feeling, I was seeing more and more members of the RV community feeling similar to me, with plans to head home or to friends or family’s houses for the time being (and urging others to do the same).

My friend in Orange County offered up his house to hunker down, but then California went into lockdown. My dad asked me to go back to Virginia, but that just seemed so far away (and like I would have been really backtracking). I decided to head south to desolate West Texas to a friend’s house, where I’d still be west, but also safe from exposure to crowds of people.

I made the right decision. Since I left New Mexico, things have gotten progressively worse with the virus. Am I bummed to have had to halt the travel for a while? Yes. But I’m safe and secluded and cannot complain. In the meantime, this adventure continues for me…just in a different way.

This adventure I set myself out on in November was never only about the physical places I would travel. It would also be about the internal stuff: the mental and emotional realizations, the reflections, and the perspective gained. I’m currently spending my days trying to make the most of this time - improving my mental and physical health, meditating, writing, reading, catching up with friends (via video chat, of course), and just BEING. I have outdoor space to get fresh air, and you can bet that outdoor activities are still in swing. Here are a few photos from a recent hike to the highest waterfall in Texas.

This situation is not what any of us planned. BUT, I remain loyal to my tried and true saying, “10% is what happens to us, and 90% is how we react to it.”

Stay safe, positive, and strong. Look out for my next posts on Marfa, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks, and New Mexico. I will finally catch up!

#16: March 18

Greetings from a Target parking lot in New Mexico.

First, I realize I’m a little behind on my blog posts. I have a few entries in the works including more on West Texas, Guadalupe National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New Mexico. However, I wanted to insert a quick post regarding my thoughts and reflections on the recent Coronavirus situation and my current status.

I have been laying low in New Mexico since last week when things started getting more serious on a national level with this virus. Simultaneously, I’ve had a few mishaps with the Airstream: 1) Leak in the roof, and 2) Thermostat will not turn on (yes, the same thermostat I successfully replaced last month). These are two things that I don’t want to continue traveling with while not fully functioning.

With the help of Airstream head office, I was able to get a service appointment at Airstream of New Mexico today (typically these Airstream dealerships book out months in advance for service appointments). They are taking a look at it and I’m waiting on a call to understand whether or not they need to keep it overnight. If they need to order a part, it may take a few days to arrive from the head office. I just don’t know.

This all brings me to my current status. I am in the Target parking lot because, well, I really don’t know where else to go. I don’t want to walk around stores, and all restaurants and coffee shops are only doing take-out (plus, I have Addie with me). And my “home” is in the shop. Tonight could go a few different ways:

Pending the Airstream needs to stay overnight:

1) I could stay in a hotel (not ideal given COVID-19).

2) I could ask the Airstream dealer if I could have the trailer back until the part arrives so I can sleep in it.

Pending all is fixed today:

1) I will find a campsite for tonight and figure out tomorrow’s destination.

Regardless of when, the Airstream will get fixed. Then, I need to figure out what I’m doing, exactly. New Mexico state parks have been closed to overnight campers. However, I’ve done all I want to do in New Mexico, so that’s neither here nor there. The next stop will be Arizona.

National Parks remain open however, many visitor centers have been closed, or they are limiting the number of people allowed inside at a time. Specific restrictions vary park by park. I am fully aware that the parks - state or national - could close any day. Like everything else, we just don’t know.

Despite feeling a little unsettled about it, I will continue to camp and explore nature. I am, by default, practicing social distancing, as well as keeping my hands washed, limiting outings to only places necessary and planning to not move around as much. Hopefully, I’ll find a beautiful spot to camp in Arizona and hunker down there for a longer duration of time. If things progressively get worse and I don’t feel safe for any reason, I’ll reevaluate.

At times I feel I’ve chosen the perfect timing to embark on this adventure, but at other times, I feel it’s the worst timing. I will take it day by day, just like everyone else is doing. That’s really all we can do. Please stay safe!

By the way, if anyone has any questions/advice, please let me know!

#15: Big Bend National Park

I got up early one morning to make the two-hour drive from Marfa to Big Bend NP. The drive was incredible. It was a gorgeous sunny day and as a creature of the weather, I was feeling it. The landscape is just so vast and open, with plateaus just popping up along the flatness of the high desert.

Some quick fun facts on this area: The Big Bend area of Texas is located in the Chihuahuan Desert - the most biologically diverse desert in the Western Hemisphere, and the largest desert in North America. The name, “Big Bend,” stems from the 90-degree angle of the Rio Grande. Big Bend is an entire region of Texas, not just the name of the park.

Upon entering the park, I reached the Panther Junction Visitor Center. I stopped in to speak to the ranger, get a map, watch the park movie and of course, show my annual NP pass for admission (I’m always so proud to show my annual pass). Having a full day to explore the park, I left the visitor center with a plan of action. I needed to stick to drivable roads given I had Addie with me. As I’ve mentioned previously with national parks, hiking trails that allow dogs are few and far between, but I was prepared for that. Even though I was limited, I didn’t feel it much given all the beauty I saw and all the ground I covered.

We ventured out with Santa Elena Canyon as our destination, knowing that we would stop along the way anywhere we wanted. We ended up on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to take us down to the canyon. The drive was stunning. We took our time and made it to Santa Elena Canyon a few hours later. There weren’t many stops or pull-offs that I didn’t want to explore. Finally getting down to the canyon, I saw kayaks getting loaded in an out of the Rio Grande. I made a mental note to come back and kayak the canyon when the weather is warmer. It’s crazy to think that just across that river is Mexico!

I could have spent a week in this park - exploring, relaxing, learning and simply just taking it all in. An important lesson I’m learning on this journey is that I can’t do EVERYTHING. I may have mentioned that before. I am also learning that I need to go with the flow and adapt to what happens around me (goes back to my tried and true saying, “10% is what happens to me and 90% is how I react to it”). I had the day to explore the park and if I wanted to go back the next day, I could absolutely do that.

On the way back one of the areas that stood out was Sotol Vista. You take a windy road to get up there but you feel like you’re on top of the park once you get all the way up. I sat up there for a while. Just sat.

The next time I go to Big Bend NP (because there WILL be a next time), I will plan to camp there or at least stay there for an extended amount of time. By the time I made the drive back to Marfa, I was exhausted and felt like I covered as much ground as I could with having Addie with me.

Until the next time, Big Bend…

#14: Preface: Big Bend National Park

A little background…

Initially Big Bend National Park was somewhat of a controversial one. I had gotten some warnings to avoid Big Bend. Or, if I were to go, only to make a day trip and drive through the park (not get out or stay overnight). The concern was that the park is so close to the Mexican border, and also so remote.

After speaking to some people in Austin about West Texas, and having those people ask other people who are more familiar with West Texas, the consensus was not to worry at all. So, I based plans around not worrying (as I write this post, I have spent ample time in West Texas and I feel a little ridiculous even admitting that this was a concern). I decided to head to West Texas and make Marfa my base. In West Texas there are a handful of small towns to visit; but from what I heard, I didn’t need a lot of time in each one. I decided to plant myself in Marfa and make day trips from there (unhitching and hitching back up gets exhausting, and it’s nice to keep the trailer in one place).

The one exception was Big Bend NP, which is about a two-hour drive from Marfa. I reserved a campsite in the park for one night, knowing that I wouldn’t want to be rushed while exploring the park. One thing to note here: the campsite I reserved in Big Bend NP did not have an electric hook-up, so essentially, I’d be dry camping (which is usually fine). The plan was to do a few days of day trips from Marfa, then visit Big Bend, then back to Marfa to actually explore Marfa.

Thermostat “Challenge”

After a 6-7 hour drive from Austin, I arrived in Marfa (note: Marfa is 4,800 feet above sea level). As I was settling in for the evening, and the temperature was getting cooler, I went to turn on the heat in the Airstream. This is what I saw on the thermostat panel:

No, this is not some secret Airstream language. This panel is supposed to have readable, English words and icons. With my thermostat looking like this, I wasn’t sure how to turn the heat on. Luckily, that first night wasn’t too cold, so Addie and were fine under covers and dressed in layers (well, only I was dressed in layers!).

After mildly panicking, I consulted my trusted Airstream Facebook groups. The advice was to take the panel off the wall and take a look at the back of it. After doing this, I saw (and confirmed with my FB consultants) that the electric panel/board had corrosion damage from moisture getting in from behind (The back of the board is RIGHT up against the Airstream’s insulation; nothing is protecting the wiring from humidity or anything else getting in there. See photos below - the white paint-looking marks on the green is the damage). Others on Facebook said this had happened to them. Some had taken it to Airstream for replacement, and others had cleaned the back with an electronics cleaner and toothbrush.

The next morning was spent on the phone with Airstream, calling RV places in the area (which were extremely limited given Marfa's remoteness) and trying to devise a plan to stay warm that night - temperatures were going to be in the teens and snow was predicted. Yikes.

Long story short, Airstream advised not to have any "other" RV place touch it. And, that cleaning it with electronics cleaner would most likely not fix the problem. The recommendation was to get a small space heater to stay warm that night, and Airstream would send me a new panel (with protective backing*) to install myself. It took a few days to get the parts together at Airstream's home office, and by the time it went out via UPS for overnight delivery, it was Thursday. In theory, I would have the package on Friday (it was Tuesday when I initially called Airstream).

In the meantime, I couldn't (warmly) camp at Big Bend NP. My space heater (which I had purchased the first day I noticed the panel malfunction, so I could have heat when the temperatures reached the teens) can only work when plugged into an electric connection (shore power). This is due to the power it requires to start up - same as a hairdryer or microwave, for example. My campsite at Big Bend didn't have an electric connection. Arguably, I could have been fine, but given my previous cold weather encounters, I'm now hesitant to take risks when it comes to heat.

Since I wasn't sure what the future held, I decided to take a day trip to Big Bend NP and go from there. So that's precisely what Addie and I did.

In the end…

I finally received the new panel (with protective backing) via UPS (I had it sent to the RV park at which I was staying) and was able to install it myself, with the help of a few YouTube videos. 💪

I now have a working thermostat so I can use the furnace to heat the air and water. I’m sure there was a way to get the furnace running without the thermostat, but I wasn’t about to go down that path. I stuck it out and dealt with it until the new part arrived.

Telling this story of the thermostat explains why my trip to Big Bend NP was done as a single day trip.

*I’m not sure why Airstream didn’t originally manufacture the thermostat with the protective backing. They may have started after my unit was manufactured, as mine is a 2017 model.

#13: Oklahoma & East Texas

Okay, this entry is a long(er) one. It’s because I covered a lot of ground and don’t want to leave anything out. Also, it’s because I’m way behind on my posts. Sorry, not sorry. 😐

Oklahoma

Before heading down to Texas to meet up with friends, I knew I wanted to make a quick stop in Oklahoma City. I really wanted to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

I found a Harvest Hosts location about 30 minutes outside of OKC - an Alpaca farm called Awesome Acres Pacas and Pyrs. I was in heaven. Michael, the owner, was generous enough to show me around and introduce me to his (literally) prized Suri alpacas. He spent about an hour with me, walking me around the grounds, explaining his business, and teaching me about this specific breed of Alpacas. The Suri alpaca is rarer of a strain than the alpacas you picture with the fluffy white fur. The Suri breed has a longer, more silky coat, and therefore the yarn is a lot softer. I left there with some yarn for my friend in Austin who knits, socks for myself, and a few little things as other gifts. I’m wearing my Alpaca socks right now, and they’re so soft and warm!

I then took a ride downtown to visit the memorial. Since Addie was with me, we didn’t go inside the museum. I should preface that I don’t 100% remember the OKC bombing. I “remember” it, but it’s not as vivid in my memory as 9/11 or Columbine. Regardless, merely walking into that area of the city made me emotional. I took my time, read all the signs, and just sat. It was very fulfilling, even though a lot of what I felt was loss.

Another strong feeling I had there, after traveling through other areas of the country and feeling very “American,” was unity. Although this was an act of domestic terrorism, the country came together to support it. Thinking about this and having this realization gave me the chills. The United States is like an old married couple. We fight, we bicker, we can’t get along, but when push comes to shove, we seem to unite when needed (I say this very lightly…right now in our country’s state, it’s a bit more complicated than that, I fully realize!). There was an inscription at the memorial that stood out to me: “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.” I’ll just leave it at that. Here are some photos:

Dallas

My first stop in the Dallas area was to Celina - a bit north of the city. An old friend of mine from growing up lives there, and I stopped in catch up with her and meet her sweet baby girl. The timing was perfect, as that weekend happened to be her baby’s first birthday party, and her family was in town, so I got to see them as well.

I hadn’t seen Lauren in years, and despite our lives being different now, our friendship remains the same. I love that. And I loved seeing her be the best mom. Also, Addie doesn’t LOVE children, but she and Katherine seemed to get along just great. I think Katherine was even saying “Addie” towards the end of the visit. Just sayin’.

While at Lauren’s house, I took the opportunity to do a little inventory/cleanout of my Airstream and “stuff.” For the first time since I left in November, I took my roof rack off, got my car washed and sifted through all of my belongings. Believe it or not, I felt like I had too much “stuff,” and as a result, it stressed me out. I couldn’t figure out the best methods of storing clothes and other belongings. What do I use every day? What do I only need at certain times? What do I need in my Airstream, versus what don’t I need at my fingertips daily? Lauren and her mom helped me think things through (sometimes you need someone else to talk it through with!), and I ended up taking two large shopping bags of clothes/“stuff” to Goodwill! At first, it was hard to let go, but I channeled my inner Marie Kondo, thanked those items for helping me along the way, and said good-bye to them. It felt great. I hit the road with a “clean” mind and a clean Airstream and car! As I write this weeks later, I don’t even remember what I donated.

My next stop in Dallas was to visit my friend, Nick, from grad school. What a host! Addie and I had our own room and bathroom - all just renovated. He bought the place a while ago and is nearly doing a complete makeover. I’m proud of him. He is making his house a home, just the way he wants it.

My visit with Nick was during the week, but we managed to squeeze in some fun activities. We cooked a delicious Thai meal, watched a few classic movies, and attended his trivia night (I don’t think I was very helpful). He also took me to Dealey Plaza, where the assassination of John F. Kennedy took place. We toured the museum, which was extremely interesting. There were a lot of details about that event that I didn’t know - and a lot about JFK’s presidency, of which I wasn’t aware. Outside, on the road where the shots took place, there are two “X’s” to mark the location of each shot location. It really hit home.

Waco

On my way from Dallas to Austin, I had to stop in Waco to check out Magnolia (of Chip and Joanna Gaines, of Fixer Upper). I had to understand what this is and how it’s become what it is.

Well, C & J are marketing geniuses. They have managed to take their brand and make it into a destination. This area hosted a bakery, a store, and a coffee shop, not to mention an outdoor area with food trucks to hang out, let the kids play, and enjoy the sunshine. They also have a restaurant in a separate area of Waco.

I enjoyed a few hours of walking around, visiting the coffee shop, store, and bakery. The cookies were delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed one in the car on the way to Austin.

Austin

I knew I was going to spend ample time in Austin - for two main reasons: 1) I needed some QT with two friends here, and 2) I love Austin and knew I wanted to explore the city.

My best college friend, Amanda, lives in Austin. She just finished school to become a Nurse Practitioner (so proud of her!). The first weekend, she and I planned to check out Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and do some hiking with the dogs (she has a Basset Hound named Linus! ♥️). Enchanted Rock is just about a two-hour drive from Austin, so we made a day of it. We hit the road with bellies full of Tacodeli (so good), ready to hike it up. Well, we arrived there and…had NOT made a reservation (which apparently we needed). So, we were told to leave the park IMMEDIATELY (a little dramatic, if you ask me…) and go online to make a reservation. We were able to make a reservation to enter the park at 2 pm, and it was about 11:45 am. We decided to check out Fredericksburg, a small German town outside of Austin that wasn’t too far from Enchanted Rock. It was on my list of places to visit, so we were sort-of killing two birds with one stone. LESSON: plan ahead and check to see if a reservation is needed.

Fredericksburg was a neat little town - cute shops, restaurants, and bustling with energy. We were also able to get a wine cocktail to-go and drink it as we walked around - always a plus. We didn’t stop to eat anywhere but just popped into shops as we wanted and took in the vibe. By the time we walked up and down the main drag, it was time to head back to the park.

We had a few challenges with dogs in the park, as they were only allowed on SOME trails. Without taking full advantage of rangers not around, we stretched that a little bit. The dogs came everywhere we went except for the very top of the rock. Amanda hung back with the dogs while I headed to the top of the rock (she had already hiked up to the top previously). I still don’t understand how the “mountain” is a “rock,” but it was cool nonetheless. I always have a sense of accomplishment climbing to the top of something, regardless of what it is!

That night, we headed back to Austin to join our friends, Everett and Tracy, for dinner at their house. I met Everett and Tracy through Amanda, in NYC, over ten years ago (whoa). We had all gathered in a bar for Amanda’s birthday, and I ended up speaking to Ev and Tracy all night - and the friendships just stuck! Anyway, we made homemade pizza, caught up, and they gave me some tips and recommendations on traveling through West Texas.

Amanda and I spent some time walking “Town Lake” in Austin with the dogs. Austin is such an active city and reminds me a lot of Denver - except no mountains. But Austin is in Texas “hill country,” and there are rolling hills in parts of the city - almost feels like LA in some places.

Sparing all the details, I ran into another “issue” with my Thule overhead cargo carrier on my car while in Austin. I could not get it closed again. I took it to Rack Outfitters (best place!) in Austin, and the guys there helped to show me how to have the magical touch to close the carrier completely. It worked. I sort-of felt like I should have been able to figure this out myself, but as I’ve mentioned, I’m learning as I go…

After staying with Amanda, I made my way to my friend Jordan’s to stay with him for a bit. Jordan is a.high school friend and we’ve remained close over the years…he and I traveled to Banff National Park in Canada together a few years ago. My friends are cool. I went from staying in one cool area of Austin to another. Jordan lives right downtown, so I was able to get some runs in on Town Lake and walk around the city.

Jordan had this idea a while ago: that we would get custom hats made at one of the most well-known (slash hidden gems) places for custom hats: Texas Hatters. Jordan knew it would be fun, and he also thoughtfully knew it would be the perfect souvenir for me to have of my trip and time in Texas. He was right!

We took a drive down to Lockhart, TX, about an hour south of Austin. Neither of us had any idea of what to expect. In hindsight, I think I walked into precisely what I expected - an original hat shoppe (I purposely spelled it that way) that has been around for generations. As we walked in, we saw walls of hats in different styles and shapes on shelves, countertops filled with hat molds, hat decor (there is probably a more appropriate word for that when it comes to hats, but I don’t know it), hat color swatches and ribbons. Photos, posters, signed letters, and other memorabilia from known actors and politicians adorned the walls in the back. Seemingly in disarray, I have a feeling everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. It all added to the charm.

As Jordan and I waited for the shop keeper, David, to finish up with another customer, we tried on hat shapes and colors to decide what type of looks we wanted. Once David was done with his previous customer, he started recommending colors and styles based on our skin tones and hair colors, and also our lifestyles. We let him make a lot of the decisions because he knew what he was doing - way more than we did! He explained the material options of the hats, how the hats are molded, how to clean them (or not to clean them), and we also learned about hat etiquette. We had a blast. After finalizing our selections, we learned that the hats would be ready in a few weeks, and Jordan would go back to pick them up and get sized to his likeness. I would have to trust David to shape and size mine right because I wouldn’t be in town to visit again. I’m sure it’ll be perfect.

Since Lockhart hosts some of the best BBQ in Texas, we had a late lunch at Smitty’s BBQ. Although I don’t eat meat, it was fun to “experience” Texas BBQ. This place was no-frills, and the smokehouse was right outside the dining area, which hosted long wooden picnic-type tables. The meat was served on kraft paper with bread and crackers if one so desired. I can say with confidence that the coleslaw, potato salad, and mac and cheese were delicious, and according to Jordan, the meat was tasty as well.

Jordan and I also visited San Antonio and the Alamo. We did a tour, which was helpful, and learned about the specific history of the structure and area. The Alamo has undergone a lot of transformation over the years. After visiting the Alamo, given the fantastic weather, we enjoyed a cocktail on the River Walk, which was a city experience like no other - probably because I somehow ordered a Big Red Bomb Margarita and I have no idea how. I went with it, as you will see below.

My last full day in Austin was spent tooling around in Jordan’s ‘83 CJ7 Jeep with Amanda. The three of us (and the pooches) got brunch and cocktails on Rainey Street and spent the afternoon finding Austin mural art to take photographs. The sun was shining, I was with my two friends and the dogs and all was great. We headed back to Jordan’s to catch the Super Bowl - what a great day…and week in Austin!