Days 19 through 22 - just passing through

I can't believe we'd been on the road almost 3 full weeks by this time.  The longest road trip we have ever taken, in the RV or in a car, was 17 days.

These next 4 nights were spent just getting from Bernalillo, New Mexico to Medina Lake RV Campground in Lakehills, Texas.  We don't like to go more than about 250 miles a day, so these parks were all chosen based solely on location.

Elephant Butte - Day 19

The first night we camped at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Lions Beach Campground, in New Mexico.  We had a beautiful view of the lake.   The site was large, with a large dirt area and a cement patio with a picnic table and a permanent canopy cover.  It was a  back-in site, but level (that's always a bonus!).  We had no sewer hookup, but since we were only here for 1 night, that wasn't a problem.  It was VERY hot when we arrived, about 100  And the price was right - $18 for the night, and that was including the $4 booking charge.  The only downside was that the bathrooms (and showers?) in the camping loop we were in were closed for some reason.

We took a drive around to see other areas of the lake.  There were RV's right up against the water on the beach.  Most were 5th wheels so we assume that the trucks pulling them were diesel and 4 wheel drive, because I couldn't imagine driving our RV down though that sand.  You can see some in this picture.

Sunset was very petty too, but my picture doesn't do it justice.

Van Horn, Texas - Day 20

We got up in the morning, had breakfast, and drove to our next destination - Van Horn RV Park in Van Horn, Texas.  It was a large park that I bet is just hoppin' during the winter when all the snowbirds are there.  In June, it was probably 3/4 empty.  The on-site café was closed for the summer.  The staff was wonderful, more than helpful.  I went back after we checked in to buy ice, and she said I could have just called and they'd have delivered it to my site. What?  Wow, that is service!

The sites were all pull-throughs, and pretty good size.  The fee for 1 night was $36.  They had a laundry room, showers, etc.  The restrooms/showers were clean and nice.  There was a fenced-in dog park, but apparently many people don't believe in picking up after their dog.  That was probably the only thing I didn't like about this park.

There was also a cute little 'fishing pond'.  It had picnic table there, and it was shady and a nice grassy area.

Ft. Stockton, Texas  - Day 21

We arrived at Ft. Stockton RV Park in the early afternoon.  It was a short driving day!   Ft. Stockton has some historical sites that we thought we'd go see, but almost nothing was open on Sunday.  We drove to the Ft. Stockton Visitor center, and pretty much got a picture of the sign.

We  did find out that the historic Gray Mule Saloon was open on Sunday.  It is now a wine tasting room!

After wine tasting, we went back to the RV park and had dinner at the Roadrunner Café.  Jesus nd David both had the chicken fried steak (Dave's with white gravy, Jesus's with brown. White was better!), and I just had a BLT.  After that, we just sat outside and enjoyed the sunset.

The RV park itself was nice.  I wouldn't have minded staying longer.  It had a HUGE fences in dog park, too.  The park was well kept.  There was a pool, but we didn't use it.  It looked nice.  Having the Roadrunner Café on the premise was convenient, and the food was really good.  I think we paid $36 for the night.  They also had fee cable and free internet.


South Llano River State Park  - Day 22

Our next stop was South Llano River State Park - again, just for the night.  I chose this campground because it was half-way between Ft. Stockton and Lakehills, Tx, which is our stop after this.  We pulled into this park, and we were so impressed.  This is a beautiful State Park.  Our site was great!  We had water and electric (but no sewer, which was fine for just 1 night).  Bathrooms and showers were a short walk away.  We paid $20 for the night, but also had to pay $5 per person to come into the park, so it ended up being $35 for the night.

There was also a firepit, and we were able to have a fire that night.  Dave cooked a butternut squash in the fire.  It turned out really, really good!

We took a drive to see what else was there.  Turns out that the So. Llano river runs through the park (hence the name).

The river is slow moving, so people get large innertubes and ride them down it.  They actually rent the tubes at the Visitor Center where you check in.  The first time we went, there were lots of people on tubes, but I didn't have my camera.  The next morning I want back, but only found one family enjoying the water.

I kept thinking how much the boys (Nathan and Jake) would have enjoyed this.  Heck,  I would have enjoyed it!  If I had owned a pair of water shoes and have another day to stay there, you know I'd have been on a tube going down that river!

However, it was another one-nighter, and in the morning we were off to our next destination.