Round 'em up and head out!

We have had some interesting experiences on our drive to  Texas.   Leaving Roswell, we were making time, and decided to try a little dry camping at a friendly Walmart!  They, as well as casinos, encourage RV travelers to camp over night, but Clem has always resisted  This time, finding that camp grounds in the area were not very well rated, he decided to give it a try.   Yet when we pulled into the lot, it was I who became skeptical!  Especially since we were the only ones!  Forging on, we  decided on an out of the way spot to park, and were soon joined by a couple of others, and it proved just fine, as several friends have assured us!  Security cameras, people coming and going were fun to watch, especially for the cat, and we walked over and did a little shopping!  Being self contained, we had water and electricity, which proved more than adequate for lights and TV for the evening, which Clem had wondered about.  Our generator would kick in if needed, but it was not.  We have the  option for propane heat, which we used, ( back to cold nights with the rain) and the propane stove cooked pasta and home made frozen sauce for a nice meal!  All the comforts.....no complaints! We may just do that again, when we are making time and just need an overnight.  Easy on and off the highway , and we were on our way again the next day! 

This rest area in Pecos Texas had an interpretive display explaining how hundreds of rattlesnake dens, sometimes with thousands of snakes in each, were dug up when  they created an air field for bomber training at this site.  The display said the snakes were annoyed!  I can't imagine the humans were too pleased, either! 

Having driven into rain in Texas, we were pleased that it had let up the next morning, and we set off for Fort Worth, short of our initial goal of Austin, as they are in a heavy rain pattern, and suffering flooding.   Though clouds remained, the skies brightened, and driving had become  more pleasant, when, just short  of Fort Worth, I noticed a car in my side view mirror that seemed too close, pulling out as if to pass me.  It was my car!!!  I glanced at the rear view camera,  confirmed it was free, which I announced to Clem, rather calmly, now that I think about it!  My heart started pounding wildly, and I did all I could think to do, which was pull slowly off the road and bring it to the slowest, most gentle stop I could, hoping the car would not slam into us!  When I finally came to a stop, my hands were shaking uncontrollably as we got out to find that one arm of the tow bar had actually broken!  Sheared right off!  Since we were 25 miles from our camp site, we unhooked, and Clem drove the car and followed me.  Well, my stomach was full of butterflies for a very long time after, but all was good, and we found a place to buy a new tow bar.  But I do think we will be following up with the manufacturer on that little ordeal!  

                                                           

               Thought I would document the break.  All smiles now!  :-)