Woo Hoo We Score or We Lander at the Vineyard's in Fredericksburg, Tx.

Yes it is true, we made it, everything, truck, all the tires, DaGirsl Rv, puppies.

We were up and out by 0700 and heading to Boerne to Boerne RV, where we had an appointment to inspect the Atwood Levelers system.

My goal, get an authorized service center to agree the system was bad and arrange funding go to a new system. After spending 15 minutes talking with Ron, he agreed with my assessment. So, hopefully within a week or 2 we will have a new system covered in part by our extended warranty.
 
Distance traveled on Friday was around 50 miles from Boerne to Fredericksburg. We, parked in a temporary site, until our site was vacant. Once we did a temporary setup, Boerne to the collision center. We spent over an hour waiting while the farm truck was inspected.

Final estimate ? $9500, current damage, with following open items:
tires, cause of check engine light and any hidden damage behind the grille, bumper and front end.

We are headed to recovery due to the 2 laughable incidents; Because what else can you do. We have our health, Dakota and Tilly are good, our friends are with us by phone and other tech means.

So, what were we up to in the last day or 2 ?

Off to Comfort, Tx. Reference Link 

Comfort was established in 1854 by German immigrants, who were Freethinkers and abolitionists.[5] Ernst Hermann Altgelt, at the age of twenty-two, is credited with surveying and measuring the lots that would later be sold to the incoming German immigrants. He stayed and married Emma (Murck) Altgelt, and they raised their nine children in the township of Comfort. Fritz and Betty Holekamp built the first house in Comfort having started construction before Comfort's official founding on September 3, 1854. The first churches were not established in Comfort until 1900. After some controversy, a cenotaph honoring "the Founding Freethinkers" was dedicated on November 2, 2002.

The downtown area is possibly one of the most well-preserved historic business districts in Texas. There are well over 100 structures in the area dating back to the 19th century, and seven of them were designed by the noted architect Alfred Giles. Mr. Giles lived in San Antonio, and he would ride horses, the stagecoach, and later the train to check his building sites in Comfort. Most of the population today is composed of descendants of those original pioneer families of the 1850s and the 1860s.

Comfort is also known for a tragic event that took place during the American Civil War. The Treue der Union Monument ("Loyalty to the Union") was dedicated in honor of thirty-five men who died at the Battle of the Nueces, which took place because they opposed the state's secession from the Union. The German settlers were killed on their way to Mexico during the Civil War. They were attacked by Confederate forces near Brackettville on August 10, 1862. The bodies were not buried and the bones were retrieved and placed here in 1865. The monument was erected in 1866.

In 1918, Albert Steves erected a Hygieostatic Bat Roost on his family farm in Comfort. This roost was built to attract bats in an effort to control mosquito populations by natural means. It was originally researched and developed by Dr. Charles Agustus Rosenheimer Campbell of San Antonio. The idea was to use bats against malaria carrying mosquitos. At one time, there were sixteen bat roosts built in the United States and Europe, of which only two sites now remain — one in Comfort and one in the Florida Keys.

We enjoyed our walk to the visitor center, a great cup of coffee at the " The Lobby Coffee Shop ". The real business is the "Rescue Dog Coffee Company", where part of the proceeds go to rescue dogs. So, who couldn't resist the urge to buy coffee and a few items. 

Street View by Google 

Street View by Dale

This is a wonderful town to visit and walk around, we plan on going back to visit some more, especially the Pizza Shop, Comfort Pizza;

Comfort Pizza

Paw Friendly I believe due to the outdoor seating.

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

Keep an eye on the camera

Medina Lake RV Campground

Medina Lake Campground - Link

Unfortunately, we are getting tires of Thousand Trails CP. More of them are run down, electrical issues, building closed.
TT, seems to be taking in $$$ through membership, but not spending it on the CG.

Campground:
Friendly Staff - Check
Overfilled garbage - Check
Electrical issues - Check
Over grown areas - Check
Buildings closed - Check
Behind in maintenance - Check
Trees overgrown on spaces - Check

Since we arrived, we have visited Boerne RV repair shop. Friday appointment for analysis of leveler jack issue. Then it will be onto the Collision shop for review of truck on Friday. We will learn there what will happen to her. Close friend related to me: Man that was a pretty truck. I responded back, and now she a Farm Truck.

We also stopped in to visit Ray & Ceanne, did not realize so close. Next visit we will stay with them. Dakota really loved it, as she was a dog again, running around, all the different smells, no cares, people not yelling at her to stay away. She was in her element. Sorry no photos.

Today will be a day of enjoyment and adventure, but a much lower key adventure. Bandera and Comfort are on our horizon.

On Friday, it will onto Fredericksburg, where we will be setup for the month.

Safe Journeys and Travels
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

Fort Stockton or What's Next

We left early and change direction due to weather changes. Instead of heading Northeast to Carlsbad, we diverter to I-10.

Our destination was Fort Stockton, since we were both driving vehicles, and this was a simple 300 miles. We arrived early enough and found a large lot behind the Walmart capable of holding over 50 Rigs. We planted ourselves and settled in for the night.

Nothing special in the area, so we elected to call it an early night, around 10 pm central daylight saving time.

We awoke and prepared to leave by 0800. Susan was leading, with me in the rear. Weather forecast was a chance for rain and or mist during our drive east. Our journey was uneventful until just west of exit 301:

Would you like to guess what happen ?

Before you ask, yes we have tire monitors, no, we did not see any loss of air in the tires. It was a plain and simple tire separation on the inside dully. Air pressure was 115 lbs all 4 tires.

So we are sitting here waiting for service to handle the flat tires.

Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me.

Columbus, NM & Palomas, Chihuahua, Mx

All right so what did we do. Well for one thing we were to late for the ceremonies about the March 9th attach by Pancho Villa. All stores are closed except for the Train Depot and 1 restaurant. But that did not stop us from walking around tow nor heading down and into Palomas. In fact it was the best day for crossing into and out of Mexico we have ever had.

So, we drove and walked around the town and State Park, We notice city workers cleaning up the streets after the parade and celebration fro Saturday night along with 3 persons sitting in front of a close cafe, catching some WiFi.

So, we decided to mosey south to Palomas, to take another walk to see what it was all about. 

The first thing is, it is larger the Algonies, with fewer medical facilities. 

We also found out dental is less expensive too. Fewer shops for the americans and no side walk street hawkers around. 

  

One main shop with higher prices and quality items. Items from Marta Ortiz area, that is known for their pottery.

We did stop into the Pink Palace to have brunch (lunch really), and look around. 

Our last stop was US Border Custom Office. Since we were the only ones, coming back across, this gave me the chance to asked about US Duty Ports. Specifically about Duty Import Tax on Liquor.

Here is an example: You purchase a case of Don Julio Tequila. Cost in Mx. around $25 per bottle. Since there are 12 bottle per case you pay $300 for 12 bottles. Next you declare it either while driving or walking aback. 

The rough cost of duty tax per bottle would be around $3.00.

So, that $25 bottle of tequila cost you $28 in Mx. But if you purchased it in USA, that same bottle would be $45. 

Safe travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me.

Tas the Artist

We spied a unique place on the way into Columbus on Sat. Both coming into and out of town. So, on Sunday Dakota and I took a hike down to meet Tas the artist.

Tas, is 73, born 1945 and his family emigrated to the USA in 1949 from Germany. He is a retired truck driver and during his travels he would dream up these wonderful creations.

His largest creation started over 7 years ago;

This one represents the woman. The 2 geometric spheres are the Breast and the Center section is the womb. Currently the Center Section is open, but plans are in place to fully close it.

His last creation, he stated took him over 73 years to learn:

Final Word keep an eye on the rear view camera

Safe Travels from
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Dakoto, Tilly and me

On Da Road to Alfa Roadrunner Spring Rally

We did it, spent Oct. to March 7th., on our new route. Any updates during that time? Nope.

Now onto On Da Road with Dakota and Tilly.
So, where are we heading ? Fredericksburg, Texas.

Where the Alfa Roadrunner Spring Rally will be held. So, our first leg was from Yuma, Az. to Casa Grande, Az. With a 2 night stop over with some of our very close friends. Unfortunately, we could not see everyone. But, the ones we were able to visit, time spent with them was amazing.

So, Karen, Will this first leg is devoted to you.

Pat and Kathleen, the results of the first leg is devoted to your journey in Oregon. - Now we know how you did it.

We headed out, and were on the road by 8am. Heading east on I-10, on our way. Our first fuel stop was Jay’s Travel Center in San Simon, Az.

Jays Travel Center Link

But wait, there’s more, just as we were leaving, we remember we needed to make a phone call.

Our Destination, Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus, NM.

Pancho Villa St Pk link

As we were making our turn onto NM 9, we spied a photo op.

Our route would take us on NM-9, the highway generally follows the abandoned railway line built in 1901-02 by El Paso & South Western as the route from Douglas, through New Mexico to El Paso. The railroad was abandoned in 1961 due to lack of cargo, and the railroad tracks were removed a year later.

The highway's western terminus is at NM 80 north of Rodeo, in the San Simon Valley close to the border with Arizona. The route then climbs through Antelope Pass, a gap in the Peloncillo Mountains, into the Animas Valley where it intersects with NM 338 in the town of Animas. A few miles east of Animas, the road again climbs and crosses the Continental Divide the first of three times, then intersects with NM 113 (which goes northbound to I-10). Continuing east, the road crosses the Continental Divide twice in less than 2 miles (3 km), then descends to the Hachita Valley. In Hachita, the road intersects first with NM 146 (which goes northbound to I-10), then with NM 81 (which goes south to Antelope Wells, and into Mexico). From Hachita, NM 9 continues ESE, then generally East to Columbus, where it intersects with NM 11 (which goes north to Deming and south to Puerto Palomas). East of Columbus, NM 9 stays within 3 miles (4.8 km) of the Mexican border. NM 9 officially ends at the Dona Ana County line, but the road continues as Dona Ana County Road A003 to the Pete Domenici Highway (NM 136) just west of El Paso. (Thanks to Wikipedia Link NM State_Road_9 )

We continue our journey along NM 9 with a few photo op, which we have to stop:

Traveling speed limit (55), slowing down for all the curves. Some had signs for 30mph, which we complied with. But along the way we encounter a small problem.

When we arrived in Columbus, checked in and were walking back to the MH, Susan commented, Oh you disconnected the truck.

Me, no I did not. OOPS, a very BIG OOPS. The truck was missing. And I mean really missing, how do you misplace a 5000 lbs truck, which was attached to a 40 Ft motorhome. 

Well it wasn’t easy. So, a search was on.

As Susan went back inside, I called 911, routed to the Sheriff dispatcher. Provided necessary info, and as happenstance a deputy just happen to be very close. I mean VERY close, as I saw him heading west on NM 9, lights blazing and Speed turned up on High.

Mile Marker 67, definity will be in our mind for a very long time:

After all was said and done, we arrived back home, Dakota and Tilly, fed and walked, we enjoyed a bottle wine. Rejoice in a Blessed journey and a very safe one, as we realized this could have happened on Interstate - 10. With the possibility of a fatetally, if this had happen there.

Oh, you want to know about the Truck? After cutting the bob-wire away, removing the tow bar, moving the bikes, etc.
All it took was a good jump start on the battery to get her started and back on the road.

So, for now, 2 vehicles, 2 drivers on Da Road to Fredericksburg, Tx.

Remember to always check your rearview camera.

Oh and a very special thanks to one Sheriff Deputy, Clark Smith of Lordsburg. Clark, a big thanks from the Prichard's for your help and hard work.

Safe and Blessed travels
Dale, Susan, Dakota and Tilly