Junction, TX to Brantley Lake SP, NM

When we got up today, it was 35*. Frost on the windows. What a surprise.

We left Junction at about 9am heading towards Fort Stockton, TX , Pecos, TX then New Mexico. Stopped in Ft. Stockton at Wal-Mart then continued on. The drive from Ft. Stockton to New Mexico was through the most desolate area yet. You can see all the way to the horizon; not even a low hill. All brown, a few low bushes here & there. This is oil & gas country. Oil rigs everywhere. Occasionally we would see a small heard of goats or an irrigated field of hay. There was a huge windmill farm. Must have been 200 huge windmills.

We stayed the night at the Brantley Lake State Park north of Carlsbad, NM. Got the very last regular campsite except for the overflow area. The lake is pretty but there is a sign warning you not to eat the fish: DDT. Plus a warning about the danger of blue-green algae. Reminded us of a sign we saw on the Old Erie Canal near Syracuse, NY. It said “This water is not safe for human contact” Saw kids fishing in the Canal. Brantley Lake SP is an attractive place but nothing special. Tomorrow we’re heading for Bottomless Lakes SP. I’ve been there before; a very nice place.

Gonzales & Junction, TX

Late Tuesday night we had a rain storm while camping in Gonzales, TX. At the same time there were high winds and a dust storm covering most of Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. The result was that it was actually raining mud!!. I took the hose and washed the mud off the camper as best I could. About mid-morning we headed towards Junction, TX.

We stopped for groceries at a H.E.B. grocery store near San Antonio. Carol tried to walk in but it was just too far. I found the type of cart you put children in; Carol fit in just fine so we went grocery shopping together. They had a great bakery. We bought a variety of baked goods neither of us really needed. After that we stopped by Wal-Mart for gas and a few odds & ends.

When we arrived in Junction, we first stopped at a Junction city campground called Schreiner City Park. Didn’t look so hot so we continued to our alternate campground, South Llano River State Park. Spring break is here; the campground was full. We stopped at the beautiful day use area. Gopher went for a swim and Carol sat on a picnic bench near the river. People were fishing and kids were tubing down the river. No wonder it’s a popular place. We went back to the City campground. There are three RV’s here. We have a site right on the Llano River next to the dam. What a beautiful view. Plus, it’s free camping. Amazing. This turned out to be a wonderful place to spend the night. We sat outside until it got too cold. Used the grill for chicken & asparagus. Called Mom; she’s doing fine. Ginny came up to show Mom her new Toyota 4Runner.

The drive from San Antonio west towards El Paso is through a very desolate part of Texas. Called the Hill Country. Not much here. Some ranches & poultry farms. Junction is a very small farming community. An IGA grocery store, post office, a few shops and that’s about it. Carol spotted the Post Office so we mailed all the birthday & anniversary cards for March & April.

I often wonder when traveling through these very small towns just what people do to earn a living. What do they do for recreation? Major shopping? It’s about two hours from Junction to anywhere. Cell phone service but no Internet service in Junction.

We’re having a wonderful time.