Houston we have a problem!!!!

HE SAID:  Our shuttle tried to jettison from the mother ship today AGAIN!!!. We thought we had this dolly thing above figured out. But after having lunch in Houston, we went back to the car and noticed the driver side tire was almost off the dolly. We have made a decision that we are going to trade our Scion XB in for a flat tow car. It has to be easier then the stupid dolly. It was pouring rain and cold in Houston and was not fun having to put the straps back on the car. 

We stopped in New Mexico Monday night, then just outside San Antonio Tuesday night. We have had three long days of driving. It is nice to be in some wetter states, but the cold sucks, although I know I can't complain. I have now been in three states that I have never been before to add to my bucket list.  

We left very warm and sunny Phoenix on  Monday morning, with the goal to be in New Orleans by Thursday. As of tonight we are just outside Lafayette parked beside a swamp (thank goodness it is February or we would have a camping experience my kids and I know too well that we did in Manitoba next to a mosquito pond. )

Staying in rest stops and Walmart's isn't too bad, but having electricity only with the generator is hard on charging 6 Apple products.  Our first night in New Mexico at a Walmart got us off guard as all the grass around the RV had a ton off burrs..  see below.

The poor dogs were covered in them and it took us most of the night trying to get them out. Libby wouldn't do "her business" until they were all out.  Pat keeps stepping on them on the  carpet. They are hard to see they are so small.

Arizona rest stop

SHE SAID:  

One lesson learned from the burr experience - don't walk around an RV which is lived in with dogs who have walked on dry, burr infested grass - ouch!  I am still feeling the prickles on my thumbs, as well as my feet when they decide to try to hitchhike from the carpet to somewhere else.  I can't imagine the pain the dogs were in as it took us over an hour to get them picked out from their paws and beards.  I think that now, two full days later we are coming to an end of them inside.

It was nice to leave Phoenix to continue our adventure - we had been getting into a routine there.  None of that!!  Day one was still very warm and dry - moving through desert landscape.  In the above picture of John on the rocks (a new drink name, maybe?) was very interesting, as the rocks looked like they were from Lord of the Rings, and would rise out of the ground and start talking and moving.  We drove, arriving in Las Cruces, NM and had the burr fiasco at the Walmart parking lot...note to self...not all grass is alike.

We left pretty early Tuesday and drove to a rest stop near Kerrville, Texas.  It was fairly quiet and very clean, equipped with a dump site for the RV for the inevitable dumping activity - which we took advantage of.   I love the internet, and don't know how people did this without it - must have had a lot more surprises - there's been enough with it!  I can have the location for stopping, with the help of a book we picked up in Yuma, but also a quick search will give reviews and the best area to park in the rest area.  During the day, I did drive on two occasions, mostly to break up some of the monotony.  I was a bit concerned, due to my mono vision and the length of the RV pulling the car.  There were no big cities, so I went with it.  Not hard to drive at all, but when a truck passes, its quite the pull - I guess I'll get used to it.

Today we set off and made it to another rest stop - my googling isn't 100% as this one is 'closed' but there's about 10 rigs and another RV parked along with us.  It rained all day, was cool, and we passed through both San Antonio and Houston - I did not drive today!  I appreciate John will take on that stress, or I guess we'd still be Lethbridge at the Bridge View campground.  

Tomorrow is New Orleans - as we've agreed not to pay for a campground until Florida, I had to work a bit harder for our 'Freebie' as it's almost Mardi Gras.  I have located a casino that allows free overnighting, this one doesn't require a check in or  require gambling - sounds like we will be able to park then take part in the pre- Mardi Gras activities before our Florida time and my run home for a Dr. appointment.