Mar. 9
Back on the road today after a brief stopover last night in Texarcana to see our friends Rick and Barb Pitt. We met them several years ago on an earlier trip west, and they were kind enough to offer us their hospitality once again. After some good Mexican food at a restaurant they knew of, we got to watch some TV on their big screen, catch up with what has been happening in each other’s lives, and sleep inside in a real bed in their guest room. Logan made himself right at home in their house, but couldn’t understand why he couldn’t sleep on the bed with us. He may have been worried because in the night, we heard what we thought were coyotes howling. Rick thought that it was more likely that it was some neighborhood dogs. There are coyotes in the area however, and we have seen a couple of their carcasses on the highway as we were driving.
Tonight we are stopped in Abilene, and it is really beginning to feel like the west. I mentioned the other day that in North Carolina I was beginning to see a few guys wearing cowboy hats. Here in Texas, everyone I see is the real deal. I wish I could pull off wearing western gear, because I really like the look. Always have. But if I tried it in New Jersey (and I have, unsuccessfully) it is clear that I am just some kind of a “wannabe” poser. And in the west, I know for sure that I’m not fooling anyone into thinking that I am a real cowboy. So I guess I just have to be myself while trying to avoid mirrors long enough so that I can imagine that I look like Sam Elliot. His voice is all over truck commercials on the radio and TV out here, by the way. He could make a good living just with that voice, but the iconic cowboy looks make him the total package. (I need to stop now. This is sounding too gay.)

Mar. 10
Still in Texas as I write this. It goes on and on! We should make the New Mexico border before the day is out however. I have taken to measuring our progress west by the decreasing price of avocados. Both Lorraine and I love them, but they are quite expensive in New Jersey. They were going for about $1.25 each when we left. In a Wal-Mart in Louisiana, we paid 96 cents a piece, and today in Texas, 68 cents each. Soon they’ll be cheap enough to have with every meal, and the guacamole will flow like water. I love the southwest!!
I am NOT loving the southwest weather yet however. Cold and rainy again today in the 50’s (and 30’s at night). It has been this way for the last 3 days, and Logan does not like the thunder and lightning, I can tell you that! It freaks him out, and he looks for someplace to hide, and of course there is nowhere in the RV. So he shakes. And I don’t like taking him out for walks in the rain and the cold wind. The TV weather report says to hold on until Monday and then it will be in the 80’s. Can’t wait. At least the colder temperatures are keeping us focused on covering ground in our quest to get to Yuma, Arizona before all the snowbirds leave. We’ve been told that there is a contingent of them who camp each winter outside of Yuma on some government-owned land completely off the grid. It sounds intriguing, but we need to get there before everybody leaves at the end of March. So we keep the wagons rolling – westward ho!