On the Move

Thursday was a day of travel.  We left Ft. Stockton Texas at about 8:00 and headed out to Deming New Mexico, a distance of about 360 miles on I-10.  West Texas is one long and boring drive through the desert with distant low mountains visible.  We saw lots of goats and some cattle grazing.  The weather was much colder than we had on Wednesday.  Highs were only in the 50s (had been in the low eighties).  We had a strong head wind all the way which negatively affected our mileage.  The area is very dry so dust and dirt were prevalent.  The speed limit was 80 yet very few vehicles went that fast.  We  travelled at 65 mph and had only a handful of vehicles pass us until we got near El Paso. 

We stopped in Van Horn, Texas for a late breakfast and re-fueling.  We realized that we had changed time zones and gained an hour because we were now in Mountain Time.  We entered the dreaded El Paso traffic at 11:30.  Traffic was moderate and we had no problems.  The highway runs parallel to the Mexico border which looked to be less than a mile away.  At the north end of El Paso is the border for New Mexico.  We stopped at a visitor's center on the highway and picked up a new map and tourist information.  We remembered stopping here 6 years ago:

About 15 miles west of Las Cruces was a border patrol check point.  All west bound traffic was pulled off the road (similar to a truck weigh station)  for "inspection."  About a 1/4 mile from the border patrol staff were video cameras pointed at the driver, passenger, front license plate, rear license plate, passenger's left ankle, driver's right arm pit etc.  Also evident were an array of other sensors.  Once at the head of the line, I was asked if we had anyone riding in our trailer.  After I replied "no," we were waived through.  Apparently, old people from Wisconsin and considered "safe." 

We arrived in Deming elevation 4487 feet shortly before 2:00 PM and set up house in the Dream Catcher's RV Park which is a part of the Escapee Club's park system.  The rate is $12 per night plus electricity for full hook-ups.  The site is a flat gravelled service which includes a club house.

 Initially, we were going to stay at Deming for only one night.  However, high wind warnings are in effect so we decided to stay put until at least Monday.  Temperatures are expected to dip into the low 20s and rain/sleet/snow is possible.  Winds are forecast to be in the 40 mph range with gusts to 70 mph.  We are told if the visibility is poor due to blowing dust, the interstate will be closed.   We will be hunkered down until the storm passes.