Sunday, 11/27

Left at daybreak. Today’s goal is 260 miles away, that’s a big day for me. Got all my chores done the night before which left tea to brew and some water bottles to fill. Moved whatever needed to go to Bill. Drove off the leveling blocks, put them away, double check around campsite for trash or anything. I’m doing a penance for leaving a Plastic Water Bottle on a hike at Madera. Set it on the bench and got up and left it. BAD,bad bad. I’m a bit of a trashaholic and constantly picking small pieces and putting them in my pocket. I’m used to pockets of garbage. Harper & Maci have always filled my pockets with trash. The last thing i did was use the outhouse. The women’s side ‘cause there was a old guy in the men’s. Open-front in the womens and a closed front in the mens…Didn’t dilly-dally because it was the womens.

The road i want to take out of Madera is 14 miles of dirt but cuts 80 miles of paved. My neighbor said his buddy just took it and said it was “rocky”. Bill & Schooner know a good road so off we go. The road itself wasn’t any worse than most forest road but single lane going over the pass, narrow, few turnouts. The bumpy road has loosen my load but there is nowhere to get out of the way to hop back into the schooner. Finally a spot, slam it into park, keys out at the same time, jam the brake as i slide out the already open door and keep hoping i didn’t lock the schooner door.

Make it to Pancho Villa State Park. Good overnight spot ( in a damn remote spot) Internet two bars. Breezy but not bad. Power and showers. Still cold. Started propane heater. Chicken burritos tonight! Tomorrow Hueco Tanks State Park outside El Paso, Texas. Not as many Border Patrol.I’ve driven the last 100 or so miles right next to the border and saw one unit. Different from last time. Less than 150 miles too tomorrows stop so no use going early.