Climbing and Climbing and Climbing

On the road again! We had fun meeting and spending some time with our RV Forum friends, but after 10 days in one place we (I) were itching to see what's around the next curve or over the next hill.

Over the hill and to the end of the earth.....I think I can see it out there........

So we left Spring Branch, about 30 miles north of San Antonio, remember ?, and worked our way west to Alpine, TX, about 60 miles north of Big Bend National Park which we wanted to revisit.

For the map fans, north on US 281 to US 290 west to I-10 west to exit 248, US 67 south to US 90 west to Alpine. 387 miles, 55.3 gals., 7.5 MPG.

We could have gotten here faster:

I-10 in Texas, west of San Antonio. Yes, 80!

But almost no one goes as fast as allowed, and the high winds were pushing us around today, too, so a more leisurely pace seem advisable. And, though it may seem laughable to mention it give the size of the MoHo, we get more MPG at a lower speed.

How High Can We Go?

We are approaching the the mountain chains that protect the sane world from the denizens of California. The geography causes us to work our way higher gradually but substantially. If we had not done it before, we would have been greatly surprised to find that our altitude tonight is about 4600 feet, compared to a lowly 650 feet in Spring Branch this morning. We obviously were climbing all day, but there was never one or two long uphill grades that call it to one's attention. None the less here we are!

What Did We See ?

The scenery to day was not spectacular just a steady change from the Hill Country trees and greenery to the high desert greys and cacti.

So today we were content to pay attention to the small things -- after all God does so we should too! There is miraculous beauty around us every day and most of it doesn't shout out for recognition. Here are some examples:

First, there is a furry critter in the following picture. Can you find it?

Everbody notices the flash of the colorful flower. Someone spent a lot of time on the details. Take a look:

Common Cactus

Take a closer look:

See how the pink flower in the first picture becomes the outer petals of the yellow.

Take your eye off the flower and note the symmetry of the supporting spines.

Last, take a look right down the middle of the flower. Intricate, no?

Cacti flowers are not all yellow. It must take a brave bee to risk those green teeth in the center of this one!

Tomorrow we'll try to find something larger!

Possibly The World's Only Letwood Excursion!

Only noticed the missing letters today. We expect that they are lying on the floor of the Blue Beacon Truck Wash in San Antonio! Do we want to be unique -- or should we get them replaced so we don't look neglectful? Oh, the big decisions..........

More tomorrow!

MMG and DDG