El Paso, TX - Kerrville, TX Travels

 Not every spot we park our RV is picture-perfect, but everywhere we park has its own kind of beauty and the best beauty of all is that we are all together having these amazing experiences as a family. 

El Paso, TX - - 

We stayed at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino due to the proximity to town, and inexpensive hook ups. It wasn't the most 'beautiful' space (a parking lot) - but it had a great view of sunset/sunrise over the mountains across the way.

We visited Keystone Heritage Park Wetlands and Botanical Gardens.

http://keystoneheritagepark.com/.

We also visited Concordia Historic Cemetery.

http://www.concordiacemetery.org/about.html 

Then we ate on recommendation from some locals at L&J Cafe Mexican Food "The Old Place by the Graveyard" - established in 1927 - family run business. Our son got nachos, I had flautas and hubbie had fajitas. Very good food, neat little old atmosphere and reasonable prices too. We'd definitely return

 

Fort Stockton, TX for just a quick overnight - - 

This was a really neat overnight spot. It was just a rest stop, but there are several spots in Texas called safety stops. They have actual RV spaces, covered picnic tables, a playground, super nice inside and exterior bathrooms, a little museum with art, maps, an interactive program that teaches you about the area and security 24-7 with cameras everywhere. It was definitely a great stop  - clean and safe for the night.

Kerrville, TX - - 

We stopped by Kerrville to visit my families friends and to see the area on the way to heading down to the coast. We stayed for a few nights at Kerrville Schreiner park due to being wooded, having walking trails and being on the Guadalupe river with access to fish, and go swimming if we wanted. Completely gorgeous. 

The population of Kerrville in 2020 was 24,018 people. Being nestled in the hills of Texas Hill Country, Kerrville is best known for its beautiful parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs directly through the city. Kerrville finishes up in the 2nd place spot in one of the Top 10 Best Places to Retire in Texas.

https://www.kerrvilletx.gov/318/Kerrville-Schreiner-Park

We've had a wonderful experience thus far seeing different terrains and area's of the same state and are excited to continue our Texas journey.

1 month in the RV - Tombstone, AZ - Las Cruces, NM Travels

 It was bittersweet when our first month of RV living was over and we had to say goodbyes at the end of it- visiting family was such a blessing. 

Our hearts were still healing from loosing our beloved old dog-Jordan's dog. We were thankful we got to ease into RV life being close to family and conveniences (thank you Mom for letting me do dishes, and laundry!). We spent time and played tourist and we worked out some kinks in the RV, changed our plans on some things going forward, and still trying to get settled in and organized (will we ever be organized!?).

We've definitely come to truly appreciate the little things (running water and a working toilet!!) and seen that there is a lot that we can live without - less is definitely more and time, family, faith are everything. God is so incredibly good and has been providing and guiding us. There have been some trying times and some stressful times for sure but the blessings - WOW- We are incredibly blessed.

 Our first stop out of Cali was Tombstone, AZ - - 

https://www.visitarizona.com/places/cities/tombstone/ 

The one paid thing we did in Tombstone was tour the Bird Cage Theater -opened in 1881- totally worth it- tons of awesome artifacts, original items, photos, pictures. Two levels: you walk into the main room and there are viewing boxes above you and the stage in front of you then you can walk behind the stage and finally tour down below where the bordello rooms and additional gaming/drinking area was. Tons of neat stuff for sure!

https://tombstonebirdcage.com/

 

Goodbye at the last rest stop in AZ our home state...see you soon Arizona!! 3 states in 1 day AZ-NM-TX. Hubbie says now the adventure really begins after leaving CA/AZ.

Las Cruces, NM overlook on our way to El Paso, TX - - 

And finally that Texas sign! Hello Texas!

 Tombstone was definitely a fun tourist experience, NM overlook was beautiful with the city below and its mountains....but we were ready to go onward to TX and spend a good amount of time exploring the state- ...to new places we've never been, to adventure, family time and lots of memories in the making all together.

We did it! We left!

 We did it! We left in April on our family RV adventure together! 

 Our trip started with a few long driving days between dropping off Jordan's pigeons, stopping by to see our sweet piggy girls at their boarding place and a couple minor hick ups. Only a few days in we were still trying to figure out our routine, figure out how to be better organized with 4 people and 2 dogs in a 33 ft RV tiny living space - - but also the first mornings waking up in the RV  all together in a new place we felt overwhelmingly thankful and grateful for this time together.

 We came to this decision to live in the RV/travel for a few months through a lot of prayer and will continue on this path to see where God will plant us permanently also through prayer and his guidance. We do not know where it will be although there are several places we'll be checking out but we have faith and just know that God will let us know and lead us where we are supposed to settle.

The first morning in our RV together - - 

 

Then to California to see family - -  

We played tourist and went to the Zoo, tide pools, and the beach- all of our favorite places. We visited where my Nana and Papa lay to rest at Ft. Rosecrans as well and it was a beautiful gorgeous day up there.

 

My son and I tried a vegan fast-food place we've been wanting to check out - he got the 'burger' and fries and I got the 'chicken' sandwich and fries. Next time I really want to taste one of their many flavors of dairy-free shakes!

https://www.plantpowerfastfood.com/

We had to say good-bye to our sweet buddy boy Rusty at 13 years old at the start of our trip. We were devastated. To say this hurt our families hearts deeply is such an understatement, there are no words. He was our very first dog, first family pet. We adopted him when Jordan was 3 yrs and Teryn was 8. Jordan would always ask when he was tiny how long Rusty would be with us and I would tell him all your childhood- till you are an adult- and he nearly did. Rusty was a family dog- but Jordan's dog, his buddy, sleeping in his room with him. He was always go with the flow as we moved around a lot, and added on farm animals. He was high energy, playful, mischievous and a lover boy. It just doesn't seem real. Loosing a pet-family member is hard but for our son, loosing your best dog friend hits SO very hard. I'm praying for comfort for our family especially Jordan as we grieve our loss and I know God will give us peace and fill us up with the love of knowing we had so many wonderful times and memories.

 

Our first photo of him and the kids after adopting him and bringing him home.

April was a blessed month seeing family and a little heartache too not only loosing our old Rusty pup but saying good bye to family knowing we weren't sure when we'd see them again. But we were in high spirits at the end of the month for the adventure ahead!