Cowboys and Tumbleweeds in Texas

As soon as we got back to the camper from New Orleans we decided to pack up camp and leave.  Talking to the owners of the RV park, they told us that they are susceptible to floods and big RV’s were pulling out too so despite it being late afternoon we thought we’d play safe and bundled the kids into the car and drove North/West, towards the Texan border.   We went through Baton Rouge and followed the Mississippi up towards Alexandria.   We started to see lots of cotton fields and sugar cane crops which was lovely.   

Tropical Storm Lee catches us

We had booked a place in advance because it was Labour weekend (which is a huge celebration for the Americans) but in the end we just had to wing it and hope for the best.  We managed to find a site at Paragon Casino Resort which was great.  It was a lovely park with beautiful restrooms and pool.  Lots of concrete slabs to park on and it was packed. What a wonderful atmosphere though, lots of bbq’s and parties and there was a shuttle bus driving around taking people to the massive casino at the front of the resort.  Tropical Storm Lee caught us that night though and although we woke up nice and dry in our camper we were soon soaked just from walking to the toilet etc.  It was a real soaking, heavy rain.  I took the kids to Mcdonalds for breakfast while poor Just took the camper down in the rain and off we went again.   

The problem for New Orleans is two fold; the heavy rain falling on the city plus the fact that rain is now falling North of her and into the Mississippi which will then flood and head for the Mississipi Delta where New Orleans is.  We drove another 200ks North/west before escaping her and as we neared the state border we started to see more blue skies.  When we crossed into central Texas it was as though all the moisture had been sucked out of the atmosphere.  

Texas is tinder dry and actually reminded us a bit of the high velt of the Transvaal in South Africa with those endless golden savannahs.  We passed through some very run down and sad looking towns that seemed to exist only on the petrol station, auto mechanics and RV parts and services shops.  There was quite a lot of bore hole drilling going on, there seemed to be a drill pumping every 100 mtrs and there was even one in the middle of a golf course.  At first we thought it was oil drilling but it turns out they are after water.  There has been a drought for the last 3 years.  Interesting to note though that here are no water restrictions in place.

Texas

The days are very hot here in Texas but the nights are a lot cooler, very similar to a climate you would expect in and around a desert.  We stayed at Cedar Hill State Park in Dallas which was right on Joe Pool Lake.  There was a hot wind and a strict fire ban.  I had nightmares about fires starting up and even had a bag ready to grab for the kids if we had to make a run for the car in the night.  Everything is so dry and with that wind something would spread before you could do anything about it.  The lake itself is lovely and surrounded by dry grass and dirt banks but the water was surprisingly refreshing and we had a great afternoon.  Spencer has been swimming without  swimmer nappies for a while and her bum is now peeking out through her worn out swimsuit.  Picture this and then picture the sight of a nice big smelly bulge making for a very saggy bottom.  We binned the suit.

Joe Pool Lake

Joe Pool Lake

Nap time

The next day we headed into Fort Worth, about 40 minutes away.  This is a little pocket of old time cowboy era with saloons, an old stockyard.  It used to be the centre of town where they transported and traded their cattle.  They have rodeos here, the shops are filled with Stetsons and cowboy boots, jeans and flannel shirts.  For those Iron Chef America fans, Ricky, one of the winners has opened a bbq shack in the stock yards called the Love Shack.  Worth a visit! They have a cattle run thorugh the streets each day and a cowboy gunfight.  The cattle have really long horns that stick straight out sideways, you know like the ones you see mounted on the hood of cadillacs.  Leo held his hands over his ears for the entire gunfight and couldn’t stop talking about the “naughty cowboys” all day.  My little boy has been corrupted, it’s all about guns now…he doesn’t just say bang bang, it’s “BWOAR, BWOAR!!”

Fort Worth Stockyards

Cowboys

Wagoning it

Yeehah!

Cowboy at work

Cattle drive

Lady of the ???

Leo at gunfight

Bwoar! Bwoar!

Meeting a cowboy

Spencer loves animals so she was mesmerised by all the cowboys on their horses and the cattle.  Leo had a turn on a big mechanical bull which was hilarious.  He did so well and was so serious about it.  He even rode with one hand in the air like he saw the adults doing.   We had a lovely lunch of beef tenderloin and salad at a saloon that had saddles for seats at the bar.  Texas is the home of the margeurhita but we stuck to a nice cold beer.  There are museums there and the cowboy hall of fame which was great to have a look through.  There are real cowboys wondering around and a real feel of good old Western fun.  If you ever get the chance to come here, don’t miss it.

Mummy has been naughty

Now this is a Texan car!

Ridin' at the bar

Leo on his bull

Wahoo!

After another night of wind and dried leaves falling all over the place we left Dallas and continued the journey North West towards New Mexico.  We stayed at a small place called Vernon, Texas just before heading for the state border.