December 1, 2000, Friday- after getting the coach inspected in Ft Davis, Tx, (what a joke- light check and $12.50), we joined Mike and Shirley for a ride down to Alpine, TX, about 20 miles south. This is a college town with a lot more happening. We found a little hole in the wall Mexican place, and who is sitting at the table next to us, the campground hosts parked across the street from us. Noticing an Alaskan shirt on Nancy, I asked her if they had been to the north country. Her response was that they were there three summers and were going back this year. They stated that there was no problem with taking our big rig along the Alcan Highway, and that fuel was equal to or less then the lower 48. Early in the season mosquitoes were a problem while late in the summer the black flies took over as the Alaskan bird. Nancy and her husband said that the mosquitoes were the better choice. Repellent did nothing for the flies. Heading north early prevented some of the frost heaves highway problems, and coming back late, like late August into September, had the best roads. All of the season's road work would be finished, and the roads would be sealed for the winter. Coming up in May, the frost heaves would be less then later in the season. It did encourage us as providing both a safe and affordable trip.

 

IT'S TRUE WITH A 5000' ELEVATION

December 2, 2000, Saturday- time to leave the highest town in Texas at 5000 feet. So, goodbye Mike and Shirley and Ft Davis, TX. Onto the interstate and 320 miles later we were in Boerne, TX, just on the west side of San Antonio. We stopped with the hope of doing the Alamo and the river walk tomorrow, but the local forecast calls for sleet and rain overnight, continuing into Sunday. Highs are to be about 40. So, the jury is still out, but it's a nice park to stay for a day or two if the weather doesn't permit travel. Maybe we can catch up on loose ends.

December 3, 2000, Sunday- well, the weather people were correct. Temperature this morning was 33 and rain. Highs were still in the 30's and it rained most of the day. This still didn't stop us from heading to downtown and touring the Alamo and riverwalk. The Alamo docent provided a 15 minute background onto the bloody history of the site where some 500 or so Mexican troops were killed, as well as the famous 200 Texans, including Davy Crockett. The buildings that remain contain a great museum and displays that date back to the 1836 fighting. After the Alamo we attended a 45 minute IMAX reenactment to the fighting. Very well done.

 

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!!	SUSAN ALONG THE FAMOUS SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK- COLD & WET!

December 4, 2000, Monday- under cloudy and cold skies we headed eastward to Livingston, our Texas home. Fortunately the rains moved southwards so we didn't have slick surfaces to travel on. Passing through the San Antonio area we passed numerous gas stations that had regular unleaded at $1.17 per gallon. We hadn't seen these prices in over a year and a half. Welcome to Texas. However, diesel fuel still ran us $1.45 per gallon, better then the western states by almost 50 cents per gallon.

December 5, 2000, Tuesday- well, the first hurdle is down….went into the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for the written test on the class B driver's test and 5 minutes later….out the door. Unfortunately the lady that does the road test is off today…so I have to wait until the morning to schedule the driving test. Meanwhile- got the Jeep serviced at the local dealer….nice not to need a few weeks in advance appointment. Then with the return of the sun, hit a few golf balls at the local course. If we have time in the next day or two, maybe we will play 18 for the $15 walking rate!

The Florida saga continues today and if Hollywood had written such a script, nobody would have believed it. But, when Greenspan speaks, everyone listens. And, today the Dow was up over 300 points and the NASDAQ set a one day point and percentage gain of over 10%, rising 275 points. Keep on speaking Alan!

December 6, 2000, Wednesday- some days all our plans get out of sync. Calling the DPS for a driving appointment in Livingston, I learned that the lady who was off yesterday, will be out the remainder of the week due to a family emergency. So, all of our plans to come "home" to where the test is reasonable, were out the window. The next closest town, 35 miles to the east, would administer the road test, so off I headed into the rain. Not knowing if the test would be reasonable, like in Livingston, or a bear, like Mike had in Amarillo, mentally I was preparing for the worst. Good news. The DPS woman, as advertised in the Escapee's magazine, was concerned to make sure that you could drive your rig, not to nit pick over ridiculous things. Thus, I didn't have to parallel park in traffic, but merely drive through the town, make a few left and right turns, and have a new photo taken. Whew, now we are legal for insurance and all other purposes, with our new Class B endorsement.

Also, this tester asked if my wife was taking the test. When I explained that she only occasionally drives, and that is usually on the highway, the suggestion was made for Susan to take the written test only. That would give her the right to drive as long as a Class B driver was in the right seat. Perfect. Now, in less then one hour of reading the appropriate sections of the driver's manual, Susan passed the written test, and has a new, and an appropriate, license. Great idea!