Tuesday - What a day! So far...

  Looking back on the day so far.....
 
  It started out as a wonderful day.  Beautiful morning!  We watched the sun come up over the mountains.  It was easy to make sure we were up in time because now we are on Mountain Time which is two hours behind ours.  So we could sleep in for two hours and still be on time!

  Thomas went outside to have a look around and spotted a Texas Jack Rabbit.  It had really large ears and was hopping around in the brush.  The big ears were about all you could see poke up when it moved into thicker brush.

  With all the meat that needed cooking, we got out the Sun Oven.  Into the pot went a layer of potatoes topped with onions and then the pork roast and chicken breasts.  9am.  It wasn't long before the oven temp was reaching 275* and then on up to a max of 350*.  At noon it was wonderfully done!  Lunch was fantastic.  So will be the next couple of meals.  Everyone should have one of these!

  While it was cooking in the Texas morning sun, an Airstream trailer pulled in.  Finally.  This is the first Airstream we have seen on the road!  Thomas says it is because the rest are in Yuma or the Slabs already.  They came over to chat - Joe and Mary from Nebraska, WBCCI # 22116.  They were a very nice couple and were headed to the Airstream Rally in CA.
  We also had several other RV'ers stop by to ask about the Sun Oven and to talk about Quartzite.  We hope to be visiting Q during this trip.  This is an area where lots of RV'ers and others go in the winter to escape the cold.  Depending on where you stay, it is free of charge to camp there or on the Long Term Visitors Area (LVTA) it is $40 for 2 weeks or $180 (I think) for 7 months.  Not bad rent, huh?

  This picnic area is such a great place.  It is in a curve on Interstate at the top of the mountain.  The pull off is below the interstate which buffers alot of the traffic sound.  We are having a really great time.  Only bad thing is that the wind has picked up something fierce.  Maybe we need to head off the mountain and rest a while then plan on driving more a little later.

  AND THEN!

  We packed up and headed down towards El Paso.  In the spot we had been parked in, there was no cell phone service.  But within a few feet, my phone started beeping that I had 2 messages.  At first I was concerned about something happening with my daughter Samantha who is pregnant.  Then I listened to the messages.  They were from the Fraud Protection Department, "Please call us back concerning charges you have made."  (Yes, you know where this is going.)  My blood slid out of my body and through the truck floor as I was asked about this and that charge that had been made today.  Oh, and my account is now over-drawn!  Can we re-wind this day and start again?
  After making several calls, the last to my specific bank, it was all worked out.  The card was cancelled, a new one would be issued and sent to us, and the funds put back into my account.  I hope this person really enjoys their music from itunes.com, finds a job with careerbuilder.com, talked to their favorite person using skype.com and I don't know what Plimus.com is. 
  I have to say that Debbie at our bank, Carolina First, is wonderful.  We have known her for several years now and she is an asset to that bank and her customers. 

  Right now we are in a Texas Rest Area.  All Texas Rest Areas and Welcome Centers have free wifi.  Thank you Texas!  After a rest, we hope to head out and drive a few hours later in the day after the wind dies down some.  
  Plans are to head from here to the Cliff Dwellings near Silver City, NM for a visit.  It may be a few days before I get to update again after we get into the Gila National Forest.  If things work correctly, I hope to post some photos on here maybe tonight.
Hugs to you all......