Fri – Apr 13/12

Friday the 13^th!

Up and on the road by 4:30 am. The early start will get us through El Paso, TX before I-10 gets crowded. We had planned on taking the SR-375 Loop around if we were going through later in the day. I-10 through here is too small for the size of the city as it does not have enough lanes (in my opinion) to handle the traffic. Now we can stay on I-10.

Our first stop was Fort Stockton, TX. The McD’s here also has RV parking and it is right off the I-10 Exit (256). After the meal it was across the road (as planned) to fuel up. I check out prospective fuel and restaurant locations using Google Maps (Street View). This is how I know the RV (towing) will be able to get in and out easily.

I decided to leave I-10 at Exit 307 and take US-190 across the Pecos (River in (Davy) Crockett County). I did not plan on going 80 mph on I-10 so the change would save distance and time. Even the 2 lane roads in most parts of Texas are 70 mph with good pavement (at least any I have been on). This is “oil” country as well as the beginning of “Hill Country”. We first pass through Iraan, then Eldorado and Menard, TX. After Menard we switch to US-83 then to SR-29 through Hext, Mason and Llano, TX. This was a good drive with very little traffic (done it before). All of these routes are also known as “The Old Fort Trail”.

The roadsides are fabulous! They are covered for mile after mile with a thick carpet of wildflowers. There are often solid patches of one type then another then an area with up to four combinations of yellow, blue, red and white.

We turned off SR-29 at RR-1431 (Ranch Road) through Kingsland then turn off onto N Wirtz Dam Rd arriving at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ (RV Park) in less than 3 miles. We made it – with 10 minutes to spare!

After checking in and being escorted to our site (#65) we set up the RV and disconnected the Del Sol from the towbar. Instead of waiting for the hot water to heat up we both took showers at the bath house which was only steps from the RV.

Now refreshed we took off the top and headed through Marble Falls to Burnet, TX (The Jewel of the Highland Lakes Region)  and the Bluebonnet Festival (annually – 2^nd weekend in April). We saw the sign for the Air Show (on Saturday) and pulled in to check it out. The “Confederate Air Force” (Highland Lakes Squadron) has restored and flown the great warbirds of WWII and maintain a Museum and WWII Hanger at Kate Craddock Field in Burnet, TX. We talked to a local who had brought his son to see the vintage aircraft at the airfield. He “filled us in” on how to get to the Car Show, the Craft Fair, Carnival and the Dance. I asked (as I often do) – “Where do the locals eat” - and we were given a few choices.

Soon we were on our way back in the direction we came in to find the “Burnet Feed Store BBQ” just a short distance away. 

Like Joe’s BBQ (Gilbert, AZ) the food is served cafeteria style. Charlotte ordered the Smoked Turkey and I the Rib Eye Steak (medium-rare). Excellent! We could use one of these back home!

We then followed the directions back into Burnet to the Town Square area. Luckily, we found a parking 

spot close to the action at the “Might Thomas” Carnival. We are past the carnival ride stage of life. The rides aren’t as tame as they were when we were young. Now we just enjoy watching others “scream”.

It still amazes how the “Carnies” can “Win” the prizes - yet few others can?

Gradually, we worked our way to the “The 29^th Annual Bluebonnet Festival” main stage and sat in the “stands” to listen to the music of “Jake Hooker and The Outsiders”. This band is well-known as a “Dance Band”.  Jake’s voice and music were pure, traditional “Texas Country”. The only guitar in this band was “Steel”, the Bass was Upright, the Drummer was real (not synthesized) and there were two Fiddles, not just one! The sound – priceless!

Got some interesting information from the friendly Paramedics (Hook-em Horns) that we talked to at the event. Burnet is considered one of the best areas in Texas to view wildflowers and is officially (Legislated - 1981) the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas”. Although the local population is only around 5,000 there will be several times that many here this weekend making this one of the most successful small town festivals in Texas.

Being up early and the long drive has caught up with us. We headed back to the RV around 9:30 pm. It didn’t take long to “conk out”.