Left North Texas on January 5th, 2018 on a slow ride to Big Bend.  I didn’t get on the road very early because this is my first trip in almost a year!  It took what seemed like forever to get everything ready, the truck checked out, trailer repacked, etc.  When not using your rig for a while stuff gets moved, items needed get unpacked, etc.  I’ve got to say though everything is more organized now than ever before!  I’m loving it!  LOL

I had one health issue after another all last year.  Nothing major really, but it kept me grounded because of one follow up after another.  Now I’m past all that for now so I’m down the road!

Night 1 I stopped at the rest area off of I-20 near Ranger, TX.  It’s been pretty cold here in North Texas, I’m really looking forward to going south.

Got up and had coffee, did my pre trip check on the truck and trailer.  All is well so I got the truck started.  Took my dog,  Baby for her morning walk.  She loves to explore, and she draws a lot of attention.  Most everyone stops to pet her.  She’s a funny dog though.  I have to help her get in my Jeep, and when loading her into the Volvo she climbs right on up into the truck!  Usually anyway.  Have to help her sometimes.

The whole idea when building this truck was to travel and just take my time.  So I’m not on any deadline.  If I go 50 miles, or 500 in a day, it’s no matter.  I’m set up to have nearly all services anywhere I stop.  No campground is needed every night.

After leaving the Ranger area on I-20 going westbound, I stopped at the Cisco, TX Denny’s for breakfast.  I like Denny’s but seems like the service is lacking at many locations.  Not this one!  Food was very good, service was great!

Once again headed west on I-20.  I came to the US 283 exit, and followed 283 to Coleman,TX where I picked up 206 to US 67. This is mostly a 2 to 3 lane road with a 70-75 mph speed limit.  My Volvo is governed to 73 mph max speed, but I’ve found the sweet spot for best fuel economy is about 65.  I’m still trying to define the speed a bit closer.  If I really watch how I cruise, I can get between 11-12 mpg  fully loaded.  When pulling the RV trailer alone with a Dodge RAM 1500 and Gas Engine, the best I could get was 9.1 mpg.  Yes Gas is cheaper than diesel, but I’m carrying everything to be self sufficient, and my Jeep!

Went through San Angelo, and proceeded on to pick up I-10 westbound.  Wow!  The speed limit is 80 mph!  What is surprising is not everyone is going 80.

Next town is Fort Stockton, TX.  I need a few things for my stay in Big Bend, so I stopped at Walmart.  Whoa!  What’s this?  I’ve never seen so many RV’s at a Walmart before.  It’s about 3:30 in the afternoon, and I was able to park within the rest of them, so I decided to stop here for the night.

I got fully stocked up with everything I will need for the next 10-14 days.

Sunday morning!  I’m ready to get to Big Bend! After my pre trip is done, got the Volvo fired up, and away I go!  I’m glad I got fuel in Cisco, fuel in Fort Stockton was $3.12!

Headed south toward Marathon, TX fuel there was a little cheaper at $3.00 per gal.  I’m now about 70 miles north of Big Bend and the scenery has been changing a lot as I progress south.  Can now see mountain terrain, and it’s now certainly a desert.  Saw a few Mule Deer and they haven’t lost their antlers yet.  Some huge racks!  I’m hoping to see some Pronghorn Antelope, Black Bears, and maybe some Bighorn Sheep once I’m in Big Bend.  It’s my understanding that there is a strain of Whitetail Deer in the mountain ranges in Big Bend.  Maybe I’ll see some!

I am not in the park yet, but I’m going to sign off.  Once I am in the park I will update this as I can. I’ve been told that there is little to no cell access in the park. I may have to update after I am out of the park after my stay.

(Note:  Cell service, and internet was tough to get, my whole trip is being done from notes.  I’ll update more soon.  I’m also still editing photos cause most all my shooting was done on my Nikon equipment.)