NomadGal's Year on the Road

[_anatic]

Hey Esther,
Looks like things are going your way, good luck in Prarr.

[NomadGal]

Originally Posted by _anatic

Hey Esther,
Looks like things are going your way, good luck in Pharr.

Thanks Shane! I'm excited!

[NomadGal]

Originally Posted by RevBill

NO ! ! ! .. dear lord you'll be up all night with those flea-bags hounding you without mercy ..

Haha, sorry but I did, and quess what, they left me alone afterwards, and I did see them in the morning, but they didn't stick around. Mind you, the spicy Indian food might not have agreed with them.......

Originally Posted by RevBill

.. fwiw, the 16t sucks on anything other than highway traveling with minimal hills ..

Yes I am noticing that she doesn't pull up that easy, but rides awesome at faster speeds. I also have less trouble with surging. Now how that is possible I don't know.
Were my bad chain and sprockets causing the surging? or is having a 16 teeth sprocket making the bike rev less hence no more surging? It baffles me.....

[RevBill]

Originally Posted by NomadGal

Haha, sorry but I did, and quess what, they left me alone afterwards, and I did see them in the morning, but they didn't stick around. Mind you, the spicy Indian food might not have agreed with them.......

LOL .. taking notes .. Indian food is has anti-feline qualities .. brilliant!!

Yes I am noticing that she doesn't pull up that easy, but rides awesome at faster speeds. I also have less trouble with surging. Now how that is possible I don't know.
Were my bad chain and sprockets causing the surging? or is having a 16 teeth sprocket making the bike rev less hence no more surging? It baffles me.....

.. I agree .. with the 16T mine behaves the same way on the highway .. she'll run 700+ mile days without breaking much of a sweat and hums right along .. but when I hit "dem mountains" here in NC I become a down-shiftin' fool and the engine starts a-knockin' .. makes me worry (probably unnecessarily) about breaking a landing ..

.. keep sailing blessed .. hope to catch up and hear your tails of adventure someday ..

[NomadGal]

After spending a rainy night at Nueces River park I woke up somewhat shrouded in fog again.
It cleared fairly fast, but the sky remained gloomy.


Making my cup of coffee again (still haven't quit)




Yeah, they came snooping again, but left again without bothering me or meowing


The things you can do with wax earplugs


took Hwy 359 to Zapata

I am a tad worried now, because I noticed that right in the middle of Hwy 359 was a road block set up for those going North.
It looked like border patrol. I did not bring a passport (it expired) so I'm hoping a drivers license will do once I head North again.




The further South I went the warmer it got! Yay, no more rain


view at Falcon Lake State Park

Now I do sometimes wonder why certain folks work at a state park. Some I feel never even camp.
The girl behind the counter gave me site number 69, but she said I could look around for something better if I saw anything


Site number 69


Site number 54 right across it Hmmmm, maybe she thought I wouldn't like walking another 20 feet to get to the bathroom
Right across the river is Mexico


Walking to the bathroom required going through a thorny path, but pretty







Falcon is a really nice Park, for just $11 a night, which included a nice hot shower.
There was a butterfly park as well




I've discovered that taking a picture of a butterfly is easier said than done, they tend to flutter away when you get near




I think this cactus is called a horse lamer or something like that




If I am not mistaken I think this is Tamarind


Overview of park.

I left Falcon pretty late, but only had an hour or so to ride to McAllen where Oleander campground is.
Did not really see anything worth while to take a photo of. It was pretty congested in that area, and not really picturesque at all, which I had somehow imagined seeing as I was following the river Rio Grande. Most of the time I couldn't even see it!

I found the campground easily, and can sty there for almost 2 weeks for $150!
It's worth it to me seeing as I won't have to worry about my stuff, and can take showers and wash clothes to stay presentable for the job.


I think I am the youngest person there!

Ran to Wallyworld to get a cheap styrofoam cooler, ice and some perishables, lol
Seeing as electricity was included in the camp fee, I decided to buy a $3 light fixture and an extension cord, which I rigged up on the fixture.
As I got out of there sunset had arrived.
I had to do a double take,


Does a certain movie pop into your head?



I took an awesome hot shower, and made my hanging light for in the tent. Awesome!
Will post pic later

Today I spend all day in the Library, studying up on all the goal zero products, and printing info.
Turns out I have to be there at 5 AM tomorrow to get set up.
I actually have not a clue as to how long I'm supposed to work there, Costco's hours are 8 till 9:30, Hmmmm, that would be an awful long day!!
Wish me luck everyone, and also Happy Valentine's day!!

[Range Rover]

Enjoying your RR. I'm from Tejas and miss it a bit. That cactus is called a "horse crippler" for apparent reason. There are lots of prickly things in South Texas, but fortunately, the folks aren't! Great pics and good story.

[Motomedic]

Most, if not all Border Patrol checkpoints will simply wave us Moto-travelers through, or they'll ask you if you're an American citizen. No papers required.

[Rango]

Those cats don't look starved. More the Garfield type.

Cause you like a butterfly, here's one from the wild:


Beware in the city of birds for the sound. That will be your cue...

[CharlestonADV]

I continue to enjoy your RR. Continued effort toward refining your gear is noteworthy. Looks like you are ready to conduct a long-travel seminar at the next bike rally.

[B.B.]

Originally Posted by NomadGal

That blue building is a hotel

NomadGal, I've been following your trip for many months now. Thank you for the insight into the freedom of traveling for traveling sake! I now realize I travel way too much on business to "smell the roses"!! I stay at this Holiday Inn Express in Port Lavaca about once a month! It is, by the way, in the middle-of-nowhere!! Too funny when I can pick them out simply from a picture!! Hence the 1.1 million H-I points I've racked up over the years........... Stay safe. BB

[hoggjaww]

Originally Posted by B.B.

NomadGal, I've been following your trip for many months now. Thank you for the insight into the freedom of traveling for traveling sake! [snip]

Hence the 1.1 million H-I points I've racked up over the years........... Stay safe. BB

You could give her some of those points. just sayin


.

[NomadGal]

Originally Posted by hoggjaww

You could give her some of those points. just sayin


.

Haha, yep, that would be heaven!

[NomadGal]

Day 4 on the job!
Standing in a little area for 10 to 12 hours talking my head off is proving to be quite a challge!
Pretty much lost my voice yesterday, but sold a few things at least

[smash81]

Keep it up!

[NomadGal]

Wow! What's up with the new look?? Can't say I like it
Anyway, I've got 6 days behind me, and day 7 is about to start.
I have to admit that this job is harder than I thought it would be. I can imagine it to be more fun in a crowded Costco. This one is so quiet that sometimes no one will walk by for 15 or more minutes, so I basically stand there pulling my hair out!
Got home to my tent last night and realized that I had caught a bug of some sort. So now I"m off to work with a soar throat and a fever, hmmmmmmmmm, not sure if this is such a brilliant idea!
The fact that I only have 4 more days to go is giving me a little oomph, I hope I will last the day.
On a nicer note, I got my tax return in! Yippee! Will order gas tank lid for IMS tank and send it to HoggJaww. Can't wait to put the new tank on, awesome!!