Our Journey Across the Country
Arizona to Texas in one week - Harvest Hosts | 1/25/22 - 2/1/22
For the last week of January we hustled the 975 miles on I-10 through the desert from Mesa AZ to the San Antonio, Texas area. This was our first use of our Harvest Hosts (HH) membership - a network of wineries, farms, and community attractions that invite RVers to stay overnight at no cost. These locations are “boondocking”, usually parked in the parking lot without any hookups, and guests are asked to patronize the business in return for the place to park for the night. During this trip we kept an eye on the weather, as a very cold winter storm was coming to the Southwest. Freezing ice storms were predicted near the end of the week.
Our route through the desert yielded some interesting geological formations. We were surprised to find that the Phoenix area is surrounded by mountains which rise up abruptly around the desert floor. Many of these peaks were snow-capped, which presented a stark contrast to the saguaro and sand. Between Phoenix and Tuscon is Picacho Peak, a castle-like mountain which stands alone above the surrounding landscape. We passed through some interesting boulder formations near Dragoon, which might be called Sheep Canyon (perhaps all the round boulders look like sheep scattered about?).
Our first stop out of Mesa was Cattle Rest Saloon and RV Park in Wilcox, AZ. Although we found the Saloon through HH, they do have a small RV park behind the saloon, and when we checked in we were offered a spot in back with hookups for $20 and we were happy to accept the 50-amp so as not to need the generator. The Saloon is located a mile or so off the I-10 and afforded wide-open scenery of the surrounding mountains and sunrise/sunset. Once a cattle auction, the Saloon is surrounded by desert pasture and the yard is decorated with all manner of western kitsch and found objects. On our way back to the freeway on the way out, we drove down what had once been the highway and main drag of Wilcox. Now it is mostly boarded up businesses and motels. Out on I-10 there are new hotels/motels, fast food, etc.
After we crossed into New Mexico we encountered another interesting rock outcropping, and not long after, a large dry lakebed accompanied by a series of roadside warning signs about dust storms. The signs read out: IN A DUST STORM … PULL OFF ROADWAY … TURN VEHICLE OFF… FEET OFF BRAKES … STAY BUCKLED. That’s not at all intimidating…!
Day 2 was spent at D.H. Lescombes Winery and Tasting Room in Deming, New Mexico. Here we boondocked in the parking lot along with half-a-dozen other Class-A coaches and several smaller RVs. After fielding a call from work about one of Mary’s projects, we enjoyed wine tasting inside the lively tasting room and purchased a light red blend and a shirt and cap for Mike. On the way to Deming we noticed a group of smiling young men attempting to hitch-hike. As we passed, it registered to us that at that location we were only about 30 miles from the Mexican border, out in the middle of nowhere. We wondered about the journey these guys had been through to get here, and were saddened to think that their smiling, trusting faces suggested they had no idea what aggression they were likely to encounter there inside the US.
Day 3 was another winery, La Vina Winery in Anthony, Texas, in the Rio Grande valley on the border of NM/TX. We were dismayed to see the Rio Grande completely dry here. The grounds at La Vina are well set-up for large events and for HH guests. The huge parking lot had a handful of spots along the perimeter with 50a power cords, which we welcomed for $10. The winery is surrounded by an 8’ tall stone wall and inside the large lawn is ready to accommodate large functions, with a stage setup in the corner (which reminded Mike of some of the gigs he played back in the day…). While enjoying our tasting inside, we struck up a nice conversation with a couple from Minnesota who were travelling the opposite direction in a camper van they had converted themselves. Mary noticed another guest wearing a Cattle Rest Saloon t-shirt, and we met Martha and Lee from Spokane who were following the same route as us (they’d been at Cattle Rest the night after us), and were even headed to the same Thousand Trails park near San Antonio! Martha is a travelling P.A. and takes short-term assignments all over the country, then meets back up with Lee wherever he and the RV are. She had most recently returned from 3 weeks on the North Slope of Alaska! At LaVina we bought a couple of chardonnays which we enjoyed best when mixed together. Leaving La Vina, we traveled through El Paso Texas, right on the border with Mexico.
Next we spent 2 nights at Saddleback Mountain RV Park, a private park located behind a Valero truck stop right off the I-10 in Balmorhea, Texas. Our expectations were very low, this dry dirt RV park right off the freeway was to be a necessary but convenient stopover. We were pleasantly surprised by the cactus gardens throughout the park and the long views to the mountains beyond. The freeway noise was really not bothersome at all, nor was the truck stop (although we were not there for a “camping experience”). Although Balmorhea is known for its large, spring-fed pools, the daily moving was beginning to wear on us and we did not venture out. The air was really quite brisk still, although the sun was warm. With the luxury of a 2-night stay, we put out the rug and outdoor chairs, and enjoyed the sunshine and view (along with our newly-purchased vino!) in this very peaceful park.
Our last stop before San Antonio was another 2-night stay, at Stadium RV Park in the town of Sonora, TX. This private park is mostly permanent residents, with just a few spots for transients like us. The name is derived (presumably) from the high school football stadium located right next door. Too bad we were too late for football season - it would have been fun to experience Friday Night Lights in Texas. The owner, Mike, was out of town when we arrived but directed us over the phone to our designated spot on the edge of a gravel lot. As we were getting settled a very friendly man came by and said he helps out when Mike is away, and lives in the house right next door. With our layover day we decided to explore the town of Sonora. It was Sunday, so many things were not open, but we did drive around, found a surprising steak house for dinner and enjoyed a milkshake at the ubiquitous Sonic Drive In. We’ve noticed all through the south that in every small community (and even in-between!) there is a Dollar General, and the next national chain we seem to see is a Sonic.
On the road again
Picacho Peak, Arizona
Sheep Canyon (?), AZ
train at sunset, Cattle Rest Saloon in Wilcox AZ
next morning, the cats enjoyed the sunrise with me
sunset over Cattle Rest RV
after an exhilarating desert sunrise, it's time for a nap!
In the long stretches through the desert you can always count on roadside "attraction" billboards
Caught a pic of the wildlife near our parking spot in Stadium RV at Sonora TX
Sonora TX
Enjoyed a surprisingly delicious steak dinner in the little town of Sonora TX
downtown Sonora
Impulse-aisle appropriate?
Interesting mountain formations in west Texas. This is where the Texas Limestone comes from
Crisp air allowed for views of the surrounding mountains at Saddleback Mtn RV in Balmorhea, Texas. This right-off-the-interstate park behind a truck stop was actually quite pleasant.
We did not patronize this saloon at the Saddleback Mountain RV truck stop. It did not appear to be open, but their flags would have kept us out anyway
Boondocking with Harvest Hosts at Lescombes Winery
the front yard patio at D.H. Lescombes Winery in Deming, New Mexico
La Vina Winery is located near the Rio Grande in Anthony, which straddles NM and TX, near El Paso
La Vina Winery, Anthony TX
inside the stone walled courtyard of La Vina Winery in Anthony
The border "wall" fence in the foreground Mexico beyond, from El Paso
Though it looks arid, the sunny weather was perfect at 65 degrees in Balmorhea TX
Saddleback Mtn RV
Enjoying our recent purchase
Saddleback Mountain RV in Balmorhea, TX
No, Vinny didn't get strangled by his leash! He played with it, stuck his head in, rolled around, and fell asleep!
Texas limestone in situ
yin-yang
The folks who pulled in behind us at Stadium RV were in the same model Winnebago as us, just a couple of years newer
someone's been eating too much...
overlooking the town of Sonora TX
some of the oak trees here were HUGE
