February 21st through February 28th, 2022 - Week Eight - Sunset (Dallas) Texas

 Destination number: 85/165/23

This week started out with me not having my regular internet provider and spending more time than I would have liked trying to get my primary internet service back up and running. As a result, I didn't stay on top of my blog like I normally would have, building it during the course of the week instead of after the week was over, but I'm going to give it my best shot. 

The drive from Amarillo to Sunset Texas which is about an hour north of Dallas, was fairly uneventful. The morning of the 21st I woke up, turned on the TV and they told of a bad storm heading our way, so Remi and I made haste to get up and going and on the road as soon as we could. Fortunately, I had taken the motorhome out the day before to get diesel put on board and we were able to travel with only one potty stop to Sunset Texas. When I first arrived at the park in Sunset, I thought "Oh great, another run down RV park like the last place I stayed at.". I based this on the virtually illegible sign on the highway that marked the location of the park. When I pulled into the park, though there were not many rigs in the park, the man and woman managing the park were very friendly and helpful. I think they were glad to have someone staying at their location. I later found out that they took over the management of the park just on the first of February. 

The previous park manager had gotten too old to really do any work around the park, and the new managers were working hard to turn things around. I found the water and sewer worked great. We did have a couple instances of freezing rain while I was here, and the electricity was a little suspect during those storms. So, I'm not sure if was a regional issue or something related to just the park, but with my batteries and inverter to provide constant power, we didn't experience any inconveniences. The weather here in Sunset was wild. Though it never really got Warm here, we had three days of sleet, hail and freezing rain. The grounds at the park on Wednesday and Thursday were like a skating rink. It got really exciting taking Remi out for a walk when she would want to run over and meet a neighbor dog and I'm trying to walk flat footed and not end up on my back side. 

I know in the next picture that looks like standing water, but it is frozen ice on the ground. 

I tried to find boots for Remi so that her paws were not on the cold ground, but Amazon was so many days out, we were going to be in 70-degree Houston by the time they arrived. 

With these super cold temperatures, using the Crockpot is definitely always in order. This time I made Chili verde which was just the right amount of spice and all-around flavor. Thank you, sis, for my Crockpot, it is really getting a workout! 

Though the internet was still down through my primary internet provider, I was able to use my cell phone as my backup internet access so that I could work during the week. I was supposed to make another try at applying a software update to my primary software system for the state on Friday, but I found again that I was held back by insufficient permissions attached to my account, so I had to abandon the upgrade one more time. 

On Saturday, since the upgrade didn't work out, I had the day available to explore, so Remi and I hoped in the car and went to go explore Fort Richardson which is west and south of Sunset. This was a fascinating place to explore that dates back to the mid 1800's and was built to protect the frontier from the savage Indians. It was kind of sad as I explored this because it made me think about how the white man over ran the Indians, much in the same way the Russians are attacking the valiant Ukrainians who are defending their homeland today. 

This location though built in the 1800's served as a military base as recently as World War II. In fact troops deployed from here in World War II went to fight in the pacific and were depicted as the American soldiers who worked to build a bridge in the Movie "Bridge on the River Kwai". There are a lot of very cool artifacts here including a couple of Baracks buildings, the Commanders quarters, the bakery, the armory and the crown jewel, the fort hospital... with some very gruesome looking surgical instruments. 

Remi and I were glad to get out this morning to explore Fort Richardson. And mother nature cooperated just long enough to let us explore it. Shortly after we got in the car to leave, another rainstorm was on top of us. 

On Sunday, the weather was clear and we headed to Dallas... I've always wanted to go to Dealey Plaza and see the JFK memorial and the location where John F. Kennedy was shot. I was touched by how many people, of all colors, creeds, beliefs and nationalities would come to experience this. Lots of people taking pictures of themselves by the memorial, some that didn't speak any English. It just reminded me what a wide-ranging touch JFK had on our world, even in this day. I know being born in the 60's he would have some meaning to me, but I was amazing how many, even those half my age, were interested in experiencing this. 

After checking out the JFK memorial, I went to go explore the JFK museum. This was truly touching and emotional. And was packed with people wanting to read about JFK, his leadership and how he wanted to make the world a better place and the challenges he faced. I think it is truly important that buildings like the old book depository building be preserved and stand as a testament to the tragedy of that day so that we as a society never forget. 

The FBI mockup of the crime scene of the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dealey plaza. 

I was truly thankful to be able to visit Dallas on this trip. I had wondered if I would have anything to see, and I saw and experienced things that truly reminded me of some truly amazing leaders that our great nation has had in the past. Though I don't know if I will ever make it to Dallas again, I am so very glad I made it on this trip. 

Speaking of the trip, I have been informed that the Telework policy for the state of California is changing and I have to return to California as soon as possible, so I will not be able to visit family as I had hoped. So, once I'm done with my next leg to Houston, I will be headed back. The link to my new itinerary is below. You will notice that I still have several stops along the way and still more adventures to document, so stay tuned for those! 

New Itinerary

Here is the link to this week's video of our adventures. 

Next week, we are on to Houston. 

Safe travels all! 

Eric and Remi too!