Trip delayed due to inclement weather

I was supposed to make my way to Terlingua this morning but had to delay my departure due to inclement weather that will hit the Del Rio area this evening.

We have a wind advisory in effect from 7:00 p.m. this evening to 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time Friday.  We will have sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph.  I am afraid the rotting trees might not make it.

From another angle.

We will also have a much-needed rain event that could turn severe with a slight possibility of hail brought about by a cold front that is on its way.  We are in the mid-'80s while the Texas Panhandle is experiencing snow and is in the '30s.

Just to be safe I parked the car in the garage.  Then I went and secured the outside of the house from loose objects.  Tomorrow temperatures should only reach a high of 68 with a low of 40 degrees.  We will finally be experiencing pleasant temperatures.

With strong winds expected wanted to publish this in case, the power goes out as it often does even with lesser wind velocity.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Camping Saying of the Day

Airing out camping gear, camera issues, very tired...

I am trying to upload pictures but my cellphone has been giving me a hard time.  My blog is set to Pacific time so I only have ten minutes to do so and that is impossible so I am publishing this to save the date and I will update later on tonight or tomorrow as I am exhausted.

Went to bed late last night (Tuesday) and woke up equally early on Wednesday morning.  I only had three hours of sleep.  I forced myself to go back to sleep and lucky I managed to get in an additional two hours for a grand total of five hours which for me is an improvement.

I do not recall if it was either in 2015 or 2016 where I was able to find my tent fly and poles but not the actual tent.  This year I had the opposite problem.  We have a back bathroom/shed/ cats winter bedroom/junk room that is piled high with storage containers, ice chests, and boxes.

I had to move them out of there and place them on the lawn (weed-free area).  Even with my back brace, it was a little exhausting, time-consuming and a whole lot of work.  The first ice chest I looked in...an Igloo 120 gallon...had its hinges crack when I opened it.  At the time I bought it it was the first seven-day ice chest of its kind.

Had to look in more containers while at the same time clean them as they were full of dust and spider webs.  I tried to take a picture but the darn cellphone told me the camera app was not working...grrrrrrr!!!

The phone has been giving me problems lately and the last thing I need is to have to replace it just before my Terlingua trip.  I am going to dig up the new camera I bought online last Black Friday and see if I can make it work just in case I need a back-up plan.

All my camping gear from tarps, tents, rain-flies, etc. etc. smelled musty.  I, therefore, laid it out in the sun and since it was a windy day it helped in airing it out.  I wanted to set up the tent but could not find the poles so just piled all the smelly gear on top of it.

I took this one in the morning

I took the following picture in the afternoon as I could not make the camera work.  Just in case it rained or the cats wanted to scratch the no see them mesh...I covered it with my newly found tarp and weighed it down with water jugs as I was not able to locate my tent stakes.

Sonny decided it was a nice spot for him to chill after his supper.

It was a warm day in the high 80's but this evening (Thursday) we are expecting rain and a cool down though not significantly.  Hopefully, I will be able to locate my tent stakes along with some more gear.

Needless to say...I am very tired and I am not alone...spoke to my best friend and she said the same thing...at least she has help.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.



Camping Saying of the Day

Washing my camping bedding / Harbor Freight Tarp

If you ever have the opportunity to attend the Chili Cook-off one of the first things I would recommend is for you to protect your upholstery.  There is a lot of dust, people will spill beer others will throw up or worse.

I place a flannel sheet on the back seats then a plastic sheet protector followed by a comforter, then lined with flattened cardboard beer containers and thick cardboard boxes to keep the ice chest from sweating onto the seats.  To further protect it I bought a thick canvas pet-friendly liner...and if that was not protection enough I further cover it with the big cardboard that they use to separate the different levels of drinking water bottles at the store.

Yesterday all that had to come out to be washed and or replaced.  Headed to the nearby washateria this morning where there was only one other customer who was about done and a guy who was repairing the washer and driers.

This laundromat always decorates for each holiday.

 They have newer machines and it is a well maintained and clean laundromat.

While they have raised their prices due to the increase in water rates they are still reasonable.  A little secret only known to regulars...one of their $4.00 machines only charges $2.75 and I was able to save a little money.

Washed my sleeping bag, comforter, flannel sheets and towels in a calm and child-free environment.

I was prepared to use the largest of their washing machines to wash my sleeping bag and comforter for $6.00 but as I mentioned was able to use the customer reward machine for $2.75...you know how I love bargains!

Went I got home I covered my front and passenger seats with long and thick freshly laundered towels and after putting everything back in the back seat...it gave the car a nice clean fresh smell.

I know a couple of you have been wondering why I want a Harbor Freight heavy-duty tarp.  Here is your answer...

First of all, it is big 11.4 feet 4 inches times 18 feet 6 inches for $18.99 which in itself is a super bargain in comparison to other stores.  Add to that a 20 percent off coupon.

That brings the price down to $15.19.  The one I have has lasted 4 years in the unrelenting Texas heat, sun and exposed to the elements.

Good news...I do not have to purchase a tarp after all...found three today!

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.



Camping Saying of the Day

Oil change / Tire Rotation / Tarps / Butane Canisters

Another sleepless night got a little less than three hours.  I really need to buy a storage shed before next year's cook-off.  I need a dedicated space for my camping gear as well as my multiple boxes that I have no idea what is in them.

I tried to call our local Toyota dealership all weekend but I kept on getting a mailbox that was full.  I called them first thing this morning and was able to schedule an oil change as well as a tire rotation. I had not been here since they finished their remodeling.  From afar admired this 2020 Toyota Sequoia,  could not help but think what a great camping vehicle it would make :-(

Headed to Home Depot to purchase light bulbs for my room and to check out the prices for tarps and butane fluid for the camping stove I am "considering" buying.

The first thing that greeted me was the Christmas decorations...come on folks it's October we have not celebrated Halloween, Día de los Muertos, or Thanksgiving yet....grrrrrrrrr!!!

Lightbulbs were pricey but I like the Daylight curly ones and that is the only thing I purchased here.

Perhaps due to the fact that it has been a while since I purchased tarps, I found them to be expensive in particular the heavy-duty ones that I prefer. Even the medium-duty ones were higher than I was willing to spend.

 Found the Butane that I was looking for but the first thing that caught my eye was the warning "Extreme Danger".  Left without the tarps or butane canisters.

 

Walmart is across the street from Home Depot.  Again in comparison to Harbor Freight, I found their prices to be high even the medium-duty ones.

Today they did have Butane in stock. By the way, the correct price is $4.97 each just like at Home Depot.

I have considered purchasing a better-insulated ice chest but apart from also being at the top of my budget, they weigh too much even when empty and they have bad reviews with regards to the top warping.  If only I did not have to drive 60 miles to Eagle Pass where the closest Academy is located :-(

This new Natural Light product caught my eye...

Has anyone tried either one?

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.



Camping Saying of the Day

Rotted trees / Another record setting day

About two years ago I had to have the trees in the front yard, as well as one tree in the backyard, pruned.  One of the men that climbed the tree was bitten by ants at the time I remember he told me that I needed to do something to control the ants or they were going to rot the trees.

Remember going on-line and researching why trees rot and none mentioned it was due to ants.  This year I have noticed how easily the branches are breaking with the slightest wind.

These other two by the fenceline besides having tree rot are in need of water but I do not want to get too near them in particular on a windy day like today.  They used to be so lush and full that Walter (the neighbor's horse) would go to sleep under their shade when he was grazing on our property.

The only reason I bring it up is that I used to set up my tents under their shade to clean them before and after my camping trips.  I do not think I could safely do it now.

When Pollito's wino sidekick came to mow he failed to mow to the fence line so even if I ignored the trees there is no way I can ignore the high weeds to set up my tent. When am I going to find a good yardman?  We have had multiple ones and they are all worthless!

I can not find my tarps and I do not think the new Harbor Freight in Del Rio is going to open up before I go to Terlingua.  I suppose I could ask my friends to purchase some for me in Houston but I am going to arrive before them.  They met some people last year whom they have kept in touch and they are already there!  As a matter of fact, they have been there since this past Thursday and they are not alone!

It seems people are arriving earlier every year to secure their camping spot.  It is times like this that I wish I was able to rent an RV but we don't have any rental centers in Del Rio.  I would have to go to San Antonio or Odessa and incur more mileage :-(

The only thing I got done today was laundry and washing the dishes I hide from myself in my ice chest to keep from looking at them...I know I'm weird!

It was HOT today and we ended breaking yet another record set in 1979 of 95 degrees.  We had a low of 65 a high of 96 with a heat index of 99 degrees.  Tomorrow our high is expected to only reach 86 degrees.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Saying of the Day

Terlita / Menudo / Another record broken

I miss Terlita (my camping van) it has been patiently sitting in the garage since 2010 waiting for a new transmission that seems to never come as other items take priority.

Terlita is a full size 1991 Dodge Ram 150 van that I could fit everything and even throw in the kitchen sink...my Toyota Corolla...not so much :-(    Having a dedicated vehicle for camping makes preparing for the Chili Cook-off less stressful.  I can pack it ahead of time and when I return unpack at my leisure.

I need to go to Ciudad Acuña to purchase supplies for my trip and a bottle of Kahlua.  Looked at the Border Wait Times app and it was 60 minutes this morning...no thank you!  Headed to town instead as my lab results have been mailed.  I was surprised that there were so many cars at the post office, street, and Federal Building.  It's Saturday there are no trials and the post office is closed so what gives?  Apparently, there was a parade downtown.

I have been getting so little sleep lately two to three hours and my blood pressure has been high even when I take my medication religiously at the same time every day.  I have so much stress that I am hoping to erase when I am in my favorite desert.

I have been good since the last time I went to Sirloin Stockade and had four plates!  I was going to go pick-up some menudo at the drive-thru window of a little restaurant but it is quite pricey at $8.66 includes tax.  Decided instead to go to the breakfast buffet at Sirloin Stockade...don't panic...I did not have multiple plates on this occasion!

 The bowls are smaller than they appear since this is a buffet.

I had two bowls of menudo and a glass of unsweetened ice tea and that did the trick.

Headed to HEB to fill-up my car the going price today was $2.229 for unleaded and $2.499 for diesel. Then I went inside to purchase eggs so I can finally try out my Egglettes.

We broke a record set in 1938 of 93 degrees.  We had a low of 62 and a high of 95 degrees.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.



Aunty Acid Saying of the Day

Reminiscing about past Chili Cook-off's

I woke up to another wonderful and cool day.  I have been reading old posts about the Chili Cook-off to help me remember things that worked but mostly those that did not so I can take into account as I plan for this year's event.

I did not start this Cyber Journal until 2011 though I do have written journals of prior years but they are in my Houston house but thankfully I can still recall them.

I sure wish my friends from the early 2000's would once again make an appearance.  I am referring to Jeelbare, Sandy, and Charlie...I really miss you guys!  I know you are usually in the area so why not drop by and share a cold one with me?

Just letting you know ahead of time ...if you try to leave a comment and it does not show up...it is because I have placed my blog on "comment moderation".  Upon my return, I will answer your questions and you will see my reply.

Please do not ask when I am leaving or when I will be back as of this time I do not know the answer to that question and even if I did for my personal safety I prefer not to address that question.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Aunty Acid Saying of the Day

Finally Rain!

Our rains began at 12:27 a.m. this morning five hours later than forecasted but here none the less.  I would have liked to have left my car in the driveway for a free wash but you never know when hail will rear its ugly head so left it in the garage.

I have no idea how much rain we got but it was enough to fill my water catchment barrels more or less 128 gallons and could have probably captured more.  With that thought in mind headed to Walmart to purchase two more 32-gallon trash cans.

These trash cans have been selling for $9.88 for years even up to two months ago today I paid $12.88 for each.  So much for the consumer not having to pay for the tariffs imposed on China!

While there I decided to check out their Butane stoves which at $19.72 seems like a reasonable price.  I have never owned any kind of camping stove but they could come in handy for heating up my canned goods should I need to.

They also had a single burner propane stove but I liked the butane one better.

Headed back to Dollar Tree to purchase these tasty dried fruits that I did not know if I would like.  I bought a package and after trying it decided to purchase some more to eat with my cereal while camping.

I decided to see if they still had Egglettes and they are going fast...

We had a cloudy day with a high of 71 and a low of 60 degrees.  These are wonderful temperatures that I certainly enjoyed because they will be going back to the '90s soon.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Aunty Acid Saying of the Day

Fake Cold Front / Associates Appreciation Day / Harbor Freight

The cold front was a dud. Yesterday we had a high of 77 and a low of 67 degrees.  Today we had a high of 90 a low of 71 with a heat index of 95 degrees.

I never turned the A/C off I just set it on 80 degrees...when I heard it turn on this afternoon...I knew we were back to our summer temperatures.  I was going to drive into town but changed my mind and decided to do laundry instead after finally tightening up the clothesline.

If you look online it will tell you that Val Verde County got some rain showers both yesterday and today but they mainly fell in the northwestern part of the County out by the lake.

The last time I went to Dollar Tree they gave me a coupon for 10% off if I bought more than $10.00 worth of merchandise on Sunday, October 13th...they called it Associates Appreciation Day.  Being a dollar store that means any item in their store cost .90 cents after the discount.  While not a lot it saved me $1.50 and when you are on a budget every penny counts.

I had considered buying these Egglettes after seeing them on "As seen on TV" last year but I did not like the price.  You may ask yourself...why would you want these Belinda?  Unless you are new to my blog you know that cooking does not come easy for me. 

Whenever I go camping one of my go-to items is hard-boiled eggs but when you remove the shell it stinks and it keeps on stinking unless you immediately put them in the trash.  That is easier said than done when you are partying all day in the desert and you don't want to have to walk all the way to the trash dumpsters.  Did I mention there are rats, snakes, and coyotes in Terlingua?

So what was my surprise but to find them at the bargain price of .90 cents...I could not pass it up!  So if you are considering going camping today or in the future head to Dollar Tree before they are all gone.

Harbor Freight is coming along.  When I got there this afternoon they were putting up the sign.

Before

When I left they had the sign up.  Yeah, progress!  I really need some tarps and I do not have the time or desire to drive to San Antonio or to pay extra for shipping and handling to have them mail to me.

After

I had high hopes for an afternoon shower but if they fell it was in the northwestern part of the county.

Headed to DD's to see what I could score...it was my lucky day...I found a Baggallini purse for the incredible price of $4.99.  It will make a great camping purse when I head to the band stage, small and lightweight.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Aunty Acid Saying of the Day