We are sailing...

  Austin, Texas, United States
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

It seemed a bit strange to be preparing for the road this morning, over the months we have developed a system, each of us has our jobs and we just get on with them, today we had to think hard and check that we hadn't forgotten to do anything- Malc being the lucky one gets to do the outside things, you know like emptying the tanks...have you seen the movie RV?
We pulled out of our spot and moved to the front of the campsite to hook up Toad, fortunately I spotted that our steps which normally retract when you close the door, were still out - OK if you want to take pedestrians out at calf level - but not so good if you want to keep the bus intact! So after some magic spray and several door openings and closings all was well and we were on our way. Bree seemed eager; perhaps he knew he was in for a new experience, he was gong sailing! heading for that little ferry that we've used several times to get to the mainland.

Waiting for our 'ship' to come in...

Happy...

Here we go...

 
 Patiently waiting on the quayside, we looked at Aransas Pass for the last time and then followed instructions to board. The loading staff are highly efficient, some are deadly serious some obviously happy in their work. It must get tedious waving vehicles on and off, on and off, but they certainly do a great job. I'm pleased to report that Bree, Toad and all passengers reached the other side safe and sound, despite quite a strong tide. Our presence did trigger some curiosity though, not because we're an RV they cross all the time, but because here we were English for a start, with a car registered in New Hampshire and a Motorhome registered in Montana!

Curious crew...

Once off the ferry, a series of causeways and bridge later we left the tropical shores behind and headed inland.

Just another causeway

and another bridge

Malc's favourite spot...

 Glad that we had planned a route that avoided the interstates and one which took us through the 'countryside'. 

Harvest left some cotton behind

Back to the farm

On the move...

Salt marsh gave way to farmland as we drove northwards...yes after all those comments about heading south here we are going back! Well only for about 200 miles. It was a relaxed journey punctuated by a few little hiccups, the odd road works, the odd level crossing, passing through small towns with names like Concrete and Mustang Ridge.

Has this road been mended by using...

Typical town, main road straight thru the middle

So here we are in Austin - I know we don't do cities! Well this is one of our favourite places. Last time we stayed half way between here and San Antonio, another favourite, driving into each perhaps twice, so this time we have come back for a longer look. We are staying just 15 mins from downtown, in the only space this campsite had left - no we hadn't booked. Last trip we meticulously rang ahead before each move, this time we're a bit more laid back. There's always another campsite not far away!
PS...
If you check out our location, we're not in the middle of a field - the camp site has extended and we're on the new section that google hasn't seen yet.