CA to TX – days two and three

Day 2 of the “San Francisco to Austin Adventure” found us waking up in a hotel in Fresno at 6:00 AM, eating breakfast in the lobby together by 6:30 and on the road by 7:00.

Our destination for the day? Home in our own beds in Scottsdale, AZ!

The drive through California’s Central Valley, also known as “America’s Fruit Basket” was especially beautiful this time of year, with all the rows and rows of fruit trees in bloom.

Along the way, we passed the Smokey Bear Road exit and soon after that, we drove along with Pyramid Lake Recreation Area, which seemed to go on forever. It was a beautiful drive south through California. Soon after we turned east, not so much. Ugly desert for most of the rest of the day.

The best part was when we finally saw this welcoming sign! Dave and Marissa were in the car and arrived home about 90 minutes before Jeff and me, since we were driving the truck, and towing the VW Bug. It was such a treat to sleep in our own beds, especially with the knowledge that we still had two long days of driving to go!

We left the house at 6:30 AM on Saturday, heading south towards Tucson. It was a gorgeous morning! We stopped there for breakfast just before 9:00 at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, which was delicious.

Then, back on the road again, towards New Mexico! Our next goal was lunch at a place that one of Jeff’s clients had highly recommended, Chope’s Bar & Cafe in La Mesa, which is just outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico. It’s a biker bar with “the best Mexican and New Mexican food ever!” At least that’s what everyone says.

On the drive to this stop, Dave and I were in the car and were quite a bit ahead of the kids in the truck and trailer. Good thing, we ended up being the “scouting party.” As we approached the exit, we saw that it was closed for construction. I was driving, so of course, I pulled an illegal u-turn, in a police turn-around on the freeway, and we headed back to the previous exit.  With the help of Google Maps, we found it “the long way” to the place. We alerted Marissa and Jeff, who by now was quickly approaching that exit, and … it all worked out, we got to Chope’s in one piece.

Boy, was it worth the trouble! The food – especially the Chili Rellenos – is outstanding, as promised! Marissa and I each had the # 6 Combo; Green Chicken Enchiladas, Chili Relleno, and Chili Verde.

The boys each had the Three Relleno Plate, and Christmas-Style (with green and red enchilada sauce) and they loved it!

We’d all go back, in a heartbeat!

After lunch, we switched up drivers again, with Dave and me in the truck and the kids in the car. We left New Mexico and…

… were finally in Texas.

Our destination for this day – is Fort Stockton – is just under 300 miles to go!

It all started out fine, but just as the dust was approaching, fog! Thick soupy fog! It was miserable! For about the last 70 miles of the drive, we were creeping along in the dark, barely able to see more than a car length ahead.

I am beyond grateful to say that I sit in my room at The Hampton Inn in Fort Stockton as I type this! Very grateful and now very tired.

Tomorrow, after what will seem like a short 5-hour drive, we will arrive at our true final destination – Austin!

I’ll keep you posted…