Heading home- Nov 15-17, 2019

We kind of feel like we are  'heading for the barn'

but driving more that 350 miles a day is just about max for us.

Midland Texas

Not just a decoration for the RV Park!

The 'tiny houses' are in great demand for the workers.

West Texas is West Texas!

A long drive and a reservation at this campsite -

lucky to get one since the whole area caters to the long term rentals f

or the oil field workers.

We got the oil drills, oil pumps, tiny houses, RV's all in one camp site!

On to Las Cruses New Mexico

Old Town - Mesilla

Exploring the Old Town Square

Lots of colorful characters and events "back in the day"

Decorations in our favorite restaurant - the old La Posta -

 this place has been operating here for the last 150 years.  

It started out with dirt floors and no running water.  

Casa Grande, Arizona
-next to last stop.

I asked what would be interesting for an afternoon here, and was told that there was an airport where people jumped out of airplanes!

Sounded like our kind of adventure ( only to observe!)

Perhaps they are praying for their safety 

(as they jump out of a perfectly good airplane!)

Such fun to observe!

It really feels like this trip has had an "Aviation Emphasis"

and that this was a terrific way to end this particular adventure!

I think we are in Arizona.  These visitors are from New Mexico
The girls are wearing caps -  Mennonites perhaps?

 The lessons for this skydiving experience are quite expensive!

 The girls obviously had done this quite a bit. 

Grandpa that was with them probably had invested a fortune!

I have a great video, but can't get it uploaded

😉

 These ladies were in for a short time, and it looked like 

it may have been a beginning session.

The cost is $50.00 for 2 minutes.

Another brave soul - his lesson was short and this was the best that he could do.

As we were leaving, a vibrant sunset.

I tried for the 'green flash' but no luck!

The end of the trip with an aviation display- what a fitting end!
It seems as if this is the theme of our total 12,000 mile trip-
starting in Dayton with the original Bicycle Shop of the Wright Brothers to .
Kitty Hawk to see the launching of the gliders, to the current day hobby of sky diving!

Dallas - Visit with Tanya - Nov 12-15, 2019

Tanya said we could camp in her driveway/cul-de-sac in Rockwall Texas.

A bit tricky to get situated into the circle and leave enough room for the postman to get to the mailboxes on the curb.  We had specific instructions to line up at a certain point and since she was still at work, we sent this picture of our 'line-up" with her sidewalk.

Lou really maneuvers this trailer well!

First day - go see Ritzi - 

Ritzi's blanket (for the Arctic Freeze) had to be removed 

since it may have warmed a bit.

"Gimme a kiss Larry"

 "Scratch it please!"

"Now THAT feels terrific!"

 Barn kitty is SO cute!

"Here's lookin at ya"

FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT MUSEUM
Dallas, Love Field

I feel like this museum visit is 'coming full circle'.

So much of our trip has been learning a lot about the history of flight.

This is the wind tunnel that the Wright brothers used 

to develop their 'Flying Machine"

Another replica 

So glad we have seen this before!

They say that learning takes repetition! 

The Apollo 8 Module - 1968

 I think any trip to Dallas must include a visit to Eatzi's

one of our fav's

I think Lou is contemplating the $40/per pound shrimp

(while listening to opera arias)

Memphis - Nov 9, 2019

The trip home included a night on the Mississippi River - Tom Sawyer campground.

Kinda funky but very enjoyable

   

The big "night on the town" started about 3 PM and ended at 6PM 

with all the night life just starting to crank up! 

That way we could be in bed by 9 and get an early start to Hot Springs Arkansas!

 Lou enjoyed the soda fountain-

reminded him of the drug store his dad had in Milford!

We enjoyed the music at BB King's place

as well as the night light sights-

This is the Bass Pro Memphis

from the outside it is a gigantic pyramid, 

inside is a regular store, plus hotel.

The Big "M"

Hot Springs Arkansas, Nov. 10,11, 2019

What a pleasant way to spend a bit of time on our way to Dallas.

We had a lovely day.  It was  warm and sunny yesterday (although I never thought I would consider 65 degrees as warm)

Our campground was lovely, and the weather was a nice change!

Hot Springs National Park

All the bathhouses and 47 natural hot springs are right in the middle of town!
Historic Bathhouse Row had several bathhouses that used the hot water directly from the springs in town. ‘Bathing’ used to be medicinal and required a prescription from a Doctor.  Today the Spa use is extremely popular.
There are two remaining Bath Houses in operation, and one has been in operation since 1915.  The Fordyce Bathhouse was built for extreme luxury and opulence.  95% of the building is Italian Marble, and has lovely stained glass windows.  Today it is the National Park Visitor Center and tours of the building are available.

This fountain in one end of the lobby dispensed hot mineral water.

The other end had a similar fountain with cold water.

The bathing ritual included individual rooms with 'certified attendants'

to monitor temperature and pressure.

They would sit in the "Vapor Bath" box on the right with all the steam and

towels wrapped snuggly around their neck.

The one on the left is a sitz bath and sometimes used with mercury to treat STD's 

(oh my goodness - are you kidding?)

After all that heat, they needed a 'cooling room'

After the bathing, you went to the 'needle showers'

17 shower heads and high pressure fine jets of water.

(in the 1800's!)

Lovely stained glass in the women's rooms

 The men's rooms were so much more elaborate!

This stained glass ceiling has 8000 pieces.

Too bad we couldn't see the water running in this fountain

(in the men's room)

People were pretty convinced that the bathing was curing most ailments.  

The Medical room always had an attending doctor, but the practices are pretty frightening!

 So, you sit in the tub of hot water, and hold on to a leather strap with electrodes 

that are controlled by this box.  This is supposed to be a 'stimulating' bath experience!

Fortunately, it was low voltage.

This table was used for various treatments.

One of which was a cleansing colonic.

The tour guide hoped that this didn't take place 

when the room was filled with other people!

Mercury Rubs - OH!!

Upstairs rooms - very elegant.

 Beautiful and impressive tile work

Even a gymnasium.

after the tour---

 The green box in the yard covers one of the 47 natural hot springs 

(to keep it from contamination)

The waters here go straight to the brewery.

This brewery if the first brewery in a US National Park 

and the world's first to utilize the thermal spring water 

as the main ingredient.

The beer was great, so was the bratwurst!

And then- the famed hot springs!

Pools ranging from 95-104 degrees.

A good soak.

Nice day!

Very pretty sights in town

only problem-weather was freezing cold, 

especially after a hot bath. (104 degrees)