It was January 20th, the final day of our month long stay at the beach. As the time to leave grew closer, our beach walks increasingly revolved around a few key questions: Should we continue east to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as planned? Should we head back down the coast towards Corpus Cristi and Brownsville? Head back to Arizona or New Mexico? Should we just go home? We had been at the beach for a month. We couldn’t decide but….the close quarters in our small trailer were getting to us.
As it turned out, weather was the deciding factor. We’d been under a tornado watch, a first for me. I turned into a nervous Nellie. The watch extended until 9 pm….a small trailer was not the place to be in my estimation. It didn’t materialize for us but it did create havoc in Louisiana just a bit east of us along the coast, and also in Florida! There were also 3 separate gale force wind warnings, 2 days of deep freeze during which time they shut down the water in the park, and of course the hoards of mozzies which continued on days with less wind. Back and forth we went in our decisions until finally, weather forecasts predicting severe rain and flood warnings for the Gulf Coast decided us. It was the last straw.
Normally, we don’t let weather forecasts deter us too much but after 10 weeks in close quarters with no end in sight for getting out and about…we decided to go home.
We left Surfside headed for the Caverns of Sonora.
I’m not really one to go underground into caves but I was happy to have seen this….and just as happy to get back above ground. It was freezing outside. Underground it was 70 degrees F and oh so humid!
From Sonora to El Paso where it was above 70 degrees F and sunny. Should we stay? No! By then our sights were set on home. Next day to Elephant Butte in New Mexico and a soak at Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences.
Next day we drove all day from Elephant Butte, New Mexico, and made it as far as Cheyenne where we stayed at Little America, having winterized the trailer before we left. Great place to stay, accepts dogs and we were able to leave the trailer hitched and parked right in front.
And now? Home sweet home. Back to the land of sun and snow and freezing temps. (It’s warmer and sunnier here in Lander than it was on the Gulf Coast! At least we think so.
ENIGMAS 
Wish we could have seen you while you were in Texas. I would live to visit Lander and Wyoming again. We’re heading to New York for the summer. Volunteering at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Take care!
New York for the summer…Wow! I enjoy keeping up with you two and your adventures!! Would love to see you if you ever pass through Lander. You always have a place to stay!! This is Tilly