On the road for our 6th winter in Mexico

We left home November 2nd, later than normal and too late in our books as it was quite cool (wind chill of -8C) and damp while we were packing up the motorhome.  Next year we will have to leave earlier!

We made one change to our usual set up:  we have loaded the bike rack on the RV instead of the tow car.  This allows us easy access to the hatchback of our HHR when we are traveling south. Not that we have lots of space there as Vic brought along 4 radio control airplanes to keep him amused during the winter.

We watch the Gas Buddy website to determine the best places to fill up our motorhome as we travel  plus we have the Pilot Plus card which provides a 4 or 5 cent discount per gallon at Flying J and Pilot Travel Centers.The gas prices have been going down as we travel south this fall, as usual: 

We started out in Canada with $1.11/litre (equivalent to $4.81 USD/US gallon). 
In Michigan we paid $2.76/gallon,
Indiana $2.74/gallon,
Arkansas $2.64/gallon
Caddo Mills, Texas we paid $2.50. 

Even with Canadian dollar down, our costs have gone down too.

Significant savings when we're taking on an average of 60 gallons with fuel consumption of 7 miles per gallon!

Our first stop was in La Porte IN to visit family for a few days and stock up on fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. Vic also installed new brake rotors and pads on the HHR for under US$100. Great rotors too as they are drilled and slotted for higher performance and resistance to "warping".  Vic also installed new hatch back gas lift pistons which makes it much easier to open the back hatch. Next stop was Forest City AR (just west of Memphis) for an overnight at a Walmart and then on to the Dallas/FW area.

Thursday November 6th we arrived in Grand Prairie TX (a suburb located between Dallas and Fort Worth) to stay at the Traders Village RV Park.  We needed to visit Costco for rotation of the tires on the HHR and fix a slow leak in one tire (covered by the Costco tire warranty plan) plus we wanted to visit the Flea Market on Saturday as it featured the Mountain Men Weekend event. 

The Mountain Men event included demonstrations of old pioneer days tools and techniques.

Forging tools

coon skin hats (perfect for our friend Dale!)

stitching leather goods

Camp cook wagon and supplies

other side of the wagon with the cook tending the fire trench

 the trench of hot coals to cook various items including a rabbit on a spit

This guy was showing how to start a fire with flint.

demonstration of the removal of fur from hide with a bone instrument

explaining the construction of the bow from dark pecan wood and the arrows with bone arrow head and fletching created of turkey feathers glued on to the end of the shaft

We wandered around the market as usual seeing lots of the same stuff. We bought only some local Texas honey. It wasn't a bargain but it is good.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we leave and head west to Pecos at our regular campgrounds...the Walmart. No power, no water, no sewage, and no Internet. Bummer but it is $0, easy to get to and easy access to the highway.