To San Antonio

Today we drove to San Antonio for our last stop before Houston. It's only 3.5 hours away from Houston, but we didn't want to push it.

I left the 2nd book in the Las Cruzes hotel lobby near the guest phone.

It’s amazing how close the border is along some parts of New Mexico and Texas. In New Mexico along part of the 10 freeway, the border was a stone’s throw away and just the other side of what appeared to be a metal chain-link fence. This part of Mexico however was just sand and cacti, while the border town on our side separated by the Rio Grande was a shoddy urban town.

Journey Begins

This morning the whole family was packed and ready to go. The family is … us, two dogs, and a chinchilla.

We left San Diego in the morning and headed east on the 8. Passed through the Cuyamaca Mountains. I have some childhood memories of coming out here to play in the snow with my family and friends. It’s THE place to go in San Diego for local snow play. I also came out here to Green River Springs with some college friends. Needless to say I will remind everyone NOT to go off trail. We followed the river down stream over rocks and outcroppings and 4 of us jumped down into a naturally formed pool, unfortunately there was no way to climb back up. Venturing into dense low level chaparral there were no trails in sight. After literally crawling on our hands and knees through the vegetation and calling to our friends, it took about 45 minutes to get out and find our panicked friends.

My older sister is a member of BookCrossing and gave me 4 books to release when we get to Houston or along the way. I decided to leave a book at a women’s restroom in San Simeon, Arizona. I thought it would be interesting to see if someone picked it up. I doubt if I would be willing to take anything out of a bathroom. The thought just isn’t too appealing even if it were a $20 dollar bill.

We are staying the night in Las Cruzes, New Mexico.

Bye, Bye Los Angeles

That’s it, our last day in the townhouse. It was a really nice townhouse complex and among the better ones in the area. Unfortunately for those staying, the Board of Directors for the Homeowner’s Association is going to raise HOA fees and might charge an assessment next year to help pay for the costs of some major repairs.

We’re dropping down to San Diego to spend our last day in California with my mom.