Palo Duro RV Park

Palo Duro RV Park — “Against the Wind”

June 13, 2026 — Move Day

Today we packed up in Wichita Falls and headed to Canyon, Texas. What should have been a three-and-a-half-hour drive ended up taking us closer to five hours.

When we arrived, it was very hot, so unpacking was a little challenging. By evening, however, the weather had turned cool and stormy, making for a pleasant first night.

We’re staying in another college town, which means there are plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and other conveniences nearby. I’m excited to see what tomorrow brings. The forecast calls for a couple of cooler days before the Texas heat returns.

June 14, 2026

This week I feel really good about how well I packed us up and got us unpacked again. Over the next two weeks I want to take things easy, especially since the weather is expected to get hot again. It’s a good opportunity to plan future adventures without feeling like we have to do everything right now.

Today was mostly a lazy day because I didn’t sleep well last night. The wind was incredibly loud. At one point I woke up convinced there was some kind of animal climbing on my tip-out, but it turned out to be nothing more than the tarp flapping in the wind. It was amazing how much noise the wind alone could make.

Herb visited Palo Duro Canyon and took lots of photographs. I haven’t had a chance to look through them yet. He picked up breakfast for us, we went out for lunch, and ended the day with Thai food for dinner.

I’d like to clean out the refrigerator and do a few light projects inside the trailer while we’re here, but I really don’t want to cook because it heats up the trailer too much. Ironically, today was actually beautiful, with temperatures dropping to around 58 degrees.

June 15, 2026

I woke up tired and started work while Herb picked up breakfast. Before I began seeing clients, we quickly installed the Gekko cover on his tip-out.

The day seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, work was over and it was time for dinner.

The canvas cover over my bed has a broken zipper, and I need to figure out a way to repair it so the cat stays off my bed while we’re away or sleeping. We’ve been discussing different solutions.

Herb is considering staying here for the summer if he can find work. I think it will simply become too hot, so we’re waiting until temperatures rise again before making a decision.

He found a Service Writer position at a Ford dealership and plans to apply. Canyon is affordable, the campground is nice, and everything we need is nearby.

June 16, 2026

The week continues to go well.

Today I finally explored the office building, shower facilities, and laundry room. Everything is clean and well maintained. Herb worked in the community gathering room today, which has a full kitchen, air conditioning, tables, and comfortable workspaces. The office is right next door, and the laundry machines even use the same phone app that our apartment complex back in Florida used.

Work was fairly light today, and because I haven’t been sleeping well, I was able to take a nap and catch up on some much-needed rest.

June 17, 2026

Today the “feels like” temperature reached 106 degrees.

Despite that, the inside of the trailer never got above 80 degrees. That felt like a huge victory.

I’m also feeling very accomplished because I finally solved my bed problem. My Amazon order arrives tomorrow, and it should allow me to create a secure enclosure that keeps Poe off my bed.

Herb and I enjoyed a wonderful Italian dinner before heading out for ice cream. He’s really enjoying working from the gathering hall and likes spending time there.

Overall, it’s been a very good week.

June 18, 2026

Thunderstorms threatened all day but somehow missed us.

The wind, however, was another story, with gusts approaching 40 mph.

The cooler temperatures allowed me to sleep with the windows open, enjoying a beautiful breeze throughout the night.

My Amazon package arrived, and I assembled the protective enclosure around my bed. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I still need to repair the zipper on the original canvas cover, but for now this solution works well.

June 19, 2026

Today was quiet and relaxing.

Herb did the laundry, we both took showers, had Thai food for dinner, and finished the evening with ice cream.

It was Juneteenth. Father’s Day and the first day of summer are both coming up on Sunday.

June 20, 2026

Another hot, lazy day.

I got to talk with Caleb, which always makes my day.

We had Mexican food for dinner and, of course, finished with ice cream.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day. I’m really missing Caleb and the rest of my family.

June 21, 2026 — Father’s Day

Herb got up early to take photographs.

When he returned, I called my dad to wish him a Happy Father’s Day.

Later we drove into Amarillo for brunch, ran a few errands, and then returned to the campground where we spent the afternoon relaxing.

I don’t think Herb has been feeling very well.

June 22, 2026 — When Plans Fail

I had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish today.

Instead, I ended up with a stomach bug and accomplished very little.

There is always tomorrow.

June 23, 2026 — We Survived a Hailstorm

Today was supposed to be stormy, so I intentionally set very few goals.

The wind was unbelievable. When I left the shower building, I could barely open the door because the gusts were so strong.

Later we experienced a hailstorm, and more severe weather is forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

The silver lining was that all the storms kept the temperatures wonderfully cool.

June 24, 2026

I finally got to sleep in a little, although I’m still feeling very tired.

After seeing my clients, I finished another journal entry for the website.

I also booked our next three campgrounds and updated our calendar and addresses.

Now I’m excited again about what’s coming next and looking forward to another new adventure.

June 25, 2026

Today stayed pleasantly cool because thunderstorms threatened all day.

By evening we’d had several rounds of rain.

The campground notified us that power would be shut off tomorrow morning from 7:30 until 12:30.

Fortunately, I should still be able to work using my cellular data. I’ll open the windows if the weather cooperates, although I know the trailer will probably become warm and stuffy before power returns.

Then it’s time to prepare for move day.

As always, I’m feeling a little anxious about packing up, but after several months on the road it’s becoming a familiar feeling.

June 26, 2026 — Preparing to Move

I’m not feeling especially motivated today, but I’m getting as much done as I can.

Tomorrow’s drive is longer than usual, so we’d like to leave early while still respecting campground quiet hours.

I’m looking forward to arriving in Colorado and hopefully enjoying cooler temperatures.

The hail and strong winds we’ve experienced here appear to have moved into Colorado as well, so we’ll see what awaits us.

We’ll spend two weeks there before moving farther north toward the Rocky Mountains.

June 27, 2026 — Colorado Bound

We got up early this morning and packed everything in just one hour and ten minutes.

Then we headed north.

I was disappointed that I couldn’t photograph the state lines as we crossed from Texas into New Mexico and then into Colorado. The signs weren’t very elaborate, especially entering Colorado.

The drive itself was beautiful, although quite bumpy.

When we arrived, we were greeted by intense wind gusts carrying blowing sand. I couldn’t set up the campsite the way I normally do because I was afraid everything would blow away.

Instead, we decided to leave most of our gear inside the trailer. It’s a little frustrating, but it may actually teach us how to travel lighter and move more efficiently.

We’ve also been talking about going through our belongings again now that the weather is cooler and reducing what we carry even further.

The biggest project still on my mind is redesigning our kitchen and pantry area.

One of the reasons I wanted this trailer was because almost nothing is permanently installed. It gives us the flexibility to design the space around our own needs rather than adapting to someone else’s layout.

I’d love to create a modular pantry, an efficient cooking area, and a dedicated workspace for Herb without making anything too permanent. Otherwise, we could have simply purchased a traditional trailer with fixed cabinets and furniture.

Right now I’m considering adjustable shelving or an E-Track system with movable shelves. I know the solution will eventually come once I spend enough time measuring and thinking through the space.

We’re also considering buying an induction cooktop so we can prepare meals without heating up the trailer. I love that idea, but I’d rather finish organizing the kitchen before adding more equipment.

Despite the heat and the incredible winds—which are expected to continue for another couple of days—Herb is absolutely loving it here. He can’t wait to get out and photograph the mountains.

From my bed, I have a beautiful view of the mountains, and it’s hard not to smile every time I look outside.

I’ve joked that every campground seems to have its own “pest.” We’ve dealt with spiders, ants, and love bugs. Here there are warning signs about rattlesnakes.

I’m hoping the rattlesnakes don’t become our newest campground companions.

I spent some time reading about them today—when they’re most active, what to expect, and how to stay safe. I’m still a little nervous, but knowing more makes me feel better prepared.

Na Nu Na Nu.