19 Apr 2024 - Arrived at Llano Grande RV Resort Mercedes TX + Stats

 

We pulled chocks at Fort Sam Houston RV Park this morning at 0909 hrs, after rush hour had subsided here in San Antonio, and boogied on down I-410 southbound towards Mercedes TX.  It was a fairly straight forward drive led by the Garmin.  We quickly transitioned from I-410 to I-37 and then Hwy 281 and I-2.  We stopped a couple times for pottie breaks but the big ol' brown truck had plenty of fuel so we just used rest areas.  Scenery was not much to speak of.  

At 1415 hrs we rolled into Llano Grande RV Resort in Mercedes TX after driving right at 260 miles.  If you do the math, our travels average out to 50 mph.  I try to keep it at 60 mph on the speed-o while towing which saves on tire wear/tear and fuel mileage.  Upon our arrival we were greeted by my one and only sista Karen who has lived down here since 2009. 

Look who has not changed a bit in 68 years LOL except the hair!

Dr. Karen S. (Schellhase) Nantz is a retired professor from Eastern Illinois University as well as Brigham Young University and the University of Northern Iowa,  She is for sure the brains (and beauty) of the family and it is great to see her again!  We are missing her late husband James D Nantz, a Vietnam-era Navy Veteran who passed away here on 11 Oct 2021.  Jim was a jack of all trades, a proud Navy Veteran and a great guy!  He served primarily on the USS Bennington and the USS Kitty Hawk.  Jim was one of those who influenced me in joining the military service.

After we arrived and setup, Karen stopped over for a bit and brought me a welcome package!  She knows what I like!

We then headed out for dinner at a local restaurant, The Blue Onion. We had some great conversation and some reminiscing about our family history.  This will continue while we are here for sure.

We have been down here a couple times before so we don't have any huge plans.  It will be nice to relax a bit and get caught up with what Karen has been up to as well as helping her out with a few projects.  Social media is fine but it will never replace in-person conversations.

Stats:  This is campground #7 of 42 

# States Traveled Through So Far This Trip, in order: 5 (IA, MO, KS, OK, TX)  

# States left to visit on this trip: 27 (AR, MO, IL IN, OH, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, NY, PA, MD, WV, VA, NC, TN, AL, MS, LA, TX, OK, AR, MO, IA)

Baseball Parks Visited So Far This Trip:  1 (Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Oklahoma City OK)

Lighthouses visited:  0 

Lighthouses climbed:  0

Point to point travel miles:  1471 miles 

  - Avg point to point travel miles between campgrounds:  163 miles

Vicinity miles:  513 miles 

  - Avg vicinity miles:  73 miles

Total miles driven:  1984 miles 

Total point to point driving time:  29 hrs 50 minutes

Total diesel fuel purchased: 209.579 gals 

Total diesel fuel cost:  $755.47 

Average diesel fuel cost/gal:  $3.677

Max diesel fuel cost:  $3.899 (Bradt TX) 

Min diesel fuel cost:  $3.499 (Mustang OK) 

Avg MPG:  10.79 miles/gal

Cost/mi of operation:  $0.35

# Nights at end of this stay:  40 (Includes Griff's start)

Total lodging cost:  $1008.87  (includes Griff's start)

Average cost/night:  $25.22