Monahans Sandhills State Park

The first leg of our journey to our 5th Texas Star Party began on Thursday evening. We had the RV packed and the house cleaned and everything ready, including 10 days worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners and observing snacks.

We headed out as soon as Craig got home from work and we made it....... as far as the Lamar St exit, about 20 miles from our house. Technically, we hadn't even made it out of town - since we live 25 miles out of town. One of the trailer tires shredded as we headed down the highway. Fortunately, we knew where we were and where a large parking lot was to change the tire in and NTB was still open, although just barely.

While Craig stayed with the trailer, because our spare was flat, I ran to NTB and had a new tire put on the wheel and came back. Fortunately, the gas station next door had a FREE air station and we were able to get the tire aired up for the next time it was needed. Unfortunately, we didn't figure that out until after I had left for NTB. We also visited Lowes to get a long air pump for the car because we discovered the van doesn't have an outlet in the back like the Durango does.

We continued onto our overnight stop at my parents house - getting there about midnight. The kids had fun acclimating themselves to the star party sleep schedule by keeping Mamaw up until 2:00am. Compared to the rest of the week, that was an early bedtime.

Friday morning, we headed out after a leisurely breakfast and spending a few minutes visiting with the horses. We arrived in Monahans just in time for dinner. The sandhills were so much fun! There is the sand to play in, and right outside our door too. There are trails to follow and even an old pumpjack to go visit. This year, the flowers were blooming.

This was the 1st visit for one and the 1st remembered visit for several. During the weekend, we also visited Fazoli's - our favorite Italian Fast Food (and better than several not so fast places), the Stonehenge replica on the UT Permian Basin campus,

and the the Odessa Meteor Crater. At the Crater, the kids saw their 1st Horny Toad.

Sunday morning, we worshiped with the Dwight and 3rd congregation where we know the son of one of our current congregation members. It's always fun to see who you know when traveling.

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