Spring Training 2026 - Day 69

 It was raining when we left Kerrville, but it cleared up about 15 miles down the highway.  

It was a smooth ride to our next destination, Fort Stockton, TX.  There is not much between here and San Antonio  We are in west Texas, lots of open country and only a couple of small towns that are essentially gas, food and lodging (see Bates Motel model) stops.  There was little wind, traffic wasn't too bad and only a short lane restriction somewhere along the way.  The speed limit is 80 mph along this part of I-10, and it was very easy to do that if desired.

We made good time, and arrived at the Fort Stockton RV Park around 1:00 pm.  Fort Stockton is strategically located about the middle of west Texas between San Antonio and El Paso.

The Fort Stockton RV park is not a destination park. It is primarily an overnight stop heading either east or maybe south.  We stayed here every time we came this way.

We also did our laundry for the last time this trip.  We have a perfect record of never having to wait for a washer or dryer anywhere along the way. A first for me on our many RV trips.

Fort Stockton has an interesting history. It was the site of Commanche Springs. It was an aquifer of 6 artesian springs and a frequent stop of inhabitants going back to pre-Columbian times.

Commanche Springs

More recently, the US Army established a fort at the springs in 1859 to 1886 to project settlers, fight the Indians, and protect the railroad that passed through the area.

Settlers thought the ground water could be used for irrigation and without any regulation those days, they ran the aquifers dry and they have never recovered.

Fort Stockton History

The city has supported and funded a historical initiative to attract more travelers to spend an extra day or two on the way by. They have established a nice visitors center and have recreated a footprint and preserved a few structures of the original fort.  One interesting thing they did was commission a number of metal silhouettes of local history.  Many are at the visitors' center but there are two, one the east and west of the city along the roadway. Pretty neat.

Our destination tomorrow is Los Cruces, NM about 40 miles NW of El Paso. A lot more open road to El Paso and the weather looks good.

We will be staying at the Hacienda RV Park Resort in Las Cruces, a comfortable stop where were we have stayed many times.

Getting closer.