Monday morning, we decided to leave El Paso and try to make it to Fort
Stockton TX on I-10. By the time we reached Van Horn TX in late
afternoon, however, the stress of previous days had taken its toll and we
were both exhausted. We stopped at a Pizza Hut, where the waitress told us
there was a very nice KoA only a few miles down the road.

She was correct.

The park is dusty, but with some actual grass and no large trees.
Unfortunately, the parking spaces are in line with the Mex117W satellite
we use, almost directly in the blind spot of the MotoSat Datastorm dish.
We gave it a try anyway, and the dish functioned like a trooper, trying
one side and then the other of the blind spot before settling on an
azimuth a few degrees to the east of the target azimuth for the satellite.
It spent about 20 minutes doing its search thing, before finally deciding
to peak the signal and do a transmitter test. After about 30 minutes of
suspense, we had fully functional Internet and TV.

In this case, it wouldn't have mattered that much, since the park's full
hookup fee here ($26) includes wireless and cable TV connections.  Still,
it's nice being able to carry our preferred TV lineup across the country
as we travel.

After the debacle with Verizon cellular in Chihuahua, I've decided to
seriously look at a VoIP telephone service.  I downloaded the Skype
software last night. I'd be interested in any comments or suggestions,
especially from folks using VoIP over a satellite internet connection.

Today, we've declared a day of rest. We're not in a hurry and figure to
take 3 more days to get to Livingston, TX.  We have contacted an old
friend who lives in Houston and are making arrangements to meet him and
his new lady for dinner one night.

Kathy continues to improve.  She's cut back about 50% on the meds
prescribed by the hospital.  We're hoping she'll be completely back to her
regular meds in a couple of days.

Things we've learned on this trip:

1.    If possible, buy Mexican health insurance (acceptable to the major
hospitals) for the trip as well as Mexican vehicle insurance.

2.    Don't trust Mexican customs officials to direct you into a traffic lane
that's safe for a big rig.

3.    Be prepared to translate any vehicle weights into kilograms.

4.    A Mexican heavy truck mechanic can accurately straighten a bent trailer
axle with an acetylene torch, an electric welder and an 8-foot-long piece
of 2-inch diameter steel pipe, without removing the axle from the trailer,
in about 4 hours, for about $100.

We've got a doctor's appointment for Kathy in Raleigh NC late in January.
We plan to take our time getting there.

Thanks to everybody here who expressed concern for Kathy and our various
predicaments -- and special gratitude to the Vasquez family of Villa de
Allende who went out of their way to stand by us at every moment.

Warm regards, John Kinney