? about going from Tucson to El Paso

[ali1257]

So hubby and I were talking last night about changing our route (making it shorter) to get from here to Hondo. So this is what I put in Mapquest -

North Bend, WA to Lewiston, ID ~~~ I need/want/need/want (you get the picture) to see my grand boys and their folks before we go to Hondo for a year. After the frustrating situation with my other son, daddy to Opal, and not seeing her I really need those hugs from the grandboys. So to continue on the trip

From Lewiston, ID to Tehachipi, CA (we have a rocker to drop off at a friends daughter's place) We have the rocker with us, costs too much to send back to Blaine so take it we must.

From Tehachipi, to Hondo, TX -- would you stick to I10 from Tucson to El Paso or travel on the back roads like Highway 9 or would you think going Highway 9 was getting too close to the Mexico border - we have heard some horror stories about Americans being killed close to the border or am I just freaking out and letting a fluke incident control me?

Please give me your honest thoughts/opinions (though I know you are always honest right

Thanks

[Bethers]

Either is safe - I wouldn't worry about getting too close to the border. It's some of the border towns that are dangerous - and if you see hitchhikers, you aren't going to pick them up anyway (well, you aren't, are you?) There are safe border towns - the one in El Paso is NOT - so please don't plan to make a trip to MX there. Otherwise, pick the route you think you'd prefer with the time you have, etc - and go for it.

[ali1257]

No we don't pick up hitch hikers though many years ago hubby did on occasion but never with me in the car.

This leads me to another question we have been discussing - we lock our two doors up front when we are traveling and we change from locking to leaving unlocked the main door into the motor home (the door in the center of the motor home)....what do you do and why?

I want to leave it unlocked in case there is an emergency and we need to get out quickly we won't have to stop and unlock the door. Also if there is an accident the emergency personnel can get in quickly and easily.

[WickedLady]

I don't know about 9 but I-10 is a major highway; I would stick with it. As to the door...how hard is it to unlock and open from the inside if you need to get out in a hurry? Any chance you would leave it open if you both got out to go to a restroom? I always think "What if.." I would keep it locked.

[Bethers]

Don't think I want to post publicly about when my doors are locked and when not - but in the rig, when on the road, I always am locked up when I go to bed. Is simple to unlock if necessary to get out. I pretty much do the same thing I would if in a house.

Unlike wickedlady, I avoid the interstates whenever possible - although there are times they have to be used. I like to see the country, not the highways that all look alike. That's why I say it really depends on how you like to travel. We'll all be telling you how we like to

[Getupngo]

Hi Ali, I don't have any route advice to offer ... but I'd like to make a respectful request. I have a devil of a time reading your posts with red print over a blue background. Would you please pick a different, darker color? Thanks.

[Birdie]

If you have RV trouble, flat, bad solenoid, etc you can be in trouble. Normally you won't have a cell signal and not that many locals drive 9 from AZ to TX. You are at the mercy of the Border Patrol finding you. It's what you would be comfortable with. I have made many trips to Tucson from TX and OK. I have never driven on hwy 9. Simply would not put myself at risk. Too many foot prints in the desert for me to do that. I am a wimp when driving solo and when I had a driving partner was still a wimp.

My doors are locked at all times when traveling. Locked at dark in campgrounds and day time if I nap. Never tempt anyone beyond what they are able to resist - one of my mottos. It is my house.

[Acadianmom]

I haven't driven I-10 from Tucson to El Paso but I have make several long trips on interstates and I almost always have a cell signal. I would rather travel the side roads but I'm usually in a hurry. What I don't like about the 2 lane roads is that I want to drive 55 and the idiots that want to drive 70 are on my bumper trying to pass.

I always keep my doors locked. It's an automatic response, as soon as I get in a vehicle I lock the doors. My son says I am afraid of triple A muggers. Racing Quarter Horses are rated A, AA and AAA. AAA being the fastest. You hear on TV of people jumping into a stopped vehicle and I'm not taking any chances.

Martha

[retiredhappy]

I, too, prefer to drive backroads but with that said, on that particular trip I'd stick I-10. Are you still coming to Kerrville? If yes, take Exit 501 to the KOA. We're a short distance off the freeway. If you'll PM me, I'll give you my cell number.

As for locking the door, please keep it locked while driving. Read a story about a woman who got up to get something out of the frig while hubby was driving. RV lurched and she fell against the unlocked door which popped open and she fell out while traveling at about 60 mph.

[ali1257]

Thank you all for your feedback about the roads and the locking of doors.

Karen, yes we are still coming to Kerrville. Will be there Saturday the 19th of February. Ron already changed the reservation. I will PM you my cell as well.

I was just curious about locking the door while traveling. When we are driving we do keep our doors (all 3 locked). Never thought about the rig jerking and bumping the door and it pop open. Bet that was scary for all involved when that happened. When we started with the carnival we also started keeping our windows locked unless we were in the rig and the window was open.

We are going to be working on our route this weekend. Need to tweak and fine tune it as best as we can. We do know we will be sticking to I10. We will go from Tucson, AZ to McNeal, AZ (hubby's aunts/uncles live in both those towns and from McNeal will get back on I10 to head to Hondo.

I will post our route once we have it figured out so we can connect with a few of you on the road if it works for each of us.

Thanks again for all your encouragement and support. It is very heartwarming to get all your hugs and words of encouragement. I am thankful Kristy told me all about you gals and you let me join this wonderful group.

[mtngal]

Ali, wanted to mention that you can avoid driving through Phoenix traffic on 10 by taking a quick and easy detour south on highway 85 at Buckeye, then east again on highway 8 to shortly meet up again with highway 10. I always go this way, it's a dream. Hope I didn't miss someone else all ready posting this. Have a great trip, and maybe I'll get to meet you too in Texas.

[ali1257]

Thanks Diana...we are going to be in Phoenix over night as hubby wants to go to the Penske museum. I will be glad to get our route figured out so I can see who is all along the way that we might be able to meet.