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Day 165
Day 165 brings us to 5,286.1 miles and Houston, Texas.
Happy to say that CBS went well in El Paso, TX. After filming we quickly broke down the rig knowing that 35-50 mph winds were due in within hours & headed out for Van Horn, TX which was still within viewing range of CBS El Paso allowing me to record a spot. Winds were strong but bearable and the Van Horn KOA was incredible! We arrived exhausted and were happy when they offered dinner delivered to our RV! That was a first! Horses and an ostrich surrounded the park so Max ran free and chased that poor ostrich until he wore himself out! CBS aired on 3/10 on El Paso 5:30 & 10:00 news and ran with promo spots! I was able to record it 120 miles away so lots of people were reached!
We left Van Horn, TX heading for San Antonio, TX traveling the vast open desert lands of West Texas. Before, if I were to have problems with people on the road this was the place it would happen so I traveled in fear of breaking down. This trip was much more peaceful knowing I was driving a new RV that would not break down in isolated areas. Quiet & nice day for a drive but due to fatigue only made it to Junction, TX limping in their office in pain….
They parked me right along the river and it was so peaceful & beautiful! Max and I walked along the river and looked for arrowheads and the pain diminished and we rested well.
Woke and drove the final 110 miles into San Antonio, TX. Many phone calls were made to media and promises made to film next day but none ever came through. All was not lost after I met with Leticia Zavala, the PKD Friend's Coordinator, for lunch! She is fluent in Spanish and she contacted KXTN-Tejano 107 FM Radio and got an interview set for the following week. She conducted the interview about my visit to San Antonio in Spanish! So, the Hispanic community of San Antonio was reached! Was sad when I even delayed leaving another day on a promise from network to film and it never happened but I tried….
Departed San Antonio 3/17 for Houston, TX and made it there by mid afternoon. The KOA was full and I was so tired so they let me park in spot with no electric & power since other RV parks were too far for me to drive to in pain and fatigue. My friend Sandi came to my rescue and picked me up and brought me to her house after dinner with her family. I did laundry for 1st time not in a Laundromat in ages and we visited until late. She brought me back to my RV on a chilly night & since no power just added lots of blankets and tried to sleep with I-10 freeway traffic out my window!
Next day had to drive to Tomball, TX in north Houston where friends at the Meineke were to help me with some major Nissan repairs! My mother & stepfather met me in their RV and we parked next to each other & they helped me walk Max, etc. since I could barely walk.
The Houston media was pitched 3/19 & ABC that had filmed me back in 4/99 called first thing offering to help by airing a follow-up story! Calls were made to other media with no luck but we had gotten ABC in a top 10 TV market so I was happy!
Went & saw my sister & celebrated her birthday & saw my niece for the 1st time in over a year who is now two!
Worked on getting repairs and errands done until I had to hook on the RV & tow vehicle & drive it into downtown Houston on 3/22 to film ABC spot. My niece, Crystal, met me in a parking lot along with ABC and watched her aunt in action! She helped with Max and rode along with the camera crew and did not make it out of the RV before she was filmed too. She was excited when she saw herself on the 6:00 News!
Houston ABC did a fantastic spot for us and it aired at 6:00 PM on prime time news! While I was filming, Mom was busy getting my laptop checked that had broke which leads to a great story! Out of room so will update you next time! Until then take care.
Cecilia Maida & Max
The PKD Road Warriors
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