Journal

Episode 7: Deep in the Heart of Southwest Texas

July 08, 2025

Hello from the long, hot road deep in southwest Texas with the relentless sunshine, beautiful vistas of desert, framed by mountain ranges, and several dead tarantulas along the road (seriously)! As I move forward toward my destination, I continue to meet incredible people who are interested in learning about my walk. I'm now over 900 miles into my journey — just around the bend from the 1,000-mile mark — and that milestone is more than just a number. It means I'm over a third of the way to completing my walk across America. Every day brings new challenges and confirms my reasons for walking.

In El Paso, I welcomed Fabio, a new support member to my road crew. He's driving and helping capture footage of this journey. I'm very grateful to have his support as we push through some of the toughest miles yet. In El Paso, I met Lulu Castro, a lovely woman who recognized me in Walgreens after seeing me on the news. Lulu came out to my RV to say hello. She told me she had stopped walking and going to the gym due to fatigue and knee pain, but after seeing my story, she felt inspired to start moving again. Hearing that made my day — it's exactly why I'm doing this walk.

The desert brings its own set of obstacles. Temperatures consistently rose to over 100 degrees, hovering around 106°F for a few days. A sudden sandstorm caught me by surprise and forced us to dash into the RV for shelter. The high heat and dry air make hydration challenging. I tried using cooling towels, but they dry out within minutes and become a stiff cardboard scarf. At least my unfashionable “fisherman's” wide-brimmed hat offers some protection from the sun. Its back flap keeps the sun off my neck, and I can cover the lower part of my face with the front flap. Add gigantic sunglasses, and I look like an alien from outer space!

The desert also brings incredibly beautiful sunsets and sunrises. I love the peaceful silence, the buzzing of insects, and the wind rustling the mesquite bushes. The silence is frequently interrupted by the passing traffic. However, Texas's well-earned reputation of being a friendly state is borne out daily by the many people who stop their cars to ask if I need assistance. One delightful elderly gentleman, a retired marine, he was proud to tell me, asked where I was headed. When I told him Florida, he said, “Let me buy you a bus ticket!” He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a small patch, and gave it to me. It was a star from the American flag — a gift I will treasure!

I passed through Sierra Blanca, a small Texas town with a big history. It is named after the Sierra Blanca Mountain, a volcanic peak. I stayed in the Historic Sierra Blanca motel, built in 1928. Scores of famous people have stayed there, including Elvis Presley and John Wayne. The owners, Charles and Etty, were wonderful hosts. Onward towards Van Horn!

This journey is about more than reaching St. Augustine. It's about reminding people, no matter their age or limitations, that movement is possible, vital, and joyful. Whether you're walking across the country or around the block, every step matters. So keep moving every day, keep showing up for yourself, and maybe — just maybe — I'll see you out on the road.

Until next time,
Judy