Are we nuts?!

We are only 2 weeks away from our most ambitious and exciting trip yet.  After a lot of research and discussion we decided that our trip to Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park was not going to be what we were looking for.  So we turned our sight back to Texas and planned a 9 day camping trip around the state.  We will trip about 1100 miles and hit all 4 directions.  We will see the Gulf of Mexico and the salt marshes.  We will explore the piney woods of east Texas, the rolling hills of the prairies and lakes region near Waco.  We will see the second largest canyon in the US and the desert mountains of West Texas.  We will explore Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, swim in a desert oasis, and experience a "star party" in one of the darkest spots in the US looking through one of the biggest telescopes.  We will ride a car ferry, a surrey, and a horse.  2 adults, 2 kids, 1 small car, 9 days, 1100 miles, and less than $1000 for it all.
For the trip we have purchased new dry sacks and a roof bag for all of the pillows and towels and things to ride on the top of the car.  Shawn is making a fishing pole carrier out of pvc that will also ride on the roof.  We will be stopping halfway to do laundry and buy more food.  We will need ice and firewood at each location.  We will each bring 5 sets of clothes, 1 pillow and sleep on sheets instead of sleeping bags.  Each stop holds a new experience and a new state park for us to explore.  I will write about each park separately.  We are getting very excited!