After a nice breakfast with Kenny The Pirate... Thanks btw Kenny. I enjoyed it!... I hit the confusing interstates of Dallas and headed north west toward Amarillo. I had a difficult time leaving Texas:
... But I eventually found my way, even with a lack of 3G, Edge...uh, anything really... I even found a store with cute Texas stuff.
All the small farm towns looked the same along 287. I can't remember which town I saw the first one, but somewhere along the way, the billboards start for The Big Texan! "Home of the 72oz. Steak Dinner!" Free if you can finish in one hour.
This place was tacky cool! I loved it!... And I just had a light salad, just a small side chef's salad...That's all... Uh huh...
The huge rocking chair would have been funny had I been sitting in it. Maybe I can get a good pic on the way back.
When I pulled up to the Big Texan, I stumbled across something very cool. Being a fan of "The Canonball Run," I was floored to discover that I had just pulled up to a check point for the Gum Ball 3000.
You can read the details on the poster, but it's a coast to coast run from LA to Miami in 8 days in some wild rides.
I heard some people talking in the parking lot and, "over 200 mph" may or may not have been mentioned... I'm just sayin'
This stop really rejuvinated me for the four or so hours from Amarillo to Albuquerque. And what beautiful country it was! I was amazed and caught off guard when the landscape changed.
The transition from the Texas pan handle to New Mexico was outstanding.
I'm as excited as a kid at Christmas because I'm seeing this all for the first time. The further I go, the more amazed I am of the beauty of our country. Sure I've seen pictures and movies, but the real thing is breath taking.
I arrived in Albuquerque, NM around 6:00p Mountain Time. Guess which way I turned off the exit? C'mon, guess? It only took a few minutes to set up my campsite even though I was having a fight with the strong desert winds.
I even have a small shelter with an outlet and light if I need it. It's where I put my camp stove. I just made a rockin' Bubba Burger.
I can't wait to see the sun come up over the mountain in the morning. The view here is great. KOA! Gotta love it!
So that was my day today! I wonder what tomorrow will bring? I'll be up early to cook breakfast while the sun comes up, and then it's on to the Grand Canyon.
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Tripp,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the trip is going well, small salad right! Come on you fess up, the 72 oz won!
Drive Safe
When you get to Vegas put a bet down for me?
Traskie
Tripp,
ReplyDeleteYou comin’ to the Left Coast? Love the blog, even the pics of bubba burgers. I went mostly I-40 cross-country starting Jan 5/07 and it’s one of the great memories of my life. I discovered you actually drive “up” until you hit the continental divide (about where you are now in ABQ), then it’s “downhill”. The wind is a bitch, especially around Amarillo and most evident when pulling a cargo trailer, but what an energy resource! You get what Pickens is pushing for, when you’re fighting a headwind with a box trailer. I took some pics and they are in a slideshow on my site www.jackcone.com, but they look just like the ones you’re taking. The mesas don’t change much. I drove through Arizona at night, mostly, so take pics. At some time I plan to do this all over again, maybe a few times, so I’ll get that scenery on the flip-flop.
I should have camped, though sleeping in the car worked OK. The Taurus seat folds down nearly flat. I’d get a motel room about every other “night”.
No pictures or words can cover what you see. On 20 down to Birmingham was typical south, though weaving through downtown B’ham at night was intriguing. In all the states, the rest stops are convenient, with sinks, toilets, security, and I was never hassled in any state, since they figure you’re better sleeping there than crashing on their roads. The cops breeze through, occasionally, so you feel a bit safer. From B’ham to Memphis and I swear that must have been the world’s largest bridge across the Mississippi, through Ark to the upper tip of Tx. Then on 40 to Albuquerque - a trip, since you come off the high plains and it’s low gear and brakes for miles.
I have several fire extinguishers and one came in handy when a Kia caught fire. I recommend a fire extinguisher for mountain states and you’ll hit some starting in CA. Long pulls uphill heat the engine and if you “freewheel” down the other side, the fan doesn’t run fast enough. Watch your coolant temp gauge. It’s the grease on your engine that catches fire. If you get a chance, washing grime off your engine will help it run cooler, also.
Diggin your account - will check daily. When it’s over, we’ll have to compare notes. If you get as far as Oregon, you can stay here.
Jack
Hey Tripp,
ReplyDeleteGlad that you're doing good out there... Listen I have been to the Big Texan... and watched my step dad attempt to eat that big ol' steak. lol
Enjoy the ride and have fun. I'll be on the coast next friday.. so let me know.. I'll be in Vancouver, Wa.
Angela
Just flew over the Grand Canyon two weeks ago on the way to Vegas.....the view from 35,000 feet was amazing to my eyes....I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing about a close and personal interaction. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking in with you as much as I can!
Chuck B