Day 4, May 6, 2009 Part 2

I have to say that the first part of Arizona was not up to par with New Mexico as far as the view, but it makes up for it on Day 5... I'm getting ahead of myself though. There are some really nice stops in AZ. I passed up the Petrified Forest, but couldn't resist pulling off here:





Meteor Crater rocks! It's hard to believe that a 150 foot space turd blew a hole in the earth big enough for 20 football games to be played simultaneously (I learned that during the 10 minute movie). Of course they didn't call it a "turd," it had a more scientific name... I fell asleep during that part.




You probably can't see the mountain in the distance well, but those are the San Francisco Peaks. It was hazy that day and they snuck on me in the truck, but I watched them for miles and even got a closer look when I turned onto 89 at Flagstaff and took the long way to the Grand Canyon.




A closer look at The San Francisco Peaks. I was very impressed... Until I saw this for the first time.




The Grand Canyon was mind blowing. I was short of breath and it wasn't just the elevation... Ok, I'm a little out of shape. How the sun would hit the rock from the different points where I stopped was wild.




You could even go to the same area at different times and get two different pictures of the same shot.




I camped at Mather Campground on the South Rim. I has no hook ups (no water or electrical) and no signal. So it was an early bedtime for me at my little campsite.




Oh wait, I did ride around and explore for the two hours of sunlight that I had left. I went back out to the Yavapai Observation Station and Mather Point. I found where they keep the mules for the tours.




I even saw some wild deer that probably look like lawn ornaments in this picture.






I found my way to the Market Place and then made my way back to my tent. I think I fell asleep about 8:00, and then woke up at 10:45p freeeeeeezing! I was shivering. The air had gotten so damn cold. I put my shoes on, ran to the truck to get my jacket and long underwear. I slept in both under my heavy sleeping bag.


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Day 4, May 6, 2009

I had no idea it got so chilly in Albuquerque over nights... Oh and thanks for NOT telling me Dave Matthews was in town last. Who's in charge of checking each city's events for me, huh? Huh? Oh wait, I'm supposed to check. I wouldn't have made it through the concert anyway. I was exhausted from the long drive from Dallas.

I woke early to catch the sunrise over the "$40 off each tire" billboard.



Then I whipped up some bacon and egg beaters on the Coleman Max (I love this grill).



After breakfast, it only took me a few minutes to get my camp packed up. I took a quick shower, then I was back on I-40 West towards Flagstaff, AZ where I would make the turn north to the Grand Canyon.

Just outside of Albuquerque I found where I should have stayed last night!








... But had I stayed at the Route 66 Hotel and Casino (knowing my luck and lack of gambling knowledge) I probably would have lost all of my gas money and been stuck in the city with the highest elevation in the country (according to Joel... Thanks Joel!).

I really love seeing all there is to see along Route 66 as it weaves and parallels I-40.




This is the Rio Peurco bridge built in 1933.

The further west I drove, the more beautiful New Mexico became. The landscape was amazing!








You'll have to excuse the bugs on my windshield, but I couldn't pass some of the pics up.



As I drove and watched the billboards, I was able to resist the temptation of several of the wacky tacky stores... Until I got to the Continental Divide.








I really wanted to get Keely and Emma some moccasins. Shhhhhhh. It's a surprise. Of course once you go into one wacky tacky joint, ya have to hit 'em all... At least the ones with the most billboards. So I had no choice but to hit this one below when I crossed the border into Arizona.








Can you see all the fake animals on the rock shelf above the horses? This little gem is at the New Mexico/Arizona line. There's also a rest area there with some great rock formations.




I wonder if this could have been where the Disney Imagineers came up with the look of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?

Having some technical issues. Will be starting a new entry in a while.

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Day 3, May 5, 2009

Happy Cinco de Mayo btw! Wow! What a day it was today! This was supposed to be the longest stretch of the trip, but as you will recall, I kept driving Sunday when I got to Vicksburg and went on to Dallas. That took 12 hours give or take so that would be the longest. Today seemed to drag though for the first part.

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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Day 2, May 4, 2009

Today I got the chance to explore Dallas, Texas. Well, I say "today," but I'm actually writing this on Tuesday from the breakfast table at Denny's in Seagoville, TX as I wait for my friend Kenny to meet me. I'll be doing the long North West Texas stretch all the way through Amarillo to Albuquerque, NM today. Anyway, back to yesterdays re-cap.




I have been to Dallas before, but that was 20 years ago. It's amazing how much Dallas is like Atlanta, just a wee bit bigger, more wide open, and I have yet to find a hill. I drove into downtown, parked on Elm, and walked around for hours taking in the sights. I walked up and down streets and all the way across town to Dealy Plaza... Oh, the grassy knoll is a slight hill. There ya go.




I shot some video, but I am having some issues with it. I'll try to figure it out and post it when I get to Albuquerque. There wasn't too much going on here. I saw two cab drivers start to argue over a fare. I had the camera ready in case anything happened. I guess the big stories while I was there: 1. The Dallas Cowboys practice facility that was destroyed in a storm on Saturday, and 2. The schools that were closing due to the swine flu.

I really like Dallas. I could live here, almost did take a job here a few years back, and probably will live here at some point.

UPDATE: I've been on the road all day and just made it to Albuquerque. The sun is just about to set. I'm going to get my camp set up, cook some burgers, and then start a new entry for Day 3. Be back in a little while.

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Day One, May 3, 2009

I ended up driving much further than expected today. I'm sure it was the excitement of this whole journey, plus the added adrenaline of the drive through Birmingham, Alabama. I didn't even expect too much if any excitement today, but I can now cross SURVIVE A TORNADO off of my bucket list.







I knew I would be driving through some bad storms, but had no idea it would be like this. As I made the turn onto 459 I heard the "Emergency Weather" tones followed by the Tornado Warning (which means one has the potential to form at any time or one has been spotted on the ground) on the radio. The radio station then went to a simulcast of the TV coverage audio. They were mentioning a bunch of streets and areas and I had no idea where I was. When I figured it out, it looked like the tornado was north of me. I breathed a little sigh of relief until they changed the location of the tornado. It was in front of me moving in my direction. One part of me said, "Pull over; let it pass." But the other part of me, the thrill seeking-stupid-redneck side, said, "You can out run it!" Well, I did out run it, but next time I think I'll pull over.

I was supposed to camp tonight in Vicksburg, Mississippi, but the camp site was disgusting. It scared me. But since I had already pulled off the highway, I decided to drive through the town. It's a very cute place.







The view of the Mississippi river from some of the higher elevations was incredible.















So after seeing that campsite and realizing that even the H1N1 virus would be afraid to infect the area, I got a second wind (and a Venti Mocha) and drove another 5+ hours to Dallas, Texas where I am now. It was much too late to get a campsite, so I am in a hotel tonight. I will be exploring Dallas tomorrow before taking off to Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday.

It's late and I better get to bed. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. No more storms please!

Oh, I wanted to add that if any of my radio friends are reading and you know any PD's between Dallas and LA, I will stop and do a show... For a gas card or restaurant gift certificate!

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A few days away

I'm packing up and getting ready to head out on my journey this Sunday, May 3, 2009. I posted a pic of my pack, but the real preperation pic I should have posted is me sitting in my livingroom Google Mapping the hell out of America. I now know all my stops there and back, how long it should take between cities, where the campgrounds are, and so much more.

I have to DJ an annual Cinco de Mayo party that I have done for the last few years on Saturday night, so Sunday should be a goooooood travel day. You may get pics and even video of me vomitting through Alabama and some of Mississippi.

Keep checking the blog as I will post as I can. We'll see just how good this 3G network really is. Looks like the weather will be bad through Texas, so it may be "in-the-cab-of-my-truck" updates until Amarillo or Albuquerque.

Thanks again for reading. Check back often!



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Testing 1...2...3...

I just cooked my dinner on a Coleman Max grill!



It's getting closer to GO time and, over the next week and 1/2, I will be testing all my gear. In fact, I am testing a new blog app for my iPhone. This app will let me post pictures and will be a great back up if I can't find a wifi hotspot. I have so much to do before I leave, but isn't that always the case. Oh, I'm leaving on Sunday, May 3.

I'm planning on posting pics and video as I make my way across the country. I will be posting a test video soon as I set everything up way back in my yard.

Also, I am planning on making a few stops along the way to meet and interview with some people who could be very instrumental in my future, so if you think I'm just goofing off you are wrong... I'll only be goofing off part of the trip... Ok, most of the time...

Thank you for reading! Until the next post!

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