So I'm still in San Antonio. I've had a pretty good time here. Met a lot of people and seen some of them again. Went to a couple birthday parties, had a couple akward moments, driven in the city, painted, found a dive bar, watched too much t.v., gotten a little tipsy on a $10 bar tab, eaten too much take-out, been massaged, had my toes painted, defensivly shopped at the grocery store, seen a life sized Elmo on a trampoline, these amongst other things.
I don't have a plan right now, I've looked at jobs here. I just don't know if I should stay here. I don't like cities so much, at least to stay in. I do like it here though. I just don't know if my heart is in it.
I feel like I have to keep going to add to this amazing trip. I have places that I really would like to at least see. I do feel a bit nervous, but think that I should pack that in my suitcase and head on down that highway. It may also be a needed break for my boyfriend to spend quailty time with his friends and family and do the jobs that he has lined up. We have been together non-stop since Alaska. I feel for him.:)
So there is nothing set in stone but that's where I'm at. Oh, and my body is having some crazy reaction to something. I have never been allergic to anything but something is not agreeing with me. I have crazy bumps and itch like crazy on my arms and legs. I really hope this goes away, it's kinda ugly. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and get to gather with those you love, may your bellys be full and your hearts overflowing with happiness today and always. Peace.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I blame not updating the blog on the distracting lights of Las Vegas.Well, that of course, is only an excuse since I've been out of there for over a week or so. It was the beginning of my procrastination though.
So I guess that's a good place to start.
It was my first time in Vegas, first time of seeing all the bright lights, hearing people's disappointments or excitement, seeing all the people in the streets and all over the casinos. I'm not much of a gambler but I am quite a good people watcher, thus making Vegas highly exciting for me. Creeps, high rollers, street performers, bums and people from all over the world. I decided at one point that I wanted to live in Australia, at least long enough to get a cool accent, after overhearing some guys accent. I don't think that's really going to happen, but a girl can dream.
Our first night there, Jody, Taylor and Paul took us, no shit, to a place called Hot and Juicy. Not what you think. It was a seafood kinda of restaurant in China Town, they served catfish, craw fish and some other stuff. I ate craw fish for the first time. I broke their little tails off and sucked the meat right out. It was kind of a strange and funny experience. They did not taste like lobster to me, as I was told but they weren't bad. There was no silverware or plates, straight out of the bag and discarded right onto the plastic checkered table cover.
We played penny slots and won some, lost some and even if we were ahead, I was up $50 at one time.We ended up playing all of it back but it was fun being in Sin City.
We saw the water shot at the Bellagio and walked around for hours just admiring how completely crazy the city was.
It wasn't all that much fun though. At one point I went to get cash out of the ATM and my card wouldn't work, I called stupid Wells Fargo and they informed me that they had cancelled my card and sent a new one to Alaska. I was pissed, pissed because, I had talked to 3 different people, on three different occasions and told them that I would be traveling. They said there was nothing they could do. I, in my genius way of thinking, decided that I would put money into Rico's account and then withdrawal it. This was a failure too, they shut his card off too. Scumbags! They could have at least called me, right? So we were at an Alberton's on a Sunday morning, Halloween, waiting for the Wells Fargo to open to get our temporary cards. How thoughtful of them to be open on a Sunday. They said they mailed our new cards at the beginning of the month, I got a email two days ago saying they mailed it on November 4th. But everything happens for a reason I guess.
We stayed in Jody's driveway and at the shop one night. The heat and sunshine would wake us up in the morning.
We ventured to the Hoover Dam, it was neat to see, it was a bit touristy and a bit of a rip off. You can't even see the museum or any information without flashing some dead presidents. I know it's a tourist attraction but it's also a national icon, let people learn. For free.
We went to Lake Meade, I even put on my swimsuit without caring how many grown men or small boys I scared, I was going to get some sun. And that is just what I did, I have tan lines now! It was super nice to lay there, the water crashing and the sun blazing down upon us. I was going to go swimming but no one else was, I thought maybe no one swam there.
We had to jump the van when we left.
We left Lake Meade heading to Henderson where Jody lives and the van started acting a little funny. We were stopping at a gas station to fill up and the van decided to take a little break, like in the middle of the busy street, on the uphill driveway. There is still a slight humiliation when this happens, but for the most part I'm over it. After so many times you just learn to laugh and remember this is the life that we lead right now.
After finally getting it started, we got gas. There was something that the guy we bought it from said, "when it clicks that it's done, don't squeeze those last few cents in." Well time goes by and you forget things. After those last few cents were squeezed in, I stepped back and seen gas pouring onto the stained pavement below. I stated what I seen out loud and asked what we should do, getting a not so nice profanity filled response.We got in and got the van started and left. (sorry gas station people for leaving a mess)
When things like this happen and Gertie is being dirty, there is no conversation, maybe a word here or there but for the most part silence and frustration fill the van.
We then got back on the highway right by a casino, with an uphill driveway, of course and she started acting up again. In the driveway that the semi trucks come in, really? Yep. So there we were, stuck uphill with a semi coming at us, cars passing, people staring, in a van that is not working. Sometimes when we leave her alone, she shocks us by turning on and running like a champ. Which she did and finally let us get into the driveway fully. At which time my boyfriend saw it fit to drive in huge circles in the parking lot to see what would happen.
I have to insert here that we have two batteries, if we don't plug in every couple days the battery drains. I still don't fully understand but refrain from asking why? This was the problem that was occurring that day.
The only way that she would stay running is to have the jumper cables hooked up to both batteries. So there I was in the back, the battery is under my seat, eating stale tortilla chips and slightly giggling in the heat.
We made it to Jody's shop finally and plugged in, then walked to Chinatown to find something to eat. That night we went to a party/car show at Hog's and Heifers with Jody. There were some awesome cars and bikes outside the bar and some scantily clad dressed ladies with mega phones in the bar. It was Coyote Ugly meets drill camp, kind of strange but got people's attention. At one point one of them told me to get up on the bar with her, um, no. Not enough PBRs in me and definitely not dressed for the occasion, not to mention my lack of doing anything physical since we left Seward. It was a good time though in good company.
We left Vegas with some money still in our pockets and without any stories that we couldn't tell our parents. We did have a really good time and met some of Jody's really nice and accommodating friends.
We awoke one morning and left the big city and continued our journey, straight into Arizona.
We went to the Grand Canyon, another tourist trap, but that's what we are now. I am the person that I used to deal with in Seward! We walked on the glass bridge, saw some lady freak out and rode around on the tour buses they provided. We both kind of loose enthusiasm quickly sometimes. We lived in a tourist town and being shuffled around kind of wears us out. We like things on our own time and our own terms. :)
It was indeed cool to see the actual Grand Canyon and some of the Native American arts. We skipped the last part of the tour and decided to keep driving.
We stayed at Fort Beals RV Park. It was small and quiet and the lady that runs it was really nice, even waving kindly to us the next morning when we left.
I was super excited to get on Route 66. I always really wanted to check it out. I still find it quite lame that most of it has been turned into freeways and interstates. I know times change. We got onto Route 66 outside of Kingsman. We found a cool VW repair shop on our way out of town and got a fuel filter, that was later changed in a rest stop outside of Winslow.
We stopped in Hackberry, a little cattle town with nothing left but a general store, post office and a old school house. There was an old cowboy sitting outside when we pulled up and I asked if this was his treasure chest he said no, he just hung out there. He was interesting, informed me of the drastic climate changes in Arizona. He said that most people who lived there just wanted peace and quiet and maybe a small garden on an acreage. I guess that would be the place for all of that. The afternoon sun was starting to warm everything up and the sky a wondrous blue with the fluffiest of clouds floating in it.
The store itself was a treasure trove of old and classic memorabilia from eras past. Elvis, Marilyn, Johnny Cash and many others graced the walls on clocks, signs and other objects. There was a bar set up, diner benches and mannequins dressed and posed to look like they were just hanging out there for the afternoon. Old cars and anything from outhouses, urinals and wagon wheels laid out in the yard. In the nicest, most decorative way.
The mountains looked as if someone just dumped small rocks at the peaks and layered them. Plateaus and rounded mountain tops were reaching up to a bright blue sky. Jet tracks streamed through the clouds, it's dry but full of life. Small farms and trailer houses keep popping up here and there.
There is something completely calming and peaceful about the desert. I guess the cowboy came to the right place.
I stood on the corner of Winslow, Arizona. Yep. Just like the Eagles song. We took some pictures and browsed the gift shop. We got coffee from the coffee shop/art gallery and walked back to the van admiring the old buildings in town. It seems like a pretty sleepy town that maybe thrives on "the corner" and maybe the interstates passing traffic.
As we got farther into Arizona and off Route 66, Arizona began to shock and amaze me. Call me naive but I never really knew that Arizona had such a beautiful side. I mean it's nice throughout but Tonto and Coconino National Parks were so amazing! It was such a beautiful drive, there were trees for miles and miles, great small towns (Strawberry, Pine, Payson) and such wonderful views. Fall is my favorite time of year and fall here was extraordinary! I've said before that things were on fire but this place was ablaze and so golden. Twists and turns and curves with bright tree tops, red rocks and cactus. It was such a strange but wonderful combination. I was shocked and totally stoked to see such a surprise. We had to stop a couple of times so I could take some pictures and roam around admiring our surroundings. The sunset wasn't so bad either.
There were some other folks at the gas station from Alaska who were also living out of their van. It's funny who will talk to you due to the license plates or stickers on the van.
We stopped at a campground and the lady wasn't very cool so we kept driving.
I decided that I wanted to go to Tortilla Flat, Arizona. Not really any reason, except that I googled it and it seemed like a silly little town. Six people live there. No lie. So we decided that we would just keep on driving. On the map we saw that there was camping right in the town.
We crossed the Roosevelt Dam on pavement but that soon changed into gravel. It was dark and a bit creepy to say the least. It seemed really pretty and I bet there would be great views during the day. It even had some appeal at night. The road was by far the worst that I have ever been on. Driving to and from Alaska has never been that bad.
It was curvy, floods in some parts, so chunks of road were actually missing, rocks piled high on the road and one lane bridges that the van barely fit over and everything miserable that you wouldn't want a road to have. We could see the silhouettes of cactus and reflections on the water, but everything else was black.
There was nothing, I mean nothing. Every so often a light would appear and then very quickly disappear. This led to creepy speculations and chills up my spine. When my boyfriend says he's creeped out, it doesn't really make me feel any safer. The van would rattle, we'd roll up our windows. Something would creek or shift and I would get teary eyed and start nervously laughing. I think it would take a certain kind of person to live out there.
We finally seen headlights, they were pointed straight at the mountain side and another car was parked next to it. Rico hit the breaks, I told him not to hit the breaks and had him convince that they would come after us. Then he said they put on the reverse lights, yep we were freaking out. I bet some sketchy shit does go on out there. Then a car that was coming at us just pulled off and turned off their lights. A white truck passed and I saw it as a creepy lady waving a creepy wave at us and cringed again. She was the waitress the next day.
We got to Tortilla Flat and everything was closed. I say everything but there really isn't much there. A bar, a gift shop that contains the post office and a general store. We pulled into the campground across the street. Apparently, you need tags to camp in some parks in Arizona, which we didn't have. The camp host was a wirey man, he emerged from his camper shirtless and seemed a little looped. He was very kind though. He saw the "I support Alaskan grown" sticker and said that anyone who supports local things must be good. He let us camp for free. Thanks Deanne!!!
We pulled into a spot and the ceepyness showed its ugly face again. Weird noises and made up scenarios kept popping into my head. I at one point, swore that I heard a rattle snake and jumped back into the van. I don't even know what one sounds like. We climbed into our bags and tried to make ourselves comfortable. I was reading and trying to avoid the strange sounds and footsteps outside. I finally closed my book and decided that I would try to get some rest. It worked for a little bit, but kept waking myself up with the weirdness outside.
I woke up the next day and grabbed my book and headed to the picnic table to read for a bit. It was very pretty and not really that creepy in the daylight. We were tucked in a little canyon, cactus' everywhere and the sun shining. Right as I sat down I heard something, not human, howling from somewhere. I shook it off. I didn't think whatever it was would drag me off and eat me in broad daylight.
I read and waited for Rico to awaken, we packed up the van and ventured over to see what Tortilla Flat was all about. Nothing in the town opens until 9 AM. We went and poked our heads into the museum, it was quite interesting. It really is a town too tough to die.
We went into the restaurant and the waitress declared that she passed us last night on the road and she said that she had family in Alaska. I listened to the waitress banter about someone who came back and wanted their shifts back. Small town banter. Really small town. There are no phones, no cell service and no one seems to mind at all. They all seem content with being in a small town and amusing tourists as they pass through.
We headed the van in the direction of Tombstone. We got there and were greeted by cowboys on the corner, main street was shut down to through traffic with horse and buggies rolling around. We went and saw a gun fight, kind of show thing. It was kind of funny, one of the guys guns ended up getting jammed and he would say, "bang, bang," which really wasn't the same but still entertaining. We walked downtown on the graveled main street, all the shops had almost all the same things; shirts, fake guns, chaps, hats, badges and anything else that they could put Tombstone, AZ on.
We didn't stay there very long. We had places to go and things to do.
When we were leaving we drove so close to the border it was kind of odd feeling. Not because we were by the border but watching the border patrol on the hunt for human beings. They were everywhere, walking, driving and patrolling everywhere. I guess being in Arizona made that experience a little different too.
We made it to New Mexico! We were in need of a shower and some sleep. We saw a Love's truck stop so we stopped and I took my first truck stop shower. I was more like a pressure washer, not complaining, it was a damn good shower. We were planning on staying in the parking lot there but decided to keep driving to the rest stop that was on the map. It was a nice one, we kind of behind the rest stop in our own little area. There was a sign that warned of rattle snakes, I didn't even think I saw or heard any here. :) It did get pretty cold in the night though.
I had read about White Sands National Monument and thought it would be cool to see the white sands in the desert. We got there on a sunny day and I saw a sign for sleds and had no idea what that meant, when I asked the lady she showed us a video of people sledding the sand dunes on saucer sleds. I got all excited and got my sled and was ready to go out into the dunes and find a good place to go down. They give you wax to make your sled faster. I waxed and waxed and waxed and looked for a good place to go down. I tried a few with no results but alas found the sweet spot and went down a couple of times. It was really fun. The lady said it is a busy place on spring break, she sold over 900 sleds last year. It was really pretty too. Who would have thought that it also doubled as a missal testing site? Bring on the radiation.
We got to Roswell in the early afternoon. We realized that the museum was only open until 5 and it was already 4:30 so we thought it would be good to just find a place to stay for the night. The ladies at the counter told us about Bottomless Lakes, I called and it was only $14 to camp for the night. We drove out there, about 12 miles outside of Roswell. It was really pretty and kind of in the middle of nowhere. Perfect place for aliens to find us.
They didn't come. Or I don't remember if they did. I may have a new implant that I'm unaware of?
We woke up and went to the museum. It was super neat to see all the documents that they have from people who were around during the time of the crash. It was eye opening and then some of it was repeats of things that I've already heard. It was all really cool though.
So without a alien sighting or abduction we headed to Texas. I seem cotton fields for the first time. Huge bales of cotton. It was kind of odd to see, I'm used to corn and beans and stuff of that nature.
We got to Midland, Texas and found a campsite. The man that showed us to our spot was super excited to see the van. We had a mellow night.
Woke up the next morning and started our stretch of the journey to San Antonio. We passed through small Texas towns filled with old buildings, small town kindness and farms/ranches abound.
We did go through the Hill Country. It was really nice, very nice homes and ranches. It seemed like a slow pace and very nice scenery. Last time we were here we only saw a tiny bit of the Hill Country, it was nice to see again.
We made it to San Antonio to his sister and her husband's, Jen and Albert, house. We got to see his mom, she stopped over for awhile. They are all so nice, it's always nice to talk to them. It was good to see everyone.
We went to the botanical gardens and the McNay Museum yesterday. The gardens were so beautiful. There was a lady with a little radio flyer wagon who told us a lot of information about plants from south Texas. It was a warm day but had a really nice cool breeze to make it a beautiful day.
The McNay was cool too. It was nice to see art from many different decades and different styles. It was a good day.
So we are still in San Antonio. I don't know how long I'll be here. His dad is coming this weekend so I'll meet him and then decide if I'm going to keep driving or where I'm going to go.
Life is still a beautiful journey, hope this finds you all happy and healthy. I think I need a nap. Peace.
So I guess that's a good place to start.
It was my first time in Vegas, first time of seeing all the bright lights, hearing people's disappointments or excitement, seeing all the people in the streets and all over the casinos. I'm not much of a gambler but I am quite a good people watcher, thus making Vegas highly exciting for me. Creeps, high rollers, street performers, bums and people from all over the world. I decided at one point that I wanted to live in Australia, at least long enough to get a cool accent, after overhearing some guys accent. I don't think that's really going to happen, but a girl can dream.
Our first night there, Jody, Taylor and Paul took us, no shit, to a place called Hot and Juicy. Not what you think. It was a seafood kinda of restaurant in China Town, they served catfish, craw fish and some other stuff. I ate craw fish for the first time. I broke their little tails off and sucked the meat right out. It was kind of a strange and funny experience. They did not taste like lobster to me, as I was told but they weren't bad. There was no silverware or plates, straight out of the bag and discarded right onto the plastic checkered table cover.
We played penny slots and won some, lost some and even if we were ahead, I was up $50 at one time.We ended up playing all of it back but it was fun being in Sin City.
We saw the water shot at the Bellagio and walked around for hours just admiring how completely crazy the city was.
It wasn't all that much fun though. At one point I went to get cash out of the ATM and my card wouldn't work, I called stupid Wells Fargo and they informed me that they had cancelled my card and sent a new one to Alaska. I was pissed, pissed because, I had talked to 3 different people, on three different occasions and told them that I would be traveling. They said there was nothing they could do. I, in my genius way of thinking, decided that I would put money into Rico's account and then withdrawal it. This was a failure too, they shut his card off too. Scumbags! They could have at least called me, right? So we were at an Alberton's on a Sunday morning, Halloween, waiting for the Wells Fargo to open to get our temporary cards. How thoughtful of them to be open on a Sunday. They said they mailed our new cards at the beginning of the month, I got a email two days ago saying they mailed it on November 4th. But everything happens for a reason I guess.
We stayed in Jody's driveway and at the shop one night. The heat and sunshine would wake us up in the morning.
We ventured to the Hoover Dam, it was neat to see, it was a bit touristy and a bit of a rip off. You can't even see the museum or any information without flashing some dead presidents. I know it's a tourist attraction but it's also a national icon, let people learn. For free.
We went to Lake Meade, I even put on my swimsuit without caring how many grown men or small boys I scared, I was going to get some sun. And that is just what I did, I have tan lines now! It was super nice to lay there, the water crashing and the sun blazing down upon us. I was going to go swimming but no one else was, I thought maybe no one swam there.
We had to jump the van when we left.
We left Lake Meade heading to Henderson where Jody lives and the van started acting a little funny. We were stopping at a gas station to fill up and the van decided to take a little break, like in the middle of the busy street, on the uphill driveway. There is still a slight humiliation when this happens, but for the most part I'm over it. After so many times you just learn to laugh and remember this is the life that we lead right now.
After finally getting it started, we got gas. There was something that the guy we bought it from said, "when it clicks that it's done, don't squeeze those last few cents in." Well time goes by and you forget things. After those last few cents were squeezed in, I stepped back and seen gas pouring onto the stained pavement below. I stated what I seen out loud and asked what we should do, getting a not so nice profanity filled response.We got in and got the van started and left. (sorry gas station people for leaving a mess)
When things like this happen and Gertie is being dirty, there is no conversation, maybe a word here or there but for the most part silence and frustration fill the van.
We then got back on the highway right by a casino, with an uphill driveway, of course and she started acting up again. In the driveway that the semi trucks come in, really? Yep. So there we were, stuck uphill with a semi coming at us, cars passing, people staring, in a van that is not working. Sometimes when we leave her alone, she shocks us by turning on and running like a champ. Which she did and finally let us get into the driveway fully. At which time my boyfriend saw it fit to drive in huge circles in the parking lot to see what would happen.
I have to insert here that we have two batteries, if we don't plug in every couple days the battery drains. I still don't fully understand but refrain from asking why? This was the problem that was occurring that day.
The only way that she would stay running is to have the jumper cables hooked up to both batteries. So there I was in the back, the battery is under my seat, eating stale tortilla chips and slightly giggling in the heat.
We made it to Jody's shop finally and plugged in, then walked to Chinatown to find something to eat. That night we went to a party/car show at Hog's and Heifers with Jody. There were some awesome cars and bikes outside the bar and some scantily clad dressed ladies with mega phones in the bar. It was Coyote Ugly meets drill camp, kind of strange but got people's attention. At one point one of them told me to get up on the bar with her, um, no. Not enough PBRs in me and definitely not dressed for the occasion, not to mention my lack of doing anything physical since we left Seward. It was a good time though in good company.
We left Vegas with some money still in our pockets and without any stories that we couldn't tell our parents. We did have a really good time and met some of Jody's really nice and accommodating friends.
We awoke one morning and left the big city and continued our journey, straight into Arizona.
We went to the Grand Canyon, another tourist trap, but that's what we are now. I am the person that I used to deal with in Seward! We walked on the glass bridge, saw some lady freak out and rode around on the tour buses they provided. We both kind of loose enthusiasm quickly sometimes. We lived in a tourist town and being shuffled around kind of wears us out. We like things on our own time and our own terms. :)
It was indeed cool to see the actual Grand Canyon and some of the Native American arts. We skipped the last part of the tour and decided to keep driving.
We stayed at Fort Beals RV Park. It was small and quiet and the lady that runs it was really nice, even waving kindly to us the next morning when we left.
I was super excited to get on Route 66. I always really wanted to check it out. I still find it quite lame that most of it has been turned into freeways and interstates. I know times change. We got onto Route 66 outside of Kingsman. We found a cool VW repair shop on our way out of town and got a fuel filter, that was later changed in a rest stop outside of Winslow.
We stopped in Hackberry, a little cattle town with nothing left but a general store, post office and a old school house. There was an old cowboy sitting outside when we pulled up and I asked if this was his treasure chest he said no, he just hung out there. He was interesting, informed me of the drastic climate changes in Arizona. He said that most people who lived there just wanted peace and quiet and maybe a small garden on an acreage. I guess that would be the place for all of that. The afternoon sun was starting to warm everything up and the sky a wondrous blue with the fluffiest of clouds floating in it.
The store itself was a treasure trove of old and classic memorabilia from eras past. Elvis, Marilyn, Johnny Cash and many others graced the walls on clocks, signs and other objects. There was a bar set up, diner benches and mannequins dressed and posed to look like they were just hanging out there for the afternoon. Old cars and anything from outhouses, urinals and wagon wheels laid out in the yard. In the nicest, most decorative way.
The mountains looked as if someone just dumped small rocks at the peaks and layered them. Plateaus and rounded mountain tops were reaching up to a bright blue sky. Jet tracks streamed through the clouds, it's dry but full of life. Small farms and trailer houses keep popping up here and there.
There is something completely calming and peaceful about the desert. I guess the cowboy came to the right place.
I stood on the corner of Winslow, Arizona. Yep. Just like the Eagles song. We took some pictures and browsed the gift shop. We got coffee from the coffee shop/art gallery and walked back to the van admiring the old buildings in town. It seems like a pretty sleepy town that maybe thrives on "the corner" and maybe the interstates passing traffic.
As we got farther into Arizona and off Route 66, Arizona began to shock and amaze me. Call me naive but I never really knew that Arizona had such a beautiful side. I mean it's nice throughout but Tonto and Coconino National Parks were so amazing! It was such a beautiful drive, there were trees for miles and miles, great small towns (Strawberry, Pine, Payson) and such wonderful views. Fall is my favorite time of year and fall here was extraordinary! I've said before that things were on fire but this place was ablaze and so golden. Twists and turns and curves with bright tree tops, red rocks and cactus. It was such a strange but wonderful combination. I was shocked and totally stoked to see such a surprise. We had to stop a couple of times so I could take some pictures and roam around admiring our surroundings. The sunset wasn't so bad either.
There were some other folks at the gas station from Alaska who were also living out of their van. It's funny who will talk to you due to the license plates or stickers on the van.
We stopped at a campground and the lady wasn't very cool so we kept driving.
I decided that I wanted to go to Tortilla Flat, Arizona. Not really any reason, except that I googled it and it seemed like a silly little town. Six people live there. No lie. So we decided that we would just keep on driving. On the map we saw that there was camping right in the town.
We crossed the Roosevelt Dam on pavement but that soon changed into gravel. It was dark and a bit creepy to say the least. It seemed really pretty and I bet there would be great views during the day. It even had some appeal at night. The road was by far the worst that I have ever been on. Driving to and from Alaska has never been that bad.
It was curvy, floods in some parts, so chunks of road were actually missing, rocks piled high on the road and one lane bridges that the van barely fit over and everything miserable that you wouldn't want a road to have. We could see the silhouettes of cactus and reflections on the water, but everything else was black.
There was nothing, I mean nothing. Every so often a light would appear and then very quickly disappear. This led to creepy speculations and chills up my spine. When my boyfriend says he's creeped out, it doesn't really make me feel any safer. The van would rattle, we'd roll up our windows. Something would creek or shift and I would get teary eyed and start nervously laughing. I think it would take a certain kind of person to live out there.
We finally seen headlights, they were pointed straight at the mountain side and another car was parked next to it. Rico hit the breaks, I told him not to hit the breaks and had him convince that they would come after us. Then he said they put on the reverse lights, yep we were freaking out. I bet some sketchy shit does go on out there. Then a car that was coming at us just pulled off and turned off their lights. A white truck passed and I saw it as a creepy lady waving a creepy wave at us and cringed again. She was the waitress the next day.
We got to Tortilla Flat and everything was closed. I say everything but there really isn't much there. A bar, a gift shop that contains the post office and a general store. We pulled into the campground across the street. Apparently, you need tags to camp in some parks in Arizona, which we didn't have. The camp host was a wirey man, he emerged from his camper shirtless and seemed a little looped. He was very kind though. He saw the "I support Alaskan grown" sticker and said that anyone who supports local things must be good. He let us camp for free. Thanks Deanne!!!
We pulled into a spot and the ceepyness showed its ugly face again. Weird noises and made up scenarios kept popping into my head. I at one point, swore that I heard a rattle snake and jumped back into the van. I don't even know what one sounds like. We climbed into our bags and tried to make ourselves comfortable. I was reading and trying to avoid the strange sounds and footsteps outside. I finally closed my book and decided that I would try to get some rest. It worked for a little bit, but kept waking myself up with the weirdness outside.
I woke up the next day and grabbed my book and headed to the picnic table to read for a bit. It was very pretty and not really that creepy in the daylight. We were tucked in a little canyon, cactus' everywhere and the sun shining. Right as I sat down I heard something, not human, howling from somewhere. I shook it off. I didn't think whatever it was would drag me off and eat me in broad daylight.
I read and waited for Rico to awaken, we packed up the van and ventured over to see what Tortilla Flat was all about. Nothing in the town opens until 9 AM. We went and poked our heads into the museum, it was quite interesting. It really is a town too tough to die.
We went into the restaurant and the waitress declared that she passed us last night on the road and she said that she had family in Alaska. I listened to the waitress banter about someone who came back and wanted their shifts back. Small town banter. Really small town. There are no phones, no cell service and no one seems to mind at all. They all seem content with being in a small town and amusing tourists as they pass through.
We headed the van in the direction of Tombstone. We got there and were greeted by cowboys on the corner, main street was shut down to through traffic with horse and buggies rolling around. We went and saw a gun fight, kind of show thing. It was kind of funny, one of the guys guns ended up getting jammed and he would say, "bang, bang," which really wasn't the same but still entertaining. We walked downtown on the graveled main street, all the shops had almost all the same things; shirts, fake guns, chaps, hats, badges and anything else that they could put Tombstone, AZ on.
We didn't stay there very long. We had places to go and things to do.
When we were leaving we drove so close to the border it was kind of odd feeling. Not because we were by the border but watching the border patrol on the hunt for human beings. They were everywhere, walking, driving and patrolling everywhere. I guess being in Arizona made that experience a little different too.
We made it to New Mexico! We were in need of a shower and some sleep. We saw a Love's truck stop so we stopped and I took my first truck stop shower. I was more like a pressure washer, not complaining, it was a damn good shower. We were planning on staying in the parking lot there but decided to keep driving to the rest stop that was on the map. It was a nice one, we kind of behind the rest stop in our own little area. There was a sign that warned of rattle snakes, I didn't even think I saw or heard any here. :) It did get pretty cold in the night though.
I had read about White Sands National Monument and thought it would be cool to see the white sands in the desert. We got there on a sunny day and I saw a sign for sleds and had no idea what that meant, when I asked the lady she showed us a video of people sledding the sand dunes on saucer sleds. I got all excited and got my sled and was ready to go out into the dunes and find a good place to go down. They give you wax to make your sled faster. I waxed and waxed and waxed and looked for a good place to go down. I tried a few with no results but alas found the sweet spot and went down a couple of times. It was really fun. The lady said it is a busy place on spring break, she sold over 900 sleds last year. It was really pretty too. Who would have thought that it also doubled as a missal testing site? Bring on the radiation.
We got to Roswell in the early afternoon. We realized that the museum was only open until 5 and it was already 4:30 so we thought it would be good to just find a place to stay for the night. The ladies at the counter told us about Bottomless Lakes, I called and it was only $14 to camp for the night. We drove out there, about 12 miles outside of Roswell. It was really pretty and kind of in the middle of nowhere. Perfect place for aliens to find us.
They didn't come. Or I don't remember if they did. I may have a new implant that I'm unaware of?
We woke up and went to the museum. It was super neat to see all the documents that they have from people who were around during the time of the crash. It was eye opening and then some of it was repeats of things that I've already heard. It was all really cool though.
So without a alien sighting or abduction we headed to Texas. I seem cotton fields for the first time. Huge bales of cotton. It was kind of odd to see, I'm used to corn and beans and stuff of that nature.
We got to Midland, Texas and found a campsite. The man that showed us to our spot was super excited to see the van. We had a mellow night.
Woke up the next morning and started our stretch of the journey to San Antonio. We passed through small Texas towns filled with old buildings, small town kindness and farms/ranches abound.
We did go through the Hill Country. It was really nice, very nice homes and ranches. It seemed like a slow pace and very nice scenery. Last time we were here we only saw a tiny bit of the Hill Country, it was nice to see again.
We made it to San Antonio to his sister and her husband's, Jen and Albert, house. We got to see his mom, she stopped over for awhile. They are all so nice, it's always nice to talk to them. It was good to see everyone.
We went to the botanical gardens and the McNay Museum yesterday. The gardens were so beautiful. There was a lady with a little radio flyer wagon who told us a lot of information about plants from south Texas. It was a warm day but had a really nice cool breeze to make it a beautiful day.
The McNay was cool too. It was nice to see art from many different decades and different styles. It was a good day.
So we are still in San Antonio. I don't know how long I'll be here. His dad is coming this weekend so I'll meet him and then decide if I'm going to keep driving or where I'm going to go.
Life is still a beautiful journey, hope this finds you all happy and healthy. I think I need a nap. Peace.
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