S. Indiana to L.A. via I-40...1st week of Jan.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I like both Tombstone and Midland. I started going to Tombstone back in the 1970s when it really was a dusty little town -- I agree that it has been dudified a bit in recent years, but still worth some time -- here are some field reports:

RTA visits Tombstone in Sept. 2001
The Copper Queen Mine tour in nearby Bisbee
Gerald Thurman's Report from the area!
Midland Petroleum Museum
And a couple of places I have tried to find time to do in Midland -- but so far, they are still in the "one-day-list-of-places-and-whatevers-I-want-to-do":
American AirPower Heritage Museum
Stonhenge Replica

Mark

[headinwest]

Howdy all...thought I'd post an update, since I have wireless Internet service here at the hotel.

Day one (Jan. 2, 2008)--left Henderson, KY at about 10:15AM, stopped once in Cullen, AL for gas, and arrived in Meridian, MS about six-ish. Ordered Papa John's, which arrived an hour later (the soda arrived two hours after that).

Day two (Jan. 3)-- left Meridian at about 10AM, and stopped for lunch and gas in Shreveport, LA. I didn't know that Shreveport had so many big-time casinos! I ate at the Iron Skillet and won $6.65 in a Poker slot machine at the hole-in-the-wall casino next door. Arrived in Dallas at about six-ish, ordered take-out from the Outback Steakhouse next door. The hotel was GREAT (Best Western), and the town looks like it had tons of fun stuff to do, but the traffic was murder.

Day three (Jan. 4)-- Woke up early for complimentary breakfast; got to Dealy Plaza "Sixth Floor Museum" at opening time (10AM) and took the tour. They didn't allow videotaping, so I videotaped a lot outside afterwards. At about Noon, I saw an Elvis impersonator performing on the steps of the entrance, so I walked up to tape him and tip him. He asked if I had any requests, and I said "Anything that I can sing along with," indicating that I was no slouch at impersonating the King myself.

He was enthusiastic about that, and we sang a few numbers together (to the delight of the tourists). He was very flattering about how skilled I was, and I explained that I was moving to L.A. to look for a job in the entertainment industry. We exchanged info and agreed to get in touch if the opportunity to work together ever presented itself.

I was way behind schedule, especially after I stopped at Santo, TX for gas and a quick bite. I decided that I probably wouldn't make it to El Paso at a decent hour, so I checked decided on Sweetwater, TX for my next port of call. I'll leave early tomorrow, since it's six hours to El Paso, and I'd like to make it a little further if possible (I logged 500 miles in eight hours each of the first two days, but only about 250 today).

Overall, the trip is going swimmingly. My arrival date might be a day or two late, but like I said, it's not written in stone. I'm also keeping a video journal of the trip. If I figure out how to put it online, I might include links to some highlights.

[Midwest Michael]

Thanks for the update! Its those great unexpected stops - the ones that put you behind schedule - that make the adventure of the road such a blast!

[PNW Judy]

I bet it was 100x the fun to be there. I also think you're our first Elvis impersonator. LOL

I look forward to your next installment.

[headinwest]

And here 'tis!

Day four (Jan. 5)-- woke up in time for complimentary breakfast. No hot food this time, but plenty of good grub. I even snagged a few items for later, which came in handy. Left Sweetwater, TX at about 8:50AM and continued West.

This quickly turned into the least enjoyable leg of my journey. To begin, there is nothing quite like the feeling of isolation once you get into those long stretches where there is naught but scrub brush and rattlesnakes for thirty miles at a stretch. I'm a natural worrier by breeding anyway, so I was a little shaken up during some of those moments.

I stopped at Pecos, TX for lunch and gas, since my atlas indicated there would be less and less in the way of conveniences at regular intervals from that point. Pecos also boasted an "Old West Museum," which was kind of interesting. It was chock full of artifacts from local history, and the building itself (built about a century ago) once included a saloon that hosted a "famous" local gunfight. Barney Riggs, we hardly knew ye.

The only other thing I can say about Pecos, TX is that one should probably avoid the Pizza Hut there (in case it ever comes up).

From Pecos, there is a very long, very boring drive through desert and mountains until you get to Ft. Hancock, TX (remember, from "The Shawshank Redemption"?), at which point the desert South of I-10 starts to become peppered with settlements and "shantytowns" (so far as I could make out), and these continue well into El Paso.

El Paso itself is at once entrancing and confusing to behold, especially for a Yankee like me. It wasn't like downtown Dallas, with all of the tall office buildings & c. It was more like Mt. Vernon, Illinois, only built for a population of a million people. There was at least one of every retail and restaurant chain lined up like obedient servants on either side of the Interstate. There were also factories, warehouses, plants and half a dozen porn shops. The traffic was manageable, but the place reminds me of Coruscant from "Star Wars: Episode I"--just one giant city that stretches out across the entire planet.

To the South were trailer communities stretching out as far as the eye could see. For what it's worth, there were also a number of trailer dealerships. It was as though the cities of El Paso, TX and Juarez, Mexico are pretty much attached at the hip, national borders obscured by the bustling nature of those towns. The whole experience was a little mind-boggling.

The mountain scenery was breathtaking, and by the time I hit the New Mexico border, I felt like I was officially in the Southwest. I also got hit with a horrific whiff of cow dung. Within a mile or two, it became unbearable, and I saw a corrall with thousands of head of cattle to the South of the Interstate. These pens went on for miles; I would guess there were over one million cows in that area. This made me think two things:

1) land is probably cheap there; and

2) if the cows ever get their military chops together, the revolution will begin there.

I arrived at Las Cruces, NM at five-ish (I am now on Mountain time), had dinner in the cafe of the BW (a delicious filet--the steak tastes better here than back home--possibly because it's local?). Tomorrow, it's off to Tombstone, AZ for a little Wild West frivolity, then overnight in Phoenix.

[PNW Judy]

Another good trip report.

I think what thrills me is the same thing that makes you worry a bit. There's nothing better than finding a stretch of road where there are few other cars and virtually no signs of human life....besides the road itself, that is. These roads are becomining harder to find. I love it when I find myself on one.

And, really, how can any new road be boring? :) I've not driven I-10 through there but I have driven 62/180 from Carlsbad, NM, to El Paso. Stupendously desolate drive! Beautiful yet harsh land. We stopped for a meal at a little shack. So-so food but interesting experience, to say the least. The experience was far cooler in retrospect when we discovered that the same restaurant was used as a backdrop for a VW ad.

Here are me and my friends in our New Beetles:


And here's the VW ad...with a little Photoshopping, I'm sure:



Yes, the smell of cow dung in the morning....or any other time of day. LOL Wakes ya up anyway!

Enjoy Tombstone!

[headinwest]

I did, thanks. Sorry if I sounded like I was badmouthing the great Southwest. I was intimidated by the "unknown-ness" of the mountains/desert and I guess one can chalk up any boredom to the Attention Deficit nature folks sometimes have in this fast-paced age.

If I may make up for it now, I'd just like to go on record with how impressed I am by the indescribable splendor of the countryside I witnessed today, from Las Cruces, NM to where I am now: Casa Grande, AZ.

I was slowed by some rain, and by my unforgettable trip to Tombstone this afternoon. I spent about two hours seeing the show, shopping and checking out the museum. I recommend it highly to anyone in that area. I was also surprised to see such a large crowd on a Sunday in January. But hey, more power to 'em.

[PNW Judy]

And I don't think ADDness has anything to do with it. Correct me if I'm wrong, as I've not driven a LOT in the east, but I doubt there are too many huge stretches of desolate road back there. Because of that, it's a new experience and I can see where it might make some people edgy. If you're not used to not having a gas station every 10-15 minutes or so, it can be weird to have nothing, absolutely nothing, for far longer stretches. I actually enjoy the Twilight Zoneness of it.

Enjoy the rest of your trip! You're almost there.

[headinwest]

Arrived yesterday afternoon, a little ahead of schedule. The most trying moment was a stopover in Desert Center, CA, which I'm pretty sure was the inspiration for the town in "Tremors." Gas was $4.29 per gallon, and a burger and fries was $11.

But, I made it in one piece, and I couldn't be happier!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Gas was $4.29 per gallon, and a burger and fries was $11.

That must have been tough on the budget!

Glad to hear you made it -- thanks for the field reports.

Mark