2010 New Mexico Trip - Part 1
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Hello Road, I've missed you. It's been a long time..... (sung to that C&W tune on the infomercial)
After burning a day of vacation to wrap up (I thought) some family car problems (they came unwrapped shortly after returning from my trip, but that's another story), I was packed up and at 0800 headed out - to Starbuck's for a traditional send off from one of my friends.
Back in the days of Columbus and Cook, one was granted audience before the King and/or Queen to explain the purpose of the expedition and plead for permission and money. Later Shackleton and Mallory would convene the Explorers or National Geographic Society to lay out their plans. In modern times we meet our buddies at Starbuck's Coffee to pick up some VIA instant coffee and have one or two for the road (which will cause us to stop again shortly to leave number one or two by the road). It's all good.
Traffic was manageable up 287 through Ft Worth, and soon I was settling into the old rhythms, a pattern of boredom, reminiscence, and technical analysis of this vibration or that sensation trying to match it up with a recently replaced part or maintenance procedure (recall I have been known to lose drain plugs in inopportune times). Front wheel bearing? New Tire? Where do I go/stop and what can I do?
But rather than dwell on the negative, I decide it's good news that Wichita Falls and Amarillo are no longer in drought but have probably caught up and surpassed their needs, and I have successfully worn in at least the right side of my new rubber leaning into the North Wind.
I like to hang a left at Amarillo and head out I-40 for a bit to Tucumcari, then the real trip begins when I leave 40 for NM104. On this road one gets the same feeling as a night solo in an airplane or sailing out of sight of land. One travels mile after arid mile alone with no house or hint of human save a not-so-friendly barbed wire fence, and the goals of preventative maintenance and personal mechanical skills become crystal clear. At one point approaching the Chonchas Reservoir some mischievous soul has tinseled an 8' pine tree by the side of the road to crack a smile in those who pass by. Were it not for the Camel Back Hydration I carried, 'cracking a smile' would be a literal phrase. Water too has become important - out here you get back to the basics.
When my technical analysis threatened to overwhelm the beauty of my surroundings I would force myself to recall that I carried water, food and shelter with me, and was on no set schedule, so a breakdown would be an inconvenience, not a disaster.
At about 2000 (8pm) I arrived in Las Vegas NM, proceeded north up NM518 to Storrie Lake State Park and for 8$ was treated to a patch of grass between the lake and the clean bath-house. Quick dinner at Blake's Lot-a-burger (great fries!) and I was done for the day.
Back in the days of Columbus and Cook, one was granted audience before the King and/or Queen to explain the purpose of the expedition and plead for permission and money. Later Shackleton and Mallory would convene the Explorers or National Geographic Society to lay out their plans. In modern times we meet our buddies at Starbuck's Coffee to pick up some VIA instant coffee and have one or two for the road (which will cause us to stop again shortly to leave number one or two by the road). It's all good.
Traffic was manageable up 287 through Ft Worth, and soon I was settling into the old rhythms, a pattern of boredom, reminiscence, and technical analysis of this vibration or that sensation trying to match it up with a recently replaced part or maintenance procedure (recall I have been known to lose drain plugs in inopportune times). Front wheel bearing? New Tire? Where do I go/stop and what can I do?
But rather than dwell on the negative, I decide it's good news that Wichita Falls and Amarillo are no longer in drought but have probably caught up and surpassed their needs, and I have successfully worn in at least the right side of my new rubber leaning into the North Wind.
I like to hang a left at Amarillo and head out I-40 for a bit to Tucumcari, then the real trip begins when I leave 40 for NM104. On this road one gets the same feeling as a night solo in an airplane or sailing out of sight of land. One travels mile after arid mile alone with no house or hint of human save a not-so-friendly barbed wire fence, and the goals of preventative maintenance and personal mechanical skills become crystal clear. At one point approaching the Chonchas Reservoir some mischievous soul has tinseled an 8' pine tree by the side of the road to crack a smile in those who pass by. Were it not for the Camel Back Hydration I carried, 'cracking a smile' would be a literal phrase. Water too has become important - out here you get back to the basics.
When my technical analysis threatened to overwhelm the beauty of my surroundings I would force myself to recall that I carried water, food and shelter with me, and was on no set schedule, so a breakdown would be an inconvenience, not a disaster.
At about 2000 (8pm) I arrived in Las Vegas NM, proceeded north up NM518 to Storrie Lake State Park and for 8$ was treated to a patch of grass between the lake and the clean bath-house. Quick dinner at Blake's Lot-a-burger (great fries!) and I was done for the day.
Sweet.
posted by Randy Masters at 6:11 AM
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