Turn Right at Albuquerque

DAY THREE ~ Dallas 657.3 miles

Today was the longest drive of my trip, a ten-hour journey that was straight down highway 40. The word of the day was “Ouch” as in “Ouch! My bottom and back are killing me!” Apparently I still need to figure out the optimal driving position! I left Albuquerque headed toward Dallas with a planned stop in Amarillo.
I have always heard the expression “Turn left at Albuquerque”, but I have concluded that whomever invented that expression was heading West and not East because I had most definitely made a right turn, right into conservative central. It began when I went to buy gas before I left. Gas in New Mexico is only $2.49 a gallon and I could not contain my disbelief to the woman at the counter. She laughed at me and asked where I was from. When I said “California” she snickered and remarked, “No wonder, its California! It’s all their own fault, especially now that the state is so bankrupt!” It only went righter from there. From the road signs that proffered the 2lb steak available at the BBQ joint or the Chinese Dragon, all for $6.99, to the number of guns, hand and semi automatic, available for sale throughout the state, I was not in California anymore!

For as long of a drive as it was, it was a really interesting. As soon as you drive beyond the Mesa you enter rolling hills and then it seemed like the moment I entered into Texas the land opened up into vast grassland. Unfortunately it was also the moment when I saw large dark clouds in the distance. The temperature dropped from the low nineties into the low sixties and the skyline in the distance began to get fuzzy. This was the moment when I realized that we do not have weather in California. We have earthquakes, fires, snow, fog and sun, but we do not have weather. Weather in Texas is big, just like everything else. As I moved toward the grey the faucet turned on and the giant raindrops began to fall, each one plunking, not tapping like California rain, but plunking down on the windshield. I slowed down to drive through the pouring rain, and after about ten minutes I drove out of it and it stopped as quickly as it began. Now it should have occurred to me at that point but it didn’t click in this San Franciscan mind until after lunch in Amarillo…
I had stopped for lunch at a guidebook recommended Tex-Mex joint. Did you know it is impossible to order just one enchilada or one taco? There is no such thing as a light eater menu in Texas, in fact the smallest number of enchiladas I could even order was THREE! Rolling myself back into the car I turned on the local radio. As this point the DJ says, “Look out for those clouds! If you need to run for the storm shelters we’ll update you!” CLICK…what should I do if there is a thunderstorm or more importantly a tornado Thank the Lord for the trusty iPhone – I am beginning to feel like it is my equivalent to MacGyver’s stick of chewing gum and a roll of duck tape!!!

Quick Tornado/Lightening Facts:
1. In a Thunderstorm the safest place for you is in your car. Keep going and don’t park under a tree, nor get out of your car until the storm passes.

2. Tornados mostly move in a Northeasterly direction so go SOUTH or SOUTHWEST!

3. If it cuts across your path, stop and get yourself in a ditch, and pray to your maker – literally that is what one sight said – pray to your maker!

4. Green clouds and hail are precursors of a tornado.

5. Lightening can strike twice!

GOOD NEWS – and Mom if you are reading I am past tornado country - there were no green clouds, hail or lightening so don’t worry!!!

From Amarillo I entered into a history teacher’s dream, a rural highway through small town America! Erin Kayser this would have right up your alley!!! It was really interesting to see these one-road towns with one stoplight and populations of less than 500. What has struck me most is that truly people of the West are a hardy folk who like wide open spaces and are very self-sufficient. When I stopped for gas on this rural highway the peace was very moving and Erin I almost called you so we could have an Antietam moment!

I pulled into Dallas to stay at my friend Adrienne’s super cute house – she was awesome to put me up for the night especially as she was on a plane to San Francisco for work! Is that ironic or just a coincidence Alanis?

Also wanted to let Dustin know that I have been doing lots of stretching in between driving especially for my thighs!

Off to New Orleans…

Miles Traveled So Far: 1792 (more than halfway across!!!)

Movies that have run through my head: Twister, Friday Nights Live, and Road Warrior (There was this annoying Big Rig…)

**BTW I totally forgot to mention Superman 2 from yesterday!!!**

Best sign of the day: You are leaving New Mexico, the land of enchantment! Who knew?!