Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

May 2, 2005

Texas at last!

I checked weather forecasts this morning and it seemed fine to go west, but when I looked outside the clouds seemed heavy and threatening, and I
wasn’t sure, so I erred on the side of caution and headed south.

I took I-25 south and made a habit of stopping at rest stops when they were available. (*) At least they gave me a chance to capture some of the beautiful, wild country I was riding through. The first one also had a more than slightly humorous twist: “Dog Rest Rooms” (*) They also tended to have historical markers. There were three at this one.

On the doggie theme, I had been looking forward to going to Truth or Consequences. The truth is that the signs say “next two exits: gas and lodging.” I thought that this meant that both were for T or C. Nuh-huh. The consequence of taking the second exit was that you end up in Williamsburg. Oops. Oh well. It turned out to have more than a bit of local colour, with friendly people, and I watched as the local policewoman sorted out an issue with dogs that had been let to wander loose. I saw their (T or C) animal control (*) and the sign that proves to me that last night’s MCI phone card was a total ripoff (*). I got 50 minutes for $10. You figure it out.

It also had half a VW Beetle. Why? I forgot to ask. (D’oh.)

On the road again. At the second rest stop there were three markers, and I took some pictures of scenic stuff. The self portrait was totally bleached out, and the traveller picture I share here (*) is only cool at low resolution: how a solid block of wood managed to get camera shake I know not. It’s a shame; it was the kind of picture that might have made me a cover girl on the Women on Wheels magazine.

There was also what I think is a yucca, sporting the most astonishing blossom. (*).

It was pretty hot today, and as the day wore on the wind got worse. It never got to where I couldn’t deal, but it was tiring.

It occurred to me that I could get to Texas, and thus fulfil my goal of riding to Texas in a whimsical way. I rode to Anthony, got the giggles, and called my friend Barb back home, knowing full well that she’s appreciate it. She did.

The photo of me, again, was totally bleached out (over-exposed); I present instead a picture of my motorcycle, approximately one tenth of a mile over the Texas border. (*)

As the motels in Anthony were pricey, I went to El Paso instead, and am now in a very comfortable lodge, using air conditioning for the first time, and well-fed from the food store next door. It’s not really El Paso proper, more the north end of town; this seems to be somewhere I’ll return to in the future. I’m inclined to keep travelling west.

And now I have some writing to do. :-)