This morning we left Taos, and tonight we are in Elk City, OK. It has been a long day on the road. The Texas Panhandle is not the most scenic part of the state. That being said, several suprrises were in store.
Windmills, and lots of them. Apparently oil is not the only energy being produced in Texas.
Here is a good sign 
and just beyond
The largest cross in the Western hemisphere. I just love how Texans think big! (even when it is wacky)
I have been feeling sad about leaving sagebrush county. Although I have always enjoyed the East, I know we are headed into heat and humidity, and it won’t cool down at night. I have really enjoyed the open, dry country we have been in since we left. I discovered that I need it more than I realized. I think central and eastern Oregon will become more of my life when we return home.
Here are a few random observations from traveling for the past few weeks:
- Driving the secondary roads is the way to go. You get good roads, light traffic, great scenery, and small towns to visit. Time and perspective change on those roads. It was hard to go back to a big interstate today.
-Traffic is light everywhere. There do not appear to be as many travelers – either on the roads or in the hotels and parks. Even this past holiday weekend the traffic was light. We have seen almost no RV’s except very large ones (maybe the owners of those Rvs have more money for gas?). Even those are small in number.
-There are lots of older men on Harleys who travel in groups together. I mean lots! It looks like that is a new retiree sport.
-Rainex on your windshield not only helps when it rains, but bugs wash off easier too.
-People ask me if that is my grandson I am traveling with. I smile and say, no that is my son, I got a late start. The ensuing conversations take a lot of different turns…. (Guess that is what I get for no longer dying my hair – and adding in a touch of gold…)
Theo says he will post again soon. Tomorrow will be drive-through-Oklahoma-day. We are headed for Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreeboro, Arkansas. Happy trails!
6 responses so far ↓
carla // July 8, 2008 at 3:41 am |
Hey cowgirls and boys!
You two have covered a lot of ground in a little over two weeks!
thanks for sharing your travel adventures. I especially love reading bits from Theo. He is quite a good writer, and I find his perspective unique and wonderful.
I don’t know if you knew this, but I grew up ( for about 5 years) on an air force base just outside White Sands, NM. I moved there when I was Theo’s age. That wide open space all around taught me how to require the vistas you describe. I even had a horse of my own for a while. It’s cool to see pics of Theo sledding on silky white dunes I knew very, very well.
The bats at Carlsbad are awesome. Maybe the mystery of night creatures in the desert is why my sis became a bat biologist. you never know what’s going to inform you for a lifetime when you are eight years old!
So, I hope you find lots of diamonds. happy trails and onward ho to the east! I am thinking deeply and broadly of you both.
love from carla
P.S. Consider yourselves invited to come hunt for hunks of obsidian at Glass Mountain should you find yourself ‘heading home’ my way next month. I promise to take Theo swimming in the most beautiful alpine lake of his whole life. then we can go eat at the Morning Glory . mmmmmm.
Think about it.
Lynn // July 8, 2008 at 6:20 pm |
Hi you 2!
I wrote you a few days ago, but looks like it didn’t show up, so that is alright, I’ll write you again.
The vistas of the SW are lovely aren’t they? You know I leaved for 6 years in the desert and love all those desert plants and animals, amazing diversity.
I think of you both as Theo rides along in the back asking lots of wonderful questions to keep his Mom thinking and on her toes. I see Hillary assuming the position behind the wheel and singing some lovely tune. Your lives will be so much richer with all this exploring and taking the short cuts and side roads.
Enjoy the people throughout the south and hunting around for treasures, they usually occur in the most unusual places…..so keep your eyes open.
much love to you both and enjoy all that space!
lynn
Ellen // July 9, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
Hi guys,
Oooooohhh, Theo — looked like grand fun sledding down those dunes at White Sands!
And those caverns, and bats spiraling out of them like the Vaux swifts out of the school chimney in NW Portland.
On my last tour, I was probably within shouting distance of you: it was Trains of the Colorado Rockies, and at one point we were down at Mesa Verde, near the 4 Corners area. One of the trains we were on — the Durango-Silverton train — was like the one you went on, a narrow gauge RR with an authentic steam engine. And I think it was about the time you folks were in Taos, N.M.
I just read through your entire blog, and feel like I’m right along with you on this incredible journey. Thanks so much to both of you for keeping this blog, and sharing your adventures with all of us.
Love, Ellen
Ellen // July 9, 2008 at 6:48 pm |
Hi again,
Guess you can tell this is my first time on a blog!
Not sure what I hit, but all of a sudden, the message appeared: “Your comment is awaiting moderation.”
I guess my excitement over your adventure in the White Sand dunes was “immoderate”!
– Ellen
Sam Lewis // July 9, 2008 at 6:53 pm |
Theo,
I got the new Kids’ Discovery magazine and there were some jokes in there. Here’s a riddle for you?
There was a cowboy who went down to another state. He rode in on Friday, stayed for 5 days, and left on Friday. How is this possible?
You’re going to have to call me for the answer!
David Dacklin // July 10, 2008 at 3:57 pm |
I’m a total geek for your Blog now. I was out of town for 4 days and couldn’t wait to get back to catch up. Keep ‘em coming – they are very enjoyable.