Aug 9, 2011

Ride Log 11: Texas: Day 10, Westward HOME

After staying up too late last night I slept in with Roxie laying at my knees.  It didn't feel right to disturb her.  So, I slinked out of bed around 8:30 AM and found some git-along in my get n go.  I left Lubbock around 10:00 AM  (it takes a long time to pack 64 ounces of BBQ sauce and spices along with t-shirts and hats plus all the stuff you came with!).  I started the day with my cooling vest and figured rain would come shortly thereafter.  Of course, when you want rain you don't get it.  I baked my way across Texas and to Clovis, NM.  The roads were nothing to write home about:  flat and dry with heat pushing it's way from the asphalt to your boots.  I stopped when the spirit moved me, quickly realizing that after a week of riding eastbound the home trip would be slower because my arse started hurting after about 30 miles.  From Clovis I went northwest toward Albuquerque.

I stopped and did a walk through the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, NM (since I'd passed the place he lived in Lincoln, NM, it only seem fair I stopped at the place he died).  I don't have many historial concerns (i.e. I don't give a shrat) but, I was impressed to see historical items relating to Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday (Tombstone is my favorite movie ever and yes, I know it's a movie and Doc Holliday probably wasn't as awesome as Val Kilmer was in his prime).  There were a lot of pieces on display: pistols and shotguns, irons and kettles, wagons and stoves, glassware and everything in between.   If you are a history buff it's well worth the $5.00 admission charge.

Herse wagon with a child's coffin inside
After the museum I put the rubber to the road and finally started seeing some mountains near Albuquerque (thank goodness).  Tomorrow I'll have some scenery to knock your socks off.  Today, you're stuck with Billy The Kid's remnants and my photography skills (which are lacking).
This was interesting, a calf was born with extra legs sticking out it's side.  Kind of gross.
Can you imagine packing these heavy pots around ? No wonder those women were tough.

It being my birthday (I don't look a day over 52) I had earlier decided to grab a hotel in Albuquerque and cut my day short so I could enjoy some quality hotel time (i.e. I'm too damn old to ride so damn far).  I'm in a Days Inn within walking distance to a restaurant.  Worked out great, until I went over and was informed it was an all you can eat affair.  Can you imagine what it feels like when your stomach turns around and walks out of a place and the rest of you is still inside?  My stomach agreed to go inside if I'd just get a plate to go.  So, I grabbed some roast (what is it with me and the cow?), mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and a garlic biscuit and headed back to my hotel.  I think it's the best birthday ever.  Thank goodness my stomach has been stretched over the last week or I'd have had to cut out the biscuit.

Tomorrow I head northbound, toward Salt Lake City (maybe I'll run into Ely, riggghhht) or farther west.  My only plan is to enjoy the ride and to remember these are the best days of my life.




3 comments:

  1. You are a brave woman admitting your age ;-)
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you don't look a day older than 25.
    Keep away from the cows and safe riding.

    ReplyDelete
  2. George, I actually added about 11 years so I would get a comment just like the one you left. Thanks! :) (I know it was trickery, but I'm not above that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha ha, nice :-)
    Well, 40, 50, it's just a number in any case. My comment still stands ;-)

    ReplyDelete

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