Day 6 Fort Worth to Lubbock, Texas

Day 6 - Sept 21st, 2005

Fort Worth to Lubbock, Texas

After enjoying a hearty breakfast with friends Ray, Lydia & Tobin, I hit Hwy 20 West towards Abilene. It is 9:00 a.m. and already 88F.

I stopped at a rest area on the outskirts of Santo, Texas. I love about the U.S. rest areas, generally they’re very clean, well attended and have nice picnic areas as well. We have stopped at many of them in past years on our couples motorcycle trips to enjoy veritable feasts purchased from local delis. The guys on their touring bikes usually carry coolers on the back seats as their ladies are riding their own bikes. Many has been the time when arriving at our destination for the day we have sent the men in to register at the hotel and the ladies crack the first cool one while waiting. Then would be de-briefing time, poolside usually, with stories to be told and the “close peg” given out to the one who had had an “incident” of note for the day.

This rest area is attended by what appears to be a well weathered, elderly Texan who greets me with a smile missing a few teeth. He tells me “Y’all be careful if ya use the handicap stall – there’s a rattlesnake up in the vent overhead. I called somebody and they’re ‘spose ‘ta come git it but I haven’t seed nobody yet”. YIKES!! But nature calls so I have to enter the washroom. What if he’s moved into a different stall – what if he’s come down, what if… I am definitely the self proclaimed “Queen” of what if’s. Inside the restroom area is a beautiful tile job of a bull with puffs of steam coming from flared nostrils – this beside a set of tall red & white cowboy boots. It is a beautiful job and with the sun slanting in from overhead skylights it really looks terrific. No sign of the slithery fiend but I make my exit ASAP. Outside, the attendant strikes up a conversation, first with “Did ‘ya see it?” “Thank goodness, NO”! As we chat, he is absolutely amazed that I would be here by myself on a motorcycle. He tells me I am exactly 550 miles from El Paso. I asked if he had ever been there. “Nope” he says, “I ain’t been more than 100 miles anywhere from right here. I’se born here, lived all my 51 years here and I spec’ I’ll die here, but I hope not too quick”. Now it was my turn to be shocked. We are the same age! Boy that Texas sun really does a number on you. I’ll have to be more careful with my sunscreen from now on. As I head back out he wishes me a safe journey. Now that he has mentioned it, I can’t get keep song about El Paso from running through my head. “Down in the west Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl”… I think about pulling out my iPod but am content with the introspection of my own thoughts and count my many blessings and feel the prayers of all who are with me on this trip in their thoughts. I think about the generosity of spirit and so appreciate all who have made contributions to fulfilling our dream of building a hospice residence.

I make a pit stop in Abilene for fuel, water and Gatorade. Need to keep the electrolytes in balance in this heat. The thermometer is just reaching for 100F. It is 11:45 a.m. Now, I’m thinking about the song “Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen” - I’m sure I don’t know what rose coloured glasses that song writer was wearing – he must have had a sweet honey there. I am loath to put on my jacket and gloves but even using a sunblock of SPF 28 my arms and hands are getting a little crispy. I also bought a new Texas keychain, a soft one, as the metal one I had bought in Krum caught the wind and was hitting the rad and I was concerned may damage the finish. Thank you Dave, I already thought of that.

Another fuel stop in Sweetwater which was to have been my proposed stop for the day. I got chatting with a woman at the pumps and asked her a few directions and where I might get a bite of lunch. She had lived in Sweetwater for 26 years but had recently relocated to Kenya Lakes area. She very kindly gave me what cash she had on hand and told me to go visit the owner of the restaurant and ask him for a donation. I’m sorry to say; I never did find Pueblo’s after driving that road a couple of times so I didn’t get to make Neil’s acquaintance.

And what is Sweetwater famous for you may ask… “The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup”. I am SO out of here.

Back on the Hwy – last stop for the day – Lubbock, Texas. I am ready for some down time. I’ll plan to start the day early tomorrow and enjoy the cool of the morning. I stayed at the Ramada – it was pretty forgettable. They advertised free wireless internet access but I never was able to make a connection, which is why my writing is a little behind. They blamed “Rita” - seems we are feeling the effects even here. Many of the hotels are hosting evacuees. A swim in the pool and a soak in the hot tub. I don’t feel like going out in search of a restaurant so make do with a power-bar brought from home. Thanks Marilyn! I had to put it in the freezer for a while and then use a knife to scrape it out of the wrapper. It was a little squishy but served the purpose.