Crossing Time Zones

Nov. 10, 2009

Today's musical score = theme from "Billy the Kid" by Aaron Copeland (or the theme
for "where's the beef?" ads) for the drive thru TX
and "Ohhhhhh - klahoma!" by Rogers and Hammerstein for -- ah -- which state?

How many of our cherished readers guessed that we would drive right on through Texas all the way to Oklahoma City, today? Pat yourself on the back, even if you were within 100 miles. Yup! We drove more than 500 miles. Whew! Glad we weren't driving horses and the Conestoga.

Today's grateful list:
I am grateful for
new tires
audiobooks
music
GPS (a gift to Allen from the kids)

Today's spat: The driver demanded to dole out her own goldfish crackers while driving, of course.

Favorite signs:
Roman Nose (town name)
If you don't want a pig to come to dinner, tell him it's a pork BBQ. (in TX)
Brake for Chiken (Chipotle ad)

# of U-turns: 7? mostly in Elk City, OK, which advertised its steakhouse all along Rte. 40, but which was not to be found. We ended up eating in the "Italian Bistro" on its opening night. Eggplant parmesan was probably about $8, and though the owner was very proud, our friends at Cucina Italiana need not fear any steep competition.

This was a l ---on------ng drive between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City. It should be called the Billboard Freeway; the signs did help to keep us awake, but most of them deal with food, especially the kind made from those creatures grazing in the fields along the route. Almost all of it was open road across flat ranch land, especially in Texas. We flew by acres and acres of cattle ranches, cotton fields and hay fields. Not that interesting after the first few. We stopped at a bookstore to get an audiobook in order to stay awake for the last couple of hundred miles. We did pass by Amarillo -- were those "yellow" Cadillacs out in the field?

Today's apology: Sorry if I haven't answered all your phone messages. Other than eating goldfish, I try to concentrate on the driving even from the passenger seat. I am thinking of all of you -- maybe we should charter a bus for the next cross-country trip and go together!