Category Archives: Road Trip

Day 4 – Bad Start, Problem Solved, Bad Luck, Some Fun, and Finally Good Luck

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Written yesterday, but no connection to post, so a day late.

Future posts may also be delayed as I get to more places with limited WiFi.

Today started off fine. I woke up, a bit confused why it was so dark but then remembered my watch is still set to Eastern Time. That was only part of it. Anyone who has spent much time travelling even with a time zone will soon realize that the sun rises earlier on the eastern edge and rises later on the western edge. Conversely sunset is reversed. So not only was I one time zone off, I was rather west in it anyway. I stayed at the Texas Welcome Center along I-40. Most states have their welcome center within a few miles of the border. Not Texas, it’s in Amarillo, about halfway through the state. I suppose that way they only have to build one. That said, it was pretty decent.

I got off an early start and hit the border of New Mexico fairly early. I stopped at their welcome center which is literally right next to the border. However, since I was off to an early start, I decided to get of at Exit 0 in Texas. No, that’s not a typo. It’s right on the border and in fact the merge ramp ends within yards of the New Mexico border. I guess I was going nowhere. (To quote Harry Chapin, “anywhere is a better place to be.”)

Soon after that though the trip hit a snag. My check-engine light came on. Fortunately in my experience with Subarus it’s almost always an O2 sensor so I wasn’t worried. I got off at the next exit with a large enough town and waited for O’Reilly’s Auto Parts to open so I could borrow their OBD2 reader (foolishly I didn’t bring one with me). Sure enough, O2 sensor readings. They claim they can’t clear the codes with theirs so I nursed it until a large town outside of Albuquerque where there was a Walmart. There I picked up a decent reader, reset the sensors and I was off. I also got some Cataclean, I product I’ve had some success with. I used it down the road when my tank was empty enough. So that problem solved.

At this point between my stops and a few “for fun” detours checking out where some frontage roads went (two dead ended, one rejoined the Interstage) I was a bit behind schedule so decided to make for Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. This was probably the first place I visited with my dad years ago. Back then we didn’t have Google. We had AAA Trip-Tiks.

Well, let me go on an aside about Google Maps. One reason I’m not a fan of online maps is because it’s hard to see the big picture, like statewide. This means it’s possible for the online map to take you a way you may want to know and you don’t realize it until too late. This happened to my wife recently in New Jersey (which seems to be particularly bad). Let’s just say in that case there was NO logical reason for Google Maps to suggest anything other than I-95. But it did.

Today, I had a similar problem and it led me to a bit of bad luck. I was following the directions when it suggested I turn off the main road I was on onto a side road. I figured this was a bit strange, but whatever. Well, I should have been thinking more about the speed limit because I got nabbed. Ayup. I suppose I can call it bad luck, but it’s my own damn fault for speeding, regardless of where the map sent me. That said, I’m not even sure if it’ll be a problem (other than the fine) because it was technically on Tribal Land. We’ll see.

But then the fun began. Google Maps continued to take me down slow backroads. I was very careful to follow the speed limit here, despite numerous cars passing me. That said, my general sense of direction was telling me, “this might be the shortest route, but is it the BEST route?” But as they say, in for a penny in for a pound.

So I was thinking right up until Google Maps told me to turn right onto a dirt road. Now, a saner, more cautious person would have continued straight until Google Maps could suggest another route. I am not that person.

Now to be fair, the Subaru of course has all-wheel drive, decent ground clearance, and while I can’t say I have lots of off-road experience, I’m pretty comfortable taking it along roads like this.

Let me just say… it was FUN… bombing along a dirt road in the desert, pausing for the one stray cow. Only a few spots had me worried because they had some rough rocks poking up, but managed those (admittedly I ended up skidding a bit over one rather than steering around.)

I will add too Google Maps said 6.3 miles of unpaved road. Google Maps is a big fat liar. It was about 12 miles.

One of two ways into Chaco Canyon. It was sporting.

BUT, at the end was Chaco Canyon. So it worked. And I had fun.

As I drove in, I saw the sign I was dreading. “Campsite Full”. Actually that’s not entirely true. In the spirit of little planning, I hadn’t confirmed if there even was camping. (If there weren’t there were fallback plans). So I went into the Visitors Center to get a pass (got a season pass as I’m pretty sure it’ll be cheaper in the long run) and asked about nearby camping. He asked what I had. “A car, maybe a tent.” “Well if no-one shows up to take the Accessible spot by 4:00 PM, we release that to general camping.” I checked my watch and realized that was only 45 minutes away. So I filled some water bottles (that was the only thing that really had me nervous on the dirt road, if the car had issues I only had soda for hydration) and then went back inside, watched the 25 minute video on Chaco Canyon, wandered around a bit, setup to use their wifi and then, claimed the site. It does feel a bit weird using an Accessible site, but since they run on reservations followed by first-come, first-served, I assume they figure it’s better to rent it out than not.

After parking I did a short hike up to a viewpoint (where I did get some cell access for a bit) and then came back to my campsite, made a cold dinner of PB&J and set up the tent. I’m writing this in Word to later paste into WordPress because I have no service here.

Fajada Butte from a viewpoint accessed via a trail from the campground at Chaco Canyon.

In about 30 minutes I’ll join the Ranger led talk at the campfire and relax.

That’s the journey of today. I have more thoughts, but I think I’ll end up posting those as separate side posts.

One more thing to add, my new phone apparently does do great night shots with a full Moon

Day 3 – An Unplanned but Fruitful Side Trip and More

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Took two sleep breaks last night, the last one at Buc-ees. It’s an interesting place and exactly what I expected. I did splurge and get a breakfast burrito. It started out well, with brisket I think, but by the end, well it wasn’t worth it in my opinion.

Was making some good time when a sign with the distinctive brown and white of the National Park Service caught my eye (side note, does that brown have a special name? I’ll have to find out!): George Washington Carver National Monument.

I’ve always been interested in him, if only because I love peanuts and a good PB&J (which I did make myself later in the day). So I figured why not.

Sadly, Google Maps was NOT helpful here. It couldn’t give me directions. It simply suggested what I assume came from the website. Normally I wouldn’t care, but on the way I almost missed a turn because I only saw the sign in time.

To say the monument is off the beaten path is an understatement. It’s literally a back road off a back road off a side road from the Interstate. That said, I’d say it’s worth the stop!

George Washington Carver National Monument building

So, while not on any of my bucket lists, I’m glad I took the detour.

My next stop led to another unexpected stop. I stopped in Tulsa to take a photo of a place that shares the name of a friend. (sorry, I’d share, but not currently uploaded to my cloud account). While there I decided to put in my contacts. I had been driving all morning with my glasses and figured it was time. Well, my left contact had other ideas and is currently somewhere in my car. Fortunately there was a Lenscrafters not far out of my way so an unplanned stop there got me a replacement for the sinister lens that left me.

From there, a few stops at roadside attractions, but nothing of note.

For the end of the day I decided to make a “run for it” and get to Texas before getting gas. It was close. I wouldn’t say I was on fumes, but my tank was empty and my bladder overfull! But I made Texas.

Next was a few stops trying to find a place to eat and here I am at Backstreet 200 in I believe Panhandle Texas.

I do need to figure out how to get my phone to correctly upload photos over a data connection and not wait for a Wi-Fi one.

That said, I have to say, been thinking a lot about my Dad today. My Mom and Dad probably introduced my wanderlust before I even had memories. This included a trip across country including apparently an unfinished section of I-80 through Colorado where my Mom had to drive while fearing she’d drive over the edge into the Colorado River.

But the first cross-country trip (or nearly we didn’t make the Pacific) that I actually recall was with my Dad, his then girlfriend and her daughter. We took much this same route, especially the last 1000 miles or so. I’ve been this way via car at least twice since then, but that was the first time. I’ll have more thoughts on the matter in the future I’m sure.

But enough for now. Time to eat.

Day 2 – a Side Trip and a Nope Trip

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Going without a fixed plan or schedule has its advantages and disadvantages. I experienced both today.

After two overnight stops to sleep, I was well on my way. I had really only one goal today: to make it to the St. Louis Gateway Arch and ride it to the top. The first time I went west, with my dad, his girlfriend and her daughter we arrived after it had closed, so we only saw it from the outside. The past couple of times I was passing through St. Louis, either I again arrived too late or was on too tight of a schedule to stop.

Back to the Arch in a moment.

As I said, there are advantages to no fixed schedule or plan. When I see something that interests me, I can go see it. Today was that day: the Air Force Museum or more accurately: National Museum of the United States Air Force. A quick glance at my phone for the map showed I could give myself about 2 hours there and still make the Gateway Arch. I’ve wanted to visit this museum for years because of my interest in aerospace and because it has a few unique exhibits.

I ended up spending a bit more time here than planned, and far less than I would have liked.

There are three HUGE hangers full of aircraft and some missiles and more. It was well worth the visit. And the cost was in my budget: $0

When I got back to my car I panicked at first thinking I had miscalculated the time and I’d arrive in St. Louis too late. Then I remembered it’s in the Central Time Zone and I in fact had an hour and twenty minutes to spare.

So I set out. I had to make one stop for gas (well two, turns out the first place was actually closed, despite the signs still advertising it being open!, so that set me back 10 minutes.

Finally I arrived close to the Arch, only to discover Google Maps assumed I could simply park in the middle of a street. It took me about another 10 minutes to find legitimate parking.

So between the one gas station and parking, I was down to an hour before closing, which was 6:00 PM.

As I walked down the ramp to the entrance I saw a sign: Last tram runs one hour before closing. It was 5:00 PM. I rushed to the desk hoping against hope I’d sneak in under the window.

Well dear reader, I am sorry to say I was foiled again. The last tram of the day had left. I actually was nearly in tears.

That said, I was able so console myself with the fact that apparently tickets had sold out hours previously. So arriving 10 or 20 minutes earlier would have made no difference, and in fact arriving 3 hours earlier wouldn’t have made a difference.

I did spend some time in the museum itself and took some photos, so it wasn’t a complete waste.

And then headed west.

I’m typing this from a Mexican restaurant somewhere on I-44. I’ll remember the name later.

All in all, a day with some plusses and minuses. Next, find a place to sleep for the night and then figure out my plans for tomorrow and how many miles I want to put in.