On the 10 west from Austin to El Paso Texas lies a never ending runway of blacktop leading into a daunting grey abyss. The 80 MPH speed limit posting was almost challenging me to test my bikes engineering abilities. Reaching 90, 95, 100, 110, 120 mph and the tachometer reads only 7k rpm's, it red lines at twelve! what a technological marvel this machine!
Off in the distance I can see what appears to be a long black curtain stretching across the road I am about to travel. It looks like an angry titan has stamped his massive dark foot in my path and dared me to pass. I realize I am about engage in battle with a texas sized rain storm!
The drops start lightly falling on my helmets visor, followed by larger pellets which felt like water powered nails colliding against my unprotected hands. I carefully pull to the shoulder to put on my gloves so I can continue. Then nature released her fury as the sky opened up and began to pound down with an angry fist upon us traveling mortals. I can't see!, I'm going 10 mph as wind sweeps buckets of water across the roadway, the bike fishtails, I release my panicked grip and the bike tracks straightforward. Again, I stop on the shoulder as semi-trucks limp by as if to offer encouragement to continue. Humbled, I crawl along at 5 mph for 10 min until the heaven's decide I've had enough. Soaked and shivering I crawl to the next gas station and asses the damage. With all of my electronics dry I feel encouraged but decide to call it a day and seek out accommodations.
On the outskirts of El Paso I happen upon a town that appears to be right out of a set design for the movie "Mad Max". Large Industrial smokestacks bellow out plumes of pollution into the darkening sky. I call this place "Trucker City"! Dive hotels, strip clubs and diner style eateries line the roadside. Reeling from the cold and wetness I stop at the first hotel I see, the "Star Chaser" that promises clean rooms and HBO, $31 dollars later I am resting my room.
Off in the distance I can see what appears to be a long black curtain stretching across the road I am about to travel. It looks like an angry titan has stamped his massive dark foot in my path and dared me to pass. I realize I am about engage in battle with a texas sized rain storm!
The drops start lightly falling on my helmets visor, followed by larger pellets which felt like water powered nails colliding against my unprotected hands. I carefully pull to the shoulder to put on my gloves so I can continue. Then nature released her fury as the sky opened up and began to pound down with an angry fist upon us traveling mortals. I can't see!, I'm going 10 mph as wind sweeps buckets of water across the roadway, the bike fishtails, I release my panicked grip and the bike tracks straightforward. Again, I stop on the shoulder as semi-trucks limp by as if to offer encouragement to continue. Humbled, I crawl along at 5 mph for 10 min until the heaven's decide I've had enough. Soaked and shivering I crawl to the next gas station and asses the damage. With all of my electronics dry I feel encouraged but decide to call it a day and seek out accommodations.
On the outskirts of El Paso I happen upon a town that appears to be right out of a set design for the movie "Mad Max". Large Industrial smokestacks bellow out plumes of pollution into the darkening sky. I call this place "Trucker City"! Dive hotels, strip clubs and diner style eateries line the roadside. Reeling from the cold and wetness I stop at the first hotel I see, the "Star Chaser" that promises clean rooms and HBO, $31 dollars later I am resting my room.
My neighbor and permanent resident at the hotel works next door at a truck chrome polishing facility. He looks like a biker gang character straight out of the 70's movie "Every which Way But Lose" My new compatriot gives me the low down on "Trucker City", which strip clubs are best, where to find truck stop hookers and which "massage Parlors" to visit in Mexico, a stones throw away from our hotel. I kindly thank him and continue to take pictures of the vibrant, awe inspiring rainbow that has just appeared over this dismal city. My new friend steps back to have a look and quips "that's Bad Ass!"
4 comments:
Tell me more! Have you ever thought about writing a book? Personally, I would request longer blog reports from you. Like, what did you see during the 600 mile ride to Austin? More more more!
Happy though to hear that you are still moving West!
Not sure if you plan to come back via 8 or 10. If you find yourself on either, head up or down toward Salton City. Then you can go West thru the mountains for another good time on the turns of the mountains! Salton City offers the Salton Sea which used to be a vacation style lake but has since become a trash bin of dead birds, fish and stench. You can still see what used to be and could someday be again.
You made it to my world.....isn't it great!??! It's just a feeling you can't describe to someone (although you are doing a pretty good job!). Glad you made it through your first rainstorm. I had a garbage bag under my jacket in my first one. And the raindrops are like ice pellets! I hope you are doing some really early runs too....nothing like watching the sky get brighter and smelling the sunshine make the day begin. You're back on common ground now....see you soon!
KB, I'm in LV now and again next weekend (9/28-10/1). If in the area, feel free to contact me. JD
Somehow, I couldn't access this before...but better late than never! Cracking up at the comment of, "now thats bad ass" about a rainbow! NICE!!!! Welcome home wet one!
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