Not much to write about when you spend 12 hours on the
road, so I wrote down random thoughts along the way.
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We did it…we were on the road at 6:04 AM! Have to say it was a hard
wake-up, though; I really wanted to reset the alarm when it went off at 5:30, but
glad that I resisted the urge to do it. Told myself I could always take a snooze in
the truck. We’ve got a big day of
driving ahead of us with a stop for an oil change and we’d all like to get back
before bedtime.
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Highlights of our time in Big Bend:
Kim: Yesterday’s drive to the canyon (Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive)…really
enjoyed the ranger’s talk at the stargazing presentation
Karen: Yesterday’s drive to the canyon, specifically how the angle of
the sun changed the scenery in an instant…the mountains…sunrise in the park
Gabe: Hike to Emory Peak…stargazing presentation…seeing the Rio Grande
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On yesterday’s drive on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, thoughts of how the
construction of a wall would forever change the pristine beauty of this
landscape kept running through my head. It makes me wonder if knowledge of the
administration’s intent to build a wall enhanced my appreciation for what I was
seeing. In a couple of years, the views from the overlooks could be vastly
different and it won’t be for the better.
I’m sure that back in the day, there were some who thought building the
road into the canyon was a mistake, although from reading the various
historical tidbits along the way, access to the canyon from various
ranches/settlements had already been established via ranch roads, etc. There was no pavement involved because it was
back in the 1800’s, but there were roads all the same. The paved roads into and around the park seem
to be strategically placed and there seem to be just as many miles of unimproved
roads and trails…all geared to making sure visitors are able to enjoy the
natural beauty of the entire area. A steel wall would prevent visitors from
enjoying that beauty.
I’ve seen the wall in Lukevile, AZ, with its 20 or so feet of cleared
land on either side of it. The border wall wouldn’t be like putting an
ornamental fence around a flower garden; it’d be so much more invasive than
that. It makes me wonder if the powers that are making these decisions have
ever visited Big Bend. If they have and the park’s beauty didn’t affect them in
some positive way, then I’d go so far as to say they have hardened souls. If
the park is worth destroying for border protection when unobtrusive sensors and
cameras would be sufficient, then following who financially benefits from
erecting a steel wall in Big Bend might be illuminating. Just sayin’….
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Turns out I had seen the oil derrick cut-out by the Giant Marfa Mural. Since I was driving and only glanced in its
direction, I didn’t realize that what I was seeing was supposed to be part of
an art installation.
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Picked up I-10 at Van Horn, TX . Saw some cotton fields outside the town
so, having nothing else to do while riding, I googled the town to see if cotton
was a big factor in its existence. Although it is part of the cotton
industry in Texas, Van Horn owes its existence to the Texas and Pacific
Railroad. Due to the Van Horn Wells, a nearby natural water source, it was an
important water, refueling, and shipping location for both steam locomotives
and early travelers. It continues to be a convenient hub for modern travelers
as it sits at the intersection of US 90, State Highway 54, and I-10. Oh, yeah, and
Van Horn has seen increased attention recently due to Jeff Bezos buying 290,000
acres of land, 25 miles north of Van Horn to house Blue Origin, his space
tourism company.
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Trivia: Van Horn is the westernmost incorporated community in the
Central Time Zone and as a result, experiences the latest sunset in the
continental U.S. during early December with the sun setting no earlier than
5:56 p.m.
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Speed limit in certain West Texas counties on I-10 is 80 mph…that means
it takes 45 seconds to go one mile.
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Got the oil changed at a Lube X-Press on the outskirts of El Paso, just
off an interstate exit. Took about an ½ hour for the oil change…truck takes
about 15 quarts so it’s never a cheap stop. Also got a new air filter. The
truck is breathing easier and is no longer sending us nasty grams about requiring
an oil change.
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Kim did all the driving until his eyes suddenly started watering; I
drove for the last 2 ½ hours of the trip. For the first 5 or six hours, the sun
was behind us, so it wasn’t an issue for his eyes. It was a different story after
we started directly westward. It was now more or less in front of us. When the
sun started on its downward trajectory and the visor wasn’t helping, that’s
when his eyes reacted. I’ve learned to ask, “How many eyes do you have open?”.
If the answer is one, we change seats.
We arrived back in Picacho at about 5:30 PM. Took us about 12 ½ hours, start to finish with
a time zone change and stops: an oil change, a late lunch, fuel, etc. Rapunzel
didn’t factor in those stops when she told us it should take 9 hrs. and 52
minutes to drive those 665 miles. There was an hour’s worth of daylight left when
we pulled into camp, which made the early morning start worthwhile.
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After unpacking the truck, I put my jeans on to take my bike for a ride. While we were in Texas, the fork deflectors arrived. Joe had sent Kim a text after he installed them, so I knew it was ready for a test ride. The new windshield and deflectors have changed the effect the wind has on me when I ride…Yay!!! I even rode down 87 a short distance to give it the ‘nose test’. Happy to report that, while I could still feel the wind blowing on me, it wasn’t blowing in and through my nose. 🙂
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