In the past two days, I have crossed two time zones and I have one more to go with no turning back.
I was planning on arriving at the hotel in Oklahoma at 8:00 PM, but somewhere between here and there it became 9:00 PM. This all wouldn't usually be a problem, but with 8+ hours a day in my car, these time zones are stealing hours from my day.
As I was sick of the bottom of the country just about as soon as I encountered it, I'm going to be taking it in a few large leaps. Wednesday was just the second in a string of four days of 7+ hours of driving. Thursday is going to be my longest day with a stop in my grandparents' hometown and then a plunge into Texas before continuing my journey east.
So please excuse the lack of excitement found here. It should pick up again on Friday when I plan on attending the annual Watermelon Thump.
Although I will report that I ate Wednesday morning at a local watering hole in Roswell. It's called the Cowboy Cafe and is exactly what you would imagine it would be. (I also realized that I haven't eaten twice at any establishment or chain, and as I'm about halfway through this adventure, I figure I'll try to keep the streak going).
From the moment I opened the door, I was addressed as nothing but "Darling" and repeatedly offered iced tea. (I seem to have entered iced tea country after I first noticed it in Arizona and I was clearly the odd one out drinking a diet soda).
I originally ordered the only lunch sandwich they had -- grilled cheese -- with fries, but realized that I was still in the company of my baked goods and wanted something lighter. I changed my order to a salad, which was a few handfuls of bagged iceberg/cabbage/carrots, a few wedges of tomato, a few spears of green pepper, and a couple rings of onion. I looked confused after the waitress brought it to me because I was waiting for the dressing.
"It's right here, Darling," the waitress said pointing to a mustard bottle she'd brought me earlier (which had confused me even more when she brought it).
Before I began my meal, I'd been sitting next to a gentleman who was waiting for a client. He asked if I was from around there, then confessed to growing up and returning to Roswell after a brief time away. He recommended the UFO museum (which I knew I wouldn't get to as I had to get on the road) and spoke of upgrades they'd like to make to the museum and their tourist attractions -- including an alien themed amusement park that's in the works.
My salad was fine and fresh, and the chef came out to make sure I was enjoying it. He didn't think I'd had enough food and offered me some meat, though I politely declined.
I knew I had to cross through New Mexico, and after experiencing the folksy hospitality and kitschy appeal for myself, I'm glad I chose to cross via Roswell. (Good TV show, too.)
A few hours into my day, I took a deep breath and crossed into Texas for the first time in my life. A few hours later, I exhaled as I rolled into Oklahoma.
Thursday, I explore the town where my grandparents grew up, met, and fell in love. After that, it's back to Texas. Wish me luck!
Odometer Start: 36923
Odometer End: 37386
Today In/Around: Roswell, NM and Yukon, OK
Tomorrow: Cushing, OK and Austin, TX
Miles Driven Today: 463
Miles Driven Total: 3566
States Visited: 8 (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma)
People I Met with a Connection to Portland: 1 (her daughter lived there before moving to Idaho)
Sunburns So Far: 1 (I forgot to slather the very top of my head -- you boys have it easy)
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