XC Run Day 3

You know I had to do it...

The day was overcast, but my spirits were sunny. Got up at 0530 and on the road at 0900. Spent the first part of the morning figuring out technology. Geez, I started with a Woodman typewriter that my Mom had in the Thirties. Research was done in that HUGE set of Britannica (to this day I remember the Art-Deco drawings and the motto on the inside covers: "Knowledge is of two types: the first is when one knows something one's self; the second is when one knows where to find it.") I had on the bookshelf or in the Library. I love all this new stuff, but sometimes it makes me feel old.

I know: "Want some cheese with that?".

But it was a good day. Being in Winslow, I had to take the obligatory pictures. And, yes, they were piping The Eagles through outside speakers. It truly is right on the edge of tacky, but they pull it off.

Why I live in the West, Pt. 3.

Surprisingly cool, I was in a sweatshirt until after 1300. It was wonderful... temps just right and everything is so green. There has been that constant hint of rain in the air all day. A touch of ozone, the smell of the sage and grass. That's the beauty of the Mother Road. Though for much of the way it's right by the "I", when one is on the lesser route one is more connected, more aware, driving through it rather than past it. Every time I'd have to hit the big road it was almost a case of culture shock. Time and distance changed, extended on 66, at times I was twelve or twenty again and at others I was as old as the hills.

It was not a day measured in Eastward progress. It was not measured in hours or miles. It was a day marked and measured in curves and vistas and little run down tourist traps and conversations and visits with new friends.

It was, indeed, a very good day.

I've always wanted to stay at the Wigwam Motel. It's still on the wish list, but I stopped and visited. Cost me my favorite sunglasses (found the darn things at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO. 19 bucks -- best motorcycle glasses I've ever had) when I took 'em off to shoot some pics and left 'em on the bag. Did a U turn, realized I'd left 'em and before I could get to them --- wham! Fred & Marge in a motor home nailed 'em. I'm gonna find a Bass Pro Shop in one of these towns! Ah....well...

Ran a lot of the old alignments today. Had to backtrack about twenty miles at one point 'cause a bridge was out. Life on 66. I love it. Crossed the Rio Grande more times than I cared to count and the Arizona-New Mexico border three times. On one side trip I ran across a Lodge and saw a car out front. Just happened the Secretary, a PM himself, was preparing for Stated Meeting. He gave me a tour, signed and sealed my Masonic Passport, and we had a great visit about the state of our Lodges and the Craft in general. Nice time with a Brother.

They have a pretty good view from the Lodge too!

As the day went on I knew I was getting behind schedule -- except I didn't have one. So when it came time to make the choice: I-40 to Tucumcari or go 100 miles out of the way on the pre-1937 alignment "Santa Fe loop", there really wasn't one. I'm in Santa Fe blessing three groups: the inventors of Gator Aid and the throttle friction lock and the authors of the new Rout 66 maps.

Talk to you tomorrow from Baja Oklahoma (sometimes called Tejas or misspelled Texas by some who live there)..