The Joys of West Texas!

Tuesday morning I wanted to get to our branch in Albuquerque early so I'd end up in Lubbock at a decent hour (before the branch closed). Everyone in New Mexico moaned and groaned about West Texas when they heard my route, and everyone in West Texas was foreboding about the ride in New Mexico, so either way, I was hosed, it sounded like.

Across the street from the 'Don't Smoke Here' motel was a Village Inn, and I popped over there around 7 a.m. for breakfast, one of about three patrons, and got some cheese blintzes topped with strawberries. I'd parked on the east side of the restaurant, and sat by the windows on that side to keep an eye on my fully packed bike. And proceeded to melt from the sun's rays blazing through, even at that hour. Within 25 minutes, I was exceedingly ready to leave and get on the road.

It turned out the branch was only about 4 miles from the hotel and pretty easy to find. I pulled into the yard, walked back into the break room, asking for Scott (#1 dispatcher??). He was there, so we got to jaw jacking some, and I got a tour of the facility in the ubiquitous electric golf cart that it seems each branch is equipped with. After a while, I walked up front to the office and went to see the branch and district manager, Gary, who proceeded to quiz me about my trip so far. Being the shy and reticent person I am, I talked for the next 30 minutes solid, giving him all the details of the adventure so far.

Eventually, I started getting ready to go, and called my next stop to let them know I'd be getting on the road around 9. Gary and Scott walked out to see the bike (and I got to honk the horn for them, heh, heh...), and I commented to Gary that when I got to Lubbock or San Angelo, I planned on sending some of my luggage back home in a box. In his usual cut-to-the-chase manager, Gary told me to go ahead and send it from Albuquerque...why wait? Scott hunted up a couple of boxes (turns out I needed the bigger one) and I jettisoned all of my cold weather gear: jeans, long underwear, heated vest, thick socks, Birkenstock clogs, fuzzy slippers (yes), long sleeved t-shirt, black textile riding jacket, luggage rain covers and quilted liners for my riding pants. When we weighed the box, it was a whopping 17 pounds of gear and luggage I was losing, and the bike looked positively trim! I got a picture of my bike with Scott's car, and my estimated departure was pushed to 9:20ish, but it was worth the extra bit to get that off the bike. Upon reflection the next day, that loss of 17 pounds probably helped save my life...but more on that later :)

Not far from the branch was a gas station to top off, and from there I got onto interstate 25 south for a short hop before heading east on interstate 40. For the next 120 miles, you come down out of the mountains (and cooler air) into the flat and wide open space that becomes west Texas. There was one other bike going east, sticking to the passing lane for a few miles until my polite shadowing of him encouraged him to move over to let me pass. Once I was on the way, he seemed to keep up just fine. When I finally pulled off past Santa Rosa for gas, he followed shortly. The next stretch was just a straight shot over to Lubbock, so I got a good break in at the gas station, using the facilities and enjoying an ice cream drumstick in the parking lot. Mr. Harley Touring guy had parked next to me, taking a break as well. When he was getting himself situated to take off again, he asked how long I'd been on the road. He was heading off to Tennessee (I guess taking 40 all the way) and wished me a safe ride.

Once out of the gas station, I was on US 84, which would take me through Fort Sumner, NM, through Clovis, NM, cross over the tracks into Texas, and then on to Lubbock. The roads were straight and long. (understatement alert!!) If there ever was a swerve or veer in the road, it was announced with large reflective arrows which were rather excessive, but I guess when your brain is about to be lulled into a coma from highway hypnosis, you need all the extra help you can get! As I got closer to Fort Sumner, I saw signs for the grave of Billy the Kid. You know, when you're out in West Texas once, it's most likely going to be the last time (if you have anything to say about it), so I went ahead and took the little detour out to the grave, since this would be the last time I was ever in the area.

Even in death, he's behind bars, mainly because the grave stone had been stolen so many times. Behind the wrought iron enclosure was a blooming cactus that was absolutely beautiful. I took my pictures, sweated a few gallons, read the sign and then got back on the road. One of the next burgs I rode through was Taiban, and on the east end of town (village/burg/settlement) was an old building that had either been a church or a school. There was a tower on the house for a bell, but the top of the tower and the bell was gone. A gravel road led back to it, and I had a fleeting thought to stop and get a picture of the bike with that, but since I'd just taken a little excursion for Billy, I decided not to stop. I still regret not getting that picture. There was something about that building that appealed to me, and since we've already determined I will not ever be going back through there, my one opportunity was squandered. Lesson learned!

Clovis, NM was hot. As in 100 degrees hot. I stopped in town briefly for gas, but lingered not. There's an AFB there, and I wish I'd gotten some pics of the planes on display, but didn't have my camera out in time. Finally, 90 miles later, I started entering the outskirts of Lubbock. The directions routed me in through downtown, with blocks and blocks of stop lights. My left thumb had started to bother me the day before, and since this was the hand that operates the clutch, it was not happy with the constant stopping and starting with the lights.

Finally, I made the last three right turns and ended up in the parking lot of our branch there. Rode over to a patch of shade by the warehouse, took of my helmet and gloves, and walked up to the entrance. A couple of folks knew I was coming, so I got a warm welcome from Kay and Mike (who was my host for the night). I rousted Chad (the manager) out of his office, and he came out to be sociable, and ended up giving me the walkabout tour of the branch. I work with the rolling stock of these branches, so it was cool to get to see the trucks I knew by number, but not by sight :) (Yes, PJ, I am a nerd.)

We circled back around the parking lot, and Chad went over to see the bike. While standing there, he asked if the bike was leaking oil. Probably because there was some fresh oil on the concrete just below the centerstand area on the bike. Not a lot, only about four or five drops, but definitely from the bike. I leaned the bike vertical to check the sight glass, and it looked a little low, but nothing detrimental. I figured I'd keep an eye on it that night and make a determination in the morning if I needed to get some more oil or get it looked at. About 30 minutes after my arrival, I followed Mike across town to his house, where I got to meet Pretzel (their miniature daschund) and then shower away the grime of the day while Mike went for his afternoon jog.

Around 6 p.m., Mike's wife Beth got home, and started working to put together the night's supper, which was chicken spaghetti, salad, rolls and fresh fruit (strawberries and cantaloupe). I was happily drafted to cut up fruit in the kitchen, and we sat down later to a tasty and refreshing supper. While Beth and I sat at the table and talked, Mike decided to go outside and trim the grass around the edges of the fence and patio. After supper was cleaned up, Beth offered the use of their washer and dryer, which was wonderful. I had enough clean clothes for another day, but it was much nicer to be able to pack my bags with 100% clean stuff before going to bed that night.

Since they had wifi, I was able to get a blog entry done that night (probably about five days behind times), and I think I finally turned out the light around midnight. The next day's ride wasn't too long, so I didn't have to be on the road early. Beth made sure I knew where every possible thing for breakfast was located so I could fix myself whatever I had the whim for. Before I went to bed, I put a clean paper towel under the bike in the garage to see how much it might leak overnight, and after that, I decided to enjoy my night of sleep immensely!