Monthly Archives: March 2011

Rattlesnake Bomber Base

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Last night's marathon of a walk brought me to Pyote, population 133. I camped on this historic marker of the former WWII Rattlesnake Bomber Base.

Last night’s marathon of a walk brought me to Pyote, population 133. I camped on this historic marker of the former WWII Rattlesnake Bomber Base.

Having arrived at 3 AM, the night air was fresh enough to simply lay out tentless. However, after reading this sign carefully (how the base earned its nickname), the tent came out!

Having arrived at 3 AM, the night air was fresh enough to simply lay out tentless. However, after reading this sign carefully (how the base earned its nickname), the tent came out!

 

George Throop March 4, 2011 via HTC Sense Another of the endless benefits of walking. Had I reached Monahans with any other means of transportation this evening, I would've missed meeting these two!


George Throop
March 4, 2011 via HTC Sense
Another of the endless benefits of walking. Had I reached Monahans with any other means of transportation this evening, I would’ve missed meeting these two!

 

Arriving to Monahans...

Arriving to Monahans…

Upon arriving, a newspaper reporter recommended that I get a bite to eat at a local Chinese restaurant. I followed up and did so, and upon going to pay for the meal, I was told, “another customer already paid for your meal.” (This brought a tear to my eye– WOW!!!)

 

I was expecting to simply seek out safe, Spartan shelter somewhere this evening, as I did last night, as I do always. And this is where I'm ending up tonight: Monahans Best Western Suites. Story: a local reporter saw me walking, and stopped for the story. Within an hour, he'd contacted the local county judge, who called up the local Chamber of Commerce, who booked this room for me. And I was looking fwd to another night outdoors. (I'm sure I'll get it tomorrow.) For now, jacuzzi for the feet sounds nice...

I was expecting to simply seek out safe, Spartan shelter somewhere this evening, as I did last night, as I do always. And this is where I’m ending up tonight: Monahans Best Western Suites. Story: a local reporter saw me walking, and stopped for the story. Within an hour, he’d contacted the local county judge, who called up the local Chamber of Commerce, who booked this room for me. And I was looking fwd to another night outdoors. (I’m sure I’ll get it tomorrow.) For now, jacuzzi for the feet sounds nice…

 

Adios, Wild West

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It hit 90 degrees here today, and I remained indoors during the hottest hours. I therefore embarked on a few hours of night walking to make up for lost time. I’m hoping to make it 79 miles to Odessa by Sunday…

Crossing the Pecos River. Significance: through the late 1800's, the popular term "Wild West" meant west of the Pecos River.

Crossing the Pecos River. Significance: through the late 1800′s, the popular term “Wild West” meant west of the Pecos River.

Home of "Pecos Bill!" Interestingly, though I awoke outdoors to below-freezing temps upon entering Pecos, I arrived to town on a day which I believe reached 91-- technically still in winter.

Home of “Pecos Bill!”
Interestingly, though I awoke outdoors to below-freezing temps upon entering Pecos, I arrived to town on a day which I believe reached 91– technically still in winter.

Breaking the I-10 Umbilical Cord

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A couple of hours into the day, I reached the western beginning of Interstate 20– the first time I’ve decisively split from I-10 since the Pacific Ocean. I’m leaning toward continuing on I-20 through Dallas, Shreveport, Jackson and Atlanta. We’ll see where the path ultimately leads me, eh?
Interestingly, within maybe three miles of branching up into I-10, the rocky desert hillsides immediately opened up into far-as-one-can-see great plains. Amazing.

Five miles into the morning, I see the sign that brings an end to over a thousand miles of walking on, near, or parallel to Interstate 10: Interstate 20 begins here. So long, I-10, it's been lovely...

Five miles into the morning, I see the sign that brings an end to over a thousand miles of walking on, near, or parallel to Interstate 10: Interstate 20 begins here. So long, I-10, it’s been lovely…

I-10, miles behind me, is full of mountains. I-20 brings an extremely fast change of landscape: plains. I entered the wide, flat, horizon-as-far-as-you-can-see Texas plains within the first five miles of I-20. It's quite the transition.

I-10, miles behind me, is full of mountains. I-20 brings an extremely fast change of landscape: plains. I entered the wide, flat, horizon-as-far-as-you-can-see Texas plains within the first five miles of I-20. It’s quite the transition.

WARNING: Hundreds of miles of endless plains ahead!

WARNING: Hundreds of miles of endless plains ahead!

A look back before dark

A look back before dark

 

Sunset du jour

Sunset du jour

30 miles of walking today ended with energy for even more miles, but this freeway "picnic area" seemed like it should be the perfect fit for the night. I've rolled out my sleeping bag and mat atop a nine-foot long, grated metal picnic table. Truckers use picnic areas as rest areas during the night. I feel secure ;)

30 miles of walking today ended with energy for even more miles, but this freeway “picnic area” seemed like it should be the perfect fit for the night. I’ve rolled out my sleeping bag and mat atop a nine-foot long, grated metal picnic table. Truckers use picnic areas as rest areas during the night. It’s going to dip just below freezing tonight, but I feel secure here ;)