| By: Paul S. Cilwa | Viewed: 4/24/2024 Occurred: 2/2/2017 |
Page Views: 1359 | |
| Topics: #Places #Cross-Country #Arizona #NewMexico #FortStockton #Texas | |||
| Photos from the first day of John's and my cross-country trip. | |||
So Jenny decided she wanted her boat, which was at her home in Chandler, to be brought down to her new home in Key West. Such a shipping assignment would have been horribly expensive (even for someone who owns a boat). Fortunately, her brother, John, and I were available to take on the task.
The truck itself was, essentially, empty. After researching, John found that this was the minimum-sized truck that could safely tow the boat.
Jenny did decide on a few things, mostly favorite toys of her babies, to be taken along. Also, John and I kept our gym bags with changes of clothes in the back.
John took first shift.
I drove truck in 2001-2002, so pulling into a Loves' truck stop was like visiting an old friend. Besides, only truck stops could guarantee turnaround space for our towing combo.
In truck drivin' school they taught us to look at the side mirrors every few seconds—a habit into which I easily returned.
"There but for the grace of God go I…" When John and I spotted this accident, the first thing John gasped was, "I hope the horses are all right!"
I told John that, since I had made this trip so many times before, I probably wouldn't be taking many new photos. After all, after awhile they all start looking the same. But that didn't stop my son from clicking away (through the less-than-pristine U-Haul window, to my horror) and getting in a few nice shots.
Texas Canyon, location of a rest area on I-10 eastbound and a landmark indicating the imminent departure from Arizona into New Mexico, is always a friendly marker of a road trip's progress. We didn't, in fact, stop there this time but it's still nice to see.
Rest stops in the Southwest post friendly reminders for the softies visiting from the East.
The San Simon I-10 EB Rest Area is one of the prettier ones and the last in Arizona.
John and I swapped places for the drive across New Mexico.
Sunset was pretty spectacular, something we almost—but not quite—get used to, out here.
But that didn't stop us from driving, for we wanted to get into Texas if possible. And we did, not stopping until we reached Stockton, Texas.
