kittenmmm's blog post - Day 5 of the great trip

Well, it's day 5 of the cross country trip and I'm finally getting to writing some of the stuff down. The first night we ended up staying in Shippenburg, Pennsylvania at a little tiny motel next to a truck stop. I'm a big fan of driving with the trucks. I feel real safe around them. They always know if there are problems on the road. If they're in a rush I know if I'm near them I don't have to worry about my speeding either. (oh I know I SHOULD follow the speed limit but I tend to get a lead foot)

I changed my plans a little and didn't go to Oklahoma City because someone offered to be a tour guide for me and my son if we went to Dallas. So, I dropped down to Dallas, Texas instead. We were met off the highway before we got to Dallas and then were escorted to our hotel. On the way we got to see where Chuck Norris lives and Southfork Ranch, where the TV show Dallas was filmed. Dallas is very metropolitan and not truly indicative of Texas but we had a good time. Of course our host really did a great job of making sure we were happy and got to see what we wanted in the short time we had.

We took the train in to the Dallas Zoo which is quite large. We spent a lot of time there and enjoyed every minute. Of course, my son didn't listen to me and insisted on wearing jeans and was just about melting in the heat. I thought it was hot but not miserable. I'm used to intense humidity so to me the high nineties were just fine because it was dry. I just made sure we drank a lot of liquids. After the Zoo was the ride back to the car and then another drive out to the wax museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not. We all had a good time there and plenty of laughs at some of the displays. If you can believe it, someone actually makes art of popcorn and sells the stuff! People will buy anything I swear.

From there is was another drive out to the bookstore so my son could get the new Harry Potter book and another sci fi novel to keep him occupied during my driving marathons.

The following day we went to Fort Worth to see some real cowboys and muck about. We stayed a couple of hours and then were escorted back to the highway so I could drive up to Amarillo and get back on my original route.

I've always loved Texas for it's big, grand, independent nature. I loved driving through the state and seeing nothing but miles and miles of land. It gives me the same feeling as standing on the coast. When you see nothing but horizon you realize how small you are in the grander scheme of things. At the same time you feel connected, wild and free all at once. I appreciated it even more this time. Older eyes I guess.

Tonight I sit in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, in yet another time zone. Tomorrow morning we'll leave for the Petrified Forest in Arizona and then scoot up to the Grand Canyon. I'm playing it by ear but I'm guessing I'll be at my cousin's house in Yuma AZ by tomorrow night or the next day. My cousin in San Diego has offered to meet me there and escort us back to her house. I'm looking forward to a few days in San Diego, not to mention seeing my cousins.

As for my host, I stole his hat. Thanks for everything wolf, you come up to New England anytime and I'll return the favor. I'll even show you the damn rock the pilgrims hit when they ran out of beer.