Sorry we couldn't get our report out to you last night. Hope nobody was worried. We got in pretty late and were plum tuckered. Our goal was to make it to Shreveport, but as it turned out, hotels in the Shreveport and surrounding areas were chock full. Seems there were a lot of events in Shreveport this weekend: conventions, sporting events and debutante balls, so we drove on to the lovely Hampton Inn in Natchitoches. Yes, we got totally screwed by debutantes (if I had a nickel - Couldn't help it, apologies all around for that one...)
So...
The Quality (sub-Quality) Inn we stayed at in Tucumcari provided us with a bed for the night, but that's about it. Their free breakfast lure, soooo not worth it. Full dinning room (we were the youngest adults in the room, however, so that was uplifting) and only 2 waitresses. They were running like turkeys trying to get out your choice of five breakfast entrees. Paige went for eggs and NL had some cereral - an HOUR later we were back in Squidward, sort of nourished and kind of cranky. But the road, the great weather and beautiful views helped us shake it off.
Here's Squidward in the morning taking in "the view"
On a positive note, Squidward got to participate in the Uhaul Big Brother program. He's a giver.
(For more about Squidward, "The Chief of Squid" click HERE
and look for our buddy.)
Another "lure" of the Sub-Quality Inn was the advertised desert museum...
And that's it. Somebody got an A on their fifth grade science project.
See, we told you it reminded us on the Hotel Lorraine.
We were warned by fellow road-trippers that we were heading into some areas that had been closed the day before. We pushed forward and hoped for the best.
We barely missed a total closing of I-40 because of brushfires at the border.
So long, New Mexico... Hello, Texas.
This sign says "Welcome to Texas." Or maybe it doesn't. You'll have to take our word for it.
Texas is vast, flat and extremely windy. But I guess you're still not supposed to mess with it even if it totally messes with your hair. Like beyond repair.
A really bad picture of a really famous tableau - a bunch of Cadillacs painted and stuck in the ground. Somebody needs a real job. Paige was at the wheel during this time, so you can blame NL for the "less" than professional photos on this leg. There was a lot of grumbling about trying to focus and shoot at 70 miles an hour on an iPhone. (Paige had no trouble, just sayin'...)
Traffic was mostly good, people polite, except for a couple of horse's asses along the way. (Hey-ohhhhh!)
Since Squidward does not have a cd player or iPod hook-up we relied on AM/FM the entire way. We hit the jackpot in the great metropolis of MEMPHIS, TX!
We were fortunate enough to catch the yearly Lions Club Benfit on KSR 105.3. First Baptist Church paster, Glen, and his buddy Dan took over the radio station in Memphis for the afternoon. They started to get hungry around noon and promised a free on-air plug to anybody who brought them something to eat. Nobody showed so they grumbled and left around one to get some BBQ. Not before they informed us of some vital community details. We've given you just a couple of choice quotes (and hopefully we'll figure out how to share an actual recording of a part of their show.
FYI Apparently over at Goldstrom's Barber Shop "They'll lower your ears in a snip." And another fave ad was "It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Ron Hink. He'll take care of all your cropping needs..."
BTW, Memphis was beautiful and sad all at the same time. The town square (which we took a loop through) has gorgeous red brick streets. But the entire town was almost empty. Store fronts closed up, etc. Looks like, as in the case of most of these small towns, the city has shifted out toward the 4 lane and the WalMart. This town is a perfect small town location though... ala "Pleasantville" "Last Picture Show" "Ghost and Mr. Chicken" etc...) Seriously, the whole "downtown" area ready to dress and shoot. Any takers?
Town Hall, center of the square (and the radio tower). Hi, Glen & Dan!
Leaving Main Street.
As we left we realized that this area is all about farming. Mostly cotton fields and a big "Co-Op" gin just outside of town. The fields as you can see have been picked/harvested.
It's a hard life, y'all. We're grateful for our cotton clothing today... We're sure 100 years ago, for the pickers "the touch, the feel of cotton" meant a very different thing.
(CONTINUED IN PART TWO... we broke it up because it's kinda long)
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