Woke up in Santa Fe, Mexico. First thought through my mind was how many miles is it now? How many miles am i driving away from the only place i've ever truly known. The only people i've ever had the joy of having in my life, everyday. I know all the roads of Boise, i go to the store and run into people i know, i can drive 2 minutes to go hike Tablerock for 35 minutes and i'm looking over the city i've called home for my entire life.
I woke up this morning hoping for the best, but wondering if i'm really ready to just up and move.
If i really made the right decision at the right time.
But then, i remembered that people do this all the time.
They make a life altering decision to change.
Or to fulfill.
And i guess. (yes, i guess) THAT is what i'm doing.
I'm being serious that i did have my doubts and was scared as all hell.
I did start to think about all the amazing things i have already seen on this grand road trip.
And then all the great things that i will experience once i made it there.
Once i made it to Austin.
That calmed my nerves a bit.
Soothed my soul.
This was my trip through New Mexico on to Texas….
(Off the beaten path)
The small town of Vista in New Mexico
And when i say small i mean... small. This gas station was closed down.
Continued on another stretch of FOREVER….
Drove through Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Santa Rosa is an old Spanish Town on the Pecos River.
ROUTE 66
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Drove off the new interstate to take a look at the old Route 66.
The old alignment of Route 66 left Santa Rosa to continue on West back towards Santa Fe.
After Santa Rosa, heading east, it continues on to drop down to Albuquerque.
There was much to see of the Old Route 66 in Santa Rosa.
The Sun n' Sand
The Paradise Motel
Unfortunately, the interstate took its toll on the historic town.
As of present time and past, this town depends on its tourists.
The roads were fairly quiet at the time we drove through.
In 1946 the population was 2,310. Making it a prosperous tourist center on Route 66.
Very few Santa Rosa businesses have managed to survive.
The occasional gas station, auto repair shop, small cafe and a Mcdonalds.
Mid-day passed between New Mexico
On into the
GRAND OL' STATE OF NEW MEXICO
THE LONE STAR STATE
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I'm finally in TEXAS!
I was hoping i would see some Texas Longhorns…
But all that was out there was a black cow.
And hundreds of Windmills.
Anyone close to me knows i have a phobia of these large windmills.
I think from seeing windmill after windmill i was able to conquer my fear of these things.
That's me WAAAY down there in the white circle.
Spent the night, in another motel.
A motel is a motel.
No matter what city or state you're in.
They all usually have cable.
and nowadays usually a decent internet connection.
hopefully they have a good AC.
and a nice clean bathroom.
Just don't forget to always take the top comforter off….
housekeeper RARELY washes those.
The Next Day.
Last day of driving.
AMARILLO, TEXAS
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In a field, off Old Route 66, just west of Amarillo, Texas is the world famous Cadillac Ranch.
Cadillac Ranch was invented & built by local town 'ghost', Stanley Marsh 3
(Yes, that was correct. Stanley Marsh '3'
He would rather go by 3 instead of the roman numeral III)
Stanley Marsh 3 and a group of art-hippies from San Francisco,
(the hippies who liked to call themselves the Ant Farm)
created this work of art.
The group wanted to create a piece of art that the town locals would be proud of and astonished.
So in 1974 they rallied up 10 Cadillacs from junkyards that were priced under $200 at the time.
The Cadillacs were driven into one of Stanley Marsh 3 fields,
then half buried, nose down, in the dirt.
The sign below is on the road.
Permitting graffiti inside the field but is illegal anywhere outside the fence.
They encouraged people to head out and spray paint the art.
'Ever changing art" Stanley once said.
This is the "CULPRIT"
The Spray Can
I climbed on top of one of the cars.
Found a fairly blank area
and wrote :
"Nothing Ventured- Nothing Gained"
"The Austin Expedition"
10.30.10
Cadillac Ranch is unbelievably popular.
People from all over the world come to see this "Art in a Field"
Just don't forget your paint spray.
I do have to say that seeing this, made my trip.
I have wanted to come here for as long as i've known about this place.
And i'm so glad that i had the chance to make it here.
(on such a beautiful day i might add)
This was the last of the stops as the trip to Austin finally came to an end.
As i made my way into the new city, a sigh of relief came over me.
Not only that i just spent 4 days in a cramped honda civic and that i was about to be freed from it.
But mainly because, this is something that i've wanted to do my entire life.
To go somewhere.
To maybe find something.
To search.
To fulfill.
To enjoy.
To have a place that i love.
Somewhere that i feel…. is me.
And i had a feeling maybe this was it.
Only time will tell.
