The first misadventure

Trip Start Nov 05, 2006
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Trip End Jan 14, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Texas,
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Approximately 12 miles north of Fort Stockton, Texas there was an abrupt loss of power in the bus. No warning lights were flashing, nonetheless the bus was coming to a gradual halt. The fuel gauge indicated slightly above reserve. The fuel gauge was wrong, we were out of gas. A couple of swift smacks to the dash board and the fuel gauge dropped to it's "empty" position. It was not a dramatic event - the bus simply turned itself off as Paul navigated to the side of the road.

Our cell phones no longer in service, (aren't we smart!) we waited....for awhile. Finally, officer Pietro of the TX highway patrol rolled up behind the bus. Lucky for us, the Texas highway patrol is more understanding about this sort of thing. After running our plates, checking our IDs and searching Paul for weapons - Officer Pietro drove us to the next exit and back to the car with a gas can.

We are in Laredo now, hoping to cross the border today. Last minute red tape is proving to be time consuming. There are no pictures as we've seen nothing in Texas worth photographing. Our route went from Phoenix, through Superior, Arizona (the homeland for Laura's family) and then into Texas. We did find a great Chinese restaurant in Deming, Texas (of all places!). Our route should allow us to by-pass the Sierra Madres in Mexico and go straight to Monterrey - our first cross the border stop.

However, we would like to share some thoughts of our journey so far - even though the journey has been mostly in the southwest.

1. Cell phone towers absolutely ruin the landscape and views of distant mountain ranges. (Duh, or in the vernacular - "ya think?!")
2. Arizona has a number of ax-murderer hotels on their back roads (i.e., this is "the hills have eyes") territory - for those of you that watch those sort of movies. We even saw one with a flashing white light and swaying sign that creaked as you went by...
3. The border patrol is alive and well. (Kinda freaked Paul out when asked what country he was from. Laura (who had more to worry about) stayed relatively calm.)
4. The Southwest is full of not so beautiful but perfectly functional RV parks that, in a pinch, will do just fine as a place to stay with a hot shower and laundry facilities.
5. Leaving the country the week of Thanksgiving is a bit disconcerting. Made Laura a little homesick.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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