I left the Cousin's in Tucson and made my way through New Mexico and into Texas. Unfortunately all the cool stuff I wanted to see was in Northern NM so I went directly to El Paso.
There really wasn't much going on in El Paso. In fact I didn't even take any pictures. Ok, the Corn Palace got me. Even Wall Drug. However, I'm happy to say I have learned from my mistakes. Despite an overwhelming urge to stop after hundreds of signs for miles and miles I did NOT stop for "The Thing". Welcome to literally, the middle of nowhere. I got off the main interstate and took back roads to see some old Forts. The drive was awesome as was the weather. Here is where I stopped to use the restrooms and eat lunch. Thanks to my Cousin Diane I had homemade banana bread to keep me alive. Say hello to my little friend. This is free range country. The cattle aren't fenced in and just roam the open plains. I came zipping around a corner and...Hello!!! This guy and his friends were all standing in the middle of the road. Moo? Made it to Fort Davis around 5pm. This was a very sleepy little town. The Fort was really only foundations of the original buildings with a few restored buildings. It really didn't look that great and I was feeling pretty good so I decided to keep driving.   I arrived at Fort Stockton just before dark. As I was driving down the main street looking for a place to stay a modified firebird with tinted windows came rumbling up next to me. I was minding my own business and they kept revving their engine. Next thing you know we are both stopped at a red light. Ok, I can't help it! The light turned green and we both took off. After it was clear that they had been stomped I let off and continued looking for a room. That's right about when I got pulled over by the local Sheriff. I really hadn't exceeded the speed limit (just got to it really quick) and the Sheriff knew it. He tried to scare me a little with some sort of jack rabbit start charge. I let him know I was a tourist spending the night (and money) in his town. He then lightened up and told me that he got a cell phone call about two cars racing (oddly he only pulled me over making me think that the other car was a set up). He then said the kids around the area are always racing given they have not much else to do. He said he's been there and he was going to let me go with a warning. Just before he gave me my license back he actually said the words, "Don't mess with Texas son."
Checked into a hotel room and went out for dinner. I asked the bar tender where I should go for some entertainment given it was a Friday night. He looked at me with that oh so familiar blank stare. Then he suggested two places in town but followed them up with, "If you go expect a fight." He then told me how the kids in the area like to fight on the weekends. Thinking I had already had a lucky encounter with the law I decided to make it a movie night.
Oh yea, the fort was interesting but not great.  Such a pretty bird. Can you say pretty bird? What movie Mr. Rick Murphy? On my way from Fort Stockton I stopped in to see the Caverns of Sonora. These caverns are considered one of the top six most beautiful caverns in the United States.
The local kids put on a little horror show given it was Halloween time. The Cavern was alive and still forming new and interesting things. In some of the pictures you can see the calcite deposit formations that developed over thousands of years. Welcome to San Antonio. This place is fantastic! Saturday night was so much fun. I met so many great people. This is one of the most beautiful downtowns I've ever seen. Water is the main theme and they did a fantastic job building the area. Even the mall has water running through it. Check out this outdoor theater. The audience sits on one side and the stage is across the river. It was amazing and looked like a great place to see a show. Remember the.....ummm....what is this again?
Oh yea, the Alamo! An amazing story of 200 people (including Dave Crockett) who battled 7000 Spanish for 13 days. In the end all the Alamo fell and all but the women and children where killed. If you go don't miss the IMAX show about the Alamo. It is considered the most accurate portrayal of the event. |
