Arlington, Texas to Santa Fe, New Mexico - 645 miles.
After a great evening of sitting around and sharing a lie or two with Texas Ranger, I left out of Arlington, Texas this morning about 5:15-5:30 when Ranger had to go to work. It worked out perfect! It was still dark and there was NO traffic going through Fort Worth on a Sunday morning. Hopped up on 287 and rode it Amarillo, Texas. Since it was Sunday, there was little traffic and very little going through Witchita Falls also. The LAW was light, so I was able to cruise at 10-15 over the whole way. After getting through Witchita Falls, I needed another cup of coffee and some breakfast, so I stopped at this neat dinner called Dutch's Restraunt. I think it was in Quanah, Texas. You know it's gonna be good when they have the owners names on the front of the menu.
I thought of brother Kendall when I ordered the biscuits and gravy. One note...if you order the Spanish Omelette, just keep in mind that they take their japelenos up there SERIOUS! Boy Howdy! For $6.50, you sure can't complain. Oh yeah, there was an elderly couple sitting next to me and when they got ready to leave, he pointed at my map and asked if I knew where I was going. Yes sir, Colorado Springs eventually. "I am from there", he says. "So is my brother", says I. Now, this gentleman was like 90 years old. "Does he work or does he fish?" "Well sir, he works." He looks at me and smiles and says, "I use to work but gave it up - now, I just fish." A really nice couple of folks.
Spent the rest of the morning running through the beautiful Texas Panhandle. Stopped at a rest area for a smoke.
What does that sign say? Hold on, let me get my reading glasses.
Got into Amarillo just before lunchtime. The weather looked like it may be coming in from the north. So, I dropped my plan of riding up to Raton, NM and shot off west on I-40 instead. A little later, I crossed over in New Mexico.
I figured I would go to Tucemcari and say hello to Bill and his wife, but when I got to the Blue Swallow, there was a closed sign on the door. I knocked and called but nobody answered. There were no cars in the lot but the maintenance door was open and the lobby was still filled with goods.
I went to the store where Amanda use to work but she wasn't there so I peeled out of Tucemcari and continued west. After I got past Santa Rosa man, the entire sky turned black and there aren't a whole lot of places to pull over. I rode in this FREEZING rain to Cline's Corner and got under the overhang at the gas station for awhile. There was a guy who said his car temp gauge showed a 40 deg drop in temps when the rain hit. As soon as it let up, I took off. After you got out of the rain, the temps came back up. This was from a rest stop that I hit to wipe my windshield down. The darkness was what I had just ridden through.
Rode I-40 to just outside Albuquerque and shot off on 334 in Edgewood and man, let me tell you, this was ONE AWESOME RIDE!!!!!!! Yessir!!!!!! A must do. You are just riding along and top a little rise and there is a 15% grade sign and for the next 35-40 miles - BOY HOWDY! It will groove your world.
After a few miles, this road tees into 14 - The Turquoise Trail. BEAUTIFUL!
After a while, you hit this little town of Madrid.
Sound familiar? Yep, the town that WILD HOGS was shot in.
They still have the dinner (it's a store now) but it is Maggie's Diner.
Then stayed on that sweet highway to Santa Fe. What a great ride!!!!
Got a room at the Motel 6 - not bad for the price ($47 for everything including the additional internet). Leaving out tomorrow and riding up to Taos and Angel Fire I reckon.
With the $5 specials at Dominos, heck you can get two and have a little of each now. They have changed their sauce so it doesn't taste like crap anymore.
Should be a good ride tomorrow - I know I sure passed a large time over the 645 miles today - each and every one was sweet - well, maybe not the freezing rain. More to come tomorrow. I am having a ball ya'll!!!!! Sure is getting some ol' work crud out of my brain let me tell you.
Link to days 1-2
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17763.0.html
