Leaving New Orleans late, after a full day of activity, we didn't make it too far on the road, stopping a few hours west in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Awaking the next morning we faced the border, the great, massive giant: Texas.
Crossing, we passed the Lone Star welcome center at the first exit, numbered 880, which is a bit intimidating when you know you're going all the way to exit 0, past El Paso at the other end of the state. About four hours in, we had reached Houston and San Antonio, and we were still 550 miles from New Mexico!
We drove another 100 miles and stopped at the last state park we feasibly could reach in daylight, camping outside of Junction (yes, that's the name of the town), only half way across the state.
Now I'm not the world's biggest fan of Texas, home of the we're-bigger-than-everything-else attitude that now occupies our White House. The big trucks, big steaks, big belt buckles, and big, big hats.
But I do have fond memories of living (briefly) in south Texas as a child, the warm Gulf beaches and especially the ever-present culture of Mexico. I must say, too, that the big Texans with their big hats are, overall, pretty friendly. When they're not staring.
The park we camped at was actually quite nice, full of scurrying wild turkeys and deer, both of which we got to see up close, as they seemed completely unafraid of people. Wait until hunting season, dear animals, beware.
We had some drizzle to lull us to sleep early, and after a nice morning run on the trails, we were back on the road, only 460 more miles in Texas!
It went on and on and on. West Texas does not always provide the most varied and interesting scenery. But to all things there must come an end--in some cases most fortunately--and so, by mid-afternoon, we bid Texas a fond...
So long, y'all!
Miles: 8348-9243
Posted by yozhik at August 15, 2003 04:48 PM