A TX Road Trip to Remember

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On the road, and brainstorming blog material all the while, I had an interesting chain of thoughts evolve from a US Highway road sign.

From New Mexico, USA

Anyone know what a Safety Corridor is?

While driving through northern New Mexico, I passed a sign that read:

Safety Corridor - Speeding Fines Doubled.

After noticing the third one, I turned to Google for a little enlightenment.

According to the NM Dept of Transportation, the Safety Corridor Program was enacted to lower the fatality rate on the Interstates crossing New Mexico, particularly Hwy 285, which is known as the "Highway of Death."

A Safety Corridor is a signed stretch of Interstate with a reduced speed limit (often approaching and passing through small towns), that has been "statistically analyzed and found to have high crash rates and fatality rates." (Reference.com)

There are several designated stretches throughout New Mexico.

I also found it interesting that other states have Safety Corridors as well, but they are referencing different things. Arizona for example has Safety Corridors for selected highway segments that serve for special driver education, or indicate increased highway patrol.

In any case, their goal is to prevent accidents and has proved effective.

Interesting, huh?

High Winds Likely

Continuing East, into Texas, it didn't take long to feel incredibly small, and almost lost, despite my Waze app reassuring my every turn. When you leave all "modern civilization" and enter the vast acreage of ranch land occupied by no more than the cattle grazing and pronghorn prancing, you start to feel the size of Texas.

You also feel a bit of wind; the power of which Texas has indeed invested into harnessing. Never have I seen so many windmills anywhere; seas of them (hundreds!) across the State turning in sync. It was an incredible sight.

Sometime late morning, while stretching my legs at a rest stop, I received notifications that had been waiting in the abyss of no-service-land, and I noticed that there were some high winds blowing through WA as well.

Odd that there were a few posts that surfaced at about the same time that were opposite the usually positive, helpful, 'lift-you-up' messages we are all accustomed to here. I may have commented on one or another had I been in the office, but as I continued down the highway, I felt relieved that I was on the road and chose not to give them a second thought.

Reflections of Texas

Texas is a BIG state. After driving almost 700 miles across it (then back), I think I'm done exploring it via my truck. That is one road trip I do not plan on making a second time. I'd definitely go to Texas again and see other areas, but I'll fly next time.

North, West, and Central Texas look like the picture above...for as far as the eyes can see. The towns are small with many old abandoned deteriorating buildings, but we did see new growth in some areas.

When in Amarillo, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is a must stop. This kid friendly restaurant and gift shop is one unique place. It's home of the 72oz steak - Free if you eat it all in under 60 minutes - and it's been eaten by both kids and adults! We sat next to a man from Poland who gave it a go. Didn't make it, but left with a tee shirt and a smile. We left with about $60 in souvenirs.

In Wichita Falls, we stopped at the BackPorch Drafthouse, and I can't say enough nice things about that place. Great food (I had the Catfish Poboy and Sweet Potato fries). Cool atmosphere inside and out. We opted to dine on the patio. Wonderful, engaging staff. The manager even made rounds and visited our table twice, once just to talk to my boys! They made me a great Jalapeno Bloody Mary!

When we reached East Texas, the land changed considerably. Gone were the large spans of cattle ranches, and the wind farms. In their place stood the tall trees of the Sabine National Forest. At night, we listened to the sounds of thousands of tree frogs and watched the glow of fireflies, which brought happy memories of catching them as a little girl.

Also prevalent that evening were the mosquitoes, and they generously gave us welcoming. I guess they knew we were from out of town, as all the essential oils and mosquito spray in the world didn't keep them off of us!

We shore fished off of the Sabine River, alongside a boat ramp that just the day before had a sunbathing gator. Hoping to spot one (not too close), we left without a sighting, but with all limbs attached, which was probably for the best.

In the little town of Hemphill, Texas (population 1198), we were directed by locals to the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum. Unsure of exactly what we were walking into, it left an impression likely to stick with us. It displays the missions of the Columbia Space Shuttle from the first exploration to the last, which ended in tragedy when it disintegrated upon re-entry in 2003. The crash left debris for miles, but it was in Hemphill where personal artifacts and the bodies (parts) of all 7 astronauts were recovered.

Louisiana Southern Fried Chicken

You can't cross the great state of Texas, to stop at the Louisiana border, when possibly the best fried chicken you've ever tasted lies on the other side of the state line.

I may have thought twice, however, had I known I'd be crossing a 2-mile bridge barely above water. It was one of the most uncomfortable feelings I've ever experienced. Every inch felt like a mile, and my anxiety-controlled imagination saw the bridge collapsing before me. (I have a severe and irrational fear of drowning near water - it's my worst nightmare, and why I've never been on a cruise)

Was it worth it? Oh, yeeeees. We ate the best fried chicken we've ever had in our life. And on the way back to our hotel, we passed a drive-thru liquor store! Not something that exists anywhere I've lived, so I indulged in a late night To-Go Pina Colada Margarita to settle my nerves.

22 States and Counting

I had previously been through New Mexico on travels from Arizona, but Texas and Louisiana added two more US States to my list of States visited. It was quite the experience, and just the mental break I needed to hit the reset button. I find it incredibly lightening to be 'out-of-service' and to just enjoy living in the moment with my family.

Back to reality, where works needs to be done and bills need to be paid, I am thankful to be doing what I love. Reading and writing. Tomorrow, it's back to posting articles and comments, reviewing the SAC checklist, and driving more traffic to my site...the only driving I'll be doing for the next week!

It seems the winds have died back down here on the platform. At least I seem to see the business-as-usual posts scrolling across my Dashboard. I hope the gusts of hot air didn't blow anyone else off coarse. All is well, and I'm back to my normal routine here. I look forward to writing a new site post tomorrow, and prepping for my next summer journey!

Thanks for reading about my latest road trip!

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there!


Take care,

Cris

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Recent Comments

26

Great Post and what a lot of driving 😁 Thank you.

Yes, it surely was an adventure! Next time I plan to fly in and explore the southern coast (as most people who visit Texas do)

Interesting post. Thanks. Jim

Thanks for taking the time, Jim!

Sounds like it was a fun trip, in spite of all that Texas flatland.

It was! And having lived in North Dakota for 12 yrs when I was younger, I can appreciate the beauty of some open ranch land, especially when inhabited by baby cows. They are the cutest when they run!

Agreed. When I was a kid, we had cows and calves around, and I used to help teach the calf to drink from a bucket of milk. Too cool...they are very cute.

That’s alligator poboys not lobby’s in the message below. Damn spellcheck.

Eric

I didn’t learn much about WA, but I did learn some about my country. Texas and wind power and the Patrica Huffman Smith NASA Museum, New Mexico and safety corridors, and Louisiana and fried chicken. And aren’t drive-thru liquor stores the best? The one time I went to New Orleans I went to the zoo outside the city ,I went by the alligator exhibit there was a concession stand right next to exhibit serving alligator lobby’s served fresh according to the sign. Made the customers wonder. But that’s neither here nor there.

Eric

Ha! Wow.

Funny, I didn't have any gator on this particular trip, but have had it many times other places and love it.

Thanks, Eric!

Thanks for sharing your trip along with the great pics.

72oz steak!! I can't even imagine.

Me neither! I just picture John Candy in The Great Outdoors.

They had a plaque that shared these neat facts:

Youngest to ever complete the challenge: 11 yrs old!
The Oldest: 69 yrs old!
The Fastest: 4 min 18 sec (by professional food contest eater)

Always feels good to travel.especially when you can take the time to enjoy it. No pics of that bridge? I have driven it and though i dont fear water or drowning it is definately intimidating.

Well, after having crossed it about 4 times, I was able to open my eyes and lift the camera. I haven't transferred those pics onto my computer yet, but when I do, I'll add one :-)

Side note: My boys loved it! Shouted out "We're on the big bridge!" every time we crossed it, as though I needed a reminder haha

Aaww the life of boys..arent they great. Lol

Can't imagine my life without them! :-)

Cris,

Thank you so very much for your wonderful and fact-filled blog post and for sharing it with us here.

By coincidence, also today, on Father's Day I have also posted a shorter post on both Texas and Father's Day and a nexus to both: Blessings!

What a coincidence! I'll check it out today. :-)

Thanks Cris!
Really good interesting post. Having lived in Dallas, Tyler, and Houston you’ve got everything west of there pretty well pegged!
Glad you made it home safely, on to the next adventure.
KyleAnn

Hi KyleAnn!

Thanks so much for sharing. I was in Dallas for a short while - too big for me! I rather enjoyed driving through the rural areas, but was sure exhausted by the end of the trip. I didn't make it further South (where most people would venture). I look forward to visiting Austin and Houston next time. :-)

Thank you for the post! Great detail!

Jessica

Thank you, Jessica!

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