The Impossible Tahoe Turn and Burn, Day 1 - Part 1
DAY 0.5 - Gearing Up
Ahead of any long trip I take,
the two most challenging things for me are thoroughly packing my truck with all my gear, and just getting out of town when it's all ready. There always seems to be so much that needs to be done, and over the past couple of days after driving from Terlingua to Austin to FTW, I did as much as I could. Yesterday I did a lot and my last stops before heading to the farm were the best.
Next,
I had to pick up some sotol and Hans’ Pils gifts for friends we'll meet along the way; I've leaned over the years that even a single ice cold beer goes a long way, sometimes it opens the door to a whole other adventure within the one I'm on. Got all that, then stopped by to see Pam Maske Quisenberry and finish up a little gas heater project we've been working on. Got her all fixed up, got a hug, and made it to the Flack Farm where I got to see the week old Great Dane pups and hear the great grunts of all 11 in beautiful harmony.
We packed Josh's truck with all of our collective gear - cameras, tents, extra blankets, first aid kit, etc - loaded the cooler and went to bed. I stayed up too late handling some last minute business regarding the upcoming launch of something cool that I can't wait to share with you. Anxious in both kinda ways about everything ahead of us, I only slept for a few hours.
The living room in the House of Flack is always so warm and comfy this time of year, and the glow of the recently revived Christmas tree lights didn't bother me at all. All of the things I could sense lulled me to sleep.
Josh is one of the earliest birds I know, and I heard him stirring around the kitchen making coffee around 530 and promptly arose. I wear comfortable clothes 95% of the time (a functional and sometimes even fashionable😂 style that works in the desert and, I've learned, elsewhere too), so I sometimes sleep in what I'm wearing ahead of an early departure so I can wake up, put on my socks, shoes, belt and hat and walk out the door. I don't mind driving long distances, but I enjoy more getting there, wherever it is. Even though I try to never be in a hurry, I can still manage to get a move on when the situation calls for it.
The truck was loaded with everything I'd need, so I stopped by to see my dear friend Terry and catch him up on progress at his home in Terlingua where I live on the property, and we of course had a beer about it, then I was on my way.
By 6AM we were in the truck in the dark of early morning just before twilight began, on the mile long driveway away from the farm and effectively on our way. The road to Decatur seemed shorter than usual, but the one to Wichita Falls from there, longer. We'd eaten Allsups green chili & cheese burritos (from which I promptly squeezed the hot filling all over my jacket) and corn dogs from the next stop we made for fuel. Big cups of gas station coffee made us antsy, so then we moved onto Topo Chico. The run of TX 287 from just north of Decatur to well past Amarillo is one of my least favorite parts of the great terrain of Texas; sometimes people call it the buttcrack of Texas, no offense to you if you are from there, but I kinda get it. There's not a lot to look at, and much of the overt ideology around here doesn't align with my personal beliefs, and it is very in-your-face, but I am certainly not here to talk shit.
Also, so many windmills. So many. We've talked about them. A lot.
Since Durango is the destination today, we veered west on I - 40 - along the old Route 66 - through the edge of the Caprock and into New Mexico, a state I love in many ways.The soundtrack has been great so far: Joe Tex, Otis Redding, Frank Zappa, Ween, and a great 80s country station. I don't use robot music myself, but I appreciate the technology. As a matter of fact, I'll tell you all something else I am hoping to produce soon, that almost no one knows yet: A six song solo demo on cassette, and a follow up full solo album... On 8 track tape. Keep your ears on.
