January 8, 2015

I woke up too damn early for a hotel that doesn't even have hot water.  I thought the kids were just kidding or didn't understand how to correctly operate the shower faucet, but no...they were right.  The one thing I had wanted most since leaving Midland was a hot bath/shower and now I was in the middle of Albuquerque with none.  The kids and I got dressed...I used the mini microwave in the lobby to heat up La Bodega bean and cheese burritos (I made my good food noises - the kids are on me about that now), and then we headed out in search of breakfast for Mags (Ethan also had a burrito).  We hit the Jack in the Box off exit 153 and I got a coffee, Ethan a DP (ha!  Texanese!) and Mags got a meal sumthin' with a lemonade.  They forgot the plastic ware, they forgot the straws, they gave Maggie water that was tinted the slightest bit yellow, but had no lemon taste whatsoever.  We have decided to do a report on places we visit.  DO NOT visit Red Roof Inn off Candeleria in Albuquerque.  DO NOT visit Jack in the box off exit 153 after Albuquerque.  That's all for now.

I never had filled up on gas in Albuquerque, something I ended up regretting, because I never did hit dollar-something gas prices.  It was all 2 plus.  I had somewhat promised Ethan we would check out firecrackers if he saw another billboard  promoting such and sure enough - somewhere in NM there was (plus "authentic Indian whatever you wanted").  I really wanted to find some fry bread, but my attempt lead me down a road where there certainly wasn't any fry bread...not in the last 30 years or so, anyway.  I saw gas was $2.49 across the freeway, so I only got ten dollars worth while Ethan went in.  He wanted to get fifty dollars worth of stuff that you can only set off in places where there is no ban, which isn't in many places anymore.  I put a big stop to that - especially after our King Fire and told him only noise-makers.  I'm tough that way.  On our way towards CA, I followed Lisa's advice and gave them the cotton to de-seed.  A terrific Montessori job!!

It wasn't long before I noticed my tank light was on.  We were in Arizona now, so I pulled in, and filled up.  It was a different type of travel station...kind of a nice break from the usual - you know, when you are on the road, you appreciate the little things.  We headed off again, with a full tank, this time, when shortly thereafter I detected the strong, pungent smell of gasoline filling my nostrils.  Oh, fantastic, I thought, something is wrong with the car again yet now we're in Arizona.  I worried for quite a few miles, deciding that either the car would make it or it wouldn't.  It made it.  I did happen to notice a SpeedCo car repair eventually, right next to an adult boutique.  I remember when I discovered what an adult boutique actually was and I was immensely disappointed.  It was sex: movies, dildos, vibrators, clothing, various fetish assortments.  And here ya go - in the middle of nowhere, right next to the car repair shop.  Awesome.  Only...where do you use them while you're
waiting for your car to get repaired?



I wasn't doing well...I'd been tired for days from this head cold and I wasn't my usual road-trip-let's-have-an-adventure peppy self.  I needed to eat some REAL food, or as real as you can find on a highway.  My kids searched online and we decided Mr. D's Route 66 Diner in Kingman was the winner.  IT looked Route 66 - which is not unusual since it has been there since the heyday of Route 66.  It is filled with 50s and 60s memorabilia and I felt a little awkward without my poodle skirt and side-saddle shoes.  I must also say, it is a bit disconcerting having Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and his crew watch me while I pee - but the meal was exactly what I needed and I am grateful the kids were caring for me.  We stopped at a gas station - the kind I grew up with, where you go in to pay before you get pump.  The kids said the guy was checking out my butt when I walked out and I smiled, until I realized they were talking about the other  guy...the younger, heavier one wearing the beanie.  facepalm.



We traveled the 3 hours to Barstow listening.  First to the Brothers Comatose, then to Bill Withers, then to Kool and the Gang.  We were dancing, I was singing...Of course here is where I mentioned that Kool and the Gang was coming in concert next week and I might go... look for some chocolate looovvvee.  Annndddd, Ethan is grinning, then shows me he is once again recording me.  These kids are going to have so much embarrassment material on me, it isn't even funny.  Grateful they know I'm kidding.  We made it to Country Inn and Suites, and I was impressed.  For an extra $50 dollars, we get 13 towels (versus 2), a gloriously hot shower, a microwave, a coffee machine, a mini-fridge, a work out room, free cookies, hot breakfast tomorrow!!! Oh, I am sold on this place, even if it is in Barstow.  I am going to sleep so well tonight.

Picture:  Outside Mr. D'z Diner in Kingford;  The place that did NOT sell fry bread, somewhere in New Mexico; The type of gas pump I used to use in Texas; The truck posed outside Mr. D'z Diner...the sunset was beautiful, but sadly iPhones are not known for their fantastic photo-taking abilities....