Dallas to Baton Rouge or: How we learned to stop worrying and love the Swamp.

All I can saw is that WE LOVE THE SWAMP. How could this be, Mike and Joey? Aren't you desert dwellers, nearly Fremen? Well yes, although Joey and I will not take your body for the tribes water.

The drive through Dallas was started around 0730, traffic was wonderfully light and we stayed in the same lane all the way around and through the highways. East of Dallas was lots of long green grass and trees, whole heaps even. We saw turtles trying to cross the road. That seems to be a very bad idea as Joey and I saw several along the side of the road, all ex-turtles who had joined the choir invisible. We saw our first Armadillo! That was super neat, I've always wanted to see one of those. The trip could be summed up as many trees and a whole bunch of grass. It's a little more nuanced than that though. We tend to see all kinds of things when we drive through places. When folks tell us "oh it's just flat wasteland" we see all the little dips and gentle rolling hills, even if slight. Here are a few pictures from the Dallas to Shreveport leg.

Lots of green and trees. Joey was still pretty tired and I don't blame him. He is eight years old and was cooped up in a car with a crazy old man. I did find out that my Hank Hill, Cleveland Brown and Randy Newman impressions are stop your breathing funny, at least to an eight year old. The drive from Shreveport to Natchitoches was mostly small talk and annoying drivers by not going too fast. Thankfully the left lane is for passing so they had somewhere to go. I'd never dream of driving below the speed limit on 95 in Nevada but here it was all good. We stopped in Natchitoches for lunch and some fuel. I managed to go from Dallas to there on 6 and 1/2 gallons. We had Popeyes, Joey had never eaten there before. Now Joey will be a regular or so he said to the lady at the counter.  Here's a few pictures from the Natchitoches to Lafayette leg. By the way, Jurisdictional boundaries mean nothing to Joey, Junior Texas Ranger. He will find you, even in the swamps of Louisiana.

From Lafayette we took the I-10 over the Atchafalayla Basin. Joey and I drove with the windows down and the A/C off. The swamp was great. It was warm though. 82 F or so. Not too bad. Surprisingly for those who know me I wasn't sweating at all. I kinda like the humidity, Joey was ambivalent. The bridge across the Atchafalaya River and the swamp was fun, being so far above the swamp was weird. We got off the freeway at the Butte LaRose exit. Wandered around the rest area and took a little drive down LA 3177. We tried to avoid bothering the local folks out riding their ATVs and Rhinos (of the mechanical persuasion), mostly successful, a few annoyed looks many surprised to see Nevada Plates. We got back onto the I-10, which was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. and headed into Baton Rouge. We crossed over the Mississippi River and we arrived. We still had a bit of driving to do to get to the hotel. but compared to Dallas it was a breeze. Tomorrow morning will be far different, I'm sure.

Tomorrow Joey and I head out toward Atlanta. I think we will skip Florida, it adds nearly 3 hours onto our trip and 9 hours is a long time to be locked up with me in a vehicle. Among our many plans for the day is to go dip our feet in the Gulf of Mexico. There will be pics as well and dinner at The Varsity in Norcross, GA. Stay safe everybody -Mike and Joey. P.S.-We may hit this little town called New Orleans on the way.

Albuquerque to Dallas.

Awesome drive from Albuquerque to Dallas. Yesterday was a long haul so we could stop early and relax on Easter. Yesterday Joey and I left Albuquerque, NM and drove to Dallas, TX. Heck of a drive but very scenic. The drive from Amarillo to Dallas was especially beautiful. Joey and I agree, we need to come back to Texas with a week or two just to see the sights. Here are some pics from our drive from Abq to Dallas.

Through some very poor preparation on my part we ran out of charged batteries for the camera after the Cadillac Ranch, west of Amarillo. After CR we visited the Big Texan Steak Ranch, normally I don't buy into hype, but this place does serve some awesome steak in our humble opinion. Joey had a brisket sandwich and I had the 21 ounce top sirloin. It is one of the best steaks I've ever had. We are definitely going back. We were so entranced with the food we forgot to take pictures. The staff was very courteous and the singing cowboy was a great addition.

After gorging ourselves in Amarillo we still had a drive to Dallas, only a few hundred miles southeast of Amarillo. Beautiful country out that way. Our only complaint is that it seemed as though at every rest area we stopped the restrooms were locked. Not so great for travelers without discipline. I drove through gently rolling greenery and trees while Joey slept most of the afternoon, he would wake long enough to see a new town or toss his Angry Bird at me.

By the time we reached our turn onto 380 at Decatur it was dark. Taking 380 was a huge mistake. I know it would have been longer going into Ft. Worth but the road construction caused us to become very close to oncoming traffic. The road way is usually 2 lanes in each direction with a nice median but with the construction 380 became a two lance highway with very narrow lanes, not so fun to navigate in the dark your first time in the area. Once we hit I-35 in Denton we headed south towards our hotel. It was several miles of awesome driving, It felt like I was in the bay area commuting again. Apparently 2030 is NOT the right time to be driving from Denton to Dallas on a Saturday night. I love the exit and on-ramp scheme in Texas. for the most part it is nice and easy even in crazy traffic. I notice that the further east we go the traffic is a wholly different type of crazy that we are used to out in the west. I flew right past the hotel it was literally right off the exit. I had to circle around to get back to it but it was a breeze after all that crazy.

Flat out Texas is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The stretch from Amarillo to Dallas is from dreams, I understand why Texans love this state so much.

Made it to Dallas.

We finally made it into Dallas. Traffic was awesomely crazy and we are tired. We'll post some pictures of todays adventure tomorrow night. Night all.

We took a right turn at Albuquerque.

 

After a late start we got out of Las Vegas and across the Colorado River. We stopped at a Scenic overlook on the Arizona side. Pretty scenery for sure. Then We continued on into Kingman and headed east on I-40 toward Flagstaff. We took I-40 Business, which is Old Route 66 through Flagstaff. Traffic was crazy but it was a fun drive.

After Flagstaff we visited a neat little town called Winslow, AZ. The Eagles had some great advice for what to do there so we followed it.

I too got to stand on a corner in Winslow, AZ but there was a lavatory emergency. I think the only public use restroom in that entire town is at the Flying J travel center. Road Trippers be warned. From Winslow we continued along I-40 East into New Mexico and we didn't stop until Albuquerque. Joey took some great pictures along the way though. I want to say though, I only used 12 gallons of fuel to go from Kingman, AZ to Albuquerque, NM. 476 miles. Not too shabby.

So after arrival at our destination we downed some Papa John's and are relaxing. The hotel has a breakfast bar at 0600 with a waffle maker. Tomorrow is on to Dallas, TX. Stay cool folks.

-Mike and Joey.

Viva Las Vegas?

We made it to Las Vegas. Our hotel, the Gold Spike is alright, I didn't feel unsafe wandering around it. Joey got a kick out of some of the people. Due to our late arrival there was not a lot of opportunity to take photos but we got a few near the Death Valley Nut and Candy Company and a few in our room.

Thankfully the drive into Las Vegas was uneventful except for the fact that to locals a speedlimt of 55 means 55 mph OVER the posted speedlimit and passing on the right at 90 is perfectly acceptable.

We ate dinner at the "Golden Grill" for dinner. It was Decent, Joey had the steak and shrimp and I had the chicken fried steak. We both left happy.

I'm tired and tomorrow we drive to Albuquerque, NM. Goodnight all.

Great Success!!!!

Joey and I will be traveling Easter Sunday into Baton Rouge. After calling and looking at many places Mason's Grill responded to my inquiries nearly immediately. My email was replied to by a Ms. Shirlee Alfandre. She was extremely courteous and let us know to call ahead for faster service when we arrive. Mason's is also open on Easter Sunday which works out very well for Joey and I.

I'm greatful for Mason's prompt reply. Easter in Baton Rouge would be memorable regardless but it is even better when you do not have to "dine" at McDonald's.

Two Days to go!

Two more days and we are off! I'll be meeting Joey in Tonopah, NV after I get off work Thursday. It means we will get a few hours to do stuff in Las Vegas and gives us some time to stop and take pictures on the way. I've heard rumors of a Monkey residing at the Death Valley Nut and Candy Company of Beatty, NV. Beatty is also home to a large population of wild Burros and not just the two legged kind. Might be a great spot for some pictures.