Meanderings Of An Abject Fool

Woke up not so early, still early, i’m not committing whimsy and planned for final jaunt of trip. I can’t hit my penultimate stop in Oklahoma as the National Weather Museum is temporarily closed. They are moving to a new bigger 2500 square feet, that’s bigger really? location. So for me for now it’s bout over. I’m approximately 8 hours away and did I mention it’s hot? Extremely hot. It’s ironic (situationally) that the weather museum is closed when it’s most pertinent. So I’ll drive and drive till home and finish trip. By that I mean cleaning. Couple months living in campgrounds and car takes its toll so cleaning while horrible and a pain in the ass is necessary. Did I mention the heat?

I drove, filled up tank with really inexpensive gas 3.50 a gallon…apparently that’s cheap. Loaded up on cans o coffee drinks and gas station food due to on arrival I wouldn’t be interested in doing anything, eating, cleaning, et al but sleep and doing so in a bed my bed.

Next morning I got first haircut in a couple months dropped off rent picked up some pills and all the necessary things I had to do to join the real world again.

It’s been a lovely practice run hopefully soon I get the real thing if/when car/cars come out and I’ll head east got oodles more to see more of the good the bad and the ugly all of which are the same.

To be continued?

Started in Cameron and headed to closest national park excluding the gateway arch which regardless of title is not a park I started at Teddy Roosevelt and did horseshoe north down west coast and back to Cameron after last park Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico.

Just hit white sands our newest park and the name more than fits although it could be called white hot sands for accuracy’s sake.

Bout 3-4 hours to Carlsbad cavern national park not a bad drive but extremely hot. If you haven’t noticed this is a theme.

Surprisingly to me anyway the place was quite crowded with parking almost full and only spots left were a heatstroke away.

Once in cavern I’d figure out why so crowded. It’s perhaps the only place with a comfortable cool temp. Being that I took bout two hours to go up and down it was comfortable and necessary. I was hoping people would go slower to make it last.

It took a couple + hours and was groovy and cool. Problem is getting out of the cool to the wall of heat.

That’s the last national park on list but as I’m getting older I’ve noticed a fondness for the weather channel mostly because while it’s news and important it’s not the recent truckload of stupid, and the weather in general. One of the Steve’s told bout national weather museum in Oklahoma definitely a place to stop and rather timely considering super El Niño. Apparently they think so as well because they are doubling the size of it and it’s temporarily closed for these renovations.

While depressing my trip is coming to a close and will probably drive straight through to Cameron tomorrow and start cleanup. That’s worst thing about long trip setting up and tearing down. That’s for tomorrow, being another day.

This was a big one at least for me. Since childhood I’ve longed for a past that most likely never existed. I’ve seen footage of the mother road in old film reels and wanted to go there or at least a couple of the more iconic stops.

For the stop was in Winslow Arizona a very small(not quaint) town who’s main industry is the state prison and the upkeep and support there of. Few restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores(not sure if plural) all to feed the machine.

The one vestige of the mother road is The Wigwam motel an independent with no connection to any chain. This alone would make it a rarity. It’s also has only 27 freestanding concrete teepees with bed shower and restrooms all that is needed in the unbearable heat in the dessert.

I had dinner, went to bed in my large concrete teepee and slept the sleep of the not so just and not so pure.

Next stop the most recent of the national parks that being White Sands National Park as if not obvious there’s bunches of sand all of it white.

No camping at park found nearby BLM land that allows camping near Holloway AFB. Plugged in coordinates and off I was.

Google Maps took me fastest route regardless of whether or not it was legal. fiat took me to entrance of white sands missile range. Oddly enough I don’t have clearance and must turn around go back bout 30 miles. Next it takes me to a nearby road this one private (think really long blocked driveway) again flummoxed I drive far enough away that I get good useful directions.

This is all happening slowly as my phone is constantly overheating so I’m navigating during the short periods of battery coolness. No where to stop and get directions as there’s nothing nearby or farby(not real word).

Finally in New Mexico it’s much like Arizona without the faux cities. It’s one of the poorest states so it’s filled with federal land and those that can handle or have no choice, the heat and the lack of convenience to practically anything. I like it.

I get to camp car parked and here’s problem. During day extreme heat and at night extreme wind which means lots o sand which means a gritty sweaty pseudo sleep I’ve no interest in. Car camping it is and I sleep the sleep of the dirty and tired.

No pictures on this leg as had to save phone for a possible emergency. It wouldn’t matter think grit and heat. I am not staying another night. In morning one difficult hike later(still getting sand out of everywhere) I’m on my way to last national park that being Carlsbad Caverns.

Last night had to get campsite off national park land. While plenty of space no campsites unless you’ve got permits and doing backcountry hike in thing.

Nearest one wasn’t it’s about 25 milesish but before going stopped at gift shop bout 4 miles away as they had picnic tables and fire pits. On front door it said FREE(never happens) camping. Double checked and they do. No electricity showers but everything else including wind. Lots and lots of wind. I couldn’t even get tent setup so car camping for me along with about ten others.

Up a trifle late as they shut down only road to park till eight but it’s on timer and no human needed.

Lots to see and do I’m kinda shocked more aren’t here but then remember the hot.

Hike over tons of sweat later I break camp and head back to Winslow. I gotta teepee er wigwam waiting for me.

Off to the Petrified Forest National Park. It’s in Arizona and Arizona is a trifle unusual. Almost as if it’s a selection of constructs around foreboding deserts.

In the constructs(major cities) there is much but not from Arizona. It’s not natural, especially all the grass(the most useless planting done in at least this country)it doesn’t have the resources for it yes I mean water. Without AC this place would kill most. I spoke of a lack of water but it really has few if any natural resources at all.

Tomorrow I hit the park trails and spend night in an air conditioned Teepee of which I’ve been wanting to do for years it harkens back to a time when a smallish road (by today’s standards)connected this country Route 66.

Once again phone is overheating and I’m sure the hike and Park won’t help. To be continued…

Per Tom and Kathy the Palm Springs windmill tour is my kinda place. Hiking non existent on this stop but it seems neato and I’m going.

Starts out like any other drive in the area long hot and crowded.

It was getting warmer as I was headed to Palm springs. Particularly the Palm Springs windmill tour farm. I’ve seen wind farms before on this trip and on my way to work back in Mo but this one of largest so much so they give tours.

There are about 500 of different sizes down from more than double that since it opened in 1980.

As technology changes so do wind mills. Early ones were wood, think Northern Europe, updates in technology brought metal, now carbon fiber, space age polymers rule the day.

Earlier modes had 5-8 blades. Look in some fields and those that still have windmills (primarily used for pumping stock water/ irrigation) with over ten blades made of metal. in the 80s two blades became the standard until computer models showed the sweet spot at three blades.

First question I asked is how long before the tours start do they get here to hide all the dead birds.

He laughed ironically and said “typically about an hour but that’s because the pit we throw em in is out of our line of site.”

Approximately 1 million birds a year are killed in wind mill related accidents. Compared to oil, coal, and natural gas wind is, while not perfect , definitely ahead on points.

Currently wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy available with nuclear being by far the most expensive.

Loads of fun loads of information and a highlight of the trip so far. If you’re ever in the area you could do worse. Main problem is on the ground while on the tour the wind does its best to knock you down. I’m serious.

You might be saying your last picture is still at the beginning. It is my phone wasn’t/hasn’t been thrilled with temp both inside and outside car. This day was 104 and phone not fond of it.

That being said I only got a mile up this steep bastard before turning around. I brought tons of water and it was mostly gone and by this time what wasn’t gone was mostly steam.

On to Arizona and more hot. Stopped at a rest stop to do business and fill up water. You gotta drink quick because it typically goes from cool to hot in about 20 minutes after that you don’t wanna shower with it much less drink.

After that I was heading to cheap BLM campground but after arriving thought better of it. Only animals I saw were occasional snake, lizards and one roadrunner. Why no pictures you ask ? It’s to damn hot at this point phone was useless. I couldn’t even take a picture of the dead cactus I saw.

Kept driving all day till found some shade and a place to camp near Montezuma’s Castle.

Petrified forest next.

On my way to campground near Carlsbad cheap and only bout an hour drive time when Tom texted me asking my plans I told him where I was camping.

Turns out while he was having house redone he stayed in local hotel and was an ambassador. He called em got me a room and he was out nothing. HUGE thanks to Tom an Kathy for setting it up. I had great room( bigger than my apartment) a shower and a place to relax.

Stopped by Aptera they’re not doing tours but was hoping to get in lobby just quick chat. Not so much it’s locked and I’m not an influencer so I don’t really count. Accepted and rather pleased that I’m not and I don’t. The car was in front of office.

Back to hotel leaving the meh behind. Still getting it if/when comes out but that will be after Telo so no damage there.

Hotel shower tom called we gonna meetup at The Taco Stand for dinner I do dig on tacos. Looked up online noticed several locations and was thinking what haven’t seen you bout 30 yrs and we getting glorified fast food? I needn’t have worried.

Went to Encinitas little if no parking which he took care of by leaving a no parking till 4 sign up till I arrived an removed it as if reserved right in front.

Fast food not exactly you don’t see a line 30 people long outside of McDonald’s if you did think end of world. That’s the entrance to taco stand and inside people bargaining for others table and chairs. They look to see how close to finished and if close ask for dibs when others leave. Or at the very least we did.

Great tacos I had one nopales and a pi apple pork both awesome. We stayed ate and caught up. On 30 years since I’d seen both of them we were all living working in Chicago at same time.

Dinner over my car much closer so my brilliant idea was to grab squares outta my car walk back to theirs and enjoy evening smoke. Or not. It was then Tom informed me. “Scott you can’t “ thinking he was committing whimsy I laughed but he wasn’t joking. Apparently Encinitas doesn’t allow smoking anywhere! Home-nope restaurants- nada car- zilch open air-hell no.

While not a law dancing is against a city ordinance as well. One which will get you ticketed. Where is a young Kevin Bacon when you need him.

We said or goodbyes and I couldn’t have had a better time plus they gave me a couple of stoping points near cactus to clouds trail and my next campsite that im totally diggin including the windmill museum/tour. Considering my quest for electric sustainable cars I’m must see the tour for that sort of energy. Hooray. On my way leaving to prove my rebel side while still in Encinitas I lit a square and drove away while puffing in city limits. I’m so dangerous.

Camping at Joshua Tree but umteen gagillion miles from last site (parks are large) and getting ready to nap tomorrow gonna blow… I’m going to tour of windmills.

Had a filthy BLM campground after the strangeness of Joshua Tree and Captain Loopy no hiking nothing really excluding bug. So what to do? How bout watch supper fun survival horror. Hills Have Eyes (original) The Cabin in the Woods, and oft forgotten but same premise Wrong Turn.

Got to camp and while it’s lack of popularity is appealing hard to get anything including gas without hour or so driving. Not as crow flies but takes a bit.

I’m fairly sure pinnacles is one of the least popular national parks. The grounds are a bit shoddy especially bathroom/shower. They also carry little in supplies. It’s not the hottest everybody wants to go there but it’s extremely warm and I didn’t even get to see a condor nor anyone else as that info would have spread.

It was a good if warm hike and the background if not Korea it did look like the MASH set.

I’ve got a fear of running low on gas so I took drive for an hour to make sure filled up. I did at over seven dollars a gallon. I know it’s California but damn this starting to change often and not for the better. I certainly wish we could find responsibility (irony). In case you didn’t get it.

It’s latish and getting up early In next couple days I’ll be in Carlsbad and that spells Aptera.

Woke up it was pitch black and during the night another camper arrived in an actual vehicle so I wasn’t concerned that they would eat me à la the Hills Have Eyes. I like leaving early as that means I arrive the same. Giving me time to organize the day and relax.

Problem with being early is oftentimes park isn’t open. Not a. If deal I filled up tank it’s only 5.60 gallon grabbed a gas station breakfast burrito and relaxed in parking lot reading a book.

Joshua Tree National Park is kinda unusual compared to others. While due to geology it’s kinda isolated but due to geography it’s also right on the edge of civilization. Walmart is less than ten minutes away. Usually at parks it’s gas station food but here you’ll find something almost anything no more 10 minutes drive time.

Okay I’ll begin by saying this is all my fault. No one else to blame but me I should have known better.

I get to camp set up it’s early and while only doing short it’s to the trailhead and back just see the area and it’s groovy.

Check things out and back to camp. I’m walking so I get to see bunches and perhaps meet a neighbor or two. My sister says I’m naive and too trusting. She’s absolutely correct.

On my way back at the water station to fill up RVs septic system and the like I spy a gentleman with a pickup getting water. He’s older and I asked if he’d like some help. I should have had tongue amputated years ago but as I didn’t he answered.

Damn right you can and then started going on bout a recent B52 crash(not being a plane guy I didn’t know they we’re still flying) and how his wife could have told them it was going too just like they could have told em the space shuttle challenger was going too because they knew what was really going on. This is the moment I should have stabbed myself and said i needed to get bandaid. I did not.

He then went on a rant bout a bisexual he knew that could only be with 250-300 lbs women. No clue how this came up or sleeping with heavy women makes you bisexual but I wasn’t asking. I’m a slow learner but once there I come around.

He then asked if I knew that the local town council are all homosexual cumdupsters(his words). I replied that I didn’t I’m from Missouri. As he was telling me the proclivities of local politicians his truck bed was bleeding water which I pointed out. It happens all the time and lifted camper shell window where there was a plethora of tanks, bottles, anything to hold water. H wasn’t as much of a camping neighbor as a pilfer of septic water.

He moved hose to another container and started filling again. While going on about skunkworks (a secret division of Lockheed I’m told) and how they been poisoning water with uranium since the 50s. I didn’t mention if poisoned his pilfered water probably was as well. Again slow to get that he’s loopy but once I knew I thought better than to bring it or anything up as it would be part of some conspiracy.

For telling him his truck was bleeding he offered me a Budweiser “I stopped drinking but thanks”. His reply “ I don’t drink anymore…course I don’t drink any less that’s an old air force joke “ I didn’t have heart to tell him while it’s old I don’t think the Air Force could lay claim to it.

He asked if I had ever seen (I could make it up but don’t have to as he said it) The Hills Have Eyes? Yes and was just thinking about it last night. “That’s no coincidence “. It’s this area all the folk here are full of that kinda poison”. I wanted to ask if he knew what a coincidence was because he pretty much gave me a perfect example.

He took me to the back of truck where I admired the bumper stickers. “Love you stickers my I take picture I’ll understand if no?

Go ahead his reply and I did.

“It’s getting late I have to get cleaned up for the evening “

“You do and have a good evening watch out for some people around here remember contaminated with uranium” “ thank you and I will it’s only bottled water for me from now on “. To my car I went which was out of his line of site. Bout 20 minutes later he found me and wished me a good evening again.

Yup only bottled water for me.

Had a great morning at Telo but had to keep going south. South means heat and camping spot had little to offer including a lack of cool. It was late had to get journal updated and wanted it with comfort.

Hotel cheap and had a bed. What more could I ask for? Gas nearby if close to six bucks so I stopped.

Phone obviously too hot and breakfast calling. Sit down inside and let the food do its job and prepare phone for doing its job.

Groovy drive excluding the closer I get the heat going up as well.

Alyssa from the general store advised to get gallons of water for drive to thermometer it’s very long water is key just in case.

She also said I wouldn’t like this one but it’s important. No matter how much I want to don’t turn on ac as it will heat up engine and perhaps slow down or even stop the car hence extra water. No problem was my reply “I just had a pass in northern CA—she stopped me with “Sedona Pass?”

“Yes” said I

“You should be fine that’s the bane of my existence. It’s the steepest road in USA. It’s only an average of 10 which is still horrible but has parts that are 26% grade! That’s not a pass that’s a gravel ladder. “

It’s de rigueur for me to wake up early but after pee o’clock (midnight) I had a square and was hit with a wall of heat a dry one but still A WALL. The only remote in my cabin was for AC. It’s the only amenity I need. After packing wasted no time and left. So my phone wouldn’t overheat…it did 3 times. Heading to a BLM campground near Barstow which takes its merchandising of Route 66(all rights reserved) seriously.

Out o Death Valley still stupid hot!!!! Found campsite not a person or a lost soul in site.

Not wanting to be mirdered just for being available. Leave early again and head to Joshua Tree National Park

I

A gas station burrito and 6ish gas, I won’t ever run out-best laid plans. Short drive today arrived at campsite too early and had little difficulty navigating through the Yucca but I’m at a new home again.