Meanderings Of An Abject Fool

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.