As of today, Lola and I have only one more week in Tucson. Yesterday I consulted maps with a calendar. This extra day had me humming the old Beatles’ hit song, Eight Days a Week:
“E-i-g-h-t- days a week, I l-o-o-o-v-e, love you. E-i-g-h-t- days a week, is not enough to show I care.”
Smiling to myself, I thought of an imminent reunion with Robyn.
For all my efforts, my travel options are limited unless I extend our trip home beyond four days. In theory, I could. My friends, Ross and Joanne, who reside here year-round, floated this idea when I saw them the past weekend while Bob and Linda stayed with me. As things stand, shortly after our departure date, several local highlight events take place.
Unfortunately, this year I must decline their invitation. I’m not feeling spontaneous, especially knowing my girl will be waiting for me a couple thousand miles from here.
***
This year I plan to stay off the interstate as much as is practicable. However, Interstate 10 East between Tucson and Las Cruces, New Mexico is tolerable, barring dust storms, accidents, or over-zealous cops. There are two unavoidable border stops on either side of Las Cruces, which I find a tad creepy since we’re still well inside the boundaries of the United States.
However, past Las Cruces, my plan is to abandon the interstate in favor of U.S. Routes 70 and 60, which eventually will carry Lola and me through New Mexico and into west Texas not far from Amarillo. New Mexico is a lovely and interesting state.
As of this moment, my first overnight stop will be Roswell, New Mexico, of flying saucer fame. The Wikipedia version (found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_incident) reports that military balloon debris recovered in 1947 near Roswell, New Mexico, later became the basis for conspiracy theories alleging that the United States military recovered a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft.
Several years ago, Lola and I drove through Roswell one fine and sunny mid-morning. In my mind’s eye, I see a bustling, nondescript main street. I am confident it will be fine for one night.
If Lola and I stay overnight in Roswell, we’ll spend three nights on the road.
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This past Saturday at 2:000 a.m. folks in my hometown and most other places changed their clocks in compliance with Daylight Savings Time. In the United States, only two States don’t: Hawaii and Arizona.
In the case of Hawaii, being so close to the Equator means the days are all about the same duration. There is no reason to change.
In the case of Arizona, it’s the heat! Soon it’s going to be too damn hot to step outside your home or business for an extended period. The cost of electricity to cool all those homes and businesses can’t be ignored.
I’ve been confused a couple of times by the recent time change. Keep in mind I enjoy my time here and feel fortunate that I don’t have to pay much attention to the clock. Also, the change creates a 2-hour difference for me that involves some schedule adjustments.
Finally, for about three days my cell phone time remained one hour ahead of Tucson when in the rest of my part of the country, it was two. Fortunately, my phone is finally displaying the correct time.
While I travel this coming week, I must also take the week off from posting to this site. Be back soon!
