I left Gallup, New Mexico after a great night’s sleep full well knowing I have one more day’s drive. On I-40, Arizona is far more scenic than New Mexico, especially as one climbs to Flagstaff. My younger self would have taken many detours and stops just to capture the beauty. My older self just wanted to end the frigging trip.
I have a friend from the past living in Flagstaff, and it would have been great to plan a visit. Perhaps, for sure, on the return trip.
Now on I-40 the turn-off to Williams, gateway to the Grand Canyon, had its pull. A one day delay to see the Grand Canyon at sunset would have had no impact to my client. But I continued on – this is business.
So down, down, down I slid into the high desert. I stopped in Kingman for my first sit-down lunch during the trip – at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place.
Finally crossing the emerald green Colorado River into California, I stopped, pulled over, and kissed the hot pavement (weird, but a ritual I have). Now 116 F, I approached the check point.
A handsome young agent noted that I was from Maryland and ask me to open the small trailer that I was towing. I did, and after a 30 second inspection, he told me to have a safe trip.
>West of Needles the temperature peaked at 120 F. The long part of the trip now began to Barstow – still on the iconic Route 66.
A semi-truck carrying grain somehow caught fire destroying the entire cab, delaying my trip by a half hour. No one was hurt.
Finally on I-15 I am forty minutes from my hotel. The high desert along that corridor as become a mini-LA – amazing. Descending the Cajun Pass into San Bernardino is perhaps the most challenging task a driver can face in the US – just crazy. And the fires in the hills added a surreal element – I felt so small entering this space.
On the ground and off I-10 I checked into the Double Tree Hotel for the night, just as the youth orchestra from Beijing did – all these cute young talents clearly wanting only to find their room in this massive hotel to end the stress of the day. Tomorrow I move in to my house – woo hoo!
