Words and Light

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — In Central Time, it’s currently 1:33 a.m. on Wednesday the 25th. But where I am, it’s 11:33 p.m. on Tuesday the 14th. Apparently Arizona does not acknowledge Daylight Savings.

Depending on where you are, Esten, Jeff and I are either on Day 2 or 3 of our epic spring break roadtrip out West. I’m sitting in a Days Inn in Flagstaff along Route 66, and this is the first time we’ve had Internet since we began our journey. Because of time constraints and limits on my laptop’s hard drive space, I don’t have any photos ready to post here.

On Day 1 (Monday the 23rd), Jeff and I arrived at the Tulsa Greyhound station at 5 a.m. Esten picked us up shortly thereafter. We breakfasted at Waffle House and stopped for a few photo opportunities in Texola, Okla.

Then we arrived in Amarillo, Texas, and lunched at The Big Texan — yes, that home of the free 72 oz. steak! But it’s free only if you a) eat it within an hour and b) completely consume a fully loaded baked potato, salad and rolls along with it. None of us attempted the challenge, but as a native Texan, I finally feel complete after dining at that landmark restaurant.

We camped out in Palo Duro Canyon that night, where we completed two hikes. I got pretty scraped up on the first hike; Jeff has photos. The damage is worse than anything I’ve ever had at Philmont: terrible scrapes on both calves, my upper right thigh and my upper right arm, as well as a pretty deep splinter on my left index finger. That’s what I get for messing with Texas.

On Day 2 (Tuesday the 24th), we set out at 8:30 a.m. and reached the New Mexico border in no time. We breaked for lunch at this little Mexican restaurant called Padilla’s, in Albuquerque. Jeff’s dad found the place for us, via Google, and upon hearing that it’s cash-only and next to a laundromat, we knew it had to be good. And it was. Unfortunately, my chicken enchilada was swimming in green chili sauce. Fortunately, the sopaipillas were amazing and soothed my tongue.

We spent two hours or so at Sky City on the Acoma reservation, which is west of Albuquerque. Then we tried to make it to the Petrified Forest before it closed/sunset, but didn’t quite make it. So we trudged on West on I-40; stopped to take photos at a corner in Winslow, Ariz.; and are now lodging at Days Inn.

Tomorrow, we go to the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been to any of these places, so I’m super excited.

And I think it’s time for me to brush and get offline!