Driving to Missouri

Two days and some hours later, the pickup and trailer loaded, I a ready to head eastward to Missouri leaving California, but not for the last time.  I would have to travel back at least one more time on business before that chapter would draw to an end.

Bound and determined to make it as quickly as possible, I pushed myself and the truck (an trailer) as hard as I could trying to get to Missouri as fast as possible.   The trip was really a blur with nothing truly notable happening on the way.  The only two memorable moments being to have to pay $4.59 in California for gas (one more reminder of one reason I was ready to leave HIGH PRICES!) and a break in New Mexico to stretch my legs.

Rested and awake, I looked for someplace to fill up the truck and my belly before continuing eastward.  It was easier to find someplace to fill up the truck than it was my belly so I filled up the truck and headed eastward.  I was just a ways west of Flagstaff, and did not stop to eat until I was east of Flagstaff.  Traveling alone had its advantages but having company would have been nice too.  There were so many things to stop and see and so many empty miles that could have been filled with conversation and idle chat!

Just east of Flagstaff, I found a truck stop with a restaurant and pulled in to tend to my needs.  As I got out of the truck, I was amazed at how the wind was - strong enough to push my (at the time) 220lb+ self across the parking lot!  My goal to eat not dampened or thwarted by the wind I made my way in for an unforgettable meal before continuing my trek eastward.i

Seeming to inch way along I wondered if I would ever reach my destination the suddenly Arizona was behind me and I entered New Mexico.  Not a major deal, not that the scenery had changed that much or that I was on any kind of schedule other than my own.  Still it was a milestone and I was that much closer to my destination.  Quickly I calculated in my head approximately where I was and how much further (longer) I had to go.

With blessings the truck continued to 'purr' along and I was thankful to the Lord for making it this far with no complications or trouble.  Stoked with the excitement of reaching my destination and feeling rested after sleeping in Arizona, I continued on my way with no intention of stopping for sleep again until I made Joplin.  A little further down the road and I noticed a great deal of neon lights.  It was a casino and seemed to be the perfect place to stop and stretch my legs for a 'few' hours without actually getting a room.

After pulling in to the casino parking lot, I parked the truck and trailer and made my way to the front door of the casino.  Now there was nothing spectacular about this casino, out in the middle of no-where New Mexico.  It was pretty much like any other Indian casino I had or have been to in my life.  All the same it had slot machines and seemed to fit my needs to stretch my legs.  I walked around for a bit until I found a familiar looking machine and plopped my frame down on the stool.

With money (pre-trip win in California) and time to burn, I put $20.00 into a nickel machine and commenced to press the buttons.  Other than it was a short time later, I am not sure how long I played before the machine began going off with all its bells and lights!  Fortunately it was fairly late at night in the middle of the weeks and an attendant found me relatively quickly to make good on my winnings.  The win was a blessing and added to my bankroll and helped to fund the cost of the trip!

Not wanting to push my luck, I collected my winnings and headed back out to the truck to continue my venture east!  Checking the status of the gauges, I looked at the clock to see I had whiled away two hours.  More than ample time to stretch my legs!  Feeling pumped by my blessings I continued through New Mexico and watched the sunrise.

With pangs of hunger starting to well up inside me and the morning sun shining in my sunglassless (note previously broken sunglasses) I began to look for a place to have breakfast.  It wasn't long before I spotted a familiar sign and pulled in for a leisurely breakfast before continuing on.

Venturing onwards it wasn't long before New Mexico was behind me and I entered Texas for a brief period before it became Oklahoma.  Entering into Oklahoma, called for a brief stop to service and fill the truck at the first filling station.  It was a short stop, before continuing the journey but required a stop a short time later to service, feed me before continuing on.  Carefully planned I might add to avoid heavy traffic in the traffic centers (Oklahoma City) before hitting the turnpike and making my way into Joplin.