Across USA 2010 Day 2

Day One

Okay, so I missed day one so sue me. There are two parts to day one, my part and Nathan's part. Compared to my Nathan's part my was very tame. The only think I can say really stood out was the columbine and the temps. As I was traveling on CA78 to the east of Brawley I Came upon a columbine blocking most of the road. The weird thing was that there were no fields near by. In fact I could see the sand dunes from where it was blocking the road. I thought to my self "what the hell is a columbine doing out here near the sand dunes. It had not fallen off a truck or anything, it was just there. Like I said, weird. Later on I caught up with 3 other columbines driving down the road and I finally figured out that they were DRIVING THEM down the highway all the way to Blythe. Must say though that. Even knowing where they were going it was still weird to see columbines out. I'm the middle of the desert in the middle of no where.

The other part was the temps. When I left Ramona it was 58F within 1 hour i was in the desert and it in the mid 90's. With in another hour it was 100F and it never went below that. It hit a high of 105F just as I was getting to Phoenix. Man was I glad I had my wet vest with me, I used the he'll out of it.

My son Nathan had an adventure all his own. He was driving across the desert out near Borego Springs and a car coming towards him drifted into his lane. Nathan had to go into the ditch on the LEFT side to dodge the guy. Nathan ended up hitting a bush with the left front. Fortunately the spot it dented in is the only spot on the fenders that has nothing at all behind it d he was able to continue to drive the car. Needless to say he was freaked out. All he wanted to do was turn around and go home but we had already given the house back to the landlord so he had to press on. I know it was hard for him but damned if he didn't do it. As for the other driver, he went into the ditch on the right side of the road, spun around, came back up on the road, stopped for a moment then went on his way. We don't think he ever saw Nathan. This happened literally in the middle of no where, Nathan had to drive for 10 more minutes just to get a phone signal to call me. I try not to think of what could of happened. The weird part was at that same time I was thinking of Nathan and thinking about what would happen if he had an accident and I lost him how would the State Troopers find me to tell me. Strange stuff Maynard.

To make Nathan's day better about 100 miles out of Phoenix the AC quit on him. It was 105F when it happened. Nothing he could do about it but keep driving. Got the car checked in Phoenix and found out the AC compressor clutch is TU and no parts till Monday. Rest of trip will have to be with no AC.

Day Two

Today was much better. Started of with a great breakfast that Cloyd cooked for us. I got on the bike and left by 7am. I took AZ87 and than 260 to Heber where I had lunch with Richard and Carol Huff. I had worked with Richard for 14 years and had not seen him in over ten years. It was nice to visit with them and catch up. After lunch I took 377 north to Holbrook AZ. Nice ride over open country. Wind started up, which it always seems to do when I travel through that area. Had to battle gusty winds the rest of the day. When I got to Holbrook I stopped to call Nathan and fiGured out that I was about 90 minutes ahead of him so I decided to get on I40 and press on. As I was getting ready to leave I started talking with this guy on a mid 1980's Honda 1200. He had driven from Tulsa OK to Bakersfield CA to look at a semi to buy. He did not buy the semi but while he was there he stumbled across the Honda 1200 and bought it. Since he didn't have a trailer he was riding it back. His wife was with him so she was driving the car. I told him he could run with me to Grants NM if he wanted and he agreed. About then a storm a few miles away started thundering and spitting lightning so I told him I was leaving now as I didn't much cotton to lightning. He agreed so off we went. We made one gas stop in Gallup NM and then continued on to Grants. He And his wife continued on from there. They were pushing to make Tulsa by Monday night, about 700 miles and there are storms along most of the route. Wished them luck. Personally it is not something I would want to do.

Tomorrow we are off to Elk City Ok, about 500 miles. Will write at end of day.