Artists at Work

I loaded up and got on the road at 9:30. It felt a little odd going around and checking doors and windows and making sure everything was OK for a couple weeks. It feels like somebody else's house still. The wildlife will have to fend for itself. Rod will manage the pond. I decided to pay him a little to take care of the pond. The previous owners did the same so I'm just following their lead.

I met some other neighbors. Jerry and Dorothy stopped by and gave me a tray of homemade cookies. I froze some and brought some for the trip.

I'm sticking to the interstate on my way back. I could almost do this blindfolded but maybe not this trip. There are lots of trucks on the road and freight trains on the tracks that run parallel to the highway. Maybe a sign of a healthier economy?

Speaking of signs, today's valuable lesson will be somewhat abbreviated. I stopped at a rest area  and found this informative sign. This is an area with a noticeable increase in the number and density of scrubby pine and juniper trees. The name comes from Coronado who pestered the Indians in this part of the country. Every time he wore out his welcome they sent him on to the next tribe. He got most of the way through Kansas but turned back empty handed...probably from boredom.

Even though I'm on the interstate, this route is more interesting than the trip west through Kansas on US-54. That is probably due to this being the route of old Rte. 66.

I stopped for lunch in Tucumcari and just stayed with the traffic all the way to Amarillo.  I noticed a huge increase in the number of wind turbines on the north side of the highway. There were very few the last time I came this way.

I stopped at Cadillac Ranch -- as I do from time to time. I'm not really interested in the old cars. It's the people that interest me and the art work that they left behind. There was a crowd of about 100 people either at the cars or on their way back and forth. Somebody set up a Kettle Corn stand and was selling spray paint cans on the side. There was a guy with a bullwhip showing off with tricks
 and posing for pictures.

There seems to be less profanity and fewer "John loves Marsha" commitment statements (that last about 6 hours before being painted over). Instead there are more peace signs and Jesus Saves comments and some "Live life to the fullest" admonitions. Must be a different sort of art crowd these days.

Give somebody a spray paint can and a target and it unleashes their inner artist.  Some young couples approach the old cars with very different expressions on their faces. The guys have a look of enthusiasm and anticipation. The women have a look of "WTF?  You made me get out of the car in 95 degree heat to smell paint fumes and see a bunch of junk cars covered with paint!!!???"  Once they have a paint can they seem to  embrace the moment and leave their mark.


There had been so much rain lately that the artists were having to concentrate on only a few cars that weren't in a big mud puddle.

There's a limit to how much someone
is willing to suffer for their art.

I stayed at a Quality Inn and it seems OK.  Not much choice in places to eat. I ended up at another IHOP.