On the final night of a six-week, post-college graduation road trip in the United States and Canada, my friend Scott and I were enjoying our 23rd ball park. The final stop on our tour and last Major League Baseball game was Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a warm evening in late August. This was the summer of 1987.
During that month and a half, we saw games in most of Major League Baseball’s ballparks, descended into the Carlsbad Caverns and experienced my first broadway musical (Starlight Express). I also read Field of Dreams, the Shoeless Joe Jackson baseball book in two days. The movie version featuring Kevin Costner would not hit theaters until two years later.
Back to my story.
I do not recall who the Royals were playing that evening. I do remember we had a long night of driving ahead of us. Before my baseball cross country boondoggle began, I made a promise to Bob Olson, my boss at UC Irvine. I gave him my word. I said I would be back in Orange County and ready to start my new job as the assistant sports information director by the following Monday morning. The ballgame in KC was Friday night. We didn’t have much time. We saw the game and drove drove drove non-stop until we reached Las Vegas.
When we departed around 10:30 pm, following the game we had one assignment. Steer Scott’s silver Volkswagen Passat on the I-70 West and move.
We drove. And we drove some more.
Naturally, Scott and I traded off driving. I began behind the wheel since I was wired after the baseball game. He took over around 2:00 a.m while I nodded off for a few hours. I found myself back behind the wheel again by 7:00 am. I know this because I vividly recall driving through a crisp Denver, Colorado morning around 7 am.
We drove non-stop for 1,350 miles. That is, until we reached Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mind you, this was before cell phones and digital directions. We had maps, courtesy of a trip planner from AAA. The directions said the drive should have taken a little more than 19 hours. Besides filling up the gas tank and a few important bathroom breaks, we never stopped.
At the end of that memorable and magical trip I said I would never do that kind of non-stop driving again. That said, we made it home in time for my new sports management job.
Apparently, I am a liar.
Thirty-six years later, I drove across country again. I upgraded my travel partner from Scott to my wife Debbie which made it a much more enjoyable drive. I also learned, never say never. Ever again.
Earlier this month, Debbie and I were about to leave Atlanta, Georgia, and head West. We have been on the road, exploring destinations continuously for the past six months. We have been creating new memories. However, it was time to hit the pause button for a bit and unpack our suitcases.
So here’s what we did, prior to that Friday departure I mentioned in my last post. I opened a digital map. I looked at our options. I needed to consider the midway point between Atlanta and the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Why you ask? Well, we had two days to get to Arizona. So we were going to be driving all of Friday and all of Saturday. It was Deja Vu all over again.
Our midpoint, I determined, was Abeline, Texas. Get to Abeline by Friday and then sail into Arizona on Saturday. That was the plan.
The goal would be cruise The I-20 West for more than 950 miles, not get any speeding tickets and then pour ourselves into a random hotel bed right after dinner. Apple Maps said the most direct route would be 13 hours and 45 minutes.
Gulp.
Friday Morning
Our goal was to leave the Atlanta hotel Friday by 7:00 am. We made it out by 7:15. Not bad. By now, cramming everything we could stuff into the Rav4 had become an art. Debbie was best at playing Tetris with our suitcases and belongings. I had one job and I knew what I had to do. - Stay out of the way.
Rain. The skies were gray and it was raining when we left. The highway remained wet until we left the state of Georgia. We were also slowed by traffic for the first two hours. Soon after, the roads dried up and the traffic melted away.
The Georgia landscape eventually turned into views in Alabama then Mississippi, Louisiana and finally Texas. We stayed close to our targeted goal. We were on the road for 14 hours.
What does one do for 14 hours while stuffed into an SUV? You talk a lot. You listen to even more music. Thank goodness we have similar interests, otherwise it would have been a loooong drive. You make fun of odd sounding exit streets and towns along the way. And you laugh.
We reached our destination after dark. We were obviously tired. We quickly devoured food from dinner at a local mexican restaurant and then poured ourselves into our hotel bed.
Saturday Morning
We managed to get up, get out and do it all over again. This time, driving from Texas to Arizona. Another 13 hours in the car. Only less miles — just 925. The scenery was boring, flat surroundings from Texas through New Mexico and into Arizona.
Apparently, at one point on our drive, if you trust our cell phone provider, we left the United States and entered Mexico. Not New Mexico but Mexico. It even said so in the push notification message sent to my smart phone. The message read: “Welcome to Mexico. As talk, text and data is included in your domestic plan you’ll have no additional charges while roaming.”
We decided to have a bit of fun. I captured a screen shot of the note and forwarded it to our parents. I noted in my text message that we took a wrong turn and were now driving back south of the border. The text delivered immediate responses including a phone call from my mother in law.
While we never left America, Apple maps took us off the main road in New Mexico and close enough to the border which triggered that text message. We found ourselves in Columbus, New Mexico, a stone’s throw from a border wall and Puerto Palomas. We drove past a deserted area and the Borderland Cafe, which required a stop and a few photos.
While the cafe was closed, we knew if it were open we could find the best Pizza, Beer, Burgers, Wine and Tenders north of the Mexican border.
Speaking of borders. We left the area and made our way back towards the main highway. We actually had to pass through a small border and customs crossing, even though we never left the country. The man looked at us and around our packed-to-the ceiling SUV. I was just waiting for him to demand we exit the vehicle and unpack the entire contents. Lucky for us, he just waved us through after a couple of quick questions.
Before we departed we had to buy lottery tickets. In the middle of nowhere Charles? Really? Yup. I have a good reason as to why. I always read about these Lotto winners living off the grid or in a small, off the path town and knew we had to buy the tickets at a stop like this. So we did. I blame it on my late mother who always thought she was one lottery ticket away from winning it big. I don’t play very often but when you find yourself near Columbus, New Mexico, population 1,450, it is a requirement.
Suffice it to say we made a donation. No winning tickets. Eventually, we made our way to Arizona. The hard part of this drive was behind us and we wanted to spend a night with family in Arizona before finishing the rive back to California Sunday morning.
The two day drive would cover almost 1,900 miles in a little more than 36 hours. Road warriors for sure. Not ready to do this long drive in a short time again anytime soon.
On Sunday, Debbie and I waved goodbye to family yet again. We cruised for the last five and a half hours back to Southern California as if it was a quick trip to the supermarket for a gallon of milk. Didn’t even feel it.
Here’s the biggest takeaway for me from the weekend. Was it long? Yes. Did we contemplate shipping the car and instead purchasing two plane tickets? You bet. But we didn’t. We made it an adventure and found ways to enjoy the entire process. By the end of the cross country weekend driving marathon, Debbie and I looked at each other and smiled. We still liked each other. The biggest win of all.
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