Tucson, AZ
Back to Carlsbad Caverns for a 9:30am hike. I take the elevator down for a 1.2 mile walk through the caves. The park ranger sternly tells our small group to talk only in a whisper and not to touch any surfaces – anything you touch would be permanently damaged. I didn’t take my phone with me, so I have no pictures inside the cave. It’s cool, very dark, and quiet. There are so many limestone formations; it’s hard to describe how I feel deep inside these caves. The entire walk takes about an hour and a half. I am alone for most of the hike, and picturing any of my grandchildren in these caves makes me laugh out loud.
Around noon, I hit the road for the nearly 7-hour drive to Tucson. There’s very little traffic and very few places to stop. I suddenly found myself in El Paso, TX, and what John used to call “munchie boulevard.” McDonald’s is my go-to quick stop – a regular hamburger and medium Diet Coke. This hamburger is the best choice for eating on the road – it’s reliably tasty and not messy at all.
Along the way, all traffic is directed to go through a border patrol checkpoint. There’s a separate line for commercial vehicles and cars. The cars are quickly waved through. A sign reads that detection dogs are in use and to restrain your pet.
Other signs seen along I-10 to Tucson: Dust Storms Possible + Low Visibility a Possibility + Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers in This Area.
The sun is almost blindingly bright – not a cloud in the sky. And windshield wiper fluid is no match for these bugs. The squeegees at gas stations work very well, but not every station has one. Planning to make a 3rd stop at a car wash tomorrow.
As you get closer to Tucson, you’ll see interesting rock formations. I wonder how they built I-10 through this rock. Many of the rocks are leaning against each other – how do they stay stable like this?
I watch Today every morning, and Courtnay is also a Today fan (whatever you do, don’t say anything negative about Jenna Bush Hager around Courtnay). (I like Jenna’s book recommendations.) Anyway, driving into Tucson makes me think about Savannah Guthrie (a fellow Pi Phi, by the way). I admire her for returning to work and carrying on. She’s a good example.
Supper was a quick stop near the Hampton Inn – Hawaiian Bros Island Grill. This is a Honolulu Bowl with teriyaki chicken, rice, and vegetables. Pretty good.
I have another long drive tomorrow to San Diego. Six hours.
Cave book recommendation: All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat (young adult).
Arizona book recommendation: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (middle grade).
Kelly's SC to CA Road Trip and Reflections 