I wake up, brush my teeth, and start the coffee. Wash my face and get my gear on. I gotta be at the starting point by 0500 or earlier. The old adage of “If you’re not early then you’re late” pops into my head. I strap my Talon to the pillion seat, and check the rotopax is secure on the tail rack. All is good to go. Go back inside and have a coffee. I kiss my wife on the forehead and tell her I am heading out.
Pull out of the drive at about 0430 and head to 7-11 to fill up and get my starting receipt. It’s on….. I get to 7-11 fill up and started the spotwalla and Rever. Got my receipt and pic then rolled out.
Mid 70’s and clear, lite traffic and a full tank of gas. Once I am out of town I notice that the lights could use improvement. Low beams and fog lights don’t really provide the range for comfort at high speeds. With oncoming traffic I just can’t rock the high beams.
First fuel stop in Trent, at Alcon. Only 87octane there and had to go inside for the receipt, well I should have stopped beforehand to fuel up. The receipt thing continues for most of the trip. What is the point of Pay at the Pump if you have to go inside to get your receipt? Pull out and next up……. Monahans. Soon after the speed limit bumps to 80mph. Schweet!
Soon after Pecos I get a view of the mountains in the distance. The terrain is changing pretty quickly and the interstate actually has a few long sweeping curves. Nice!!! This part of the ride makes it worth it. Pull in to Sierra Blanca, fill up and take a look around. Nice views, and interesting people and vehicles. The town looks tired and dried up. I am sure it comes to life in the evening.
Heading back to Ft Worth I swing into the rest area just east of Van Horn, take a walk around, get some a picture or two and eat some jerky. Gone in less than 5 min. Stop for fuel in Pecos, after that the ride is flat and straight with construction running rampant. Colorado City is next, followed by Mingus uneventful flat and straight riding.
I am getting closer to home and can see the clouds are rolling over Ft Worth. I lift my visor just to make sure the tint is not making it look worse than it is. The closer I get the darker it gets between the clouds and the sundown. Well, I am gonna get wet. The rain starts a few miles after I am on I-30, a nice drizzle that sticks to the visor. At least it makes it easy to clean the bugs off the visor. I am actually glad when it rains a little harder and the water actually starts rolling off of the visor.
I stop in for fuel the last time at Chevron. Get my receipt and let the Wife know I am almost home.