Despite nearly hitting a dumbass dear and subsequently attempting to dodge it at 70 mph causing me to run off the highway and violently make two complete 360 degree turns, winding up facing the wrong way, the first day went very well. No damage to my car, my stuff or me.
It's always a treat when a destination surprises you with beauty you assumed it didn't had. Who would've thought the desert would have such sights to behold? Obviously, there were those lagging moments that drug along for the ride, but this isn't your West Texas drive.
Southwestern New Mexico, in all of its desolate nature, harbors the most surprising of these treats. Heading west out of Lordsburg and over a ridge I see the interstate flowing into the distance, with rugged mountains painted with gold and yellow flowers with such balanced beauty. A train rolls along side the interstate, transcending a stereotypical desert landscape out of the wild west into a romanticized story of desert edginess with spring fragrance. It was a scene so perfect...yet due to the dangers of pulling off to the side of a major interstate, I wasn't able to photograph any of this.
And Arizona itself has harbored a few surprises of its own, with its contrasting landscapes of barren, burnt mountains, so jagged and rough because it's the only way to survive the climate. The Texas Canyon area, between Willcox and Benson, happened to have a rest stop featuring breathtaking scenery. Too bad the haze hid the distant mountains, but nevertheless was worth the twenty or so minutes I spent taking photos and simply soaking it in one pore at a time.
I could have made it Phoenix, but who can pass up a $50/night deal, especially when there's no guarantee Phoenix would have anything remotely that cheap? Sure, I missed an opportunity to go to Alice Cooperstown, but hey, it's reason alone to return. And Tucson isn't a bad place to stop. It has a small town charm with a mid-sized city attitude. It features a business complex made of bright colored adobe, as if Santa Fe decided to drop acid. It features a presidio now used for government complexes, but was once the sight of a Mormon stopover along their march into what used to be Mexican territory during the Mexican-American War, with a nice memorial statue to commemorate their contributions to the war as well as a homage to all Tucsonians (if that's what the locals refer to themselves as).
And who can forget the food? If you're ever stopping over in Tucson on a Saturday night, hit up Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant. Although pricey, it has wonderful food and live jazz music every Saturday night. Their Cajun meatloaf with Ancho Maple glaze was fantastic, as was their hummus.
I just posted a few pics on facebook and more should trickle in as the journey continues. Until next time!
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