Flashed New Mexico, Now On To Texas And Some Killer Firsts!!!

Well Hello Again...

In the efforts of catching everyone including myself up to speed on this journey I will continue again from where I last left off! After an amazing time in New Mexico it was off to the BIG state of Texas where I would finally see for myself if Texas was In Fact too BIG for the MACK or if the MACK was Actually Too BIG for Texas!

The drive was again extremely beautiful! I have had all the luck in my travels from state to state in regards to weather and the SUN did not disappoint on this day either! As I crossed into Texas I really took in the large never-ending plains and very slight hills that frequented my route! They seemed to roll on and on for what seemed like eternity but I did not grow tired of this! Everywhere you looked there was wild stock with cows, horses, sheep, and birds of all species! I began to see those singular MINI-Oil Rigs that are so prevalent in these parts! All working away for a little of the fortune that there is in that greatly sought after resource of ours!

As I continued on, I passed through a town called Junction where I almost stopped and camped out in my car but I decided with just a few more miles I could make it to San Antonio! When I finally arrived it was late and the only thing I could find that was economical was a KOA campground on the outskirts of San Antonio, next to the AT&T center! An area that I would later come to find was... (How Do You Say...) Not the GREATEST of areas to choose to settle down! None-The-Less I pulled up and though it was after hours, miraculously made it through the guarded gates into the camp ground where I met a very nice gentleman who let me stay the night! He was full of stories and we actually stood at the gate for about a half hour talking about my travels and where he had been in days past! He had actually lived in Alaska so we instantly had a connection and I cannot thank this gentleman enough for his hospitality and great advice! Despite the area I was in, the KOA campground was immaculately clean and hospitable, unfortunately I was still dealing with a case of the "ALLERGIES" ever since Arizona and probably kept some campers up with my coughing and wheezing! The Yaris, despite all of her amazing features and sheer "Awesomeness" as a vehicle proved to be a worthy adversary when it came to sleeping in her across the back seat! I tossed and turned and tossed some more! Probably only got about 2 hours of sleep or so but was thankful for a safe place to "Kind Of" rest!!!

The next day I headed into town and visited my first Laundry mat on the road! It was here that I met a couple of very friendly and open individuals and we story-told for what seemed like hours but in a good way! In the end this was where I discovered some places to look for work and also the fact that Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes and more were in town! In fact I was able to get a last minute ticket, front row of the balcony for the event just a few hours from this very moment! On another TANGENT, I'd just like to state for the record that it is times like these in random places along my journey where I have been LUCKY enough to come across random strangers who were both kind, open, professional (usually ;) and willing to take the time to help someone in need! I have more confidence and respect for this country due to this very fact! I have yet to meet anyone who has been or done the opposite! I did not expect this, and for that I am greatly appreciative!

Now back to the journey! Sorry about that TANGENT!!! That evening I stayed in another MOTEL 6 (Who REALLY should SPONSOR me!!!) and headed off to the Lil' Wayne concert at the same AT&T arena where I stayed the night before! It was amazing, what a diverse audience and it was a good show all things considered! Unfortunately T-Pain could not make it due to a medical emergency earlier that day but I heard about it and don't blame him for not making it! The "theatrics" were awesome with Extreme Pyro-Technics amongst many other aesthetics that really made the show "POP!" It was well worth the ticket price and I would recommend his show to anyone into the newer age of rap!

After the show I retired to my Motel 6 where I hunkered down as the dreaded "STORMS" that my MOMMA and every NEWS Channel in Texas had warned us about! In fact the town of Junction that I had passed through the other night saw two and half inch balls of hail and severe winds and rain! I luckily missed that as I did not have any undercover parking but it was still a giant "Cluster F" of weather!!! It continued though less drastic in the morning where I went to meet a good family friend Eric Haugstad and his family! We went to lunch at Papadeaux's which is a great seafood chain restaurant in these parts where he treated me to a couple more firsts and check marks off my Bucket List! We dined on Jumbalaya Soup, Alligator, Prepared Crawfish Etoufee and blackened Crawfish!!! By the time we were done exploring and experimenting, he literally had to roll me out of the joint!!! ;)

The next day I took in downtown San Antonio and got to see the Alamo for the first time! It was pretty interesting and reading about the history and all made for a memorable experience! Right next door is the Menger Hotel where Teddy Roosevelt and his "ORIGINAL" Rough Rider's used to stay and frequent!!! Of course then there was the RIVER WALK where I sampled some absolutely Thirst-Quenching Margarita's, Did some shopping and saw what downtown and the San Antonio River were all about! Another beautiful day and I even came across some fellow Washingtonian's during my Margarita libation!!! They were on a motorcycle tour and were headed to the Carolina's! They also happened to have several daughters that all graduated from Washington State University! It was pretty cool spending time in foreign land talking about a University that I am still to this day, so Passionate about regarding my education and the times I had there!

After a full day of exploring, I went back to the Haugstad's home and stayed the night with them, all the while having some of the best home-cooking I've had in some time! Tina prepared the most amazing meal with every side you could imagine and THEN SOME! We had some TEXAS-Sized steaks and all the fixings! After ward we ate home-baked pie and then all fat and happy, Iretired to bed! I am so thankful to Eric, Tina and their family for their amazing hospitality,cooking and conversation! You are all amazing and you truly made my trip!

Despite the last few (OK, Many) paragraphs of good times and good things, between New Mexico and Texas, it was also a very trying period of time for me! I spent a lot of time alone for one thing and the storms that came through dismantled WI-FI in many spots I stayed. This was were I fell greatly behind in my blogging/photos and videos! I also had several unexpected expenses pop up when I had to get a lube oil and filter taken care of and they pointed out that my tires were about ready to blow up! 4 tires and a new laptop later due to unforeseen computer issues and Mr. Matthew was temporarily in the "RED!" Despite this, though I came out of San Antonio newly refreshed and ready for bigger and better times! May the road ahead not disappoint, keep me safe and bring many more memories! Till Next Time...MACK OUT!!!