The view out the windshield...

Has been awesome, and curious.

As I approach Philmont Scout Ranch, in the exalted town of Cimarron NM, I have a chance to reflect on all that I've seen in my 4 day, 3 night journey across this great country of ours. And it's been a bunch.

To be fair, it's been a bit of a blur. Gotta love interstate speeds west of the middle of the country (+5 mph for time, but not enough for a ticket; you know you do too!), low-ish traffic loads, and drivers who seem to understand drive right, pass left. Oh, and don't discount Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping options, once you get used to the admonishment to put ones hands back on the steering wheel if you take advantage of both too long. Not often, but it's harsh. Tesla can go pound salt.

Not quite like this, but wow!

In the interest of capturing my full impression of all that is to be experienced, I took notes on my phone (securely attached to dash, so technically hands-free), with the Android swipe typing technology. On reflection and review, this didn't work so well. I guess the bouncing of the car and my ineptitude has left me with a set of notes that are nearly indecipherable. I do remember a few, can translate some of the others, and will ignore some that seem, well, gibberish.

Caveat Lector

Ok here goes, in no particular order, and most likely incomplete but hopefully still informative:

• I did not realize that with all of the music at it's disposal (courtesy of the insane fees paid by crazy cross country travelers), that SiriumXM REPEATS it's songs on every channel on roughly a 6-8 hour cycle. I could be wrong about the timing, but not wrong about the repeat, damn them and their fees, and my need to hear music at almost all times.

• Why did I not plan this trip better and stop at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, TN, which is shaped like a mirrored pyramid and MUST contain something that I haven't already viewed at every other BPS that I've visited in the US (don't ask). I'm sure they had something that I don't need, but would have paid good money for. Be Prepared.

• Just who buys all of the fireworks that keeps these warehouses in business as you pass through larger cities. Based on some basic research those same cities ban the same, so do you buy them and just shoot them off where no one can witness, legally or otherwise? We'll never now. I didn't.

• Arkansas has a wine region. No, I wasn't compelled to stop for quality wines. Or just wines. Maybe they'll be the new Chile soon. Or not.

• Buc-ees (sp?) is my capitalist hero. No $#!+, they had a billboard announcing the next one 648 miles ahead! My Jeep cannot even make that distance without at least one other gas stop, unless I push it the last 200 miles or so. Nothing like creating demand and desire; you go beaver-boy, love your nuggets! (no gutter minds please)

• There seemed to be short periods of highway that had an unusual number of burned pavement areas. Sort of like stalled cars are subject to spontaneous combustion if you stop too long. Or bad mouth the wine. Just keep moving and wonder if it was firework related.

• Lectures seemed like a good idea to download (education rules!), but ones mind can drift as the miles pile on, and so podcasts might be more appropriate. Less expensive, but saves having to keep repeating the wise words of tenured professors from exalted universities over and over and over. I want to be educated, I swear! Educate me, but could you say that again?

• Does anyone stop for historical markers on the side of the road. I didn't. I am tempted on the way home, but I'll probably forget by then. Such a bleak region, what could they want to share?

• Why are there so many dead armadillos on the road? I cannot think they jumped in front of drivers like a deer (they would be deadly if they could move that quick!). And aren't they armored? Seems a waste. I'm guessing there would be more, but maybe they are tasty?

• I was listening to Road Trip Radio on SiriusXM, channel 301 (no sponsor money received), but only sporadically. How can there be >300 channels and NOTHING on?! Is satellite radio the modern equivalent of cable TV?

Ok, that was cathartic. A few more, but maybe I'll save those for a slow blog day.