Well, I'm finally in Arizona! This has been the most difficult RV trip I've ever been on -- with an over-abundance of bad luck, stupidity (mine), and unplanned expenses. I won't bore you here with all my troubles, but (for the family) click here for details. I haven't really hit all of Interstate 10, but most of it. I left Tallahassee, Florida on 3 December and will arrive at Quartzite, Arizona tomorrow, 15 December 1999. I've covered all of I-10 except 169 miles from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, 382 from Las Cruces to Phoenix, and 172 from Quartzite to Hollywood. I've driven the Tallahassee to Jacksonville segment many times and wouldn't have had much to say about it anyway -- Jacksonville has a nice beach, but not much to report on between there and Tallahassee. I skipped the Las Cruces to Phoenix piece because I took a side-trip to Albuquerque and some friends convinced me to cut across on U. S. 60 to Phoenix -- see Alb-Phx Shortcut below for some views on highway 60. That last little piece on to Hollywood will just have to wait for a later date.
Before I started, I had planned to mosey along, stopping at points of interest, checking out neat little towns, and putting all my observations on this website. For various reasons, I didn't get started in early October as planned, I therefore couldn't take my time and complete the trip before bad weather hit in Texas and New Mexico, so I did what I often do and wanted to avoid on this trip -- rushed and probably missed some really good times. There are a few things I'd like to mention, so let me take you on a quick trip across the country on the southern-most route.
The major discovery I made was in joining the Passport America club. This only costs $39.95 per year and allows you to stay at half-price at many campgrounds across the country. I've been camping for $5-7 dollars most of the way. Quite exciting!
Tallahassee, Florida: Capital of Florida -- right, the capital isn't Miami or Orlando, it's Tallahassee. I grew up in Tallahassee from age 12 to 21, so am not enamored by all the state capital hooplah, the two universities (Florida State and Florida A&M) that support much of the town, or any of the many cultural attractions that some people consider to be of major importance. The new thing I found that I thought was really superb was the auto museum on U. S. 90, East of Tallahassee just West of I-10. This little museum boasts over 100 cars of various types. They have one of the Tucker cars (remember movie "Tucker, the Man and His Dream"?), a real Bat-Mobile (from the first movie I think), and many, many more from very old to classic 50's and 60's to some really different more recent ones. The museum's owner also collects all kinds of strange things, like bottle openers, kid's toy wagons, gas pumps, and on and on. Really worth the stop and only a couple of miles off I-10. Plenty of parking for RVs, etc. Just cut off I-10 and go toward town (West) on 90 on the East side of Tallahassee.
Biloxi, Mississippi: To be honest, I didn't really stop this trip, but have several times before. What's worth mentioning is their casinos, which I really enjoy, and more specifically, their Pai-Gow poker. One of the few casino groups in the country where they play Pai-Gow. A really neat table game without the pressure of Blackjack or the expense of games like Caribbean Stud, Baccarat, or Let It Ride! If you like to play a casual table game with some pretty good player odds, learn Pai-Gow.
Lake Charles, Louisiana: When you see the signs telling all truck and bus traffic to take the loop to avoid downtown construction, go with them! The downtown, one-lane construction zones are so narrow, you just have to charge on through and listen to see if you hit anything.
Texas: Something occurred to me as I followed I-10 across this vast state -- I'll bet this is the only place in the country (other than perhaps Alaska) that you'll see a mile marker 873. It sure is a long way across! I'm amazed by its size every time I cross it. Learned a valuable lesson this trip -- I've started filling up my truck when it gets just below half instead of waiting for the quarter tank mark. My truck has a range of well over 200 miles, depending upon how fast I drive. The winds across most of West Texas really affect the mileage, however, and almost left me out of gas in the middle of nowhere. I filled up in Junction and noticed it was exactly 200 miles to Fort Stockton, so assumed I'd next fill up there. Was really surprised to note that I was just under a quarter tank about 40 miles out. Still not a problem, since the quarter tank is always good for over 50 miles ... hoho. Drove right past Bakersfield, Texas about 35 miles out since I wasn't sure if they had diesel or not. Started looking for a diesel station then --- there is none -- no station whatsoever. About 15 miles out, I was real close to empty and about to panic. Got to thinking about that travel club I had considered joining ... hmmm. Stopped at a picnic area 12 miles out and dropped off the 5th wheel. Even without the trailer, I still barely made it to a station -- sure was relieved to see it East of Fort Stockton. Went back and got the trailer, vowing to never let things get that close again.
Marfa, Texas: Stopped in Marfa to check out the "Mystery Lights" -- there's a viewing area 9 miles East of Marfa on U. S. 90 where you can park all night if you like. The lights appeared as predicted, but looked alot like the lights of a town or group of houses near the mountains. Only by convincing myself that there were no houses out there was I able to be fascinated by the lights. They didn't dance or come toward us (me and the 10 or so others at the viewing) as had been reported by some, but were very interesting, did appear and disappear, and did flicker with varying intensity. Found several related websites, including one from a skeptic who doesn't believe in the mystery of them and one from the city of Marfa promoting the lights, but these change and disappear frequently, so do a search if you want to learn more about the Marfa Lights.
Alb-Phx Shortcut: Look at a U. S. map -- if you were in Albuquerque and wanted to go to Phoenix, your first tendency might be to take I-25 South to Las Cruces, then I-10 over to Phoenix. That was mine also. Then some friends suggested I take U. S. 60 out of Socorro, straight into Phoenix -- looks much shorter and faster on the map. What the map doesn't show is the mountains. I'm not really sure of what to expect on that stretch of I-10 -- haven't been across there for several years and don't remember -- but I'll bet I burned more gas and spent more time on 60 then I would have on 10. I left Albuquerque about 11 and got to Globe, Arizona about 6. Saw several areas of snow and was worried I'd not be able to get down to a reasonable altitude by dark. Just made it. Note to Dennis and Ben: As it turns out, the scenery between Globe and Phoenix this morning really made the highway worthwhile. Beautiful mountains and canyons, Saguaros, and even a Road-Runner to lend the Arizona aire to the morning drive. I'm sure the scenery on I-10 doesn't quite compare. This morning's drive was to me by far the most picturesque part of the trip thus far, even better than the Las Cruces to Albuquerque drive on I-25, which I also had found extremely beautiful.
Well, that's a much-too-brief presentation of I-10, just as my trip was much-too-hurried. Perhaps I will have more leisure time on the return trip -- I had hoped to re-visit some of the spots mentioned in my "Retire and Travel" book. Am really looking forward right now to tomorrow's introduction to Quartzite! Hope to be back on the internet with some interesting desert reports within a week or two.
My Travel Log
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2. I-10, End To End
