4/2/2011
I originally didn’t feel like getting out of bed today. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by the large selection of items at the breakfast here at the Tucumcari Best Western. But, even a big breakfast wasn’t enough to jump start my tired body. I ended up napping for another hour. Montoya was calling me and I couldn’t rest peacefully knowing that I had road to cover. My feet hit the path at almost eleven. The cost of extra rest was that I’d have to run in the hot sun. I guess there is a trade off for everything.
Now if there is one thing that has recurred on this trip, it is that wonderful moments can happen at the most unlikely of places. First on a desolate patch of the old route 66 a lady motorist and her family pulled up to ask me if I was alright. Anytime I encounter such honest caring I smile. I took the opportunity to tell them about the Papa Didos cause and they took the opportunity to ask me to sign their day planner. Little did I know there was some activity brewing ten miles down the road.
Since mother nature has a sence of humor, she decided to skip any semblance of moderate weather. This was the second scorching day. I really don’t know how winter switches to summer in the span of twenty-four hours but it happened. The conditions dictated my moderate pace for the day. It also dictated my appetite for a nice cherry sunday. I knew I would be able to get one at a little rest stop at Paloma. What I didn’t know was that I would encounter many new faces. I unassumingly walked in, found my mom, and headed for the Dairy Queen counter to order my sunday. After ordering Sendo “Rosy” came over to greet me and told me my money was no good in their establishment. He adamantly refused to take my money because he loved my cause. I guess it just so happened that while my mom was waiting for me, she told the people at Paloma what I was doing. I’m sure a little Asian lady in the middle of the desert is out of the ordinary.
Now while I was having my ice cream treat on this hot day, Rosy told some of the employees at the shop about what I was doing, as well as some of the customers. What I thought would be a quick pit stop ended up being a book signing session. It was fun for me for sure. I started by getting a book to sign for Rosy’s grand daughters. But, I ended up giving it to the table behind me. There were two other guys at the table and they wanted books as well. I went back to the car to get more books. Now when I was outside, I got stopped by Simone and Dan. They are on their way to Topeka, Kansas and they wanted to purchase a book as well. They were super cool and even said they’d be in Jersey around the time I am supposed to arrive there. I even recieved an offer for lodging. Such awesome people. Again I had to return to the car to get books for Rosy, Bravo, and Maira. This time I got the books into their hands and we got some pictures.
The sun was growing stronger and I thought it might be in my best interest to hit the road. But, sure enough, Paloma still wanted me to stick around. I met Carmen, Carola, and Natalia. Mi nueva amigas Bolivianas. Me gusto mucho las Bolivianas. I have fond memories of my friends in Bolivia they have such kind and gracious women. Well, these three fit the bill and they reminded me of my fiesty yet warm friends in South America. Lively, and beautiful, these three were on a journey to different places. Again I had to get some books from the car. I wouldn’t have believe it if I was told there was going to be so much actvity at this lone standing Dairy Queen. After signing the books and a few more photos, it was really time to hit the road. Charged with energy from all the well wishers, I ran the rest of the mileage into town rather quickly.
I ran right into my hotel room and decided to wait for the sun to go down a bit. I ended up soaking in a bathtub for a moment and then falling asleep. When I woke this time around my muscles and body were alert and responsive. I arrived in Lesbia in what seemed like no time. I looked at the clouds in the distance and thought about how great New Mexico has been for me and I decided twenty-eight miles was plenty for today.
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