Date:         Tue, 12 Apr 2005 10:40:53 -0400
Reply-To:     vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Campbell <vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coast toCoast!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Back in the mid-90's I drove from Oklahoma to Arizona, picked up I-10 in 

New Mexico.

In New Mexico, I experienced the night sky like I've never seen it!  In the
middle of the desert, no lights, just that big beautiful sky sans light
pollution.  Even better (IMHO), no people, so it was quiet too!

One odd thing that had me flashing back to my time in Germany when I drove
through (then) East Germany and had to stop at the Russian checkpoint -- in
Arizona, on I-10, border guards stop all traffic.  I suspect that they think
if you're illegal you just tell them.  Personally, I found it a bit intrusive
to be asked where I was going and where did I come from and things got a
little bit worse when I started asking the "guard" why he needed this
information.  In these "post 9/11" days, I can only imagine what delusions
these people must be under now.  Needles to say, I regard this I-10 in Arizona
with a bit of suspicion -- if you speak a foreign language, be sure to use
only that language when stopped by a border guard -- it's cheap entertainment
:-)

I concur with the Texas comment, adding that it is generally HOT as well --
Oklahoma isn't much better, but it's where I was born, all the plains states
usually have very nice people with a bit of history in the rural areas.

Have a great trip and I'll see you when you arrive in Boynton Beach!

    -Robert
     '91 Carat
------ Original Message ------
Received: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 10:07:06 AM EDT
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Coast toCoast!

> Avoid Texas .............. It's a long flat boring drive. I think it's
close
> to 900 miles to cross via I10.
> =

> Stan Wilder
> Engine Ceramics
> 214-352-4931
> www.engineceramics.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sam Johnson" <wrey45@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 5:52 PM
> Subject: Coast toCoast!
> =

> =

> > Hi All,
> >        Planning to drive my '84 Westy from Menlo Park CA to Boynton B=
each
> > Florida beginning of May this year mostly along highway 10. Any
> interesting
> > places to see/avoid, stay or scenic views not too far off the main
> > expressway or even a better route suggestion?
> >      Will not be in a hurry and would love to share a beer/lemonade w=
ith
> any
> > listees in towns along the way.
> >
> > Sam
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
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> >
> >
> =