Texas’ Yellow City

by Donaji on April 2, 2009

VAN BUREN, AR TO AMARILLO, TX (460 miles)

We drove to Van Buren after Hot Springs to find our hotel and get some rest. It was small town, really cute. We didn’t get a chance to stop to sight-see, but we had to get an oil change the morning after. So we did, in this tiny little shop. The guys fixing the cars that told me to drive really cracked up upon seeing a turtle on my front seat with lamp, seat belt and all. Went in and we both got an oil change, but while waiting, we were listening to the conversation the lady behind the counter was having with a fellow costumer…speaking about squirrels…as pets…that they kept. Horrible. Really, like they begged to stay as guests, as pets or anything like that. Braggin’ about bottle feeding these poor wild animals and how they even took them to work! what?!?!!? Who does that!? It’s a squirrel!!! Geez. That reminds me of the time I heard someone from West Virginia say they kept a deer as a pet cause his leg was injured and they felt bad putting him back out there. How about helping him heal and then send him on his merry way…some people.

Handicap Bathroom We ended up having a late start because, um…well, I think it was just plain ol’ lazyness. We really aren’t in a hurry but I’m wanting to be there soon nevertheless. We had pizza for lunch (terrible), and had to stop by the post office to send a care package to our friend who’s deployed right now. Anyway, got to Amarillo, with enough time to rest a few hours. Everything was closed when we got there so we ended up having another innutritious meal…*ahemtacobellahem*. When we got to the hotel room, we were booked on the second floor and I HAVE NO IDEA why the past few hotels we stayed in didn’t have any elevators…? To save money? to irritate costumers??? so the only room they had downstairs was a handicap room…terrible choice. Smelled like pee, it smelled just gross. Very uncomfortable to look at kinda room for me, cause everything didn’t line up with anything. The shower was small, the water leaked to the bathroom floor, it smelled! the TV was not right infront of the bed, the bathroom door couldn’t open all the way because of the bed….anyway, really dumb stuff to worry about or even care for but I did, care for…and annoyed me. But I was thankful to have a nice big bead with A/C and not have to drive for a little while. Thank God. But for the record…worse room so far.

A terrible incident: Ryan dropped the fish on the carpet. aaaand…he couldn’t pick it up. While he’s trying to pick up the fist and throw it in the tostitos salsa cup, I’m just jumping and screamin’….hoping he can get it in…”aaaaaah! hurry, get it, get it….get it!!!” and finally he does and we almost have a heart attack (not really) but I’m sure the fish almost did….Now this fish, his real name is blue…but we really call him fish. He’s survived A LOT. He’s a wise fish. He’s a beta, a japanese fighting fish who’s fought his brothers and killed them, so he’s been the champion of apparently 4 or 5 fights. If you know what I’m talking about, these fishes are quite cruel…but only to eachother. Anyway, so he almost died again. *wwwwhheeeew*

Once we hit Texas, the wind found us, no doubt. We decided to go see our friends in Tucson, so we’re gonna be driving out of the way for quite some time, but I really wanted Ryan to meet them and you know, them too…too…do the same. On our way to the hotel I noticed the bikes were looking pretty bad, so I called Ryan and we stopped…thank GOD. They could’ve fell off!!! and goodbye bike trip…money….adventure. Now we gotta keep a closer eye.

Next: New Mexico!