August 14, 2009
On my way home from Lincoln, New Mexico. Left at 5:30 this morning. Huge thunderstorm hit at about 4:30. Major lightning and heavy rain on the tin roof of Casa de Patron. It doesn't get any better than this. Is there a better sound than rain on a tin roof?

Spectacular clouds all the way to the Arizona line. Stopped at the Owl Cafe in San Antonio (N.M.) for breakfast ($15 cash, includes tip). The locals were talkng about the new effort to make the Pledge of Allegience optional in the local school. One woman said it's an insult to all of the soldiers who died fighting for this country. Another woman said it makes foreigners uncomfortable. A hispanic dude in a construction shirt sitting at the bar said, "If they don't like it, let them go back where they came from."

I always find this an odd comment to be making in America, of all places. Of course, the Apaches said the same thing in 1880, and a lot of good it did them.

Crossed the Arizona border at ten and pulled into Springerville (up on The Blue), stopping at a Java joint on the main drag. Had a muffin and fruit and decaf ($10 cash, includes tip). Really enjoying the open road. My kind of road trip.

"Never cut what you can untie."
—Old Vaquero Saying