Hey noodle what did you do today?

Well I woke up to my alarm, and slowly roused myself out of bed. I knew that if I wanted breakfast, I'd hafta get down to the dining room by 9. Sometime during the night someone had slipped me a note, informing me the elevator was out of service. That's okay, I was only on the 3rd floor. I got ready and bounded down the stairs, then arrived like 10 minutes before 9. The only person in there was an older gentleman who was reading the paper and nursing a cup of coffee. He told me most of the things were gone, but that was fine...I made do!

Obviously I had to use the self-cooking waffle thing, and when I did, I found the waffle was shaped like Texas. In Texas, even the waffles are Texas! That, combined with 4 sausage links and a couple cups of apple juice was enough to get me through the morning. After eating I headed back up to my room, packed my things, and left.

I decided to swing by a nearby parking lot for some geocaches (Because when you're named Kyle, ya' gotta get geos in Kyle!), and after going around the construction on some back roads, managed to score a couple of finds in this massive multiplex-style parking lot. After that I headed to Walmart, where I bought a thing of hydrocortizol spray (for my bug itches) and a bag of ice. I decided to throw out the cheese while changing ice, since it had gotten wet and gross. Also the guy who was the checkout-dude said “Have a good day, sir”, and I thought he said “Have a good easter”.

I headed back on the highway, and let mile after endless mile pour past. The traffic thinned, and before long I was on a road with an 80 MPH speed limit that passed through large parts of cowboy land. As before I felt a familiar sleepiness creeping in, so I pulled off at a gas station and took a smol nap. It didn't last long, as I got there around 12:15 and woke about 1:13. I got some gass and headed inside, and found the station basically had a bunch of car parts, and little else. That, combined with an attached restaurant and an inn that shared the same parking lot, made for a nice, self-contained eddy in the economy.

I felt a bit better, and continued on my journey. I felt absolutely impressed that anyone could survive in such a landscape; much less finding a way to do so centuries prior. The lands are absolutely inhospitable to all but the bravest grasses and trees. The sky feels like a mighty weight, and the trees dare not impede its glory...Instead they grow outward in elegant, complex spirals.

I saw a sign for a Dairy Queen and felt that I needed exactly that. I pulled off on Exit 365 and got a chicken breaded steak sammich with an order of fries and a Fanta. After eating, I forced myself back into the car for more traveling.

I've never felt agorophobia, but driving alone through the large desertscapes, seeing for endless miles, and finding no water, I admit I felt a growing unease beginning to take over. This was interrupted by Ian while driving, but because I was in the mountains, the call cut out. The phone signals dared not intrude upon the natural landscapes, and even the radio, whether playing in Spanish or English, felt timid in those mesas.

I eventually got to civilization (There was a statue of a giant road runner in the city!), then after winding up on a 2 lane back-road that warned of flash floods and had a 75 MPH speed limit, I called Ian back. I told him that it was a strange land and it made me feel uncomfortable. He joked about Fentynol. While chatting dad called, so after concluding our conversation I called dad. I told him a little about my journey but because I was so far from civilization, the call was beginning to cut out. Also I saw a small, unfamiliar rodent cross the road. Maybe a stoat!

I got to a small town called Marathon at around 5:30. I tried to get gas, but the pumps wouldn't read my card so I continued on to Big Bend. I had over 100 miles left to empty. I should be fine, right? Wait, did I just pass a border patrol inspection station?!

I did pass a gas truck on my way to the national park, which was a good sign...And speaking of signs I grabbed a couple photos of the Big Bend sign before heading on to the Welcome station...Only to find out it was closed for the night. I did see a map that told me gas was near the other Welcome station...26 miles away. I had enough to get there, but I never like running the tank below 50 until empty, and this would have me getting there with 35.

I turned off my AC and drove slowly. Honestly it was easy to drive slowly, as the sights were beyond belief. The colored mountains and dramatic foliage were almost alien in appearance, and each contrasted the azure and marble skies and made for an amazing drive. Still, I did count down the miles eagerly.

Finally the road ended at a juncture, and I could see the welcome station ahead and...Gas to the right!? I drove over there, less than half a mile (Passing a sign that read 'Study Butte') and sure enough! Gas! A bit pricey, but gas! Over 15 gallons were needed! Feeling better, I went bathroom and went to the station. I found a map that showed some camp grounds, and I headed to one that was right on the America/Mexico border.

Again I drove slowly, occasionally taking photos of the marvelous scenery. I ate some breakfast bars and I must admit that a forlorn feeling was beginning to settle upon me. Perhaps it is that a man, when content, should never be allowed to be in open lands alone with his thoughts. I have to imagine that if the early cowboys weren't so worried about survival, there'd be a hell of a lot more poets and artists from that era. Nevertheless, it's a feeling that I knew well enough. The food helped quell it some, but a weary, day-long exhaustion usually amplifies it. Loneliness. Temporal events...Just a lot of passing, rainy nonsense. :b

I got to a campground as the Sun was setting, then using the last bit of light I went bathroom, brushed my teeth ('cause the bathroom's light wasn't working, and other than a flashlight someone left on atop one of the TP holders, it was completely dark), then set up my tent in camp spot #76. I did see a big nest of ants on my walk back to my camp site, but I avoided them and let them do ant things. After setting up my gear, I grabbed my laptop and did my daily journal as the night began its shift, the mosquitos emerged, and night peepers filled the air.

I went to bed around 8:30, but slept fairly poorly due to being paranoid about bears. Every bump in the night left me feeling fearful. At 9:30 I heard something ruffling my tent, but it was just the rain-flap blowing in the wind. At about midnight I went outside and just basked in the air. At about 4ish I heard something in the tent with me, and found out it was a cockroach. I squished it with a shoe and went back to bed.

I hope everyone has a Big Bend Day! <333