Friday, October 15, 2010

Day 44: Deming To Las Cruces, Day 2


Last night was cold and noisy. Because it seems the whole state is fenced, it's hard to get too far from the noise of I-10. And, the nights are getting colder out here.....not sure the temp, but I need to start wearing warmer clothes soon. I started out at exit 106, and thought there was food around exit 116, about my normal rest time. The sun was getting higher, and it was a great morning for walking.

Well, exit 116 had no food, nor anything else except signs telling about food on up the road. So, guess it's gonna be beef jerky for breakfast. Actually I've come to like that stuff, so take back anything negative I've said in the past.....and it's lightweight and keeps forever. After my rest, back on the road.

Today was one of those days where not much is happening. I did encounter a Border Patrol checkpoint there on I-10. Every vehicle traveling west from Las Cruces has to stop for a short check. I never knew Border Patrol did checks anywhere except the border, so something new to me. Fortunately, traffic on I-10 is light enough that it isn't a terrible inconvenience. Can you imagine stopping every car on one of the interstates on the East coast? Traffic would be backed up for 50 miles.

Some of the students have asked me what I did about going to the restroom while on the road? Well, you get creative, and put your pride aside. The Border Patrol inspection station is being expanded, so the construction crew had port-a-jons for their use. I asked permission, and they were fine to share the facilities. Nothing fancy, but better than battling the thorny bushes of the desert.

This was a day where no exits happened when it was time for a rest. So, not much benefit from them, and I just plugged along. I had noticed a sign advertising a large truck stop at exit 132, so decided to make that my stop for the night. Truck stops are normally 24x7, and many times have showers, restaurants, etc.....good stuff for truckers and walkers. As I approached my exit, here comes an EMS truck, lights flashing, and pulled up to me. Someone had reported a walker on I-10 needing help. They decided I was doing fine, and went on about their business.

Finally reached exit 132 around 6, had some food at the attached Subway, and looked around for some place close by to camp. Right across the street was an industrial park, and the entrance was nicely landscaped (even had a pomegranate tree) Because there were no signs stating otherwise, I assumed camping was allowed.....and I did. The location was great, but the truck stop was busy most of the night, so there was some noise. But, a nice, safe, place to be after a long day.

As I was nearing the truck stop, I noticed a frontage road alongside I-10. Hopefully, my time on interstate highways is over for the remainder of the trip.

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