Still Alive Tour V

Day 5: Continued

Weird way to start a post, but, we both had to pee since we hit Mexicali. We pulled into the first gas station we saw, on the right. We also needed fuel, so we quickly splashed in some gas, and ran for the restroom. Todt didn't want to leave the bikes and gear sitting alone, so he offered to let me go first.

When I got out, he asked, "How bad is it?"
"AAA rated it one of the best kept restrooms on the border. They gave it 5 stars."
 "Really?"
  "How long can you hold your breath?"
   "Oh, I guess we'll find out."
    "If your not out in 10 minutes, I'll send in the attendant, for your wallet and keys. Try to plan your landing outside the pool of excremental bodily fluids."
     "Thanks?"
When he returned, 90 seconds later, I asked, "Well?"
"I've smelled cleaner drunk tanks on a Saturday morning." He laughed.
"I've woke up in dirtier ones." I said, not willing to be outdone.

Once clear of the city, we bumped up our speed again. We had high hopes for making the Grapevine before dark. Then, I saw a red and blue light bar coming up behind us. He wasn't lit up, but he was moving fast. We slowed to 80mph, as the Border Patrol rig blew past us. We just looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and fell in behind him, as if he was our escort.
It really worked, a few miles ahead, a random Border Patrol Check Point was in full swing. He drove around the cones, got to the front of the line, and waved us through. Sweet!

We pulled in at Salton City, for food and rest. The restaurant had a big banner that said "NOW OPEN, SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER, GREEK FOOD" but the parking lot was empty. We rode all the way around it, trying to see inside.
Finally I pulled up near a door. and we walked in. A nice lady welcomed us, and the rest of the family looked at us from the table that was serving as their living room, where they were watching TV. I'm not sure, but I think could hear "Hotel California" playing hauntingly in the back of my head.
Looking over the giant menu, I spotted gyros, hooray! So, that's what I ordered.
She said, "We're out of gyros."
I heard, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1969."
"Err, I'll just have a bacon cheeseburger. Ya, fries are fine."

Burnt burger, deep fried bacon, and soggy fries lying in my gut like lead, we hit the road again.
Hauling ass till we hit thick traffic in San Bernardino, we split lanes as best we could. Gradually, my back started cramping. Then it began to spread to my limbs. I motioned Todt up next to me, and pointed at my tank.

While fueling up, at the first station we saw, I admitted that there was no way I would make Grapevine tonight. As much crap as he likes to give me, Todt is a great traveling companion, and even better friend. He took out his phone, and started looking for hotels in the area. When I said I thought I just needed to walk around for a minute, he suggested we get a sugary drink and talk it over.

1/4 dose of pain meds, a 20 oz Dr Pepper, and 15 minutes later, we were back on the road. Traffic had cleared considerably, and my pain was settling to a dull roar. Things were looking up.

We had settled on Lancaster. I knew of a nice place where I had spent many nights. I just couldn't remember the name, or if it was on Ave I, J, K, or L. We would just take a shot.

(10 years or so ago. My dad lost his battle to cancer. I had quite a few other family members who also lived in Lancaster. Over a three year period, four of them passed. Between all the visits, and funerals, I had gotten to be a regular at this place. But, somehow, I couldn't recall it's name or address.)

We tried the first hotel we saw off of Ave I. They were full, so was the one next door. I asked about an older place, next to a Marie Callender's, a lady just getting off work there said, "Oh yea, down on Ave K." We had our Bogey.

They hooked us up with a King suite, next to the pool, drinks, dinner, and breakfast. I hope I can remember The Oxford Inn, next time I need to bed down in Lancaster.

After dinner I soaked my bones in the spa, while Todt took a shower. I followed suit when I got back. We celebrated the awesome water pressure, and laughed about the ability to brush our teeth with, and even drink the water, right out of the tap.

Exhausted, we climbed into our beds. and were asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

Stay tuned for the final chapter.