From Carlsbad, NM to Midland, TX 
From Carlsbad, NM to Midland, TX
Ending Mileage: 
Day of Travel
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Distance (in miles)
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Departure Time
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Today's ride is relatively short to allow me time to do some housekeeping but really the brevity is an indulgence in my weather neurosis. For the past three days, I've been considering a revised plan of attack to get from Las Cruces New Mexico to New Orleans, hopefully passing through Austin, The Hill Country, Houston or Galveston. The problem is two big storm fronts loaded with rain, one descending from the north and one advancing from the south in the middle of the week. I know I will have to ride in rain sometime during this journey but if I have options I don't think I need to ride into a two or three day wet stretch.
If I head south from Carlsbad, I will probably run into intermittent rain showers and thunderstorms that should last until Wednesday. If I head east, I may run into thunderstorms later today and into early Tuesday but then clearing. That choice sounds better so I make plans to head east. Heading east gives me two choices: head directly east from Carlsbad towards Hobbs or head south to Pecos and pick up Interstate 20 before turning east. I opt for the later.
I'm up and on the road early today. As I leave Carlsbad, I think I'm heading south on 285 but discover that somehow I have managed to get on 62/180. About nine miles out, I turn back to Carlsbad to get on 285. The weather seems to be worsening as I head south on 285. I've got the throttle open trying to get ahead of the storm front that is chasing me into the south. Gradually a patch of clear sky presents itself to the southeast. Happily, the highway begins to align itself with the break in the weather.
But my paranoia is racing. As I cross the Texas border, I decide that I need to take some actions to quell my run away fear. I pull over. I prep the bike as best I can: move all electronics and print stuff into the hard bags. Get the rain gear up on top where it will be easy to put on. Take a few breaths and have an internal conversation that everything should be just fine.
The pep talk helps.
The weather improves.
Just outside Pecos, the engine decides to announce that it is time to switch to reserve fuel. Pecos hails itself as the Home of the first rodeo in the USA. I'm happy for the open gas station on the northern approach to town. Not to mention the friendly clerk that sells me 'the original' Carmex. My sun and windburned lips are happier.
Out of Pecos and onto Interstate 20 heading east. Within a few miles, the temperature again drops as the northern cold front begins to show itself. The ride to Midland from Pecos is about 90 minutes. As I pull of the interstate, a few drops of rain fall onto my face. Weather paranoia returns and my plans to take Texas 158 south toward San Angelo are banished for the day.
I drive through Midland to get a sense of a prosperous town. In the hotel room, I dial in The Weather Channel to be presented with a radar image with absolutely no precipitation on it. Damn, maybe I should have kept rolling. I think I'll take the opportunity to do the laundry, as all my clothes everything is dirty.
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By early evening, there are thunderstorms all around the region. Somewhere in that cloud is a tornado. Overnight more rain and thunderstorms are forecast. It should clear by early morning -- we will see. It is time to go plot the course for the next couple of days. |
Depart Carlsbad on US 285 heading south.
At Pecos, enter Interstate 20 heading east.
Arrive Midland, TX
(c) 2001 Thomas N. Engler Revision Date: 04/16/2001 revised
08/14/01
