We rolled out of town, taking one or two last glances at the lake and the city, had a good time, and met super folks there.
Parker was still beautiful, the river winding around the different campgrounds, the vantage point from the highway was so pretty, looking down on the Blue Colorado river with the rocky, rugged terrain.
Traffic was about average, when we came to Quartzite, the town was still not crowded with people, there were a few businesses and eateries now open from the last month and a half, when we came through the other direction.
From Parker on, traffic gradually increased on the opposite side of the divided highway, toy haulers mostly, class A's pulling trailers and off road vehicles of every description.
When we came to Casa Grande all Hell broke loose, traffic going our way increased, traffic going the other way was almost bumper to bumper. Toy haulers by a landslide, many, many, of 3 axel variety, new and shiny, I bet 500 of all kinds of toy haulers, trucks with ATV's, class A's all headed to Quartzite, I imagine.
Traffic our direction, towards Tucson was passing us at breakneck speed, one after another. We were doing 65, on the cruise control, I bet they were doing 85 or more. I saw a cop ahead, off to the right with his lights on, I signaled and got over in the passing lane, passed him and was getting over to the right when a Red pickup truck came up on my right lane very quickly to pass me, I had to swerve back to the passing lane or he would have hit us. He had to be doing 100 MPH. The cop would have never caught him, didn't even try.
We were down the road 25 miles or so when we gradually closed on a new compact car doing around 55 or 60, I got around him, had to take it to around 70 for a minute, pulled back in the right lane with him well behind us. The compact floored it and passed us, pulled in front of us and slowed to 55 to 60. Damn! I told Sue we could try and pass him, but he would just speed up and lock us in the passing lane. He played his game for 5 miles or so, then he sped up and disappeared in the distance. He either got tired of playing with us, or it may have been my high beams, don't know which......
Pulled into Baudry swearing not to hit the road until traffic thinned out, or my memory of the high speed pinball got bad.
Sad news, the Chief at Baudry must have either violated his parole, or got busted back to dishwasher, because the Gumbo stinks now, all seafood overcooked and rubbery, came out cool. Sue's Chicken salad had one medium sized piece of semi cooked Chicken on top of a bowl of greens. All for only $17.95! Last meal at Baudry.
Well, we will head to Van Horn as soon as the snow in El Paso evaporates..Yep! snow in El Paso. Go figure. They do average 6" a year. Surprised me. We will be monitoring the weather channel.
Met new Monte owners here gave them the grand tour, he was cussing me as he walked away, something about costing him a fortune....
See yall on the road!!
Ozz and Sue