The Trek West – Tucson
It’s wonderful the things you see along the way. Sign: Grasshopper Yard Maintenance and Landscaping . . . do they let loose a small plague of locusts onto your lawn to mow it? . . and all the rest of your plants too. Arrows pointing to the town’s landfill site . . . on Skyline View Drive!!
Several Border Patrol stations of varying size but all resembling aircraft hangers open both ends as you drive through. You’re greeted with rumble strips and a barrage of electronics as you approach – presumably all manner of cameras and flashlights with which to identify license plates, car description, faces. They have these as you exit as well, just in case you make a run for it. But in each instance there is usually just one solitary guy sitting in his truck … bored stiff, on his cellphone …. taking not the slightest interest (and we have a trailer, remember . . . perfect for smuggling!). But perhaps that’s what all the electronics are for . . they already have us identified… know where we’ve been/had for breakfast etc. It would be arduous in the extreme to attempt an illegal land crossing . . . miles upon miles of inhospitable desert. It’s difficult to move in the daytime for all the spines and thorns – would be impossible at night . . . and then there’re the hundreds of holes (and the creatures within) just waiting for an unwary foot. No thanks. Glen wondered if diversion tactics were ever used . . . a flatbed truck, perhaps, with conspicuous Mariachi band, sombreros and serapes . . . . while groups disguised with blond wigs and bright red “Make America Great Again” hats sneaked through. Although I make light of it, the situation is deadly serious. One can only wonder at the desperation which would drive such an undertaking.
Entering Tucson there was a strange group of objects glinting in the sky off to the east . . . but maneuvering through traffic, we lost sight. Then on both sides of the road the tails of hundreds of military aircraft could be seen, parked – as far as the eye could see . . . bodies all painted white, their windows covered. With a deep roar and thunderous BOOM, the mysterious objects materialized into a black fighter jet and accompanying support planes zooming overhead. We were in Airforce Base Davis-Monthan territory . . . home to the world’s largest airplane boneyard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis%E2%80%93Monthan_Air_Force_Base They are also the sole training facility of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (the black jet we saw), and provide personnel/equipment for Search and Rescue missions around the world.
Little Anthony’s Gaslight Diner and Theatre is our stop for the night. Part of Harvest Host, they have 3 spaces cordoned off in their parking lot for RVs . . . bit odd, I know … but it works. Old 1950s/60s Diner and drive-in . . . . perfectly restored with shiny red seats and booths, memorabilia on the walls, excellent food with shakes, ice cream or pie to follow. All portions were truly mammoth in size . . . we wisely shared a dinner salad and plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy . . . even then, the portions filled two normal-sized dinner plates. We watched in amazement as two elderly couples at a nearby table polished off entire platefuls each. Thinking we’d have room for dessert, we were too stuffed – so took our apple pie and ice cream ‘to go’ (our trailer was parked just 30 feet away!) Great oldies music . . . a DJ . . . trivia questions with ice cream for winning answers. We left before the Elvis and Marilyn impersonators. The theatre next door had a live comedy performance, which seemed well attended. Earlier in the afternoon there had been an old car show . . . immaculately maintained vehicles with engines so shiny you could see your face. Surely these can’t be driven on roads? Obviously, a lifetime hobby judging by the age of most owners. Fun to see . . colourful too. Despite misgivings about road noise and bright lights . . . earplugs and towels over the windows afforded a surprisingly good night.
