Day Two-Overlook, Tamales and Pan Dulce, and Blinded by the Light

May 29th, 2021

So, the Welcome Center to NM was almost 18 miles across the border at the first town.  I kept looking for it, thinking it would be just across the border.  So, we stopped, stetched and took our bathroom break and a pic at the sign.  When we got to the Texas border we stopped on the side of the freeway and put on our straw cowboy hats and took a pic.  Next stop was the Scenic Overlook drive on the way to get Tamales.  Took a couple of tries to get the exit right, but finally we got our pics on the overlook and off to Gussie's Tamales and Pan Ducle.  We ordered a half dozen of the red pork tamales and I grabbed a few things of sweet bread to try.  We didn't really care for the tamales.  The maza was kinda bland to us.  So, definetly not the best oes we've had.  I tried the pan dulce.  I don't think I've had authentic ones before.  It was denser than I thought, but they were good.  Not something I'd really want again.  But, we weren't trying to fill up, just try different things.  McKay didn't like any of them.  Then we went downtown El Paso and took some pics at San Jacinto Plaza and then off to the hotel to check it.  It's really hot today, so there's no need to go to White Sands really early.  We want to be there close to sunset, and hopefully, it will cool off a little then. 

 Gulf States Trip May 28 - June 13, 2021

Day One

Friday, May 28th.  I worked all day, trying to get all the things done at work that I could before leaving for my two week vacation.  Lot of config requests for the Union rate updates to get in.  I didn't want to leave early anyway; we were just planning to go as far as Tucson anyway, so we didn't need an early start.  We finally got everything packed and ready (holy cow, how many bags of snacks did we bring?!) and left the house about 6:30.  The kids wanted dinner before we left, so we stopped at Panda and got dinner.  Then, with out bellies full, sitting in the parking lot, we said our prayer before our road trip, and then headed south to Tucson.  Not really any traffic at all.  We hit a little slowdown close to Pichaco Peak, or somewhere--a car in the left lane, suddenly had to pull off to the left shoulder and I had to hit the brakes hard, but everyone was ok.  The hotel in Tucson was nothing to write about.  The WiFi seemed to be out in the room, so the TV had no connection.  The Exit sign near our room was hanging by the cords.  The room was hot, the AC hadn't been turned on, so it took a while for it to cool off.   We just got ready for bed and hit the hay.  Driving to Las Cruces/El Paso tomorrow.