Headed off from Odessa around 10am and had a Subway on the way. What a long slog this one turned out to be. 42 miles between the two towns and although I got excited at the possibility of a break at Notrees there was nothing there.
The 'village' got its name when in 1944 they wanted to establish a Post Office there and asked the person who built it what the name of the place should be. He looked around and saw no trees - original! More have been planted since.
For as far as the eye could see I could only see oil derricks, pumps and scrubland. Mile after mile of pumps as this area of West Texas is the Permian Basin, an area that is naturally rich in oil. Ranches, oil, pickup trucks, Country & Western on the radio - you get the picture? Something that I had not experienced before is the fact that every few days I notice the sunset is a little later - even though its pedal power it still makes a difference!
To finish of my day I had a meal at the Huddle House - I was served by a lovely lady who's name is LaVodis and we are trying to work out where her name originates!
The chap Jeff Reed who was sitting near me was talking about the evening's 'entertainment' as they go shooting Coyotes at night using searchlights. They are employed by the Ranchers and they must shoot a minimum of 20 per month to retain their licences. The Coyote can kill young calves and a lot of deer so therefore need controlling.
Couldn't see any frogs!
Whilst I was sitting doing the blog in the Huddle House I met up with Dwayne who was ever so friendly and interested in the Cyclocar. He asked me where I was going to stay for the night and when I said I would be wild camping he offered me a bed in his home. He was fascinating to talk to as he worked in the oil business and was going out to the oil field in the morning to check the final details prior to the drilling rig being setup. He invited me to go along as I was very interested in seeing things at first hand. He gave me the full rundown of his life over the past 27 years in the business. I have it all on tape and will listen again to it later. He has a collection of cars and a beautiful Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide. He showed me also some of his pictures from his trips around the States to various meetings. I am really keen to get to sleep now as we have a 4.30 start in the morning where we will head off to two places in the oil field that are being readied for drilling and pumping. By the way that pump that I have shown below is a Pump Jack!
My new good friend Dwayne who thinks just like me!
And for this short blog of today here is something to send you to sleep................
We live in Kermit and we were heading east that day as you were heading west. We saw you as you passed through Notrees. Did you notice Kermit's face on the watertower?
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