Day 4 – Feelin’ Groovy

Spent a loooong day driving from Weatherford, TX (outside of Dallas) to Carlsbad, NM to get to Carlsbad Caverns in time for the impressive 1.7 million-bats-belched-out-of-cave show that begins at sundown. There was an hour-long setup in an amphitheater right outside the cave. How much info about bats is too much?  We were right there when the swarm let loose. Underneath the flight path, we were so close we could’ve reached up and grabbed them.

It has been a lot of miles thus far and we’ve reached the point where we feel like we’re in motion even when we’re not. Kids are still in good spirits. Purely from the quality of the roads and the appearance of the landscape, I’d say we’ve been most impressed with Texas thus far—least impressed with Mississippi and Arkansas. Here in R E M O T E New Mexico, though, it feels the best. 40% humidity with unbelievable skies and an eerie quiet that makes you notice the wind more.

So far on this trip I’ve gone in for all kinds of things I don’t normally go in for. Wal-Mart was a godsend today as we were looking for odds and ends. Watching blockbuster movies drive-in style has been fun, even though I wouldn’t necessarily put on European Vacation at home. And I have been reliant on Spotify, even though it pays out shameful royalty rates to musicians I know and love.

One day was all classic rock/pop—treating me to songs I like (“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Oh it’s Magic” by ELO, and “Horse with No Name” by America) as well as some that I realize I hate (“Logical” by Supertramp and “American Pie” by Don McClean). The next day was all piano playing male singers (Ben Folds, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, John Legend and Frank McComb). Yesterday I relived the cross-country trip that I took with my parents before I entered fifth grade. We had several tapes that we listened to again and again: Journey, The Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross, Jim Croce, and Simon and Garfunkel. I listened to them all.  Today, on our way through desolate Texas, we listened to Johnny Cash’s “Ghost Rider”, “El Paso” by Marty Robbins, and the Charlie Daniels Band’s “Devil Went Down to Georgia”—a huge hit in our RV.

As much as my brothers and I used to make fun of it, “Sailing’ by Christopher Cross holds up pretty well. So does the Doobies’ “Listen to the Music.” Though for pure enjoyment and wow factor, Frank McComb is my new go-to. What’s your favorite road trip song/artist?