At the last minute, which is usually the first minute for me, I decided to join Calling The Dog and Rebel Dancer on a road trip to view the annular eclipse.
We departed first thing in the morning and drove straight through to our destination. After checking into our hotel, we decided to walk to a Mexican restaurant that was, according to the front desk employee, “just down the street.” Anxious to enjoy a nice margarita, we attempted to pay no attention to the temperature (mid-80s) and the fact that we appeared to be heading out of town with no restaurant in sight. Two and a half miles later, we stopped at a gas station for directions and information. The attendant advised us the restaurant was not only closed, but it was a church on Sundays. “We must look like real city slickers,” Rebel Dancer commented.
We did look like city slickers and, luckily, the country folk had mercy on us – not only did they advise us of alternate dining options, they gave us a ride back to our hotel – which saved us from hitchhiking, something we fully intended to do.
Once back, we hopped in our car and drove three blocks South (approximately two minutes) to a fine Mexican restaurant. One margarita later, we returned to our hotel to prepare for the eclipse – or so we thought, we were at the wrong hotel. In this small town of just over 29,000 people, they have two of the same hotel chains within one block of each other and two Mexican restaurants miles apart from each other. Unlike the restaurants, both hotels are still hotels on Sunday.
Not wanting to, once again, get pointed in the wrong direction, we grabbed a map, our safety glasses (both for our eyes and our wine) and made our way to a town with a population of 300. If we get lost there, we’re in trouble.