Thank You Texas State Trooper Brooks!

Wilcox, Arizona - San Antonio, Texas


I left Wilcox early in the morning. I was hoping to drive 700 miles (1126 kilometers) to San Antonio, by mid-evening. As I crossed the state line to New Mexico I couldn't help but notice how beautiful is it. My friend made the comment that we take the States for granted. He is right. I'm guilty of this too. I have been traveling the world. Taking in all its beauty ,but had forgotten how beautiful my home country is. Each state is amazing and different in its own right. I have been on the road two days, crossed four states, and have driven 1680 miles (2703 Kilometers). I'm having a great time. I'm meeting lots of kind and wonderful people along my way. Here are a few stories:

El Paso, Texas

I was driving on a two laned highway. I was in the passing lane with five cars behind me. I was driving down hill at a speed of 80 mph, in a 65 mph zone. I had three big rig diesel trucks to the right of me. I quickly noticed the Texas State Trooper in front of the first truck. I had not yet passed him. As I watched him put on his brown hat, and look in his rear view mirror to adjust it. It was then I realized my fate. I was going to be pulled over. We are all aware of Texas and their slogan"Don't Mess With Texas". This includes driving. Texas State troopers are known to be relentless in giving tickets. It is said they take advantage of out-of-state drivers. Everyone I know who has been pulled over, has been issued a ticket. It is common knowledge not to try to to argue or charm your way out of it, as the fine will increase. Knowing this, I just accepted my fate and sure enough as I made a quick lane change to allow the cars to pass me, I saw his lights flashing behind me. I pulled to the side of the road. Here is how the conversation went:

ST: Hello, Miss. I'll need to see your drivers license and your auto registration please
Me: its a rental car, as I hand him my drivers license
St: you're from California, what part?
Me: (thinking here we go) Orange County, Southern California
St: You are alone?
Me: yes
St: wow ,you rented this vehicle for a long time
Me: yes
St: where are you headed
Me: I explained my planned destinations in full detail
St: Thats quite a trip. ( looking surprised) I pulled you over because you came down that hill a little fast and that lane change you made was pretty tight. I do realize you had cars behind you
Me: I'm so sorry Officer Brooks.
St: looking around the car, is your luggage in the trunk?
Me: yes, would you like to see it?
St: no, just making sure
St:I'll be right back
Me: thinking oh boy......
St: ok, I'm going to issue you a warning ( as he hands me a computerized slip of paper printed with all my info on it)
Me: ummm what?
ST: there are no fines, this is just a warning
Me: (still in shock, I didn't know they issued warnings) do I need to call or send anything in?
St: no, this is just a warning, so watch your speed. You are in our system now.
St: be careful and be safe.
Me: thank you so much Officer Brooks. I really appreciate it!
I was so shocked I pulled off at the rest stop. I couldn't believe I did not get a ticket. Needless to say I'm driving the speed limit and watching my speedometer all the time. I miss cruise control. lol => 80 in a 65 zone is normal in So Cal.
It goes to show being respectful and polite goes a long way.

Ozona, Texas

It was 8:30pm and I was 300 miles outside of San Antonio. I stopped to get gas. I asked the cashier if there was a hotel in the next 60 miles. In her cute Texas accent she says: well Miss if I were you I'd just pull my car up here and call it a night. I reckon ( yes, my Aussie friends, she said reckon, lol) you could drive another 70 miles to the Super 8. We have three hotels here in town. A mom and pop motel, a Travel Lodge, and a Best Western. You do not want to stay at the Best Western. They charge $164 per night. Too much to pay if you ask me. She was so cute. she gave me directions and I was on my way. ( I was in a hurry and did not want to bother using my GPS aka Jill). I thought she was exaggerating about Best Western so I headed there first. To my surprise her information was completely accurate. It was $164 per night. I was shocked. I couldn't believe in this small rinky dink town, with the economy the way it is, that they would charge so much. We are not talking about a Sheraton or Crown Plaza, its Best Western! One step above a Holiday Inn. Come on! lol I went to Travel Lodge. I walked in and immediately walked right back out. The clientel scared me. I continued on another 70 miles only to find they were completely sold out. I went to grab coffee as I decided to drive to San Antonio after all. While waiting in line to pay, I met Corpral Preston of the US Army. He was adorable. He had noticed the time on my watch and questioned me. I explained It was still on California time and was an hour behind. He said it may be on California time, but you are two hours behind. I gasped its 11:00pm. Yep! He said. I realized I wouldn't get to San Antonio for atleast another two hours. ( The highway I was driving was very dark. I would drive for miles and miles without seeing another car on the road. The towns were scattered. There were familes of deer eating on the side of the road. It was awesome.)
He asked where I was going and I began to tell him my plans. He was shocked and couldn't believe I would do this alone. ( I smiled thinking after the traveling I have done, this is a cake walk. Everyone speaks English, uses the US dollar, I have access to the internet and have a car. No worries, well except for.... no, I'm not even going to throw out any negative possibilities. =>) I laughed and said you just told me that you had driven to Maine and back alone. He smiled. Just then the cashier started to ring up his drink and mine, I said no just the coffee is mine. He said hey, I thought we had a connection, didn't you feel it. You should buy my coke. I couldn't help but laugh. He was about 23 yrs old tops. I said, well then, shouldn't you be buying my coffee? He smiled. You're smoothe he says. I paid for my coffee and wished him a good night. He wished me a safe journey.
It was now 2am and I had arrived in San Antonio. I pulled over at a gas station to look for a hotel using my Gps. I started making several calls only to learn most every hotel was sold out due to Spring Break. I still do not understand why anyone would head to San Antonio for Spring Break. I finally found a travel lodge with rooms. It took me 45 minutes to get there due all the turn-arounds and frontage roads. Ugh it was 3am when I finally checked in. Good thing I found a room, I was tempted to keep driving.
I'm glad I stayed in San Antonio. While walking around the River Walk I met Chris, an account exec. He is a proud: "Texas Native". Born and raised in San Antonio. ( BTW there are cars sporting the "Texas Native" bumper stickers. ) He walked with me and gave me some history on the city. He pointed out the old jail which is now a Holiday Inn. He showed me the Governor's palace, and the old stable house. We had lunch at the Westin. Out of curiosity I asked the receptionist what rooms started at. She said $160. OK, I could easily accept this but not for a BEST WESTERN. lol Over all it was a great day. I agree with my friends who have been to San Antonio, it is not to be missed. It is very charming. The people are extremely kind and generous. More stories to come.....

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