ROAD TRIP TO TEXAS
By Jeff Knight on Living
Well, I am officially in Texas. Driving in on Friday night was awesome. As I was driving I saw this native growth area of the city all lit up like a High School football stadium on game night. I thought, "That's weird, why do they light up a river like that?" Then I realized the river was none other than the Rio Grande and on the other side--1/2 mile--was Mexico. At that moment the amount of miles hit me.
A quick Break down
8:30 pm Wednesday night departed Monroe.
4:30 am Thursday went to sleep in Baker City, Oregon.
10:30 am Thursday left Baker City. **Hit snow for the first time this year.
1:30 am Friday went to sleep in Moab, Utah.
10:00 am Friday left Moab.
11:30 pm Friday arrived in Texas to my wife Melinda.
Some statistical Facts:
* 1,747 miles traveled.
* 51 Hours total
* 14 Hours of Sleep
* Stopped for fuel three times. Once in Edgewick, WA; then, Snowville, Utah; then, Hatch, New Mexico.
* Best Christian Radio: Boise, Idaho.
* Second Best Christian Radio. Salt Lake City, Utah. Ironic huh?
* Favorite sign: Lake Powell Next Right. Never been to lake Powell, but definitely want to go someday.
* Favorite City: the one I left on Wednesday at 8:30 pm.
* Coolest Church: St. Francis, Sante Fe, New Mexico
* Bumpiest Highway: About a 10 mile stretch in Boise, Idaho.
* Scariest moment: The way they pave the roads on the Reservation in New Mexico leaves about a 12 inch drop from the white line to the shoulder, I went off once looking at the beautiful mountains. I promise, "You only go off once." You either wreck never to go off again, or save it--thank God--and make sure to never go off again. Obviously I did the latter.
* Most awesome view: Leaving Moab I was at high altitude and the panoramic view was amazing. I could build a cabin there and visit every year at this time. It was that cool.
* Biggest Revelation: My dad and mom always wanted to show their horses in Texas because for Cutting Horses, Texas shows are king. One of the things that kept them from doing was my dad didn't want to travel the miles if he didn't have a shot to win. They passed before they ever drove to Texas to compete. As I was driving through the desert the Lord showed spoke to my heart and said, "If you're waiting to win before you try, you'll never experience what it takes to win." I thought for a moment--as if my dad was in the truck with me--"Dad, if you'd only experienced this drive--you'd know what it took to win." I drove on thinking about my own competitive nature and how sometimes I'll limit my own dreams and goals because I don't want to lose. At that moment I committed to the Lord to make a habit of trying even if winning is not yet possible. It's been nearly 8 years since I lost both my parents, but the way they lived--strengths and weaknesses-- still teach me lessons daily. That's the kind of Dad I want to be.
*What I just realized: The last time I drove across the country it was with my dad. We drove together for 32 hours. It was the last meaningful conversation I'd had with him. Funny how driving teaches me so much about life; Maybe that's another reason why I race.
That's it for now...stay tuned.
