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I don’t think I’ve had this much adrenaline pumping through me since my road trip across Africa.
Things started out innocent. The last 32 miles before the road ended, and turned into a loose gravel road descending into pinto canyon, were lovely.
Things started out innocent. The last 32 miles before the road ended, and turned into a loose gravel road descending into pinto canyon, were lovely.
I was told that I would know when to turn back. And I knew I had to be careful, because I’m in a low profile rented Dodge Charger. Not a vehicle for rocky canyon descent. I was also told not to get into trouble bc there are no ppl that far out and no cell service. Just smugglers
I reached a point where I wondered if I should turn back. But I was curious, and thought I’d go just a bit further. By the time I reached the second point of maybe I should turn back I was like, shit shay. When I say shit shay when I’m all alone? I might’ve fucked up.
At this point I’d descended into the canyon more than I realized. Things had gotten steeper, rock looser, and less room to turn around. But I decided before I got in any deeper I had to figure out how to turn around. On a incline, on a corner, with loose gravel. My tires spun
I felt that shit shay deep inside. I had a flashback to Africa and a similar situation in a mountainous area. On a similar ledge. But I am a farm girl, and I wasn’t gonna get stuck deep in a canyon on the Mexico border. Somehow I turned around and got enough traction to get out
As I’m driving back to Marfa I notice its lightning to the north. While I’m pretty sure it’s moving away from me I know that I can’t get stuck on this ranch road in a flash flood. I feel the wind turn cold, I can smell the rain, but it doesn’t rain. I feel like ill make town
Then just a few miles out of town I see my first car in 2 hours and 70’ish miles. It’s a white truck sitting in the grass with all its lights off. I joke (to myself) that’s not sketchy. After I pass it I think that’s either smugglers or unmarked border patrol
Not soon after I passed this truck o see it’s lights are on and it’s gaining on me. Next thing I know it’s on my tail and I think that’s not sketchy. It makes me nervous so I slow up so it can pass. It does not. Could be LE but it’s an unmarked 90k ranch truck.
Then suddenly the lights of god light up the dark Texas sky and I’m like this isn’t your ordinary traffic stop. Just in case I hit record on my phone. Border patrol wants to know where I’ve been. I say pinto canyon. He asks, “just to the end of the blacktop?” I lie and say yes.
He asks if I’m staying in town and decides I probably am a tourist and says have a good night. I’d make a bad smuggler as I got pulled over my first scouting run out.
