the kilometer show (day two)
Second stop, Tucson!
This leg of the trip is probably the most fun drive so far. Interstate 8 from San Diego would lead to a seemingly desolate area with no plant life that I could see. The road would wind and climb to an elevation of 2000 feet before dropping later. I felt like I was in a Sergio Leone or Coen Brothers Western. The mountains I coasted through were riddled with boulders the size of cars. It seemed like the enlarged stones were reaching for the sky, sort of like trees. I’d soon greet a flat road at a lower elevation and to my amazement, the emptiness of the Arizona desert struck me as one of the most beautiful sights ever. For hundreds of miles there were only a few large mountains in certain portions of my peripheral. The sun sat directly above for hours. This continued for the majority of the drive. I also had the chance to pass a border patrol checkpoint where the guards at the gate asked me if I was an American citizen. I’ve never been so happy to say yes to that question.
My arrival at Tucson was great. I stayed at the Clifton Downtown. The customer service made me feel good and the rooms were simple and cozy. They even left books on my nightstand. My room was on the ground floor, conveniently positioned next to the parking lot. It was movie night there and guests watched Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Directed by Akiva Schaffer & Jorma Taccone, starring The Lonely Island, which consists of Andy Samberg, Akiva Shaffer and Jorma Taccone. I was able to enjoy the end with a nightcap (name of the mixed drink) after a flight routine around the Downtown Tucson area.
The bartender at the Clifton had a great vibe. It was a joy talking to someone of the area. I discovered a bar through Google Maps that contained an arcade and they were able to verify its legitimacy. I invited her to join me, though I’m sure the pains of work created a substantial burden on a good night’s rest. The machines were cool, but some of the controls on the machines were worn. The best experience out of them all was Ms. Pacman.
Finally, I took a night walk around Downtown and witnessed its compact format. The streets are small. The sidewalks are close together. One leap and you can cross the street. Competing bars exist within 50ft of each other. A Greyhound like bus station is located only a few blocks away. It’s just such a simple little town. The tallest building there is less than 100m tall. In my opinion, Tucson is the nominal place for any individual over the age of 60. It seems super safe after hours and the youth there aren’t loud at all. It was a fine discovery.
- raphael