Makings for a TV show

This was written 12/27/09 but could not be posted due to no internet access.

My Dad and I are spending the night in Van Hoen, Tx. Don't know there that is? I am not surprised. It is in the middle of nowhere! It is the biggest mertopolis within 120 miles in any direction. After driving for about 7-8 hours in the middle of what looks like an old western backdrop, the speed limit sign reports 80mph to be legal. One can see for miles and miles literally. In case you were wondering if America was running out of space, have no fear. If you are in the market for real estate, you are in luck! There are hundreds of acres for sale. Beware though of the possibility of dust storms. It really has been a pretty drive, wide open spaces and blue skies. A geologist would have a hayday looking at all rock formations. there were different colors of rock, different configurations. Some look like huge piles of stones someone left. Others looked like mountains that have parts that have been scooped out with a large ice cream scoop.

After driving from Pheonix, through the rest of AZ, through NM, through El Paso TX, and then 120ish miles more, we decided to stop for the night at the town called Van Horn. The next town we thought would have hotels weas 164 miles away...too far. We got excited when we saw Van Horn had two exits. They even had four hotels listed on a blue sign. Wow, we had not seen that for hours (with the exception of El Paso). We pull off and decide to stay at a Hampton Inn. They normally have free wireless internet, pool and continential breakfast. This means we can get lunch too (we make PB sandwiches and take a piece of fruit for the road).

We walk in and things are very quiet, which is expected at 5:00pm central time. The young man at the front desk who could be no older than 17 quotes the room price. We ask for a AAA discount, and he says that is the discounted price. Dad responds, "How did you know we were AAA members?" He says, "Oh I just thought the discounted price sounded better." He then says, "Wait a minute, let me go see if the room is clean." He ran down the hall to go check on the room. It took him a couple of minutes for him to come back. Dad and I look at eaach other and think,"it is 5:00 pm. Shouldn't all the rooms be clean now?" The young man returns to report that the room will be ready in 20 minutes. Dad responds, "Do you have a lot of reservations for tonight?" trying to figure out why they don't have all the rooms ready by 5:00pm. He responds, "We don't take reservations. We can't take reservations since we are not a Hampton Inn anymore and don't have a computer." We said, "Why are you not a Hampton Inn anymore?" "We don't meet all the requirements," he stated. "How long have you been working here." I asked. "Four weeks," he responds as he is writing our reservation on a simple form. It was then we noticed a well worn, barely legible piece of paper taped to the counter stating: "We are no longer a Hampton Inn." We then asked him if breakfast is included and if there is wireless internet. He says, "Yes, we have all the amenities of a Hampton Inn, but there is only wireless internet in the lobby." We decided to walk by the room. Sure enough, the beds were still being made.

We then decided to go find something to eat. We were in search of the Mexican resturant Mijas that the young man recommended. Remember, this is a big town with 6 or so resturants. As we drive down Main street (one if the three streets in town) on our way to Mijas, we pass a cardboard sign reading "If you are looking for Chuy it is 2blocks bk." Thinking that is kinda strange, we continue on our way only to find a very small square adobe building with no cars in the parking lot. Upon driving past it, we noted a snall black and red "closed" sign in the bottom of the widow. We then turned around and began our search for Chuy. We approached a neon green building with a packed parking lot. It is the only building on Main Street with cars in the parking lot. There is "Happy Birthday Jesus" and fake snow painted on the windows.

We go in to find an overcrowded entry way that is decorated with business cards covering the ceiling, some brightly colored Mexican cloth, old sports photos in frames, Christmas decoration scattered throughout. While we were waiting for the table I report, "I feel like I am in a TV show." Once seated, I went to wash up. After flushing the toilet, I held my breath as the water filled the bowl to the very edge, but did not overflow. Upon sitting down I noticed a gas heater on the wall and another that looked like a stationary fan 15 feet away. The only heat in the resturant, which would explain why so many patons were eating in their winter coats. We put in our order. the following are some of the things we heard throughout the evening:
We do not have ice cream; we have flan though. upon returning to the kitchen, it was stated by someone that the flan was still forzen.
We do not have anymore forks. Well, hurry up and wash some.
We have been here for 15 years. My granddad use to sell hamburgers and such. He then decided since we are Mexican to start making Mexican food, and here wer are today.

They were doing a booming business. For the most part, everyone in the resturant had been driving for hours. There was one group of regulars, who came to eat. There was no mistake they were regulars as they were greeted with hugs and were wearing cowboy hats and boots.

Don't worry, this resturant was AAA approved and Rotary had their weekly meetings there. The makeshift podium, bell and Rotary flag were in the corner.

Well, that about does it for today's adventure.