FGES TOUR #11: Buc-ee's, Luling, Texas

 

I couldn't resist paying a visit to "the largest convenience store in the world". It's like a mash-up of convenience store, department store, and a Crackerbarrel restaurant. Lots of Buc-ee (the Beaver) merchandise, including a waffle maker. It's weird when the store itself becomes a destination, rather than a stop along the way. Incredibly nice restrooms, though. 

I didn't know Buc-ee himself was going to be there, or I would have taken the Shorts inside with me.

FGES Tour #10: Austin, Texas

 I have been remiss in my posting! I ended up stuck in Austin, Texas for 18 days because Terry -- my non-binary Volkswagen EuroVan camper -- needed repairs. If you have to be stuck in Texas, there are worse places than Austin.

I didn't get around much, except early on, when my friend Becky, who, with her husband Mark, is also a nomad, took me out for a walk along the river downtown. There we encountered this statue of local musical legend Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Traveler's tip: if you're ever in Austin, you owe it to yourself to get pizza from The Meteor. Best pizza I've ever had. Also, go to a donut shop and ask for kolaches ("kuh-law-cheese").

FGES TOUR #9 : Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

Fans of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" may recognize the location in the first three images. The Dog House is a local institution in its own right, and curiously, nowhere on the premises does it allude to its being used in the shows.

For the last picture I visited the Breaking Bad Museum and Store. The museum is usually free to the public, but on this day they were doing a fundraiser for a local animal shelter. For a minimum 5 dollar donation, you could visit the museum and have your picture taken with "Heisen-Claus". He's a real human lookalike, not a dummy. If I had known in advance, I would have taken the Shorts with me.

The museum, though small, is chock-a-block with costumes, props, signed photos of the series' actors, etc. A splendid time was had by me.

FGES TOUR #8: Meteor Crater, Arizona

 

It may look like just a big hole in the ground, but the science and history behind it are fascinating. Wonderful visitor center.

FGES TOUR #7: Las Vegas, Nevada

 What happens in Vegas (usually) stays in Vegas, but not the Freakin Green Elf Shorts! This is due to the little known fact that the famous sign is actually in Paradise, Nevada. 

FGES TOUR #6: Bat Country, Barstow, California

 Despite literary advice to the contrary, the Shorts did indeed stop in bat country. No mishaps occurred. 

FGES TOUR #5: "Bliss" Hill, Sonoma County, California

 Upon leaving Sebastopol, I made my way back to the Sacramento Valley. I chose a route that would take me by what could arguably be called the most famous hill on the world. 

I'm speaking, of course, of "Bliss Hill", which was the default desktop wallpaper for Windows XP, as seen here...

For a long time, I suspected that I knew where the picture had been taken, haven driven by the spot on at least one occasion. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw an article about it.

You wouldn't recognize it today. It is now covered with grape vines. There is nothing near the site announcing its fame. This is probably a good thing; there is only one spot near the location where it is safe to pull off the road, but it is a private driveway. Even then, walking to the spot is risky. There is no margin along the roadway, which is a very busy state highway. 

But I preserved, and now proudly present the Freakin Green Elf Shorts at Bliss Hill, Sonoma County, California.