Day Five, New Mexico

13 January, '10

From Barstow I headed up !-15 to Baker, CA. home of not only the world's largest thermometer, a sight everyone should see in this desert oasis of 350 hardly souls, but also The Mad Greek Café. What makes The Mad Greek special is that truckers traveling the I-15 corridor make it a regular stop, despite there being no formal truck stop. It consists of a parking lot with spaces for the rigs and as kitchy an ethnic restaurant as you'll find anywhere. Yet the truckers flock to The Mad Greek for their perfectly cooked spicy Gyro's and baklava, as well as more traditional truck stop fare. Just back in Arizona I ran into Susan & Joe Kosnik from Corfu (outside Buffalo) New York. I guess I am now becoming part of the truckers extended family as Susan told me, " yeah, you passed us yesterday morning on the 85 (Cal. Hwy 85), and then we passed you again later while you were shooting out on the road. Where are you headed? When we gonna see you next?" They were heading to Dallas hauling a load of fresh lettuce from Salinas. Wonder who I'll see today.

Jim & Ole Yeller

Photo of the day: Susan & Joe Kosnik trucking on to New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment.