View Phoenix to the Very Large Array in a larger map

Route 60 is a crazy route that winds with hairpin turns through the mountains in Arizona, and the edge of New Mexico. You simply can’t haul ass on Route 60, you have to take your time and really pay attention to the turns and steep grades.

Shrine at the roadside before Miami, Arizona along Route 60

A satellite view of the VLA, basically the VLA is a series of antennas that are moved around via a rail system. The lady at the visitor center said they move the separate antennas into different positions every three months for each study project.

My old Honda Prelude in front of an antenna of the VLA. The funny thing about driving from Datil, New Mexico to the VLA is that there is no cell phone coverage. I spoke with a woman at the NRAO visitor center and she said the companies purposly block cellphone transmissions in a large radius around the VLA so that the transmissions would not interfear with the pictures they get from space.

People at school did try and help me cope. I kept diving deeper and deeper into the isolation inside my own mind. Anyway, second year after living in the dorms, I lived with a friend Chris, Erik and Davide. Davide or Dave, was an English major/Professor from Italy. He was studying old English, reading and writing his papers. A serious student. I was more of a flake, and just trying to get my diploma to make my father and mother happy. For my future basically. Anyway, I was having deep mental issues that remained with me for many years after college. David saw me suffering and one birthday, he presented me with this little, green matchbox VW Beetle. He told me as he gave it to me…“So you may always drive away from your problems”. I kinda got the idea what he ment when he said those words to me back years ago. However, I found the car again in a drawer and it is one of my cherished possessions.

I look at this green car, and I want to remember that I must keep the problems out of my head and always be able to drive away from the troubles and problems in life. I also must remember never to create more problems for myself in this life. Anyway, I do look at people suffering at times and I kinda think of this green car. So far my mental instability at times almost caused me to go on the brink of the edge of no return, but I somehow remained flexible and returned to my somewhat normal state.

While working as a car transporter, for the worst company to work for, I had the opportunity to drive further on I-40 (Route 66) than I ever did before. I had to take a car from Arkansas, to Penaluma, California. This was in the summer of 2008 I believe when gas prices were $4.00 per gallon and up! I stopped in Seligman, Az to take a few photos and the gas in the small desert gas station was $5.40 per gallon. Talk about crazy! However I did not want to be stranded out in the desert and eventually have buzzards picking at my eyes and remains. So I paid the $5.40 per gallon. Most expensive tank of gas I ever bought.

A cool, retro sign. It reminds me of a more innocent time in American history.

]]> http://www.southwestsix.com/photography-posts/that-texas-town/feed/ 0 http://www.southwestsix.com/photography-posts/cadillac-ranch/ http://www.southwestsix.com/photography-posts/cadillac-ranch/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:56:41 +0000 Chris Trott http://www.southwestsix.com/?p=165
The entrance in a farmer’s field fence to the Cadillac Ranch, just West of Amarillo, Texas. People are always permitted to paint and repaint everything here it seems. Today’s sign is “ZEB RA”

A swinging, spring-loaded gate welcomes anyone who drives by into the field dotted with cowpies.

The Cadillac remains in the early Texas morning light. Looking west with the sun.

A cow is witness (sadly for a brief time) at the changes to the paint on the Cadillac carcasses at the Cadillac Ranch. Tomorrow this cow will probably be steaks. I felt sad for him in a way..