Speedy's Truck Stop and Fort Courage Tower

Above, Fort Courage's lookout tower. Will it be incorporated
 in the new Speedy's truck stop? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I posted the blog about the demolition of the late Fort Courage, I and the fine folks at Jack Rabbit Trading Post (of St. Joseph, Arizona) learned that the site is a planned Speedy's truck stop. There's a Speedy's truck stop next door to Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. I got gasoline there yesterday.

If this is the case, I welcome such an establishment. Having driven along the Hauck, Arizona on Interstate 40 vicinity several times over the years, another place to fill the gas tank would be a good use of the site. 

As the "lookout tower" of Fort Courage seems to have been spared demolition, it would be nice to see it incorporated with the truck stop. At least that would be a great nod to roadside kitsch history. How they do it (if so) would be interesting to see. 

Roadside America has a page dedicated to Fort Courage. To see it, go here.

People's Convoy Route and Timetable

Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The People's Convoy, protesting COVID-19 mandates in the U.S., is heading east along Interstate 40 today. What's even more interesting (to me) is that it will pass through my neck of the woods.

According to Newsweek:

A convoy of American truckers will leave from Adelanto, California, on Wednesday to complete an 11-day journey to the nation's capital, where the group plans to hold a protest demanding that all COVID 19-related mandates are lifted across the country.

The group, dubbed the People's Convoy, is inspired by the protesters of the so-called Freedom Convoy in Canada, who occupied Ottawa for 24 days and blocked various border crossings into the U.S. to protest the country's pandemic restrictions, particularly the federal vaccine mandate for cross-border commercial truck drivers. This past Sunday, Ottawa police cleared out the remaining demonstrators, arresting 191 people and towing 57 vehicles after more than three weeks of protests.

"To our brave and courageous neighbors to the North — our Canadian brothers and sisters who led the charge — we join your call to Freedom with THE PEOPLE'S CONVOY," the Canadian protesters' American counterparts wrote on a website.

Something else caught my eye. The convoy will rest up in Lupton, Arizona tomorrow night. Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post (that I frequent) and Speedy's Truck Stop are located. I am sure both businesses will get some good business from the convoy participants.

Day 2: Thursday, February 24
Morning: Depart Kingman, Arizona, and head east on I-40 toward Lupton, Arizona
Evening: Arrive in Lupton for an overnight stay

Day 3: Friday, February 25
Morning: Depart Lupton on I-40 eastbound through New Mexico
Evening: Arrive in Glenrio, Texas, for an overnight stay

To read more, go here. 

Drive To Show Low, Arizona

Above, the new (and final) chaise lounge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a chaise lounge from Wayfair that was supposed to be "partially assembled". It turned out that the whole thing needed assembling.

The directions were terrible and the bolts and parts didn't line up and attach right.

I complained to their customer service that I didn't like it and wanted to return it. They instead refunded my money and said I didn't need to return the item. I'll see who around here wants it. It is probably fixable, but I don't have the patience to do it myself after several attempts already.

Above, my view of The Beast from my dining table at Speedy's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I noticed on Home Depot's website that they had chaise lounges for roughly the same price and no assembly was necessary. The only problem was that the Gallup Home Depot didn't carry them and they told me the nearest one that did was in Show Low, Arizona, 165 miles away.

Since I had nothing else to do yesterday, I decided that I would make the 330-mile round trip to pick one up (I verified that they had plenty).

Above, dinner at Speedy's Truck Stop in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am glad that I did. I enjoyed the ride and was able to see a part of Arizona that I had never been to before.

The route took me west on Interstate 40 to Holbrook, Arizona and then south on Highway 77.

The views were scenic and the route took me through Snowflake, a nice horsey town with rolling hills and pines. There were a lot of horse and cattle ranches there. Then, further on, I reached Show Low. It, too, was a beautiful,but larger, town with mountains and hills covered with pines. It was also quite a busy town with lots of traffic. Thankfully, I was able to find the Home Depot through Google Maps.

I got the lounge and headed back to New Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised that the lounge was $11.00 cheaper than the posted price.

Once I got into the eastern part of Arizona, a storm pelted The Beast along with gusty winds. I decided to take a coffee and, as it turned out, a dinner break at Speedy's Truck Stop in Lupton. It was nice to be able to dine in somewhere instead of going the take-out route.

The winds and rain kind of tapered off by the time I was done and I made it home without incident.

Still, it was a good ride and gave me something to do for the day. 

Speedy's Truck Stop

Above, Speedy's Truck Stop convenience store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our usual coffee/breakfast gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed west to Lupton, Arizona to pick up some cigars at the Tee Pee Trading Post.

Once that was done, I decided to head "next door" (on the other side of a field) to Speedy's Truck Stop. I have never stopped in before, so I decided to take a look and get some lunch. Speedy's is located next to Interstate 40 on historic Route 66.

Above, Speedy's Truck Stop restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inside the main building, there's a convenience store, laundromat, showers and a restaurant for travelers and truckers to take a break.

Above, today's lunch/dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to the restaurant and had a plate of four tacos with beans and rice. Not bad! I enjoyed it.

Following lunch, I headed on home. I should have had a little less food as I was fighting off a "food coma". But I made it.

I'll probably skip dinner, or just have enough to take my meds.