Leaving Lamesa we ventured east towards Wichita Falls before heading north towards Oklahoma City. It was a day full of 70 mph highways and not much else. Simple riding, it provided ample time to reflect on the six days we had spent in the Lone Star State, and how it differs from home.
Highways in Texas are supposed to move people from A to B as fast and as simply as possible. Interstates (which we avoid) can be as high as 80 mph. Secondary roads (typically with posted speed limits in Canada of 55 mph) are usually 70 or 75 – many with level crossings.
They’re not afraid to build overpasses in Texas. Several times we vaulted over crossing roads aboard a huge overpass – where in Canada we would have saved the expense and put in a traffic light.
Texas is not noted for it’s cold weather. Perhaps that perception has changed since February 2021 when it had a huge cold snap that crashed the local power grid. In any case, every bridge we crossed, however small or simple in construction, was preceded by a sign warning that “Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather”. No doubt the bridge icing effect is a real phenomena, but it requires a significant span to take effect. I doubt whether it would be a real concern on 95% of the bridges we crossed. Still, it appears to be a pre-occupation. As does their focus on ‘littering’ with their ‘ Don’t Mess with Texas signage’. Could be a great source of revenue.
The trip today illustrated the full spectrum of energy sources in Texas. We passed through endless oil fields, only to encounter wind farms and solar panel installations. Texas has invested heavily in renewables and that was fully evident.
We crossed the Red River into Oklahoma south of Duncan and noticed an immediate increase in the ‘greenery’ of the surrounding countryside, as we left Texas behind.