Day 4: New Mexico, Arizona, California
Day 4, Thursday, 5-19-05
Apparently, the first day of Star Wars: Episode III warranted early morning showings. This, in my experience, is unprecedented. We went to a 10:40am showing. (The earliest show was around 9:30am!) We arrived an hour early to secure good seats and while we waited T&M visited the concession stand. They returned with drinks, a big tub of popcorn and exciting news: they met Darth Vader and a storm trooper in the lobby and got pictures.
An extra word on the popcorn: T&M had bought a jumbo size tub of it that came with “one free refill.” Someone mentioned how it’s a shame you never really get to use that free refill because no on wants to get up in the middle of the movie to go and get it. *gears turn in our heads* B and I were confident that we could finish all the popcorn in the jumbo tub easily between the four of us before the previews began. We chowed down immediately, grabbing it by the fistfuls and gulping it down with minimal chewing. T&M made a modest effort of consumption, while I did a fair share, but B definitely got the awards for both MVP and for longest possession of the popcorn tub. We had it between us and he was just shoveling it into his mouth faster than he could swallow. It was hard not to laugh at his spectacle while trying to consume massive quantities myself. T&M pooped out on our quest half-way through and M suggested that it was “empty enough.” She got up to claim her prized refill and the previews began just as she exited.
The pre-show highlight for B, aside from his salty stuffed gullet, was the preview for Batman Begins, since he’s a big fan of the series. Once the movie ended, we all agreed that Episode III was actually good and not a major disappointment like the first two. I didn’t take much time to ponder this, however, as my eyes were floating. I’ve have never had to pee so bad following a movie in my whole life. It hit me two-thirds into the show, but I sure as hell wasn’t about to bail out just before you know who did you know what to you know who. I dashed out of the theater and saw a men’s room fifteen feet straight ahead, but in a subconscious move by the theater manager to have me pee in a corner, ushers were stationed to direct traffic flow out of our packed theater and to block us from reentering the concessions area. Argh! Panic! A mad dash shuffle ensued the long way around toward the exit. You know it’s a bad sign when there’s a line outside the men’s room, instead of the women’s room. Not sure I’ve ever seen that before.
After some sweet relief, B and I left promptly, following some quick goodbyes. We were very appreciative of their hospitality and generosity. They led us to I-40 West then split off. Again, the weather was fabulous and we drove 660 miles to Barstow, CA. When we crossed into Arizona, we noticed the land become greener and somewhat more populous. We saw more trees, instead of just shrubs, and, off in the distance, we saw one extremely tall snow-capped mountain. We joked that it might mark Flagstaff, our next major fuel stop, but thought we surely couldn’t see a mountain that far away (50 miles or so). Indeed, it was Humphrey’s Peak, the tallest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet. Arizona provided many more signs warning of elk crossing, but still we saw none. We crossed into California after dark and I struggled to reach Barstow, while B slept.