Thanks for the perfect soundtrack while I read that. I spent many years in my youth heading to Whanganui on the National Park side of the mountain and Smash Palace was always a highlight to look out for. The Desert Rd became a favourite once I started the many trips to and from Massey University with Dad towing the trailer with my Nifty Fifty scooter on board, the tarpaulin flapping wildly. My personal Desert Rd soundtracks are Dire Straits, Telegraph Rd - you can get almost the whole way across - and Glen Campbell, Wichita Lineman. I used to have a foolish fantasy of driving a Lamborghini across the Desert Rd listening to Jean Michel Jarre, Oxygene and putting the car into a controlled spin. Looking forward to getting on the Desert Rd soon on my trip north to Tauranga and also experiencing the Napier-Taupo Rd for the first time.
Thanks so much for that - I want to do that trip again now, Years afo stayed at a hotel called the Grandeur Thermal Springs - dog friendly but more importantly close to my destination - Huka Falls. Have to admit I stood there at the edge finally and thought - "WTF were they thinking!!" My degrees of separation from the most famous dominatrix was that Renee was in my form class my first year teaching, I remember she talked about wanting to run a Tupperware syndicate but she chose another path.
David.......that was AA Guide "but who needs one? I'm a Kiwi" - par excellence ! Actually, eyes to misty as I relived university days VW chugging the road between Tok' & Wellington, side ventures on the way. Oh back in the day and the engine !
All the familiarity and news of a letter from a friend.
David
Thank you fir your reference to Big Tex
First time I ver had their product was Paraparaumu early 1970s
I don’t remember the food ,as I was 9 - 10 years old
Remember the site falling into disrepair
Do remember in later years attending Foxton.
Go to burger for me was “Super Chuckwagon”
Big Tex was way ahead of KFC /Macdonalds.
The food was pure deliciousness & the memory is ingrained .
Thank you for mentioning it
Apparent the cowboy sign from one of the Big Tex’s was at Chevies Dixon st Wellington until early 2000s
That is the only tangible photo I found by googling
It was similar to the Keans Jeans cowboy
Main difference is Keans cowboy was twirling a rope
So beautiful...
Thanks for the perfect soundtrack while I read that. I spent many years in my youth heading to Whanganui on the National Park side of the mountain and Smash Palace was always a highlight to look out for. The Desert Rd became a favourite once I started the many trips to and from Massey University with Dad towing the trailer with my Nifty Fifty scooter on board, the tarpaulin flapping wildly. My personal Desert Rd soundtracks are Dire Straits, Telegraph Rd - you can get almost the whole way across - and Glen Campbell, Wichita Lineman. I used to have a foolish fantasy of driving a Lamborghini across the Desert Rd listening to Jean Michel Jarre, Oxygene and putting the car into a controlled spin. Looking forward to getting on the Desert Rd soon on my trip north to Tauranga and also experiencing the Napier-Taupo Rd for the first time.
Vinegar Hill! I love that trip when we come north.
Your story is so well crafted - totally made my day to read.
Thanks so much for that - I want to do that trip again now, Years afo stayed at a hotel called the Grandeur Thermal Springs - dog friendly but more importantly close to my destination - Huka Falls. Have to admit I stood there at the edge finally and thought - "WTF were they thinking!!" My degrees of separation from the most famous dominatrix was that Renee was in my form class my first year teaching, I remember she talked about wanting to run a Tupperware syndicate but she chose another path.
David.......that was AA Guide "but who needs one? I'm a Kiwi" - par excellence ! Actually, eyes to misty as I relived university days VW chugging the road between Tok' & Wellington, side ventures on the way. Oh back in the day and the engine !