Yes, we are on the road again. This is another road trip without our beloved Picasso. We have covered 1100 miles in two days. (That would take 4 days towing Picasso.) Our destination is New Mexico where we intend to relax, paint, and soak up the sun.
However, as happens on the road we have learned a few things our first two days:
- Pay close attention to the gas gauge, particularly when driving into a headwind.
- (Related to #1) Our 15 gallon tank has a very accurate gas gauge. We put 14.7 gallons in after driving with the fuel warning light for 10 miles and later put 14 gallons in just before reaching our destination. Yes, tempting fate!
- We now can experience gas pump television! More on this later.
- The deer and the antelope really do play! We saw them!
Okay, some of you are asking what is gas pump TV. It is a television screen built into the pump.
Gas Pump Television
In three gas stops I have seen an ESPN NBA recap, CNN news, and a hockey game – all while pumping my gas! One station even boasted big screen pump TV with 8″x 10″ screens! Admittedly I am not a marketing professional, but I have to ask who thought of this idea, who sold it to gas stations, and who bought it? In my naivete I thought the idea was to get in pump your gas, pay, and get out in the least time possible. Of course some of us also want to go into the attached mini-mart and buy something. So why don’t the gas pump TVs tell us about great things for sale inside. “Hey come in and check out today’s special on deep fried Twinkies!” Instead they show us news and sports. What is one to do when there’s an interesting story? Put the pump on the slowest setting and stop it every once in a while so you can see the entire game. I can see lines of cars waiting to get at the gas pumps while the game finishes.
As you can see road trips provide quite a cultural education. Subscribe to our blog to learn more in the coming weeks as we stay near Ghost Ranch and visit Bandolier National Monument, Taos, Santa Fe, and the surrounding area.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
I had the same question about gas pump tv. My career was in marketing and it’s a mystery why a gas station would install one, let alone one at each pump. Even if there was any advertising, the sound is usually terrible.
The last thing we need is some added digital features to make people linger at the gas pump. I got stuck waiting for someone who I thought would leave after she got into her car. After waiting a polite amount of time, I knocked on her window and asked if she was leaving because I couldn’t get close enough to pump my gas. She was using her smart phone. It had not occurred to her that she was “parked” in the wrong place.
Travel well my friends. Our big adventure of the day is to go into town to visit the Library of Congress and the National Portrait Gallery with lunch with one of my zen buddies who now works for Oceana. See you when we’re both back home
All that is very impressive indeed. I got your latest blog entry in NYC where I am recovering from jet lag before reaching DC. Soon to be rich and homeless.
Wishing you exquisite adventures, the sun you wish to soak, and of course many artistic achievements.
Glad you didn’t run out of gas. Gas Pump TV has been a thing for many years… at least in LA. “Pumpcast News” was the name of a bit on Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He would send a comedian out and his conversation with the driver would be broadcast at the driver’s pump. Kind of a hoot.