Monday, April 18, 2011

The Super Hero Highway

                                               (Pine Island Bayou, near Hwy 105)

In 1982 we moved from the West End of Beaumont to Bevil Oaks.  We wanted a little land and a more rural lifestyle.   We raised some horses, chickens, a cow and three kids while making the daily 48 mile round trip commute to work.  At first, there were no stop signs and no stop lights on that 24 mile stretch.  A little over six miles of that drive  was on Hwy 105.  At first Hwy 105 was a two-lane road.  Over the years it was widened to five lanes.  Traffic lights were installed at several intersections.  Today,  a couple of fried chicken and burger joints line the drive, as well as six convenience stores.  Heck, there is even a builder supply store and a medical clinic and a few other small businesses.  I remember when the only business on that six mile stretch was a bar.

Today I was riding Hwy 105 to town to get a hair cut and the traffic going both ways was heavy and moving at a rapid pace.  It occurred to me that Hwy 105 was going to continue to grow until it resembled Dowlen Rd.  I recall when Dowlen was a shell road through the oil fields.

It was at that point that I had an epiphany.  Hwy 105 has no name.  It is simply, Hwy 105.  The BISD and the City of Beaumont have been trying to name everything they can for some political, egotistical and/or righteous reasons.  We have the Butch named after the School District Super, the swimming pool at that location named after some school board trustee that is of no significance.   Part of Florida Ave was changed to the name of the baseball coach.  Railroad Ave was changed to MLK.   Other streets have been named after preachers and politicians.
The City is trying to come up with a name for the new pond downtown.

We have named the backstop at Bingman Elementary the Buddy, after one of the kids that grew up playing baseball there.

It is only a matter of time before someone comes up with some stupid proposal to name Hwy 105. Therefore, I am requesting every one's support in naming the section of Hwy 105 from the Eastex Freeway to the Pine Island Bayou Bridge after me.  I have calculated that I have driven approximately 250,000 miles on that section of road.  I once rode my horse to the only business on the highway.  When it was still two lanes, I once passed a string of cars while going 100mph to find the lead car was a Highway Patrol (But, that is worth another Blog).  I feel that I am worthy of having that six mile stretch of Texas Highway named in my honor.  

I am suggesting G-Man, Super Hero Highway.   Feel free to submit other name suggestions.

2 comments:

  1. Oh I support Ranger Wright, Super Hero Highway!!! Best Choice

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wenzels are in full support of Ranger Wright

    ReplyDelete