Holbrook Arizona to Amarillo Texas

We were up at 5:30 once again, but we did consider the fact that it was 8:30 at home and we would be there in a few days. Jack was up at 6:00 and put the coffee on while Sandy had some Raisin Bran. I tried to get a little more blog work done, knowing I was several days behind. Soon Barb was up and, despite my plan to roll at Oh Dark Thirty, we spent some more time visiting on the patio. Eventually, we did bid goodbye to two of the finest people we know and hit the road at 7:30.

The gas price at the Union 76 on the I-40 business loop was reasonable but the Chevron at  the East I-40 exit was $3.999. I still have no idea how they get away with this.

Holbrook gas prices for Kenny

Soon after we left, I heard my quote for the day. John Oliver said "Democracy is like a tambourine. Not everyone can be trusted with it."

Terrain above the Mogollon Rim

I don't imagine this wash has water in it many days of the year

Seen near mile marker 330 close to the New Mexico border

familiar red rock formations

Hoodoos in the making

Before long, we crossed the border into New Mexico, Land of Enchantment. The mountains here are higher and the red rock more pronounced. We also lost an hour as we moved into the Mountain Time Zone. We made a quick stop at a Mickey D's in Gallup where almost every person was a Native American. 

We stopped again near Grants for fuel. The lady behind the cash was one of the most up-beat and friendly I have seen on the whole trip.

One freaky thing along the way was the practice of putting red and blue flashing lights on construction and road work vehicles. I guess this commands more respect than the traditional orange flashing lights but I know our law enforcement officials in Ontario would never approve.

The Arizona/New Mexico border

Another state line

Some day this will be an arch

Nature's balancing act

Another train for Bob

Red rock staircase

The haze takes away the impact in the photos

the Continental Divide - 7,300 feet above sea level

Another red rock formation

And another

Diner near Grants New Mexico

Seen in the truck stop near Grants

Black lava bed

Typical Easy Rider scenery

Descriptive signage

Reds and greens and yellows

Casino in the middle of nowhere

Albuquerque

Albuquerque masquerading as LA

No red rock

Something we did see were many billboards advertising Stuckey's restaurants/gas stations. But every time we got to the advertised locations, they were closed. They did, however, look like this had been fairly recently. Wikipedia says they are supposed to have 200 locations nationwide after their resurgence, but I suspect these have been recently dwindling.

Advertising a closed location

Don't feed the bears

Interesting slide formation

Odd marks on mountain west of Tucumcari

Another Stuckey's

Not!!

As we approached Tucumcari, New Mexico we decided that Amarillo, Texas  would be our destination for the day. I stopped at a Love's Truck Stop for fuel and we picked up food suitable for eating while driving at the Arby's located there. I called a Super 8 in Amarillo and found they didn't have much parking room but they referred me to another on the east side of town that specialized in big rigs. Arrangements made, we motored on. It was 100 degrees F according to the readout in the truck.

Love's - Tucumcari New Mexico

When we crossed the Texas line, we lost our second hour of the day. We were now on Central Time, only one hour from good old Eastern. We did see an apparently open Stuckey's but the sign had been torn down. On the way into Amarillo (long before morning), we saw many miles of wind farms leading me to wonder again about the economics of this strategy net of government grants. Also, we passed some ubiquitous Texas cattle feed lots, source of a distinct aroma. Last before the city was the famous Cadillac Ranch. Which made me think of this Cadillac Ranch.

Goodbye New Mexico

Hello Lone Star State

Open Stuckey's without the sign

Texas wind farms along I-40

Feed lot

I'm sure there is a story behind this

Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo by evening

We made it through town and found the Super 8 near the airport. It was near the Big Texan Steak Ranch, the restaurant that advertises a free 72 oz. steak if you can eat the whole thing plus all the trimmings in an hour. We didn't even think of going over and trying. 

As we carried the gear into the motel, there was a very tall, fat man  standing by the door. When we struggled to get it open, he just stood and looked at us. I guess his Momma never taught him any manners.

After we got our room, I went back out to try and find a squeaking noise I had noticed the bike or tie-downs were making. I even unstrapped it, pulled it out of the Condor chock, reset the chock depth and then did it all up again.  That can be done in this trailer without dropping the rear door. When I cinched it down, it didn't squeak. Then I went inside and worked hard to get caught up on the blogs but, despite a lot of prep work, I only got one day posted before giving up just after midnight.

We have been seeing these attachments more and more

Today's Route (524 Avalanche/trailer miles):