We jumped into the car at 945am, in Gallup New Mexico. The time is awkward for New Mexico time is different whether you are on an Indian Reservation… I had 945 on cell phone so I took it. Really, what does an hour matter? We turned on Sirius radio and chose "Willie’s Road House" and immediately Willie, Waylon and Johnny Cash came on. OK! I thought, "Sing Chuck home, guys." Exit 47 on I40 is the Continental Divide. It makes me remember the movie with John Beluchi. He was a sweet talent, wild and living the fast life which killed him. He died due to his living the fast life. I watch scenery go by, mesa, table tops, and Pueblos. The wild majesty of this part of the West is sering and beautiful. We would stop and explore if I wasn’t sick; and tired…. all I can think of is being in bed and sleeping. You young ones get out here!!! I asked Chuck for a potty stop… and there was one tiny gas station… Painted on their windows were a Cross, "Love", "Hope", "Give", Christian paintings. I said to myself, "I need to buy something here." On a shelf under a counter, in the back, was a hand made indian painted angel! I didn’t care how much. So I told Chuck , "I want that"…. Of course! She is now riding home with us in the car! We will drive 2501 miles using paper maps! I have 3 maps open and all folded to where we are on my lap. For today I had New Mexico, the Texas border up in the panhandle, and the USA map. I trace our way to a border so we can get state information for hotel deals, and I need to figure the best route to the Mississippi River. I read earlier in the week about flooding, but flooding seems to be holding in the north. Mike has researched for us, and he said our crossing in the south ought to be fine, that Interstate crossings are not affected. Around Cuervo, in New Mexico, east of Albuquerque, rocks start to get some red on them! It got down into the low 40s as a front moved through, but we ended the day in the high 60s. Traffic pulled to a stop and a single line for a while and then we passed a terrible accident on the west bound side. Debris was everywhere and a helicopter rescue was ensuing. I can’t believe how people get all balled up. The road is wide and only if we’re careful and not aggressive can we avoid these awful crashes. We drove by and I offered a prayer for the victim (s). We crossed the border into Texas and I looked at my Choice app and found a Comfort hotel west of Amarillo in Deaf Smith County! I wonder if Deaf Smith settled here and named the county!!! I’m still croaking and whispering so if I use a hand signal, I frighten Chuck who thinks I see something he doesn’t see so it’s a little wierd. ""Exit 64" I whisper… "what??????" he intones. It’s amazing we get places. Texas is crowded with windfarms. Good for Texas for developing natural energy! We saw no windfarms in New Mexico. Hotel is 2 miles east of Cadillac Ranch, an out door art exhibit of cadillacss buried nose down in a piece of farm land! painted with spray paint. To bed to sleep, snack on yogurt and apples. I’m up now for a brief time. Back to bed! God bless you!
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