The 'Ta to Gallup, New Mexico

And...begin! "On the run from Johnny Law. Ain't no trip to Cleveland." I shoved off from Wichita right around 9:30 this morning. I couldn't have asked for better road trip weather--clear skies, 80 degrees or so. Got a little bleary eyed with the folks. Eh, bound to happen.


Kansas, Land of a Thousand Wheats, I'll miss you dreadfully.


Blackwell, Oklahoma--I once spent the night in a van in the parking lot of this outlet mall (circa 1998):Perry, Oklahoma features small town charm and a unique downtown:


I started to get a little wind-blown after a couple of hours:


I got the first big rig of the day to honk at me after I conveyed the international gesture for "honk at me." Then I went about 0 for 25 the rest of the day. My high esteem for truck drivers suffered until I realized that all the truckers were looking down at this:


Does the Messiah give sailing lessons? Sign me up!


Shortly after I learned about Jesus' nautical abilities, I saw this:


I thought, "That must be the biggest cross in the western hemisphere." Until, that is, I saw this sign a few miles down the road that read, "Now approaching the western hemisphere's LARGEST CROSS." They weren't kidding:

I can't tolerate intolerance:


Wind turbines outside of Oklahoma City:



Oklahoma red soil:


Texas:


Shamrock, Tex. Everything was Irish-themed:


You know that old saying about Amarillo, Tex.? "Don't take a picture of the American Quarter Horse Association or you might miss it." Well, I pretty much did. Not a lot going on:


Texas steers:


Getting more wind blown:


Terraces in western Texas:


Texas tumbleweed farm:


New Mexico:


If you're ever in Tucumcari, New Mex., I suggest you swing by Del's Diner. The #G Plate is almost entirely edible!:


I think they call this "one-man cabin fever":


This is a picture of Smith's Food and Drug's sign. Somebody might have a copyright infringement suit on their hands:


It was getting dark and my trigger finger was getting a little slow, but this is my attempt to take a pic of Karl Malone's Toyota dealership just outside of Albuquerque, New Mex.:


The Dancing Eagle Casino 30 miles away from Gallup:


My horribly burnt left bicep and forearm:


My digs for the night, the Days Inn:


12 hours down, 12 to go!

Miscellany:

Things I spied along the way:

Hitchhikers: 4
Cyclists: 3
Love's Country Stores: maybe a hundred
Road kill:
-Skunks: 2
-Turtles: 1
-Snakes: 1
-Rabbits: 2
-Armadillos: 4
-Foxes: 2


OK, I'm calling it a night...