Aside from being tornado alley, I-40 through Oklahoma is a long string of cheesy casinos, truck stops and an endless array of the same tired old fast food joints. When on the road for business, I’ll pick up a 12” Subway for the day and avoid all the other crap altogether.
The Texas Panhandle is dotted with cattle and endless wind farms – odd to see, as I thought Texas was an oil state. I don’t care for the Republic of Texas at all (Austin is an exception). When driving through the panhandle, I gas up in Oklahoma and drive through Texas at the speed limit without stopping until I enter New Mexico. While Texans are neurotically obsessed with the 2nd Amendment, they seem totally oblivious to the 4th Amendment.
New Mexico, on the other hand is simply enchanting. Someday I’d like to spend a whole summer exploring all those off-the-beaten path natural wonders and spend a bit more time along the remnants of Route 66.
I got into Gallup around sunset. I love this little bustling oasis in the middle of nowhere. I could live here!
I checked into a brand new Springhill Suites that opened 5 days ago, and was given a corner suite on the top floor. I was the first to occupy that room! Wonderful modern hotel with a fantastic horizontal and vertical shower head, and the most comfortable bed I recall ever sleeping end. Perhaps three days of ten hour drives enhanced that comfort.
I finished the evening with a Wise Pies pizza and salad and two glasses of red wine, all just a few steps from the hotel. Slept great! One more day to reach LA!
