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I headed south out of Evergreen on August 31. This is a section of the road that I haven't seen in the daylight too many times. Or maybe I just paid attention this time around. Traffic was wonderful, and I didn't have enough traffic around me to have stupid, idiot, or retard bothering me. Just enjoying yet another day of beautiful sky. Before I knew it, New Mexico. Raton Pass was just beautiful, and it reminded me of many of the passes I made on this wondeful, 10,000+ mile venture.
On the way in, five weeks ago, I had a friend suggest to me to stop in and see the Capulin Volcano National Monument. It's on US 87, east of Raton about a half hour. The museum and welcome center was quite informative; I didn't realize that the northeast part of New Mexico is actually a significant volcanic active area. Well, relatively active on earth's time clock. When I signed the guestbook, there was another entry.. 'last stop of a 10,000 mile road trip.' I was just at 9700 at that time, but I would leave them in the dust in miles.
It doesn't look like much from the road, but driving around and around up to the peak was nice, and it gave a great view of the surrounding areas. It's amazing to drive roads to peaks, across canyons, through valleys, switchbacks, and high altitude passes. This road was no different; it was winding, and steep dropoffs that are sure to be deadly if you miss a turn. What is truly amazing is the stories behind the construction of these roads. The first road and the conditions or lack of mechanized assistance available at the time. Just amazing.
After a short walk around the peak, I headed back down and continued my journey. Tempting indeed was the thought of driving through another state on my journey, so I went ahead and elected to pass through Oklahoma ( I know, I know....but it was worth it) for only a few miles.
I drove through Clayton, New Mexico, and crossed into Oklahoma on 56, then took a right at the first possible opportunity to head south, which wasn't far at all from Texas. And, there wasn't a big, sizable, welcome to Texas sign, but there was this, which, in my personal opinion, was better:
This is the most northwesterly crossing you can possibly make in the Texas panhandle from Oklahoma. And it was in the middle of nowhere. I did get my 'official' Texas state flag a few short minutes south of this sign, approximately 896 miles from my house in Houston.
And that Texas flag welcoming me back to the great state of my birth? The very first mailbox. Hell yeah.
Raised the hair on the back of my neck. Just did again. Beautiful. And the scenery you ask?
That was damn beautiful. And a place you'd sit for awhile with car trouble. There isn't much out there. Panhandle north of Texline. You might get passed by something green and tractorlike way before you get passed by a car.
Somewhere up in the panhandle, I picked up a companion. I think he stowed away about the time I took the picture of the mailbox, but after rolling down all four windows to blow him out, he laded on the console and rode shotgun for quite awhile. He wasn't bothering me, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't enjoying life with sunroof open and windows down at 75 mph:
I still had a ways to go before arriving at Dad's house, so I just kept plugging away. I really did enjoy the drive through Texas on this day, although the heat hit me, and I turned on the air conditioning for the first time in a few weeks. I had been in 75 degree weather for nearly a month, and having the sunroof open almost all the time was quite a treat.
I was treated to a beautiful sunset that night, and these days, I try and cherish every one. And this one was truly spectacular. Just awesome. I ended up that day at Dad's house; I didn't stay particulary long this time. Just long enough to get the car washed, and move stuff back to the truck. I was ready to get back home, but for what I wasn't sure yet. Time will tell. Mileage at Dad's: 10,596. Only 2,500 over the estimate. Not bad, I say. :)
