Memphis to New Mexico

Left Memphis at 9 am. I have a Brake Assist for the car but it deadens my batteries so have not used it. Have to get an attachment to bypass it. Arkansas roads are terrible very bumpy. I stopped at the Flying J in Russelville, AR. My speedometer stopped working, thankfully my gas gauge still works so I use my GPS to see my speed and I use the cruise control a lot. I think it is a fuse but will wait until I can find a guy that can help me. This was an old station so parking was very short, gas was 2.279/gal. for a cost of $131.38. The coffee here is 99 cents as they class it as a refill so my morning coffee is made for me. Still not as good as good old Timmies

I just had a call that my best friend in Florida died. She was a wonderful person who gave more than she received. She was the one who introduced me to the singles groups with her wonderful Christmas parties, hot tub, great conversation and dancing. We had a lot of fun the two years I was down there and I will miss her a lot.

I stopped at the Oklahoma welcome centre to check out some history of the state. They offered free coffee and internet. Oklahoma is called the Cherokee Nation so lots of history of the indians that came to this area. You can take an 88 mile drive and learn more. Of course there are Casinos at every exit. Lots of road construction going on, most are great, but the unfixed parts really bounce you around. Filled with gas for $2.169/gal for $83.36. Of course the cheapest price and I didn't need much gas. It would be a great place to come back and explore.

Driving through Texas was great hardly any traffic I went for miles without seeing anyone. This is cattle country with BIG ranches. The soil is very red like P.E.I. Trees are getting smaller and I would call most of them shrubs, with not much moisture they have very small leaves so don't need as much moisture. Starting to see wind generators, Texas is windy most of the time, one of the reasons I don't like it. Welcome centre was about a 100 miles past the border and the rest areas were called picnic areas, but they were not very inviting. The Welcome Centre was very impressive, they had a wind generator and a building that had the history of the area. It was in the middle of no where, but spent over an hour reading all the history. I almost got blown away when I went outside, but the views were amazing. I enjoyed my lunch there. I have a Satellite dish and it works great but needs to be turned on every couple of days or I will get shut down. Typical Bell you don't use it you lose it and still pay. Anyway I turned my generator on found the satellite and downloaded the programing. I wasn't able to get signals at the last two stops. As you are driving you see signs saying "Strong Wind Gusts" well they were right and I was glad to get to my campground in Amarillo. Very tiring hanging on when the trucks go by. AOK Campground was drive through sites and full hookups, but not well looked after. For $11.00 Passport America I decided to stay two night. The first night the wind rocked the motorhome and it rained hard. Planes went over frequently. I stayed the second night so I could go to Palo Duro Canyon. My friend Donna said it should not be missed so off I went.

Got the GPS directions, but they were not the right place and thankfully I saw a sign and followed it. WHOW it cost $3.00 to get in and you could take your car for about a 15 mile drive. I stopped a lot and took tons of pictures. You can camp there and would be great to hike the area. The only way I would stay at these State Parks is if I was with someone. Hiking by myself is not something I am willing to do.

Sept. 23/09 Great driving day the wind had died down and the scenery was magnificant. Rolling hills in the middle of open space. Black dots when you got closer were free range cattle. The open blue skies were very relaxing. I had to drive over two hours for a rest area, the one I was going too was closed. The next one was just about full because everyone had the same idea so found a spot and had lunch. I stopped in Tucumcari, NM for gas it was $2.31/gas for a total of $128.69. I also filled up with propane at a cost of $2.89/gal for a cost of $28.09. I think that was very expensive, but haven't checked anywhere else. Arrived at Hidden Valley in Tijeras which is just before Albuquerque, N.M. It is built into a hill and terraced. Cost for a week and one day was $95.45 through Passport America, $11.00 a day. Cost otherwise is $24.00 so quite a saving. Have satellite service and internet so I am a happy camper.

Still working on pictures still can't figure it out. So the top picture is the Texas Rest Area and the others are Graceland.