Day 8

Tuesday - July 24

(Click for Today's route)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Hinton,+OK&daddr=34.956870,+-101.679840+to:Santa+Rosa,+NM&mrcr=1&mra=pi&sll=35.151354,-101.019287&sspn=1.985148,3.702393&ie=UTF8&z=7&om=1

Broke camp and returned to I-40. Drove past a very cool and eerie wind farm. Stopped at Palo Duro State Park southeast of Amarillo, Texas. Some call it the most beautiful place in Texas. It is the second biggest canyon in the U.S. Amazingly beautiful right in the middle of the flat plains of the Texas panhandle.

I had just told Annie that I had read that when driving in the west one should keep the gas tank full because we easterners have no idea how far apart gas stations are. Out east there are two or three at every interstate exit. Hell, out west towns on maps don't even exist anymore save crumbling buildings and rusted metal. Leaving Palo Duro Annie asked if we oughtto top off. I said that was a bit of overkill and that we could wait.

Ran out of gas just over the New Mexico border.

Called 911 on Annie's cell phone, got Texas State Police, who called New Mexico State Police who called Terry's Truck Service who brought us 5 gallons of gas and a $55.00 call out tab. Off again after only about a 45 minute delay.

Dinner at La Cita restaurant in Tucumcari, NM.

Set up camp at Santa Rosa Lake State Park near Santa Rosa, NM.