We are in Tijeras, New Mexico, on the edge of the Cilbola National Forest after a 275 mile run from Amarillo. Another day of long, flat, get-me-through-this, but the temps were in the 80's so it was a little better. When we crossed the New Mexico border, we entered the Rocky Mountain Time Zone. After Tucumcari, where we stopped for lunch at a Denny's attached to a Flying J truck stop, the wind came on with a fierceness that was quite an experience. I haven't tried to drive in wind that strong in a long, long time. Certainly never in a motorhome 11' high. As we approached our stopping point for the night, the dust filled the air like a fog. It was so thick that we couldn't connect to a cell tower yet this morning we have a good connection from the same spot. A cold front blew through overnite and this morning the temps are in the low 40's with a high forecast for the mid 70's.
The topography changed at Tucumcari as well, as we started seeing mesas and buttes, albeit small ones, so the view got more interesting. As we gained in elevation (here we are at 6400 feet), we started seeing much more in the way of vegetation. Actual stands of trees. Right now we're surrounded by quite a bit of forest but that will fade as we get by Albuquerque. We're right on the Eastern rim of the valley and we'll tackle the long hills into and out of Albuquerque as soon as we get going this morning.
The highlight of today's travel will be a stop at Petrified Forest National Park and we'll stop for the night in Sun Valley, Arizona.
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