Day 2: Bloomfield

Texas Panhandle

I went to Wal-Mart and the lady told me she'd sell me tires if I was determined to buy them, but I didn't really need them yet.  I guess there was just a whole lot of water on the road.  I think it was the same storm that killed the campers in Arkansas.  (Shudder.)  I asked if I should rotate them and she said I had my best two tires on the back, which is where I want them.  I think I need to go somewhere to get them balanced, though, because I'm getting a lot of steering wheel vibration at highway speeds.  It's not the alignment, because I took my hands off the wheel and the car kept going straight.

I had nothing but beautiful blue skies for my second day of driving.  I have a deadline to reach my destination, so I only have photos taken from rest areas along the highway.  The one in the Texas Panhandle, outside of Amarillo, was beautiful.  It was like a miniature museum with historical exhibits, airconditiong, plenty of seating, and free wi-fi.  There is a tornado shelter here somewhere.  Outside are covered picnic tables, BBQ pits, a playground, and signs warning to watch for rattlesnakes.  They normally warn of their presence, but don't reach under any rocks or stick your hands in any holes, just in case...

The rest area in New Mexico wasn't as nice, but serviceable.  They did have a historical marker (why do people insist upon adding grafiti?), and I spotted a ladybug enjoying the facilities, as well.

In the middle of the afternoon, I heard a noise like a balloon expanding and then exploding and immediately thought of my tires.  It made my heart skip a beat, but it was just a bag of Tostitos I had on the back seat.  Apparently, it got really hot back there.

I made a stop at a casino along the way and played a little Texas Hold 'Em. I'm starting to get some respect at the tables. People are surprised I've only been playing a few months. They suspect I'm being coy when I say, "I'm learning."


After dark, I stopped for gas in the middle of nowhere and a woman approached me in the parking lot, asking for a ride.  What's up with all the people doing this lately?  Do I look like a taxi????  She said her boyfriend took off and left here there.  "Can I help you call someone to come get you?"  She said she only knew of one person and she didn't want to wake her.  My friend would be pissed if I was stranded somewhere and didn't call her.  My friends would come get me and then hunt down the boyfriend and beat his ass.  I did not give her a ride, but I made sure the guys working at the station knew she was there and they said they'd take care of her.  She had been in there earlier trying to buy alcohol, but they wouldn't sell to her because they suspected she was already intoxicated.      

I drove until almost midnight and stopped in Bloomfield, New Mexico at another Best Western.

P.S.  I have safely reached my destination for the race (not NM).  I'll post more after I leave.