Well what an interesting last day on the road. Just under 600 miles and 
some serious transition. New Mexico has "nothing" on the road but what a great view of nothing (click on the pic to see a larger version). It's kinda an interesting transition to move from Oklahoma to New Mexico.
The one thing I didn't mention about OK is it seems they take that "God 
thing" seriously. Check out this cross it looks kinda big doesn't it. Well let me tell you how interesting it is to drive through a lot of nothing and see this tower in the distance. At first your not sure what it is, then you get closer and closer and closer and BAM it's a not so subtle reminder that yo
u're in the bible belt... that's for sure. Now to put things in perspective for you this is what the cross looks like with an 18 wheeler driving past it. Now I'm clearly no theological expert, but I honestly don't think that Jesus and the Giant from Jack and the Bean Stalk were related... So just who or what gets pinned to that cross? OK, OK now I don't mean to be anti God and all but that's a bit big isn't it?
OK so back to NM. Wow I loved the views... Of course other than the few roadside truck stops there wasn't much in the way of society to see but as a nature lover I was very impressed. What did I like the most? hummm... well it's a toss up, but I'd have to say the 75 MPH speed limit was really nice. Oh sure the vistas, views and nature were really cool too.
So I got into PHX around 4pm. I stopped at a rest stop just outside of Phoenix when I was introduced to what is clearly a "trend change" for me. Now if you're an east coaster, you know the things you're supposed to watch out for at a rest stop right?
- dirty "things"
- gang activity
- dirty men lurking in corners who may jump you
- hey you... stop stealing my car
Well here in Arizona it's a little more 
complicated than that. It seems like you probably have to worry less about the dirty old men that may jump you and a heck of a lot more about the "critters" that may jump up at you. Needless to say I stayed on the path and let this little 6 year old kid go ahead of me. I mean heck, he probably tasted better than I did anyway. I'm happy to report that I made it in and out of the rest stop alive (like a few dozen before this one on my trip) and I am now Terra-Firma (or however you spell it) in Glendale AZ (a burb of Phoenix).
I sign the lease on Wednesday, my stuff arrives Saturday and I start work on Monday. Not much time to relax... Heck somewhere in there I have to get a Physical for work... they'll love my blood pressure I'm sure!
Glad you made it there safely!
Posted by: archerr | March 09, 2005 at 16:12
So you made it out there alive! Looks like I lost another bet. I only wish the trip took longer - there's so much other crap to see along the way.
Posted by: Chris | March 09, 2005 at 11:35