Hello Blogspot World,

     I am in Santa Rosa, NM today.  I've been on my trip since Sunday.  Here's what has gone on.
     I have been travelling the same route I took to go to California in August.  The mileage is now 11 MPG because I am driving a ten-foot U-Haul and trailing my Kia behind.  The last time I went this way the Chevy HHR I was driving got 27 MPG.  You do the math.  The driving has been fine so far.  The trailer swerves a little more than I would want, but I haven't hit anything yet.  I did get a little close going through Oklahoma City where they were doing road work and they had concrete barriers up for miles.  Oh yeah, and then I went through a stretch where I knew exactly why they were doing road work.  After banging and bouncing along at 45 MPH I no longer have to go to the dentist for those two cavities.  The teeth just bounced right out of my head and are lying peacefully in the dust of Oklahoma.  Oklahoma is NOT OK.
     I almost ran out of gas yesterday.  I was talking to Ann Aldridge on the phone for about an hour while driving in Texas and didn't notice my gas gauge until I was done with the call.  I stopped at a rest stop (with a BIG star) and asked the guy how far the nearest gas was.  He told me it was 25 miles.  I got back out to the truck and started sweating.  No, it wasn't warm. 
     The first sign I saw told me it was 18 miles to Groom, TX.  I knew it would be close and the worst that could happen is that someone might have to drive me for a few miles.  I made it.  I was in Groom, TX, home of the largest cross in the world? US? Western Hemisphere?  Not sure.  I AM sure of this.  It is big.  I bought the cross magnet at the filling station.  I also bought a cool Texas pin (could serve as map of the state if in dire straits).  I've resolved to buy a pin in every state I go through.
     Last night, without looking for it, I ran across the hometown of Carrie Underwood of American Idol  fame.  The town is Checotah, OK and I can see why she wanted to get out of there.  I took a couple of photos of the "downtown" area and the sign that told me she was from there. 
     Ended up in Santa Rosa last night.  I didn't see any of the town because it was night, but it is 100% sunny today and I am ready to make the day's trip.  I am shooting for California today and Vallejo by Wednesday some time.
     NOTE: I picked the font color because I'm in the Southwest today.

     Happy Trails!

     Talk to you soon!