10 More Hours, Texas Roads Show Respect, Desert to Plains

A little bleary eyed we got ourselves out of Tucumcari faster than we made our previous escapes. On the road before 6AM we left with the intention of rolling ground and distance today. 10 or so hours later, we arrived north of Tulsa and approximately 200 miles past the halfway mark.

We saw more of Route 66, which in some places is a narrow road following right alongside the I40. Look for it here in the pic above. There are many remnants of the ways, which are interesting. I noticed mixed feelings about it all. What I found really sad are the “Indian” exploitations along the way. Further detractions included the variety and swath of carcasses, and the hideous cattle ranches alongside the road. I’m definitely developing stronger feelings about that as well.

Crossing into Texas, the roads got so much better and have continued to be as we moved onward into Oklahoma. It occurred to me that there’s a significant measure of respect that good roads offer professional drivers.

Rowdy spied many different changes to the flora as we whipped past and of course the changing environment as we moved into the Great Plains – and the environs became more green.

In Oklahoma on the I40, there was a serious multi vehicle crash, including a couple of semi’s. I had to carefully take this terrible photo, as I needed to pay attention to my driving. If you zoom in, you might be able to make out the crash and the backup behind it that went for miles and delayed westbound traffic for many hours. This is exactly why we prepped with portable urinals in each vehicle. And no, this isn’t another picture of the hood and the road.

We stopped a short while after this for a needed break and for provisions. These two were watching their driver in the bay next to me.

Leaving the 40 and heading north to and around Oklahoma City on the 44 was a challenge to drive. Add a literal 100 mile climb, a strongly enforced minimum speed of 60 MPH, merging lanes, awful impatient commuters, while listening for directions to the Microtel… challenge met.

We like this stay so far. Tara gets her first elevator ride and view from the third story while she waits Rowdy’s return from the store. Same routine (good for her) different view? And a great little walk across a small field to a turtle filled pond.

Key Learnings:

1. Try to look up from the road to see what else is out there

2. How to drive the truck with more skill

Tomorrow may be our longest day as we reach for Indianapolis. This will help us to make our last day shorter and our ability to off-load much better. Especially key items like our bed and Tara’s bed. ETA is Saturday. Today is Wednesday.