Today was an awesome drive!  All new to me as I have never been past Phoenix.  It was really cool how the climate changed so dramatically… Started from triple digits in the desert and ended up in the cool upper 60s as we arrived at 7,000 feet elevation.  Drove through a couple of awesome thunderstorms and saw some good lightning with thunder.  For me being from Southern California, this was very exciting (I know you are thinking lame if you live anywhere that has weather).   Monte was very happy the temp dropped as well and we visited many rest stops to stretch our legs.  The first rest stop in New Mexico was our first real encounter with other dogs.  They smelled each other and moved on…only if humans were so easy.

Albuquerque, NM was very nice as it was breezy and right after at t-storm blew through.  Got gasoline for the car there…actually been getting gas whenever we get below 1/2 tank as on the way to Phoenix I almost had a crisis.  No fun being in the middle of nowhere with no petrol.  It is pretty amazing how nice the roads are in other states besides California.  So far, both AZ and NM have had really smooth roads….feels like you are gliding on air.  Maybe California should stop inspecting fruit and put more money into the roads.

Santa Rosa, NM is a trip.  It is on the old Route 66, lots of themed restaurants/gift stores based off of that.  At our Hotel (Holiday Inn Express), there is a Corvette rally…the parking lot is full of awesome classics and newer models too.

Oh..and “Smoove”, this is for you… you can buy FIREWORKS pretty much ANYWHERE in New Mexico!  How freaken awesome is that?  I unforutnately did not stop to buy any though as I had a image of me buying a m-80 and then having a disaster.  Maybe next time.

Jaime also had a great idea today…he has a small portable computer that can play movies.  The car has an aux input, so connect that to the headphone jack of the computer and boom…instant movie theater!  Now Jaime and Monte have something to watch while on the road.  The sound is amazing as the car has simulated surround sound, nothing like having some explosions going on in the back seat (an no, it is not Monte passing wind…although that is a frequent present from him).

Tomorrow we go to Tulsa, OK…will be driving through the Texas Panhandle…maybe we need some big ole hats.

Highlighted pictures of the day (click on any to go to the album and view all):

T-Storm in New Mexico