We remain on Interstate 40 across the Southwest, today traveling from Amarillo to Tucumcari. While we said at the outset of the trip we would take side roads so we could see more of life in America, around here would not be a good idea. First, there are no side roads. Second there's no doubt the sights would be any better even 100 miles north of south than the route we've been on.
 We packed up from our stay in Amarillo and hit the road at about 8:30 am . It was freezing when we hopped out of our 5 Star digs (the pickup) at 6:15 am. The thermometer said 49 degrees and I shivered and shook while putting the finishing touches on Thursday's blog.
 Our first stop of the morning was in Adrian, Texas. We had seen some signs about a "midpoint" on Route 66 which is exactly halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles. We stopped and took the requisite photos...with the help of a traveling German couple from near Munich.  
 The New Mexico border was only about 90 miles from Amarillo and the interstate 75 mile per hour speed limit breezed us along quickly. Just after crossing the border into New Mexico (the first time I had been in New Mexico - only Rhode Island, Oregon and Hawaii are states that I haven't visited) we crossed into the Mountain Time Zone. Two hours behind friends and relatives in Maine.
 We stopped at the first Rest Area/Information Center on the border, and collected maps and brochures of the state. Dolly had noticed a car museum along the way and we spent a little time there and thoroughly enjoyed the free museum and hospitality of Russell's Truck Stop . While at the Truck Stop/Museum, we again saw the German couple. 
 Dolly spotted an RV park in Tucumcari that had all of the basic creature comforts we were looking for. Camping, bathrooms, wifi, cable, etc. All for $19 a night. When we checked in they told us the rates...$19 for the first night, the second night half price and the third night free! After driving in we found out why. OK, it did have everything the brochure said, but, lets just say its a bit past prime. A LOT past prime. We were warned about sustained winds today in the 20 to 25 range and in a day or two they're forecasted to be up to 60 mph. Even my 30 years in South Dakota where the winds blow everyday, 60 mile per hour winds would be a bit too much.
 Let me digress a bit and tell you about how Chi Chi is managing on our trek. Actually - not bad. For the most part she sleeps on a little stand I made on the center truck console and lately she's found another resting spot on top of the luggage in the back seat. I think she's resting and whenever we stop she's on duty . She barks at everything and everyone. She thinks its her job. Even when we turn in at night, I can see her two little pointed ears up and scanning out the back window for trouble.  
Also, let me share something that was a goal of "ours" before we left the cold of Maine. We're on a diet. Overall, its been going excellent and I can begin to tell that I'm losing some weight. We selected a "low carb" diet and while there are hundreds of them out there, we're using our own version. For example, tonight's feast was two slices of ham and Dolly whipped up some zucchini. We made two meals out of the ham/zucchini and so far Dolly has had no stomach issues and I've tightened a couple of notches on my belt. We've only "splurged" twice, which, for us is pretty good. We plan to keep it up.  
 All for tonight. Enjoy your day and we hope you can check in to see how we're doing tomorrow and down the line. Thank you.

Love ya!

Cheers.