After spending nearly a month in and around the California area, we got a trip route to Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, we were elated to have some long days ahead. Our route to the East was via Interstate 40 and it was absolutely beautiful. It seemed the colors of everything were more vibrant and the road side attractions and buildings were plentiful.
Something that I had not seen going down other interstates as we crossed the country were Native American towns and structures. Trading Post tourist shops lined the interstate but not a lot of them offered truck parking so we didn’t end up stopping. The mountains and plateaus were plentiful and breathtaking but there weren’t too many bodies of water, so when we did see a river I was very excited. Arizona was definitely dry and hot as always, but being Summer, our truck’s air conditioning was working over time.
There is something truly special about the New Mexico sky, it’s clarity and color show the true beauty of untouched nature. I was fascinated by the contrast of deep elecrric blue heaven and bright white cotton like clouds. As we entered New Mexico from Arizona, we were greeted by copper red earth in the form of mountains as well as brightly painted teepees representing one of the last trading posts we would see.
We passed through Texas and saw the usual farms and oil fields as well as a hotel made to look like a castle and this water tower that was built to lean on purpose. I was getting excited to head into Arkansas as I had not been there before. The weather was good to us over all but it seemed we could not escape the heat.