Miles driven – 700 and something (I forgot to check)
Total miles covered: 2400ish
Picking up a few leaflets in our hotel in Las Cruces, it was decided despite the appealing offer of free pistachios nuts from one of the leaflets, that we would visit White Sands. The area is also a missile firing range.
White Sands is aptly named. The sand is almost bright white. As we drove in you could confuse it for being a stage on rally Sweden. The handbrake may have been used besides when parked. The Jetta is now 60% floor 40% sand.
Leaving New Mexico was spectacular. A scenic route instead of the more direct I10 was chosen. It took us through Lincoln National Forest which winds through the mountains. Numerous ranches and even snow were passed. It’s amazing how quickly the scenery changes, from desert to forest in less than a 100 miles.
I can’t be sure, but I don’t think this shop owner voted Obama in the last election.
Into Texas, the horizon changes from mountains to oil wells. The road is laser straight. The car trip now back to zero. Our Jetta can’t count past 2000 it seems. There goes the final mileage count photo!
Back onto I10, the speed limit is 80mph and the highway empty, which is good as we have a lot of miles to cover to San Antonio, out overnight stay. Austin beckons in the morning.
