Day 17 Second day coming home 280 miles

Holey-Moley what a day.
We left Albuquerque New Mexico this morning about 8:30 and it wasn't bad weather-wise.

 

It looked nice and I didn't wear all my cold weather cloths.
However..... Things changed just a few minutes down the road.

Those clouds didn't look good and it was getting colder by the minute.
When I checked the temperature on the bike dash I knew why I was cold.

I checked that temp on a wind chill chart. We were doing 75 MPH (legally) and the wind chill figures out to about 12 degrees.
We stopped and I put on my turtle neck shirt, tall poly sox and cold weather gloves.
With my heated jacket turned up all the way I was STILL cold as we went down the road.
The wind was so strong from the north (from our left) that the bike was leaning left for over 250 miles.
This sign shows what will happen if the winds get to strong.
We are paralleling route 66 and that is the road we would have to get on if they close route 40. 

Driving along in New Mexico can be boring.
The road goes on and on and on and on and on and on...........

There was something that caught my attention on the road.
I saw this ahead and wondered... WHAT is that???
Can you guess???

If life gives you lemons.... Make lemonade.

I did find out how they make trucks in New Mexico.
In a factory you say???
NOT..........
They breed them!!!!!

Al and I stopped at a McDonald's for some hot chocolate.
This mural was painted on a wall.
It depicts the old route 66 which goes east and west and is a lot like route 1 that runs north and south on the east coast. When route 40 was built route 66 died like route 1 did after route 95 was done.

We FINALLY got to the end of New Mexico.

And entered Texas

I was looking forward to different scenery
NOT..........
North Texas looks just like south Texas just COLDER!!!!!!!!!!!
How far can you see when sitting on the bike? 15 miles??? There is NOTHING all the way to the horizon!!!!

After freezing, when with our heated clothing turned up to max, we pulled the plug on the day at 2:30 and checked into this hotel.
WOW.......... Fancy digs for tonight with an Outback Steak House right next door!!!
That is Al outside our room.

 From the door looking in on Al resting while he watches the weather channel

 Looking toward the door with the pool in view

I have a bathing suit but not Al

This is a TV shot I took showing where we are.
See the snow / rain line???

Here is the map for our trip so far.