Watch For Snakes!

That was what the sign said at this brand new, state-of-the-art rest stop along I-40 in the Texas panhandle east of Amarillo. Frankly, I didn't notice it at first, more intent on finding some much-needed relief after hundreds of miles of driving across the northern part of the state on my return journey to Santa Fe. But there it was, firmly planted in the landscaped gravel beds surrounding the huge visitor's center with its touch screen displays covering everything from local historical sites to the region's weather forecasts. "Watch For Snakes." I wonder how many travelers have actually seen a snake and, if so, did it cause them to relieve themselves sooner than planned?

The drive across north Texas is really one of the most enjoyable ways to return to New Mexico from Louisiana. It's almost as if you are sneaking by all the big cities on I-20 and cheating them out of the heavy trafffic they have waiting to snare you in some massive jam on the LBJ Freeway in Dallas or US-287 in Fort Worth. What you do see are the wind farms that are now sprouting up in the wide open spaces just south of the Oklahoma border next to the horse breeders and oil wells that have been there for years. Amarillo is still the destination after a long day's drive, but certainly it is a less harried way to make the journey.

Amarillo, like Abilene, is a place the family was once in the hotel business. Beyond that, there is not much more to discuss. I stayed at the Fairfield Inn using my employee discount, got up the next morning and had breakfast at a local spot famous for its pancakes (huge AND tasty), then hit the road to Santa Fe. In retrospect, I cannot say I see many differences between the two. Both are just points on the interstate highway system with nondescript downtowns and one area on the outskirts chock full of all the chain stores, hotels and restaurants you'd expect to find clustered together. Urban blight on the dusty Texas plains!

Now I am in Santa Fe. The City Different. It's not everyone's idea of paradise. My uncle doesn't care for all the "mud huts" even if some of them are several million dollars worth of "mud." Beyond that, though, it is hard to beat for culture, art and, of course, gastronomic pleasure. I will go broke before I go hungry, but after six months of employee dining room fare at the Grand Canyon who could blame me for a little indulgence here and there. And if you could have tasted the crepes I had for breakfast Saturday morning, drizzled in chocolate, you'd certainly understand!

On Wednesday it is off to California en route to Canada. I can't wait to see Allan's Jeep or Allan for that matter. Even better, I cannot wait to hit the rails. All aboard!