Taking the I-40 West through New Mexico

The weather patterns we've been experiencing the past couple of years makes traveling at any time of year unpredictable. Our decision to travel in May was made around a party in Las Vegas. We hoped for good weather.

Leaving Tucumcari, New Mexico it looked ominous. 

We appreciate the unique things, like the decorative overpasses.

And underneath the overpasses...

 But it started to rain so hard we couldn't even see those

 So between Tucumcari and Albuquerque this is all I can show you...

 We could see there were mountains up ahead and it appeared the storm was waiting for us.

We looked for a big gas station to pull into but there wasn't one.

 We heard on the radio that there had been hail somewhere in New Mexico, we didn't know where they were talking about.

And then suddenly we were in it.

 The temperature dropped down to 41 degrees as we went through the mountain pass.

We saw about 6 accidents in this short stretch of a mile or so... it was crazy! People just slid off the road, rolled, crashed. I guess the locals aren't used to this kind of driving conditions.

The truckers just drove through it like it was nothing.

 And then it was suddenly clear!

And we were coming into Albuquerque.

 It was back up to 72 degrees! 

The "Art" of Albuquerque is intriquing. We are both "artsy" types who appreciate the artistic where ever we see it. Since we are just driving through we notice the things that give the city it's character...

 One thing that I love is plants and flowers in the median.

 Leaving Albuquerque the road stretches out before us...

 We are always on the lookout for Elk... we almost never see any.

 These truck signs have a new meaning to us now that we are towing a big 5th-wheel.

 And when it says "Gusty Winds May Exist" you know you are going to be fighting strong winds.

 We were ready for a Rest Stop and hadn't seen anything. I hoped the one coming up would be open. I still had hopes that I would find someone selling handmade jewelry. 

I think this little town is Laguna... It tugged at my heart.

 We pulled off at the next exit that used to be a Rest Stop...Now it looks like a ghost town.

I know there used to be families selling their goods here. Travelers stopping to buy jewelry, pottery, copper, food and beverages. 

What has happened to these families? 

 At the end of the row of dilapidated shacks there was a woman with a table, selling her handmade jewelry. She had beautiful necklaces and earrings and bracelets. I did buy a pair of earrings. 

 I prayed for the people of this little town and those who used to sell their goods at those stands. 

My original plans for this trip were to go all the way to Williams, Arizona and spend 2 nights there. We planned to drive about 400 miles a day with stops regularly about every hour or two. Since there are so few Rest Areas open now it was necessary for me to change the plans.

Is this a reflection of the economic state of each state?
Since we have the 5th-wheel we can park and use our bathroom, eat something, rest for a few minutes.
But it was not easy to find a place to just park on this route.

When the sun is shining the mountains are very colorful.

The sun shone for a few minutes on this ridge lighting it up. 

 As we got closer to Arizona the clouds got dark again.

Just before crossing the state line into Arizona
we saw this... 

 I hope it is usually a thriving business and during the busiest travel time of the year vacationers stop and support them,

The road and the clouds stretched out before us for miles...

The only animals we saw going through here were these...

 We pulled into the town of Holbrook to stay at the KOA campground for the night.

I have to say the I-40 West through New Mexico had so few places to stop it is not a good route for travelers who need to take regular breaks. I would like to visit Albuquerque in the future.
Tomorrow we will be going to The Grand Canyon.