Texas is painfully big :) but now I'm done with that part :eekdance:

Hott damn, them gas prices!

Tell me you called this guy in?

Day 6
Aliens, Radar Astronomy, and the Continental Divide...

Today started in Carlsbad at a chilly 48 degrees. I made my way north to famous Roswell NM past a ton of remote ranch land and some pecan plantations.

The first thing you see on main street is a huge marquee for the UFO museum, so in I went. It had all kinds of info on the crash and coverup - much more than you typically see on those rehashed TV shows. A fun stop.

From there, i found my way towards the mountins that guard the white sands facilities... there is a little town called Socorro where i got gas (yes D- i had to fill up) not much to do there but i did stop in the Welcome Center where i learned that the VLA was only 50 miles away. that also happened to be on a great mountain route that was one of the most beautiful and fun roads I have ever driven.. and D- you can confirm that's alot. :driving:

Finally - made my way down the west side of the continental divide to a place called Silver City NM. - this is the most civilization i have seen since San Antonio a few days ago!!

:yum:

This is a really cool picture Randy!

thanks! - here is another that came out pretty well :)

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...78774527_n.jpg

and while we're at it :)
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...98136157_n.jpg

too bad i couldn't park the car out there to get that in the pics too ... lol

wowwww pretty damn cool.

Randy, gas has got to be killing your wallet...:roflpuke2::roflpuke2:

Awesome pics Randy :tup:

Here is a glimpse of the type of scenery coming down off the mountains...

Hey Randy I noticed your radar detector is all jacked up, man that thing needs to be on your wind shield and level.. the way you have it deserves one of these :facepalm:

it looks worse somehow in the video. let me assure you it is working perfectly :)

it will even detect Ka band when it is under the passenger seat...

Dude, you're video makes it look really bad...:bowrofl: like an epic fail attempt at trying to mount it correctly..:roflpuke2:

Randy, great pics and the video coming down from the mountains looked like it was some real nice driving there!

Day 7
Apache's, Tonto, and lots of Cactus.

Today was mostly about the driving. It was a brisk 38 in Silver City NM, but that warmed up quickly - most of the day in the mid to high 50's - even got the top down for a bit.

I made my way up into Arizona and into the Tonto national forest. There were gorgeous vistas and 100 mile visibility in all directions. - I pulled off into a spot where I learned that just up the hill was an archaeological site of pre-Pueblo indian cliff culture. So i hiked up. Stunning

Then an hour and a half drive down the mountains into Phoenix.

wow, I gotta give you props Randy, you're better than google earth with the pics..:bowrofl:

Coolbeans Randy!

Very awesome, Randy...I was pitching this idea to my girlfriend last night.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

is that what we call it nowadays... :)

Bow chicka wow wow

Sent from my Galaxy S3

:ughdance:

Day 8
Joshua Tree and Palm Springs

Today I made it from Phoenix to Palm Springs - the drive on the i10 kinda sux.. but once i pulled off into the Joshua Tree National Forest - things took a turn for the much much better.

The park has gorgeous scenery and lots of desert life to experience. plus a super fun curvy road with great views at every turn.

then i made it to my western destination - Palm Springs.

reserved for video

Sweet pics sir.

:tiphat:
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...98383628_n.jpg

Man, thats pretty cool... but sir, you missed out on a fabulous group dinner last night, shame on you! :facepalm:

I once drove nonstop from Hampton, VA to San Diego, CA. Coast to coast in 47 hours!...but I have to say your method looks a lot more enjoyable, haha.

Nice photos! Looks like a good trip so far. If it weren't winter, I would highly recommend a detour to Yosemite Valley. That park is absolutely beautiful and it has some really great twisty roads!