…Crossing the continental divide…We missed it after all it was April Fools.

It was somewhere between where we spent the night outside of Phoenix and  Santa Rosa NM. The drive was through some pretty desolate spaces topping out at some 7,800+ feet at Mogollon Rim. Where we saw the remnants of the storm we were avoiding. Even Koko McQueen was in a hurry to take care of business in what green remained.

So in the fullness of time I-40 gave way to infamous Route 66 which is the main drag though Santa Rosa (population less than 3,000). That night’s accommodations was a nondescript RV park that did their own barbecue. We opted for something more local…like Mexican at Joseph’s Bar and grill. Great decorating…

Margaritas were good, food so-so but fit the bill…Should have had the BBQ.

Left early in the morning for Oklahoma City…down I-40 out of New Mexico, across the top of Texas and into Oklahoma. Koko assuming her rightful position with her Mum, making sure I remain between the two white lines…at the appropriate speed…

My life <sigh/>

As we crossed this generally abandoned stark flat land the boredom of driving gives way to license plate trivia.  There is a whole exodus of Minnesotan’s, Michiganites, Ontarioists, Quebecers and the odd Wisconsiner beating cheeks down the road (I mean 75-85 mph)…don’t they know that winter is still in full rage up north? What’s the hurry?

Trivia – After leaving Santa Rosa, how many miles was it before I saw the first New Mexico license plate on the freeway?

Answer: 176 miles, in Texas no less. I’m guessing that it was *way* too early for them on a Saturday morning.

Speaking of Texas their rest area efforts are really poor. Only found one coming across, but they had “Picnic Areas” which are basically a place to pull off and eat in the shade, no water or rest rooms, and the ever popular “Stopping Areas” which is the same as a “Picnic Area” less the shade and table.

Crossing into Oklahoma was another story…the mother of all rest stops! Complete with visitors center, dog run and as much green grass as Koko could possibly want…

No wait, there is something suspicious about *that* color of green…

Seriously, they paint the grass! I didn’t have the heart to tell Koko…

Into Oklahoma City now ensconced in the Twin Fountains RV park. Getting a reservation here was the virtual informational equivalent of applying for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia. I asked for their data retention and storage policies for all the PII they required…they looked dumbfounded that someone would question…

Into the city…sadly my visit wouldn’t be complete without paying  respects to the innocents murdered in the name of…what? Let’s just say domestic terrorism.

I was very moved, humbled and most of all saddened by the myopia the conspirators exhibited. Their blind rage, recklessness and zero forethought is staggering with clarity of time. I left the memorial filled with an emptiness and profound sense of loss.

Into Bricktown we went to raise our spirits. It’s cool re-development in the core of downtown. It’s concentrated around a canal that runs a mile or so with a boats going up and back with bars, restaurants on either side. It was an uplifting counterpoint.

Koko McQueen was a hit, everyone wanted to pet her. Old, young,  gelato slinging baristas (or whatever they are called) it made no difference. She was in her element, the belle of the ball. The only thing missing for the princess was her carriage….

And wouldn’t you know it showed up!

On to St. Louis tomorrow…I think…the weather east of here is as sketchy as it has been for this entire trip…