Heading east on I-40 from Gallup, NMexico, the land is very bare and dry. Large flat top mountains arise between long stretches of flat land and deserted highway. Some are up-thrusts and some are worn away by millions of years of erosion - like the one in the right background.
This is an example of a sedimentary rock ridge very close to the highway. It isn't terribly tall - compare it to the SUV.
Albuquerque has added interest to their section of the Interstate with fancy overpasses, walls and plantings. This fanciful display is a pedestrian crossover.
Terra cotta and teal/turquoise are the colors of much of the architecture.
The mountains in the distance are represented by 'etchings' on the sound walls.
These three pointed decorations might represent growing corn - an American Indian symbol.
They do fanciful landscaping/hardscaping also, although I doubt these plants are much larger than when I went through in 2012. Things don't grow very fast in the desert.
Just east of Albuquerque is the turn off to Zuzax, NM. I wonder if it came before or after Zzyzx Road, CA, which is just east of Barstow.
I always see lots of interesting vehicles on the road. Many strange cargoes, or mysterious humps covered with tightly tied tarps. This American Red Cross truck was traveling in a caravan of similar trucks. Since it was the day after the terrible death dealing tornado in Oklahoma I wondered if that is where this fleet of rescue vehicles was heading.
There are curves in the road now and then. This one is at a junction with another road. And I always enjoy the clouds which are almost always present. But no rain.
After the curve I-40 is straight again, all the way to the horizon. Unless there is a wreck or horrible weather, there aren't any traffic jams out here.
Even though it is very dry, the little grasses and plants right against the pavement benefit from the runoff when it does rain. So there is often a fringe of green along the edge.
When I first saw these light colored triangles, my first thought was "tepees"! But they are much too large for that.
I decided they are mine tailings. Notice the steep dirt roadway diagonally across the mountain.
I stayed in Tucumcari, NM, that night and had dinner at Del's Restaurant which has been in business since 1956. I think the cashier has been there all that time and she didn't care that my name is Del!
The food is was fresh and well prepared - very basic diner fare with a nice salad bar.
I ordered the grilled chicken with raspberry sauce on the side - good thing because it was rather spicy for me. I liked seeing the Fiestaware in every color that it came in. I wonder if that is what they started out with, although these are modern replacements.
The trip report continues tomorrow.
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