After a day in the flat, windy, high plains, driving past all sorts of agri-industry and mining: cotton fields and delinting gins, oil, salt, peanuts, pecans, cattle, potash and something called "caleche," plus a look at the Palo Duro Canyon and the Goodnight Ranch, we're checking in at Carlsbad. Every road in Texas seems to be 70 mph, so the back roads, if they're paved, make just as good time as the freeway. The freeway route is a little more interesting, Kathleen asserts, because at least you have an occasional highway sign to read and some traffic to notice.
Carlsbad looks like a neat town, compared with some of the junky small towns littered with irrigation pipes, oil services and cotton trash.
We spotted a nice-looking Italian Cafe in Carlsbad; we're looking forward to a dinner and a relaxing afternoon/evening. Maybe if we can find a driving range. . .
The palms and yuccas started immediately upon crossing the New Mexico border.
Tomorrow the caverns.
