The last thing Daddy Lion said before we fell asleep last night was, "Tomorrow we visit a huge hole in the ground." We're leaving Albuquerque, hitting Carlsbad, then turning left on I-20 and heading straight for Atlanta. We had been planning on going home back across I-40 but decided to go see Carlsbad, even if it adds an extra day. Huge holes aside, there are good and bad things about the new route. On the plus side, the trip will be new again, we won't cross any mountain ranges, and we should be south enough to more or less eliminate weather threats.

But I feel like Gandalf straining to hear the Balroc in the mines of Moria. We'll be traveling through west Texas. West Texas is possibly the most abominable area of our nation. I can only hope we'll skirt far enough south to avoid even the taint of Lubbock and get through it fast. West Texas is one concern of mine.

The other is missing Sandra. Sandra, Dear Badass Cowgirl, on the way through Knoxville we were flying, anxious to get down the road, and not at all ready to stop. We blew you kisses and made a plan to try and insinuate ourselves into your home for a night on the way back. The new route makes this impossible. We are very sad to miss seeing you on this trip. You say Carlsbad is worth it? Sigh, I miss you.