The gorgeous drive to Dallas

Had I known that the Arizona countryside was some of the most picturesque we would see for a while, I would have paid more attention. As we made our way into New Mexico, enjoying watching the dust storms in the distance, I worked on my Air drumming and my drive-dancing which has evolved quite a lot since I managed to operate the cruise control.

What was a great drive turned into a very boring one as the highway patrolmen kept us at standstill on the motorway for more than two hours as there were high winds in the area. This left us with little confidence for our tent which had already suffered two brutal wind storms, one in Kaikoura and the other in the Mojave desert. We did manage to get as far as Las Cruces, NM, where we found a place to stay for the night, most importantly - with HBO and breakfast.

We were in for a long day with our ETA in Dallas at 8pm, 10m hours on the road would not be joy ride. Now if you have ever driven down I-10 and 1-20 in Texas you will understand how little there is to see, so you even get excited when some tumbleweed comes blowing past.

My day was made when some state trooper on a power trip ticketed me for being a few miles over when there were clearly many cars flying past me. My downfall being the Georgia reg. I had in small town Texas. $180 thanks very much. I could not hold in my excitement, and along with the great scenery I was over the moon to be in Texas. I needed to get out that car badly and smash a few Shiner bock at Celia's cousins house. Only 3.5 hours to go.