Day 22, Amarillo, TX to Flagstaff, AZ 612 Miles

Greetings,

   It was a long tough day today my friends. Thirteen and a half hours on the road. Six hundred and twelve miles from Amarillo, TX to Flagstaff, AZ, with temperatures hovering around the century mark and against a 25 to 30 MPH head and/or crosswind. The majority of our Interstate cruising is done around 75 to 80 MPH, at or just above the posted speed limits; however, with the strong headwind sometimes it was all we could do to make 65 to 70 MPH. You just ran out of throttle. On occasion the cruise control would refuse to cooperate as if to say, "If you think it's so easy, do it yourself."

   Our travels today on Interstate 40, which generally overlays the old Route 66, took us through Tucumcari to Albuquerque, NM. In Albuquerque Bill, Steve, Tim and Sylvia and I stopped at the Harley-Davidson dealer where I changed out some well-worn spark plugs, while Bob and Lane went to the Hard Rock for another pin. We met later in Laguna, NM, on the Laguna Indian Reservation for lunch where we enjoyed the "World Famous," although I never heard of it, Laguna Burger. The Laguna Burger is comprised of a half a pound of fresh ground beef, never frozen, cheese, lettuce and tomato and grilled green chilies, plenty good.

   With the strong head wind, gas stops were frequent with low fuel warning lights blazing. Our average fuel consumption of around 40 MPG was significantly reduced to sometimes as low as 32 MPG. The advantage of frequent fuel stops was that they were also hydration stops. We consumed Gator Aide and water by the gallons on our journey. I was especially mindful after my episode with heat exhaustion in South Carolina.

   If I have not previously mentioned it, I want to thank and acknowledge Bob for purchasing me a cup/bottle holder for my handlebars while I was recuperating. I made good use of it on the trek home. Thanks again Bob.

   Our route west took us past the Petrified Forest and the Meteor Creator near Winslow, AZ, which several of us have already visited, and as I stated before we're on a mission to get home, no more sight seeing.

   Still bucking strong head winds, high heat and lots of traffic, especially semi-trucks, in the afternoon we managed to get separated on the highway. But, we all managed to find our favorite Motel Six in the Woodlands at Flagstaff and arrived within twenty minutes of one another. We generally stay there when in Flagstaff because it is reasonably priced, it has been recently remodeled and we enjoy eating at the Buffalo Hot Wings across the street. Today was no exception. Within the first ten minutes of entering the restaurant, we had devoured 50 hot wings, so we ordered 40 more. Only three remained, Sylvia's Blazing Hot variety. No takers.

   Tomorrow we will be on the road early and headed home. I think we are all looking forward to getting home and sleeping in our own beds after twenty three days on the road. I know I am.

Please stay tuned, just one more day.

John and the Usual Suspects