Day 61 - Arrived in Oklahoma

 Ken wanted to get an early start so we were up by 5:30 AM and on Interstate 40 by 6 AM.  It was a cloudy morning, but warm. 

By 8 AM we were getting hungry, because we had decided to wait to have breakfast until we had been driving for awhile.  So, we pulled into a rest stop, turned on the generator and I made an English Muffin and some Chai.  Ken just enjoyed his cereal and fruit.  It was a quick meal and then we were off again.

Kind of an interesting photo!  Those are clouds below the
mountains.

Lots of "rays" coming out of the sky!

Melissa called to check on us and we both admitted that we are going through "friend withdrawal".  It seems so quiet without all the laughing and fun we had together.  We did some reminiscing and said we will continue to keep in touch regarding our drive home and the condition of my father.

About my dad - he had the stent removed from his back today and they are going to start him on oral antibiotics.   My mother said there has been a tremendous change in his condition the last 2 days and there is even some talk that he may be returning to Masonic Homes later this week.  Hallelujah!  Thanks everyone for your prayers and messages of encouragement.

We stopped at 2 rest stops today and also made one stop for gas.  Other than that, we just kept driving.  Albuquerque, NM was a busy area with lots of highways, interesting bridge overpasses, and retaining walls!

From a distance, I thought these were metal sculptures of
bicycle parts.  I was wrong!!!

Lots of highway "options"!

 From there we headed into Texas and it was obvious many places that they have had a lot of rain.  Some areas it looked like the roads would have been closed because of flooding! 
.

Then we saw more of the cattle "farms" (poor cows) and even driving by the smell was terrible!

Not much of a life for these guys!!

Also saw these colorful cars "buried" in a field along
Interstate 40!!

Ken does such a good job driving and stays so focused!
Outside the window is a steakhouse where you get a 72 ounce
steak FREE if you can eat the whole thing!!!!  That's a lot
of bull!!!!

 We drove 573 miles in 11 hours and even gained an hour when we crossed into Texas.  We struggled trying to find a decent CG in Oklahoma - most of the reviews were terrible.  When we entered Oklahoma we stopped at the Welcome Center (probably one of the nicest rest stops we have ever been to) and the lady there was very helpful.  She suggested we drove another 100 miles and stop at Red Rock Canyon State Park and that is what we  did. 

What a gorgeous sign when entering Oklahoma and
stopping at the Visitor's Center

 What a lovely place!  The sites are large with cement pads and shade.  Since it was 98 degrees when we got there, we were happy for the shade and breeze.

Loved our quiet and relaxing site!

They have walls for repeling!

Aren't the red rock beautiful???

 We are both exhausted from all the driving (I really feel for Ken who does all of it) and decided we will take our time getting ready tomorrow and leave at a later time.  We may slow down the pace for the remainder of the trip since Dad seems to be doing so much better.  Driving over 500 miles everyday is just too much!

We sat outside for a short time, but the flies were rather pesty.  But it was already 7 and we needed to eat.  Made dinner and then worked on this blog.  I think we will call it a night rather early.  Not sure what route we will take for coming to PA.  We keep checking the weather to drive in the least amount of rain.

Good night!!!