We are back on the road after some last minute chores and goodbyes. We are following Highway 10 so that means out of Phoenix we headed south and then eventually east.

The road was busy today and for a while we tried to make time by driving at 70-75mph but eventually realized that at 65 we did not have to overtake any vehicles and driving was less of a dog-fight. Also the day was hot 98-100°F and higher speeds caused the transmission temp to rise above 200°F.

Not much to say about the scenery, the land is flat, sandy, and low scrub with occasional worn hills and mountains cropping up. You frankly wonder why anyone would live out here in one of these small towns.

At dusk we pulled into a rest area just west of Las Cruces NM, it is on the escarpment above the town and provided a wonderful view down into the valley where the town is situated.

We continued east from Las Cruces towards El Paso and stopped for the night in a rest area and tourist information place on the west side of that city.