6 am, gray Oklahoma morning. It's my turn to drive, so turn the music to the from left and let's rock and roll. Strangely enough, I slept very well, so watching to road with fresh and clear eye, even turning the cruise control on. I am quite awake and confident.
By 9am most everybody is up, and by 10 we are entering into Oklahoma City, where visiting Natasha's classmate, and his newly born son Anton. We are welcomed by sleepless parents, feed breakfast, and told alpinist stories.
Around noon we are leaving to the west suprised by the Princess, who turned out never drove a van. Nevertheless, she's behind the wheel, alert and snappy to those who questions her driving abilities.
Leaving OK for TX. Watching spectacular windmills that occur in bunches on the OK-TX border, wondering why soils are so red over here, and admiring vastness of the landscapes. I entertain the crew with stories of 72oz steak served at Big Texan, Amarillo, of rattle snakes, and of soil erozion. Arriving in Amarillo by 4pm, Big Texan seems overpriced, so we find another restraunt that we like better. Prices are good, so we sit down and enjoy great steaks customarily throwing peanut shells on the floor...
10 pm Albuquerque, New Mexico - too bad it's dark, we didn't see the mountain pass before the city, and also Rio Grande is bearely seen when we cross it somewhere in Albuquerque. We realize that we have 500 more miles to cover, and will sleep in the van again. Well, last night wasn't so bad, music that keeps the driver awake is quite soothing to others...
Sometime at night I turn up in Arizona. First gas station has unbelievable prices - $3.55!!! No way?!? How close is the next one? Well, let's pour a gallon or two in and move on.