El Paso, TX was much bigger than we expected...a huge, sprawling mess of a border town. And as the saying goes “Everything’s big in TX...”, the size of the churches was staggering! Big as stadiums with new age names like “Abundant Living Faith Center”. We kept on the freeway and got through as quick as we could.
The rest area just across the border into New Mexico was incredible! A huge, landscaped area with over a dozen covered picnic tables that you can stay at free for 24 hours. The immaculate restroom complex actually had a courtyard with a tiered water foundation, and Christmas carols were playing in the bathrooms!
This is one thing the USA seems to do really well - rest stops. Most of the ones we’ve seen feature pet walking areas and picnic tables, maps and vending machines. Good to know that you can stay overnight at ones here in New Mexico and Arizona, plus we’ve discovered Oregon is the same great boondocking options after long driving days.
Though we only had one night in New Mexico. We stopped at Rock Hound State Park in the foothills of the Little Florida Mountains and enjoyed spectacular sunset views over the desert. But awoke to freezing howling winds and hit the road as soon as we could.
There are signs all over warning what to do in case of dust storms: pull over and turn off all lights until it clears. While it seems counter-intuitive to turn off lights, apparently there have been many fatalities when people try to use lights as a beacon and end up running right into other vehicles!
The weather is really starting to drop in these parts so time to hit Baja. Overnights are getting near freezing, and while we do have a furnace in the trailer, it’s just not fun. We just crossed the continental divide at 4,500 feet so am sure elevation has a lot to do with it. Will definitely have to make plans to enjoy more of New Mexico and Arizona in future years either in spring or fall. What we’ve seen so far on the drive is very much like the landscape of Baja, so might as well be in sun in it!
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