First Sleep Over in a Walmart Parking Lot - Big Spring, TX

We have driven over 2,000 miles.  Well, not really we ... I only drove for about 45 minutes.  Then Tom said "Pull Over."  It wasn't my driving ability.  We we're getting closer to Dallas and traffic was picking up.  That was fine with me.  A few hours later one of the trailer tires blew out and I wondered how I would have handled it.  Fortunately we were not in a lot of traffic and it was on the passenger side.  Tom felt it right away and he was able to  pull safely off the road and it was level.  I was barely able to take a few pictures and Tom already had the tire changed.  Which was good because when the trucks went by at 70 mph, it was a little scarry ... made the trailer up on the jack sway.  Anyway ... on the internet searching for a walmart to get a replacement tire.  We're heading into more desolate areas and want to be ready with a spare.  After several phone calls we found one!  Pulled into the parking lot and parked with the other campers  and went in to get something to eat.  When the tire blew it bent the gas lines that go to the stove, hot water heater and fridge.  Didn't want to try using anything with gas until Tom could get a better look at in the daylight. 

Sleeping in a Walmart is better than sleeping in a truck stop or rest area because its quieter ... not peaceful ... just quieter ... remember, we're talking Walmart parking lot.  And, you know how when you go to the store, there is always something you forget.  Well, this way, when you remember it ... you can just go right back in.

The scenery in Texas has been really cool.  As the sun was setting last night we drove past thousands upon thousands of windmills.  They were huge and so pretty against the twilight sky.

Today there have been lots of oil pumps.  They are really neat too.  The landscape is fairly flat and there are wildflowers in bloom - not lush like at home - here its so dessert-like.  The flowers are tiny, but they are so pretty against the barreness.  Lots of cacti too and these really tall yucka looking plants - I'll put pictures up later.

We did our first "tourist" stop - an unplanned stop when you drive by something and say - "Hey, let's check that out."  Crater National Monument ... more on that later.  And no, it was not like some giant Elephant that someone built just to get tourists to stop and spend some money.