December 1, 2025 (Mon.) - Pink Skies, Potholes, and a Push West to New Mexico.
We’re in full “bombing it back to California” mode now—short hops along I‑40, quick exits, and no‑frills campgrounds designed more for passing through than settling in. Today’s leg took us from Amarillo, Texas to Moriarty, New Mexico.
Lynn was up at 5:45, Kirk at 8:00. By 7:30 the sky was glowing with a gorgeous pink sunrise. Lynn debated braving the cold—21° (feels like 15°!)—but the beauty won out. Bundled in Uggs and her heated jacket, she stepped outside for photos. Kirk, of course, missed it again, still asleep until 8:00 when we began the usual travel‑day routine.
We rolled out at 9:35 for a 244‑mile drive, about 3 hours and 45 minutes, with an ETA of 1:15 PM. It was 24° (feels like 19°) when we left, and almost immediately the truck gave us trouble. The air compressor wasn’t working, so Kirk couldn’t fill the tires. Hoping it would sort itself out, we pressed on—only to find the cruise control acting up, randomly decelerating on empty stretches of highway. By 10:00, less than half an hour in, Kirk pulled into a truck parking area to investigate. At 28° he popped the hood, checked the fuses, pulled them out and back in—and just like that, the compressor was working again. Five minutes later we were back on the road. By 10:30, in Adrian, TX, we finally hit above‑freezing temps at 33°!
The drive itself was mostly uneventful—long stretches of nothing, punctuated by occasional pretty landscapes. With little to see, Lynn amused herself by noticing road signs and oddities. Texas had signs we hadn’t seen before: HM (Hazardous Materials) and HC (Hazardous Cargo). Green circles meant those trucks were permitted; red circles with slashes meant they were prohibited. The system helps truck drivers know which highways they can legally use, keeping hazardous loads away from schools, neighborhoods, and sensitive infrastructure.
Around 11:00 we crossed into New Mexico, gaining an hour as we entered Mountain Time—now just one hour ahead of California. New Mexico greeted us with potholes. Big ones. We found ourselves straddling lanes and shoulders to avoid them, grateful traffic was light. We stopped in Tucumcari for gas and bathrooms—rest areas are scarce and many were closed. The scenery remained sparse, though we did spot another tandem bicycle rider on I‑40, likely the same couple we saw back in Texas on Thanksgiving Day. Other roadside curiosities included “Report Drunk Driver” signs, political billboards, pretty bridge overpasses, and litter‑fine notices ranging from $300 at the border to $50 further into New Mexico. The price disparity had us wondering.
Around noon we made a quick pitstop in Anton Chico, NM, and by 12:50 we were pulling into Zia RV Park in Moriarty. It was as no‑frills as they come—no amenities, self‑contained only. The registration office was closed with a sign instructing us to call a number for our site assignment. Talk about low overhead! We suspected the RV parked next to the office housed the staff, but no one ever came out. We hadn’t planned to unhook for the overnight stay, but the RV controls weren’t working (likely because we weren’t level), so we had to. At least the weather had warmed to 43° (feels like 35°).
By 2:00 PM we headed into town for lunch and a look around. Moriarty didn’t offer much, but Kirk was happy with Arby’s. Back at the RV by 3:00, we kept things simple—no unpacking, just a short stay.
The evening was quiet: movies, relaxation, and rest before tomorrow’s push into Arizona.
Weather (Moriarty, NM) – High 44*, Low 24*. Winds 8-17 mph with 27 mph gusts. No rain. No humidity.
Traffic – None. But roads are terrible in NM.
Food – Nothing to report.
Notable – Sunrise, failed systems (air compressor, cruise control), Time Zone change.
Screen time – Troll 2.
