Nomad Life - Day 61

The wakeup this morning (0500) required an alarm - that didn't bode well for my journey towards the Mountain Time Zone later in the day...  After beginning to telework immediately, I was in front of my computer continuously until 1200, with a very short break to get breakfast in the lobby at the Econo Lodge Amarillo East.  With meetings completed, I checked out of the hotel and made my way north (via TX-136) so I could visit Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.  Along the way, I was treated to wide vistas across the high (over 3000 feet above sea level) plains - wow!  The day, as it has usually been during my Nomad Life, was wonderful (sunny, breezy and temps in the 70s) and I was able to crank up the speed to reach the park Visitor Center by 1245.  Prior to my arrival, I'd called ahead to ask about the daily tours (that usually take place daily at 1000 and 1400) - I'd been informed that they'd started to leave earlier in the day (due to forecasted heat).  For this reason, I didn't get to take a tour.  No matter - I watched an informative movie, explored the interesting museum and did some birding.  Finished with the only sanctioned park activities, I drove down to the nearby Boat Launch, hoping to get close to Lake Meredith.  Sadly, the water levels were severely reduced (I learned later this was because some dams had been built upstream on the Canadian River (in New Mexico) that limited the flow.  After about 45 minutes on site, I departed the National Monument property (reversed direction from the earlier drive) and headed back to Amarillo.  After reaching the I-40 Frontage Road (1355), I got some gas at a Valero that offered a really good rate per gallon.  Next, I drove about five miles to Blue Sky Burgers (recommended by Trish & Terry) so I could get some lunch.  I arrived at the restaurant by 1405 and, lacking any specific ideas for the food choices, I ordered from the sign that described all the potential toppings.  In the end, this meant that I'd chosen a cheeseburger (with "the works") and some tater tots smothered in cheese and bacon.  The food was good!  While eating, I teleworked a bit more (catching up on emails from my colleagues on the East Coast).  During this time, I was approached by some older folks who asked where I was from.  When I'd finished explaining the details of my Nomad Life, I learned that one of them had run a marathon in 49 of 50 states - he had a business card and everything (and he even knew who Johnny Kelley was).  I was finished with my meal by 1445 and then departed Amarillo (on I-40) to the west.  My subsequent drive across the Texas Panhandle was quite smooth, with the only slow downs being caused by the large number of trucks that kept passing each other.  Last night, I'd considered stopping at the Cadillac Ranch but, in the heat of the moment, I missed the exit. As I passed the cars (the other side of the Interstate anyway), I thought back to visits our family made to the iconic spot during the years we lived in Fort Worth. From that point, there was very little in the way of scenery or landmarks.  Like yesterday, I passed many, many windmills and some livestock in their pens.  One thing I did note was a sign for the Goodnight-Loving Trail, the inspiration for the book, "Lonesome Dove".  I looked to the north and the south and wondered how anyone could navigate without anything for reference...  The high plains eventually gave way to small mesas and, by the New Mexico border, the terrain was an interesting mix of table lands and rocky outcroppings.  At that point, the time-zone changed and I cringed a bit to consider my next few days of acclimatizing with my work schedule.  After seeing countless signs for Historic Route 66 along the way, I got off the highway at Tucumcari and drove along an original section that passed through town.  Tucumcari had definitely seen better days, with about two in three buildings looking abandoned.  There were, however, many inadvertent reminders of Route 66: murals, signs and other monument.  After resuming my drive on I-40, I encountered some light rain but, otherwise, the weather was good.  Just after I passed the town of Santa Rosa, I got off the Interstate and got on US-84, which took me to the north.  Later, I began to see signs that indicated this route was an older version (Pre-1937) of US-66.  I'd hoped to stop for a break or even some gas but there were almost no businesses along this 50 mile stretch of road.  The scenery, though, definitely improved and I was soon looking at the foothills and distant peaks of the Southern Rocky Mountains.  Just before I reached I-25. I saw a sign that indicated I was traveling above 6000 feet above sea level.  Leaving US-84 and swapping the two lane for the Interstate, I headed north until I could exit at the town of Las Vegas. I arrived at my hotel, the Regal Inn. at 1700 and was soon able to unpack my car - this place will be my HQ for the next few days.  As usual, I first confirmed that I had good internet but, for once, I also finished up the remaining time of my telework day.  After that, I went in search of a place that might have local beers.  Google Maps suggested a place called Lupe's Lounge - it was a dive bar in the back of a liquor store.  Surprisingly, though, I found the bartender to be nice, the clientele to be friendly and curious and the atmosphere relaxing.  After noticing what other patrons were drinking, I tried a Sol Chelada (tomato beer from Mexico) - the bartender was surprised that I had never had it ("everyone knows this beer")/  The selection was OK but tasted like alcoholic tomato juice.  New "friends" at the bar suggested that I try a Pacifico Clara (lager from Mexico) and I did - it was better.  As happens nearly every time I show up in a new place, the patrons were very interested in my travels and life on the road and asked that I join them the following evening (I made no promises).  Finished with my happy hour (1830) I drove a short distance to visit the downtown area of Las Vegas.  I'd been warned that a lot of the normal parking lots and roads would be closed because there was some kind of moving being filmed in town - this turned out to be true but I was able to park a few blocks from the famous Plaza.  Right after getting out of the car and noticing signs about the Santa Fe Trail (which had, apparently, come right through the center of Las Vegas), I found nice walking trail through Gallinas River Park. I spent about an hour walking on it and enjoyed the pretty evening weather - almost sweater weather!  A lady walking the other way warned me about a tarantula she'd seen (yikes!) but I didn't cross paths with the arachnid.  My walk ended up being bracketed between the southern terminus of the trail and Mills Street to the north.  After backtracking, I made my way into the historic old Plaza.  It was dark already and there were people departing from the area of a well lit gazebo - it seemed that I'd just missed a musical performance.  After that, I did a full circuit of the Plaza and then headed north on Bridge Street and explored the campus of New Mexico Highlands University.  I got my first "howdy" from a cowboy hatted walking buddy... I briefly considered getting some food (late dinner) but decided against that and returned to my car (1930).  Back at the hotel, I spent the evening reading and relaxing.  Due to my long day and the time change, I went to bed relatively early (2145).  Very glad to be back in the "Land of Enchantment"!