Austin, TX to Bishop, CA

We left Austin for Bishop on Sunday July 20th. Our first night we spent in Amarillo, TX and I convinced Mer to grab a hotel for the night as it was over 100 degrees outside and I knew I wouldn't sleep that well outside. It turned out to be a fun albeit short stop. We grabbed a bite to eat at Mexican restaurant where we saw a group attempt (and fail) a dine and dash, they were caught by the management and we had a fun discussion with our waiter about it and other instances they encounter.

Northwest Texas is largely flat and hot

After our short night in Amarillo we grabbed a bite at the hotel, which was surprisingly ok, went back to the Mexican restaurant to grab my credit card that got left there, a coffee from a little place that roasted their own bean and hit the road again for another long day in the car. This time our stop was to be Flagstaff, AZ but not before we traversed all of New Mexico

New Mexico state line

 

It began to get much warmer and our travel companion joined us in the cab

As the day wore on the landscape gradually began to change as well. From scrub grasses and prairie of pale yellows and greens emerged rust colored bluffs and buttes.

After traveling most of the day through New Mexico we finally came to Arizona with our final stop being at the KOA in Flagstaff. 

While in Flagstaff for two day we got in a nice hike, had some routine maintenance done on the truck and enjoyed a dinner at Mer's cousin's house.

Lucia just had to get her picture taken

Overall, it was a fun stretch of country to see. Next, we're finally on to Bishop!