We did not intend to travel this far this quickly on this trip.
Yes. Before we became RVers we typically drove four to eight hours every day as fast as the road would allow. In those days we might have covered even greater distances in the same time.
We left Arkansas on a Friday after a relaxing five days at Blowing Springs Campground where we walked in the woods, visited Crystal Bridges Art museum, and loaded up with groceries. We also had our mail forwarded to this campground. I had planned out a leisurely trip to Tucson lasting about two weeks following our normal mode of travel: drive two to three hours then camp for two nights while visiting the local sites.
After leaving Bella Vista, Arkansas we stopped after a longer than typical drive in Chandler, Oklahoma (about 3 and a half hours). Before leaving the weather forecast included mild winds for western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle the next day followed by strong winds and gusts. Thus we kept our trailer hitched to our truck and left early the next morning for an even longer drive. Other than a few vistas and relics on Route 66 we saw little of Oklahoma on this trip. After leaving Chalder Oklahoma before 10 am, including two stops for gas and a quick visit to Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo, Texas we were on the road from before 10 am until nearly 5 pm.
On the way to our campsite near Palo Duro Canyon in Texas we checked the forecast. Snow for Monday. Since towing and snow do not mix well we opted for a quick visit of the adjacent Palo Duro State Park on Sunday morning and a drive to a campsite with warmer weather. Previously we had driven across the widest part of Texas taking more than two long days plus sightseeing excursions. This time we quickly crossed its northern panhandle in a few hours before arriving near Palo Duro and a few more the following morning.
From Canyon Texas we followed US 60 and US 70 in nearly a straight line southwest to Roswell New Mexico, a mere 200 miles in four hours including a pause for lunch. As I write this I am optimistic that we will stay here at least two nights before continuing across this state toward Arizona.
Traveling so many miles between even small town reminded of of the size of this country that can only be appreciated from seeing it go by slowly.