Happy Easter

The day started with 25 miles on the slab and ended with a little more slab time; sometimes it can’t be avoided.  Most of the roads today were pretty straight.  There was some altitude change but it was not a challenging ride by any stretch of the imagination.  Don’t get me wrong – that’s not a complaint, just an observation.  These roads are a good way to cover a lot of miles – and I really do enjoy all of it.  Part of the time today I was putting along at 55 mph on a road just like this – total relaxation.

I was on hwy 60 almost all day.  One of the main tracks for BNSF runs very close to hwy 60 all the way through New Mexico, and today I saw A LOT of freight trains.  A wave at the conductor is almost always greeted with a long blast on the horn.

A little train history:  The BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway is one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, second to the Union Pacific Railroad.  It has 44,000 employees, 32,500 miles of track in 28 states, and over 8,000 locomotives!! It has three transcontinental routes that provide rail links between the western and eastern United States.  BNSF is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.  The track from Fort Worth through New Mexico was certainly a busy one today.

One of the great things about being on the road is the people you meet.  The high point of my day was meeting this guy.  Cam is riding his 1996 Electra Glide across New Mexico to spend Easter with his mom.  Then he is going to Arkansas, and after that, on to Indiana.  He says he’ll try to get out of Indiana before the snow flies and come on back to New Mexico.  He has a first place team roping buckle from a local rodeo back in 1994 and was very close to making some serious team roping money in Las Vegas.  He even carries one of his favorite ropes with him on his bike.  He rides his bike wearing that cowboy hat, which would be tough at 80 mph, but he seldom goes over 65.  We met at a gas station and swapped stories over $1.50 burritos and a Coke (breakfast).  We rode together for a while, then it was time to go our separate ways.  That long tube you see is a fishing pole – my kinda guy…..

I had to get to Amarillo in time to pick up a part at the Harley dealer here.  The kill switch on my bike is giving me problems.  Sadly, replacing the switch isn’t going to be a parking lot kinda deal.  But, at least I have the switch in hand and won’t have to wait for the part if I need to get it replaced.  After looking at the new switch, I think I can take the faulty switch apart if I have to, and hot wire it so it’s on all the time and turn the bike on and off with the key.  Seems like it’s always sumthin……..

It also looks like it’s time to start watching the weather.  I’ve got the rain gear handy but would rather stay dry if I can.  And uh, not getting caught up in a tornado would be nice as well.  I think I should be okay on tomorrow’s ride to Oklahoma City.