…..all that is rational, am I doing this…?

That is a thought that was the second thing to cross my mind each morning as I plowed my way across the country – the first being ‘Why is the ceiling only three feet above my head..?’

The first was easier to answer, the roof of a teardrop slopes towards the back, and the blinking blue light was a signal that Mr Musks Starlink satellite system was happily talking to some data center elsewhere in the world, reporting who knows what. More of that later.

So, that second thought stayed with me for a least an hour each morning as the miles ticked by and the gas gauge dropped at an alarming rate.

“I must have been insane to do this, or even think it was a good idea…”

“Do I have to remind you that you aren’t 20 years old anymore with the conviction you are invincible..?”

“Do you realize every mile you drive will seem like two on the way back..?” (My favorite, born on the motorcycle ride from PA to Seattle and back 20 years ago – still a good old standby).

If I ever find out who this homunculus is we are going to have a very stiff conversation about their immediate future..

The further west I drove the quieter the voice became, and as I began the long slog from Kansas City (800ft agl) up to the high plains and then desert plateau of Colorado (7,000′ agl), it was replaced by a concern that anything beyond a slow meander was anything other than my asthmatic lungs protesting about their outrageous treatment – I suspect the homunculus passed out somewhere around Wakeeney, KS.

Finally, Santa Fe, where I unhitched Hannibal and drove north – unencumbered by the need to check the gas gauge every ten miles – through Tesuque to Española, west through Abiquiu then up to Farmington. The scenery was spectacular and I was rewarded by a beautiful view of Pedernal, made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe. It hangs on the wall at home.

Finally, Farmington, to meet my local guide and explore The Chaco Culture, Angel Peak and the Chacoan Puebloan Ruins in Aztec, NM.

Oh yes, I remember, this is why I did this…

He needs a name…. Little Bastard doesn’t quite cut it.