The house was empty...













The truck was ready...













The dogs were excited and ready to roll, and so...
















We waved goodbye to Fort Huachuca and started our long long long drive.






























There isn't a whole lot to see in Arizona and New Mexico. Mostly it all looks like this:















However, to break up the boredom, you can always satisfy your curiosity and go pay $1 to see "The Thing" at a middle of nowhere gas station:















Of course I can only show you a sign for it. If you want to know what "The Thing" is, you'll have to pay $1 for yourself. Telling you would destroy the mystery.

All was well. We made it to New Mexico without incident. But then, in Deming, NM we were going to stop and fill up the tank, maybe even let the doggies breathe some air. However, our exit from the interstate was puncuated by loud grinding noises when braking, and then a sharp thudding grinding halt as the front right end of the truck dropped. We jumped out and saw a flat tire, and after further investigation discovered this:















Yes, the rim of the tire is completely destroyed. The brakes aren't so much working right now. We managed to get a spare tire on the truck and coast slowly to a stop at the Best Western a block away. Ben has great hopes for fixing the truck tomorrow and getting back on the road. I have great hopes for finding some decent chocolate in this town because I've nearly exhausted my supply due to stress and accidental meltage.

And now, to sleep.