Day 19 - Raton, NM to Pratt, KS

We got a proper night's sleep last night at the Microtel Inn so we were more rested to begin our day. Today would be only about 350 miles. It started at a very cool 45F degrees.

As we drove, the huge grazing fields had herds of pronghorn antelope, cows and cute horses.

Rob learned that August was hunting season and ranchers apply for permits to allow people to hunt on their land. Presumably, the land owners can then charge hunters to hunt antelope on their property. We rode to the Capulin volcano first thing this morning, only about 20 miles away. As we approached we could see volcano shaped peaks ahead of us and wondered from afar which was the one.

When we entered the gate, the sign said no trailers, but Rob ignored it and assumed it was referring to large RV trailers. The ride up was short and twisty, with the road close to the edge of the volcano cliff. Rob and Michele took the hike around the top rim to see the volcano fields surrounding it. It was so windy and cold on one side, not a glamorous picture!

The path was well made with educational signs along natural stopping points. The views were amazing! Supposedly we could see all the way to Black Mesa, Oklahoma.

Once around the rim we walked down into the center. Rob later told Tom and Mike that it was very warm at the vent due to the molten rock. Haha.

This may be a spotted towhee. Rob heard it before he saw it.

 And this one is diving. Not sure what bird it is. Anyone want to confirm either for us?

This bench was hit by lightning at the top of the rim! Seems like it should have more damage, don't you think?

After the hikes we rode back down to the visitors center. The ranger told Rob no trailers allowed up, we would have to leave them at the bottom. She didn't see us go up already, apparently. The park had hummer feeders and a few hummers were busy fighting for them. They flew away once Michele got her binoculars out, of course. NM has 17 hummer species, compared to our one in Va, so she was really hoping to catch a glimpse.

We had about 90 minutes from there to lunch. We approached within 50 feet of Texas, then crossed into Oklahoma, and then into Kansas.

At lunch in Elkhart, KS, everyone in Big C's cafe looked at us when we entered, as I expected. A nice local lady about late 50s came over to chat since she and her husband travel by bike also. She called us "her people".  During lunch we also talked about the cowffalos we saw yesterday. Mike called them long-haired cows. There is such a thing, cow and buffalo mix!

After a good lunch we pushed on for another 190 miles, checking out the huge farms and great scenery along the way.

We think these were chicken coops of the commercial variety. The aroma was not so pleasant.

 Parts of a combine being hauled.

More interesting sights along the way. Milo fields in a dark, copper brown phase.

Michele thought the train engineer was honking the horn for all of us after Rob honked his horn.

 We counted well over 200 wind turbines that we could see in the distance and near.

We got to our hotel around 6pm local time, Central Time. The guys picked up quite a few bugs today, Kansas is very buggy! We met for dinner and walked down the street to Legends Bar and Grill for a tasty meal. Tomorrow we depart for Missouri.