By Samuel Strait – October 24, 2022 Bright and early, after yet another change in plan, we left Socorro, New Mexico for Lincoln County, home of "Billy the Kid", along with eleven historical houses in Lincoln, New Mexico. Shades of the past in the old west. Then proceeded on to Roswell, New Mexico, scene of a 1947 reported crash of a UFO. While no physical evidence that this sensational crash ever occurred, it has become part of the extraterrestrial lore of the southwest. Some say that the US Military erased all signs of the event, as reasoning for the missing artifacts from the alien ship alleged to have crashed in a farmer's field outside of the town of Roswell, New Mexico, in July of 1947. Plenty of news coverage followed the event, but to this day no one has been able to produce physical evidence of the actual crash. It has spawned a lively tourist trade in the area that certainly can use the boost to their economy. Gasoline was $3.55 per gallon this morning as we left Roswell for Carlsbad. Did not make it to Carlsbad for the final tour of the day, such a shame. Decided to press on to New Mexico's Aircraft Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico which closes at 4:00 pm. Made it with time to spare. Most of today's trip is still over back country roads with little to no traffic. After leaving the mountains and canyon lands of Arizona, broad vistas are now the rule with mountains well in the background. Texas, with its flat endless prairie beckons over the last bit of mountains immediately to the east. As we have moved on from the tidy aircraft museum, War Eagles Air Museum, in Las Cruces to El Paso, Texas, the tensions on the border over illegal immigration are palpable and in evidence along the stretch of border from El Paso down to Sierra Blanca. Several vehicle checks have been established by the state in an attempt to stem the tide. Not much question that there is a huge problem stemming from illegal immigration from California to Texas. Texas appears to be the most serious in the effort to soften the impact on its citizenry, yet it clearly is an overwhelming problem for those city's close to Mexico. Border patrol was visibly evident all the way to Fort Stockton our stopping point for the night. We finished the day with gasoline down to $3.35 per gallon, nearly half that of the price we began this trip in Crescent City. There is an old frontier post to see in the morning in Fort Stockton, before we head out to San Antonio and Houston. I had spent time in El Paso in the early seventies and hardly recognized the place. Fifty years of time has passed and the town has become a City. No question that things change over the years to the point where you hardly recognize you past. One thing has become clear during the brief time we have spent in the American Southwest, is that small town America is alive and well, and friendly as ever. More tomorrow as we head East. Day six began at the Fort Stockton historical army post, and you guessed it was closed on Sundays. Not to be deterred, we set off to make up some distance and set our sights for San Antonio, whereupon arriving we learned that "The Alamo", one of Texas' premiere historical sites has not gotten the memo, that Covid CDC policies are no longer considered credible, most particularly for pets. We did take a quick run by and saw what has become a highly commercialized attraction for tourism in all its historical splendor, then put San Antonio in our rear view mirror. One other note is that gasoline prices dipped below $3.00 per gallon to $2.85. One thing that has become clear as we moved across the State of Texas, is that it is energized and things are happening in spite of what the current Democrat administration has done with immigration. Texas, except for El Paso, has under taken what the federal government has clearly failed at, which is to control most of their border against the wholesale assault from drug smuggling, human trafficking, and economic related crossings. It is no wonder that Texas is attracting new residents in substantial numbers. Notwithstanding, it is unfortunate that California and Del Norte County leadership has considered the health of their government over that of its citizenry. As we have moved eastward, this has become a common thread where government seems to at least acknowledge the plight of is citizens in this current time of high taxes and inflation. Texas is a huge state of rolling plains and hills. It is hard to justify its special place on our brief visit and limited time we have spent in its borders. Friendly out going people, eager to help in any way possible. It is with some regret when we left Texas and we headed for New Orleans, subject to tomorrow's attention where we hope to take a break for a few hours of music and food. Tonight we are stopped in Lafayette, Louisiana, a bare two hours from tomorrow's goal. 89 degrees and humid, at 7:30 in the evening. Day seven to follow.