0400 came... and went this time. It had been a long week and a late night. But, after a few more moments of sleep I rolled out of bed and got ready. I was out of the house and on the road to Chama by 0530. Once again my wife was unable to join me, this time because of work. She didn't complain too much though. I think she enjoyed having the house to herself for a week. Next time I'll bring her for sure.

2 days before leaving my mother surprised me with a birthday present of gift certificates to Carlatte's and The Trackside Emporium. She actually went through all the trouble of finding and contacting them. I believe it was the first time either establishment had written a gift certificate and I kept them both as souvenirs. THANKS MOM, that was very cool of you.

The trip up there was uneventful... and a bit boring. There's nothing unusual about north Texas being boring. About an hour west of Amarillo things started to get interesting as the topology changed from rolling plains to a more dessert-like environment. I hit Santa Fe just after dusk, gassed up, got some caffeine, and made the final push to Chama.

I arrived about 2030. After cruising through the yard to take in the sights (and get my first whiff of coal smoke), I headed to Barbara and Rogers' Hotel to check in and unload. Fosters supplied the chow this night.