November 18: Terrell, TX to Alamogordo, NM . . .
Read MoreThe theme of wide open spaces continued further into Texas. But now it was mixed with intermittent stretches of rolling hills. Westbound I-20 would drift in a southwesterly direction on occasion which allowed me to catch a glimpse of sunrise. The photos above and below were taken near mile 493 outside of Terrell, TX.
Interstate 20 passes south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and its 6 million residents. Thankfully, a majority of them were still sleeping on this Saturday morning. I was actually surprised (and relieved) at how light the traffic was. Once past the metro area, the theme of wide open spaces returned. I would pass several intermittent stretches of rolling hills in eastern Texas separated by flat sections that were truly flat.
I noticed that my perception of distance seemed to vary while driving in Texas. I started today's journey in Terrell at mile marker 501. The photo above was taken near mile marker 391. I don't know how to explain it other than the combination of wide open spaces and a wonderful 75 mph speed limit made the miles seem to pass quicker. Before I knew it, I had traveled all the way to mile marker 359 and the Eastland County Rest Area near Ranger, Texas.
Two-picture panorama of the peaks off to the east of the rest area near the city of Gordon, TX. I don't know the names of the two prominent mesas to the east near the city of Gordon, Texas seen in the photo below. There are many in this area, most of which measure between 1,000 and 1,200 feet in elevation.