May 2: New Mexico Bound

What a difference two days make. One day I was 1,000 miles south of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the next day I was 800 miles from Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa in New Mexico. Today I drove 200 of those miles. Energy-sapping highway miles including rain, road construction, left exits, two-tenths of a mile to cross four lanes from left to right, and long hills with "reduced engine power" kicking in several times, all driving up my stress. This power thing could be something with my air filter or it could be a leaf blown into the engine. Karmalita was just in three repair facilities: getting oiled and lubed, getting the front end aligned, and getting my fuses cleaned and the blown one replaced. $318, $228, and $401 respectively. I'm going to see if this reduced power thing will work itself out like it did once last spring. (The other time was when the fan fell off, so I'm not counting that.) When the hills start turning into mountains, it may require another mechanic to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, I will continue to keep talking to her and administering reiki. Yes, reiki to the bus.

My head is still spinning over getting in so deep with Brenda, and now finding myself back to my original plan of going to Colorado and New Mexico with a travel companion ... who I thought was going to be one of three people I met in Georgia, but is now someone I met on a beach in Texas. I like that he's been there before and knows all the good spots. At some point, he will return to work and I will resume my drive to the the Skoolie UP event and then to Oregon for a nomad gathering. I already have my tickets.

So it's another night at a Cracker Barrel – for which I am grateful. Tomorrow could be my last Planet Fitness shower for quite a while. Right now I need to unwind so I can sleep. No more sleeping in until 10.

I almost forgot. Today is day 12 on keto, cheating only with Sola Keto Bagels and supermarket sushi. Happily, sugar cravings are manageable. (I forgot about the bananas.)