This is the last travelogue from my road trip, and it’s a bittersweet ending.
Leaving Alamosa Behind
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I woke up around 5 a.m., while it was still dark and chilly outside. I packed the last of my things, tidied up the house, and said goodbye to the horse who had kept me company throughout my stay before heading out.
I was surprised by how much traffic was already on the road at 5 a.m. I can only assume many people were commuting to work.
As I drove through the mountain pass, the rain and ominous clouds made the drive a little unsettling. Cell service was poor, if I had any at all, and the daylight was slowly beginning to break through the darkness.
I continued south on I-25, heading toward my next stop.
An Unexpected Stop at Capulin
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I hadn't originally planned to visit Capulin Volcano National Monument. My neighbor had visited years ago and mentioned it to me. Since it was along my route toward Amarillo, Texas, I decided to make a stop.
The horizon was still cloudy, and I wasn't sure what kind of views I would get. Fortunately, the skies began to clear in places as I got closer.
I started seeing mountains that looked volcanic, and I initially thought one of them was Capulin. It turned out to be Johnson Mesa.
Eventually, I saw the sign for Capulin Volcano National Monument and made a left turn.
Along the way, I spotted a cow that looked as though it wanted a ride. Naturally, I slowed down to take some photos. There was very little traffic, so I figured I could take my time.
Then I noticed a bull that looked like it might ram my car.
That was enough for me. I didn't linger!
Arriving at Capulin Volcano National Monument
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I stopped at the entrance sign to take a selfie before heading to the visitor center.
There were signs reminding visitors not to idle their vehicles, along with a designated parking area for oversized vehicles. While I was there, I also noticed information indicating that visitors could come for night-sky viewing with telescopes. I thought that was pretty cool.
I spoke with a ranger, who warned me that it was windy up at the volcano. She explained the rules for driving the road and reassured me that if the road looked too steep, I shouldn't feel bad about turning around.
I appreciated the warning, but I figured it couldn't be worse than Black Elk Peak or climbing the Great Sand Dunes.
After buying a few souvenirs, I got back into the car and continued up the winding road for about two more miles until I reached the trail parking lot.
Hiking the Crater Rim Trail
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I grabbed my backpack, camera, GoPro, and water before setting off on the Crater Rim Trail.
I believe the trail around the rim is about a mile long. The initial climb wasn't too bad, although it became steeper in places.
Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. Maybe all the hiking I'd done over the previous few weeks had helped me acclimate.
The wind, however, was another story. It was strong enough to push me around, and with the narrow path in places, I found myself feeling a little nervous.
Still, I continued.
Ravens Riding the Wind
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One of the highlights along the rim was watching the ravens.
Dancing on the Wind
While I fought to keep my balance on the rim, the ravens made it look effortless.
They seemed to be dancing in the wind, effortlessly riding the air currents. I could have watched them for quite a while. There was something fascinating about seeing them take advantage of the wind while I was busy trying to keep my balance.
I also spotted some birds perched in a tree. I wasn't sure what species they were, but I took some photos anyway.
Along the trail, I came across a bench that had been damaged by a lightning strike. There was even a sign explaining what had happened.
Yikes! A reminder that being outdoors comes with its own risks, especially in exposed places like this.
Views, History, and a Trip into the Crater
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The views from the rim were beautiful, and the informational signs along the way gave me more insight into the area's history and geology. I learned about the old railroad and Little Capulin, among other things.
When I reached the end of the rim trail, I noticed a path leading down into the crater.
My first thought was that I might regret going down when it was time to climb back up. I was already thinking about how out of breath I might be.
But I had come this far, so I decided to take a look.
I made my way down to see the lava rocks. While I was there, I spotted what I think was a camera. I bent over and waved hello before making my way back up.
The climb back was another little challenge, but I was glad I had gone down to see it for myself.
Eventually, I made it back to the car, ready for the next leg of the drive.
Open Roads and Unexpected Detours
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Before leaving the area, I stopped at a gas station to top off the tank. Then it was time to head toward Amarillo, my last stop before returning home.
One thing I love about road trips is driving along open roads with very little traffic. No buildings crowding the view, no endless rows of businesses—just the road stretching ahead and the landscape opening up around me.
Of course, not every part of a road trip goes according to plan.
Apple Maps tried to send me on a detour, but I decided to take a different highway instead.
That turned out to be a mistake when I ran into road construction and traffic backups.
It became clear why the map had been routing me around that area in the first place!
I eventually made a U-turn and took some country roads instead. Some were paved, while others were gravel.
It wasn't exactly the route I'd intended to take, but that's part of traveling. Sometimes you have to adjust and keep going.
Arriving in Amarillo
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By the time I approached Amarillo, my stress level was rising. Traffic was backed up on Loop 335, and I was ready to get off the road for the day.
Fortunately, I needed gas anyway, so I slipped into the right-turn lane and out of the backup.
As I passed through the area, I saw a nasty accident involving fire trucks, an ambulance, and police.
I can only hope no one was seriously hurt.
After topping off the tank and washing the windshield, I headed to the hotel. I unloaded my things, checked in, and finally had a chance to relax a little.
But first, dinner!
Dinner at the Big Texan
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I decided to eat at the Big Texan, home of the famous 72-ounce steak challenge. Not my thing!
Instead, I ordered the chicken-fried chicken with broccoli and mashed potatoes. It's always pretty good.
After dinner, I returned to the hotel to rest. I had one final drive ahead of me, and it was going to be a long one.
The Final Drive Home
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The plan was to wake up around 3 a.m. and get on the road early. I had roughly ten hours of driving ahead of me, with an estimated arrival home in the early afternoon.
After nearly three weeks on the road, I was ready to be home. At the same time, I knew I would miss the freedom of traveling, exploring new places, and never quite knowing what I might discover around the next bend.
It had been a long journey, with beautiful landscapes, challenging hikes, changing weather, and plenty of unexpected moments.
But the last miles were waiting, and it was time to head home.
Home Again: 5,300 Miles Later
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And just like that, my three-week road trip came to an end.
After driving roughly 5,300 miles, it was time to unload the car and give it a much-needed wash. Looking back at the odometer, I was reminded of just how much ground I had covered.
From the open roads of the Great Plains to the Badlands, the mountains, and the Great Sand Dunes, this trip gave me new places to explore, photographs to bring home, and plenty of memories along the way.
It was bittersweet to be home, but that’s part of traveling. Eventually, every journey ends.
Even if you only traveled with me through photos, videos and stories, I hope it felt like you were right there in the passenger seat. Thanks for riding along, and I hope you’ll join me for the next one!
One last thing: if these stories brightened your day, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and sharing my Facebook page with friends and family. Every subscribe and share helps more than you know, and it means the world to me!
