From Google Maps

On our long road trips, there is no roadside sign that is more welcome to the eyes than the blue-and-white “Rest Area.” When I’m doing a lot of the driving, these brief stops are the only chance I get to use my camera, so I usually try to make the most of the opportunity. The quality of accommodations at each stop can vary wildly, and I’m sad to report that in my experience the facilities in New Mexico and especially in north Texas tend to put those in California to shame. I’m sure that we visited a few of these same stops in previous years, but every now and then there’s a pleasant surprise.

Mojave, CA

Essex, CA

Haviland, AZ

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)

“Poisonous snakes and insects inhabit the area”

Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), Hardeman County, TX