I learned a lot during that long, lonely drive across one corner of America.

I learned that horses still love me.

I learned that riding horses by the Rio Grande makes you feel like a real cowboy, but that as much as I love riding horses, I feel guilty about it, like I am making a new friend carry me around for no particular reason.

I learned that I have not lost my knack for horseback selfies.

I learned that I can have fun with fake cacti…

Maybe too much fun.

I learned that I still really love dogs, and they love me.

I learned, once again, that America is very big…

And very strange.

I learned that big metal dinosaurs should not drink Red Bull energy drink!

I learned that they have signs to warn you about stuff you weren’t even thinking about doing.

I learned that you can see snow and desert very close to one another.

And I learned that both snowy mountains and burning desert each have their own charms.

I learned that even a rest area beside the highway can have natural wonders…

And that you should never miss a chance to explore.

Because that is how you transform a trip into an adventure.

I learned that everyone should, at one time in their life, find themselves standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona.

Okay, see ya.