Thanks for the advice, everyone!

I've spent the last couple days going over my proposed with a fine tooth comb, looking for any kind of building along the roads, etc. Back to the drawing board.

I don't expect to make over 10 miles a day the first couple of hundred miles. Starting anywhere near Raton at that pace (or even Las Vegas, NM, my second choice) is just not feasible. Too far between water sources, unless I want to load a cart to the breaking point, or buy me a burro to take along :: grin ::

So - back to route planning. I have the advantage of not caring where I go, or where I start. Maybe I'll start out in SoCal and walk to the White House :: chuckle :: It's only a couple of months farther than my original plan.

Time will tell.

Merlyn