Feb. 25, 2010 – Day Four: The Anadarko Basin, covering much of Western Oklahoma and the upper Texas Panhandle, was formed roughly 300 million years ago with the uplift of the Wichita Mountains and is among the most prolific natural gas plays in the continental United States. Departing El Reno, we proceeded West into the heart of the basin. Elk City, Oklahoma lies within several miles of the Texas border and we arrived at the CNG refueling station there at around 1000 hours. This was to be our last source of available CNG until reaching Albuquerque, New Mexico, a distance of 600 miles. We would have to rely on our pioneering spirit, and the DyneTek/TGT trailer, to make it into Albuquerque.
At Elk City we able to take on only 3000 psi of CNG and, after fueling stopped into the Elk City Cafe for a late breakfast. While dining we talked with Chic Davis. Mr. Davis is a fourth generation rancher in the Elk City area and a collector of cowboy and western artifacts. In his shop, next door to the cafe, we marveled at his collection of vintage single action Colt revolvers, Henry Rifles, and authentic Native America artifacts. Chic also has some of the finest hand stitched horse hair bridles ever to come out of Montana State prison.
Continuing west across the Panhandle we made a pit stop in Amarillo to take on fuel from the DyneTek/TGT trailer and to refuel ourselves on some Texas size steaks. By nightfall we were entering into New Mexico and climbing in elevation towards Albuquerque.
Check out Google Maps as we chart the trip
