what you find in the desert

Today was strictly a matter of driving - from Amarillo, TX, to Alamagordo, NM by way of Highway 54.  We were kind of surprised along the way to see all the dessert, the tumbleweed, and then happened upon these two dudes who identified themselves as a high school chemistry teacher and his star pupil.

Apparently there are a lot of outlaws out here in the desert so they were equipped with a pistol - and a baseball bat, but were very friendly to us.  Mr. White, on the right, says he's concerned about his pension being destroyed by mismanagement so he's also considering a sideline business.  He also said those were not miner caps they were wearing.  Whatever.