Rain, Rain, Went Away?

Over the past 6 months, talk of the drought plaguing the California farming sector has circulated through major news networks' talking points.  However, what I didn't realize until I was actually riding through this part of the country is that west TX and southeast OK are experiencing one of the worst droughts in their states histories, if not the worst of all time.  

With just 6 more months of these types of conditions sustained, Witchita Falls TX will be the largest city in the USA's history to completely run out of water, forcing our country to declare a State of Emergency long before the situation gets to that point.  

As I said yesterday, the areas of Oklahoma through which we are riding are some of the prettiest we have seen so far. That being said, the cities where we have stayed the past few nights are struggling and I would imagine that a failing farm economy brought about by a lack of rain has a huge role to play in that fiscal and personal devastation.  

To bring this situation home on a more personal note, signs decorate the farms, churches and street corners that we pass.  

Oklahoma has been an experience to say the least.  I have loved the state but an ready to see what the panhandle of Texas has in store.  And on a happier note, while the drought in these areas persist, it is raining for our ride today.  Maybe there is a silver lining to this sad situation.