I'd never ridden all of US 50. Parts and pieces over the years but this was my first time using it as the primary road. It was great. I don't think it was the loneliest road I was on, but traffic was very sporadic. My kind of road.
Petroglyph sites in the Southwest tend to be mostly unprotected unless the local tribe is the protecting body. I know several that are just there. Many (most) of those are not real well published and are often protected by the terrain, but that is all. I think there is a lot to learn at each of them and they need protection.
I bought the trailer before I bought the tent and cot. I knew exactly how much length I had in the trailer and ordered accordingly. It seemed to work out pretty well...
You are, of course, absolutely right. I love riding and do it as often as I can.