I ended up picking up a train ticket, 80 bucks from AbQ to LAX, it's been like 20 years since I have been on a train as a passenger, so I am kinda stoked about starting my trip this way! I've hitched from southern California to northern California at least 30 times so you're right that's probably the way I'm going to go.Thanks for the well wishes guys, hope to see you on the road soon....