We spotted this tarantula crossing gravel-road Route 66 between Glenrio and San Jon, N.M., a few days ago. With its legs spread out, it was bigger than your fist. It was about an hour before sundown, so it probably was early in its hunting session.
Mike Callens at TeePee Curios in nearby Tucumcari said that after the first frost, usually in October, the old road becomes nearly covered with tarantulas migrating. At that time, tarantulas are looking for a place to hibernate for the winter.
John Steinbeck, in his classic tome “Grapes of Wrath”, had a whole chapter about a turtle crossing Route 66.
Just made me think of that.