Tales from the line during Palin-mania

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE-KBIM) - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin brought her book tour to Roswell Tuesday drawing more than 1,000 people who waited hours--and in one case days--to catch a glimpse or an autographed copy of "Going Rogue."

The line was long, but the wait at the front for some was even longer.

"I have been here since about five o'clock Sunday afternoon," Shelly Barreras said.

Barreras, who read “Going Rogue” in only eight hours, has been living out of her camper for two days just for the chance to be the first person to meet Palin at the Hastings book store in Roswell

To say she's a fan is an understatement.

"At 51 years old, I now have a role model, and I'm so blessed to be alive today," Barreras said.

Many people in the line that wrapped through cars parked on a muddy vacant lot said Palin was an inspiration to them.

"I really believe in Sarah Palin's cause and I think she's a great role model for me and a bunch of other women," high school student Sarah Hollifield, 17, said.

A thousand wristbands were handed out to the men and women who braved near-freezing temperatures for an opportunity to meet Palin and get their hands on a signed copy of her book.

It sold nearly 1 million copies in the first week after it went on sale Nov. 17.

But back in line, way at the back of the line, stood Thomas Knox who braved treacherous roads to cross the Sacramento Mountains from Alamogordo.

"Yeah, it's pretty cold, but I have a feeling it's just going to get worse and worse," Knox said. "Hopefully this line will move a little bit quicker."

Knox said he's glad to see Palin making appearances in smaller towns.

And for those who had a chance to spend a few seconds with the former national candidate, everyone said it was an opportunity of a life time.

"My heart is touched and I just feel so blessed," Barreras said after being the first to meet Palin and then returning to her chair in front of the store. "It was just fabulous."

She took her spot back so she could keep others in line company as they waited to get into the warmth of the store

"I'm really glad I came,” Hollifield said. “It was worth standing in line for 2 1/2 hours. In the cold!”