Williams to Vegas

Today we hit the Mojave Desert in it's most extreme. The signs said it was 118F in Vegas but everybody told us it was actually 125F. Unbelievable heat that almost did in the VW. It needed care and had to go into a shop for a little fuel system work. We camped in the KOA at Circus Circus where we encounters an aggressive population of cockroaches and had probably the worst nights sleep. The heat never let up. The Vegas Strip was what you would expect. Lots of people, lots of spectacle. 


But the treat was meeting Juanita Delgadillo, the guardian angel of Route 66. He had the idea of making the Route an historic site. It was a pleasure to meet this person. http://www.route66giftshop.com/angel.html

Flagstaff to Williams

Today we took a side trip up to the Grand Canyon. It seemed like a good idea not to miss it since we were in the area. It was a brutal drive up hill for the poor VW but it managed. Apart from Monument Valley it was probably the most touristy thing we've done. It was busy.

Chambers to Flagstaff

Todays trip took us through the Painted Desert, The Petrified Forest, and no to Flagstaff, which was surprisingly cold.

Painted Desert

A small twister spotted on the way.

Gallup, New Mexico to Chambers, Arizona.

Beautiful road through the desert and Navajo territory up to Utah to see Monument Valley. Quite spectacular. It was a bit of a gruelling day, putting in 8 hours, but well worth it. 

Unusual photo op. 

The rock formations getting to Monument Valley were a teaser. 

Monument Valley, Utah.

Sante Fe, to Gallup, New Mexico.

Santa Fe to to Gallup was a 6 hour day going through Albuquerque and many small adobe towns along the way. Gallup was a bit of a dust bowl, mostly an iInterstate strip os gas stations and seedy motels, one of which we stayed at. 

The day started with a major cleaning of the sculpture. I have to clean it every morning, and sometimes during the day.

Guy at the Thunderbird Motel in Sante Fe.

As a cyclist I found this roadside memorial very moving.

Amarillo, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Started the day with Cadilac Ranch just outside of Amarillo. A piece of American art that is a touch point for a specific moment in art history. Check it out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Ranch


We had brunch ar the Mid Point cafe which is exactly the half way point down Route 66. From there we headed into New Mexico and ended up staying in Santa Fe where we had a great dinner at Tortilla Flats.

It said, Do Not Touch!

Mid Point Cafe

Glenrio, on the border of New Mexico. 

Love these blown out tires. 

Jessie like the domestic beast population.

New Mexico.

And we hit rain for the first time.

NO.

Tortilla Flats.