A tall and imposing guy held the elevator door open for us at a hotel in Denver, and we piled in, only to realize that it was going up instead of down. So we followed him out to his floor to catch another one. Were surprised to see polo-shirted/khaki trousered men, sitting at equal distances down a long hallway, looking grim and officious. One of them nodded at the tall guy as he sauntered down the hall. The closest polo-shirt asked us sternly, “Why are you here?” and proceeded to inform us that we were officially lost on the Denver Broncos floor. Was tempted to tell him we’re actually Seahawks fans. 🙂

Summer garden, Colorado State U in Fort Collins, CO

It was overcast and raining as we walked through massive corridors of red rock at the Garden of the Gods. It was also my birthday. A rainbow appeared before evening, draped across fields of jagged towers. A perfect end to the day!

In Ruins

Just Around the Bend

Sunflowers lined the highway in Zuni, New Mexico. Pulled over and took pictures of the rock and scenery before reaching town. A few locals gave us the look, and we quickly became aware of the signs along the way, prohibiting photography of religious ceremonies.

Visited a dear friend whom I have not seen in a million years in Grants, a loud reunion over authentic carne asada. 🙂

Reached the town of Questa and stayed there for a few nights. A sleepy town between Red River and Santa Fe, it came alive that weekend. There was a Blues Club meeting next to the bnb, The bars lit up with neon lights and the sound of music and laughter. A well-kept secret among the locals.

Santa Fe, NM

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Questa, NM

Zuni, NM

One of the locals,  Red River, NM

Grants, NM

Home for a few nights, Questa, NM

According to legend and the trusty Wikipedia, its name came from a game of cards between two men, Mr. Cooley and Mr. Clark, over a land dispute. Mr. Clark’s famous last words: “If you could show low, you win.” The deciding card: Deuce of Clubs, now the name of the town’s main street.

“Happy” the Dog 🙂

We stopped here for a few nights to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday. Such a warm and friendly town! Folks at the Safeway waiting at the check-out line, even the grocery clerk, sent their birthday wishes to her when they saw the birthday cake and balloons I bought. My in-law’s neighbors stopped by and said hello.

It rained during our visit. There was thunder and a lightning display between the tall evergreen trees. We sat on the porch and enjoyed the show. I wondered how Mr. Clark felt when he had to leave.

This tavern IS the town of Witch Well, AZ.

Hiding in Plain Sight (Heber-Overgaard, AZ)

Salt River Canyon near Globe, AZ

Wigwams and classic cars Holbrook, AZ

Wildflowers in Showlow

Just left Walnut Canyon when the dreaded “You Have A Flat” indicator started flashing angrily.

 It was more than 100 deg. F outside, and we were still 15 miles away from Winslow! My husband and I have not changed a tire for ages, and had to consult the car manual by the side of the road, our grocery bags and suitcases strewn haphazardly on the ground as we rummaged for tools and spare in the trunk. Cars and semis passed by, veering away from us, keeping the lane next to us clear. I held on to my son’s hand as my husband struggled to install the spare tire. He did pretty well under fire (figuratively and literally)!

 As we were about to leave, a huge pick-up truck pulled over and two guys came towards us, asking us if we needed help. The younger one said, “I just wanted to make sure you folks get home ok.”

As we left Walmart’s tire center, we stopped to give some change to a man holding a sign by the road. It was the kind soul who tried to help us earlier, the younger guy from the pick-up truck! He was hitching a ride to town and trying to find his way to Maryland.

As the crow flies…(Flagstaff, AZ)

The Steep Way Down (Walnut Canyon, Flagstaff, AZ)

Clark Dome Weather Station

The Pluto Tour!

Winding our way from Kingman, AZ to Flagstaff with Nat King Cole’s ditty playing on a loop in my head. https://youtu.be/MF_uuHvOz8w

Almost ran out of gas in Seligman, AZ

The crime rate was pretty low at that time. 😉

We started from Yucca Valley, CA heading towards Parker, AZ on Hwy. 62.  No cell phone service, no reassuring signs of a gas station or a rest area, we sped through the desert, hoping not to have a flat in the middle of nowhere, in 110 deg. F heat. The Joshua trees started to dwindle as we went along the highway, only to be replaced by short desert scrub and an occasional palm tree near Twentynine Palms, dwindling to mere dust and rocks. It was a relief to see a truck stop looming in the distance at the end of the road.

Palm trees at a Skecher’s parking lot (Near Riverside, CA)

In the middle of nowhere! (Hwy 62)

Last gas station for the next hundred miles. (Vidal Junction, CA)

Near Parker AZ

Went out exploring the next day in Borrego Springs, CA and were surprised to see that the desert landscape is inhabited by giant scorpions, camels, a dragon and a monk! Happened upon an oasis filled with palm trees, not unlike “Ahm Shere” from “The Scorpion King” movie.

 

A local watering hole

 

Stopped for some ice cream at Bigfoot’s place along the way.

 

At a sculpture garden in Borrego

 

Galleta Meadows

Desert Warrior

 

GOT Dragon?!! 🙂

 

Desert Oasis

 

Uh oh! Time to go!