Thru Texas

Today I drove through Texas into Oklahoma.
















The Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo - 10 full size Cadillacs half buried in the sand.














And just before entering Oklahoma on I-40 - the "biggest cross in the world", they claim. (Note the 2 cars in the parking lot for comparison).

Cimarron NM to Texas

Heading east from Taos, NM. - I drove through Cimarron and stopped at the old St. James Hotel.

Its cast of notable characters include, Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Kit Carson, Jesse James, Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid, among others.

Today the dining room (which used to be the old saloon) still has bullet holes in the pressed tin ceiling!








Later in the afternoon I stopped to visit Capulin Volcano, NM. At 8,200 ft I planned to just hike into the volcano, a quarter of a mile. I've never been in one before.

Later I decided to also do the mile hike around the rim. In the very center of this photo, the jeep is a dot in the small parking lot (looking north to Colorado).

The winds were blowing nearly 60 mph as I circled the rim. At times I had to hold on to scrubby trees that grow near the top!




As the sun was setting yesterday, I crossed the border into Texas. I could smell the oil and metal as these rigs were humming - slowly, steadily moving up and down.

Taos, NM

Taos was full of interesting architecture and old churches. I decided to stay an extra day, it was so interesting.














This field was just several blocks from downtown Taos. The afternoon light was a magical blend of blues and pinks!












Likewise, this little stream and bridge are only a few short blocks from town where all the galleries and shops line the streets.

Aztec Ruins in Aztec, NM

Monday I left Durango, CO early and drove south to Aztec, NM.

At the state park where the ruins are preserved, many of the rooms are open to walk through.













This chamber below ground level is thought to have been a religious temple. The temperature was cool and it was absolutely silent the morning I was there.










As the afternoon got old I started over the mountains, heading east to Taos, NM. They close the pass every evening from 6PM to 6AM. I started up the mountain at 5PM and just made it through.

Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Today in Southern Colorado, I drove into the mountains to Mesa Verde National Park.

20 miles into the park, you have to leave your car and hike to the cave dwellings. The three largest dwelling sites in the world are located here, but only one is open this time of year.

At a 7,000 ft elevation, the steep half mile hike to Spruce Tree House was a challenge. The path is narrow into the canyon, hugs the hillside and has no guard rails.

But what an amazing sight to see - to stand next to these Anasazi rooms from 1200 A.D. - to be able to see the soot on the ceilings from their fires.

So far 114 rooms have been discovered at this site, they go back some 80 feet into the mountain.

The Indians climbed up to the tops of the mesas and planted their crops up there.

UT, CO, NM & AZ all in one

Four Corners is on a Navajo Indian Reservation and closes at 5 pm. (who would have thought?)

I almost didn't make it (arrived at 4:35 pm) and was surprised I'd have to pay $3 to stand in all four states at once.






Up four stairs and there's an embedded metal circle in the ground, marking the exact spot. There's a high red wooden platform (L) so people can take photos of others doing crazy poses, stretching themselves across four states.

Route 66

Yesterday I drove some parts of the old Route 66 from Kingman to Seligman, AZ.

















Entire little towns along this route have recreated the 1950's and 60's - antiques for sale everywhere and back rooms just crammed with memories.








Elvis and Marilyn are alive and roaming Route 66.












Then I drove north to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Words can't describe it.

Yale or bust!

I'm so excited. I've finally started my solo drive across America. I hope you'll join me.

I left San Diego at 9 a.m. yesterday and drove through miles and miles of farm lands of the Imperial Valley (where our salads come from).

There were so many plastic bags caught on farm fences, I pulled over and took photos of the more colorful ones.









I drove through parts of the Anza Borrego desert.








By mid afternoon I reached Quartzside, AZ. Down both sides of the dusty one road town, rock sellers have outdoor stores set up - hundreds of tables of rocks.

I talked with one owner and he told me most of the rocks come from Brazil.








When the sun started to set, I got my first good look at the Colorado River from Parker, AZ. The evening was warm, blamy and beautiful.








It was dark when I reached Lake Havasu, AZ. After I found a motel room, I drove to the London Bridge and just had to check things out.

I'd love to find a book or article today on the story of getting it out here in the middle of the hills and desert.