Time zone change! We fall back one hour so had one extra hour to play with today, and spent it at the museum of art.
The museum below was closed in Lordsburg, even though it was in opening hours.
Day 12 - Lordsburg
I am writing this the day-after, as we were exhausted but wonderfully so, following a packed day of adventuring and simply ran out of time last night. Yesterday we tracked several ghost towns (which were partially inhabited so not true ghost towns).
We booked a hotel on “points” so didn’t actually cost us anything, but the hotel was beyond grim. A foul fake flower smell over dirt and worse. Having spent less than 10 minutes in the hotel room I decided that we needed to move - and so we packed up the car and did just that, we knew that even sleeping in the car would have been healthier. We did land however in a wonderfully clean hotel. Matt is still coughing from the effect of it.
I will publish a few photos this evening, from the next hotel.
Day 11 - Truth or Consequences
We were hunting ghost towns today. Found Magdalena (where I had a chocolate coffee) and Kelly, an old mining town up a mountain which needed matt’s skilled driving negotiating unpaved rocky roads. The tires survived. I recorded video which Matt will stitch together on our return home.
We are in a sweet Motel called Rocket Inn, in the town of Truth or Consequences.
Day 10 - Socorro
It was the Indigenous Peoples’ Day where many museums were closed. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed by 17 states and Washington, D.C., coincides with Columbus Day. The day highlights the importance of recognising and honoring Native American history and culture. Matt and I visited a Pueblo and the music and dancing beat through our bones. It was a joy to experience.
Day 9 - Santa Fe
A gentle start to the day given we were in Santa Fe for another day. Our first stop The International Museum of Folk Art, where we met a staff member who had travelled to Essex when she was young (she is now retired), York, Doncaster (she didn’t think much of Doncaster) and the Cotswolds.
We spent the day in Santa Fe town, exploring the area, revisiting the oldest Church and House in the USA. Matt took a recording of the bell after the church had closed to visitors.
I had a late afternoon mini-nap with feet that were cartoon throbbing. We walked our feet off today.
Ended the day with Pizza from Pizza Hut. My order for Matt (a Meat Lover pizza) ended up being translated as plain cheese. I still dont know how.
Day 8 - Taos to Santa Fe
A long journey to Santa Fe today but then we are staying for two nights.
Before that we woke in Taos, the town of Art and I managed to turn the hotel room into darkness by plugging in the iron. Matt padded off to reception to report and returned with a hot breakfast (result). The power returned within the hour so we could pack up and head off into Taos, and see the ancient town of Taos Pueblo.
Before leaving, we had a treat pf home made Cinnamon Fry Bread.
Next stop - Rio Grand
On route to Santa Fe, we had a little divert to see Los Alamos.
Day 7 - Taos in New Mexico
We repacked the car in record time, we have become lean packing machines.
Ahead is a 200+ mile journey from Farmington into Taos. The landscape changed dramatically, as we climbed high into forests and through National Parks.
First though we turned right into the Salmon Ruins, and spent a while. The day was chilly enough to need a jumper.
I took a dozen or more photos but this was a good selection to share.
We drove towards Charma, and entered a zone with No Cell Service for the next 50 miles. This also spanned two National Parks, and accompanied to an album or two of The Beatles helped the wheels turn up, into and over forest filled mountains awash in autumn colours.
A journey highlight was slowing down for cowboys and cowgirls hearing cattle. We captured a little on video. The cowboys were just kids and one gave a cherry wave, before flying across the field to control the cattle.
Day 6 - Mexican Hat... Twice
On waking, we booked the hotel for Friday night, and planned the day ahead - plugging in coordinates and addresses into TomTom as we carved out the route for today. This hotel had ALL the steps and I am pleased to tell you I didn’t fall down any of them.
Our first stop was Mexican Hat but it was a poor imitation. We snapped it anyway, Matt being doubtful as it didnt have a neck and he was right. It didnt. We reversed up a sandy hill before a 3-point turn manoeuvre and then on a turn of a corner we encountered The Real Thing. I took several photos, one with Matt, which amused me as the camera identified two heads (Matt’s and the Mexican Hat).
After Mexican Hat we drove through the Valley of the Gods. The Gods were not in when we came knocking, but we snapped their living room instead.
Next on today’s check-list of excitement was finding Petroglyphs. There were cotton trees nearby and a grandmother telling her family how her great grand father had taken branches from the tree to repair a roof. The tree blossoms in spring and fills the air with cotton buds.
We travelled to Bluff Fort Historical Site, where ancestors of the early settlers donated their historical treasures and raised funds to make cabins. The wagons were donated from Germany.
Shiprock in the distance, on our way to Farmington. It is a sprawling city, much larger than we anticipated.
Day 5 - Monument Valley
A meandering day, full of landscapes worthy of giants. Before that, we stopped to see Elephant Feet, and a Navajo Historical site. We are now near Mexican Hat and have officially changed timezone.
Day 4 - Tuba City
Scenic changes for today. From the dry heat of Williams to the dryer heat of Tuba City, all very magical.
Day 3 - Bearizona
We woke early after a restful night and had pots of coffee on the balcony before the heat ramped up. We pottered about, then headed off out of Sedona, and stopped for the best breakfast at the Oak Gardens nestled in the red rocks. Breakfast was divine, a couple of over medium eggs, potatoes, avacado and toast with blueberry jelly. I was sated with the best breakfast yet.
We then drove through Sedona mountains towards flagstaff and then Williams. Stopped for Scenic Views.
Bearizona was a joy, and the highlight of the holiday so far. I Loved every second of the day and it is difficult to select just a few photos. Americaln style hotdogs and pretzels washed down with frozen strawberry drinks.
We arrived in Williams at 2.40pm and was able to book into the motel, part of the history of Route 66.
Had coffee/iced mango and banana, a snooze then went to the Cavern for a couple of ciders and a baileys. A grilled cheese for dinner.
The Best Day.
Day 2 - Happy Valley to Sedona
We fell into the suite at 7pm or so (which was early hours of the morning back in the UK). Giant American-style Fridge/Freezer added a heart-beat sound to our room, and the air conditioning was refreshing as the humid heat outside was oppressive, we just need to get acclimatised.
We found Walmart and stocked up on many many cold drinks as we were husks.
We slept like logs, and had an early 6am breakfast as Matt was craving a burger. Coffee, eggs and potatoes with a toast bagel with yogurt and fruit was much needed.
Taking obligatory photos of Hotel (new gallery needed) and firing up the expenses tracker which sadly brings me much joy, tracking the travel wallet spend and cash. The first four hotels are booked. In a few hours we head off towards the red rocks of Sedona so will add further updates later. The day has begun and the excitement of possibilities for the day ahead is bubbling away.
Our first stop was at the Frontier Town where we discovered many cactus and Zoltar (who wanted to tell us our future
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Cathedral Rock
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Now in a Spa resort, full of pizza, it is 7pm but feels near to midnight - the jetlag is hitting hard.
Here are a few photos…
Day 1 - A Hop Skip & Jump
Lunchtime: We are resting in a pub at the airport. A refreshing cider washing down a beetroot burger which will no doubt return to bite me later on. Our suitcases are having their own adventure and are bouncing about in the bowels of the airport, we will see them again in Phoenix.
Security checks meant Matt’s bag was rescanned in a red tray and wiped down. The drug swiping stick across the devices glowed green.
I have treated myself to a holiday cool blue Swatch. It doesnt glow in the dark.
The driver taking us to the airport talked non-stop, like a live radio set to loud.
The flight was ok, Matt nearly had to eat tofu meal for dinner on the plane but luckily they restocked on the chicken. I am not sure what I ate, but it couldn’t be any worse than the beetroot burger and was labelled vegan.
On arrival, we picked up our suitcases and wheeled them into a SkyTrain, Phoenix airport is the friendliest in America and has posters confirming this. We had a car upgrade and it is super comfortable.
As I write, are settled in our suite, and have been for a walk to Walmart as it is hot and humid outside, its just turned 9pm here but really our bodies know it is after 5am and we are long overdue sleep.
