from rocks to sand - August 17, 2006

We left Pueblo and the comfort of the Comfort Inn for the Rocky Mountains. However we didn't make it very far before we saw a sign for a "place of interest" called Skyline Drive. And being my father's daughter, I never pass up a chance to check out a place of interest. I do pass on looking at historical plaques but that's another story. Anywho, Skyline Drive was pretty much this very narrow road that ran along the top of a hill/mountain. I say hill/mountain because it was much bigger than your typical hill but not exactly a giant mountain. The view was amazing and my heart was actually racing as I clutched the steering wheel, all the while thinking that one sneeze could throw us over the edge. Even Jesse was nervous. The road took us back in the direction we had come however it was definitely worth the trip.






The scenery through the Rocky Mountains was a nice change from what we had been used to most of our trip. There were actually trees....and they were green.



We stopped for lunch at the Hungry Logger. It was past lunch time thus the name was fitting, at least the hungry part. We each ordered a hamburger and may I say, being a self-proclaimed hamburger connoisseur, they were excellent, a little greasy, but excellent. Ralph, you would be proud.


Here are some pictures taken from a scenic overlook that we stopped at. I think that they are pretty much self explanitary.






We crossed into Arizona at 4 Corners. It is the only place in the US where 4 states meet, these states being Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. It sounded pretty cool, but turned out to be just another tourist trap. Lots of vendors selling junk that really didn't have to do anything with the 4 corners. Needless to say, we got the cutomary picture of us standing in 4 states at the same time, like everyone else.



After seeing so many campgrounds on our journey through the Rockies, we assumed that Arizona would be the same way. However we assumed wrong. The Arizona landscape was pretty bare. I guess that's typically what a desert looks like.

We drove for about 2 and a half hours looking for some place to stay. This was the first time that our lack of planning got the better of us. We finally saw a sign indicating a campground, however it was 25 miles north of where we wanted to go. With no other options, we went anyway. Finding the campground in the dark was difficult, what with there being no street lights in the middle of nowhere. We eventually made it to the Goulding campground in the Navojo Tribal Park, which is located just over the border of Arizona in Utah. Without being able to see anything, we just set up the tent and went to bed. The next morning we were pleasantly surprised to see the awesome view. The campground was in Monument Valley which was considered by the locals to be the 8th Wonder of the World. I am not a very reliable judge of world wonders so I can't say whether I agree or disagree however it was pretty cool. Other than the huge rock formations there wasn't much. As Jesse put it, "there's nothing out there, not even for a fly."