Still plagued by high winds, we followed "Route 66" through Texas, New Mexico and into Arizona. We were pleasantly surprised by the clean hill town of Albuquerque....then not so pleasantly surprised by construction delays and a blinding dust storm in the open plains just west of town.
We finished "The Hunger Games" on audiobook, and moved directly into the sequel, "Catching Fire". Stunning scenery was increasingly the order of the day the further west we drove, with red rocks, buttes and canyons.
We were also pleasantly surprised with the beauty of Flagstaff, Arizona. Expecting some city in a windblown desert, we were treated to a foothill resort town and gateway to the Grand Canyon, reminiscent of Banff or Jasper, Alberta.
A late lunch stop at a Subway/Gas/Convenience Store in Gallup, NM also netted me a six-pack of locally brewed Happy Camper IPA....this would soon and prophetically come in handy as we made it by day's end to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Having left Wheatley with no snow, we drove three days and 3500 km southwest to camp....in snow.
After another long day at the wheel, we got to the park with just enough time to set up camp and settle in, leaving the Canyon view to morning light. Chilly night in the tent, luckily we were well prepared.
PICS
1. Gas and bio break in New Mexico
2. The land rises up as we approach Arizona
3. Road from Flagstaff to the park...snow!
4. Plateau inside Grand Canyon N.P.
5. Aspen #19 site in Mather Campground
6. Settling in for a long winter's nap
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1 comment:
I remember being stunned at the amount of snow in Arizona, a lifetime ago when I visited there. Never considered camping there though. You're far braver souls than I am!
I'm thinking I might read Hunger Games now. Nice pitch :)
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