Since we had hit New Mexico late last evening, we were looking forward to seeing the change in scenery in the morning hours. Pleasantly surprised to find out New Mexico isn't entirely flat, and the coloring was changing.. We made our first stop after roughly two hours, at " Indian Village". Giant billboards leading up to this shopping extravaganza ended up being somewhat misleading, but none the less it was something to do, and a chance to stretch...
The further we got into New Mexico the more I enjoyed it. Its amazing to be surrounded by three-hundred-sixty degrees view of canyons. Not to mention all these little towns tucked away in valleys, and at the bases of the hills. I can only imagine waking up to this everyday in my backyard.... Definitely a change in pace around here.
The main amusement of the day was our next stop. I would dare to say, its the most random place I have ever come across.. "Stewart's" sat just off the highway, less than a mile a top a large hill.. The things you will find at "Stewart's"...
An ostrich farm, meteorites, petrified wood, mannequins (in odd configurations), mechanical automated dinosaurs (including a saber tooth tiger with a tail held together by duct tape...), and abandoned vehicles (which I'm assuming came from customers the shop keeper chopped up and ate). Anyway, it was interesting to say the least.
Kevin needed a CD cover for his newest, latest greatest album...
After a much needed second stop, we hopped on the road again. Eventually, we made it into Arizona, and the scenery really began to change. Snow capped mountains in the distance, desert as far as the eye can see in all directions. Rolled the windows down for a pleasant breeze, as the temperature started rising, and the sun beat down on us. Not long after crossing into Arizona, an unexpected and exciting attraction came ahead, just sixteen miles off the main road.
The Meteor Crater. For a large hole in the ground, it sure was spectacular. Powerful winds rushed over the crater as we climbed up the stairs to the observation decks, literally nearly blowing us over. In the middle of the crater stood a six foot astronaut mannequin, which from our level looked maybe an inch tall... Obviously putting perspective on the enormousness of the crater. Reluctant to leave, we took one last look, and headed back on our way.
Next up. Flagstaff, and the beginning of the rocky mountains. Oh, and our t-shirt weather we were enjoying came to a quick stop, after heading reaching town, and driving through a snow storm. Flagstaff is definitely one of the coolest (no pun intended) cities I've been to. An entire town set at the base of snow capped mountains, and surrounded by canyons in the distance.Took a quick stop to fill up the truck, and try to reach the Grand Canyon before nightfall...
The Grand Canyon was amazing. Not to mention by the time we got there, the sun had already set, and the sky was a gorgeous display of purples, blues and pinks. It was a little unnerving pointing my camera down into the canyon, and feeling like there was no ground beneath me. I had to take a step back from the edge a couple times from feeling a little queasy. That aside, one of the greatest sites I've ever seen, and one more to cross off the list of must sees. It's funny to think that I spent an afternoon looking at holes in the ground...Anyhow, the Grand Canyon was also an hour detour from our destination in the opposite direction, so we had to get back on the road.
Settled for the night in Cordes Junction, a small town with a gas station, subway, and a rv park... Not much to see, or comment about, just a place to hang our hats.
Look out! Ostrich!
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