Day 12: On to Arkansas

From Amarillo, Texas to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, we are getting close to the end of our journey.  We started the day checking out a few more of the "must do's" in Amarillo including the Big Texas Steak House and the Slug Bug Ranch - a tribute to the Cadillac Ranch.

Then, along the road, we came upon a gentleman and his history of Route 66.  I believe he is an icon along the road and he was welcoming enough to invite us in to look around. 

Then on to Ft. Smith. 

Leaving for Memphis now so much go.

Day 11: The road to Amarillo, TX

Hello from Amarillo.  Today, we took it relatively easy and just travelled about 4-ish hours from Santa Fe, NM to Amarillo, TX.  

We slept in, grabbed some breakfast in the central square, and then went back to our hotel where we met up with a walking tour.  We got a lot of history both of the hotel, and of the area and eventual city of Santa Fe.  Unfortunately, we had to break off from the trip to get on the road. I will say, the La Fonda hotel off the main square was a wonderful hotel.  HIGHLY recommend.

From there, we were off and stopped at the Pacos National Historical Park and took a little time to walk around and explore before we got back on the road for the longer part of the trip.

Coming into Amarillo, we got off the highway due to a major traffic slowdown, but we were going to do it anyway because there was ... Cadillac Ranch.  Random in the extreme, but random wonderful because it was just fun to see. 

And we ended the evening by going along the historic Route 66 ...

And then grabbing some dinner at a local brewery that was having Trivia night that we were just a few minutes too late to join or else we would have killed!  

We're back in Central time so it's messing with our timing but basically we're heading to Arkansas tomorrow with a stop in Oklahoma City.  We're thinking Memphis the next night and then drop me at the Nashville airport for my journey home.  We are at about 4300 miles at this point and it's been an amazing trip.  I have to say, I've heard for years about the big stretches of nothing that is Texas and it's pretty true.  Almost all of our drives to date have been scenic in various ways.  Today has been too but in vast, just nothing (meaning no crops, not cattle, no trees or streams) to see.  

Looking forward to what might be tomorrow.

Day 10: Santa Fe, New Mexico ... ahhhhh

First off, apologies for yesterdays post, it had been a long day and I was very tired but didn't want to let another day pass without posting. That said, the images weren't posting right and I didn't have the patience to fix so they aren't in order but close enough.  Maybe I'll go back and adjust.  But for now, onward.

From Fruita, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico, we managed to cross the 4,000 miles driven meter as we were pulling into the town this afternoon.  It has been an adventure filled with amazing sights and a few hairy moments (we have had more than a few deer cued up to cross the road as we were driving by) and we have made it to our turn to head back east to Nashville.

We started the day, as you do in Fruita, at the Dinosaur Museum.  Mind you, we didn't go in, but it was across the street from our hotel so we HAD to get our pictures there.  (And then got Starbucks.)

After packing up and loading the car, we went about a mile across the highway to pay tribute to Mike the Miracle Chicken that managed to live 18 months after being beheaded.  This artistic tribute was perched outside a local coffee establishment that somehow I imagine Mike would have appreciated.

A short walk (1/2 a block) from Miracle Mike we found Grrrreta hanging out in the local park.  Recently updated by the local elementary school, it was the magic that set us on our way.  

 Many miles were passed in beautiful open territory.  This shows just how open some of the landscape was, but we also went through gorges where it was a stream with trees and high hills on either side.  Beautiful.  Not what you think when you think New Mexico.

We arrived in Santa Fe about 5p with a few minutes to walk around before stores closed.  So, we fit in some sight seeing. 

 After a long day, and days, we decided to take a break and have a beer/cider at Desert Dogs Brewery & Cider and consider our options. (And enjoy a good view.)

Then a nice dinner overlooking the central square and back to our La Fonda hotel for a nice night of rest. 

We've decided to take a day off tomorrow and sleep in, take a walking tour of Santa Fe, and then do only about a 4-hour drive to Amarillo Texas and give ourselves a break.  

The beauty of this expansive country has been a revelation.  I knew from previous experiences that there are large open miles, but from Omaha to Rapid City; Cedar City to Fruita and now to Santa Fe, the amount of open and beautiful land has been amazing. For as crowded as we are in Los Angeles and New York, these vast open spaces are incredible.

Okay, time for a good nights sleep.  

Days 8 & 9: Yellowstone to Fruita, CO

Hello.  I'm going to keep this relatively brief because it's been a long day since we got up early to watch the sunrise at Cliff Dwellers in Arizona this morning.

Yesterday we awoke in Cedar City and hit the road for Yellowstone.  We HAD to stop on the way to check out the alien that is beaming up to Uranus.

On we went to Yellowstone where, true to the guide, the Bison greeted us as we entered the park.

 One in the park, we made our way around to various viewing points.  We also took a one-hour mule ride which was an amazing way to experience the park.  (Don't ask Megan though about how dusty and smelly we were after.)

After cramming as much in as we could before sunset, we headed off to our hotel about 45 minutes outside the park.  It was called Cliff Dwellers and it was in the middle of seemingly nowhere but it was a fun place to stay and we got up early to see the sunrise.

On the road, we were heading to Grand Junction, CO and hoping to stop at both Canyonland National Park and the world's largest watermelon.  Unfortunately, road work delayed the drive and we wound up going to Arches National Park instead.  (It was more directly off the highway.)  We didn't suffer for the switch as you can see from the pictures.  It was beautiful and we not only got to see it in the good light, we got the start of the amazing sunset on the red rock.  

We are finishing our night in Frutia CO, a few miles west of Grand Junction.  We are still figuring out where to head tomorrow.  

Days 6 & 7: Yellowstone to Cedar City, Utah

Hello from the Clarion Inn in Cedar City, Utah where Megan and I pulled in just before 8p -- in time to see the red/purple sky fade to black with the red rock hills behind us.  In the last few days we've covered a lot of ground and seen a lot of things while also having our first real challenge of the trip. 

Yesterday we awoke in Rapid City to see on the weather report that we should expect rain and possible snow in Yellowstone.  So, we both pulled on fleece and rain coats and made our way to Yellowstone.

We were greeted immediately by some camera-friendly animals which we hoped to be a sign of things to come.  From there, we went to the Visitors Center and checked out a few of the nearby sites before exploring the larger park.

Megan had come up with a route of various sites to see so from the North Entrance we headed toward Tower Junction.  Stopping at Tower Falls and Artists Point to name a few, we loved to get out and look around and take some photos.

We finally headed on the main attraction, Old Faithful.  With about an hour to wait, we grabbed some hot chocolate and braved the cold to walk the boardwalk and check out a few things before we found a spot for best viewing.  Unfortunately, Old Faithful wasn't at her full-spewing best and with a few false starts and a long drive ahead, we were a bit skeptical, but she came through enough that it was fun.  

On our way out of the park we stopped at the Grand Prismatic Spring but our awe was dimmed by the fog and mist.  Oh well, it was still cool.

From there, we had a long, wet, cold and dark drive to our hotel that I'd miss-booked for the night before so we had to scramble to find another hotel.  Fortunately, there was a room just down the road that we snagged.  Hungry, we looked for food and being just 9p when we finally settled in came to learn most restaurants in Victor, ID close at 9p.  Thanks to the Knotty Pine (that closes at 11p) we got some food and crashed.


Today was about getting ourselves from near Yellowstone to near the Grand Canyon so we road warriors set our on our journey through Idaho and Utah.  In doing a little research this morning, we learned that the Idaho Potato Museum was along our route so OF COURSE we had to stop.  Honestly, it was a trip highlight.  Singing spuds are just hard to beat.  

From there, it was on to Salt Lake City where Meg and found us the best Mexican food restaurant on at least 3 lists, so Red Iguana was not to be missed.  (Although I might miss it next time.  It was okay but coming from Los Angeles, not outstanding.) And then it was the last leg to arrive at Cedar City.  And it was a beautiful arrival with the sun just setting creating a beautiful purple glow.

Off to the Grand Canyon and an hour mule ride tomorrow.