I left Santa Barbara on Saturday and drove to Cave Creek, Arizona to spend a few days with my brother Bill and sister in-law Karen. I am always so peaceful at their house in the desert. The views from the house are spectacular and it is soooo quiet.
I brought the first cold snap to the desert. It was chilly during the day and downright cold (and very windy) at night. All the better to see the desert sky. It’s always clear, but with the wind blowing the stars were almost impossibly bright.
I also got to spend some time with my niece and great-nephew. That’s always cool and unfortunately never quite long enough.
Brother Bill took the time to make sure I had enough music to get me to Norfolk. He burned about 350 songs to disc for me. He sent me on my way with some fabulous music; classical, country, blues, oldies (like The Platters and Tommy Edwards) to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Rodney Carrington. Hot damn!
I left Arizona this morning. I love driving down the Carefree Highway. It’s so poetic.
My first stop this morning was Montezuma Castle.
The Sinagua (without water) Indians built a five-story, 20 room cliff dwelling in a recess 100 feet above the valley floor. Apparently early settlers assumed that it was Aztec in origin and gave it the name Montezuma Castle. There is a large creek (year-round) which provided water for farming and probably fish. Mongo and I took a little hike around the park and then headed north to Sedona.
Sedona is such an amazing place. http://www.visitsedona.com/ The geography is unlike anything I’ve ever seen elsewhere. I didn’t stop in town this time but drove through, marveled at the brilliance of the mountains and reconnected with Highway 17 heading toward Flagstaff. I love the high desert as I get closer to Flagstaff. The combination of desert flora with evergreens are the most beautiful combination. I could live in Flagstaff.
The countryside between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, New Mexico you can keep. I have never been through this desert in the fall and it is definitely greener, but in general all the small towns look very poor and brown. I’m thinking that a lot of it is Indian reservation. I say that because there are a jillion casinos on that stretch of interstate 40.
It was beautiful watching the full moon come up over the top of the mountain range. I tried to get a picture of it on my cell phone but I don’t think it came out. I’ll have to check again tomorrow. Tonight I am staying in Albuquerque. Mongo is snoring quietly next to me as I type this.
When I left Arizona this morning, Karen told me to stop for a “Lotaburger” while in the Albuquerque area. As luck would have it there is one right next to the motel. Mmmmm, pretty good Karen. http://www.lotaburger.com/
Off to Oklahoma City tomorrow. Weather report is for rain.
1 comment:
Hi Aunt Robin. I'm assuming you've made to... Virginia, I think? I hope you had a fun and safe trip. Mongo is adorable and looks like quite the good co-pilot. I wish you lots of love for you and will miss you dearly. I can't believe I never got to see you while you were in Redding.
Love you,
Kristin
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