ROAD TRIP ACROSS AMERICA 2021 (PART 2) Arizona to New Mexico

ARIZONA – THE GRAND CANYON

After embarking on the Road Trip Across America from California to Las Vegas (during a pandemic and after finalizing my divorce), the Rogue and I continued onwards Eastbound for Nashville.

April 28, 2021. Over a four hour drive to Tasayun, Arizona near Grand Canyon; dinner in Saloon restaurant at Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel.

April 29, Thursday – Brief Grand Canyon exploration. What are the deer/moose like animals? Is my Vegas brain playing tricks on me? Checked out South Rim look outs, observation and rim. Visitor center closed due to COVID. All awe-inspiring. Afterwards, settled in at the indoor hot tub of the hotel, and geared up for the next leg of the journey.

Time to breathe and think in the wide open spaces.

SEDONA

April 30, Friday – From Grand Canyon, my mission was to find the Flintstones amusement park of my childhood memories. Found it! Next, over a two hour drive to Sedona (windy mountain road); red rocks, vortex at Airport Mesa lookout; lunch at the Table in a wooded oasis. https://www.junipine.com/sedona-dining

Hoping for vortex healing energy. Can definitely use it.

NEW MEXICO – GALLUP

Long drive, stopped in Gallup, New Mexico for the night at Hampton Inn (more COVID restrictions – closed pools, gyms, etc. stricter masks). Drove around looking for food. Everything closed. One hour time change. Had to settle for Carl’s Jr. lettuce wrap – been consistent on Keto/low carb diet. Trying to lose weight at last. Erie earthquake tremors all night.

Nomad life – Driving is more exhausting than I remembered; open vast spaces. Scary semi trucks. Have to really pay attention.

Nomad notes: Blue cheese dip all over like bird shit when mask blew off face and I flicked the tub in the wind. Due to Covid – no indoor dining. I made a scene in front of sketchy crowd.

Scenes on the road

HEADED TO SANTA FE

May 1 Saturday – Road Trip Across America continues with driving to Santa Fe; 4 hours – lots of traffic on E. 40 – endless trucks. Detour through a reservation or “pueblo” – depressing, dusty, falling apart. Signs for COVID, signs for a “meeting”. Missed breakfast after sleepless snoring night disaster (me). Too much time together. Walls closing in on us both. Tired. Grumpy. Lunch at El Rancho Motel – on Route 66 – where famous western films of the 40s, 50s and 60s were headquartered. Love old Hollywood glamour. https://elranchohotelgallup.com/backstory/

Finally got to hotel, Santa Fe Plaza, Diamond Resorts – glorious one bedroom suite. Walked around the main square. Had oysters and a cocktail. 7200 ft gave us headaches and winded easily. Went to Whole Foods on a Saturday night – giddy over getting food to eat in and cook. Then argument over me wanting to bring in my suitcases. Road trips are not for the faint hearted.

But then cut to watching Breaking Bad together on the sofa, getting in New Mexico groove. Preparing for our tour tomorrow. Time to enjoy the journey.