W I D E   A W A K E

PA to LA: Day 12

June 12, 2003

June 12:

We awoke early and packed up following a quick breakfast courtesy of the Hampton Inn, Santa Fe. After stopping for fuel and to check the engine's oil and coolant, we hit the 75 mph interstate toward Arizona.

I thought the drive from Roswell to Santa Fe was spectacular. It was, actually. But it was nothing compared with the drive from Santa Fe to Flagstaff, Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

The views are unlike anything East Coast residents have ever seen. I'd highly recommend everyone take the drive through New Mexico and Arizona at least once. In addition to the breathtaking scenery along the highway, railroad tracks run parallel along much of the drive. It's not uncommon to see long freight trains screech by every half-hour or so. One freight had seven engines. From afar the trains look like scale models.

Along the way we passed through many Indian reservations and made several stops at Indian stores that cater to tourists. We tasted Indian fry bread, which is a bit like funnel cake only without the powder sugar and with cheese in the center. Me like-um very much.

We drove past Knife City. Didn't stop though as the fear of being cut was a bit too much to handle.

Somewhere along the drive we passed into Pacific Time and gained an hour--which is always a nice thing. We reached our lodge at 9:30, grabbed some dinner, watched The Two Towers, and promptly fell asleep.

We're about 10 minutes away from the Canyon and will be making the trip in the morning...