Monday 10 June
From the Durango RV park this morning, our first stop was Walmart! We stocked up just enough for the next two days to tide us over until we hand the RV back. Then we headed straight for Mesa Verde National Park, the nation’s largest archaeological preserve where we were able to walk around one of the cliff dwellings, and learn about the civilisation there 600 years ago.
Our next stop was a MAJOR disappointment. I convinced Ross there was a great photo opportunity at the Four Corners Monument, where New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona meet. We planned to divide up two people into each state – our cameras ready, and jokes about leaving the kids behind in other states ready (I knew you would enjoy that joke, Dad)….and then we arrived to discover it is tribal land and a tourist centre is being built on the site. A Native American at a tollbooth requested $US3 per person for us to enter, so Ross politely declined and we u-turned out of there. I took a picture of the sign saying “Four Corners USA” through the front windscreen as we drove away.
We the pushed on to the Grand Canyon. Spectacular. Awesome viewing. It impresses me even after a few previous visits there. One difference this time was we entered at the East Entrance, where the first viewpoint was a watchtower which allowed us to climb 89 steps and view 360 degrees that end of the Canyon. Of course, the watchtower has been there since 1933 so is only new to me! I have always been there in winter before, so I guess we never drove along the icy roads as far as the East Entrance.
After stopping at a few other lookouts, we discovered we were too late in the day to explore the visitors centre (it closed at 5pm and we arrived there at 6.30). So we decided to travel on and knock off as many miles as Ross could manage to make tomorrow an easier day.
The time factor against us yet again, Ross gave up his desire to take a helicopter ride into the Canyon (thankfully, says I), and I have given up my plans to visit Montezuma’s Castle south of Flagstaff and another night in Vegas. There is just not enough time to fit it all in before our deadline of Wednesday morning. The upshot of such decisions is of course we are already making plans to return (!), and in the meantime someone is going to have to come with me to see Cirque Du Soliel next time they come to Sydney 😉
We detoured via the town of Williams for dinner at Denny’s, which was good for two reasons: the kids had been looking forward to experiencing Denny’s after I told them my memories of eating there as a child; and the town is on Route 66 which the older kids had been hoping to join at some point. I noticed a difference in Denny’s since I was young – no complimentary water on the table, and choices other than fries as sides! The kids all had a meal each (I usually make them share, partly because I am tight and partly because the meals are so big!), and their nuggets or burger came with sides of salad, yoghurt, apple slices, or cucumber/carrots/celery. Ross and I also enjoyed a meal of meat and veges, and the total bill was only $54! Cha-Ching!
We then travelled on and detoured into Seligman, a little town also on Route 66 where we stopped just to get petrol – or “gas”. However, I think we have broken Ross!! He suddenly cramped up across the neck and shoulders, and wasn’t sure how he would go on. So the goal became very quickly to find an RV park. There was one just up the road, so he turned in for the night straight away before the kids. I have convinced him not to set an alarm for the morning and get as much sleep as he needs. I have also discovered we have gained an extra hour which I am sure will help. The kids are quite worried about him because they know the alternative is me driving! And none of us are ready for that!!