Dam, Arizona

September 15, 2020

Most of the areas in this trip have been part of the larger Colorado Plateau, covering four corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Most tributaries drain into the Colorado River. We crossed the Colorado, San Juan, Green, Escalante, Sevier, and Paria Rivers.

After crossing in to Northern Arizona, we see the deep blue waters of the Colorado at Lake Powell, a gorgeous contrast with the red rocky cliffs the river has carved. Lake Powell was created by the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona. 

Worth a stop in Page is Horseshoe Bend. Here the Colorado takes a horseshoe shaped roundabout. For a small entry fee, hike 1.5 round trip to the edge of the cliffs and view this remarkable site. I saw some daredevils get close to the edge for photos and selfies, but I wouldn't get that close. It's a beautiful place. South of here, about 7 miles, is Antelope Canyon a Navajo Indian Tribal Park, but is closed during COVID-19. I'd love to return for that tour, which requires a guide to navigate the slot canyons.

The journey continues to Northeastern Arizona for a stop at the Petrified Forest National Park. The area is also known as the Painted Desert. Over 200 million years ago, this was a a river channel. Fallen trees lined the channel and more flooding caused them to be covered in silt.Silica enriched groundwater penetrated the wood and replaced the wood molecules with a quartz like substance. See the multiple colors left in the wood by this process.

I hiked on shorter trails of Puerco Pueblo and Blue Mesa, but there are several longer hikes available. The colors and textures of the clay in Blue Mesa look like elephant skin. The desert shows its many colors like an artist's palette. 

It was time to start heading home after an overnight in Holbrook, AZ near the Petrified Forest. Also along Historic Route 66, you can find some quirky hidden gems. Maybe I should have slept in one.

We had to have another stop on Route 66 in Moriarty, New Mexico for some New Mexican food. A  humongous fry bread Indian Taco from Chili Hills. New Mexico green chili sauce. Yum!

Speaking of quirky, kitschy, but cute, we decided on an other world visit.

It was a dark desert highway. I saw a shimmering light. No not Hotel California; Roswell, New Mexico! 

Well at first site, it actually seemed like a regular town with franchise hotels, restaurants, and gas stations as you enter the city limits. But in there, some of the character emerges. Legend has it that aliens crash landed at a ranch nearby. The US Air Force said it was experimental weather balloons. But it's fun to see the conspiracy theories and kitsch regardless. There is a UFO museum to visit if so inclined. 

Even McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts gets into the act. We stayed at the 50's style motor hotel the Roswell Inn. 

Do what the space man asks, and wear a mask!

Hopefully we can beat Covid-19, get a vaccine, and travel more normally in the future. I still eye Scotland, Peru, Croatia, Australia, and a return to Japan some day. 

Happy traveling.