National Parks and Murals

The trek between Albuquerque, NM and Holbrook, AZ was certainly event filled.

We started the day driving down Unser Blvd (named for the IndyCar Racing family) to the Petroglyph national monument.  We learned about the drawings, climbed halfway up a volcano cone (footing got sparse and my right knee got unhappy).  The park was beautiful.  Even though it looked like rain would come soon, it didn't start to fall while we were at the park.

Rain and national parks go hand in hand for us on this trip... But, more on that later.

Up next was Gallup, New Mexico.  You may know of it from the song "Route 66".  We stopped in town to check out the murals that are on many of the buildings.

About 10 miles after I commented that the Cow Crossing signs confused me, this guy was a few feet from our car.

The highway led to the Petrified Forrest and Painted Desert National Parks (which are actually one park, but two separate "monuments").  We were watching a massive storm rolling in during our visit.  We were one party of only about 4 or five that were in the park at the same time as us.  It was sort of awesome to have an entire national park mostly to ourselves.  In truth, I think this park was my favorite thing on the trip so far.  I wish we had time to head back to it again.

After dark and in the rain we drove on to Holbrook and our direct contact with 1950's lodging.

Gwen has magical rainbow powers!