Day 15 Tuesday 2nd September, (Monument Valley, Arizona to Sante Fe, New Mexico)

Had a lovely dinner in the hotel dining room.  They don't do fine dining but the food is tasty and there is diversity.  Dale and I had the Navajo burger - while it is a burger (beef patty) it is served on Navajo Frybread which is quite delicious instead of a bun.  We both loved it.  I couldn't finish mine.  (Sorry Noeline - no pictures).  

Today a big driving day, we travelled through four states, starting in Arizona, went north into Southern Utah, east into Colorado then south to New Mexico, approximately 440 miles in total. A couple of people we met thought we had gone mad travelling that far but it was actually quite easy driving and we arrived in Santa Fe about 5:30pm. 

The first leg took us through Mexican Hat (and there is a rock formation that really does look like a Mexican snoozing under his hat.)

Rock formation that gives Mexican Hat its name.

You do see some "interesting" things while on the road - we saw a man walking along the highway carrying a rifle - not something that would be permitted in Oz.  Not idea why he was doing that but - this is hunting country and part of the individuals rights under the constitution.

Also got a bit of a fright when a prairie dog tried crossing the road,  fortunately he decided to stop rather than dart across the road and Dale just missed him.  I am sure he would have been able to "smell" the tyre rubber on the Ford!

We passed Mesa Verde National Park which looked interesting.

Mesa Verde, unfortunately we didn't have time to visit this spectacular historic site

Then passed through Monticello before turning east through Dove Creek, Durango and Pegosa Springs. We stopped in Cortez to visit the very helpful Visitor Information Centre (locally referred to as the Welcome Centre - and that they definately are).  We then went across the road to have a cup of tea at the "Let them Grow Cafe", a unique blend of coffee shop, book store, hardware store and organic produce (and they actually had Earl Grey Tea).

The steam train in Durango looked very good but we didn’t have enough time (as it is a full day trip - maybe next time!). We then turned south through Tierra Amarilla (stopped here for fuel) and then on to Santa Fe.

So far we have covered 2,800 miles and used 69 gallons of fuel at a cost of $247. It appears that very few people take much notice of the speed limits on the open road although most are very careful through the towns. Travelling at the speed limit of 55mph on the mountain roads we had a truck, a camper van and ute (locally referred to as a "pick up") with caravan overtake us.

Elevation did drop to about 4,300 feet today but soon went back above 5,000, even getting to 8,000 through a pass in an area where the peaks are between 11and 13,00 feet.

Our first running water since leaving Las Cruces, the Los Brazos River.

Very different colouring to Monument Valley although only 100 miles away

Back in New Mexico - vegetation sparse and rocky ground.