Day 8 - January 19, 2024

The drive from Moab to page was good. Quite scenic. We drove down the "Forrest Gump Hill". Unfortunately, we went to Monument Valley National Park and it was closed. We might stop there on our way to Santa Fe on Sunday.

We arrived in Page in time go to the Glen Canyon Dam which creates Lake Powell. The lake is only about half full but that is an improvement over last year and they expect more water this year.

We also managed to get to Horseshoe Bend. It's a "U" shaped curve in the Colorado River with an overlook that has wonderful views. Tomorrow...Antelope Canyon. Both Upper and Lower.

Day 9 - January 20, 2024

Antelope Canyon - 'nuff said.

Well almost. There are two (more actually but we just did two) slot canyons. We did the Lower Canyon this morning and the Upper Canyon this afternoon. The problem with this place is trying to decide which photos to post. Virtually impossible. We were in the canyons a total of about an hour and a half and you simply cannot look in any direction during that time without seeing a great view and shot. So, there are too many here but...

The colours here are real. In fact, if anything, I have toned them down a bit.

Day 10 - January 21, 2024

A long drive today from Page, AZ to Santa Fe, NM. It was quite foggy when we started out and I got a shot of a mesa in the fog. Less than a minute later, the fog lifted. we had only gone a couple hundred yards and took a fog free photo.

Then a small side trip to Four Corners. This is a spot where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. There is a shot here of Bud E. Bear sitting on four states at the same time!

A couple shots looking at each state, then entering New Mexico. We are here in Santa Fe all day tomorrow.

Day 11 - January 22, 2024

A fairly quiet day, just walking around The Plaza in old Santa Fe. We wandered around and went into "La Fonda on the Plaza". This is a site where there was a hotel in 1609. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and this version was built in 1909.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was closed (I am 2 for 2 in that department) but we were able to go into the Loretto Chapel. It has a wonderful staircase with an interesting story (https://www.historicmysteries.com/loretto-chapel-staircase/).

Next we were very fortunate to be allowed into the Santa Fe Theater for the Performing Arts to get a few shots. Then a short drive to Pecos where I got a couple shots of a Northern Harrier Hawk (I think that is what it is).

Day 12 - January 23, 2024

We left Santa Fe and headed for White Sands national Park in south New Mexico. White Sands is a virtual ocean of gypsum sand. Miles of sand dunes, some 30 feet high. It is also in a U.S. air force base and the jet fighters are flying low overhead.

Then we headed for Roswell. In 1947 there was a reported UFO crash here (denied of course by the government) but the city is alive with "aliens". Tomorrow - Carlsbad Caverns.

Day 13 - January 24, 2024

What a day. First Bud E. made some other worldly friends, then we were off to Carlsbad Caverns. There simply are no words to describe Carlsbad Caverns. Or photos. They cannot do it justice. The size, the beauty defy description. We walked down and took the elevator up. Good decision. The drop is 750 feet (equivalent to a 75 story building) and the trail is over 2.5 miles long. Enough said. Let the photos do the talking.

Then a long drive to Santa Rosa. We had a spectacular sunset along the way. Tomorrow we drive along historic Route 66 for about 300 miles.

Day 14 - January 25, 2024

Today we drove along historic Route 66. We tried to stay on the old highway as much as possible, but there are places where it no longer exists and you have to get onto I-40. However, we did manage to see lots of old gas stations and motels and restaurants. Some derelict, some still operating.

We started in New Mexico, entered Texas, and drove all the way to Oklahoma where we had dinner before returning to Shamrock, Texas for the night. Tomorrow we head to Canyon Lake Texas which is in Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin. There we check into our second timeshare for a week stay. maybe a little less driving for a while.