June 15, 2000

Phoenix to Albuquerque, NM: Forget Me Not

Starting odometer = 5432

Distance = 553 miles

Rats! Today was filled with one screw up after another.

First, I forgot my toiletries bag at my last stop... Luckily, I left it with Karrie and Dave instead of some rathole motel.

Second, I had intended to visit Montezuma's Castle, but I drove right past. Grrrr.

I chalk it up to residual fatigue and dehydration from yesterday.

Fortunately, I caught Petrified National Forest just in time.

Goodbye to the Mowry family -- Karrie, Chevy, Bair, and Dave.

Thanks for a wonderful stay.

I hit the road again. The desert has much more vegetation than I expected.

A mile long train. Dagny would be proud.

This cop sits in front of me for what feels like an eternity. Driving the speed limit... oh my pain.

Ranger Marcel made absolutely sure that I understood the penalty for removing rocks from the park... death by unga-bunga.

Petrified Forest NP includes an excellent view of the Painted Desert.

A pueblo built by the ancestors of the Hopi or Zuni over 600 years ago

The Agate Bridge. This long petrified tree is harder than the sandstone around it. Through the years, the sandstone eroded and left the tree spanning a gorge. The tree has been fortified by concrete to help it endure.

Newspaper Rock -- supposedly, these rocks have ancient petroglyphs all over them... who can tell at 100 yards?.

The Teepees

Random rock formations

Jasper Forest is an excellent collection of petrified wood. Although the logs look very much like real wood, the close-up images show the crystals and minerals that long ago replaced the cellulose and pulp.

A view of the Blue Mesa

A bird

This a-hole wouldn't let anyone pass his little paint patrol train travelling at 10 mph. Whenever anyone -- including me, twice -- tried to pass, he would literally turn his truck sideways on the road.

I arrive in downtown Albuquerque.