Day 5: Albuquerque, NM to the Grand Canyon, AZ

We left fairly early on Monday and headed on our way to the Grand Canyon. On that route was the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert in the East of AZ. Unfortunately my Check Engine light was still on so in Gallup, NM I made the decision to get off the highway for some food and to try to find a Ford dealership. Gurley Ford in Gallup, NM was great. They took my car and reprogrammed it (probably because of the environmental change associated with a cross country trip) and that took care of the check engine light. Life is good again.

Gallup, NM is the mecca for Native American Crafts including dolls, necklaces and other tribal art. I recommend stopping at some of the small shops along Route 66 in Gallup. Might I also say that we missed the ceremonials by a few days. We are going to try to make those another year.

We arrived at the painted desert and the petrified forest and danced around several thunderstorms and were treated to some breathtaking views. I can't imaging something more majestic than the painted desert, but if there is anything that can match it is the Grand Canyon which is our destination tomorrow.

Type to you later.