Days 9 & 10 Westward Ho!

Our journey through arid lands, reveals a stark kind of beauty. 

 We left the town of Albuquerque on Route 66.  The road rolled through the desert, made colorful by plant life and geology. The cake-like layers of sandstone, clay, and manganese were beautiful. No wonder it became known as the Painted desert.

 

A passing storm intensifies the colors.

Soon, we had crossed the continental divide.  This invisible geologic feature runs from the Bering Strait down to the tip of South America. All  rivers on the eastern side run to the Atlantic or into the Gulf of Mexico and to the west of the divide, all rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean. 

We rode on across the land, mesmerized by its immensity.

 

The Navajo Indians, known as "coders", used their unwritten language to send important messages in times of war. For example, their bird names were used to designate different types of aircraft.

Gallup, New Mexico is considered the capital for the many native tribes in the area and has an impressive cultural center. 

Planters decorate the entry
to the Cultural Center in Gallup.

We paid tribute to the song performed by The Eagles and Jackson Browne by standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona. 

The small town of Winslow became famous
because it was mentioned in a hit song.

The scenery changed and temperatures dropped as we arrived in the mountainy town of Williams. The Main Street is a time capsule for the fans of Route 66. The old center has kept the look and friendly feeling of a bygone era.

I love the colorful advertisements that
brighten many a corner on Route 66.

Next stop - we’re off the Route to explore a famous spot.

To discover that spot, click here!