Southwest Road Trip • Day 8

The road has lead us to Death Valley National Park.

I can't even begin to describe the beauty here. It is a treasure, everyone should plan to come at least once in their lifetime.

The colors that have surrounded us are amazing.

Sunset at Badwater. 282 ft. below sea level.

We are staying at a place called Furnace Creek Ranch. Once again I can't begin to describe it. There are at least 30 katrillion stars. The Internet is limited, we have zero cell phone service and it is going to be a sunrise kinda morning tomorrow.

I promise I will post more pictures of Death Valley when we return.

Southwest Road Trip • Day 7

In Williams when we strolled into the bakery for breakfast it was 33° and snowing with a promise of 8-10 more inches of snow.

It was time to rock 'n' roll.

We headed west staying on I-40 to the California border where we picked up Route 66 just outside of Essex.

The clouds were absolutely beautiful once the snow quit falling and the rain quit falling and the wind quit blowing.

Still fascinated by the miles and miles of trains, we stopped on the tracks in hopes that a train would pass by.

There were no Burma Shave signs in California like we saw in Arizona, but the highways were painted the entire way.

Abandoned café and gas station in Essex.

Along the entire route in California, people had gathered rocks and written messages along side the road. Some looked recent, some looked like they had been there for years.

Outside of Chambliss a shell of a building remained. Behind it was a dumping ground. Seeing this gave a whole new importance to reduce, reuse, recycle. What are leaving for future generations?

Looking out a window through the graffiti.

The Roadrunner Retreat.

Looking back at the beautiful mural on the side of the building of the Roadrunner Retreat.

A vacant but beautiful Roy's Motel and Cafe.

A final sunset on Route 66.

Southwest Tundra Road Trip • Day 6

Our second night was over at The Red Garter and during breakfast, I challenged the proprietors for a reason to stay one more night.

They gave us a reason.

I-40 to Highway 89 and then on 89A to Jerome and Sedona.

First stop, a herd of antelope. I haven't seen antelope since I lived in Wyoming.

Just above Jerome was an old mining ghost town. It was a little more like a junk yard, but it was filled with treasures.

A resident rabbit (just for the greyhounds).

And many old trucks, including this 1923 Ford Model TT hand-cranked dump bed truck.

Before we reached Sedona, we wound our way through Red Rock State Park.

As the sun broke the through the clouds, the views became more amazing.

Another great day on the road. Where tomorrow? Well, guess that depends on whether or not we get the 8-12 inches the weatherman promises.

Oh, and hey Hollyannakins, if you are reading this, Happy Birthday kiddo!

Southwest Tundra Road Trip • Day 5

We decided to take the train to the Grand Canyon. At 9:15 am we prepared to board.

Complete with train robbers...

and outlaws...

We found our seat in the observation deck of the Grand View car.

And slowly the train made its' way to the Grand Canyon.

Totally excited and prepared for hours of photos, we didn't expect snow and limited visibility.

It only took about 30 minutes before the clouds had taken over the canyon.

I'm sure if we could have seen the canyon, it would have been beautiful, but I never saw the other side, or the bottom.

At one point we couldn't even see the closest canyon walls. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the red sky yesterday morning.

We enjoyed what we could and headed back to the station to catch the train.

The engine patiently waited for us in the snow.

And the lights were lit in Williams when we returned.

Not sure where we're going tomorrow. Could be east, west, north or south. Guess we'll know when we get there.

Southwest Tundra Road Trip • Day 4

And this is what we woke up to today. You know what they say "Red sky at morning, sailor take warning." Oiy vey.

After a delightful breakfast at West Side Lilo's in Seligman (which I highly recommend), we hit the streets. The temp you ask? A frosty 4°.

Even in snow, cars still needed to be repaired.

Deliveries had to be made.

And cars still lined up at the pumps for gas.

How appropriate, the Snow Cap Drive-In.

We ran out of Route 66 about 17 miles east of Seligman. Looking west on I-40.

We landed in Williams, Gateway to the Grand Canyon.

And what better way to earn a little extra cash than to stay at the Red Garter, originally one of the better brothels in town.

The road to the Grand Canyon.

Still traveling by horse and buggy.

Home to the Polar Express, the train arrives at the station.

Families lined up in anticipation of their trip to the North Pole to see Santa.

Christmas trees lined the streets.

And angels lined the pathways.