California to Virginia, 2007
Late in 2007, Ron and Carol retired to Virginia from California. This is pictures of their road trip across the USA.
Williams, AZ - Carol would be point, traveling ahead in her Malibu. Ron would follow with the van towing the boat, seldom exceeding 62MPH*. They did this for 2789.5 miles. They would park the van/boat at hotels and use the car for side trips.
(* Above 62MPH there would be an unpleasant vibration from the trailer.)
Williams, AZ - Grand Canyon Railway. Ron and Carol used this(!) for a side trip to the Grand Canyon. It is 65 miles one way and takes just over 2 hours.
Williams, AZ - Grand Canyon Railroad. Are they happy? You bet!
Grand Canyon, AZ - It is difficult to take a bad picture at the Grand Canyon. They had about 4 hours at the rim, but packed it with a tram ride out to Hermit's Rest.
Shiprock, NM - Shiprock is a rock formation rising nearly 1,800 feet (550 m) above the high-desert plain, 12 miles SW from the city of Shiprock. It has been in several movies.
(36.688308,-108.835926)
Shiprock, NM - Mesas north of Shiprock off state route 491.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO - The cliff dwellings of 'Spruce Tree House' is considered the best preserved of the many cliff dwelling located in the park.
From the NP web site
The Ancestral Puebloans inhabited Mesa Verde for more than 700 years (550 A.D. to 1300 A.D.), but for the first six centuries, they primarily lived on the mesa tops. It was not until the final 75 to 100 years that they constructed and lived in the cliff dwellings for which Mesa Verde is known.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO - Spruce Tree House - Ron in a subterranean kiva or “ceremonial room.” The kiva remains at 50 degrees Fahrenheit all year round.
Four corners, AZ, NM, UT, and CO. A foot in each state.
(36.998975, -109.045178)
Window Rock, AZ - Window Rock is the seat of government for the Navajo Nation. The buildings sit in front of this formation.
Albuquerque, NM - Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Contains historical overview of the Pueblo world, and exhibits featuring original artwork and craftsmanship of each of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.
Albuquerque, NM - Petroglyph National Monument. There are thousands of petroglyphs at the site. It is believed that the majority of the petroglyphs were carved from about 1300 through the late 1680s.
Santa Fe, NM - Old town Santa Fe. Nice covered walkway. This is the 'Palace of the Governors', one of the oldest buildings in the USA. It dates from 1610!
Santa Fe, NM - New Mexico Museum of Art. Ron and Carol did not plan to visit this but they had a special exhibit from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (London). William Flinders Petrie is one of Carol's favorite characters. He was the basis for Indiana Jones.
Pueblo of San Ildefonso, NM (pop. 458) - Ron and Carol were taken by the black pottery of Pueblo of San Ildefonso. They visited the pueblo and managed to buy a beautiful piece.
Amarillo, TX - The BIG TEXAN. Home of the 72oz. steak. If you can eat the whole thing, it is free. Carol and Ron declined, but did try their deep fried rattlesnake.
Amarillo, TX - Cadillac Ranch. Put up in 1974, this 'art' display is modified daily by visitors.
Memphis, TN - One of Memphis's wonderful trolley cars.
Memphis, TN - The driver of the trolley car. He suggested a great restaurant.
Memphis, TN - World famous Beale Street. Considered by some to be the 'Home of the Blues.'
Memphis, TN - Bridges crossing the Mississippi. (From a tour boat.)
Memphis, TN - The Peabody Ducks. The ducks live in the hotel. They swim in the lobby fountain during the day and march to and from their penthouse nests via the elevator.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peabody_Hotel#The_Peabody_Ducks