Flagstaff to Albuquerque

We spent the night in Flagstaff at the Econolodge (ours was rated in the top 3% of Econolodges nationwide.  It was cheap and well-appointed and warm, but I had to comfort myself with the knowledge that the internet speed at the other 97% must be slower than watching sloths evolve).  Next day off to the Grand Canyon!  Turns out there are a lot of Good Canyons between Flagstaff and the real deal, and every time I said "there it is!" Eric would gently inform me that we hadn't arrived yet.  By the time we got to the Grand Parking Lot, I had cried wolf so many times that the kids didn't want to get out of the car.  They did get out, and took a view of the place from Devil's Point.  We climbed the Watchtower, designed by Mary Colter in 1932 and full of Native American murals and design elements.  For this sun worshipper, seeing all those sun-inspired designs was thrilling.  

And that was enough Grand Canyon for the kids.  We drove west along the south rim.  Every time we passed another spectacular view, I would inform them of the opportunity to enjoy it with me by shouting out "there it is!"  Fortunately my generous-hearted nature doesn't need thanks or even acknowledgement to continue to search out and provide these viewing opportunities to my offspring.

Just past the "Watch for Wildcats" sign, guess what we saw?!!  That's right -- deer!  One tried to cross the road in front of us, but every time it set a hoof on the pavement something would set off the "spring!" function in its brain and it would pogo off into the woods.  Must be hard to have your brain in your knees like that.  

Back to Flagstaff for Indian and Himalayan food (apparently they have pasta in Tibet) and a night at the Quality Inn (with Quality internet access which is completely wasted on people who fall asleep while reading to their children and fail to awaken even after their husband's multiple attempts to get them up to use it).  This morning we went to Sunset Crater and hiked the trail in the snow.  Who knew that there were volcanoes in Arizona?  I didn't.  Sunset Crater is part of a field of cindercone volcanoes formed by California's ongoing attempt to throw itself into the Pacific while still being attached to the continent.  The resulting stretch mark is AZ's San Francisco volcanic field.  The trail followed the lava flow, which today was covered by a sun-sparkling layer of snow.  An intimacy of opposing elements.

Then on to Albuquerque (thank you spell-checker).  New Mexico welcomed us with a moonrise above the red bluffs, and a sunset that started at the horizon layering blue and pink and crimson, holding up the moon.  While all this setting and rising drama was going on, Liam and Kai and Eric were learning French in the back seat from Moustache the Chat and his amis.

When we arrived at Jean and Paul's beautiful place in the hills overlooking Albuquerque (thanks, spell-checker), Aunt Jean and Eliza disappeared under Liam and Kai, giving Eric and I a chance to say hello to Paul and Emma Lia.  We ate extremely well, and now have the best room in the house.  

 
-Juliet