Arizona

So western New Mexico is the same as eastern new mexico. Arizona seemed drier and less green, but more mountainous.

My big stop was a petrified forest national park. It almost like a combo national park- the top half has part of the painted desert and the southern part more of the petrified forest. The petrified trees were nice especially when you get close ups and can different colors and minerals causing those colors. The wood petrified into a rock like material when in was flooded over 200-300 millions years ago. When it was submerged, it coated with silica and various other elements. The silica caused the petrification and other elements such as maganese and iron gave different colors. (the former more blue and the later more reddish). During my park drive- I even saw a raven out and about, and the old route 66!

On the other had the painted desert was amazing. The best part was the blue mesa where you drove up to the top and viewed both petrified forest and painted desert and then could hike 1 mile each way down. I have to tell you the hike was totally worth it to see the different shades of oranges and blues up close.

Interesting, current policy would not allow something that I saw- concrete under a petrified tree. Policy now is to allow nature to take its course. In the early 1900's-1930s policy was different. First they built brick supports then concrete. This was all for a log that was acting like an arch in the desert, now if it fell, it falls, but the concrete still supports it.

Duirng my drive and hikes I could've seen a cactus and not realize it, but between Flagstaff and Phoenix (closer to phoenix) I saw a ton of Saguaros-those THE well known cactus that grows tall and branches with arms.

Next stop- San Diego!

Albuqurque

The Texas panhandle- so very flat and boring to drive- worse than Indiana and Illinois. All the hills, mountains are south or very eastern part of the panhandle. When I was driving, the smell of manure was oppressive (even with recirc on the a/c). The other thing I noticed was it gets very windy and the trees bend away from the prominent direction. As one travels through the panhandle, the terrain changes from prairie to desert like sage or scrub bush. (this was within 10-20 mi of the new mexico border). The land is mainly cows and farms, but less than before- maybe they need more land? I also noticed extrances for 3 ranches (inc Jarvis ranch) directly onto I-40 at a 90 degree turn.

BTW: there is a texas exit 0 and right after we enter New mexico aka the Land of Enchantment. Iw would describe NM as green scrub with some trees no higher than 6-12 feet and red and beige mountains.

After stopping by my hotel in Albuquerque, I headed out towards Sandia's peak. Its in a national forest just outside of the city by 10 miles. It has ski regions for the winter and the local volunteer even mentioned snow in may or june sometimes.

I took the tram to the top which was 10-11,000 feet. The volunteer gave examples of various fossils found in the rock. He also mentioned that there were about 160 volcanoes (active and inactive) in the state, that the Sandia's were formed due to fault activity, and that granite and limestome was the two major types of rock found. He talked about something called the Great Discontinuity that occurs in the rock record in the U.S. West. He also described some local wildlife including black bears, mountain lions etc.

After that I went to old town, bought some pottery, and ended up at the Albuqurque art museum. they had a lovely gallery about the history of the the city. Next stop, the Old church in the center of old town. But before going there, I ran into 5 Najavo code talkers from WWII- considering there are not too amny WWII veterans still alive and these were even fewer! For background, they only served in the South Pacific with Marines and would use their native language as a code which was never broken. Anyway, they were fundraising for their people, I bought a book and they autographed it and told me stories. I felt quite honored- truly heroes. I finally made it to the old church and took some photos of the area. Overall, a great time!

Oklahoma and Texas

So started off in Tulsa today. As a quick recap- northeast Oklahoma is called green country due its significant amt of greenery and lakes. As one travels southwest along I-44 to Ok City you see less green, more red and the land looks drier. The land has more grass/prairie and less trees west of Oklahoma City. You can see how some famous photos were taken here- the dust bowl pictures and the old rusting cars/trucks. You can see them still. There were alot of farms and cows around. I think the Cows have it right- eat, sleep, stay in shade or in water to keep cool.

The other interesting tidbit is that previously a large amount of native Americans were forcibly moved to what used to be called Indian territory (now Oklahoma)- along the highways you see signs telling you which native nation is nearby. Outside Tulsa there is also oil industry- I only saw one well there- it was not pumping. It was the pumpjack type (had to look this up). During the rest of my Oklahoma trip- I only saw 2 more- both were working.

After crossing into texas you find signs like I posted above. Nice to know can't mess with that state. But their roads suck. Texas prairie looks the same- dull green, some trees, likes of scrub/brush, but they do have more hills/rolling terrain.

I arrived in metro (is there a metro) Amarillo and seeked out Palo Duro- the 2nd biggest canyon in the U.S. I took a drive through for photos. It has a lot of campgrounds and was very windy! Also besides the various shades and red, green and brown, it has different type of plants based on the locale (valley floor vs near the top). To get there you need to drive 10 miles from the interstate- through farmland. Texas law on these roads: 70mph and you can pass. Truly rural. After 2 hours there I went to the city for some R and R.

In Amarillo there is a restaurant that serves a 72 oz steak- if you finish it, the entire meal is on them. Wonder if they also pay for the hospital stay due to a heart attack? I did eat steak- at a place called Saltgrass Bar and Grill- a nice 20oz ribeye with potato and salad and a shiner bock. I ended the night by taking a photo of the Santa Fe building (former regional quarters for the Santa Fe railroad).

Tommorow new Mexico.

Day 3 of Cross Country Trip

So Day 3:

began with a late start since I blogged and uploaded photos last night. Left St Louis at 835ish.

before I tell you about my journey, let me tell you the Omni hotel in St Louis is great. I really enjoyed the view from the Arch and all the history at Western Expansion Museum. Clearly, being a lover of history made that museum more enjoyable than I expected. I also bought an annual pass to the national parks- figure I will be stopping at maybe 2 more on my trip and there are several in cali to explore. The jefferson expansion park is right next to the river. Just west of it is I-70/64 in a ditch and memorial driver.

Missouri has lots hills, mountains and greenery outside of St Louis. It made for a nice drive. Lots of billboards for fireworks, adults stores, and Branson. In terms of the fireworks: there is this palce called mothers-its huge. Easily the size of a supermarket and then still has an outdoor tent.

The mountains in south Missouri are called the Ozarks. I stopped in Joplin for lunch. On I-44 in the area, I saw lots of downed trees and broken billboards from the tornadoes. Shortly after that I passed into Oklahoma. Most of the interstates in OK are tolls- but the clerks are so nice, helpfully and have a sunny disposition. In terms of the countryside: OK aparently has 11 ecosystems. In the northeast, it is very green though less green than Missouri- its mixed with the color earth/dirt (aka brown). Saw some cows in a waterhole- smart. After all it was 100 F and felt like 105.

Got to Tulsa around 5p. They have to really two really good museums, but they close at 5. So I ate some food, and chilled inside since its really really warm. Tomorrow onto Amirallo Texas- maybe some good steak!