We had a fantastic breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Probably the best we'd had since Custer. Which was great, because in the end we wouldn't have time for lunch. Which also ended up working out great.
We stopped at a few overlooks on our way out of the Grand Canyon, and had to resist temptation to just start hiking or stop even more. It just calls out to you.
Our route out of the Grand Canyon was through the desert and Navajo country. The trees around the Canyon quickly disappeared and everything was red. All rocks and dirt, all the same color. We saw a lot of trailers and small, ramshackle houses. The temps went back up to 105. There were a lot of little roadside shops that sell Navajo crafts and jewelry. We stopped at one to get John some buffalo jerky. There was no sales tax because it was Navajo land.
When we turned onto our main route, Highway 160, I was anxious to get up to speed. hoping for another 75 mph highway, but luck was not on our side. It was only 65, was all two-lane roads, and we got stuck behind one slowpoke after another. The killer was when we hit road construction (again!). We thought it would be a quick stop because there were flag persons, but they still kept us waiting about 40 minutes or so because they were paving a very long stretch.
When we finally got back underway, the clock was not in our favor with what we still wanted to see. We had dinner reservations at the Bar D Chuckwagon in Durango, and we had to get there by 6:45 if we wanted steak. Otherwise, it was chicken or beef, and if we didn't get there by 7:30, we wouldn't make it at all.
Our first detour was to take the scenic route through Monument Valley. We didn't really have time at this point, but were hoping we could make it up later.
Besides, that's what we were there for and how often do you get a chance to ride through Monument Valley? We decided to do our best and let the chips fall where they may.
It was worth the extended detour. Monument Valley is just so breathtaking, you can't believe it. Because it's not a main highway, there was less traffic (thankfully) and we were among the same group of cars who kept pulling over to take photos. It's no wonder John Ford shot so many Westerns here.
While we were able to regain some ground in Monument Valley, we had to slow back down as we headed into the mountains afterwards. The landscape turned from red to yellow. We finally saw our first scattered collection of oil rigs on the whole trip. Though they were all rather small, compared to what we were expecting.
Our next stop, which was really pushing it, was the Four Corners Monument. This I've been wanting to visit ever since seeing it on How the States Got Their Shapes (an absolutely fascinating special). Four Corners is the only point in the US where four states come together: Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.
We sped in, paid our fee, and ran straight to the monument. It's on Navajo land, which was really cool. The monument is essentially a large circular plaza where you take your picture standing in four states at one time. It's surrounded by booths featuring Native American art and other things. Honestly, we didn't really have time to look because we were so pressed for time. We didn't even take an extra minute to go to the bathroom.
There were two families standing in line in front of us, including one woman who thought it would be a great idea to have her friend film her dancing in four states while the rest of us waited. She finally took her bow, so Madison and I got our shot. Marsha took our picture and we raced back to the car. Wish we could have had more time, but we did it!
From there we raced across Colorado to the Bar D Chuckwagon. We made it just in the nick of time (no steak, of course) and finally got to relax a bit.
It's been around since 1969 and is still going strong. There's a little western village with shops selling gifts, fudge, and more. There's also a little train, but we arrived too late for that. The main area are several rows of numbered picnic tables. Since we got there last, we were in the back. That was cool, so we could just follow everyone else. They start with a moment for prayer, then everyone lines up table by table, heads through the line to get your food, which also consisted of beans, potato, biscuit, apple sauce, and a square of spice cake. It was a lot of food! This is why we were glad we skipped lunch.
After eating, we relaxed at our tables to watch the Bar D Wranglers perform a great selection of Western tunes, including some rewritten comedy numbers. They were great, and one of the Wranglers had been in the group for 25 years. He was amazing.
After a rousing finish of "America the Beautiful" (we can sure attest to that!) and "God Bless the USA," it was back to town to check into our hotel, the Historic Strater Hotel, built in the late 1800s.
This place is incredible! It looks like you've stepped back in time (except for a few modern upgrades, of course).
There's even a saloon right off the lobby with live piano and saloon girls.
Everyone is in costume. The whole place is just fantastic. I can't wait to explore it in the morning. One other detail I did already notice us that Louis L'Amour wrote many of his books here, in Room 222. Now that is very cool.
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