Straight through Arizona

We were in Arizona within minutes of leaving Gallup, New Mexico, this morning. The state change was evident in the scenery as we left behind the plateaus and sheer rock cliffs (see right) and were faced with broad expanses of ... nothing.  The need to traverse this part of Arizona had to have been daunting to anyone, any group trying to find hospitable land.  It seemed to stretch forever.  But finally we approached mountains that at least varied the scenery.  

However, the open expanses did provide one major site that enticed us to our first off-road stop: Meteor Crater.  And it was an awesome sight (see right).  Shortly after that stop, we began seeing mountains again, although much different from New Mexico (see below).  We also noticed two clouds of smoke beyond the mountains, hundreds of miles away. 

I was amazed at the ease with which we were able to negotiate the mountains.  I-40 has the most negotiable roads that climb up the mountains and then down several thousand feet in elevation over and over, all at mostly 75 mph.  It was a great a ride.  We are now close to the Nevada border and our final destination tomorrow: Las Vegas!

The journey continues.