Day 4. Cortez, Colorado

Got up and left a little later than we wanted to, but this is a vacation. Because of the hotel room fiasco, we had to double back to the Grand Canyon to continue on our way to Cortez, Colorado. But when we got the the Grand Canyon, we were all glad we had to revisit the area. We pulled into the parking lot, me leading the way, and I thought I had found us a better place to park. I promtly whipped the wing, trailer and all around in a text book u-turn. I turned my head into the turn, looked where I was going and kept my feet on the pegs. Perfect execution. Until I saw the do not enter sign and changed course. Mistake. I suddenly stopped and Kim did just like she was suppose to do and sat still. I dropped the wing, trailer and all, in front of about a million people. Boy did I fell stupid. Kim came tumbling off and stood up and looked at me. Bo jumped off and helped me lift her back up, the bike not Kim, and no damage was done, other than to my pride. Meanwhile, some jerk in a car was blowing his horn and tryin to get around me, like dropping my bike was the whole plan.

We looked at the Grand Canyon and Wow. Unbelievable. We looked down at birds soaring high in the canyon. This is a must visit in everyones life. We stopped at the main overlook at the visitors center and it is a great view. However, we were headed out of the east entrance of the park and dropped into on overlook called Lipan. This has to be the best view in the park. You have a great view of the river from way above. Wolfie and I went past the fence, that you are not suppose to cross, and we sat on the edge of the canyon and just looked. For a few moments, it was just Wolfie and I looking at this wonder of nature and neither one of us ruined the moment by saying anything. Truly one of the most amazing views and fleeting moments in my life. Thanks to anyone or anything that made it possible.

On our way to Cortez I had planned for us to stop at Navajo National Monument, also in the middle of the desert, but on the way, because of time constraints, we decided not to. While traveling closer to the monument, Bo talked the group into stopping anyway. It was also a stop that I am glad we made. In the year 1200, Indians built their homes into an Alcove in the side of a huge canyon, then they simply disappeared for no known reason. Another spot well worth the visit.

We then got back on the road headed towards Colorado and the drive and scenery was again unbelievable. I'm tired and running out of descriptive words without being too repetative.

We attempted to visit 4 corners, the only place in the United States with four states touch other. I must have paid attention in school on the day we talked about this, because I remember being told, "CANU remember the 4 states?" CANU--Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah--CANU. When we arrive it was closed??? No, not the states, I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere, but the entrance to the monument. Evidently, some organization or individual owns the land where the states touch and have erected a monument. We were about 30 minutes late. Had we not visited the Navajo National Monument, we would have made it in time. However, the Navajo monument was probably a better choice anyway.

We found a hotel in Cortez and went to eat at a Dennys at 10:30 at night. This was interesting to say the least. While we were there a waiter was having some kind of rif with the cooking staff and the cooks starting throwing dishes at him!! We thought it was humorous and I think it made the cooks even more mad. In true Alabama fashion, we sat right thru it all, laughed and ate. We already had our food.

We ended the night doing laundry and posting pictures.

One more thing, we all got rooms and were eager to update pictures and blogs, but was told by the young lady at the front desk that the Wi-Fi has hotspots. Some of the rooms have wireless internet and some do not. Out of three rooms, Cindy's, of all people, is the only room among that has internet. So Wolfie and I sat by the pool, close to the server, and posted pics and updated stuff. Another relaxing moment.

We have traveled over 2,100 miles since this past Saturday, traveled in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado, and I have to say this has indeed been the trip of a lifetime, so far. Tomorrow we spend the entire day riding twisties in Colorado and visiting old cowboy towns like Durango and Silverton, after visiting Mesa Verde National Park, more Indian dwellings in mountains, first thing in the morning.

More updates later..........


PS......None of us miss work yet!!!