Day 3 on the road and pictures of the Valley of the Gods

Today, I woke up at 7 o'clock to clear skies but wind.  The wind was blowing at 23 mph with gusts to 30+.  I decided to go for it.  I've been delayed several times on this trip, but not today.  

An update on the accident yesterday:  

A semi and an RV collided.  The pictures showed the two vehicles were completely burned.  The driver of the semi was unhurt, but the RV that hit them from behind, were not unhurt.  One was killed at the scene and the other is in an Alburquerque hospital with critical injuries.

We started out from the rest area at 8 o'clock and drove 500 miles to make up for the last two days lost time.  I took an hour break because of the battle with the wind, and we arrived at the Walmart in Weatherford, Oklahoma at 5 o'clock.  No delays😀.  

I am now going to cover the road trip to Zion Canyon National Park.

April 14, 2024

Sunrise overlooking the San Juan River below.

This morning, the kids got me up at 6:30, so after a short walk, I laid back down till about 8 o'clock.  Then it was morning routines and out the door.  First, I drove the six miles into Mexican Hat to fill the Jeep.  It was to less than a quarter tank and I can't go anywhere with that around here.

I also took my laptop and tried to upload pictures but could not even get my Blog to come up.  So, no pictures today.  I think the internet must be lowered on Sundays; I hope.  Try again tomorrow.

Mexican Hat Rock

We then headed the 17 miles up hwy 163 out of Mexican Hat to the entrance to the Valley of the Gods turn-off.  No money grabbers or ticket takers here.  I didn't realize but it is on BLM land and there were lots of vehicles boondocking along the road.  It is all gravel and rough in places.  My kind of park! 

We started out on the 17 mile loop at around 9:30.  It is an hour or two drive, depending on how many stops you make to take pictures. 

The Gods

We were done around noon and came on back to camp for the remainder of the afternoon.  Can't go all day, like I used to be able to do.  The wind picked up in the afternoon and it will be worse tomorrow.

Because it will be windy and cloudy tomorrow, I've picked Natural Bridges National Monument about 45 minutes from here.  It is only a 7 mile loop and hopefully the wind doesn't bother me too much for the short hikes I will be taking to get pictures.

Sun setting with a sliver Moon above.

Thanks for stopping by.

Day 2 on the road

You may not want to follow by date until I'm caught up with my posts from the last few days.  

Just wanted to let you know, I have updated the post for April 13th to include pictures of my post named "Time to move on".

Today, April 17th, we started out early again, at 7 o'clock.  We are leaving Albuquerque, NM, heading for Amarillo, TX, about 300 miles east on I-40.  About 5 hours based on my driving.  Had breakfast and we were on our way at 9:15. 

We stopped in Moriarty, NM at about 10 o'clock to fill up knowing it was a long way before we could gas up again.  It is a beautiful morning, sunshine and warm with a breeze of course.

We got about 7 miles down the road and I could see black smoke billowing ahead.  Not good!  Then everything came to a halt.  We were in a work zone and half mile down the road, everyone was merging to the left.  I guess the merge failed for someone.  It was 10:20.

It wasn't long before three or four fire trucks came.  Police came and an ambulance.  The ambulance left some time later heading back to Moriarty with its lights and siren blaring.

Trucks using the crossover to go back west to Moriarty.

There is an emergency crossover about 10 vehicles ahead.  Trucks from behind me and in front pulled up and crossed over.  Due to traffic going west, they would wait for a clear spot and bolt in slow motion.  It was a possible accident waiting to happen.

After two hours of patiently waiting, I decided to break the law and use the crossover.  Followed a truck and we both bolted when we had an opening and made it without horns blaring.

Made the exit and there was a policeman directing those using old route 66 to bypass the wreckage.  He was directing them at a stop sign to turn right, so I just jumped in behind and it wasn't more than a half hour we were back on I-40 moving along.  If I hadn't been so curious to find out what happened, I would have done it much sooner.

I rearranged my plans to make it to Amarillo, TX and called it a day at 3 o'clock at a rest area about 25 miles west of Tucumcari, NM.

Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Time to move on

Updated to include pictures.

My week at Lone Rock on Lake Powell has come to an end and we must move on.  This morning, we didn't hurry.  I had a cup of coffee and started packing.  I had met the couple next to us during the sand pull incident, so I went over and said goodbye.  We exchanged blogs so we could stay in touch.  Not certain if they want me to put the link to their site, so I will wait for an answer in my Comments first.

Aww, Dad!  Do we have to go?

We headed out at 10:30. No, heading out isn't quick.  First, I had to stop and dump my tanks.  They had no water, so that comes later.  Next, I stopped at the first gas station just outside the entrance to Lone Rock and filled up the MH.  I noticed they had a dump station and I checked for water, and they had water.   

Lastly, I stopped at Walmart to get supplies to last at least a week and then I was really off, at noon.  Our destination is Mexican Hat, Utah, located, just north of Monument Valley and just south of the Valley of the Gods.

It would have been a quick 2-hour journey, but it extended to 5 hours because of all the stops for pictures.  We ended up at Goosenecks State Park just north of Mexican Hat on hwy 163.  Cost per night: $10.  I booked three nights.

My pictures for the day:

Started out flat and drab

May have to around that mesa

Looking better!

Old motel torn down

Big grade and the next sign indicate sharp turn at the bottom.  Not a time to have brake problems.

 

The San Juan River bridge.  The road makes a sharp right just over the bridge.

After passing over the bridge we drove through the small town of Mexican Hat.  It is named after this rock formation on the edge of town.

We are parked about 25 feet from this overlook of one of the many horseshoes made by the San Juan River.

That was just the drive to Mexican Hat.  Now starts our three days of visiting parks and monuments.  

Thanks for stopping by.