Stage Two: Grand Junction

Depart: Kachina Lodge, Grand Canyon National Park
Arrive: Courtyard by Marriott, Grand Junction, Colorado
Miles Traveled: 438.7

After having traveled a number of state roads through Arizona and Utah, I have decided that the thing I look forward to most on this trip is getting to drive home on Interstate 5 from San Francisco to SoCal. Ahhhh, four, sometimes five lanes! Right now it seems like a heavenly idea.

Certainly the scenery that we were able to drink in while traveling north was lovely ~ we passed through the Painted Desert (easy to see why it was given that name), and eventually came upon Monument Valley. That was amazing ~ it did not appear to be real. Here is a taste of what we saw:






So, the things we experienced were spectacular ~ but are two lanes in each direction too much to ask for? Or perhaps a serviceable shoulder? I never thought I would be so excited to see I-70 again. It's not that I've never driven on narrow, two-lane roads it's just that I do not enjoy it very much.

One other thing I learned was not to go nine hours without stopping for food. I was not that hungry, nor were the kids, but by the time we pulled into the hotel parking lot Christine was very displeased with me.

Important tip for long road trips ~ keep the spouse happy.

Saturday is another travel day, but the shortest of the entire vacation. We'll be moving from Grand Junction up to Fort Collins, as we get ourselves into position to get to Rapid City, South Dakota on Sunday.

Thanks for keeping tabs on us, another update tomorrow!