Albuquerque

I made short work of Canyon De Chelly and then kept rolling along to Albuquerque.   The backtrack was going to be 80 miles and it just made sense to keep going. Thus one less night at Koa Holbrook.   I stayed in one of their super tent sites.   I had three picnic tables and a nice shaded area with a lot of privacy.   Worth the $2 for the shade alone.

While it was only 98 or so,  it was still kind of hot. It does cool off quickly and I was under the sleeping bag fairly soon.   Ear plugs to block the freeway noise and from the Harley next door.   The sun and I rose about 5.  On the road by 7 or so.

The canyon was an impressive item.   I only looked at the north wing and only by looking at 3 overlooks.  The morning photography is better in the north and the southern in the afternoon.   It looked like there is camping near by and hotels in the town.   The town is about 3 miles from the park.   It's quite handy.   There are tours and such;  can you get to the bottom of the canyon?   I'm not sure,  but it looks like a nice thing to do.

I would estimate the walls as being about 500 feet down. They are quite sheer.  This is the red Sandstone that is seen elsewhere.   Some of it reminded me of Mt.  Diablo in CA.   Water and greenery is found at the bottom.

The Navaho live there now,  but are the third wave of inhabitants that are know.   They came in about 1700s, the previous group disappeared in the mid 1200s.  I forget the rest of the story.

Worth the trip.   It's at altitude,  so somewhat cooler that the towns on I-40. 

Trip milage is over 1500 at this point.   I'm getting some tire noise and will get that checked out here.

I may break down and mount the front license plate.   I can save $15 on my ticket if I do it and have a cop sign the form.   It looks like ignoring it will follow me back home.

No camping for awhile,  I'm with the parents.    They are over feeding and providing ice cream and licorice!

Rich