I can still be found taking the long way around

When it comes to road trips, adventure is far more important than efficiency.

We clearly illustrated that today, as we left Williams, Ariz., at 9 a.m. and arrived in Santa Fe, N.M., around 8:30 p.m. Clearly we weren't on the direct route.

Instead, we turned onto U.S. 89 in Flagstaff, headed north to the Four Corners. We both thought that standing in four states at once was a novelty that we HAD to experience in our lifetimes -- so why not now?

It was a long drive there, though, through a lot of desert. We traveled through the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations in northeastern Arizona, as well as the painted desert. It was gorgeous but HOT -- taxed poor Gwen a bit, and it also meant her air was blowing a bit warm for quite a while.

We were SO excited to finally arrive at the Four Corners, partly so we could each add a new state to our lists (Utah for Carla, Colorado for Alisa), but also because our AAA TripTik promised greener vistas in Colorado.


Carla sits in four states at one time

And after half an hour or so of gray desert, we finally saw grass and -- gasp! -- trees (for the first time in days!). The temperatures were milder, the scenery a bit easier on the eyes, and we were content for several hours of driving.


A little footage from the Colorado road

As we passed through Durango and headed on to Pas... Pas-something Springs (I'm sorry, it's late, if you want to know, get out a map!), we realized we were a bit sleepy and ready for some coffee (and gas!). So the coffee queens honed their coffee-dar in on a small shop in that Spring town and managed to slip in just before closing. We felt refreshed as we continued out of what surely must've been a ski resort town (population 1,591) and continued toward New Mexico.

Now, the part of New Mexico we drove through in 2003 was very different from what we saw today. Along I-40, there are way more plateaus (yay plateaus!) and desert. Headed south into New Mexico, we saw more lakes, mountains and pretty green things. But we also saw a LOT of road construction. We're talking, we spent at least 45 minutes driving 40 mph or slower.


Where did our road go?!?!

But eventually, after an amazing sunset and a LOT of driving, we arrived at our hotel in Santa Fe. We threw our bags down and drove straight to IHOP -- our last meal was 11 a.m. Pacific time, and by this point it was almost 9 p.m. Mountain time. WE WERE HUNGRY.

Back in the hotel, Alisa checked her e-mail and then crawled into bed -- it's my turn to upload the pictures and blog. Although I've been the first to bed every night of this trip so far, Alisa has been asleep for at least 45 minutes as I've uploaded these pictures and written this for y'all. :) Now I'm about exhausted myself. Tomorrow we're off to Texas (not our favorite state -- sorry, Texans!) for our last stop before ALABAMA! Naturally, we love road tripping, but I'm also excited to get back to a little humidity and maybe even some high heels. (I should tell y'all sometime about how reasonable I've been, fashion-wise, on this excursion. :) I know I'm high maintenance, but I'm not stupid!) I love adventure and hiking, but I will also enjoy dressing up this weekend.

Love y'all!
Carla Jean