Leaving the thunderstorms behind yet again, we headed into downtown Albuquerque, through the Nob Hill district. It was earlier than we usually leave as we knew we had a really long driving day and it was quiet as today is Memorial Day here. We chipped back into the old Route 66 and headed south west back towards Flagstaff, today's destination. We had driven down the Interstate yesterday to reach Acoma, so it was really nice to be cutting through all the other reserves. Firstly we went through the Isleta Pueblo reserve, with a photo stop on the Rio Grande. After we headed out of the reserve, Jo took the helm. We continued through Indian Territory onto the Laguna reserve, through winding roads at a lower level than the interstate, around the rocky terrain. Giving Jo instructions for following the route, I was slightly apprehensive when it said, follow route around 'Dead Mans Curve' but she nailed it! Shortly after we hit our first detour for road works, and we nailed that too! Just before that we passed a rock formation that looked like an Indian guarding the territorial lands. There's a peace and serenity about this place, like you are privileged to be travelling through sacred lands!

The route consisted of large chunks on the interstate today and it was Jo's first time driving on and off the Interstate. It cut off and on the I-40, back off into Highway 117 and 122. Across twisting roads, through Grants, Milan, Prewitt, back onto the Interstate for about 11 miles and off onto Highway 118 into Gallup. The last town in New Mexico on Route 66. We passed Red rock park. On our right are towering red rocks about 1000ft high, curving up and down, showing striations and weather worn indents. The rocks are smooth. On our left are the arid, greener growth on whiter based Rocky Mountains, these were more jagged.

In the town of Gallup, El Rancho hotel, famous guests, such as John Wayne & Kathryn Hepburn. Back onto highway 118 and the rain clouds are looming! Soon we have hail pouring down. There are also freight trains galore today, following the train line all way from Santa Fé. We keep crossing the interstate and rail lines.

We gained an extra hour without realising when we crossed into Arizona, couldn't work out why our car put the time back, but our phones hadn't changed. When we pulled into the Petrified Forrest National Park, asked the correct time and indeed we'd gained an extra hour! Perfect for our longest driving day!! Jo has finally worked out, having asked the reception, the barman, the lady at the National Forest, and the staff at Freddys burger bar, that the other states observe the daylight saving and Arizona hasn't, so we've gained an hour!

The park is 28 miles additional driving, around a series of stops that display petrified wood that has formed crystals, washed up onto the plains trillions of years ago, absorbed silica and dehydrated, turning into stone.
Driving and stopping, looking at the petrified wood took us 2 and a quarter hours, which we probably couldn't afford but we left early, and we gained that hour so was well worth the $10 vehicle fee.... Saw a lizard, nearly stood on it...

Next stop Holbrook and by this time we were starving so stopped off in Joe & Aggies Cafe, a recommendation from the book. Mexican food on the menu and a Chicken Chimi for me, yum! Back on the road, past the Wigwam Motel, where all the rooms are shaped like wigwams, and onto the next place, Winslow. Just past the town was the famous Jack Rabbit trading post, with the trademark 'Here It Is' sign.

The next 50 miles were a bit of a blur for me as just before we stopped at two guns, I started feeling dizzy, shaky and not very well at all. Jo was a hero and drove the rest of the way to the hotel in Flagstaff, and me, I needed hydrating! The hotel is amazing, so glad we are here for two nights!

Day: 10
Total Miles driven: 2209 (403miles!!)
States Crossed: 6.5 (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona)
License Plates Checked: 40
(South Carolina)
Road Kill : 1 (none today!)