Today was an easier day on the road, so our guides decided to set out the water and snack table later and encouraged everyone to take their time getting started and on the road, because nothing would be waiting for us in Tuba City except maybe an internet café, plus it would be a chilly morning. We took this advice and rolled out at 9:00 am, only to find that we were the very last ones to leave. Most people had left an hour before us, and were rehydrated, showered and massaged by the time we finally rolled in.We took our time and dawdled all day, stopping at scenic lookout points on the Grand Canyon along the way, taking photos, and trying to be kind to our bodies. It was a pretty spectacular day, with occasional breathtaking views of the canyon. We left the forest and re-entered the desert, only this time with red sand and stone formations, and found ourselves in Navajo Nation territory. Lots of little roadside craft shacks, as well as “dinosaur footprints.” (We didn’t stop for either.)
We’re finally hitting that mental wall of “why in the world did we think this was a good idea?” Getting started and excited in the morning is taking longer and longer, but we feel better by the afternoon. The next four days until the rest stop are going to be brutal, all over 100 miles, with one final 140-mile push to Taos on Saturday. We’ll be happy to pass through Monument Valley tomorrow, though, and lots of other great sights to take our minds off our butts. E-mails make us happy! So does the promise of a day off this weekend =)
