Gail said she got to check on more thing off her bucket list when we drove through the incredible Oak Creek Canyon and viewed the Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ. While not as "grand" as the canyon to the north, it is nonetheless awe inspiring. I liked it as much as the Grand Canyon probably because you got to get closer to everything. But seriously, if you ever get to go to the Grand Canyon don't miss the drive south to Sedona.
It was a 5 hour drive through Arizona and into New Mexico to our destination of Albuquerque. At Flagstaff (7,000 ft. elevation) there was an abundance of snow. Descending down into the desert, still staying at high elevations we were treated the whole way with an ever-changing landscape of mountains, foliage and rock formations. Most of this country is Navajo Indian Reservation, and although sparsely populated, I was again reminded that these people lost much when the "white man" took control. The poverty was apparent in the housing we saw from I-40.
And there were also remnants of past cultures, with empty mud brick dwellings minus roofs and windows. Perched on a prominent hill in one town west of Albuquerque was an old Spanish mission surrounded by adobe structures.
Indian tribes control and own the many casinos in New Mexico. I wonder where the profits go?
There's a corner in Winslow, Arizona where I wanted to stand and take it easy. The girl in the flatbed Ford is still there after all these years.
Dinner tonight was with Dennis and Sandra Carlson. Gail and I haven't seen Dennis since he spoke for me at a youth retreat in December, 77. And I haven't seen Sandra since '71. Wow. Dennis was my youth pastor when as a sophomore in high school God made His calling in my life clear. It was great to re-connect with them. Facebook is something!
Tomorrow we're getting up early. Our drive to my parents' home is 10 hours plus through New Mexico, the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma. Mom and Dad don't have internet, so we're not sure when our next posting will be, but we'll find a signal somewhere in town.
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