10-12-16 - Heat Escape - Day 62

                                                          some Route 66 this morning

We waited for the temperatures to rise from the 30’s to the 50’s before taking off on Amber this morning heading to Arizona.  We rode by Window Rock then continued to Canyon de Chelly.  After the 2 hour ride, the temperature was in the 70’s. There is nothing like a beautiful sunny day, in a beautiful National Monument.

                                                       Window Rock

                                                             along the hwy

                                                        1st pic of Canyon De Chelly

After touring the North Rim, we stopped for our picnic lunch at Cottonwood Picnic area.  It is a pretty park with the Cottonwood trees just beginning to change colors.  We stopped by the Visitor’s Center and took a guided tour of a Hogan.  I never realized that there were families living in these round buildings we have seen in this area.  The guide explained the spiritual meaning behind the way the Hogan is built. This is a very interesting way of life.  The 37 mile round trip loop of the South Rim was just as gorgeous as the North Rim.

                                                                   picnic area

                                                              Inside Hogan

                                                                   outside

Our 2 hour ride back to camp turned into 2 ½ hours after we got stopped in road construction for 30 minutes.  We made it home just in time to see the sun setting behind us.  The beautiful sunset was the perfect end to a beautiful day.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/zFrbMKd5NEJRqaabA