Day 22
16319 mileage
5:49 A.M.
6735 steps
$25 All Access Card Savings
Tons of driving, long hours in the car, stretches of land that didn't seem to move as it stayed the same. It takes its toll on you. Being the driver on long treks can be exhausting. Sitting beside the driver with nothing to do but stare out the window has its own perils. We were both feeling the drag. So G suggested we stay at a resort and spa for three days at our next stop, Santa Fe.
This was a long driving day, so we cut it up by stopping at the Petrified Forest National Park. We drove through checking out the fossilized trees and petroglyphs on display. Not too many people had our same idea. That might explain why crews were out repairing the road. They had us stop a few times and drive slow through the construction zones.
You have to look closely at this rock to see the ancient symbols carved into it. It was a quiet place with a few folks driving through. The pale landscape stretched out to the edge of the Painted Desert. Humbling in its history. Along with my magnet from the north entrance visitor's center we also took home a piece of petrified wood. With our purchase came a little information card that tells us all about the colors and how they develop from the minerals present. It made the rock all the more special.
We pushed through and arrived in the artist community close to dinner time. We had planned to spend three days in Santa Fe at a beautiful resort resting and relaxing after all the driving, horses, bikes, and boats. However at reception we are told that none of their facilities were open to the public. Total bummer. We walked around the square downtown looking for a place to eat and discovered Cafe Mamou, a fun little restaurant that made you feel you were in the heart of Paris complete with French music and most excellent desserts.
We are moving on tomorrow with sights on San Antonio for an extended stay instead.
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