Arizona

Down in New Mexico now. I woke up at the Grand Canyon and saw my first Bighorn sheep (including a lamb!), then saw Hopi cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon. I then followed I40 to find Two Guns, a neat little ghost town right off the highway with both Indian and Route 66 buildings still standing. I then took my wonderful Pacifica offroading across the freeway to try to find the old ruins from Canyon Diablo- supposedly a town meaner than both Tombstone and Deadwood out together. Three miles of mud and rocks later, I found it! Only a couple buildings left, but totally worth it. 


It was in the middle of what might have been cattle pasture but hadn't seen anyone or anything for a long time. There was nothing to see except railroad tracks for miles. Way in the distance a storm rumbled and spat while the ruins of Canyon Diablo sat quietly in the sunshine 

Badlands/Devil's Tower

I have had the most amazing few days. Arrived at the Badlands yesterday around 5, and stood around with my jaw dropped for a while. Set up my tent under the clearest sky and brightest stars, and saw part of the Milky Way. The winds sweeping over the wide plains were styarting to pick up, and two women offered to help me. Around 3, I woke up when gusts of the plains wind tried to lift my tent. I got up with the sunrise and hiked around some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see, then headed to Deadwood. Passed miles of gorgeous Wyoming scenery and made it to Devil's Tower to see the sunset on this incredible stone monolith. Even in the dark I can see an outline towering above me. I can see why the Indians saw Devil's Tower as a religious place... you can feel it's presence above you. So amazing. 

Sioux Falls

Tonight got me out of my schedule and more into poking around. The campsite I planned on staying at was full, so I drove around the exits around Sioux Falls and wound up at the Sioux Falls KOA, which is one of the nicest that I've stayed at so far! I got there and set up by 6:30, so I decided to look for Sioux Falls Park. So glad I did, it is absolutely amazing. Not just for the scenery, but for the fact that you can scramble among the rock formations right up to dangling your feet over the side of the rock above the falls.

By the way you watch the sunset I can tell,
Soon you'll saddle up that ole strawberry roan,
Bid goodbye to the goodnight loving train,
And set off to blaze a new train of your own.
And I know you'll travel light like you always do
But you'll always take a part of us with you

Here's hopin' there's an open road before you
Here's hopin' that your aim is always true
And when you're trying to outrun that setting sun
Here's hopin' that you do

I know you'll try to hold to higher ground
And stay one day ahead of the storm
But when a northern blows and the rain is pouring down
May you find a place to keep you safe and warm
They say every cowboy finds a home somewhere
But friend until your travels take you there

Here's hopin' there's an open road before you
Here's hopin' that your aim is always true
And when you're trying to outrun that setting sun
Here's hopin' that you do

If the trail looks bad and you need to double back
Here's hopin' that you do'
Roy Rogers and Randy Travis