"Abba Cookie"

We're still making up our minds about New Mexico. It's exciting to be here in that the landscape is (once again) staggering and it feels like we're in a foreign country, but it also feels dirty and a bit dangerous.

We left our hotel just a little after nine this morning but couldn't tear ourselves away from the canyon. Instead, we drove Hwy 64 E along the southern rim of the canyon for about 90 km to Cameron. We're glad that we did as we found an ancient ruin, some more breathtaking views of the Canyon and perhaps most surprising was the Colorado gorge. In some ways it was typical of a gorge - narrow chasm with sheer cliffs on either side. What was unique was that you had to get right close to the edge to finally see the bottom "miles" below. Thankfully, Americans are not safety-vigilantes in the same way as Canadians so you could get within a foot of the sheer drop - a vertiginous experience that had us clinging tightly to our little girl.

We continued Eastward along the Canyon, deep in Navajo indian grounds. It was very interesting to see their markets and villages along the way in the middle of nowhere. Incidentally, we were listening to an Odyssey cd (which is like a radio drama) about the story of Horatio Spafford - the author of the hymn "It is Well With My Soul". An inspiring tale that should remind all of us to rest in the Lord and praise His good name regardless of our circumstances. I will always link that drive and that story in my mind...

From there, we went South to Flagstaff and saw a couple of coyotes tearing across the fields (sorry, no picture). The landscape changed once more to an almost prairie-like expanse of desert. We have often wondered why anyone would ever choose to settle in such a harsh location so many years ago. I get thirsty just thinking about it. At any rate, we pulled off the road to see a meteor crater (4000 ft across and 500 ft deep). It was really neat to see it and also to see and feel a piece of the meteor that was recovered. Another highlight was just seeing the 360 degree desert view around the crater. Just wild. The area was also used to train astronauts for the Apollo missions because of it's similitude to the moon. You do have to watch your step though - Dan accidently stepped in their zero gravity field and almost floated away (see picture below). Catherine was quick to grab a hold.

New Mexico is equally beautiful and again, it's shocking how many different types of landscapes God created without having to repeat any. The rock formations in New Mexico look like you've taken the ones from Arizona and gone over them with a sander. Also, there are some rounded cliffs that look unnaturally red. It really does feel like you're in another country. With all due respect to our many New Mexican readers, the towns and cities of New Mexico are pretty dingy (although we are in nice accommodations in Albuquerque tonight, and enjoyed a great homey meal at the local Cracker Barrel - we know, true New Mexico cuisine :)

We are once again struggling to know where to go from here. The tension comes from our reluctance to extend our trip balanced against not wanting to miss what there is to see out here. We are having a real tough time finding a place to stay in Carlsbad. We've stayed in a few marginal hotels, but these ones sound downright nasty. We would like to see the Carlsbad Caverns (remember Planet Earth where the bats stream out of underground tunnels? And the massive crystals in the inside chambers? Yeah, Carlsbad) but not if it means staying in a hotel where the cockroaches carry us away in the night.

Tumbleweed - woo hoo!

Livia's quotes:

1. "Abba cookie" - Livia's version of "Albuquerque"

2. We've been trying to encourage Livia to spend more time reading each book or playing with each toy so that she doesn't exhaust our stash in the first 15 minutes of driving. Often when she asks for "more book" we tell her to wait a while. To which she replies in rapid succession, "Have patience, have patience, don't be in such hurry. One, two, three, four, five. Yeah. Okay. May - I - have - more - books - please".

3. "We made it. Yeaaaaay!" As we pulled up to the hotel. "All done? Bye Abba cookie" Livi was quite concerned as we pulled our van out to park around back. We had to reassure her that we were going to spend a bit more time in Abba Cookie.