Day 13

We drove back to Denver on two lane roads through the mountains of Colorado. We made a stop at Mesa Verde National Park. We didn’t take any pictures today, but returned the rental car with 3,059 miles used on our trip. Tomorrow we have our flights home via Chicago at 8:20 am. 

This was a trip of a lifetime, dreamed long ago. I really learned a lot about the geography and people of our western states, and yet, I learned more about myself. I doubt I would make this voyage again by car. Perhaps my next trip will be through New England. That’s a lot shorter! One thing I know for sure, there’s no place like home. 

Day 12 - Grand Canyon

Today’s adventure will bring us first to the Grand Canyon and then we will travel toward the four corners monument which shares borders with Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. This will take us to Cortez, Colorado where we will spend the night and continue with our trip to Denver international airport tomorrow.

I believe this will be one of the most beautiful trips we have taken on our 14 day adventure.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QevmQoSNUKq

Made it to four corners monument and then to Cortez. Today was our most scenic drive. 

Day 11 - Hoover Dam

I must admit, that I am getting a little tired of going from one hotel to another. But, it has been a wonderful trip, one that I always had dreamed. Everyplace we have stopped has been a favorite place where I would return. The next two nights are rather unknowns at this point. We have two days to return to Denver before our flights home. I am undecided about traveling across New Mexico, or on a diagonal up through Colorado. I happened to know that New Mexico contains the geological formations that Heber would really like to see. So, that is probably the way we will go.

Today, we are about 60 miles from the Grand Canyon which is where we will spend much of our day tomorrow. I was there once before in the month of March probably 15 years ago. After that, we will see what we can find through the rest of Arizona and part of New Mexico.

Day 10 - Chillin in Las Vegas

Decided it was best to visit Hoover Dam on the way to Flagstaff Arizona tomorrow. So today it’s just about seeing the sights. 

Looking forward to the peace and quiet of being back in the mountains. 

Day 9 - Las Vegas

We had an eight hour to Las Vegas from San Francisco.  Another long day; and yet, traveling and seeing the different geoscapes of our nation was part of the plan.  We stopped in San Jose to visit the Apple Visitor's Center.  It was a very nice place full of lots of toys and to explore their home base. 

Tons of wind turbines in the dessert. 

After that we arrived to Las Vegas, got lost trying to find New York New York (my GPS steered us wrong in the worse traffic congestion), and once settled in, went down to gamble.  Of course, I lost $20 in minutes.  Heber did much better and at least lasted much longer on $20.



I've only been here once before in my lifetime.  I'm not a person who necessarily likes to gamble, but it's interesting to be here, eat the great food, and just explore the town.  I'm more excited about visiting Hoover Dam tomorrow.  That fascinates me.

Day 8 - Pier 39

Learning how to navigate San Francisco trolleys and visiting pier 39 for dinner with my nephew Drew. 

SF Ferry Port. 

Pier 39. 

Day 7 - San Francisco

Walked the bridge today.