Up Early on Day One

Day one in VDO started earlier than we were planning. We forgot about the AZ time change and were well into the news before realizing it was actually 6 am and not 7 am. There is lots to do today, but basically we're organized.

Yesterday's adventure was one we will not forget anytime soon. We went south from Albuquerque on Hwy 25 as planned, and then headed west on Hwy 60. Here's the route. From Kingston, we made four major turns, highway 60 was the last, it took us right to Mesa.

What appears simple enough on a map proved anything but in reality. The first 250 miles ranged from desert range to steep climbs and pine forests. It was anything but dull, but it was also lonely. Long stretches without seeing another vehicle. Not a place for a breakdown (you should have seen Judy's face when I brought this up). At times we exceeded 8,000 feet in altitude, our ears were popping. We crossed the Continental Divide.

We Can Hear You

What we found really interesting were celestial listening dishes all pointing to space and running for miles, all in a nice straight row across the desert plains. All pointing in the same direction (approximately south).

There is so much to say about the miles along this route, but we'll summarize by saying the desert is far from boring.

Example: Show Low. Yep, this is actually a place, and we fortunately topped our fuel tank, because we were about to embark on some serious climbing.

This is the desert!

Having traveled the Cabot Trail a few times, I thought I had seen steep climbs, but it was nothing like what we found for about the next 100 miles west of Show Low, Arizona. We were now getting the message on why the route west on Hwy 60 was sans trucks hauling camping trailers.

Judy was not fussy on the heights, tight turns, and steep terrain. She did say at least once, let's get out of here. I've posted a photo, maybe it will give you some idea just how challenging this highway is. Of course, if you're from the area you take it in stride, we found it challenging for sure. There was no wind, the roads were not icy, the skies were clear, and look how we're talking.  

Warning: don't try this route in bad weather. Also, be sure your vehicle is okay with high climbs and steep drops - you need good brakes.

We traveled over 2,800 miles, and the most exciting were the final 400. When we got in yesterday afternoon, pleasantly tired and happy the trip was over. For those of you out there who worry about The Coach - The Coach did fine, but I do plan to have the brakes checked.