[touraccuracy]

Be sure to get caught up:
PART ONE - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=188180
PART TWO - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=188270

Welcome to Part Three. Enjoy the music and don't let the chorus frighten you.

J0tsoPEEdrs

DAY FOURTEEN: Vegas to Flagstaff

Bar for breakfast again.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs659.snc4/59930_433562607740_517132740_5574855_2456588_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs341.ash2/62113_433562567740_517132740_5574853_8125565_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs659.snc4/59930_433562602740_517132740_5574854_6743096_n.jpg

Cheapest gas we came across the entire trip, 2.70, I think.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34420_433562672740_517132740_5574856_2373718_n.jpg

New crossing by the Hoover Dam for security/traffic purposes.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs061.snc4/34420_433562677740_517132740_5574857_346966_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs673.snc4/61317_433562712740_517132740_5574858_6944001_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs699.snc4/61969_433562717740_517132740_5574859_2755798_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs343.ash2/62364_433562777740_517132740_5574860_3057109_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs027.snc4/33719_433562782740_517132740_5574861_6616701_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs707.snc4/62770_433562847740_517132740_5574862_8173369_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs347.ash2/62770_433562852740_517132740_5574863_550848_n.jpg

STATE FIVE: Arizona

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs337.ash2/61772_433562877740_517132740_5574864_7446769_n.jpg

So we crossed into a new time zone here and put our clocks ahead an hour (remember this for later).
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs642.snc4/60249_433562882740_517132740_5574865_1034222_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs650.snc4/60996_433562947740_517132740_5574868_332725_n.jpg

Impressive new crossing.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs649.snc4/60967_433562942740_517132740_5574867_816868_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs329.ash2/60967_433562952740_517132740_5574869_4974034_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34434_433562992740_517132740_5574871_7848427_n.jpg

Pointin' at stuff.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs061.snc4/34434_433563002740_517132740_5574873_4774421_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs661.snc4/60099_433563062740_517132740_5574875_2023490_n.jpg

"Grand Canyon state? Bit off a one-off, eh." -Ben
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs648.snc4/60813_433563067740_517132740_5574876_3995692_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs668.snc4/60813_433563072740_517132740_5574877_6636340_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs328.ash2/60813_433563077740_517132740_5574878_119418_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs653.snc4/61353_433563157740_517132740_5574882_260204_n.jpg

Love's 2.69
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs673.snc4/61353_433563162740_517132740_5574883_3135815_n.jpg
LOVES TO 69

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs673.snc4/61353_433563167740_517132740_5574884_3619238_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs026.snc4/33651_433563217740_517132740_5574886_2788740_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs006.ash2/33651_433563222740_517132740_5574887_6081057_n.jpg

Story time:

The car broke down shortly after crossing the Hoover Dam.
Constant high temperatures and daily 8+ hours of driving had taken its toll.
We would be driving on the highway and all of a sudden the gas pedal wouldn't work and we'd have to roll to a stop at the side of the road, very dangerous.
We pulled over in the next town (Kingman, AZ) but every mechanic we went to was closed because it was Labour Day long weekend.
After several stops and the car constantly stalling we got to one that was open but very busy (because all the others were closed).
We sat in dusty heat and talked to a very old and skinny man in mechanic overalls as he ate a large plate of chicken wings.
After about two hours the car was looked at but they don't get too many VW's around here.
The mechanics weren't sure what to do with it but got out an electronic reader that plugs into the car and tells you what's wrong.
That is, they did this after several phone calls asking around how to operate it.
We paid $60 for their diagnosis and left without the part.
No VW dealers in town, and the only one they knew about was in Phoenix.
They told us we should have no problem finding the part in Flagstaff because it, in their eyes, is a large metropolis that has everything haha.
We rolled into Flagstaff without too much stalling and then stole some wireless from a hotel parking lot.
Some quick searches found a VW dealership in town but it closed at 6:30, the same time our clocks read.
I phoned Buckeye_Native and told him of our situation and then we started looking for hotels.
Apparently Flagstaff is a long weekend destination and hotels were either fully booked or charging ridiculous amounts.
Another call to Buckeye and he offered us a place to crash for the night and then informed us that it was actually 6:30 and not the 7:30 our clocks were reading.
We could have made it to the dealership because apparently Arizona doesn't take part in daylight savings time.
We went for a delicious meal and local brew with Buckeye and then were shown around town (thanks a million, I'll gladly return the favour should you end up in Vancouver).

Flagstaff is much more lovely than we've all been led to believe.

I really should have brought a tripod.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs006.snc4/33651_433563227740_517132740_5574888_7564452_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs006.ash2/33651_433563232740_517132740_5574889_5973486_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs648.snc4/60804_433563287740_517132740_5574890_2751025_n.jpg

Be sure to check out Buckeye's recent tour in the A-M section.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs638.snc4/59817_433563292740_517132740_5574891_7444531_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs318.ash2/59817_433563297740_517132740_5574892_1536721_n.jpg

DAY FIFTEEN: Flagstaff to Cedar City, Utah

We got an early start and hit up the Grand Canyon.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs114.snc4/36051_439930357740_517132740_5696662_575491_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs772.snc4/67225_439930447740_517132740_5696663_7820849_n.jpg

It was much more of a sprawling hole than a canyon like I had been expecting. Impressively huge in every way, though.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs444.ash2/71783_439930537740_517132740_5696664_6980451_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs827.snc4/68700_439930642740_517132740_5696665_227172_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs797.snc4/67721_439930772740_517132740_5696666_4526704_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs906.snc4/71911_439930907740_517132740_5696669_2643654_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs256.snc4/40125_439931022740_517132740_5696671_4226208_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs782.snc4/66225_439931112740_517132740_5696672_5251206_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs823.snc4/68383_439931242740_517132740_5696674_3175953_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs136.ash2/40141_439931322740_517132740_5696675_2182510_n.jpg

Aha
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67358_439931537740_517132740_5696678_33617_n.jpg

That hat blew off in a gust of wind and floated to the bottom of the hole.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs774.snc4/67450_439931617740_517132740_5696680_923727_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs905.snc4/71871_439931722740_517132740_5696681_5752994_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs796.snc4/67676_439931807740_517132740_5696682_5985154_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs777.snc4/67713_439931877740_517132740_5696683_855190_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs392.ash2/67027_439932112740_517132740_5696687_4021514_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs902.snc4/71567_439932267740_517132740_5696689_8062468_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs829.snc4/68928_439932487740_517132740_5696691_686998_n.jpg

Dumb angle shot for Vid
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs831.snc4/69163_439932757740_517132740_5696693_5139248_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs381.ash2/65915_439932972740_517132740_5696695_7569767_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs814.snc4/69429_439933462740_517132740_5696698_3264664_n.jpg

Alright you get the gist of it.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs779.snc4/65991_439933687740_517132740_5696700_4238148_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs124.ash2/39535_439933822740_517132740_5696702_7711668_n.jpg

Etc.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs794.snc4/67493_439933997740_517132740_5696705_2083964_n.jpg

It's hard to capture in a photo but the canyon continues along side of the road in much steeper and thinner sections. It looks really cool after leaving the park to the East.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs076.ash2/37155_439934127740_517132740_5696707_6510964_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs076.ash2/37134_439934232740_517132740_5696709_6917240_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs011.ash2/33911_439934347740_517132740_5696710_1941597_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs892.snc4/72514_439935062740_517132740_5696735_3940754_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs794.snc4/67463_440756317740_517132740_5706506_847602_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs397.ash2/67510_440756402740_517132740_5706508_5253421_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs807.snc4/68739_440756677740_517132740_5706511_3821662_n.jpg

Navajo territory
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs027.snc4/33723_440756712740_517132740_5706512_5444035_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs782.snc4/66220_440757167740_517132740_5706513_930370_n.jpg

Near Page, AZ. I'd like to know the deal with these, they were next to a bunch of towns in AZ, UT, CO.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs409.ash2/68707_440757237740_517132740_5706514_4539230_n.jpg

We hiked in to Horseshoe Bend from the road.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs903.snc4/71620_440758212740_517132740_5706539_2366872_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs888.snc4/72151_440757307740_517132740_5706516_4797530_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs757.snc4/65778_440757422740_517132740_5706518_7799099_n.jpg

Probably the coolest sight of the trip, absolutely beautiful and worth the walk.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72490_440757557740_517132740_5706520_6715717_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs886.snc4/71951_440757667740_517132740_5706522_6215477_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs833.snc4/69365_440757832740_517132740_5706527_5557107_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs410.ash2/68836_440757987740_517132740_5706531_5001468_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs406.ash2/68443_440758382740_517132740_5706545_5862505_n.jpg

Dangling our feet, thousands of feet.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs024.snc4/33549_440758557740_517132740_5706552_7746391_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs409.ash2/68776_440758852740_517132740_5706561_786586_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs777.snc4/67727_440758992740_517132740_5706565_2669657_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs814.snc4/69463_440759207740_517132740_5706569_5075273_n.jpg

Glen Canyon Dam
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs011.snc4/33933_440759282740_517132740_5706571_5767738_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs774.snc4/67434_440759477740_517132740_5706577_3500688_n.jpg

STATE SIX: Utah

Zion National Park
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs056.ash2/36164_440759627740_517132740_5706584_8383467_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs885.snc4/71827_440759672740_517132740_5706586_4529030_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs388.ash2/66607_440761137740_517132740_5706649_1657577_n.jpg

The campsite was entirely booked because it's the long weekend... we'll have to get back on the road and find a place to sleep.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs256.snc4/40117_440761302740_517132740_5706658_5497906_n.jpg

PB+J is a quick and easy meal on the road.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs026.snc4/33661_440761367740_517132740_5706660_180530_n.jpg

Car's gettin a bit messy.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs405.ash2/68322_440761432740_517132740_5706661_2995243_n.jpg

Sun's getting low.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs420.ash2/69834_440761512740_517132740_5706664_6505395_n.jpg

Westbound for the first time in a while.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs785.snc4/66558_440761602740_517132740_5706667_3817606_n.jpg

Beereal. Dinner of champions. "Don't judge me" - Ben.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs446.ash2/71931_440761792740_517132740_5706671_8265393_n.jpg

Our room next to the ice machine. We found this funny at the time. Not so much in retrospect.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs004.ash2/33539_440776847740_517132740_5706749_4427899_n.jpg

DAY SIXTEEN: Cedar City, Utah to Meda Verde, Colorado... this was a long one.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs396.ash2/67406_440776937740_517132740_5706751_5377285_n.jpg

The cold air at the higher elevations of Flagstaff and Utah have helped the car function properly.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs800.snc4/68070_440776987740_517132740_5706752_1452011_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs892.snc4/72542_440777062740_517132740_5706754_2312658_n.jpg

Capitol Reef National Park
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs811.snc4/69162_440777137740_517132740_5706756_3775946_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs774.snc4/67430_440777197740_517132740_5706757_3675267_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs446.ash2/71921_440777297740_517132740_5706760_3914443_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs264.snc4/39515_440777347740_517132740_5706761_2008835_n.jpg

http://l20.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc4/hs908.snc4/72108_440777662740_517132740_5706763_413744_n.jpg

Never knew land could look like this. Utah's the most beautiful state in my opinion.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67383_440789077740_517132740_5706893_1142683_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs807.snc4/68771_440789107740_517132740_5706894_2075631_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs782.snc4/66272_440789202740_517132740_5706897_5390098_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs820.snc4/68052_440789302740_517132740_5706900_2279369_n.jpg

Ancient drawings.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs420.ash2/69894_440789417740_517132740_5706903_2151130_n.jpg

Love the texture of the rockfaces.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72405_440789622740_517132740_5706913_2329231_n.jpg

Happy to find another BC license plate.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs397.ash2/67508_440789737740_517132740_5706919_733229_n.jpg




Necessary listening, should get epic by the time we get to Monument Valley.
NOKhQ8ObQ7E




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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs366.snc4/44953_440790002740_517132740_5706929_5040519_n.jpg

Crazy geography.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs443.ash2/71676_440790172740_517132740_5706936_279356_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs794.snc4/67398_440790427740_517132740_5706943_6978528_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs833.snc4/69333_440792352740_517132740_5707006_5966079_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs002.snc4/33452_440792552740_517132740_5707016_671439_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs398.ash2/67691_440792932740_517132740_5707031_211529_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs005.snc4/33594_440793042740_517132740_5707038_1486723_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs785.snc4/66504_440793112740_517132740_5707042_5774339_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs397.ash2/67503_440793232740_517132740_5707047_3421690_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs311.snc4/40872_440793342740_517132740_5707052_4280891_n.jpg

Glen Canyon National Rec. Area
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs905.snc4/71800_440793422740_517132740_5707056_3348568_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs409.ash2/68762_442674182740_517132740_5739145_4871024_n.jpg

Another one of my "most beautiful sight I've ever seen" comments...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs776.snc4/67635_442674207740_517132740_5739147_1867849_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs451.ash2/72436_442674257740_517132740_5739150_1255215_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs137.snc4/37187_442674272740_517132740_5739151_3736860_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs922.snc4/73523_442674362740_517132740_5739155_5960746_n.jpg

"Best rock-cut ever!" -Ben (he's an engineer)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs308.snc4/40738_442674387740_517132740_5739157_6962849_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs379.ash2/65720_442674402740_517132740_5739158_6674645_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs921.snc4/73396_442674432740_517132740_5739160_8299742_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs789.snc4/66898_442674457740_517132740_5739162_2045220_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs114.snc4/36051_442674477740_517132740_5739163_5107857_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs444.ash2/71740_442674502740_517132740_5739165_3977113_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs462.ash2/73510_442674522740_517132740_5739167_2593412_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs381.ash2/65932_442674552740_517132740_5739169_3321085_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34410_442674602740_517132740_5739172_1132550_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs795.snc4/67549_442674762740_517132740_5739179_2718609_n.jpg

Bridges National Monument, kind of a let down after all the beautiful things we saw before it.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs908.snc4/72138_442674787740_517132740_5739181_5453023_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs793.snc4/67320_442674832740_517132740_5739184_4935950_n.jpg

A bridge: formed by water erosion (arches are wind erosion).
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs005.ash2/33603_442674902740_517132740_5739189_2981873_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs415.ash2/69316_442674937740_517132740_5739191_5064087_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs446.ash2/71917_442674972740_517132740_5739194_5976474_n.jpg

Not the best angle but we didn't have time to go down underneath it.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs903.snc4/71627_442675012740_517132740_5739197_2249131_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs443.ash2/71626_442675072740_517132740_5739200_3710949_n.jpg

Burnt bush.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs448.ash2/72164_442675107740_517132740_5739203_4694844_n.jpg

After leaving Bridges, we drove down a very straight and boring highway that had no view and was only surrounded by shrubs.
After half an hour or so of this signs started popping up "5 M/H AHEAD" "LOOSE GRAVEL" "SHARP TURNS" "DANGER - SLOW DOWN" etc.
We doubted this considering how straight and flat the road was but then we drove over a little hill and saw this:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs909.snc4/72234_442675137740_517132740_5739205_1074605_n.jpg

The next 15 minutes were spent driving the switch backs to get off of some mesa we were apparently on. It was awesome.

The road we would eventually get to below.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs004.snc4/33559_442675202740_517132740_5739209_1970961_n.jpg

This is a photo of a road, taken from that very same road, if that makes sense. The elevation drop is crazy.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs413.ash2/69182_442675242740_517132740_5739212_1062291_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs398.ash2/67642_442675332740_517132740_5739218_5724419_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs810.snc4/69049_442675392740_517132740_5739222_983275_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs884.snc4/71790_442675417740_517132740_5739224_2425660_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72475_442675447740_517132740_5739226_5560614_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs883.snc4/71638_442675527740_517132740_5739228_4607297_n.jpg

Four levels of road in this photo:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs444.ash2/71715_442675727740_517132740_5739238_6935956_n.jpg

See this place in Google maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.274924,-109.937718&spn=0.013096,0.033023&t=h&z=16

At the bottom.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs776.snc4/67664_442675752740_517132740_5739240_4196777_n.jpg

Mexican Hat rock, the town next to it was named Mexican Hat. We got gas and ate some sandwiches.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs883.snc4/71655_442675812740_517132740_5739243_2170207_n.jpg

Monument valley.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs311.snc4/40866_442675852740_517132740_5739244_6991513_n.jpg

We were blasting Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly here.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs452.ash2/72512_442675907740_517132740_5739247_2087951_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72405_442677207740_517132740_5739293_8362514_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs444.ash2/71734_442677267740_517132740_5739297_4417104_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs897.snc4/73089_442677302740_517132740_5739299_7306602_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs834.snc4/69416_442677322740_517132740_5739300_1479102_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs903.snc4/71669_442677517740_517132740_5739308_5349046_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs763.snc4/66301_442677557740_517132740_5739310_1121335_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs054.ash2/36057_442677602740_517132740_5739313_2950982_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs792.snc4/67225_442677707740_517132740_5739317_3694954_n.jpg

STATE SEVEN: New Mexico (briefly)

Four Corners
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs457.ash2/73079_442677737740_517132740_5739319_408300_n.jpg

Sitting in four states at once.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs454.ash2/72709_442677812740_517132740_5739323_7662427_n.jpg

http://l25.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc4/hs766.snc4/66683_442677842740_517132740_5739325_6730663_n.jpg

Hope that dogs moves before we try and leave.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs944.snc4/73722_442677877740_517132740_5739327_3132166_n.jpg

STATE EIGHT: Colorado

Mesa Verde
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs765.snc4/66550_442677907740_517132740_5739329_7786018_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs830.snc4/69087_442677937740_517132740_5739331_83507_n.jpg

We set up camp and then went to the last park ranger talk of the season.
The guy talked about the constellations (the number of stars we could see was ridiculous) and the importance of them to cultures (particularly the Pueblo) through history.
It was enlightening, mind blowing, and beautiful.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Arizona: Come for the cheap gas, stay for the casual racism.

No problem, guys. It sort of dawned on me that it was Labor Day weekend and that trying to find a hotel at 6:30 on a Saturday night was going to be damn-near impossible. That, and we're on the same time as California and Nevada six months out of the year (which was why I was so confused that you kept saying the VW dealer closed at 6:30 when I looked at my watch and saw it was only 5:30)... ;) :tup:

I find it hilarious, depressing and unsurprising all at the same time that Kingman would think Flagstaff is a big, bustling city. Yet somehow those sons of bitches got an In-N-Out and we're just now getting a Chipotle...

One of these days I'll make it up to Monument Valley and Page. The only two places in Arizona I've yet to really explore for any length of time.

[Thundertubs]

Arizona rages against the machine that is Daylight Savings Time.

A lot of towns in the Southwest have their initial on a nearby mountain like that for some reason.

I hate being next to the ice machine. It's a loud jackass magnet.

I'm enjoying your trip so far.

[xzmattzx]

Amazing pictures! The scenery of the Southwest is spectacular. Your coverage of all of these states and their natural treasures is probably the best I've seen in one thread.

I have to agree with you that Utah might be the prettiest state in the country. I've never been there, but I flew over it back in October and I saw just about every color imaginable: blue, green, yellow, red, orange, pick, purple, gray, brown, and more.

[ColDayMan]

Yeah, Utah is definitely up there for "Most Beautiful State" along with Hawaii.

[plinko]

I love Arizona, but there's just something magical about Southern Utah...

I did a project in SLC about 10 years ago when living in Phoenix. The flight between the two is downright incredible.

[Expat]

You are my hero.

[Doug]

Utah is one of the most stunning places in the world. I did a trip very similar to route shown in this thread in the mid 90's and "discovered" Utah. Then I experienced the "Greatest Snow on Earth" and was hooked.

Great pics!

[touraccuracy]

One of these days I'll make it up to Monument Valley and Page. The only two places in Arizona I've yet to really explore for any length of time.
Definitely check it out. Horseshoe Bend is absolutely worth the hike in from the road and I hear that Antelope Canyon is awesome too (my uncle's a photographer and drove down there just to check it out):

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v356/202/31/776429391/n776429391_1406747_4636.jpg

I wish we had time to see it.

Yeah, Utah is definitely up there for "Most Beautiful State" along with Hawaii.I love Arizona, but there's just something magical about Southern Utah...Utah is one of the most stunning places in the world. I did a trip very similar to route shown in this thread in the mid 90's and "discovered" Utah. Then I experienced the "Greatest Snow on Earth" and was hooked.

Utah mostly just took me by suprise. I think I know what Hawaii would look like, but Utah I just wasn't expecting. Just the amount of different landscapes is amazing, along with the colours and crazy arches, bridges, canyons, etc.

I'm enjoying your trip so far.Amazing pictures! The scenery of the Southwest is spectacular. Your coverage of all of these states and their natural treasures is probably the best I've seen in one thread.
You are my hero.

Thanks everyone. The final leg of the trip is now up:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5143138

[hones374]

Excellent photos. Very well done.

I've lived in Utah for 36 years and still continue to find amazing and beautiful things I've never seen before, primarily in the southern half of the state.

[Leo the Dog]

Road trips are so fun. Great tour of the great Southwest!

[AusHou]

I love Arizona, but there's just something magical about Southern Utah...

I did a project in SLC about 10 years ago when living in Phoenix. The flight between the two is downright incredible.

For me, southern Utah and northern Arizona bring on emotions like no other places I've ever been, and I've been all over the place. Last time I was in southern Utah I stopped at an overlook near Kanab. It was where the vermillion and white cliffs are so close to each other (part of the grand staircase). The silence was truly deafening except for the distant call of a crow. I've never had that emotional feeling anywhere else.

[Highrise_Mike]

This has to be one of my favorite photo threads! I will say I am a proud Utahn and enjoy these landscapes as much as I can.