Red Rock & Fry Bread

Without a doubt, when we’re westward ho Day Six is the scenic showstopper on this seven day journey.

It started in Edgewood, New Mexico.

Roughly six hours of road time, all on Interstate 40, took us through countless glorious vistas, finishing high in Flagstaff AZ.

But first things first.

Everything is different out here. The plants, the rocks, the critters.

We set off around 9:15 AM, and the next thing we knew, we were on a movie set!

Because I am retiring my snowbird wings and this may be my very last drive through this part of the country, I made time for a scenic stop at Red Rock Park in Gallup, NM.

It so happened there was a rodeo going on at the park, and the temperature was pushing 90, so we didn’t stay long. I did see a lot of handsome young Cowboys and Cowgirls walking around, and stalls full of fabulous horses, though, which was fun.

Being there was very peaceful and calming.

The park is only about a five minute detour off the highway. Totally worth it if you ever pass this way. 

Feeling refreshed from the natural beauty, we continued on through New Mexico and into Arizona.

The wind was really starting to pick up by then, too, adding an element of challenge.

A little after noon it was time for lunch and another stop, this time at Chee’s Navajo Trading Post and traditional snacks shack.

At Chee’s, I ordered some Navajo fry bread (Plain, $5) for the first time ever.

OMG. It did not disappoint. 😋👍🏼

If you’ve ever had fried dough at the fair, Navajo Fry Bread is a similar sensation—but much fresher and tastier, made in a deeply seasoned cast-iron pan instead of a questionable deep fryer, and far superior in my opinion. Yum!

After that delightful gustatory experience, we got back on the road and, I must admit,  were pushed around quite a bit during the final 130 miles of Day Six.

Near the end, there was so much windblown dust in the air I could barely make out Mount Humphrey—Flagstaff’s signature peak, and the highest in the state—on the approach.

Nonetheless we arrived safely. Spent the night in a cozy bed. And are ready to be home soon on Day Seven.

Yippee!

See you in California!

🌿🦉🌵💛OBC