The Desert is Apparently Hot.

Note the time and temperature.

So when we planned this little road trip of ours, we thought we had the perfect route. I venture to say we still do. Our timing, however, could have been better. We just plowed through our first 8 hour drive of 90+ degree heat, and let's just say we're not looking forward to doing more of those again. I am willing to bet the Prius would agree. With that thinking in mind, we are adjusting our trip a bit. The bad news is that we are abandoning Arches, Bryce, and Zion National Parks. The weather promises days of 100+ heat throughout the next week in those places, and we just wouldn't enjoy it as much as those places deserve. That said, the good news is we are psyched to plan a Utah trip RIGHT - not 3 weeks out like we did this one. We've actually got a pretty good week planned and we are looking forward to doing it when the weather is a bit more accommodating to supporting human life.

As for what the immediate future holds - we are still going to make the most of our time in the Southwest, seeing Kate's Uncle Keith tomorrow. He has a cool tour lined up for us - covering Anglo, Spanish, and Native American sights and culture. We've been looking forward to this for some time.

What happens the next day (Friday) is still up in the air. We may find ourselves at Canyon de Chelly or Las Vegas. It may depend on the weather, or if we decide to drive through the night to spare ourselves and the car another 8 hour shift of 100 degrees. But this experience - the not knowing - is probably a good thing for two people who inherently want to always know what is next and have things planned out in advance. We are learning to enjoy life a bit more on the fly, while also finding that 'sticking to the plan' is not always the safest or most enjoyable thing to do. We are slowly learning to let go and open ourselves up for things we haven't pre-selected for ourselves. Maybe that's one of the best things we'll take from this (cue Doogie Howser MD music).

For tonight, we took yet another great recommendation for good eats - from Kate's cousin Sarah - whose descriptions of El Pinto in Albuquerque had us imagining margaritas and salsa for the last 100 miles or so. It is in the middle of NOWHERE. But when you pull in, you realize everyone in the surrounding area is there. I saw people wearing pants and sportcoats, so I became that creepy guy who changed in the parking lot. Kate looked lovely as usual so she didn't have to do anything. In fact she was still glowing from her very-first-ever buffalo sighting. She was unreasonably excited to see the buffalo. Although she did feel sad that they were "sitting in the hot sun in their shaggy coats."


We enjoyed a fantastic dinner. For a place that seats 1100 to 1200 people (you read that right) each room felt surprisingly small and the service was fantastic. The margaritas were welcomed and enjoyed.

So now we are holed up in a Residence Inn in the ABQ plotting a plan B that may bring a return to Sequoia National Park (awesome) via Las Vegas (never been), ending at Big Sur (yurts may be involved). If confidence is indeed a result of having options in your life, we are the most confident travelers on the road right now.