June 23: Painted Desert

Today’s post is dedicated to my friend, Don who recently reintroduced me to Neil Diamond’s music.

”Sometimes you just need an adventure to cleanse the bitter taste of life from your soul.”

unknown author

Woke up early to a very unkind lady who didn’t like that my dogs were in the dog run (right outside my door) “unattended.” They were literally sitting and looking at the screen door to the camper minding their

own business. They didn’t bark until she approached our camper. She felt the need to remind me of the rules regarding dogs. I apologized and asked her if she had a dog. She said that she didn’t try. So I couldn’t resist telling her that she should get one to help her

chill out. She, like so many others, I am discovering, make the campgrounds their home (not a home away from home, but their actual home.) My temporary neighbors came to my defense and sympathized with me over her overreaction. Oh well, can’t change what people do or say, only how we respond. Packed up and drained the gray and black water for the first time. Not pleasant, but not difficult to do. My first stop was the painted desert and the petrified forest. When we were here years ago we could drive pretty much where ever we wanted. You could see and touch, but not remove, pieces of the petrified wood. Now there is an entrance to drive through with designated turn offs for views. It cost $25 per car to go in. You can see the gorgeous colors of the desert, but I did not see petrified wood. The National Park Ranger said that it is now protected because so much was being removed illegally. I bought a piece. The proceeds go to help preserve and fund the drive. We stopped at each lookout and took in the views. We met a crow (so large) who posed for me. Jean-Luc was losing his mind— so much BARKING, but the crow never moved; he held his ground. After leaving the desert, I was on the lookout for a Starbucks, I needed a tea badly. Finally found some in Gallup. Yes, Gallup, NM. Last time we were here there was one road and maybe three souvenir shops. There’s now a West Gallup and an East Gallup! Leaving Gallup on my way to Albuquerque it was stop and go traffic due to Road Work. Can’t complain about that now, can I? I used the time to slow down — think — and sing every song by Neil Diamond. Let me tell you, that’s a lot of songs. It was a very long drive. 🤪