After seeing the Four Corners yesterday, we embiked on US Rt 160 west. Simply cruising through the towns like Mexican Water, Kayenta, and Cow Springs, imparts a sense of a subsistence economy going strong in the desert. We rode by Red Mesa and passed up Monument Valley, the Navajo Tribal Park, though we were impressed by the Elephant Feet, a case of nature imitating life near Tonalea.
Passed the night in Tuba City, Arizona at a hotel on the Navajo Reservation. Saturday morning saw us on the road to Grand Canyon. Rt. 64 heading east off of US 89, runs right to the south rim, where we enjoyed an afternoon breathtaking at the canyon's edge.
Barbara and I were first-timers to Grand Canyon, both carrying around endless images from books, movies and TV. However familiar we were with pictures, seeing the spatial geology of GC prompted physical and emotional responses from us both. Looking 10 miles across in full sunlight, with my eyes focused at infinity called forth an exalted stimulation, a slight increase in heart rate, breathing the clean air deeply, followed by a pervasive sense of well being. Mountains, great heights and vast vistas have always generated these feelings for me, as does motorcycling. A physiologic and psychologic response to nature to space and motion that connects to the spiritual heights.
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| Barbara enjoying the view at Grand Canyon |
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| The picture we hoped for, thanks to a Chinese tourist. |
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