Oh dear - we appear to have fallen off...

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Nothing serious though. Just a 10 mph job in some deep sand. Most importantly, the bike was unmarked. That's the good thing about sand, it doesn't ruin the bike. But if there hadn't been any sand, we wouldn't have fallen off. There's a philosophical conundrum in there somewhere.

We were on a dirt road through Monument Valley, having spent a couple of absolutely superb days criss-crossing the arid landscapes of Utah and Colorado on the way down to Arizona.

Highlights of these extraordinary states included:

Arches National Park, Utah

Funny rocks outside of Moab at sunrise. I won't bother trying to explain - check the pictures.

Abandoned silver mine workings on Red Mountain, Colorado

In true Scooby Doo style - enough said.

The cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, Colorado

Educational bit alert! We had never heard of this, but the canyon undercliff architecture of the Pueblo Indians, dating back to around 1100-1200 AD, is without question a world class heritage site. These guys built incredible sandstone structures before mysteriously disappearing from the area in around 1300. Theories include drought, and the gradual depletion of the soils that they farmed.

Moki Dugway,

Utah
A 2,000 foot drop down a narrow twisting dirt road (fresh pants please, Christine!), into the biggest, strangest, reddest rockscape imaginable, featuring the following:

Valley of the Gods, Utah

A 17 mile dirt road in a mini Monument Valley, surrounded by mad rocks that are almost too strangely shaped to be natural. The place is a deserted, scorched, 40 degrees plus furnace. Surreal doesn't really cover it.

Monument Valley, Utah

Proper Wile Coyote country.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Obviously.

We are now in Tucson, Arizona, basking in the 40 degree heat. The bikes are being serviced, in advance of the border crossing into Mexico on Saturday. So, a couple more days of good ol' US of A comfort and excess before beginning the adventure proper. Things could well get a lot more interesting from here on in...

xxx

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Photos

Doh!
I'd already picked it up by this point (embarrasment fuelled adrenaline is a powerful stimulant), but the skid marks (more fresh pants please, Christine) tell the true story.

Sunrise at Arches
Like, wow man.

Balancing Rock, Arches
It's a rock, and it's balanced.

Yikes - the abandoned mine shaft!
"And if it hadn't been for those meddling kids..."

Clifftop Palace, Mesa Verde
Impressive architecture and construction technique for 1200 AD.

Valley of the Gods
Dirt road, bike still in correct orientation.

Monument Valley
Just bonkers, really.

Grand Canyon
Christine poses in front of the world's most scenic large hole in the ground.

Comments

[Sophia Robb]

Eh?
Eh? Things could get a lot more interesting from here on in? You have been out of Surrey far too long as otherwise you'd know that back here in the Home Counties ("More tea, vicar?") where you have been already looks fantastically interesting. Top photos - both in this blog and the previous one. And we thought the Old Man Of Hoy was a cool stack of rock... We did escape the green and leafy confines last week for a long weekend on Orkney (the prospect of spending my 40th birthday in a tower block in Slough called for swift evasive action). Frankly, describing it to you will make it seem just a bit dull after where you've been, but we did enjoy watching climbers having their first attempt at the Old Man Of Hoy, met some great folk who were staying in a bothy on the beach (and who whipped up a mean coffee on a camping stove when rain was being hurled at all those huddled inside a basic building awaiting a boat back to the mainland), did (apart from driving rain mentioned) enjoy three days of sunshine, hung out at an archeology dig open day and visited a tomb older than the pyramids (on my birthday - an introduction to the next phase, as it is downhill to death all the way now). Four days on the islands felt like a week away (in a good way) so we are currently still feeling the benefits. However, cannot compete with the glam shot of Christine unless full waterproofs on a rain-lashed boat with waves coming over the side is a runner? Love to you both and try to stay on the bike henceforth. Incidentally, your fish are well and getting up close and personal with Barry when he feeds them (have taken to brushing against his hand). Keep up the fantastic blogs - great to see where you are and an amazed at how much ground you have covered already. Sophia xxx

[Jim Magilton #32]

Excellent Stuff
Very much enjoying your blogs...don't come back as reading them first thing makes an excellent start to the day! Liking the evolution in Christine's poses, I think perhaps the Grand Canyon example is her finest yet...very relaxed despite the depth of fall behind her. A little disappointed that using Christine as a unit of measurement has dried up (Christine v Big Tonka)...thought that might become a theme for all the big stuff you were coming across. Very envious - looks fantastic, enjoy! Cheers, Jim

[Dr Doctor]

Blimey!
I'm now worried that your eyes will simply melt in their sockets if you encounter yet more amazing sites and sights; remember to squint from now on. Looking forward to seeing pics of you both with long droopy mustaches and ponchos. Please tell me you're travelling near Chihuahua! Love from Vicky and the boys.

[Denise]

Just amazing!
The photos are fantastic. You must be lovingthe sights! Howe sun - how you doing with the sun? are you BROWN yet? DX

[matt]

you meddling kids
But what kind of monster mask was the mine owner wearing?