Saturday July 20
Aztec? In NEW Mexico?
As we prepared to leave Cortez this morning, we remembered an advertisement we'd seen the night before: Krazy Days... a Sidewalk Sale Extraordinaire. So, in true bargain-hunter fashion, Corey and I parked along one block of Main Street and participated in the day's festivities. Corey bought an Oriole's hat for Michael... that's Baltimore Orioles... in Colorado! Just last night, she'd ordered tickets to a Baltimore game for September 29, online... I guess she will always remember Cortez, CO as the place where she got all her Orioles stuff.
We drove back down Route 160 West, heading south again to Four Corners. Continuing past, we entered New Mexico (this time on purpose) with our destination being Shiprock, Farmington and Aztec. In the town of Shiprock, I just wanted to take a photograph of the rock. I had Corey take one the day before from Four Corners, which is at least 20 miles away. Today, I'd be "right there." I also wanted to shop in Farmington and Shiprock for a hunk of turquoise (rough) for Eric, who seems to have begun a small rock collection on his computer desk (most of which he "took" from me). Corey fell asleep (so what else is new?) and so as I got close enough to get a good shot of the rock, I missed out. I didn't dare awaken her; I figured once I got into town I'd get a really good shot. However, the road into town was horribly clogged and even tractor-trailers were making U-turns, so it was my loss.
Just past Shiprock, we leave Navajo Nation for good. As we entered the town of Kirtland, I found a great store where I finally bought a Navajo Dye Chart (I'd been wanting one since last October) for a GREAT price. We ate lunch and then went to the jewelry supply store next door to buy that piece of turquoise and some findings for the earrings I'd bought back in Kayenta.
Farmington was a little more crowded than I'd imagined, but by the time we got to Aztec, it was early enough to go to the ruins the same day. I'd actually be "ahead" of schedule tomorrow! We toured the Aztec Ruins and found out that early explorers found the ruins and only knew about the Mexican Aztecs and so figured these ruins belonged to them. The name stuck and eventually the town that grew up around the ruins called itself Aztec.
Having bought yet another book, we arrived at our motel fairly early (by our standards, anyway). It was close to 6 PM and gorgeous out. Not too hot, not too overcast. Julie, the motel's owner, told us that we were very lucky to have booked a room so early in the season (I'd made my reservations beginning in February and confirming everything by mid-April). The High School Rodeo Finals were being held starting tomorrow and all the towns were overbooked. Town was hopping that night. We drove to Farmington to find a place to eat. I think it was around 8 PM our time (Mountain Daylight) and Corey was really in the mood for Red Lobster, her treat. Sure, if she's treating, I'm eating. We pulled into the parking lot to find a long line outside the lobby. She registered us as a Party of 2 and we then drove around looking at the sites. Just as I turned the corner to head south to turn around, I noticed a rainbow in the eastern sky. We held up traffic a bit as we took a few pictures and then headed back to the restaurant. There we took a few more pictures and I called my father from the parking lot. It's really neat to call home to dad from a cellphone 2,000 miles away, and not have to pay a penny for it! Finally, we were escorted to our table.
After eating, Corey was stunned to see the bill. I tried to tell her how expensive it would be, but I guess she thought my math was just bad. I offered to pay for my own dinner and to reimburse her for half of hers when I get paid. I honestly don't recall who ended up paying that night, but we had a great time. Over dinner, she finally got to hear all about Tiki the parakeet I'd had to teach to fly, and all about his crazy antics. I'm sure Ellen can fill her in on anything I may have forgotten. It was great seeing Corey smile again.
Roadside America
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Courtyard Ruin
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One Entrance
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Another Entrance
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Inside One Room
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From Outside Courtyard
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Me Across Courtyard
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Inside Great Kiva
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Rainbow Over Farmington
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