Believe it or not, that's not the start of a really bad joke, it's just my life but before we get to that I will pick up where we left off:
Adventure Stop #32: Seligman, AZ
I am pretty sure I left off saying we had a cool hotel in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE route 66. It was true and there's always more to the story so we like to talk to people. On our way out we were told that this tiny spot of hardly anything was inspiration for the movie Cars. I did a little bit of fact checking and it seems they may have been telling the truth. Apparently, while riding on route 66 through Seligman some of these cars were inspiration to the Pixar people and the town in the movie is even called "Radiator Springs" they said after Peach Springs. So, another unplanned adventure was to take a quick look at the cars. Even if it isn't the exact truth, I'm OK believing that one...I would HIGHLY recommend staying at The Canyon Lodge and eating at Westside Lilo's because everyone was so friendly and it felt like stepping back in time. Ella, "Oh I always wanted to see an old timey place but I didn't know they still existed!"
Tell me you can't believe those cars inspired the movie, I dare you!
Adventure Stop #33: Fort Defiance, AZ
To clarify any confusion with the title of the blog: flashback to about a month ago and my midwive, Dana, (that Jason and I LOVED while going through our pregnancy with the human bear and hadn't seen since our super classy and amazing Fred's wedding bash over 4 years ago!) walked in to Phil Brady's in Baton Rouge on the same night we were there to listen to some Blues. I had recently started planning this road trip and was telling her that I saw some Indian Reservations in Arizona that I would love to take Ella to but didn't really know how to approach that so we were going to Winslow instead (here is where my typical Decoteau karma kicks in), her response, "I'm moving to an Indian Reservation in Arizona to deliver babies in two weeks! Y'all should stay with me on your way back." So that is what we did!
Getting to Fort Defiance was interesting to say the least...we lost all GPS capabilities and texting contact with our fabulous host...
The human bear was so excited to finally see Dana on the outside that they just immediately started dancing. I knew this was going to be a great stop.
Please notice how NICE this woman is, she hasn't even been there long enough to have furniture yet and we just rolled up in to take over. Lunch picnic style:)
Adventure Stop #34: Navajo Nation Museum: Window Rock, AZ
I'm not going to lie, the human bear is not the best partner to have in a museum but I have to remind myself she is only six. We learned a few things along the way and got to see an original hand written treaty! I read as quickly as I could as she pulled me to the gift shop and wouldn't you know it...A PENNY PRESSER. Thank goodness.
There was definitely a lot of random stuff to see all in one spot. Very cool and interesting combo.
Enjoying educational videos with the locals.
This was a big hit with everyone and we have the penny to prove the penny presser machine!
Adventure Stop #35: Canyon de Chelly: Chenli, AZ
What does a person want to do after a four hour car ride, finding an off the grid location and seeing a museum? DRIVE AN HOUR TO A CANYON HIKE, of course! I know I am definitely pushing our limits buts we had to cut out the Grand Canyon so this was a PERFECT substitute:) Lots of pics to follow because I just couldn't choose.
Beast Mode was willing to take the risk b/c she doesn't consider herself a pet!
It was called the White House Trail because you hike down to find this spot where people actually used to live!
Can you find the lizard in this picture with Ella?
The human bear took this shot of hieroglyphics and gave us some lessons on what that means.
Proof that we really made it all the way down:)
If you can zoom in on this picture you'll see people standing on the ledge...that is where we started!
The human bear started fussing the moment we turned around to hike back up so we had many, many breaks!
Until she was having fun then there were bursts of energy!
"Are we halfway up yet?", "Can you set a timer to wake us up?"
We felt like giants after this accomplishment.
On the road again! Doing more of Route 66. Fort Defiance, AZ is pretty much ON the state line. We drove about 500 yards away from Dana's house and the GPS said "Welcome to New Mexico" not sure why we both thought that was hilarious but we did...ONWARD!
Adventure Stop #36: Route 66 Railway Cafe: Gallup, NM
It was so nice of them to send a train right when we parked just to go along with the theme. Good food, nice people.
All settled in Albuquerque and back to business as usual! Watch me balance these towels on my head.
Watch me pose under water.
Watch how tan I get!
Ella: Journal - I hiked yesterday and I went to a museum. When I went hiking it was pretty. (Convo before bed: Me "It really was beautiful and fun at the canyon today." Ella, "Yes, even when I was complaining the whole time I was enjoying it.") I will keep my Mom feels to myself here.
Beast Mode: Why do we need to many words?
Human bears are so weak!
