Day 20 Aug. 19

Gallup NM to Holbrook AZ

Total Miles 124


Best summary of the day chilly morning comfortable after very scenic once off the interstate.

The route followed 140 on and off then turned through the Petrified Forest Park and onto 180 into Holbrook.

Towns we passed through

  • Gallup NM
  • Lupton (has stores selling Indian trade goods)
  • Sanders (did not notice it)
  • Chambers (does have a hotel and gas station that is it all)
  • Holbrook AZ

Yes you read that right we are now in Arizona.  The scenery changed as soon as we entered the state it become very flat and much more like desert but it was a chilly desert today.  

I put my coat on right out the door as it was only 50F and did not take it off until after 1PM.  I was still chilled.  Dianne just refused to take her coat off at all.  

While riding the interstate the most dangerous spot to watch out for is the exits and entrances.  On one exit we had to pass over I checked my mirrors and there was transport a good distance back.  I watched him as I approached the exit and as he was close I eased up the ramp a bit and low and behold he followed up the ramp.  I stopped and let him go pass as there is no shoulder on the ramp.  He was lot closer than I would like to see him.  

The other interesting thing on the interstate is the amount of rubber from truck tires.  You should try and dodge this hazard.  They often have steel belts sticking out and that can cause flats based on experience on bicycles.  Also hitting them at often causes the bike to jump and shack a little bit, this you do not need when a transport is passing you at 75 while you are racing along at 25.  

The Petrified Forest was worth the price of admission very scenic and light traffic too.  Stopped at all the views and sites and enjoyed it a lot.  



                                                                                Sign explains it all


                                                                One of the Last Bluff in New Mexico




                                                                    Most of view in Arizona till  on I-40 National Park





                                                                                                                                        Route 66 display in park






                                                            Some of the views in the park.  (Note the Camera does do it justice)



                                                    Close to hotel 

Sights seen today

  • 1 Bicycle we passed while riding on I-40 he was loaded and did not look happy on the shoulder.  We waited for a clear spot in traffic so not bump him off the shoulder.  His bike did not have mirrors he looked a little surprised when we passed him.
  • 4 fields with cows
  • 12 stores claiming to sell Native American goods
  • 3 pawn shops
  • 1 gun store
  • 3 dogs just running around on the side road
  • 2 dogs in cars barking at us
  • 3 motorcycles (all on the interstate)
  • Only 2 gas stations (aside from those in Gallup and Holbrook) 
  • 3 closed gas stations
  • 3 crows
  • 2 lizard looking things that ran across the road in front of me
  • 5 trains ( 4as before containers trains running east and 1 ore train running west)
  • 1 AM track train running east

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