"IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK" (idroveapickuptruck)
11/25/2014 at 20:57 • Filed to: None
2
6|
"IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK" (idroveapickuptruck)
11/25/2014 at 20:57 • Filed to: None | 2
| 6 |
Days 3-5 Mileage: 761 Miles
Days 3-5 Fuel Economy: 29.0 MPG
Trip Mileage: 1638.8 Miles
Trip Fuel Economy: 27.7 MPG
Key Attractions: El Malpais National Monument, Grand Canyon, Lomaki National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rock Scenic Byway
Day 3 Time Lapse:
Music: Each Coming Night - Iron and Wine, Flightless Bird American Mouth - Iron and Wine
I left Albuquerque pretty early in the morning and headed toward El Malpais National Monument, I ran into something I was not expecting: snow. As has seemed to be the case all trip, the weather is bad in the morning and clears up as the day goes on. As I got to the national monument it was still snowing, but luckily it cleared up quickly enough for me to be able to see the views.
Stupidly I forgot to charge the battery of my camera in Albuquerque so at this point my Camera battery died. So all the photos from now on are from a potato, sorry. El Malpais National Monument was pretty fantastic. Great views from the overlook and a fantastic contrast between the sandstone bluffs on one side of the road, and the volcanic earth on the other side.
Then there was this amazing natural arch, supposedly the second largest in New Mexico.
From El Malpais I continued on into Arizona, up to Flagstaff and up to Grand Canyon National Park. MyFordTouch GPS took me on a wild goose chase through the woods so I didn't reach my campsite until after dark. I quickly set up my tent in the dark and proceeded to take two nyquil and go to bed at 7:30.
Day 4 Time Lapse:
Music: I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Blue - Daniela Andrade
I woke up around 4am bitterly cold (~20deg) and quickly decided I wasn't going to camp out for a second night. I struck camp and went to go watch the sunrise over the Canyon, which was breathtaking. I tried to record the whole thing on my gopro but the battery died midway. I went and swapped out the battery quickly but had lost my spot at the front.
It was still bitterly cold so I decided to head to my relatives' place in Phoenix early. I did not take a direct route, first I took a detour to Lomaki National Monument to see some Native American Ruins. They were pretty cool, and between 800-900 years old.
From Lomaki I drove back to Flagstaff and drove Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Both were beautiful and I highly recommend both to anyone going to or from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.
Day 5 (today)? I haven't done much, got a haircut, ate some Mexican food. I'll be relaxing here until I leave for LA on Sunday. I'll try to post some better videos of some of the Canyon Runs in the next few days.
PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
> IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/25/2014 at 21:20 |
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Hey man! let me know when you're in Seattle! It'd give me an excuse to meet a fellow oppo in person!!! :D
desertdog5051
> IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/25/2014 at 21:22 |
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That is La Ventana Arch (the window). Located about 20 miles south of I-40 on Hwy 117. It is in the El Malpais area (The Badlands). An area of lava flows with significant, breathtaking, scenery and has had a huge impact on the culture of the area for thousands of years. Glad you took time to stop and see it. Too bad you missed the Lava Flows, Sandstone Bluffs overlook and several other things like the lava tubes. Very cool places to stop along that road.
BigBlock440
> IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/25/2014 at 21:34 |
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Guess I missed it, but the truck wasn't ready? Should be a cool trip no matter what you're driving though.
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IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
> PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
11/26/2014 at 04:03 |
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I'll be posting regularly so you'll have notice for when I'm in Seattle.
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IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
> BigBlock440
11/26/2014 at 04:04 |
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I had no confidence in the truck, and I didn't put nearly enough time into it. It was a great idea in theory but now I think I might have gone slightly crazy when I was planning the Muscle Truck Road Trip. Maybe sometime in the future.
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PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
> IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
11/26/2014 at 09:28 |
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awesome!