We're cruising the dreamy open road heading towards our next destination, Durango, Colorado but not before
passing over the dramatic 11,000 ft. Red Mountain Pass and through Silverton, a gritty, little mining town with Victorian pretensions.
We hunker down for a couple of nights at Durango's most famous lodging - the 1887 Victorian Strater Hotel.
In it's Diamond Belle Saloon author Louis L'Amour gained inspiration for the western heros in his novels.
Outside of Durango we visit Mesa Verde, known for its spectacular cliff dwellings (structures within caves and under outcroppings in cliffs), built by the ancient Pueblo people, the earliest known inhabitants of the US which date as far back as AD 1300.
Their handicrafts are outstanding as in this imaginative example.
As we descend from Mesa Verde the temperature plummets to -5 centigrade and we are in the midst of a major snow storm. Tim is wishing the snow would carry onto Whistler.
Ahhh, we're glad to be back in the sun at Monument Valley which is located on the southern border of Utah and northern Arizona. Monument Valley is characterized by a cluster of vast and iconic sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300m) above the valley floor. It has been the setting for more Western movies than any other site in the US.
"Whoa, take 'er easy there pilgrim."
One of the wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River - two hundred miles long, a mile deep, and anywhere from five to 15 miles across - defies description.
We hike 8.5 miles along the South Rim from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit's Rest. At times the trail is dangerous and scary despite the awe-inspiring views.
As the sun sets over the canyon we admit this place is up there in the most amazing sights we've seen on the planet.
Tomorrow takes us to the biggest, brightest, brazenest boomtown in the history of the world - Las Vegas, Nevada.
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