You should try something like this one day. Jay Patel and I left Phoenix at about 7:30 a.m. and drove north. This field of bright yellow flowers on the last day of summer, a day before fall, was so striking, and in contrast to the rest of the drive, we just had to stop and take a photo.

Wow, it feels like I was just here; oh yeah I was two days ago with Caroline. It’s great to be sharing this stuff with someone else who can appreciate the beauty. We are at the Sunset Crater National Monument.

Of course, our next stop would then take us for a walk at Wupatki National Monument because that’s what’s at the northern end of the road that drives past Sunset Crater. The circle on the right is not the remnants of a kiva but is believed to have been a sports ring of some sort.

We have a destination in mind that requires us to pass through Kayenta, allowing for a stop at the Elephant Feet.

These day trips are not always easy, but they are always worthwhile. We made our way out to Monument Valley here in Utah for a drive under the formations. It’s only about 330 miles from home but as far away from routine as one can get.

This magical place allowed Jay to quantum teleport to superposition himself in five simultaneous locations for this snapshot overlooking Monument Valley.

The horseshoe bend at Goosenecks State Park was about our furthest north location. Truth is, I was hoping beyond hope that I might score a steak in Mexican Hat at the home of the swinging steak, but that dream fulfillment wasn’t in the cards.

We’re on the 191 heading south onto the Navajo Reservation; we have plans.

Those plans work out perfectly as we arrive for sunset at Canyon De Chelly National Monument.

By 9:00 p.m., we were standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, but not for long, as we had to make tracks back down to Phoenix. It would be close to midnight before we got home. Not a bad way to spend 16 hours if you ask me.