Grants

 My mishap meant I had to violate at least 2 of my "Rules of Two".  Perhaps a fourth "two" is if you violate one, you must violate at least one more.  The Rear glass repair took overnight and not the 30 minutes that was estimated.  I had to leave the rig and David and Laurie Yost let me stay the night at their house and work from there on Friday.  I am meeting Joyce and AJ at Chaco Canyon today and thus could not stay 2 nights nor, working half days Friday, could I get to the campsite by 2:00.  I was able to limit travel to less than 200 miles--the third rule of two. 

I used the time to shop, launder at the Yosts, gas up, wash the truck, and watch the 6th game of the NBA finals. I took David's advice and went to Grants, NM via Quemado on quiet country roads.  Somewhat windy roads on a windy day, the truck handled everything well.  

Quemado Post Office

I passed through the newly burned area east of Greer and saw what nature can do.

Because I was late starting and only staying one night, I decided not to head to Ojo Redondo campground (chosen for it's altitude so I didn't need to resort to AC).  I bypassed primitive Joe Skeen Campground in the El Malpais (pronounced mal pa-ees--Spanish for badlands) as it was 93 degrees out.   Instead I found a KOA Campground on the way with hookups.  I generally try to avoid hookups.  I had a chance, though, to test a few things: the new converter worked perfectly (thanks, Sean!) and the two ACs cooled the rig to even chilly).  I turned it off in the evening and the cool desert night air was very comfortable for sleep.  

The road from Quemado to Grants was through El Malpais National Monument and the scenery was stunning.  I had a stop at Lava Falls, and took a 1 mile loop trail over 'frozen' lava flows with deep fissures, domes, depressions like a fallen cake where air bubbles collapsed during the cooling/hardening phase 3900 years ago.  (If you're reading this in 2125 instead of when it was written in 2025, this would be 4000 years ago, just saying).  Nature has a way of telling us things going on today are temporary, fleeting.  That is one reason I am taking this journey.  

Another stop at the breathtaking La Ventana Natural Arch.  This area of sandstone cliffs contrasted sharply with the black and red volcanic deposits all about. 

I made it to the KOA in the evening and couldn't turn down dinner delivery service (Ribs, green beans, cherry pie a la mode) even though I was already well-supplied.  Plus they have free all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and coffee. A cool little machine delivers freshly cooked thin pancakes with the wave of a hand.  

Meanwhile Joyce and AJ had a wonderful trip to the famous teepee motel in Holbrook.  We meet later today at Chaco Canyon Gallo Campground.