Here we have a few highlights of the Southwest United States as we followed old route 66 through New Mexico and Arizona. This was an amazing adventure vacation. Being very active we found hiking and biking to be the most enjoyable activities. Also we used the Lonely Planet Southwest USA, also available for your Kindle.
I am a lover of the rails, and in the USA Amtrak was the way to go. If you are near an Amtrak station you can easily hop on and off at the various stops worth seeing on your journey. Sure the food sucks and you never know what kind of people you be sitting by, but there is one thing you only get on the train: Helplessness. You have no control over how long it takes to get there, or the route you take. Releasing control like that can be the ticket to a very relaxing vacation. You needn't focus on the traffic, the gas gauge or the fast food. Don't have to worry about layovers, TSA or gate changes. You can talk to no one, talk to everyone, it doesn't matter. Just look out the window and be alive.
Sedona, Arizona - The term Red Rock Country became the most evident in Sedona, Arizona, land of the Vortexes. Actually it is very well known as a place for spiritual healing and enlightenment. Hiking is the best way to experience the outdoors here in Sedona, so bring a pair of comfortable shoes and plenty of water. Visit Sedona Arizona
Monument Valley, Utah - If you have ever been to Monument Valley at the border of Arizona and Utah, then you know what the sunsets are like. It is a colorful explosion washing the sky of its normal blues and grays. You can drive for hours in the vast open fields and not feel like you've gained any ground. Then after the sun goes down and you know that this is one of Americas great natural wonders. www.go-utah.com
Monument Valley, Utah - An area owned and operated by the Navajo tribes of Utah, the area is very restricted. While you can drive around the grounds(for a fee) you are much better off going on a tour where a Navajo guide will tell stories and show petroglyph drawings. This is a great piece of Navajo History.
Monument Valley, Utah - You know you're in the majority thinking Monument Valley Utah is a very photogenic place. This corner of Utah is the site of many car commercials and dozens of Films including Back to the Future II and III, Waiting to Exhale and Forrest Gump. You may remember the scene where Forrest Was running, and when Forrest decided he was "going to go home now". We all hope he at least went on one of the Monument Valley Tours before running back to Jenny.
Taos, New Mexico - Going up in a hot air balloon is surely a trip you take up, but to do it at a balloon rally will make the experience several times better. This was at the Taos Hot Air Balloon rally, in October 2008. While New Mexico is most known for the Hot Air Balloon festival in Albuquerque, we found Taos to be a better deal. The sky's were clear and the air was silent except for the bursts of propane of the 30 other balloons. Taos, New Mexico
Grand Canyon, Arizona - And finally, how could one go through the Southwest and not see the Grand Canyon in Arizona? This was photographed at the South Rim, perhaps the most popular place to view the canyon. It is no wonder this has been a national monument for over a century.
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