3 states in a week...

Sometimes, I just have to take pictures.  Maybe to remember, maybe just for fun.  But these pics don't begin to describe the beauty we experienced through the dirty windshield of our Allegro Breeze.

We took a detour on the legends scenic byway.  It turned out to be 3 hours on dirt roads in the most beautiful forest, San Isabel National forest and wilderness.  We saw a car and one other person in those 3 hours.  but the views were spectacular.

Dust everywhere! at the top of the second summit, we stopped to survey the surroundings and were amazed at the dirt we collected in such a short amount of time.

Not a great technical photo, but have to say, this has been a great way to travel.

San Isabel, one of many views.

A small wildflower garden at the top of the mountain.  Serene.

I was so enthralled as I watched these beautiful animals that I forgot about taking pictures.  They seemed as interested in me as I was in them.  I was surprised that we saw three bucks together.

As we entered New Mexico, we saw some of the pine beetle damage that popped up here and there in journey.  These little tiny insects can decimate an entire forest in short order.

Beetles

New Mexico mountains are flat on top with layers of color.

The cactus are in bloom.

We stopped in Albuquerque to ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.  It claims to be the longest, although Mark remembered his ride up the Matterhorn and suspects it was longer!

They tell me it rains in the Sandia Peaks but water never reaches the ground.  What you see is rain and a faint rainbow over the valley.

A steep ride up and down but we were able to see about 11,000 sq. miles of land around us.

It was 20 degrees cooler at the top with high winds.  Lots of tourists taking pics and selfies at the summit.

We visited after peak season and they seem prepared for lots of people. We joined the others indoors at the restaurant getting out of the wind!

Big wheels!

A Pinon tree.  There were roadside vendors selling roasted pinon nuts.

And then, we crossed into Arizona.

The painted desert

It was an amazing place

Our home on wheels is hanging in and taking us where we want to go.  We're so glad we decided to tow a car.  It gives us so much flexibility and allows us to be a bit more spontaneous when we arrive at a location.

Painted desert and petrified forest.

Petrified wood.  

And we're off to Scottsdale!