The drive from Tucumcari was pretty sweet. The traffic was very light and most of the trucks stayed in the outside lane. We knew we were climbing though, the air was noticeably thinner. There was some construction here and there, but we all moved right along. When we got to Clines Corners our suspicions were validated. Check the elevation on the wall at the store! It says 7,200 if you can't make it out. This store probably has the largest selection of stuff from New Mexico under one roof anywhere. It went on and on. Some of it was trinkets, but much of it was native creations. We did drop a few bucks there. New Mexico seems to take alot of pride in their state. Check out the cool overpasses. The inside has horses cast into the support surfaces. Double click the pictures to see them enlarged. The freeways are also all landscaped with cactus and multi-colored sand and stones. It's pretty cool. We made it to Albuquerque around lunch time and after a little screwing around trying to find our way back into “Old Town”, we finally recognized the area and found a parking spot. This time we could drive right into the square and not have to walk so far. Last time was a special weekend and the streets are blocked off to facilitate foot traffic. We were told that Tuesdays are usually the slow day and today was no exception. There were folks, but not the crowds that are surely coming in the next months. We had lunch at the same local café as before and it was as good as we remembered. It was perfect food, perfect timing and perfect quantity. Then we shopped around the square for a ring for me. I had seen a wonderful ring at the flea market in Tulsa and had to pass because I didn’t have enough cash. It was a Zuni inlay and felt so good on my hand. We figured we’d find another one on our way back though New Mexico, but alas, we did not. We looked and looked in several stores, but nothing jumped at me. Dang, I should have gone and got some cash in Tulsa shouldn’t I, yes I should-a. Too late, can’t go back now. We wanted to get up the hiway so we took off knowing that we’ll be back someday. I’m really drawn to this state. Driving up through the juniper landscape that turned into pine covered hills was so pleasant and visually appealing. We crossed the Great Divide at La Jara at 7,300 feet and the views were spectacular. We were going to stay at either Bloomfield or Farmington, but (we can hardly believe it ourselves) there was not one single room available in either town! There is a conference for the oil and gas company employees and owners this week. There are many natural gas and oil rigs along the way. So much for those plans! What do we do now!? Shiprock has no motels at all. Go back to Albuquerque? That’s almost 2 hours! We asked at a fuel stop and the girl behind the counter suggested that we push onto Cortez in the southeast corner of Colorado. We pushed on. The sights we saw are almost indescribable! Most of the landscape is very desolate, but….amazing! The distance is so huge and the mesas are, are, I don’t know, so incredible! Our pictures don’t even come close to seeing it with your own eyes. The Painted Desert has nothing on this place! We saw a storm way off to the west that was black and you could see the sheets of rain like curtains hanging from the bottom of the black clouds above. Some was not getting to the ground, but the darker curtains were. The area looked like it could use a good soaking. Although there isn’t much flora, so we wonder what would grow with water anyway. Like I said, the area is so desolate and that’s what our government gave to the Navajo people. I think they chose it though. To them it is sacred ground. I don’t know the reason but they are there and seem to be OK with it. The visuals of the area definitely give the impression that the Great Spirit has been a visitor there. It’s breathtaking! You should see Chimney Rock in person. Really! The rest of it is just as amazing. Do you get the idea that I’m taken by New Mexico? Well, I admit that I certainly am! I felt a serenity when we crossed the state line out of Texas and it hasn’t left. We’re staying at the Ute Mountain Casino and Hotel. It’s nice, but Oh My is it smokey. The room isn’t horrible, but the lobby is. We’ll retrace our steps back to the turn-off for the 4 state boundary intersection so we can stand in all 4 at once. Then it’s on to Salt Lake by way of Glen Canyon. More incredible sights! Oh Boy!