Unwanted Adopt-A-Highways, Ghost Towns, and Red Rocks

When you sleep at a truck stop, as it turns out, you'll be kept up all night by diesel engines idling and air brakes squealing. I only got a few hours of sleep, and was up before sunrise.

The upside: The Mojave sunrise:



Taylor slept for 200 miles, in 100 degree heat, in a moving van. Heavy sleeper, I'd say. She woke up just before the Arizona border, more than likely because it was 16 million degrees.

Hey look! Arizona!



We drove down into Sedona, which is a cool little town with lots of pretty scenery. The downtown region is a first-rate tourist trap. Luckily, we look like dirtbags so we don't get hassled too much by the opportunist tour guides and such. We found a cool little campground, and pitched our tent for the first time. Here's "I can do it by myself" Taylor realizing she needs some help. Unhappy Camper.



For reference's sake, here's the proverbial "Happy Camper."



We made a fire, went for a walk, drank some beers, and made friends with some dogs. Good times in the desert.

Schneider Note: Not a good scene for Taylor. Some would say my lead is insurmountable. There is still a lot of road between here and Rhode Island, though.

Gettin' there: