Flagstaff, Sedona and Albuquerque (613 kms)

Today we started with a driving tour of Flagstaff a hip student town with an outdoorsy mountain cabinesque feel to it.

Then we headed down the highway to Sedona which was a great surprise as the terra cotta red rocks emerged and the matching red town appeared. It was a stunning place with loads of great sculptures including some funny cactus pots pictured below. I also like the water sprays that they do to cool you off as you walk around. This is also Navajo country so was able to see lots of their amazing crafts like Kachina dolls and Turquoise jewellery.

Then we travelled down the highway further to cross into state number four, New Mexico and arrive at Albuquerque where we encountered clouds for the first time in two weeks and some pretty scary some would say impressive lightning.

• Fell in love with the sculptor Lan Spurgers work

• Finally learnt the story behind the Kokopelli figure seen everywhere in the Southwest region

• Noticed even more pieces of tyres along the roadside - apparently they patch the trucks to save buying new ones but it is not very effective

• Finally figured out that only beef makes a burger all other items are sandwiches regardless of the bread, bun, pita etc... that the filling is in
• Am in love with the 99c 1 litre iced teas from McDonalds
• Was able to try something made from the prickly pear - tasted much like strawberry

• Came across a chain of gas stations called Loves - weird