Four Corners Indian Country Preparations

We're planning to leave in a few days for about a month wandering around the Four Corners area. It's where the four states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado all come together at one point. Although these state boundaries are an artificial landmark created by land surveyors, the general area itself is the current home of several important American Indian tribes, such as, the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi. It's also a region rich in the many cultures who lived here over the centuries. In fact, this area is so rich in archeology that as many as 100 sites per square mile can be found.

Following along our usual travel plans, we've started off by identifying specific points of interest we'd like to see. Of course time will tell how many we'll actually make it to as well as how many unplanned sites we discover along the way. The following Google Map shows our initial plans:


View Indian Country Points of Interest in a larger map

Yes - of course we also have guide books and maps. You might be asking yourself, why do we collect these "old school" paper informational resources.  The simple fact of the matter is WiFi and/or cell connectivity is iffy at best in the general region. Connectivity is probably better than on our trip to Alaska, but that's not saying much. For Indian Country specifically, here are the best references:

Great guidebook available via Amazon

Also available via Amazon

At AAA or Amazon

Of course, individual state maps and guide books are also helpful to have handy (sure glad we're paid up on our AAA membership):

AAA Tour Books

AAA maps

Finally, there's recreational reading to bring along as well... although many of these books are also available in electronic versions, the nice thing about paper is you don't need to charge batteries or have electricity.

... or just about any book by Tony Hillerman

Peter's bringing this one

... or any others by Elmore Leonard

So that's about all folks. Right now we're hoping we:

1. don't forget anything important, 
2. don't encounter any major disasters along the way, and 
3. do come home safely, filled with tales of our adventures.

Me in the Queen's Chair with Checkers and Toby

Spring in San Diego

Since we have some time before leaving on our next adventure to the Four Corners region, I take advantage of a new direct flight from Monterey to San Diego on Alaska Air.  You gotta love the Monterey airport with long term parking all of a 3-5 minute walk to the terminal and only one person waiting in line for security in front of me. With the little airport cafe named "The Golden Tee," it appears golfers are welcome visitors to Monterey.

David picks me up at SAN and we head over to the marina on Shelter Island where he is currently living on a sail boat. First, we stop for breakfast at the Bay Club overlooking the marina.

Morning at the marina

Bay Club reception area

An ol' pirate at 60

After breakfast, we tour the marina.

David's home sweet home

Classic interior of the Malie Makai

Bonnie's boat "Good Omens" is up for sale

Walking the dog - marina style

Old tour boat converted to living quarters

Since it's such a beautiful morning, we take a spin around Shelter Island before heading up the coast to Leucadia.

Tuna Fishermen Memorial - 3 men/rods were needed for the big ones

Downtown San Diego across the bay

Morman Temple just off of Hwy 5

Patti has a magic touch with orchids and her home is filled with them.

Cymbidiums

Patti at her iMac

Moth Orchid

Spring is a great time in Leucadia and the back yard is full of new life.

Hap's legacy garden filled with avocados, fruit trees and flowers

Macadamia nut tree in full bloom

CU of flowers

Mac nut flowers hang down in profusion

What says "Southern California" better than Valencia oranges?

Ahhh... fresh OJ for breakfast

Nice big juicy fruits bursting with liquid sunshine

The birds are out in full force and flocking around the feeders.

Male and female House Finches

Gold finch feeder awaits customers

Hummer feeding station

Flowers are blooming everywhere.

New fuchsia hanging basket

Cymbidiums waiting to be cut

Glorious cymbidiums

One afternoon we check out the new Encinitias Public Library

Inside, a wall of windows overlooks the ocean

Modern spacious library

All too soon, it's time to go home. Bonnie picks me up at Patti's and we meet David for a late lunch/early dinner at El Agave in Old Town. It specializes in both tequila (with hundreds of different varieties lining the walls) and mole dishes. We decide to split a sampling of different moles and to forgo the tequila for another time.

El Agave

Prop Jet on runway just before take off

Bye-bye Mission Bay

It was a fun trip, but as my great grandmother always said "the best part of traveling is coming home to your own bed." After a good night sleep, Peter and I awake with sunlight streaming in through the redwood trees and fog.

Redwoods, fog and sunshine