San Juan Mountains,
Four Corners,
Northern Arizona
 |
It was after 1pm by the time I left Montrose and ahead of me lay an 8 hour drive. At the time I set off, I had guesstimated from the map that I had 220 miles and about 4-5 hours to my prebooked hotel, the Quality Inn in Tuba City. Unknown to me, the actual distance was going to be closer to 360, with the first 120 miles through the treacherously slow roads of the Southern Rockies and San Juan mountains. |
We had had a late departure from Telluride, abetted somewhat by a large hearty breakfast in Floradora's. Lunchtime in Montrose it didn't seem important, but by 9pm, I would really appreciate that last breakfast together!
 |
Highway 550 winds and climbs its way southwards through Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Lovely old mining towns, which I considered taking time to look round, but with hindsight I'm glad I pressed on with the drive. The snow capped and gigantic peaks of the mountains give way after Durango into pleasant green valleys as you head west towards Cortez on highway 160. |
After Cortez, the landscape becomes barren, with little in the way of vegetation, and its is soon time to turn right (still following highway 160) and head towards Four Corners. It was at this point I was struck by the emptiness of the area, also how straight the highway had become, just heading off into infinity. Only a short while earlier, I had been swinging round hairpin bends in the Rockies.
Four Corners Monument
 |
Four Corners lies about 1 mile to the North of 160, and is the only point in the US where four states adjoin each other. A strategically placed monument allows you to stand with your legs in two states, and, by rotating at the waist, your arms in two others. Here am I, with my left leg in New Mexico, my right leg in Utah, right arm in Arizona and left arm in Colorado. One of the memorable points of this moment was the very strong (and very hot) wind blowing over the plains. Surprisingly, there had been little in the way of wind whilst in the Rockies. |
A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
 |
After four corners, the road becomes even straighter and more desolate. I found the whole landscape fascinating. I had never seen anywhere so barren and empty, and never seen roads so straight. There was just absolutely nothing. I drove, happy in the knowledge I had filled with petrol in Cortez, but what would happen if the car broke down? Well, I would rather not think about that possibility..... |
 |
I had been under the impression that highway 160 ran through Monument Valley, but this was not so. At Kayenta you need to turn North into highway 191 towards Mexican Hat. It was now 7pm, and aware of the fact I had at least another 70miles to Tuba City, I considered stopping in Kayenta for the night. I did however, take a short excursion into Monument Valley at that late hour with a low sun. Having decided to press onto Tuba City, I was determined to return to Monument Valley fresh and alert the next day. |
I finally arrived in Tuba City, just after 9pm, only to find the restaurant adjacent to the hotel stopped serving at 9. (Hence the importance of the Telluride breakfast) All was not lost, however, as I had unknowingly crossed a timezone, and it was actually only just after 8pm. Such are the surprises of traveling in a strange and vast country!
