Monday, Monday, Monday.

We all awoke and slowly got around. We said thank you to our wonderful host, Homer, as well as to Evan and Sandy.

It’s great meeting a group of people you only know via the Internet and find them to be just the same in person, if not better. I eagerly look forward to the day I get to meet them again!

The Husbear and I were going to head to Kartchner Caverns on our way out of Tucson, but we called for ticket info and their first tour wasn’t until late in the afternoon. We’ll just have to save that for our next trip.

On our way out of Tucson, we rolled upon this awesomeness:

I want one.

And then, this happened. Right outside of Tucson. For 40+ miles…

Seriously. 40 miles of bumpy dirt road over some seriously intense terrain at no faster than 20 miles an hour for most if it.

The Husbear wanted to take the scenic route. Through the mountains. In the Prius.

*sigh*

I have to admit, it was pretty. However, the last 15 miles wore on us both. And the few vehicles we passed—all 4x4s—looked at us like we were insane. Which we are, apparently.

Here’s some of the pretty though:

We finally got onto a good, civilized, paved road and continued our journey. There are some very beautiful parts of Arizona that I would have never have thought would have existed. And I’ll say the Husbear has a knack for finding them.

Who would have thought there were such serene and beautiful places in Arizona?

And before I forget to mention it, we had *another* dirt road adventure for 17 miles. Which is where most if those last few pictures came from. I must really love the Husbear to allow him to navigate. 😉

We spent the next four hours driving in the dark. Through an area that had entirely no cell signal. With no other traffic. Which started to get a little freaky after hour two. But on the upside? We were in the middle of nowhere, and for the first time that I can recall, I actually saw the band of the Milky Way with my naked eyes. Beautiful. Stunning. And sad to think what we have done to this little planet we inhabit.

We rolled into Albuquerque around 10pm, and are hitting the bed. We didn’t get as far as I would have hoped for today due to the route we took, but that’s how these things go. I’m enjoying the view of these great States, and the quality time and memories I’m making with the Husbear.

Only 800 miles until we are home.

Oh, here’s the route we took today: