We The last day�s drive was longer than we expected because of the aforementioned detour with the highway 64 closure. However, the drive itself, on a sunny, clear day, was through some beautiful country so we didn�t mind the detour so much. We were happy to be getting back to Cortez but sad that the trip was ending. I find there is always a bittersweet feeling when heading home after a long trip - happy to be home but missing the single-minded focus of traveling. We were particularly taken with the Abiquiu area and the Ghost Ranch Conference Center. It�s little known but very beautiful. We stopped in Farmington for lunch and shopping. The last 80 miles to Cortez through the Navajo Nation and the Southern Ute reservation seemed to take forever. We finally reached Cortez, picked up Mary Ann�s dog, Katie an affectionate Doberman (I�m not kidding) and got back to the house just before dusk.
An Aside and an Ending
We had traveled about 3300 miles through much of the center of the U.S. After living in Hong Kong for so many years, I had forgotten how huge the U.S. is . I also had a chance to spend a lot of time with my son, Michael. It was a blessing to be able to do that, even though the circumstances were sad. I suspect not many fathers get to hang out with their children for 12 solid days after the children have become adults. We had a chance to be silly with one another and do some real serious laughing, two things we had almost forgotten how to do together.
I also had a chance to appreciate the basic decency of most Americans. Given the diversity of our population, it always amazes me that we remain civil and polite in most situations. I can honestly say that in those 12 days and 3300 miles, the worst treatment we received was a little rudeness and that was only once or twice. Amazing!!!!
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