Going back to California

For the drive back, my office-mate Fei Fei recommended to go south on highway 160 and visit Mesa Verde National Park which she liked a lot. Mesa Verde is a nice place to visit, with towns built in caves. We also briefly stopped at Monument valley just before nightfall, before continuing to Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Only to discover that the campground where we hoped to spend the night was full, like all other campgrounds on the south rim. Going out of the park, we found a small road with no traffic, and slept there, hoping the police wouldn't come and kick our butt. The next morning we went to the view points on the south rim. Too bad we didn't have much time, hiking down to the river is much nicer than just looking at the views from the rim.

sunday night after the ride, we sleep at 8000ft	the Rio Grande close to its spring.	At the entrance of Mesa Verde NP.	Looking towards Colorado from Park Point
	Penstemon flowers for Chihiro	The "spruce tree" house	There are 144 rooms and 8 kivas here.
Another variety of penstemon for Chihiro	the spruce tree house from above	The cliff palace.	This canyon lies near the cliff palace
We didn't find any name for this large pillar.	At 4 corners, indians charge a fee, we don't go.	We stay in New Mexico only for the picture...	... before going back to Arizona.
We try to reach Monument valley before the night	Yes, we made it !	The valley takes nice colors in the evening	We arrived just in time...
... 20 minutes later, and everything was dark		Later in the night, we reach the Grand Canyon.	Arghhh, the campground is full !
In the morning, we come again to see the canyon	At 8am, the air is still a bit hazy		A coyote close to Grandview point
		Chihiro & I hiked down the South Kaibab trail in the fall
	The Bright Angel trail we hiked up in september	two more tourists taking pictures	The glorious town of Yucca in Arizona
Back to California after 2500 miles.