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Yippee – we splurged and got a USB internet card so we’ll have internet access while on the road going forward!  Not roughing it really, are we? J.  Especially not right now as we are spending two nights in a hotel in Prescott, Arizona!  We had cabin fever and Joe got us a great deal on Priceline so we decided to treat ourselves.  Zoey had been wanting to go swimming, which we’ve done twice already since we checked in, and Joe and I wanted wifi, real beds, showers and to be within strolling distance of the historical downtown district.  Joe lived in Prescott about 15 years ago so we’re hanging out a couple nights before heading to Santa Barbara to visit some friends and see the ocean.

On Friday we left Albuquerque and drove to the Petrified Forest National Park which closed about ½  hour before we got there of course.  So we camped right off a freeway exit within view of some old painted dinosaurs statues at a roadside trading post/rock shop .  Remnants from the old Route 66 days I think.  The next morning we did the national park and enjoyed it for the most part – it was so darn windy we ended up doing only one of the trails but enjoyed the drive through the park.  The painted desert is beautiful, all the different colors, and the petrified forest is strange, and cool.  Huge petrified trees from 225 million years ago…from before the dinosaurs!  It was hard not to bring a little piece with us, there was mega tons of rocks everywhere, but of course it’s a crime to take any.

Then we headed to Prescott which is at 5400 feet elevation, so a mile high, right in the middle of the Prescott National Forest and the mountains.  Really pretty little town, used to be the capital of Arizona long time ago, so has the old timey courthouse square with restaurant and shops around it. A cowboy town.  Lots of great hiking in the forest and wonderful spring weather – mid 70’s with a nice cool mountain breeze.  Yesterday we went hiking in the forest, or more like rock climbing.  I think Joe forgets that he has a 3 yr old in tow sometimes and wants to do hiking he did back when he was 20 yrs old and living here.  We were scrambling down steep slopes with lots of loose rocks to get down to  mountain streams/pools down in the ravines and I got a little nervous at times.  It was beautiful but next time we’re gonna find an easier way down.  I’m much more cautious, probably overly cautious, than Joe is with Zoey so I guess we balance each other out.  It was gorgeous country - pine trees towering over us everywhere, crystal clear streams, an old abandoned mine.  Today we’re taking advantage of the hotel – swimming, laundry, relaxing.  Joe’s taken Zoey to hang out downtown by the courthouse so I’m off for a jog.   Then tomorrow it’s on to the west coast!  Karen



Additional info from Joe.......They now have a Skate Park in Prescott.  Woo Hooo!!  Pic below.  Also, a couple pics of the Waffle Iron in Prescott.  This is the restaurant that got me hooked on waffles with ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream.  Only restaurant I know of that has this as an item on their menu.  Joe