Front entrance of La Posada Resort in Winslow, Arizona
Jag and I enjoyed a good night's sleep and an early wake-up call. After breakfast, which we brought from home, we returned to the beautiful La Posada Hotel to take photos of this incredible structure. Built in 1930 to serve the rail-traveling public, the hotel was closed down when rail was no longer the most common form of cross-country travel. Scheduled for demolition, La Posada was purchased by a very talented artist and her husband who have done an incredible job of restoration. It is filled with a very eclectic collection of art works from all over the world.
We reluctantly left the La Posada and drove to Petrified Forest National Park. We had not visited the area for many years. I had forgotten how beautiful it is.
Back Garden of La Posada Resort
The amazing range of colors and geologic wonders of the Painted Desert are awesome. We stopped at the old Painted Desert Inn, lovingly restored and now open for visits. Sadly, rooms are not available for overnight stays. It has an old and very colorful history including the probability that it was used as a secret brothel. We drove on to visit Agate Bridge, a huge log of petrified wood spanning a dry creek. It is fragile and supported by a hideous concrete bridge and pillars. I hope one day to see this ugly support replaced by something more in tune with nature. After a picnic lunch in the car (no tables available), we left the national park to continue our drive to Albuquerque.
Our hotel in Albuquerque, the Sandia Courtyard Hotel, is very pleasant, a vast improvement over Motel 6.
Sam and Mirabai at La Posada in Winslow, Arizona
As soon as we got into our room, I called my dear river buddy, Harvey Hall (he prefers his middle name of Lee). He and his lovely wife, Linda, joined us for dinner at Yanni's, a popular and very good Greek restaurant. It was old home week for Lee and me, talking about rafting, Grand Canyon, our old boss lady Georgie, other crewmen we liked and/or disliked. It is so great to spend even a couple of hours with Lee. We had a special bond down in The Ditch and both of us loved our experiences on the Colorado River. It was difficult to say good bye. I hope Lee and Linda will visit with us in the Bay Area soon.
