It's 4 AM in Holbrook, Arizona

Laurie is still asleep and my body is trying to adjust to all the time changes. We are in Mountain Time but Arizona doesn't participate in Daylight Savings time so whatever! I guess its 4 am here and I'm awake and ready to get on the road. Good time to get this blog updated. Our trip has been exceptional with so many adventures including a near panic when Donnie, Laurie's boyfriend, drove away with her purse at 5 am Thursday morning! We were able to catch him via cell phone and retrieved the purse in Monroeville. Hopped on the PA Turnpike and were on our way by 6. Other than a heavy rain storm in Charleston, WV our ride was uneventful and we made Nashville by 5. We considered ourselves lucky to get a hotel room because the CMA Festival was going on and I think every country music fan in the world was in town for this happening event! We cruised Music Row stopping in several bars to hear awesome live music from young wannabe counrty music stars playing for tips. Great fun and lots to see.
We were back on the road by 6 am on Friday with our goal set to be in front of a big TV watching the Stanley Cup Finals when the first puck hit the ice. We got as far as Shawnee, Oklahoma and found stools right in front. The bar patrons were cheering for the Red Wings at first but by the end of the second period we had them cheering for the Penguins. Needless to say, the Oklahomans are not big on hockey and were easliy swayed!! What a great night for Pittsburgh and Penguin fans everywhere especially my Dad who has been a true blue fan forever. Happy Father's Day, Dad!
Saturday morning and we're on the road at 6 again hoping to make the Grand Canyon by dusk. It was not to be but there was so much to see that we couldn't pass up opportunities. I love watching the counrty change as we drive west. The western part of New Mexico isn't much different than the panhandle of Texas but all it takes is a curve in the road and a whole new world appears. All of a sudden there are mountains in front of you that take your breath away. You also realize that you are steadily climbing in altitude. The ride out of the mountains into Albuquerque was breathtaking but the traffic around the city hectic and a little scarey at times. Road construction has been the bigest drawback. I don't think you can drive anywhere in the USA without it! We stopped in Sky City, NM and toured the pueblos of Alcoma. Beautiful pottery and homes build on top of a huge sandstome rock about 500 feet above the ground. It was established around 1040 and has been inhabited ever since. There is a misson built there that is a wonder in itself.
Plan to stop (need to backtrack a little) at the Petrified Forest before heading to the Grand Canyon today. Think I will go wake Laurie and get on the road. Hope to be writing again on the South Rim.