We started our road trip in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A sleepy town that had little in the way of obstructing the view.
The climate in the Southwest can be harsh but even what’s dead can be beautiful here.
The sunsets became all encompassing, literally stretching 360 degrees around us.
Near Las Cruces is the White Sands National Monument. An ancient lake that dried up and left behind a sea of white sand dunes.
The white sand on a hot day was actually cool to the touch.
The terrain was so unfamiliar, we kept asking ourselves: is this Earth or Mars?
We continued our road trip towards Arizona stopping at this rest stop that boasted the motto: “Keep America Beautiful!”
Let’s just say that this rest stop had seen better days.
A typical road in the southwest: two lanes, each extending into far into the landscape.
As we moved into Arizona, the terrain started to reveal cacti. This one was beside yet another rest stop.
It’s weird to see cacti-like trees in a forest, dotting hills and scattering peaks.
Mother Nature was especially bright in Sedona, AZ. The red rocks contrasted beautifully against the blue cloudless sky.
The canyons were in full bloom with each spiky plant gleaming in the bright sun.
The smell of Spring is hard to beat.
During our time in Sedona, we went on hikes alongside plants that were almost Dr. Seuss-ian.
A closeup of a typical cactus. The plant is built like a fortress with wooden spikes to protect its fleshy interior.
No place is that more evident than at the Grand Canyon. For size reference, see if you can spot the person.
Truly a natural creation that is hard to capture. This photo fits about 1/8 of the Grand Canyon’s views.
At the end of the day, the pure expanse of Mother Nature is what we were left remembering.
