Annular Eclipse - Road trip

The Annular Solar Eclipse covered much of the western states.  There were certainly no lack of sites to view the event, and we chose Bluff UT.

We began our journey under the clear skies of Borrego Springs, where we spent the first night watching the Draconid Meteor Shower.

The waning moon passing Venus on the way to a rendezvous with the sun.

A quick stop in Desert Center where the operational Post Office seems to be in the only building still standing.  Next to the Post Office there was a plaque on this rock commemorating the where pre-paid health insurance was conceived.  Thus creating the Kiser Permanente legacy.  The rock is next to the now collapsed Contractors Hospital.

The plaque is now missing, but there is a replacement at Chiriaco Summit, where we’d just bought gas (not backing to take a picture of it).

We went north from Desert Center on Rice Road, where we stopped for a break at an old gas station repurposed as a shoe tree.

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We had a nice site at Cattail Cove on the shore of Lake Havasu.

Of course we had to stop at the English Village.

And see the reassembled London Bridge

We continued our way north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

We wandered along the Rim Trail enjoying the views.

We had a wonderful spot at Mather Campground for the night.

To continue north we need to exit the park’s east gate.  We made most of the view points along the way.  Mather Point is a popular stop, just a short walk from the Visitor’s Center.
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What does this rock formation look like? 

Duck on a Rock

At the east end of the park is the Watchtower, a very popular stop.

With the awesome views of the canyon it’s easy to see why,

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As we move on, we entered Monument Valley.

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After a quick night at Goulding's Campground, I didn’t realize the morning sun is now on the wrong side of the formations. :(

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Many of the cars pull over at Forest ‘Dump’ Hill for the epic shot from the center of the road.

A quick stop at Mexican Hat for yet another photo of it.

I thought Mexican Hat had a crowd of boondockers, but the entry to Valley of the Gods was totally choked!  We didn’t even try to go in.

We did stop for a look at the Sand Island Petroglyphs.  Many are hard to see, but my favorite is this man on horseback.

Horses were not part of the Native American lifestyle.

Most are hard to see.

We settled in at Cadillac Ranch.  They’ve added over a dozen large level gravel FHU pull-thru sites in the back.  With WiFi repeaters ... And a beautiful new laundry room.

And nearly the best showers

This is our 2nd stop at the 'Ranch'. And I’d stay here again just for a shower!!!

All 6 of us were together for a Friday evening BBQ dinner.

Fran, Jay, Juanita, Marty, Kami

And our annual wine-off.  The 2018 Aimee Cabernet was the easy choice,  followed by Monte Xanic from Baja's Guadalupe Valley - thanks to Marty who is my supplier.  The monks at New Clairvaux never disappoint, but then Aimee is their winemaker.

We all turned in early after a gorgeous sunset

Fran made her quiche and I made my hashbrowns for breakfast and then we all watched the main event

We were indeed awed as the sun completed encircling the moon.

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We were indeed awed as the sun completed encircling the moon.

Turns out Cadillac Ranch also has great WiFi, so I'll catch up on the internet before we start the return trip in the morning.
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