Route 66

Motoring enthusiasts will know that if you ever plan to motor west, Route 66 is highway that's the best. It no longer formally exists - perhaps victim to the American system of unromantic street names. For example, streets in the outer suburbs of small town Visalia were simply numbered. Our campground was on Street 176, near the corner of Avenue 45. And you certainly don't need to be tree-lined to be called an avenue.

Nevertheless, the lyrics of the song mention several of the places we've been to in the past few days. Barstow and Kingman would be little but truckstops without the song - the most memorable aspect was Kingman coffee - weak Nescafe in a milkshake sized container. But here in Flagstaff Arizona is where that all changed - the first town where I thought I could live (Fran would also move to SF). A spectacularly beautiful little town, with a backdrop of magnificent mountaintops wherever you look. Its main industries are skiing and the Uni of Northern Arizona - none of this farming or industry stuff. Makes for a nice vibe. Bye now! PW

We have covered a lot of miles and a lot of climate changes over the past few days. We did an American facts Quiz for the kids which occupied the first two hours of a drive and whilst the desert has pretty amazing scenery (for adults)- the DSi's have pretty amazing entertainment value for kids -no concerns with car sickness on those roads! After a couple of nights in cabins and warm desert heat, we have had three nights here in Flagstaff, back to biting wind and a bit of snow. But, we have been impressed with this town near the Grand Canyon.

Today's trip to Sedona was wonderful -red rock formations surrounding a gorgeous little tourist town and river which Elsie called a "mini canyon" (leaving plenty of scope for our trip to the Grand Canyon tomorrow). The chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona (pictured) is a truly magnificent building and the whole place has a wonderful energy. The kids enjoyed some rock clambering, and a game of mini golf but are beginning to ask if we will ever be able to actually have food cooked at home and we are all pretty sick of eating pasta, fries, sugary cereal, sweetened bread and almost everything eaten from plastic plates and cups. FM xx