This morning after leaving the KOA in Grants, New Mexico. We hiked up the side of a volcano, 8,000 + feet up, part of the continental divide. The path had stops that told about the formations, plants and wildlife. Some of the Ponderosa pines looked like they might topple down the mountain anytime the way they were hanging on.We took some pictures for another family and they took some of us.

This is the ice cave near Grants, New Mexico. It is part of a large volcanic area. Down HWY 117 we enjoyed sandstone bluffs on the left and lava flows on the right. Most of the area is ranching and quite barren. The rock formations are interesting though.

Grandpa Church's house in Overgard, Arizona. He just happened to be sitting on the porch when we pulled up. He gave us a tour and we enjoyed a brief rain shower.
Finally we arrived home at 4:48 pm, on Tuesday (one day early),
2,905.8 miles later,
according to the GPS 64 hours and 58 minutes of driving time
(every once in awhile it was turned off when we were driving),
visiting 7 family members,
5 cemeteries,
3 libraries,
and
2 caves and their state parks,
all in 11 days.
It was great fun.
I think Julia and Ben might have had a little fun too.
So glad to be home.

Tonight Michael and I had a discussion on the poor shape of my map book. I've had it over 20 years and it has gotten me most places quite well. I am now aware that GPS does not know everything. He says that I just need to get rid of my security blanket. I don't think that I can. I just need a new one. Some things for me just never are outdated. Maps are one of those things. Besides a map will tell you where that little road you just drove by goes, or should you have four wheel drive to attempt to navigate it. When I'm the passenger I always want to know these things. Who knows I might want to detour. Remember the little ghost town in Utah. We had a great time in it. Girdy did try to get me to turn down one dirt road in New Mexico. It just happened to be next to the national parks information center. I stopped and asked, the woman behind the desk asked if I was in four wheel drive, I said no. She then showed me pictures of the road that they had taken to warn drivers. I took the paved road around just a little farther and let Girdy recalculate. It never hurts to ask questions.