Left ALQ on one of the longest legs of the trip - Destination Williams, AZ for a 2 day tour of the Grand Canyon

We worked out way out of town amid rush hour traffic without a problem. Made a couple pit stops along I-40. There isn't much left of the actual old Route 66 in New Mexico, so we opted to take it easy on the interstate. Much to our chagrin, the winds and trucks flying by at almost 90mph make for a very uncomfortable experience. We plod along at 55-60mph (the minimum is 50), the locals make it up to 75, in fact, the minimum in the left lane is 65. The semi rigs are merciless and often come right up on your bumper.

Along the route, the climb into the mountains is gradual, the scenery is fantastic and every time you crest a hill, there's another picture.

Stopped at the Continental Divide, at an altitude of 7250 feet for a group Picture. Topped off the gas and calibrated the altimeter on my digital navigation pod

Approaching Flagstaff, the crosswinds were bad, almost 40-50mph. I had to hold the wheel at a 45' left crab to hold the car straight, then get blown right by the bow wave of a passing truck. As soon as the rear end of the truck passes, you get drawn left into the slipstream. White-knuckle driving was the order of the day.

Passing Flagstaff, you start seeing signs for Los Angeles (486 miles) and begin a gradual descent.

It was 3 miles short of our destinaton when "destiny" struck once more. Our WagonMaster, Dave, who had some seemingly minor problems on the starting day, revisited them. His car overheated ( on the way down the hill) and we had to pull over and assess the problem.

It was deemed worthy to refill and continue to the Hotel, to re-evaluate the next morning before taking the train to the Grand Canyon

Arriving at the town of Williams, we were greeted by another phenomena....regular gas was $2.19 a gallon (yoiks)
We checked into the Fray-Marcos Hotel for a night here, one at the Grand Canyon and another here.