Cortez, Colorado

We had an interesting journey to Cortez. We’ve seen so many fabulous rock formations that another one might seem one too many. But here it is, like it’s been squeezed out of a tube and dried in the sun.

The population is sparse. Most of our journey is through Indian Reservation territory. The land is dry, covered in mainly scrub sage bushes that support a few horses and cows. This is a typical isolated ranch.

This arid region of several thousand square miles, is known as the “Four Corners Area” because it’s where four states join. There is an actual survey point where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet in a square. It’s in Indian Territory and they charge $10 to look at it. Most tourists passing by ante-up, as we did. Ticked the box. It reminded me more of a skate park.

We arrive at the campsite in Cortez and are allocated a prime, big pitch overlooking open countryside.

 Looking over the bushes in front of our motorhome into the lower camping area we often observe mule deer browsing.

And beyond that, we can see the San Juan mountains. At over 13,000 feet, these are snowy peaks.

So, a lovely pitch and great things to see in Cortez, already blogged under Durango and Mesa Verde headings. It’s now time to move on to Holbrook. Problem is, we don’t quite get there. This is the reason.

It’s a block of wood; 25 miles from our destination, it appeared in the road and, although swerving, the inner rear wheel hit it. There was an immediate grinding noise and I pulled onto the hard shoulder. Nothing for it but to ring the rental company, the breakdown number we had in the info pack, and the police. Fortunately, we had a phone signal, which is unusual in open country. After several hours of organising and phone calls, the breakdown truck arrived and off we go on a two hour journey to the garage at Winslow. Winslow is 50 miles from where we were heading.

The news from the garage is not good: about a week to repair, as the wood has damaged not only the wheel but part of the brake mechanism. We book into a hotel in Winslow, and start to replan. Watch this space.