After a good night's rest and a good breakfast here at Best Western Continental Inn in Marana, Arizona, I am about to take off for the final leg of my journey - San Diego. As of right now, I have driven approximately 2500 miles. With about 400 + to go.

As I was coming out of the high plains at 8000 feet above sea level, and down to 4000 feet sea level, the vegetation began to change. I love to watch the changes. I came into fields of yucca, the seed pods hanging off of them. There was one spot where there were lots of deciduous trees. And then endless flat plains. I was always encircled by mountains, and as I got onto I 10, the Mexican border was probably less than 50 miles south of me.

New Mexico and Arizona mountains are rock and sand. Huge formations are everywhere, with the vegetation covering much of the sandy areas, hardy grasses, yuccas, bushes and evergreens. In the higher elevations, there are the gorgeous ponderosa pines as well as aspen and oaks. I began to see cacti - clumps of flat leaved cacti. I stopped in a rest area, and as I was walking to the bathroom, there was a sign saying: "POISONOUS SNAKE AND INSECTS INHABIT THIS AREA." Oh, great, I will find a rattlesnake or scorpion in the bathroom! But I didn't. However, I did keep my eyes open going back to the car!

I always love to see the different names given to streams, most of which are dry this time of year. Besides rivers, there are gulches, arroyos, canyons (anywhere from two or three feet deep to the Grand Canyon), washes, gullys, creeks, and on and on. Not sure what the differences are, but it fun to note them.

In Arizona, I made a stop at the Amerind Museum, established for archaeology and study of finds. The museum contains artifacts found in the area. I love archaeology, so I was fascinated. Presently there is no digging going on, since they have so many artifacts to study that it is on hold for the moment. They have a very nice gift shop, and an art museum, which I did not get to see, because of time restraints. I left that for another trip with my sister.

When I got to Marana, it was 102 degrees outside. It is a dry heat, but nevertheless, heat. When I leave here, Saguaro National Park is only about ten miles west of here. I am going to drive through that, then get back on the I10, and head on west.

I talked to Will (my nephew) last night, and got directions to Rolando Boulevard, and Marty's house. Can't wait to see him.

Adieu, Adios, and Mahalo,
I love you all.
Sally