Blythe to Tempe

Last night we were treated to an absolutely beautiful sunset. The colors are spectacular and later we were treated to a rainstorm with drops the size of small peas. They woke us both up several times during the night.

Morning dawned bright and clear. Last nights rain had cleaned the air and left sparking dew on the ground. Another beautiful day.

We got up and had a leisurely breakfast. After paying some bills online we closed up and pulled out of camp leaving the Coloado river behind.

Stopping for gas just before getting on the freeway, Tina noted that so far this trip we have paid an average of $1.90 /gal for gas. We have been getting an average of nine to ten miles a gallon except in the mountains where it drops to about six to seven mpg.

Most of the drive on I-10 to Tempe was straight as an arrow with a few hills thrown in. There were incredible rock formations in the distance on both sides of the freeway with desert scrub, sage and lots of sand everywhere.

We stopped at a large truck stop for lunch and both of us had breakfast - heh, heh. Getting back on the freeway, traffic was light until we got to the outskirts of Phoenix. From there in it became somewhat stressful. With ten foot lanes and semi's on both sides doing 50mph (along with all the other traffic), construction and trying to make sure we were always in the correct lane to connect with different freeways, I experienced the joys of driving a big rig in an urban environment.

But we finally made it in and got a nice spot next to the pool. After getting settled in we took the kids and drove to Safeway for supplies. Returning from shopping we met several of our neighbors and their pets and watched a beautiful sunset. We finally went in and Tina fixed dinner while I mapped out our exploration of the area. Tomorrow we will go visit the Desert Botanical Gardens.

This leg, 155 miles. Trip total is 1,707 miles.