Day 5: North Rim to Gallup, NM

Summary:
    Miles:   338
    Average: 65
    Maximum: 96

Roads:
    89, I-40

Wednesday. The first part of highway 89, which heads north and east from the park is very nice. Lots of pines, wildflowers and curves. After the road turns south towards Flagstaff it gets boring. Very boring. In fact, the only excitement was due to the fact that I left the north rim before the gas station opened and wasn't at all sure that I'd find gas before running dry. I did eventually find gas, putting 4.5 gallons into the 5.0 gallon tank :( Phew!

After reaching Flagstaff I headed east on I-40. Dull. And windy! I had crosswinds all the way to Gallup, New Mexico. I had intended to stay at a KOA near Gallup but found out that all the tent sites were taken. The national high school rodeo championship was being held in Gallup and there weren't very many places left to stay. I was lucky and found a cheap motel room. There were lots of young competitors staying there. They were surprisingly quiet - rodeo competition probably wore them all out :)