Leaving the parks

Our last night camping, but I think I am the only one who is sad to stop.  I am not surprised; Chaco Canyon, though beautiful,  is both remote and relatively undeveloped. No wifi or cell service, no showers,  no camp store, no drinking water outside the visitor's center. We did fine,  but canned chili was dinner last night. And it is hot.  We couldn't spend another afternoon in the visitor's center. I deliberately woke up at 3 to go to the bathroom and check out the stars.  Since hitting the Grand Canyon we have had wonderful skies,  but this is the best of all.  There are no lights,  not on RVs, not at the bathroom,  and it is a listed dark sky park. The milky way is huge and bright. I don't recognize  many of the stars because I had to wait for the moon to set and now I can only see the handle of the big dipper.  Gorgeous. So much of the trip has been about size...how old the earth is as we admire the geology, how long humans have been living in our very young country at the cliff houses and pueblos, and  how big the universe is at night. Puts things into proper perspective.

Ellie got cold in the night,  so I woke again to wrap her up and snuggle her. At 6 Phil wanted to go for a last bike ride,  so I decided to go with him. We went on the Wijiji Trail, watched the sun rise, and check out some small houses and petroglyphs. Young men bored and feeling small? Some ceremonial use?

We turned  around and went back to the campground in time to find Ellie in her panda pjs making her way to the bathroom,  sleepy-faced on her first day of double-digits. What a great way to start the day.

We packed up and were on our way by 9. An hour back on the dirt then gravel road, we finally get to paved roads.  But there isn't anything but empty land for miles.  Finally,  in Cuba, we have our choice of 5 restaurants, 3 of which seem to have high ratings. What? But El Bruno's is an oasis. Beautiful inside,  with a glorious shady courtyard, decorated and comfortable. The food is amazing and when we ask the waitress to take our picture because it is Ellie's birthday,  she offers us a little chocolate bunt cake. What a lovely surprise.