Given that it's been several months since we've been able to visit Ames and Norma, Keith's parents, we decided that now was the time—mostly because it is now cooler. Keith's twin brother, Chris, signed up for the trip; I found a place to keep Ella the dog; and we set out on our way.

It's been a long time (April) since I made a marathon drive and I was curious to see if I could still do it. (After all, I used to be a truck driver...but that was almost two decades ago.) Keith, who could take over if I became tired, and Chris took advantage of my singing to my tunes to waft off to sleep.

Keith's folks, and a few relatives, live in a mobile home on the reservation. We were encouraged to set up our tent adjacent to it.

It's so dark here at night!—especially by comparison to our condo in Phoenix.

It also got very cold at night—as low as 37°F. Fortunately, Norma had a spare space heater and a long enough cord to power it.

In the morning the high-altitude sun warmed things up quickly. We relaxed until a tarp next to Norma's rock garden.

On a quick drive into town for a few groceries, I was impressed by the local produce for sale.

Among Keith's relatives staying here are his brothers' three kids, who tickled me by being utterly engrossed on playing quietly on the hillside behind the mobile home.

The titular Shiprock is visible from practically everywhere in the area. I again forgot to bring my "real" camera; this slightly fuzzy shot was made on the full zoom setting on the phone.

Keith's mom, the lovely Norma Jim

At dusk, again hanging out in the detached porch, Norma pointed out a little bunny that was hanging out on the edge of the shrubs.

I was a little nonplussed to see chemtrails criss-crossing the sky. Over Shiprock? Why, for heaven's sakes?

We broke camp in the morning and managed to get packed and going by noon. Clouds had been building up overnight, and we passed through a couple of intense squalls. But all ends well when it ends with a rainbow!