Saturday, October 31, 2026

Four Corners Monument, 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, Arizona ~ October 2026

This is the only spot in the United States where four states meet at a single quadripoint. Due to errors in the initial surveys, the actual meeting point is about 1800 feet away. But under boundary law, once a physical survey marker is officially placed, accepted and ratified by the states and the U.S. Congress, the location becomes the legally binding border. The border issue was put to rest by the Supreme Court in 1925, stating that this location was legally locked in as the official four corners spot.
In the 1960s, the Navajo Nation assumed custody of the monument and continues to manage it today. They developed the site into a plaza featuring vendor stalls where Native Americans offer jewelry, crafts, t-shirts, and food. We came home with these two.
It's not the place to spread your ashes.
It will cost you $10.00
per person to get in.
We didn't pull the individual shenanigans of a hand and foot in each state but we did get a Van Essendelft in each state  😊
On our way out, we wondered what the "etc." meant on the warning sign.
It's touristy and expensive but worth a visit if you're in the vicinity.

Monday, October 19, 2026

Mexican Hat, Utah ~ October 2026

The drive from Kanab, Utah, to Mexican Hat was gorgeous.
Somewhere mid-point between the cities and outside of Monument Valley is Forrest Gump Point, the place where Forrest Gump famously stopped running.
It popped up on Google Maps but we couldn't have missed it as there were tourists pulled over on both sides of the highway waiting for their photo op. It was great fun 😊We did our group photo then and again the next day when we drove back to Monument Valley.
Our hotel in Mexican Hat gave us views of the mountains and the San Juan River, and the threat of falling rock.
And here is the reason this very small town got its name. Kudos to the climber 😊
 

Golden Spike Tower and Bailey Yard, 1249 N. Homestead Road, North Platte, Nebraska ~ September 2026

What a fascinating place to visit! This is the world's largest railroad classification rail yard. It has 315 miles of track, a total length of 8 miles, and covers 2850 acres. Over 10,000 rail cars are sorted and sent on to their next destination every 24 hours. 
The town was platted as a railroad town during the construction of the transcontinental railroad and in 1866, the first train rolled through (East met West in 1869).
There is an outdoor observation deck and many indoor displays. You've never seen this many trains in one place 😊

The bathroom air freshener 😊
This is one of two gravity-powered "hump" yards.
It was a great stop for us on our travels out west.