Now we are in Flagstaff, Arizona. It took all day to drive here from Joshua Tree, but the novelty of driving in America kept us entertained. Driving in the US isn't really like driving at all - the roads are almost entirely straight and empty, so you don't have to do much. The landscape is pretty empty as well. At one point we drove for 100 miles without seeing anything apart from arid desert. There were no signs of human habitation at all. The towns also take a bit of getting used to - I don't think I really understood what people meant by sprawling suburbia entirely dependent on car ownership until I saw it. I don't think I have seen a building that has more than one storey since we left Los Angeles.

We've spent the last three days climbing at a place called Jacks Canyon quite close to Flagstaff. It is steep well-bolted limestone in a very pretty gorge. There is still quite a lot of snow on the ground, which surprised me, although the weather is getting warmer every day. It's cold at night because Flagstaff is on a plateau at about 7,000 feet. We camped at the top of the canyon - a very quiet spot with no facilities.

Today we planned to have a rest day as we were exhausted from the steep limestone. Just as well because the exhaust fell off our RV, puncturing a tyre in the process (the breakdown cover now seems like dollars well spent). We've sorted both these things out with not too much expense but it's taken most of the day.

Next we are headed to another limestone venue called "The Pit" which is just outside Flagstaff. We plan to stay there for a few days before heading to Red Rocks near Las VEgas at the beginning of next week.

Ruth