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10/17/07: Day 8: Canceled destination, fever, and turning back
So Day 8 dawned in Flagstaff, AZ at a crappy Budget Inn. Neither of us had much sleep, and it was an effort to get up and pack by check-out at 11. I couldn't face even water, so we bought a 16 oz. orange Mountain Dew that I finished nearly half of by the end of the day. I also had 5 pieces of cereal. Karen wasn't quite as bad, and was able to stay pretty well hydrated.
My goal was to visit one of my oldest wholesalers whose shop is only about an hour and a half from Flagstaff down a beautiful, winding road that passes Oak Creek Canyon the New Age Mecca of Sedona, and Tuzigoot Nat'l Monument.
But I could barely face opening my eyes, much less relating to people. The though of steep, winding roads turned my stomach. Karen felt that I had a low fever. I did too, but we didn't buy a thermometer to find out. After all, what can we do besides what we are doing?
So we hopped onto I-40 and headed east in a surreal day of driving through beautiful red-rock desert. I kept a barf bag in my shirt pocket, but never had to use it.
Karen had as many heaves and as little sleep as I, but didn't seem to be as sick. She did most of the driving on this very windy day.
Feverish Dan stares at a passing mountain as he drives on the wide interstate.
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Glowing Navajo refinery against darkened mountains caught my eye, but Karen was able to catch the picture on this day when I wasn't well enough to shoot.
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At 5, we pulled into Grants, and stopped at a Super 8 motel. I brought the suitcases in, kicked off my shoes, and crawled into bed. When Karen came in after organizing the car, she said I felt like I was at about 102° I dozed and sweat, and woke at 8, fever apparently broken. I was able to drink water! Well, sip it, anyway.
So I changed into dry clothes and slept the rest of the night.
Next: Day 9: Into the Valles Caldera

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