Sunday, July 27, 2014

I'll meet you on the corner: Four Corners USA

 One man, four states.


 That's Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona, bub




 Photo ops abound...


And don't forget to visit the snack bar

There's only one place in all of the USA where you can be in four states at the same time (U.S. states, that is, not states of confusion, shock, grace or decay). That would be what's known as Four Corners USA in the upper southwest, where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona gather at one quadripoint. You'd think such a cartographic wonder would be in a hugely populated area, but au contraire. It's way, way out in desolate semi-autonomous Native American land, and you have to really be up for an eccentric roadside outing to get there. It doesn't disappoint, though, and it's set up nicely, with benches, plaques, concrete markers, flags...the whole shooting match. And if you sit, kneel, or squat just right, you really can be in four places at the same time -- kind of like a geographic version of Twister: right hand Utah, left foot Colorado. There are booths surrounding the intersection where Native Americans sell their wares to help you remember this momentous occasion, along with all the awesome photo ops to make your friends and relatives back home jealous. And we love this delicious irony: this truly American landmark site is administered by the Navajo Nation Department of Parks and Recreation. But you don't need reservations.

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