Reminds me of Hillerman's novels as well. Just recently read one of his books but I got unlucky... it wasn't nearly as good as others I have read by him.
Don't wish to make too big a deal about this.... but one thing about our trip that disappointed me was the 'man made' obstructions to the natural beauty of the scenery along I-70. For one thing... I HATE those cell towers designed to look like trees... they do NOT, and they stick out like a sore thumb. Sure, thumbs up for at least 'making the attempt' but geez, higher an artist to design them.
Towers, for various purposes, sit atop so many of the mountains along the route that one rarely drives thru a place where at least one isn't visible.
Oh, saw something VERY unusual, at least for me. I saw 3 antelope, total, on the trip. EACH an 'individual' and no other antelope visible. ???????? I had never seen this before.. they ALWAYS travel in groups, or so I thought.