Thanks fro the replies!

I realize the Boulders is a detour - but as you have said I intend to spend 2-3 days there - as a destination of its own,while stopping in Jerome to refresh on the way. From Boulders I will probably go to the ABQ balloon fiesta, then stop over at Sanat Fe, and then to Shiprock and Page , before returning to LAS.

I think that I am OK with the desert climate ( done a similar trip in Namibia before). What weather should I expect in October? still in the 100s ? 90s?