Don't F With Texas!

Sunday:

Well I've gone thru New Mexico and Texas. Heading out to New Orleans tomorrow for Baton Rouge the home of the LSU TIGERS-Rrrrrawrrr!!!! (Just for you Thomas) Unfortunately, my time in New Mexico was short-lived and I didn't get to see all the beautiful country-side of Santa Fe or Taos (next trip). Central New Mexico is kinda like Vegas (a city in the desert) not a whole-lotta goin' on. An interesting thing is all the girls (and guys) have sleeve tattoos!!! Looking down the bar of everyone leaning all you could see is tattoos! Very strange! Even the girl I was staying with had a sleeve tattoo and some on her neck and such. ALSO, dogs are allowed in bars! WTF?!? There were like 5 dogs just chilln walkn around. I thought this was heaven!! They were even behind the bar laying down by the bartenders feet! Crazy! If it wasn't for the crazy dry air and the constant bloody nose I might of considered it.... naw.

Well ,on my way to Texas I hit the New Mexico/ Texas border in a little town called Clovis,NM. As I was driving, I saw these dark black and blue clouds. I was thinkn F! This dosen't look good but kept driving anyway. At a stop I heard this weird sound so I turned off my radio and rolled down the windows. Sirens! Loud Sirens! Awww sh*it WTF is this?! Then all these cars ahead of me pulled off the road to shelter. Then I was in panic mode. I scurried to an abandoned gas station where a few of the locals were parked and about five min. later large hail (the window breaking kind) stated to shoot out of the sky. I got out of my car and was watching this crazyness and asked a local what was going on. He had said the weather service had said there is a tornado about two miles out but isn't touching the ground. I was like WHA! I told him I'm from California, he just laughed. I said that isn't funny underneath my breath. I didn't want to mess with him he had a big truck and a cowboy hat. He had that don't F with Texas written all over his face. I quickly got back into the car and waited about 20min. before there was a clearing in the sky. Phew!

On my way outta that mess I drove to Lubbok, TX (home of Buddy Holly{hence picture above} and Texas Tech) ! The second most conservative city in America next to Provo Utah (home of Brigham Young University). I guess just about 6 months ago you were not allowed to buy alcohol within the city limits. Exciting! But I meet this great host from http://www.couchsurfing.org/ named Alan who took me to dinner with a few international students from the University (Germany, France and Iran). Unfortunately, my next stop in Austin I didn't have a place to stay so Alan kindly offered his parents place. To my joy I was excited to be in a well air conditioned house, food and had free range of the house and to top it off they set me off with a homemade jar of pickled Okra. I've never had Okra but kinda excited about it.

In Austin and San Antonio I pretty much tried to keep Shiya and I cool. We went to all the watering holes,parks, lakes and ponds in the area. Some really great spots. I was really excited by the history of San Antonio and the people were really down to earth. Austin was a really progressive city but it was like the LA of Texas. One night I tried to sleep in my car but I was soo paranoid about someone knocking on my window (one of my pet peeves is being startled). So, I couldn't have a meaningful sleep so I caved in and check into motel at 12a on Thursday. Which I snuck Shiya in which in not an easy task.

Now, I'm at my oldest brother Dave's house in Montgomery, TX and did a tour of Houston today and went to his work and caught up on some good conversation. He's a great "grill master" and the food has been delicious. After tomorrow, back to camping food. Hello PowerBars!

Next on the list is Baton Rouge home of the LSU Tigers! New Orleans, Birgimham, AL and then Atlanta. Found couch sufers everywhere except Atlanta. Not knowing who I'm going to stay with weeks in advance is a bit scary. I'm just takn a deep breath and movn on. BTW my car smells like dog food-yuck! Also planning to shave the underside of Shiya. This girl is dying in 93 degrees w/ 50% humidity. We are fair-weather girls for sure.

Keep check-in! Over and Out!

View Larger Map

Arizona Baby You've Been Good to Me!

MONDAY

Who would of thought that this lil treasure would be soo beautiful? Arizona you're on my list of places to go back too. I had the pleasure of going to Sedona yesterday and did a little 4mile hike w/ my host from Couchsurfing (Dan). Didn't really get any vibes off the Vortex's?!?! Got lots of great pictures and it's just baffles me how all these mountains, plateaus and mesa are gymonstrous.

I also got to hang with a lot of locals in Flagstaff. Was invited to my hosts' nephew's 1st Birthday and had some great BBQ and we brought homemade guac and salsa and then fried some chips to go with it. Also got to experience some of the night life. I like the local brewery Mudshark. People here are super friendly and have a lil twang. Which I like, it kinda reminds me of Stockton.

Heading out to New Mexico today and not sure what to expect or what I'm going to do hopefully my host will be willing to show me around. After that I am stopping in Lobock, TX. I have three days of 5-7 hr drives coming up. Wooohooo! My goal is to reach Houston by Friday or Saturday to spend the weekend with my Brother and his family for Memorial Day Weekend. I haven't seen or communicated my niece and nephew in 8 years! They're pretty much grown up now and I kind feel weird walking in and just starting up where we left off. You see I babysat and lived with them for awhile so it's been hard not to see them since they moved from California. I just hope we can rekindle our relationship.

But all I can say I'm having a BLAST and I can't even articulate this amazing experience! I feel truly blessed that the people that I've meet so far have been so awesome! Thank you everyone for following along... it's nice to know where I'm grounded and that I have so many people that I love supporting me. :-D

Desert, Desert, Desert! Why Won't You Get Outta My Hair?

FRIDAY:

I'm leaning against the keyboard trying to articulate all the "stuff" that has been going on. Oh my where do I begin... Got outta Vegas, and had a quick drive thru Arizona to get to Utah. Arrived at Zion about 3:30pm and of course all the 'First Come First Serve' campsites are taken. NO, I didn't make a reservations! Come'on who goes to Utah?!?! Bahaha!!!

So, I talked to the Ranger who said there is some BLM land that I can go to that's FREE! WTF? It's my lucky day! Free! If you don't know what BLM landis it's pretty much rough'n it (sorta). It's just land you can camp on that dosen't have any facilities; running water, toilets you know so you have to be a trouper. So I was game! Hell why not?! I can hang. I'm tough. I'm rough... well soo I thought. After two nights of braving large red ants, peeing in bushes, bathing in freezing clay river water, and hauling out all your garbage and ahem... waste. I decided to check into a hotel for my last night. So, I'm not soo tough (tear). I just needed a SHOWER! and yes there was red clay all up in the tub.

Today, I checked Shiya into Doggie Dude Ranch for the day (since she isn't allowed on all but one trail). I did THE Observation Point Tail. It's a 5hr. 8 mile hike in desert weather. I'm pretty beat from the hike and walking a lil funny but hey! I can hang... phft...yeah.

Tomorrow, we head to the Grand Canyon. Shiya is allowed on the North Rim so we're going to do that and then head down to Flagstaff or Phenoix for the night. Haven't secured a place to stay hoping someting will come thru. Going to play in Sedona and do some rafting maybe? After that New Mexico.

The Desert People

TUESDAY:

Had a wonderful time in Temecula (hour north of San Diego) with Bird (brandee) and Mike. Was totally spoiled got the Master Bedroom to myself, Shiya had a yard and got some home cooked meals (thanks Mike). Had a streak dinner at the Pechanga Casino w/ chocolate souffle- YUM! It's soo good too see so many friends along the way. It makes the diving more fun knowing that you have someone waiting for you. They took me to "Old Town" where there was a chilli cook off and festival going on. Got to see an all girl bluegrass band who did roping and gun slingn'. Something to aspire too I think. Brandee and I already decided to start a band when we get old and have nothing better to do then roping and gun slingn'- Giddy up! Also went to a local root beer store where they sell everything root beer. I really liked their sign. "Unattended children will be giving an espresso and a puppy" made me laugh.

Got into Vegas last night an hung out with Erik who I've know since Christian Day Camp back in 94' 95' and we really became friends in high school. He cooked me a 12oz steak which I only ate 1/3 of and then got a drink afterward at Roomey's. Doing it chill in Vegas. About to head off today to Zion in Utah and get some camping/ hiking in. Hopefully the weather will be favorable for me.

The last two nights I've either been staying up till three am or waking up and staying up until 4:30a. Not sure what my deal is but I have all this energy to go and run. It might even be that i'm not exercising nugh so i'm feeling a little antsy. I'll break out my yoga mat today and get some work done!

Next stop: Zion, Utah should be beautiful and will post pics soon!

Leavn' LA

I remember why again why I don't live in LA. Way too much traffic, stress and it takes soooooooooo long to get anywhere. But I enjoyed my time here. I went to Indie night concert in Hollywood with my friend and his roommates. Speaking of my friend, he lives in a community house where there are 7 total people living together. I've always thought this "type" of living was for the weird and the hippy. I still think it is but I can respect what it's about a little better. Everyone is very friendly and the meal situation seems ideal. It's always someones responsibility to make dinner and/or clean. Not sure if I can hang cuz I'm a neat freak but it nice that there is always someone around. Went to the Getty yesterday and it was a beautiful 80 degree day. Saw some art and some sun. Woot Woot! Also hung out with an old friend Alex from CUTCO. Had some Ramen and Pinkberry (not that impressed). It was good to see you buddy! Thank you Fletcher for letting me stay and great company.

Wrapping up my time here in LA and about to head down the coast and prolly go to Huntington Beach and play around in the water with Shiya. After that heading to Temecula to hang out with Brandee and Mike before they head off to Japan.

Here is the Rough Map. A Few Changes.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=3823+delano+ave,+95204&daddr=613+Robin+Dr,+Corte+Madera,+CA+94925+to:5542+la+mirada+90038+to:I-10+E+to:I-25+S+to:I-35W+S+to:I-35+S+to:TX-6+N+to:new+orleans+to:montgomery,+al+to:Savannah,+Chatham,+Georgia+to:goose+creek,+sc+to:charleston,sc+to:columbia,+sc+to:nashville,+tn+to:Louisville,+Jefferson,+Kentucky+to:st.+louis+to:chicago+to:madison+wi+to:keystone,+sd+to:buffalo,+wy+to:Grand+Loop+Rd%2FUS-191+N%2FUS-20+W%2FUS-287+N%2FUS-89+N+to:I-90+W+to:I-90+W+to:38.013476,-121.322021&geocode=FXV1QwIdJnTE-Clp_tbZ0Q2QgDGiFS429DSnHQ%3BFUOYQgId8PSy-CnlVQDkIJuFgDFMjR86sWPqBQ%3BFfQ5CAIdsLjy-Cn9rs6YUr_CgDFJowbxqaj1HA%3BFaiY_gEdPqFP-Q%3BFXxHFwIdetik-Q%3BFRok7QEdLBM1-g%3BFfwVzgEd5Mws-g%3BFXLizAEdRkJG-g%3BFbI5yQEd5KGh-illghGyVKQghjG00yJe6FsG2w%3BFdXg7QEdvyrb-in5gdSwlIGOiDH_hUI1HVEbjg%3BFVWO6QEdxoMq-ylZBvJ4_HX7iDG8IGADUWcMTg%3BFQ5A9wEdtcw6-ymHwA4UA2H-iDEv--6ToUO5xQ%3BFXYh9AEd1lk8-yl3JKjcQnr-iDFr7OGu4Pf6NQ%3BFUbPBgIdwoEr-ynj0TF5aaX4iDGW-nmz9Ago8w%3BFQLZJwIdRcbT-ik9kOsTMuxkiDGg2umh0Lk_fQ%3BFVe2RwId6mbj-ikR1VuzGgtpiDEy_XEgKLTT1A%3BFc-0TQIduUaf-in5ju36qbTYhzFb4Lsiyuo5vg%3BFbGUfgId_JDG-inty_TQPCwOiDEAwMAJrabgrw%3BFRw-kQIdctir-in_GSA6bVMGiDGYQUi6tfwMTg%3BFfjKnQIdevbV-Sm7AKUYFjZ9hzGgi8c_-4kZLg%3BFZOzpAIdRuej-SndCrReaHg1UzElP9UFGQ0GNA%3BFVYBpgIdiJln-Q%3BFSxSygIdTLA3-Q%3BFYYF1gIdnsC3-A%3B&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=21&mrsp=24&sz=7&via=5,6&sll=39.087436,-122.288818&sspn=3.615422,6.745605&ie=UTF8&ll=40.245992,-102.304687&spn=28.354806,53.964844&z=4

On My Way Folks!!!

Night before take off and I'm starting to get butterflies in my stomach. All the worry about how "I can't do this", "How am I going to afford this" and "You are flippn crazy girl!" It's starting to really take it's toll on my tummy. I know things will be fine and ultimatly awesome but, Jesus I'm fricken scared! I was watching Ghost Stories on the Travel Channel and got all spooked about haunted roads and towns. Which by the way I get super scared about the hocus- pocus stuff. Hold me!!! :-D

Today, I had lunch with an old girlfriend Jamie. We did all the silly girl stuff and she brought out all these old pictures and letters I had written her. Sooo crazy I was just as bossy then as I am now- Bahaha! But back to the point, she had done a similar trip with her husband and gave me all this great advice and a few #'s of people that I can couch surf on. Told me to avoid some tourist traps for example "Trees of Mystery"! WTF?! Has anyone heard of this?

Still haveta pack my bags and my car. Get my iphone and get that pesky blinking light on my dash turned off.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting and following me on our journey. Send positive energy

First stop- LA: Fletcher, Scott, Katie and Bird then Vegas/Zion: Erik.