Cross-country Roadtrip Part 4

Went to Meter Crater after finding we had an hour to kill - spending quality time in Winslow, AR talking to local native, Sandy. When you first get to the Meter Crater site there isn't much to see because your "tour" starts inside their museum and gift shop. I of course went to the observation deck to see the crater and my eyes were amazed! Yeah I know its just a huge hole in the land out in the middle of nowhere Arizona....BUT its still freakin cool!!! Especially once you go through the museum to read some history or rather scientific research and evidence that suggests this crater was created over millions and millions of years ago. Way long before human species existed. The picture to the right is a model speculation of what the actual meter would have looked like and the size needed to make such an impact. Yep, its small thats what I said. 

 Say WHAT?!?!?!

 Cheese next to a huge hole in the ground 

 After I geeked out at the meter crater we went back on the road towards Flagstaff, AR. We were in desperate need of grub. So we whipped out our notebook folder of things to find our handy dandy list of Guy's Triple D hotspots. In luck we found one restaurant in Flagstaff called Brandy's. It was really interesting driving into Flagstaff - which btw is not all too big which was a bit of a surprise, but then again I didn't realize it is not the capital lol - because it was surrounded by mountainous plains and hills.  What was even more interesting was that I felt like I was in central Jersey since Brandy's and a ton of other places (shops, restaurants, etc) were in stripmalls around the city.

Well deserved stop filled us up. We even took some goodies on our way south to Sedona - a gigantic lemon bar and sticky bun with pecans on top. YUM! About 45mins later we were on one of the four scenic routes Mom had looked up beforehand. Of course we didn't know that at the time so we were just jaws-drop the whole time. Sedona is one of those places where you should expect to be amazed despite what you might think you already know. Its different being in a place and experiencing in person than seeing a picture or hearing about it through someone else's experience.
But its still worth expressing how awesome driving around on the scenic routes, going to see a church in the red rock (now decommissioned), meeting the people at the Chamber of Commerce (so friendly) and walking around in one of the state parks and in the oh-so-cute town of Sedona.

Yep, thats a church in the red rock. Casual.

A short walk following a river in a state park 

From a high attitude "photo point"

Next order of business was to head north about 2hrs to go to the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan, a town right outside of the Grand Canyon National Park. It was amazing that most of the two weeks on the road we had sunlight from about 630/7am to about 830/9pm. What was even more interesting was how buzzed the little town of Tusayan was around 9pm. We kept saying to ourselves that we would hate to be here in a week or more because it would be soooo crowded. 

 God Bless America and all its beauty. A painter took 3yrs to paint a full-size still of the canyon.

 

 Wildlife in the park

 As the sun begins to set the colors of the canyon really come alive

 
 Sunset at the Canyon (west view)

 That night after we were awe-struck we were hungry. So we went to "We Cook Pizza and Pasta". Easy to understand right. LOL. It was a goldmine and lucky we got there when we did because they were in the mist of closing up the place as we ate our supreme 2 person pizza.

 Next morning we were up and ready around 5am to catch the sunrise. And so our surprise so were a bunch of people. There were quite a bit of activity to see the sun rise up out of the canyon ridges. Most in lounge wear since many of these sightseers came from the surrounding campsites and hotel villages within the park.

 We were even welcomed on our way out of the park by an elk that was literally as close to me as she appears in this picture. 

 Best coffee place in the morning - by the general store. 

 And if you are hiking you should bring the necessary goods. 

Why not take an individual portion of a selection of fine wine? In a 

convenient plastic cup too. 

 Cutest sandwich and souvenir shop in Tusayan

Crosscountry Roadtrip Part 3

Let me start by saying how awesome this entire trip has been since I left Elon. I am soooo incredibly grateful that I could allow the time, money and energy to do this. Although it has not cost so much compared to many of the other trips I have done in the past (especially overseas) I cannot emphasize enough how beautiful our country is and how important it is to experience the diverse cultures within our country. I've been to so many places in America this trip and in the past running into so many people from other countries. They always say the same thing, this country is so vast in beauty, culture and heart. Despite our shortcomings and perhaps ignorance at times (the American stereotype) I do believe I have witnessed the true America having been on this trip meeting the people and experiencing their lives.

Next stop, San Antonio. It was a little hot but what a beautiful day. We got extremely lucky considering  the last few weeks (days) prior to our visit to the city. We spend a good portion of the day walking around the Alamo getting a very in-depth history lesson. It was so peaceful walking around the Riverwalk and having the best bbq ribs I've had the whole trip and probably ever. Spontaneity took us by storm and we got back in the car and headed west to New Mexico. Driving through the night on a two lane local highway, with no street lights and night creatures occasionally scurrying across the road can be a little unsettling especially for my Mom since I was the driver.

But we eventually got to Roswell in one piece. It was an adventure to find a place to stay after a long day's travels. We tried two towns south of Roswell where all the hotels were booked. Frustrated I prayed that we'd find shelter in our final destination. Must have done something right.

 Smart bird that took Sweet n Low off the table and made its nose look like 

it was addicted to coke

Best BBQ 

Later in the morning after we were rested I went to a laundry-mat down the street and took a few photos of the small town and its alien paraphernalia. I couldn't stop humming the Roswell theme song by Dido in my head as I walked around the street snapping photos of signs and the alien inspired lamp-posts. The good thing about not staying so long in Roswell was that we headed north to Santa Fe and Taos where is was significantly cooler than the expected 100's+ heat in Roswell.

The drive to Santa Fe was a zip and the drive from there to Taos was even better. The NM map was a bit deceptive in that the distance between Roswell and Santa Fe and Santa Fe to Taos was considerably less than it appears on paper. Taos was a well worth venture. We drove a bit on the Taos Loop to a small rural town called Eagle's Nest where we stopped in a local shop that we spend the next 1 1/2 hrs talking to the owners. The shop was filled with Indian artwork and souvenirs. We invested a lot there but it was such a good experience it was worth every penny. On the way back we slowed down to take a picture of the Vietnam Memorial and was greeted several times on the way back to town by elk.

 Steer crossing

 Great welcoming local shop in Eagle's Nest - Golden Eagle

Vietnam Memorial and beautiful sunset

Elk crossing the road

That night we drove once again through the night taking a 2 hrs nap in a hotel parking lot off the interstate outside of Albuquerque. Before we got to Flagstaff we decided to pull off the interstate to go to the Meter Crater although we realized that we had gained an hour. So before it opened we went back on the interstate to see if we could hit on Route 66 again. What luck we had! We ran right into the heart of small-town Wislow, AR where we met Sandy, a local of 40 years who spends her days meeting visitors from all over who come to take pictures of the guy 'Standin' on the Corner' and the red pick-up truck. (if you don't know that reference listen to The Eagle's "Take it Easy"). Later we returned to the Meter Crater and were amazed at the sheer size of the supposed meter that hit so many millions of years ago.

Standin on the Corner in Wislow AR

Read Part IV for more on our experience in Sedona and the Grand Canyon!