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!

Crosscountry Roadtrip Part 2

Day 5 of the cross country roadtrip we drove through the night from Memphis to Oklahoma. Early on I had pondered the idea that if we were in Oklahoma and close to Moore we should make a stop to see not only the damages from the storm but to see what was needed. It wasn't until we were making some plans in St. Louis for the next few days that I made the decision we would go to Moore and volunteer in anyway necessary. So we trekked through Arkansas into Oklahoma to arrive in Norman, OK a few miles southeast of Moore. The hotel we booked for the night was out in the "boonies" and was supposively a hotel within a convention hall and USPS training facility. Despite the remote location the hotel was one of the best we've encountered the whole trip thus far. And the breakfast buffet, that would remind any college student post or present of their days at school, was a nice added bonus. We met a group of FDNY Disaster Relief workers in the cafeteria the morning of Day 6 (Friday). I took a picture with them (see below) to show how proud I was that they were there and that us Yankees were represented in the tornado relief.

After breakfast we drove to the Serve Moore Headquarters (servemoore.com) to see what volunteer work we could provide. Once we signed in and got our gear we were assigned a group to work on cleaning up debris and general disaster areas. I was shocked to see a fellow Elon Grad there who was also on a roadtrip to L.A. He thought that it would be awful not to stop if he was going through anyway. Everyone piled into a school bus and we were taken to a central location to then walk to the places that needed work done. The next few hours was spent out in the neighborhoods most affected by the tornado last week. At around 1pm after a few hours we were told to return to Headquarters due to an update on storm reports. So we went west and drove on the historic Route 66 for a bit, got a frap from Starbucks and went to the Oklahoma City Memorial in downtown OKC. We weren't there for long since every minute the sky looked more and more threatening.

 Driving on historic Route 66

 Steer along side the road

 Historic Round Barn

 OKC Memorial - Never Forget

 Luckily we were not directly affect by the tornado like some others who were less fortunate - 11 fatalities and many injured - but we were crazy enough to try to drive west to visually see the funnel. But my good conscious told me to turn around and so we did. We took shelter in the Hi-Lo Club right outside of Oklahoma City. After 2 hours we left to head southwest to get out of the state. I-44 E was backed up because of flooding and the OK drivers did the stupidest and craziest stuff I've ever seen. After we turned around to go west we were held up for another hour due to a report of power lines down on the highway. Although we were originally in OK with good intentions to help we know that it was not a good idea to stay any longer than necessary.

In a Lowes parking lot looking up at the sky

After a all night drive to Wichita Falls TX we continued on to the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Day 6 was all about adjusting to Texas way-of-life. We went to the JFK Memorial in Dallas as well as the Farmer's Market. Since Guy's suggested Triple D called Pecan Lodge we decided to get open faced deli sandwiches at Chicago's Deli. It was okay but I didn't like the sweet pepper surprise under the cheese :( Dallas is so clean but as my Mom would point out "where are all the people?" The streets for the most part were empty.

Heading south on I-35 towards Austin we were having a blast. Mom had been to Texas before and was sharing her experiences. We listened to some country music - appropriate for our trip - and eventually were exhausted enough to pulled into a Motel 6 in Temple, TX about 1 hr outside of Austin to sleep. After a few hours we drove to Austin for dinner and walk 6th Street which was very lively and full of music. We ate at the Austin Ale House that was previewing local bands. the food - nachos (chicken), cheese sampler and beet and feta salad with two local pale ales YUMMY - was great! Although the local band performing during our band was less than desired. However, 6th Street made up for that mishap. It reminded me very much of New Orleans with the street closed and rooftop entertainment and nightlife. 

Dallas from the interstate

 JFK Memorial

 My love - Maps

 Austin Ale House

The next day (Day 7) we headed back on I-35 this time making a stop at a boot store after breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I got real cowgirl boots and some nice Texan apparel! Afterwards we were driving on I-35 and I was starting to pout about not getting to the Round Rock Doughnut shop that make giant doughnuts. It was as if God intervened because I randomly found Round Rock on the map and we took a detour. After a few turn arounds we found the place. It had a drive through! We ordered the original Texas sized glazed doughnut. It did NOT disappoint. When Guy said the doughnuts were giant they weren't kiddin.

 

Failed to find the summer jam that was supposed to be in Emma Long park about 25 mins outside of downtown Austin but it was a beautiful drive out there. I never expected Austin to have such beautiful landscape. Most of the cities we've been too are so expansive and interesting ascetically. Back in downtown we sent off a package via FedEx back home (including my cap, gown and diploma) and headed to our hotel closer to the city called Rodeway Inn. It is so nice and brand new rooms. Not to mention the even better Mexican joint called Los Jaliscienses. Seriously if you are looking for authentic Mexican (Tex-Mex) you got to consider this place. They even had karaoke!!


Stay tuned in for more posts on our crosscountry roadtrip adventures :)