Day 11 Cross Country Adventure

Ilana and I didn't really hang around LA. It decided to be disgusting and rainy. We came in the dark I thought maybe we'd get to see what it looked like during the day. But no:

To my left

Straight ahead

...And to my right.

  It was a bit like driving into a great white abyss. Anyway, our drive was fairly uneventful with the exception that Californians seem to like to change lanes even when there isn't room for their car. They just do this slow, "hey, I'm coming in, make room!!" Fun. Also, they don't seem to understand the concept of driving at a constant speed on the highway. Every once in a while we'd all slow down. No reason for it. It was like leapfrogging, getting around these people.

Funny thing though, even though I for some reason could not get a picture of it, though there were many of them- signs saying the speed is enforced by aircraft. I would pay to see that happen. Not to me of course.

Also, many many of these:

Last fun thing:

The puppy (alright not exactly a puppy) looked at me! Could not have been more perfect.

Now though, we are in Sacramento and thus draws an end to the great cross country trip. I hope you all have enjoyed my entries as much as I have had experiencing them. Tomorrow, move-in to the new apartment!!!

Day 10 Cross Country Adventure

Today we woke up "later". I think Ilana woke up around 8, myself around 8:30. Had a later breakfast. We were going to do the Bell Rock Trail right by the hotel, but latest checkout was 11:30 and we wouldn't be able to have a shower after the climb. Which would not feel so great when we would drive from Sedona to LA. We had also heard about rain. Which ended up not happening while we were there. It was quite beautiful out actually. We ended up walking around downtown Sedona some more. Ilana finished buying her gifts for family. I got my fudge from their awesome awesome fudge shop. Three words- Dark Chocolate Mint. Does not get any better.
Today's drive went well. No real traffic of which to speak.
Since we were leaving from downtown Sedona my GPS gave us directions that we wouldn't have used if we had left from the town the hotel was in. Turns out it was a good choice. There's a nice scenic view point looking back at Oak Creek Canyon, which we drove through:

Part of the winding road that took us up to the scenic view.

Once again dealt with driving west straight into the sunset. When I wasn't being blinded this was probably one of the most beautiful drives. California when you first enter it in the Mohave Desert area is gorgeous. With the colors from the sunset, I really wish I could have gotten more pictures. Ilana did me the favor and took a few while I drove.

 By the time we checked into our hotel we were starving. I had basically advertised to Ilana that Pico was this paradise of kosher restaurants. I must have oriented myself wrong because I managed to drive the wrong way on Pico to find said restaurants. We finally made it and had delicious kosher Chinese food. Go meat!! We even took the leftovers since we have a fridge and microwave in the room. Can you say tomorrow's lunch?

Anyway, tomorrow we'll find something to do for the morning and then head out for the final leg of this cross country trip out to Sacramento.

PS- reread old entries to finally get some pictures.

Day 9 Cross Country Adventure

Boy, did I pick a day to have our Grand Canyon hike. Yesterday was awesome. Sunny, not too freezing. I'm sure it was cooler at the Canyon, but, it still would have been sunny at least. It was god awful cold today. And cloudy. Windy. Very windy. Glad for the many layers we wore. At one point we stopped for lunch (eating outside. We had our chance to eat at the Bright Angel Lodge, but noooo, we weren't hungry yet, we could totally go further first). The five seconds I had my gloves off to unwrap my food, the tips of my fingers got so cold, it hurt down to the bone. Ilana suffered the same. Once we got back to moving around again, our hands returned to normal.
But seriously, it hurt. The views were totally worth it though. We hiked the South Rim trail. After lunch we turned back around and returned to where we parked. The guide said in total it was a 7-8 mile hike. In the summer, I would probably call the trail more of a walk than a hike. But, what with the snow-packed and iced over pathways, it made it a challenge. We might have done the Bright Angel Trail if there weren't all that snow and ice. The trail is super narrow at times, and you have to let mules get past you along the way. And there's no divider or something in case you slip. You fall, you die. So, not too upset that we didn't get to hike down into the Canyon at this point in time.

On the way to Flagstaff. The taller more snow covered peak is Mt. Humphrey.

Yeah, it was cold. Really, really cold.

 

Woo, panorama!! Yes, there is a stranger in the photo, but I kind of like his solitude in the photo. Really gives a sense of magnitude to how awesome the Grand Canyon really is.

Mandatory humorous pic: I like how one can "possibly suffer death."  Like it's a symptom or something.

You need to click on this one to see better. In the center are the mules I was talking about. That was the trail we would have walked on...

...again, click to see better. This illustrates a little more fully the possible fall-y to death-iness of this trail.

Anyway, it was a long day for Ilana and I- 6:45 AM wake-up, met up with the guide at 9 in Flagstaff. Finally got to the Canyon and started hiking probably a little after 11. Back in the truck around 3:15, made it back to the hotel a little before 6. We thought we might see a movie, stay up a little later so we don't wake up again at midnight thinking it's 5 AM from going to sleep so early.
But, exhaustion, full stomachs, and laundry called.
Tomorrow, LA!

Day 8 Cross Country Adventure

We came into Sedona in the dark. Waking up to today was awesome. Very beautiful out. Sunny, not too freezing. I wore a sweater and a scarf around my neck, but that was it.

View of the area from downtown Sedona.

We decided to walk around Downtown Sedona for a little during the late morning. While Ilana bought gifts for her family, the woman who sold them to her went from totally normal, to crazy hippy cat lady in about 5 seconds flat. She chewed our ear off for about twenty minutes about Ilana's name and how it sounded like the name her sister picked for her cat. They're into the whole mixing Judaism and Buddhism, and New Age all into one spiritual package, so they picked the word Aliya. Because it had something to do with the kedusha, and then she got into saying how she was in a robbery at a jewelry store she worked in years ago, and how she repeated the kedusha in her head over and over, and "it saved her life! It was a miracle." For real, where do these people come from.

On the way from Sedona back to the hotel. Moon is already showing at 4 pm.

Anyway, Ilana's relatives came in from Scottsdale and very nicely took us to lunch. Then we walked around this art village thing called Tlaquepaque (pronounced telakepakee by the locals). By the time they left it was a little after 4. Ilana and I sort of hung around until dinner time. Went to this awesome pizza and salad Italian family restaurant. Delicious. And we also had locally brewed beer- she the amber and me the nut brown.
We're packing it in early because tomorrow we get up super early to meet up with our guide in Flagstaff who will take us to the Grand Canyon for our day hike. There will be many pictures. I promise. Sorry for no pictures today either. Internet connection in this hotel is too damn slow. Sooo, perhaps when we get to LA, I can finally post some more.

Day 7 Cross Country Adventure

Again, I know it's shabbat and everything, but, Ilana and I checked out of the wonderful hotel we were staying at in Santa Fe. Before we left though, we took a drive into downtown old Santa Fe, and walked around. Lots of craftsy stores and jewelry. One of the first things I came upon that was awesome was an artist working on a clay "pattern" for a new sculpture- it will probably be a bronze:

Old Santa Fe

I do not have too many photos today because I did the day's driving from Santa Fe to Sedona, AZ. Ilana nicely took some photos of the scenery on my camera while I drove.

EEEEExhausted now, so, early to bed, and getting to sleep a little later.

Day 6 Cross Country Adventure

Ok, so, I know religion isn't something I should just suspend when I feel like it, but, this is vacation, and Ilana and I wanted to use up every second of it.
Aaaaanyway, today Ilana and I went on a hike! Twas awesome. This was the sign that greeted us when we got to where the trail started:

Fun, right? No, really, it was. The trail starts off and then loops around and then meets back up where you started. Looks kind of like a lasso on the map. Of course, Ilana and I managed to get off the trail. I'll show you how-

The "fork in the road"

Up to the left:

 

Yes, the loop trail sign is pointing up this way, but there was no obvious trail. PS, it's the groove in the rocks at the top center of the photo. OR

Straight to the right:

And follow the massive amounts of footprints. We chose the footprints. Which was wrong. When we got to a point and realized we could climb no further. So we backtracked a little. Noticed some people climbing up to our left so we found ourselves a way to the path. Then we walked it backwards, the markers going in descending order, as opposed to what we were supposed to have done.

BUT, we totally would have missed some cool caves that the ancients dug into the rock:

Here's a pretty cactus type plant at the very top:

Here's a view from the top:

I took some video clips demonstrating the vastness of the area, but I'm not sure that I can post video to this blog, or if I can, I just haven't figured out how to. I'll post everything to facebook eventually.
So, this hike was about 2.5 hours. We went back to the hotel, rested a little. Had some dinner and then went to see The Princess and the Frog, which was very enjoyable. Anywho, time to pass out.

PS

We decided to use the kitchen to make dinner. Apparently they scour and sanitize all the dishes, cooking utensils, etc. We ended up finding kosher chicken at TJ's, bought some frozen mixed veggies and planned to do a chicken veggie stir-fry. About an hour after getting back I realized we had no oil to cook with.
The main lobby has a tiny little "shop". They sell some drinks, some instant foods, some toiletries, etc. I went to check if maybe they sold a tiny bottle of oil to cook with. Couldn't find any. I asked the lady at the desk if they had any cooking oil that maybe was not on the shelf for me to buy, and her response:
"No, we don't have anything, but the kitchen might have something. Either that or a spray for the pan. Let's go check."
She takes me to the kitchen (where they make breakfast and such). Finds some oil, pours some in a cup. I notice there are spices too, and ask if I can borrow some. There was only one giant garlic powder, so we put some in a cup as well. I took a paprika and some chicken seasoning. I just had to return those two by 11 when the lady at the desk would leave. I came back upstairs announcing that I brought awesomeness with me.
Talk about your customer service! This place just keeps getting more !!!! everyday.
PPS- the stir-fry was yummy. And protein-tastic. Hooray for non-beany, non-cheesy protein! I love meat.

Day 5 Cross Country Adventure

Oh. My. God.
If you, or anyone you know is ever going to Santa Fe, NM, they MUST go to this spa. It is amazing. It was soooooo worth it. http://www.absolutenirvana.com/ We did the deluxe treatment. Ilana and I both chose Chocolate Decadence, because honestly, who wouldn't. I thought I might come out smelling like a chocolate cookie, and I wish I did, but, even without smelling like one, it was amazing. This is what my room looked like:

First, I got a hot water foot bath. The woman sprayed some sort of citrus-y oil and massaged it in. She gave me a little sake-sized cup with some sort of cacao, acai, blueberry concoction. It was delicious. Filled with antioxidants and whatnot.

Then, I got on the table. She used some scrubby glove and a cocoa powder/rice powder mix. There were massage oils and a nice long full body massage. It was also delicious.

Next was the "body mask" thing. First was a liquid-y honey rubbed on, followed by a cocoa powder and cinnamon mix scrub. Then warmed up yogurt. Which cooled very quickly, so they wrap you up in warm towels. After that I showered off, shampoo and body wash provided.

Next, possibly the most awesome part of the whole experience (besides the massage) was the rose-petal bath. I shit you not:

On the plate on the side of the tub- fresh strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, and grapes. And their own homemade organic chocolate truffle. Basically I sat in the water and stuffed my face. The fruit was so unbelievably fresh. Even the pineapple was sweet and not too tart. I kept alternating a bite of strawberry and a bite of truffle. At one point I dabbed some strawberry in some of the cocoa powder that flaked off onto the plate. Even with the thought in mind not to breathe in, I breathed in. Never a good idea when putting something powdered in your mouth. There is a tendency to choke. Oh, and in the little tea pot was fresh brewed ginger tea. Also good.

I couldn't lay longways, I kept floating awkwardly so I just sat sideways and propped myself with my feet. Played around with the rose petals- ie, crushing them to my face and inhaling.

They ring a little bell to let you know bathtime is done and you need to get out. They also made sure we drank enough water. All told, the entire experience was about 2 hours.

Really. Really. Amazing. Best decision I ever made. Well deserved.

After Ilana and I had some lunch, and visited a Trader Joe's for some snacks and such.

Not sure what we'll do for the rest of the night, as it's only 6 pm here.

Some random things I forgot to share- In Oklahoma I kept forgetting to get pictures of these signs, but, when we would come upon a small town, they would have a sign "See Town X!" and underneath would be a list of things to see. Also, a new sort of buckle-up admonition: Buckle Up. Arrive Alive.

Funny name- in Texas, the County of Deaf Smith.

And lastly, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico share the distinction of having an awesome speed limit of 70 and 75 mph at times.

Today's funny/random pictures:

My bedroom in the hotel. Crazy right??

 

View upon entering the suite. Kitchen is to the right:

 

 

Random cat hanging outside the spa.

 

Last, but certainly not least, the front of my car after driving through the snow and overnight freezing.

Day 4 Cross Country Adventure

Today, Ilana and I left Oklahoma City. It was seriously foggy. I really mean it:

Anyway, it actually cleared up a bit and at one of our many pitstops I got this great picture (we're in the middle of Oklahoma, somewhere).

In Oklahoma City it was in the low 50s. In the location of the above, it had dropped probably about 10 degrees. Once into Texas, I think it dropped another 10. Very very cold. And it got foggy, again. After our lunch break in Amarillo (which is really more of a large town, and many many hotels for people driving along Rt-40 to stay at), it started to snow. Huzzah! It snowed off and on for the rest of our trip with varying degrees of heaviness. Ilana did a great job driving my car in the snow. Here's a nice picture of driving through the snow in New Mexico:

We arrived in Santa Fe, NM safe and sound around 7ish NM time. Some serious awesomeness- I had reserved us a nice hotel suite, 1 bedroom, 2 queen size beds. Ilana had some nifty Hilton Honors member # that she submitted after I had made the reservation a couple of weeks ago. Little did I know what that would mean for us. We open the door to an awesome common area. There's a tiny fully equipped kitchen (which we won't get to use, but still cool). She goes to the left, and it's a nice big room, but I look to my right, and lo and behold, there's another room. We got upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite, each with our own bathroom. Her room has 2 queen beds while mine has 1 king. I have never slept in a king sized bed before. The next few nights will be amaaaaaaaaazing. I should probably take a picture while the bed is still pretty. Tomorrow is a well deserved day of rest with some intense spa action. Will give details tomorrow night. Ending tonight's post with the obligatory interesting/funny pictures:

There were Native Americans driving the car, dream-catcher hanging from the rear-view mirror as expected.

Yeah, wind energy!

Tornado shelter, aka women's restroom

 

Umm, right.

 

Day 3 Cross Country Adventure

Today, nothing really interesting happened until we hit our midday stopping point. Rather than go into Springfield, MO the city, we saw a sign on the road for a cavern tour. Ilana looked it up on her handy blackberry. It looked pretty awesome and was not too far off the highway.
I was going to start describing when it was discovered, but here's a link: http://www.fantasticcaverns.com/about_us.htm
Here's a picture of the names:

Fun little tidbits- during prohibition era, the "auditorium" area of the cave was used as a speakeasy. It could accommodate up to 600 people. Later on in the 50s and 60s, it was used as sort of a social gathering place and 'famous' singers of the time would come and perform. Here's the stage:

Here are some other pictures of the amazing formations:

 
             Stalactite....

 

                  ...meet Stalagmite            

  

                  pretty ceiling

  

                    ooo, sparkly

It was a well deserved 2 hour detour. After, Ilana and I made the rest of today's drive into Oklahoma. Which, when you first enter it, is amazingly flat. I thought Illinois was flat. And, at 10 at night, it's 55 out. Cannot tell you how great it feels to not be freezing. Although, this is not normal for Oklahoma City either. Norm is 30s. I'll take what I can get. Considering Santa Fe is supposed to be somewhere in the 20s during our stay. Thank God we will be doing indoor activities- more about them when they come.

I will end this entry on the necessary immature humor pictures that again, couldn't not be taken:

Day 2 Cross Country Adventure

I forgot to mention yesterday that we saw a sign for the town of Eighty Four. Spelled out just like that. And apparently there is a California, Penn.
Today I saw signs for Licking River, Nameless Creek (it seriously said Nameless), AND the Soul Harvest Church. I guess they want to harvest my soul for the rapture.
Anywho, Ilana and I woke to some flurries; we were in the nasty weather just long enough for my car to get seriously dirty. Not that the outside was clean to begin with. It just looks worse now.
Here's a pretty picture from the road of the snow:

And here's Columbus, Ohio which we passed by:

Aaaaand finally hitting flat country:

I couldn't not take pictures of these:

 

Filled with mechanics I guess

 

No, it's not driving backwards, though that would be awesome, and horribly stupid.

 

An unfortunate last name

 

Crap picture, but it says: Avoid Hell. Repent. Trust Jesus Today.

Gigantor Cross!! Welcome to middle America, people.

Ilana and I made a mid-day stop in Indianapolis, which was actually kind of cool. We stopped off in the Circle Center Mall. Stretched our legs. I have more pictures, but I don't want this blog to end up just being pictures. People will just have to wait until I put together an album.

I will end with this though. The awesome arch in St. Louis, MO:

 

Taken by Ilana