Little Rock, AK & Memphis, TN

Based on events from Monday, July 22, 2013

Today, we explored Little Rock, Arkansas, the home of former Governor and President Bill Clinton.  We started the day by heading to Clinton's Presidential Library in Little Rock.  What an amazing experience! I already have a passion for libraries but never knew there were ones based on past presidents' presidencies.  Our tour was quite informative.  The building was the first presidential library to have "green construction" incorporated throughout.  The wood flooring throughout the entire library was made out of bamboo.  If I could afford bamboo flooring one day I would love to have it in my home! We also saw a replica of Bill's Oval Office and Cabinet Room, designed exactly the same as it was during his presidency.  I sat in Al Gore's seat in the Cabinet  Room.  VP for 20 minutes :) Dad and I read through all the history, issues, bills, laws, charities and organizations the Clintons were involved in during his presidency and what was accomplished.  And of course, I was THRILLED to see a whole section dedicated to Hilary Clinton.  I just love her! 

There are 80 million artifacts located in President Clinton's library on everything from his presidency, from daily itineraries to bills signed. But this was only 2-3% of ALL the artifacts from his presidency.  The other 97-98% of the artifacts were located at another location in downtown Little Rock.  We ended our 3 hour journey at the library at the Herman Leonard Exhibit, photographer for famous jazz and blues singers and musicians.  The pictures of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet and Etta James from the beginning of their careers were gorgeous! This exhibit was included because President Clinton has a true passion for jazz, blues, playing the saxophone and listening to these artists.  

The day couldn't have been more perfect for an exploration in Little Rock.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  The day did have a southern mugginess to it, though.  Nothing like the desert without air conditioning, soooooo we couldn't complain ;) Dad and I headed into the River Market District of downtown, where we grabbed a bite to eat in a market similar to a very small Westside Market.  Papa G and I then headed to the Capitol building where we met one of the Senators of Arkansas, as we were capturing the beauty of the Capitol building through our 3x5s.  He taught us that geese are very populated in Arkansas, so if we every wanted to go hunting for geese, we would be very lucky! 

Next stop, Memphis, Tennessee!! It rained for a good portion of the drive, but then the clouds parted and the skies opened before we entered Memphis! We stayed in downtown, which was a perfect location! After loading up on a complimentary pasta dinner and FREE cocktails at the hotel, Papa G and I headed to Beale Street.  This bluesy, musical street was singing even on a Monday night! We entered into a bar with a band jamming session going on and enjoyed the music all night long until about 11 pm! We tried the local brews and chicken wings, as we enjoyed the beautiful musical talent of the 3 man band performing that evening! We strolled back to our hotel, with a skip in our step and music on our minds! Daddy and I ended the wonderful day with some snacks and Jimmy Kimmel! 

William J. Clinton's Presidential Center & Library 

Presidential Artifact Boxes

The Oval Office

Crystal Tree of Light-Christmas Decoration 

HIL!! 

View from Library

River Market Downtown Little Rock 

The Capitol 

Beale Street Downton Memphis

The Band!

Oklahoma City, OK to Arkansas

Today was a reflective day.  Dad and I started the morning off at St. Eugene Church in Oklahoma City, OK and then headed to The Oklahoma City Memorial in memory of the Oklahoma City bombing victims on April 19, 1995.  Our visit at the memorial was both eerie and humbling.  It was a beautiful tribute to the 168 people who lost their lives in the bombing, the first responders, the survivors and those families affected by the tragedy.  We both were truly touched by visiting this memorial.  My favorite part of the memorial was the "Survivor Tree."  The elm tree received its name after surviving the blast.  The tree originally stood in a parking lot close to the Murrah Building, which was completely destroyed.  When the explosion occurred, many cars in the parking lot caught on fire, but this tree was not harmed.  It has become a symbol for all the survivors, the first responders and those families who lost loved ones in Oklahoma City.  I pray that all the survivors, families who lost their loved ones, children who lost their parents, the first responders and all those who are still affected by the bombing 18 years later have found peace and if they have not, may their realize that they are not alone.
(I did not have enough memory on my phone at the time to take pictures but here's a great video about the Oklahoma City Memorial.)

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/secondary.php?section=2&catid=230

Thank God for Daddy! He drove us all the way from Oklahoma City to Arkansas today, as I was passed out in the front seat.  Today, I felt like a zombie! We decided to just hang-in tonight and get some local take-out from Mike's Place in Conway, Arkansas.  There's nothing quite like getting a pizza, salad and enjoying a delicious glass of red wine to re-charge! Tomorrow, we will explore Little Rock, AK & head to Memphis!  

Amarillo, TX & Oklahoma City

Today was a lovely and relaxing day. Dad & I began our adventure today at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.  This artistic display of 10 caddys, nose-diving into the dirt & manure below was one of the most interesting roadside attractions I have ever seen! In 1974, a group of artists from San Francisco (heck yes San Franciscans!) had a burning desire to make a public art display that would amaze the locals.  With the financial assistance from local billionaire Stanley Marsh 3, "The Ant Farm," or so the artists called themselves, made a tribute to the "evolution of the tail fins of the Cadillac." In early years, admirers would break the cars' windows and destroy the auto bodies.  Some even took small pieces of the cars as souvenirs.  Instead of being outraged by this, the artists and donor encouraged the self-expression.  The cars became destroyed but observers still can express themselves today by spray painting whatever they please on the caddies! Pretty cool! 

Making my mark ;)

What the Caddys probably looked like before! 

Papa G and I pulled into our hotel in Oklahoma City, OK early today, so we took the opportunity to relax! Dad went down to the pool, as I enjoyed one of my favorite times of the day...nap time! 

For dinner, we headed to Trapper's Fishcamp & Grill where we enjoy delicious seafood and even tried pig skins & quail! The pig skins tasted like bacon flavored shrimp chips & the quail tasted like salty chicken ;)

Piggie Skins 

QUAIL! "Tastes like chicken!"

From here, we headed to Bricktown, a vivacious area of downtown.  There were horse-drawn carriage rides, live music playing in bars, water taxi rides on the canal and lively people all around! Dad & I decided to head to Michael Murphy's Dueling Piano Bar.  The pianists were very talented and quite entertaining! It was a great find! I also discovered there are quite a few attractive Oklahoma men in downtown, too ;) So a good day all around!! 

Flagstaff, AZ & Albuquerque, NM

Based on events from: Thursday, July 18, 2013

Today was a slower-paced day, which was nice after hiking all day at the Grand Canyon.  After breakfast, Papa G and I headed to Route 66 where we explored Historic Downtown Flagstaff.  It had a small town charm, which I love!  We shopped in the quaint gift shops and took home many treasures from Arizona and the Navajo tribes who live nearby.  

We then headed to the Sunset Crater Volcano & Wupatki Monuments. The Sunset Crater Volcano was a fascinating, natural monument.  Even though the volcano first erupted around 1064 AD, evidence of the eruption still remain.  Volcanic rocks, ash and debris can be seen on the neighboring hills and land.  History suggests that various American Indian tribes may have been warned about the eruption from their great spirits & moved-on to another area before the mass destruction occurred.  Over time, plants and trees adapted to the harsh conditions and began to grow, even in ash! So amazing! Luckily for those living near the area, it's very unlikely the Sunset Crater will erupt again.  

The volcanic rocks

Sunset Crater Volcano 

We continued up the road in the National Park to the Wupatki Monument.  The 100 room pueblo village could still be viewed 900 years later! It is suggested that Hopi, Zuni and other Pueblo groups gathered here as a meeting place.  They would share wisdom, farming, hunting and jewelry making skills.  The groups left in the 1200s leaving their treasures behind sealed doors.  Perhaps their wish was to return one day, but sadly that didn't happen. 

After getting our daily history lesson, Daddy and I fed our grumbling bellies at Salsa Brava a Mexican restaurant featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives," on Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff, AZ (thanks for the suggestion Hil ;) The salsa is all homemade and changed 3x a day.  They cut about 600 lbs of fresh tomatoes a week! Fresh rice is made 2x a day.  And all the chicken and pork are antibiotic & hormone free! It was a tasty & healthy (in a way) lunch stop! I enjoyed the best chicken enchiladas EVER! Even though, I had to pop a couple tums later;)

After our tummies were full, we were on the road again! See ya soon Albuquerque, NM!! 

Just one of the beautiful sights in NM! 

Albuquerque, NM

Based on the events from Friday, July 19, 2013

Today was an awesome day! Definitely one of my favorite days on our trip! Everyone we met on our journey who heard we were going to Albuequerque said, "Why would you wanna go there? There's nothing to do there.  Go to Santa Fe instead." I am very happy we didn't listen to them and stuck to our travel plans because I am in LOVE with Old Town Albuquerque! The old towns we have explored have given us insight into times when these were new towns.  I am inspired by these simpler times and enjoy  taking in my surroundings, pondering how life once was. 

Our first stop was at the oldest Catholic Church in Albuquerque, San Felipe de Neri.  I love visiting churches, while traveling! There's a peaceful presence and sense of "home" when I walk through any religious denomination's church doors.  This church has been at the heart of Old Town since 1706.  It's adobe structure, blossoming rose garden and simple beauty inside make the church very inviting.

Papa G and I strolled through the adobe styled-town, walked into the speciality shops, met Navajo American Indians selling their gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry and admired the gardens & chili peppers hanging from the buildings. Dad & I then ventured into a courtyard with a sign above us reading "Nick Garcia's Patio Shops."  We entered this lovely courtyard garden, hidden from the busy Old Town streets.  Dad's find was a secluded treasure.  The stone patio was filled with brightly colored flowers, benches and a refreshing fountain.  There were numerous shops in the back of this courtyard and a delicious New Mexican find, Quesadilla Grill.  We tried the street taco special.  The shrimp stree tacos were by far the tastiest street tacos I have ever had! We enjoyed our lunch on the sunny & relaxing patio. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Venturing inside, I spoke with our waiter, Leroy, who informed me that this restaurant is a family run business.  His great-grandfather, Nick Garcia (from the sign entrance) was one of the first of four families to settle in Old Town, Albuquerque.  In front of the courtyard stands an adobe structured shop, which was Nick's original house.  The restaurant was the Garcia Family's second, larger home. Leroy told us that his great-grandfather was in construction and designed many of the adobe-structured homes and buildings in Abuquerque, including his own homes. People could recognize his work from his flower trade-mark imprinted on the adobe buildings.  What an amazing story! We were so grateful to have met Leroy and hear of his family history! I will never forget this one-of-a-kind history lesson in Old Town Albuquerque! Thanks, Leroy! It was a pleasure meeting you! I look forward to stopping back at Quesidilla Grill, and enjoying an ice, cold beer on your new patio in the future ;)

Our next stop was Amarillo, Texas.  Our first impression was..."It smells like shit! Literally!" But, our views on Amarillo changed when we went to The Big Texan Steak Ranch for dinner (special thanks to my dear friends, Trish & Jen for recommending this place).  In the words of Papa G, "This place if crazy!!!" Shooting games, slot machines, a GIGANTIC chair & boot, live country music & the bar kept us quite entertained for an hour while waiting for our table.  The time flew by because we were having so much fun! 

Sharp Shooter! 

The "challenge" at this restaurant is if 1 person can eat a 72 oz. steak in 1 hour it's FREE! If not, he/she must pay $72.  According to history, back in 1960, 4 hungry cowboys came into the restaurant and bet who could eat the most.  The cowboy who won had eaten 4 1/2 16 oz. steaks, or 72 oz.  The challenge was born and has stuck ever since! Thousands have taken the challenge and succeeded since then! We did not take the challenge but we enjoyed our 23 oz steak (split of course ;) 

This kid attempted the challenge to eat a 72 oz steak in 1 hour.  I don't know if he overcame the challenge but I DO know he was barfing in front of everyone! 

Grand Canyon, AZ

Based on events from: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 

Wow! I am literally speechless after visiting the Grand Canyon! Although, I think the Grand Canyon needs to be renamed the "Enormous Canyon!" The vastness travels for 277 miles long, 18 miles wide & 1 mile deep.  Although, in my opinion, that 1 mile is a very generous mile ;) 

From Flagstaff we were about 1.5 hours away from the entrance to the South Rim & 6 hours from the entrance to the North Rim.  That's a muy, muy Canyon de grand! 

We spent the whole day in the park exploring a very large portion of the South Rim.  With each lookout point we visited, we had a new and more humbling experience than the last.  A panoramic view of the magnificence before us included: picturesque sunny, blue skies, soaring birds, massive rust-colored cliffs, that told tales of years before us, trees, vegetation and life down in the gorge and running through the middle of the unbelievable cliffs before us, the "dwarf like" Colorado River.  Later in the day, at the eastern entrance of the Canyon, bolts of lightening, thunder and dark skies could be seen over the Canyon & distant San Francisco Peaks.

At 6 pm, Dad & I headed back on the shuttle bus to exit the park. On the route toward our first stop, we saw a gorgeous rainbow over the Canyon.  The perfect end to an incredible day in the park!  

The ride home was only a continuation of the world's beauty with raindrops falling on our windows, thunder crashing all around and lightening filling the sky with rage.  Then...calm.  A breathtaking sunset in my side-view mirror, the San Francisco Peaks and mountains before us and inspiring tunes on the radio.  We had dinner at the Flagstaff Brewing Company in Historic Downtown Flagstaff. Delicious burgers, homemade garlic chips and even better brews! Today was definitely one of my favorite stops of the trip so far! I will never forget my first impression of the Grand Canyon! Cheers to more memorable views of the Canyon in the future and most DEFINITELY a mule ride to the bottom ;) 

My first view of the Canyon! Incredible! 

The Canyon & Colorado River

The San Francisco Peaks

Scottsdale, Sedona & Flagstaff, AZ

Happy Birthday, Nanny! Today, my grandma would have been 94 years old! Although she is no longer with me physically, I still have moments when I feel her presence.  Today was one of those moments.  At 7:30 am, Papa G and I rolled up to the Chapman Ford dealership in Scottsdale, AZ, with the hope that the AC was going to get fixed! Fingers & toes crossed, several prayers &  4 hours later, the AC was fixed and good as new.  The best part (besides having air conditioning back) the total for a $1,400 job was only $100!!! It was under warranty!! Hooray!! Yippee!! I wanted to kiss Tina, the amazingly supportive, kind and helpful service woman at Ford, but she allowed me to hug her instead! I knew today was going to be a GLORIOUS day after this news! I could not help but think that Nanny had something to do with it, too! Thanks, Bella! 

Around noon, we were on our way to Sedona, Arizona! Wow! What an amazing place to visit! Everyone reading this should have "Explore Sedona" on their bucket lists for sure! Even though it was 2.5 hours north of Scottsdale, the temperature was about 20 degrees cooler! Of course, the day we had air ;) 

I will forever remember my first visit to Sedona & I will make a point to not make it my last! Papa G and I drove through Red Rock State Park where we were awed by gorgeous red rocks and mountains.  The feeling I experienced here was similar to my experience in Yosemite National Park 4 years ago.  Gazing at the incredible structures all around me, I could not help but to feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility and presence of God.  This was a beautiful feeling, especially after a couple challenging days of travel.  But in those moments spent exploring and capturing the Red Rocks' beauty, I could conclude that everything would be alright-in the journey before us, in my future job and whatever may lie ahead of me.  What an awesome experience to have! 

We continued our Sedona journey up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a Catholic chapel that was positioned right i the midst of the red rocks.  The donor of such an enchanting chapel was Marguerite Brunswig Staude.  Her main purpose for having the chapel constructed: "Though Catholic in faith, as a work of art, the chapel had a universal appeal. It's doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed.  The the church may come to live in the souls of men and be a living reality...herein lies the whole message of this chapel."  

Dad and I continued the trek to Uptown Sedona where we enjoyed margaritas and Mexican food at Taos Cantina, a delicious find with an amazing view! Uptown is a quaint area of Sedona filled with tons of shops and restaurants from crystal & vortex shops to fudge shops! Another "must stop" when you all travel through Sedona. 

By 5:50 pm, Papa G and I were on the road again toward Flagstaff, AZ.  This enjoyable ride took us through the mountains but with a very different terrain. These mountains had thousands of trees on them! A driver's dream come true! The winding roads reminding me of my drives through Lake Tahoe, to Stinson Beach & Muir Woods.  It's unbelievable to me that roads up, down and around mountains were constructed by human hands! Drives like these always make me appreciate the art of road construction! 

Dad and I arrived at the most adorable hotel in Flagstaff, Little America Hotel.  I would totally recommend staying at one of these hotels in the western area of the U.S. at some point during your travels.  The chain started in the 1930s and still has the 30s charm! For some reason, I pictured Marilyn Monroe staying in a hotel room, similar to this one.  I felt like I was in one of her movies as I walked into our hotel room (with the exception of the flat screen TV ;) 

After a couple night caps and a stroll around the grounds, Papa G and I are all ready for bed! Dreaming about the Grand Canyon...Until tomorrow, friends!