Day 2 of our great trek across the United States meant that we woke up in Flagstaff, Arizona and ended the night in Amarillo, Texas. This was actually my favorite day from a scenery perspective, and my least for other reasons.Crossing over any state line felt glorious. I found myself watching my GPS in earnest when I knew we were getting close. I would then get my camera ready and snap the photo with one hand, while driving with the other. Keep in mind that I was usually doing about 85 when taking these pictures, so I am both pleased that they turned out and proud that I stayed ON the road. Yes, not the smartest trick, but Iona was unwilling to document any of our travels. That would have upset her cross-country nap time.
At one point in New Mexico Iona needed to pee...and apparently she needed to pee BADLY. Her routine was this - she would wake up, shake, look outside for awhile, and then stand immediately behind the driver's seat. She was sitting up on suitcases, so she was at my shoulder level. If I was unresponsive, she would stub me on the shoulder. If I still wasn't responding quickly enough, she would stub aggressively and woof in my ear. At this stage, I got the point. I also wanted to keep the skin on my shoulder. Of course, there was not a rest stop for miles. So, we pulled off the road at the exit for Cuervo, New Mexico.Now, if you are a fan of the horror genre, then this is the town for you. If not, then I HIGHLY suggest driving fast down I-40 and ignoring the hell out of this place. I loved, loved, loved it. And I was totally freaked out. Basically this is an abandoned town. Established in 1901 around the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, the town had two schools, churches and two hotels. At its peak it boasted about 300 people. Then the I-40 was built down the middle of the town and destroyed it. I have no idea where the people went, or why they just left the buildings, but it is so weird. Some of the street signs look relatively new, yet the roads are completely buried in red dirt. Truthfully, I was creeped out. I was literally pulling Iona along and trying to get her to pee faster. At any moment, I knew the zombies were going to come out of these abandoned buildings and attempt to eat me alive. Iona was not going to save me.
Crossing into Texas meant that we were closer to our destination for the night, but also meant we were in the home of George W. I hope they have modified the sign, and at least took the "proud" down.
Word to all the travelers out there. Do not stop at the La Quinta in Amarillo, Texas. This was the nastiest of the hotels we stayed at. It is right off the freeway, had no elevator, backed up against a scary parking lot, and had terrible dining options near by. We ended our great drive that evening with dinner at Denny's. Oh joy. The NON-SMOKING section consisted of 5 booths along the kitchen wall. Even after driving for over 10 hours and feeling like hell, we were still the hottest couple in the place. I do not think it was coincidence that Michael sat under the below sign. That boy's bacon certainly sizzles. At least more than any other in Amarillo, Texas.
One year ago today we left Los Angeles. After 11 years of living a West Coast life, we packed it all up and started the drive to North Carolina. It was an incredibly bittersweet day, and one that I won't soon forget. We were so excited to be entering this chapter, yet more than a little sad to leave a huge part of our life behind.
Looking back, it is entertaining to see Michael so "happy" in this picture. He and the U-Haul quickly became friends on some unfriendly terms. That thing seemed to have a mind of its own as we went through the mountains. I absolutely had the better end of the deal...he drove with two pissed off and scared cats while towing a U-Haul. I simply had a happy corgi that would stub my shoulder aggressively when she needed to pee. I so won.
Poor Miss Iona was terribly confused that day. She did her best to keep an eye on me inside the house and an eye on Michael in the backyard. She was terrified that we were leaving and taking all her favorite things with us. She was not about to be left behind. Sigh...look at all the fur on that dog. Not a bald patch in sight.
We left LA on Memorial Day Monday. The traffic leaving the city was fine, but you can see the messy westbound buildup as everyone headed back home. Regardless, the mountains were stunning.
As we neared the border to Arizona, I recall fighting back tears. It still seems unfathomable that the California border is so very far away.
Day one was the shortest and brought us to the La Quinta in Flagstaff, Arizona. The trip was underway. While the La Quinta brand is pretty hit or miss, it is the best thing if you have to travel with pets. You are guaranteed a room and a bed, and sometimes they don't even smell bad.
Michael jokingly said that it was a good thing that we were on a tight schedule. Otherwise I would have made us stop at all the hokey sights along the I-40. I have no shame in saying that I really did want to visit Navajo Land and the World's Tallest Ball of Yarn. You gotta problem with that? I also wanted to visit the Dinosaur Village. Instead, I had to settle for Iona peeing in the parking lot of the Armco Gas Indian Center.
Michael is out running again on this rainy Monday afternoon. I have lost count of how many times he has ran this week. Although his running away from me does keep us apart, I absolutely cannot complain. It is one of the healthier obsessions that he has had over the years.
While we both like to be active, we are quite different in our approach. Michael loves the gym, racquet ball, and trail running. I prefer team sports, street jogging (with Iona of course), and free weights. I hate the gym, so I will do anything to stay out of those buildings. At the moment that means we have weights stashed in almost room of the house. I will just grab them when I have a couple minutes, or if I am unable to sit still while watching TV.
We are still finding ways to incorporate our different styles together. I love walking him up to the YMCA with Iona and then running back. It allows us to catch up on our days, and also gives me a chance to completely let out my aggression. Yesterday we went hiking at Umstead Park. We did the 3 mile trail and then came home and he went to the Y and I did my run. Five miles on a Sunday is not a bad way to get the week going.On Saturday my company sponsored the DOUGHMAN, which is a charity quadrathon that involves eating and swimming, eating and biking, or eating and running. A group of my coworker friends and I volunteered at the finish line, while Michael ran and ate with three guys from my Support department. I would love to say that we had a strong showing. Instead I will say that everyone was cheering our guys on, because we stood between them and the awards. You see, one of our guys got lost on the route and we came in last. Yes, we were dead last. It is pretty entertaining, but only because Michael was NOT the reason we were last. He actually did quite well and made me proud.
If you have ever watched The Biggest Loser, you may remember Heba Salama and Ed Brantley from a couple seasons back. She was portrayed as manipulative and scheming and later complained that it was all a perception created by the cameras. Um, no that would not be true. She is simply a bitch. And Ed is just a lumbering shadow that follows her around. Why do I now know such things? Well, they were the "celebrity" couple at the DOUGHMAN. They initially arrived saying that they volunteered to work the finish line. That meant they sat in the shade, while the rest of us ran around and set things up. She loudly griped about people on the show to anyone that had the unfortunate luck of wandering too close. Then they sat in a different section of the shade, while the rest of us managed the racers as they finished.
At one point there were eight or nine teams that arrived in quick succession, and my friend Valerie asked Heba for some assistance. She actually threw up her hands in horror and said, "Oh no. We are the CELEBRITY couple. We are just here to do the awards ceremony. We are handing out the awards!". BTW - the awards ceremony was still over 90 minutes away! Yeah, apparently she couldn't bother to do any work FOR CHARITY. I am sure someone was paying her and actual work wasn't in the contract. Just go sit your widening ass back down in the shade and pretend that people care. The Biggest Loser carries a whole different connotation when describing Heba.
For those that did volunteer and actually worked and enjoyed the day...thanks. A good team we make.
At one point in New Mexico Iona needed to pee...and apparently she needed to pee BADLY. Her routine was this - she would wake up, shake, look outside for awhile, and then stand immediately behind the driver's seat. She was sitting up on suitcases, so she was at my shoulder level. If I was unresponsive, she would stub me on the shoulder. If I still wasn't responding quickly enough, she would stub aggressively and woof in my ear. At this stage, I got the point. I also wanted to keep the skin on my shoulder. Of course, there was not a rest stop for miles. So, we pulled off the road at the exit for Cuervo, New Mexico.
Crossing into Texas meant that we were closer to our destination for the night, but also meant we were in the home of George W. I hope they have modified the sign, and at least took the "proud" down.
Word to all the travelers out there. Do not stop at the La Quinta in Amarillo, Texas. This was the nastiest of the hotels we stayed at. It is right off the freeway, had no elevator, backed up against a scary parking lot, and had terrible dining options near by. We ended our great drive that evening with dinner at Denny's. Oh joy. The NON-SMOKING section consisted of 5 booths along the kitchen wall. Even after driving for over 10 hours and feeling like hell, we were still the hottest couple in the place. I do not think it was coincidence that Michael sat under the below sign. That boy's bacon certainly sizzles. At least more than any other in Amarillo, Texas.
