Through my eyes...

Friday, November 16, 2012

Some PCH pictures!

Sunset, Avila, CA

PCH Coast

Sea Lion....aka..ADORABLE!

I haz an itch.

PCH Coast

Salmon Creek Trail Waterfall...find me if you can!

The road to nowhere....

Beautiful colors.

People left their mark....and so did we:)

Avila was an amazing 2 days. We spent some time on the tranquility of the beach. Listened to waves crash as we napped in hammocks. Watched Dolphins and Sea Otters play right in front of us, and saw a fiery red sunset over a mountain range to end the evening. We had a great dinner and 2 wonderful girls nights at Mr. Ricks, a small bar in the small town of Avila right on the water. The last night we met a bartender named Levi and he gave us some suggestions about going up the PCH the next day. After a few rounds of karaoke (oh boy), we called it a night so we could get some rest.
Yesterday we woke up and took our time leaving Avila. Slowly we made our way up the PCH. We have had the luck of great weather this whole trip and lucked out again yesterday on our drive. After missing the off ramp to jump on Highway 1 (PCH) we did a quick 5 minute turn around because we just didn't want to miss it.

DO. NOT. MISS. IT.

The Grand Canyon was amazing, breathtaking and something you can't go without seeing. The PCH is just that. At first we were driving through farm fields and mountains. Until the scenery broke and we were making hair pin turns on cliff drop offs over looking the ocean. Some roads looked like you were driving into the abyss. Our drive should have taken about 3 hours...we turned it into 6 1/2.
To what seemed like our dismay, a road crew was re-marking the roads, slowing traffic down to a near stop. Up ahead I saw a sign for "Lion Seal Viewing Area". Of course we had to stop, and we are SO glad we did!!! Katie nearly lost her mind when we looked over the railing and there on the beach were groups of Sea Lions, all piled on top of each other catching some zzz's. It was their resting period (we learned from an old man that approached us as we were squealing taking pictures). They spent all summer swimming out and diving to their most favorite depths and eating all they could. Now was their time to rest up for mating season and another long year ahead. We got pictures and video of male Sea Lions having a "I"m bigger than you" standoff. More pictures to come:)

We then stopped at Salmon Creek Trail right off the PCH. It wouldn't be hard to miss. The trail took us up into the side of a mountain and only the sound of a waterfall to guide us, we maneuvered around slippery rocks and leaves and with some bouldering, found ourselves in front of a tall waterfall. Surrounded by lush greens, moss, and huge black boulders we sat for a few minutes taking everything in.

Every few miles we would stop at a Vista Point, usually on top off a drop off over looking the ocean, which looked like it never ended. Water to the end of the horizon. Crystal clear tropical waters and dark black rocks accented the crashing waves. There were so many moments we spent not speaking. Smelling the ocean air, hearing the crashing waves and the wind whipping through mountain passes and over fields. It was absolutely amazing.

After a long day driving up the coast we found our Hotel Sofitel of Redwood Shores in Redwood City, CA. Here we rested and watched TV, and ended up falling asleep around 10pm our time. Now it's off to explore more of Northern California around San Francisco!

I took probably 200 pictures, if not more plus about 10 videos. So uploading them is taking around 45 minutes. So for now, I will leave you with your imagination on our journey. More pictures will be posted later, but I have to say, no picture can truly capture what we saw. Everything was so much bigger and the colors so much more vibrant than could be captured on video or picture.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The last few days....

After a few days in Vegas and 2 in LA we found ourselves The Inn at Avila Beach in Avila, CA. Our hotel is right on a small cliff overlooking the ocean. Grabbing some local wine we are cooking a pot of pasta and enjoying the crash of ocean waves....here are some pictures over the last few days and more detailed updates from Kara!

DAY 5 Nov 9th:

So much for sleeping in... We all woke up around eight and started getting ready for the day. Samm and Miles ran some errands while the rest of us bummed around Brandi and Jeromy's apartment. Once they got back we all headed down to the strip. It sure looks different during the day!! We met Jeromy at the Mirage and he showed us around the place before we parted ways to go get food. Then we just walked around and saw some pretty neat stuff. We ended up getting a room at the Flamingo right on the strip so we rushed back home, packed up our stuff and moved on over. Unfortunately we had to use the car top carrier once more but thankfully this really will be the last time!! Once we got all settled, Bacon from the island met us and hung out for a bit before us girls headed to a club. It was neat because we got in for free and were able to pass the line but it is an experience I don't think any of us would care to experience again. It was way too crowded and just reminded us of being back at Horns trying to push our way through the crowd. Shortly after arriving we headed back to the hotel to meet back up with the guys and Katie... Time for bed!!

DAY 6 Nov 10th:

Hoover Dam

Bellagio Ceiling, Las Vegas

Runyon Canyon, Hollywood, CA

The Inn at Avila Beach, Avila, CA

Miles' birthday!!!!! We hung out in the room for a few before Greg and Jen went to find food while the rest of us went down to check out some flamingos. I met back up with Greg and it was off to find a bank that would cash his cashiers check. Boy did that prove to be more difficult than expected! But we got it done and grabbed Samm and the birthday boy then headed to see Skyfall-the best Bond yet in my opinion. Finally back to the hotel where we got ready for dinner. Jeromy, Brandi, Eric and Miles' friend Zack met us and nine of us went to a fancy dinner in the Flamingo. It was a very delicious dinner and a nice way to spend our last night in Vegas! Then we went from nine to three as Zack, Miles and myself went to an outside bar for his birthday. Definitely a fun first experience in Vegas!!

DAY 7 Nov 11th:

Today was a sad day as we hugged Miles and Greg bye... I thought it would be nice having the entire back seat open but I would rather be crammed and uncomfortable if that meant still having them along. Who is going to finish all of our crossword puzzles now!?? Unfortunately the shuttle to go to the airport was late which meant instead of Miles flying out at noon, he didn't leave Vegas until almost one in the morning!! Poor guy... (But thank you to you two for making the first half of our trip that much better. I know I speak for all of us when I say we wish you were finishing it with us. Better see you both soon!! xoxo)

I stayed out late last night so Samm drove the five hours to Venice Beach. We stopped for Subway about an hour into the trip and I almost died choking after seeing a silly looking trolley and laughing while chewing!! Wish i would have been able to get a picture of it but obviously had more important things to focus on... Unfortunately we arrived at Venice Beach just after sunrise so we didn't get to see it during daylight but there were definitely still interesting people out. I think our favorite was this woman who ran her car into a parking lot gate arm!! We aren't sure if she didn't see it or thought it would move up but this thing was clearly in the opposite direction of the exit and had to have crushed her car some as it noisily rolled onto her roof. After all that excitement we went onto Santa Monica Pier and walked around for a few before heading back to LA to meet Samm and Katie's friend Ely and her boyfriend Spencer. The five of us went to their favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner after getting settled into their neighbors apartment which we will call home for the next two nights. After Katie and I spent ten minutes picking out movies, the three of us passed out by 1030 before even putting one in!!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Kara's Update!!!

DAY 4 Thurs Nov 8th:

Woke up at six for the sunrise. We all rushed around, still half asleep, until 615 when we ran off to the bus. We ended up stopping at Powell Point which was a lot less crowded than Hoapi (where we watched the sunset last night) and still had an amazing view. It rose at 658 and we were able to catch the 718 bus back to our hotel. Somehow we all showered and got the car packed in two hours!! Thankfully this is the last time we have to put the car top carrier on Dante. As useful as it is, it sure is a pain in all of our bums to get it on and off the car. Pretty sure we all have battle scars from it!!

We got on the road around eleven (only ten in Vegas) and headed to Kingman!! This was the place where turquoise was originally found. Samm's mom told us to stop there to get some jewelry so we did just that! We both got really pretty rings and the clerk was delighted when Miles got pumped about a squirrel necklace they had in the case. From there it was on to the Hoover Dam!! We had to go through a security check point and I think we all had mild heart attacks when they told us we had to pull over so they could look in our carrier. Now I guess I didn't properly explain how it works. This carrier is a large bag that zips shut and is held in place by four straps, three running from the front to back of the car and one running from side to side. Sounds simple enough but these straps are a pain to get on in off, not to mention moving the bag itself. The guys got out to take care of business but thankfully the officers decided they only needed them to unzip it a few inches. After the delight of not having to deal with that carrier again we found a parking spot and got out to explore the Dam!!!! It sure was something to see... We got more awesome pictures and were actually able to be in two places at once (the border of Arizona and Nevada).

After that it was less than an hour to Brandi and Jeromy's where they were making us homemade lasagna and pasta. Eric was there too so the eight of us had a nice family style dinner. It was nice being with a lot of my island friends, but this time in nicer accommodations! We headed to the pool and hot tub after all the dishes were done and hung out there until Greg and Miles left to pick up Jen from the airport. We were all exhausted but decided we wouldn't waste any time in Vegas. Jeromy was nice enough to drive us to meet a friend of Miles' at an outside mall just outside the strip. We hung out there for a bit before splitting ways. Katie, Miles and Samm headed back to the apartment while Greg, Jen and myself went to the strip. I think if it weren't for Gregory, Jen and I would have been perfectly content hanging out in the convenience store with the clerks Danny and Frank all night! We were so excited that we could crack open our tall boys in the store and walk out onto the street with them that we got several pictures in that place. After Greg finally got us out of there (yes he had to try more than once) we ran across the street to the Mandalay Bay. There we gambled a little (or rather Greg and Jen gambled while I mostly just sat at the slots) and got some free drinks before heading back to crash. After a very long ride with a cabbie who was more lost then us, we scaled the fence to get into the complex where Eric let us into the apartment. So pumped to sleep in tomorrow!!

Grand Canyon 11/7/12

Wednesday November 7- After a very long drive to arrive at the canyon, we got a chance to sleep in a bit, and by a bit I mean an extra hour. After breakfast at the Maswik, we hopped on a shuttle point to Haibab Trail. For the next 4 hours we went hiking through the canyon.

****There are a few things that people need to pay attention to, EVERYTHING THE GUIDES TELL YOU! ****

-This canyon is no joke. Wear the right shoes, the gravel is slippery at some point, and the LAST thing you want to do is slip with your possible death less than a foot away.

- Pre-plan your hiking route. Don't just start a trail and keep on walking. Make sure you know the check points you want to reach. Going down the canyon may be a little slow because you're taking in the views and trying not to shake from the height, but you HAVE to keep in mind that the time it takes to go down, will take twice as long to get back up. The switchbacks are steep, the sun is hot, and the oxygen level is low.

-Drink LOTS of water, and bring a lot with you! It doesn't seem that bad on the way down, but once you start climbing back up the canyon, you are surprised how much the elevation and sun effects you. Best way to avoid elevation sickness? WATER.

There are signs with guidelines everywhere with how to trek the canyon safely, but every other sign also shows people that have died because they simply didn't bring water. I can't tell you how many people I saw climbing down the canyon with sandals and UGG boots.

The canyon is amazingly beautiful and breathtaking, but PLEASE listen to the guidelines. I'm sure glad I did!!

I've been hiking before, but nothing can prepare you for climbing down switchbacks on the face of a canyon with unbelievable drops on either side of you. There were times I had to stand still and get my bearing on the fact that I was on solid ground, but remember that one wrong step and I would be as flat as a pancake a couple hundred feet down....We passed breathtaking views, and daredevils that would stand with their toes on the edge of a cliff and their heads over the canyon. Here are some of the shots I got with shaky hands throughout our hike...

Instructions on how to walk along the ridge....

Switchbacks from the top

The gang right before we left!

First stop along the hike!

Cedar Ridge, second stopping point, and final point for us. 1.5 miles down.

Our hike back up the canyon.

Crazy views!

Our dusty shoes after the hike

After the hike we went to Hopi Point to check out the sunset before heading in for Pizza and a nice sleep after our bodies were beat up from hiking in the Canyon.

Sunset from Hopi Point, Grand Canyon, AZ

Final sun rays on the tips of the Canyon

Sunset along the rim

After hiking ourselves to exhaustion, eating an awesome Pizza from Maswik Lodge, and star gazing around 11pm, we woke up again at 6am to see the sunrise over the Canyon so we could have both perspectives. No sunrise over a Canyon would be complete without some Circle of Life from the Lion King. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look at the pictures, then watch the movie again, you should understand:)) There are a lot more pictures from last night and this morning, but I need a lot more time to go through them.

Sunrise from Powell Point, Grand Canyon, AZ

Sunrise over the ridge

Sunrise over the Grand Canyon Railroad tracks

Sorry the updates are so short, but it's proving to be hard to do everything we want to do and have time to sit down, edit photos and update a blog:) Here's what I have and I will post as much as I can later, plus keep checking in for Kara's updates! For now, I leave you with an Elk....

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Route 66 Day 3 - Grand Canyon

Yesterday was absolutely breath taking. Kara will update you on what happened yesterday.

Painted Desert, Arizona

We are using the internet at Maswik Lodge in the Grand Canyon Village about to get on the road to head to Vegas. Tonight we plan on relaxing at our friend Brandi's place which will give me time to upload/edit some photos for the blog...for now, check out Kara's update!! :)

DAY 3 Wed Nov 7th:

We all woke around eight this morning-which to us still feels like ten due to the time changes. After showering and getting all packed for the day we made our way to Maswik's lounge for a real, very expensive, breakfast... In addition to filling our bellies, we got access to the Internet, filled up our water bottles and figured out our game plan for the day. After talking to Gina at the front desk we decided to take the "Kaibab Trail" despite it's lack of canyon on either sides of the trail at certain points.

Miles and Katie were daredevils as they scooted out toward the edges to get good views. If it weren't for Samm and myself having mild heartattacks every time they got within a foot I'm sure they would have sat out there on them. Personally, I found it extremely scary walking down these sandy, gravely paths where two feet to your left or right was a drop whose distance I don't want to begin to imagine. At one point Samm and I had to use our hands as blinders around our eyes because it was literally just a three to four-foot wide path with immediate drop offs on either side!!!!! Once we got to Cedar Ridge a mile and a half down we took quick bathroom breaks and sat out near this one edge for a while. Greg and I even made one of those anukshuks (Greg claims it was the best one of course) and as I'm typing out this blog I found out Samm took pictures of it before even knowing it was ours. After resting for a few it was time to head the mile and a half back up. As much as it was less frightening to climb up as opposed to down, it was also an entirely new level of difficulty! The elevation sure made things hard but we all made it back safely and without any scratches!!

We swung by the hotel for snacks (we never had lunch) before heading to Hopai Point to see the sunset!! We got there with enough time to walk around and get even more pictures of the giant hole. Finally we got back and ordered some pizza for dinner. We were able to watch Modern Family while stuffing our faces!

To top our night off, Gregory went to go look at the stars so we all wandered about ten minutes off to check it out. I don't think I have ever seen stars that bright!! We stayed out there long enough for Samm to snap some pictures and for Katie and Greg's sandal wearing feet to freeze. Time for bed so we can is early enough for the sunrise!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Route 66 Day 1 and 2

Blogging is proving difficult when you spend 21 hours on the road the first day, another 11 the next day, and reach the Grand Canyon. No part of me wants to sit at my laptop and update on what's happened the last 2 days. There's also no internet in our hotel room which means walking to the main lodge to use it. I'll try my best to update tonight, but right now. I have some hiking of the Grand Canyon to do!:) More from Vegas I swear!!! Here's some pictures of our adventures so far.....and here is Kara's update that she kept on her iPod the whole time!

ROAD TRIP LOG

DAY 1: Mon Jan 5th

I stayed the night at Samm's house in EL the night before (Nov 4th). We packed up the car and got the car top carrier all situated and after a quick test drive down 127 we chowed down on a wonderful Mexican style dinner!!! Then it was time for us to head to bed at 830! I think this is the first time I have been to bed before my parents since I was little.

Finally the morning of our trip!! I couldn't believe it was finally here. Samm and I awoke just after three, finished putting together the finishing touches and loaded up on coffee. Katie met us at Samm's just after four in the morning and we proceeded to pick up Greg and Miles on our way to the expressway. Thus began the long haul for "Road Trip 2012"!!

Miles took the first leg as the rest of us slept through Indiana and most of Illinois after the initial hype of it all wore off. Next Samm took over the second wave (we had gained an hour!!!) and drove us past the arch in St. Louis, Missouri!! (Wave hi to Jen Palmer)!!! It was rainy but still a really sweet landmark to see. Shorty after that I took over and drove us through the rain and hills that continued on throughout the rest of MO. Katie continued to check the radar to let me know when we would finally be out of The gross weather conditions. Figures it was pretty much the only spot in the entire US that was raining that day. Better than snow and ice though!! Next it was back to Samm for another four hours (which we tried to average per driver as long as the gas tank and lack of sleepiness permitted it). She took us through Oklahoma which was finished off by a gorgeous sunset. The first of many I'm sure!! Next it was my turn to finish us up... I took us across the border into my old stomping grounds... TEXAS!!! We didn't have to go too far (which what isn't too far after driving over 21 hours and passing through six states in one day) before reaching Amarillo where Samm had booked us a hotel a few hours prior. The last hour started to get brutal so I made the mistake of telling Greg (who was keeping me company in the front) that I enjoy doing mental math to pass time while driving. Well then he threw a problem my way which, under normal circumstances of not being sleep deprived/stuck in a car all day or maybe just simply having a pen and paper, would have been a piece of cake. But after our day it was seemingly impossible to complete. Thankfully that passed a good twenty, ok thirty, minutes!!

Of course we were all exhausted when we finally got the hotel and just wanted to pass out but our car top carrier has no locks so we had to undo that and get that in the car for safe keeping. Naturally, some of the synchs got twisted so it made for an even more complicated situation to top it all off. Thankfully everything was taken care of and Samm was able to get the air mattress blown up which enabled us all to crash for a little while.

We must all thank Katie for the puzzle books she brought along for the trip. Without those I think there would only be four of us left on this venture!

DAY 2: Tues Jan 6th (Election Day)

We awoke around 730 in the morning and scarfed down a very minimal continental breakfast (what do you expect for $69 a night?!?) before re-packing the car and hitting the ground running.

Katie had been to this Cadillac Cemetery with her grandparents when she was little and it was right on our way so we stopped there and boy was that a good choice!! There were these ten Cadillacs sticking up out of the ground that you are legally allowed to spray paint graffiti on. Miles found some unfinished cans of paint as well as part of a car so we were all able to spray paint our names on it and get pictures. My dad had given me a book that breaks down interstates and different things to do along them. In it was a picture of the cars taken many many years ago and it is crazy how different they look today!! Of course we also decorated some of the cars for Sparty as well... Greg got in one and pretended like he had crashed. Needless to say we have some pretty cool pictures from that adventure!

We quickly gased up and grabbed any food or drinks we needed before heading out. We stopped quickly in Albqerqe, NM to once again gas up (boy does it go quickly!!) and I gave Samm a break and took over. Next it was a race against time to get to Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. I was there when I was younger but definitely did not remember all of it. All I could say was, "wow!" So much so that Samm began counting how many times it came out of my mouth! They were both in the same state park which was nice because we got there at 435 and it closed at 5. We quickly drove around and stopped off at a few lookout points. First it was Painted Desert which was incredible!! Then after a few stops we drove what seemed like forever until we got into the Petrified Forest. There we pulled off once and were able to see the sunset (5:17) from there. We set up Samm's camera and were fortunate enoua picture of all five of us (which didn't work so well earlier with the Cadillacs ha). Katie and I ran over and got a few pictures of the petrified wood before the visibly annoyed ranger came by and told us very sternly that the park had closed at five and we were to leave immediately without making any further stops. Sadly we all got back in the car and continued on our way. That didn't stop us from "pausing" our game as it came to be known (because we would pull up to a lookout, hop out with the car still running, get our pictures, hop back in and continue on) and snapping a few more priceless moments. The sky was a gorgeous pink and blue... How could we not??? Thankfully just past the exit was a group of petrified logs so Samm was able to get some shots.

Miles took over driving the last leg to get us to the Grand Canyon!!! Food was impossible to find so we ended up munching on some vegetables!! I cannot wait to have a real meal... Hopefully it is soon!! Thankfully we won't be driving for an entire day so we won't be rushing around. An hour and a half out Greg proclaims, "this trip isn't that long when you compare it to.... Jail! I'm out in an hour and a half!? Sweet!" The things that come out of his mouth have sure kept is entertained along the way!! Plus all the different voices he does. Kudos to Katie for only napping once today (yesterday we were all laughing because she couldn't seem to stay awake whatsoever). We were actually able to find some real food once we got off the expressway so with happy bellies we hopped on 180 for our final stretch toward the Grand Canyon!!! Once we got away from the city lights and saw all the stars the past two days of non-stop driving seem so obsolete. In fact Miles spotted two elk. He was able to turn around so we all got a chance to see them clearly!!! It was definitely a site to see!! Ah not ten minutes after that we passed an entire herd of Elks!!! So cool. After that Miles and Samm navigated our way to Maswik Lodge which will be our home for the next two nights. Once we got settled we watched Obama win the election and had a night cap so hopefully we can sleep through Greg's crazy snoring!!

Please disregard any grammar or spelling errors in this blog... It was done late at night and there is no time to correct it before putting it on the blog!!!