From SLC to SF

The quick trip (although it was so far from quick we were entertaining ourselves with American idol singing competitions and fashion shows by the end) from Moab to SLC would only have been entertaining to a human-fly-on-the-wall. By the time we were there and pulled up to the hostel (homeless shelter) that we had booked, we both looked at the place and went sprinting in the opposite direction. So we broke down and stayed in some motel with 3 deadbolts featured in the amenities.

After SLC, came Lake Tahoe. I think I have found my new vacation destination for all times. I had booked some $30/night room prior to arriving that has ended up to be my most favorite accommodations up to this point. The joint catered to all, exactly on the California/Nevada state line and simply across the street from the beautiful and massive Lake Tahoe. Aside from the ridiculous views (lined by all mountains in the background), literally anyone could entertain themselves here (and I won big on the tables). Enough "gambling-on-a-budget" on to San Fran.

I have forever been told that San Fran is the place to be by all I know that have been. I think that I can agree. The rolling streets (aka mountains) are somewhat intimidating when facing them face-on, but the view from afar is brilliant. The hostel was in the heart of North Beach (centrally located in betweeen downtown, Chinatown, fisherman's wharf, and more nude bars than I have ever seen). Carefully avoiding all of the well-lit arenas of barely dressed women, we saw all of the touristy and not-so-touristy hot spots. The "big expensive splurge" was the tour by cruise ship around the bay area getting the low-down on places like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Although that was well worth the money spent, the city also had tons of things to do for free, and the hostel put on various shows and/or free dinners for the good of all. Even just a random walk turned into all kinds of fun and free entertainment. (on the way to Chinatown we passed a crowd of about 50 men and women dressed (or undressed) wearing items such as chaps &NOTHING ELSE or maybe a color around their neck & NOTHING ELSE) Apparently we had stumbled upon a festival full of about 10,000 people celebrating their love for leather. Though I didn't have the guts to traverse the entrance and wander inside, the sites to see along the street were so shocking you just had to stare.

So while I was staring, jaw dropped to the floor, you could clearly get a feel for who was a local to San Fran and who wasn't. The tourists were drenched in their own drool (only in shock while jaws are scraping the ground) while the locals just kept on walking. This only goes to show that anything really goes in this city. Diversity is everywhere. Artists out-number taxi cab drivers. Dreaded and non-dreaded haired folk walk the streets with joint in hand. Friendly faces are around every corner. What isn't to love when everyone is loved?

27, Unemployed, & Wearing A Sheet

On the road again. We (now a different version of a Tampa friend, Elle has come along for the ride) left Denver on Wednesday en route to San Fran. We stopped the first night at the cheapest accommodations I have seen thus far ($9/bed) in Moab, Utah. The scenery was nothing short of stunning. The immense canyons and formations are such a deep autumn red and that color extends for as far as you can see in any direction. The town itself is full of outdoor enthusiasts (aka a lot of hippies) and is also home to the highest paying McDonalds in the world ($9/hr starting wage w a $1,000 signing bonus). After getting settled into the hostel and having a canned dinner on the front porch, we were invited to a toga party. Since this day also happened to be the day of my birth-we obviously decided to join. It turns out that all of the "outdoor enthusiasts" living in this tiny town-ALL LIVE AT THIS HOSTEL (when you do the math, a bed/rent adds up to less than $300/mo (not so shabby)-but not all of them slept in the beds.) The grounds around the hostel had more campers than any of the nearby camp sites. Regardless, the birthday bash (i enjoy the egotistical version of the story-my bday bash) was a blast, full of entertaining "togas" and interesting "toga-wearers"-a fun time had by all. The next day, bright and early (& about a gallon of coffee later) we hit the road to Salt Lake City.

Half-way Deep

So at this point I am just about half way through the anticipated duration of my journey. I have been through 29 states, have driven just over 8,700 miles, changed the oil and fluids twice (and will again tomorow), have spent around $1,600 in gas, and have seen so many people/places/things it’s hard to absorb it all. In retelling the tales of the time spent, some of the destinations come together like glue and others take me all day to come up with what happened where. The truth be told, I did the southeast though i travelled it quick-like (already seen it). Took my time in the northeast (the beginning leg of the trip that I hadn't already seen+ sleeping for free most nights). BLEW THROUGH the mid-west (couldn’t afford anymore-THANK GOD-although Rt. 66 was a fun 1-time adventure). Tasted the southwest (just the beginning-I’M IN LOVE). At this point I have landed in Denver. I have been in and around here for the last couple of weeks (after packing 4,500 miles up and in to 10 days, the break has been much needed) and besides, Denver is one of my favorite cities (and my aunt and uncle are putting me up in their stunning estate.
All in all, I can conclude:

southeast-not surprising-hot, humid, and full of bugs

northeast-so much character, ridiculous driving, surprisingly nice people, expensive accommodations, LOVE NYC, beautiful countryside, and full of bugs

Midwest-OMG I LOVE CHICAGO!, other than that I think they should take a space-shuttle-sewing-machine, draw a vertical line just at Chicago’s east side, draw a vertical line just at Denver’s east side, and just eliminate all that’s in between. From what I’ve seen the excluded populations have been small enough to all fit into some place like Idaho (who unfortunately didn’t make the cut, geographically speaking).

southwest-I LOVE IT. After seeing city after city void of any character, it was so refreshing to get to spend a few days in New Mexico. The pueblo houses were so intriguing-and then I got to sleep in one-yay! Also, the hostels were leaps and bounds above anywhere I have slept yet! We managed to hit Santa Fe just in time for Fiesta, a giant festival featuring dancing, singing, locals, and AMAZING food. I couldn't have asked for anything more. If the economy wasn't so difficult there (even before this recession), I would be ready to relocate in a heartbeat.

There is still so much more to come, and the rest of it is the most anticipated. In just a few days, the trek should continue...



Driving to San Fran and staying for a few days. Flying into Seattle and staying for 2. Amtrak down to Portland and staying for 3 days. Then flying back into San Fran. From there, driving the coastal highway southbound, sleeping in 5 or 6 random cities on the way to LA. Although the prices are rising, this is the leg of the trip that really made me decide to do it all. I CANT WAIT!

Mesquito's Taxi

Leaving St. Louis, we started to notice that the 'weird black shadow' had followed us. Somewhere in between the Arch and the place we stopped off for $2 sandwiches we realized that we had been holding a fly captive for many-a-mile. I'm gonna be suggestive enough to think that we were holding him captive...but that could be presumptious. So we saw the caverns...fly's still there...then the other caverns...fly's still there...somewhere along the route Ali (in)appropriately named the fly; Mosquito, and it stayed with us for miles. While we were unloading into our ridiculous (aka atrocious) motel room in Oklahoma City, Mosquito decided to separate from us. So the house pet was gone-however, the new house pet followed us into our 'ridiculous' room. It would seem likely that we would give fly 2 a ride like we did Mosquito, but at this point, (just entered Texas; EVERYTHINGS larger) things with wings are NOT ALLOWED IN THE CAR!

Random stops have included the roadside oddity; a 150 foot blue whale that formerly served as a water slide, the Rt 66 roadside x4 Museum, the Bug Ranch, the Cadillac Ranch, and Dot's Mini Museum (she's self-proclaimed Rt 66's biggest fan who has opened her house to the public). These pit-stops define the purpose of travelling Rt 66 and have provided entertainment worth many USD!

1,201 (REAL) mosquito bites later, we have arrived in the next stop, Tucumacari, New Mexico. Route 66 has truly done us right. Middle America has really proved to be a place that few live, many explore, and no one can make any money. The cost-of-living has become so cheap, that I cant understand domestication in any part of this country unless forced. At the same time, the people are so cordial, I smile. I'm so accustomed to low-wage=poor service, it's astounding that low wadge=the friendliest people I've ever dealt with. Gotta love it. And on the route goes...tomorrow hitting Albuquerque

Gettin Our Kicks On 66

Kansas City had some of the best bbq I've ever tasted, but that was about it. We were welcomed in St. Louis by being told that we really shouldn't be out in the area after dark by the lady who ran the hostel. If we did decided to risk it, we were told to definitely not have any cash on us. So that altered our plans a little, but we got to see all that we had on the brain. Nothing out of the ordinary-the arch, Busch Stadium, and Forest Park. Leaving the big cities behind, we started the Route 66 journey outside of St. Louis. Unfortunately we just missed the world's largest ketchup bottle just north of us as well as the birthplace of the corn dog (ouch!). So far, it is everything it's been cracked up to be. Quirky little town after quirky little town offering meals as cheap as $2 and will sleep 2 people for $18 at times. The people so far have been overwhelmingly kind and extremely helpful.

In Leesburg, MO we stopped for a bite at Ike's Chat and Chew (tip and all didn't top $5) and then headed to the Onondaga Caves for a tour. Missouri has more caves than any other state (apparently) so it seemed like an obvious splurge for our budgets.

We knew it was time to stop when the unpleasant odor that hi-jacked my couldn't even be alleviated by the all-windows-down-cure-all. We didn't attempt to figure out who or what that stench came from to avoid embarrassment, we simply pulled off the road and called it a night, Springfield, MO.