UPDATED FINALLY WITH PICTURES!! my journey cross-country

UPDATED ON 6/13 WITH PICS...PAGE 2


I will update this next week with pictures...but stupid me forgot my camera AND License in mexico...I'll explain later...


OK...so I woke up bright and early on 5/4 and set out from LI to the great west...one of my friend's (BM) came along for the ride and to keep me company...we were also joined by my cat!!

after the cat settled down a little, we cruised along the first day into Illinois...we were actually trying to push it to ST Louis...but word came out of tornadoes...and we decided to stop...we were lucky that we did, b/c I'm sure thast all of you heard the news in the midwest...we did drive through it as a thunderstorm and it was intense...hail and everything...


the next day we passed ST Louis into Missouri and Kansas and made it to outside Colorado Springs (pueblo)...ity turns out...the only day that the tornadoes didn't hit...was that day...and we decided to take a little road...to bypass denver...it was really exciting...and we drove next to Pike's Peak


tuesday we were going to have a more relaxing day...we drove south through CO...and we had flat prairies to the east and magnificant Rocky Mountains to the west...so amazing how they rise out of the sky...we stopped for lunch in sante fe...I was pretty psyched to spend a few hours there, b/c I've heard great things about it...I thought it s*cked...we went on into Arizona...and stopped at the petrified forest and painted desert...we tried to make it to the meteor crater, but it was closed...we saw the outside of it though -- good enough really...we made it to flagstaff that night...and its such a nice city...so unlike what you would think AZ would be like...since DH is from AZ, I had driven by it...but never stayed there..it was COLD...30's


wed...we drove a little north to the grand canyon...went hiking for a bit (3 hours or so) and then headed to Sedona....I had been there once before and its just so beautiful...but I hear its a pricey place to live...we then decided to go a little faster, b/c the bachelor was on...so it was a race between the interstates and andrew firestone...the interstates won...I'm hoping that a friend's tivo automatically taped it...so don't tell me anything yet!!! I still think that Kirsten, Tina, and Jen are all in it...but I'll have to watch tonight...so I'll have to catch up front the LIW thread on it!!!

we got to SD that night...tired...

DH's friend came for a few days from Scottsdale...and we met up with Teri!! She and James are so much to hang out with...I'm a little disappointed that we won't be able to do much of that anymore... :(


just when we thought we could rest...it was off to Mexico...We have a beach house in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasca) which is on the Gulf of California...I can't wait to post pics, but I left my camera at the house...my BIL is going down this weekend...and he said he would get it...

I also left my license!!!! which I took so I could get through the border!! well, we pulled up to the border patrol...and I had just gotten a new windshield...b/c I passed a truk that pummelled me with rocks...right before I left NY...it still had the tape on it (I figured people would leave us alone on our cross-country trip - if they saw the tape holding the car together)well the border patrol was all suspicious about it....like I had taken the windshield out to hide Mexican's in the engine and they shined a flashlight everywhere...but never asked for our licenses...I guess they could hear our accents...

we then went to AZ for a day to hang out with DH's family and just got back today...


I'm exhausted...I hope I can get the pictures to you guys soon!! so mow my life in CA starts!!! I'll be on tomorrow(since I don't have a job anymore...I have to watch survivor from sunday (don't tell me anything yet!! I've been in Mexico...so don't know anything!!!)


next..off to Spain again...

adios amigas!!!

what a great trip! I'm looking forward to the cross-country roadtrip when we head east.

I wish SD was closer to SF

wow - you're such the world traveler! So glad you had a great time in Mexico, even with the license/camera issue. I'm sure border patrol was lenient once they spoke with John, right? That's gotta score some points!

James and I did have a great time with you guys that night - even James commented the next day how fun everyone was - and he was like, now where did you meet these people?! (I hate saying the internet)
I was disappointed as well that we can't do it more often. You'll have to let me know if you stop over in NY on your way to Spain Did you make definite plans yet?

Wow, I am so jealous you did the whole cross country drive. I would love to do that someday....

Enjoy SD - come visit us LI girls often at LIW!!

Hey Erica ... you sound a bit busy! So glad that your trip was fun and safe. I was in Atlanta during the tornados, so I know the scare!
Can't wait to see pics!

Erica thanks for the play by play. I am glad you got there safely. I cannot wait to see the pix. Take care and enjoy the no work time

sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for keeping us posted

Sounds like a beautiful trip and a once in a lifetime experience. My MOH and I used to talk about doing a cross country drive, but that's all it ever ended up being - talk.

Glad you got there safely. Don't forget us East Coast girls!

I think I'm still on NY time...I've been up since 6:30 (9:30 for you guys)

since I have no job yet...I am going to make my job working out...3 hours a day...so off I go...

thanks for all the well wishes...I have gone cross-country 3 times now...and it is definitely an experience I would recommend for everyone...there are so many different places to see in the US...it seems that we always find foreign places exotic and forget whats in our backyard!!!

I also travelled cross-sountry in China and its amazing how similar the two countries are in landscape...


by the way...I caught up on my TV...Jenna? Tina Fabulous?? I cannot believe it!!!

Erica, you are so right, I told hubby that we need to do a year of American vacation. Enjoy working out, you are going to be one buff California girl

I am glad you got home safe and sound. Isn't it weird to think of SD as home now?
Do you miss us yet?

shamma...I have to keep up the image SD has...as one of the fittest cities in the US...since I gained 25 pounds...I don't think they are too happy with me


michele...I miss some parts of NY...only b/c that is where I spent my life...but to be honest...it is so friendly here..there is NO honking!! they sit and wait for you...and they let the pedestrians go...everytime!...people on the street, you have never met, say good morning and ask how you are doing...and mean it!! people in general smile...but I watch the today show to keep in touch with a little bit in NY...

the worst part...is knowing that you guys know the AI winner 3 hours before me!!!

Erica,

Thank you so much for sharing your cross county trip. I have been cross county once (via the south) and I really want to go again (via the north). Your post really got me excited - I want to pull out a map and start planning!

I am glad that you had a great trip and I wish you the best of luck in SD - it is such a great city.