In the Details

Just some detail shots of Sedona.

Rock of Ages

This will be very picture-heavy, guys.

Let's launch straight into this, yeah?

Yeah.

My mom and I flew out of LAX (least favourite airport) last Tuesday and arrived in Tucson (favourite airport) about an hour later. Truth be told, I love flying, but it gives me so much anxiety. Let's face it, though, nearly everything gives me anxiety.

My mom, aunt, uncle, and I left Tucson the next day and drove up (or down, I have no sense of direction in Arizona) to Sedona from their house. The drive was pretty dull, but I secretly enjoyed it. The Arizona desert is so different from the one I live in. There's so much green. And, of course, everything wants to poke you. It's not even cool.

Our first hotel was this gorgeous resort. It was a three-bedroom condo thing, and I had my own fancy bathroom and very nearly private, personal patio. The grounds weren't that special, but who cares about that when you're in the lap of luxury? I called it Shangri La the whole time we were there. I'm not sure if everyone was amused the fourth time around. We'd eaten lunch at this restaurant, Ken's Creekside, before going to the hotel, so we basically stayed in for the rest of the night. I had a TV dinner. In Shangri La.

The next day (Thursday? Probably), my mom and aunt and I went uptown to check out some of the shops. At least I think it was uptown. I really ought to have paid more attention. The street itself was really cool, as the sidewalks were all reddened and the fixtures all copper. In every direction, you can see the amazing rocks rising out of the desert, and it's absolutely gorgeous. I got a few souvenirs and gifts, checked out a really dull museum, and had a delicious mocha. I do like mochas now. We ended the night with Cold Stone and spaghetti.

The next day, we couldn't decide what to do. We eventually settled on breakfast at Coffee Pot Restaurant, a drive to check out Slide Rock, and pizza.

The following day (what on earth are these days of the week?), we left that resort and went to check out some national monuments before checking into the next hotel. We saw Montezuma Well, which was amazing. It's this ridiculously large oasis in the middle of the desert, a huge pool ringed with cliffs and dwellings within the cliffs. If you go down a few steps, you'll find a trail surrounded by nearly lush greenery that winds alongside a creek. It's kind of amazing. After that was Montezuma's Castle a few miles away. The Castle, much like the Well, is amazing. That's best explained via photograph.

We ended up staying in three different hotel rooms, eating a ridiculous amount of food at Coffee Pot Restaurant (fantastic breakfast burritos, and the best biscuits and gravy ever) and El Rincon (amazing green chile and cheese enchiladas), seeing Hangover III (worth it), and going on a Hummer tour on our last day. There was no off-roading, as it is impossible to talk either me or my mom into it. It's just not gonna happen.

After spending one more day at my aunt and uncle's house, we flew back to California and came home to a massive dust storm. That was on Tuesday. It was clear as a bell on Wednesday. Our weather is being absurd.

Well, enough of my nonsense. Here, have some (so many) pictures!

Arriving in Tucson!

Day Eleven: Coming Home

Coming home from a great vacation is the best/worst thing. On the one hand, it's lovely to be home when you get there. On the other, it sucks to leave.

We left early, stopping for Starbucks. I even did the unthinkable and got coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker, for reasons unknown.

The drive was very, very, very long. We had lunch at an In-N-Out in Utah (not sure where) and passed through Arizona, Nevada, and a very dull chunk of California. I have recently discovered that I really want to explore an abandoned water park just after the fruit check, though.

I gave (almost) everyone their presents when I got home, introduced them to the wonders of huckleberry (I still have some of that licorice left), and honestly enjoyed being back home, in my own bed.

I would love to get a job at Yellowstone next summer, honestly. I want to go back as soon as I can. That place fills you up, makes you feel smaller and more alive. You can't escape the sheer might of everything there, but at the same time, you feel a bit closer to connected, you know?

Stop me before I wax too poetic.

I think that everyone should go to Yellowstone and Grand Teton at once. There's nothing quite as cleansing as a tremendous view, right? That's all you get there.

And so it concludes.

I think this just means that I need another adventure, and soon!

First bit of California in a while—in Utah.

Jerry in Arizona.

Day One: It Begins

So, as I told you, I went off on an adventure. I drove up to Yellowstone with Casey and my aunt. And since it was such a long trip, with so many pictures, I decided to drag it out and make a post a day. Yeah, buddy.

Anyway.

On the first day (Tuesday), we headed out. We got the car packed valiantly and headed off. We drove through a good chunk of California, Nevada, Arizona, and stopped in Utah. Provo, Utah, home of the sad Mexican food. Really, we should have figured that Utah wouldn't have California-approved Mexican food. Hopefully I'll get some tonight, though!

Also in Provo, Utah: our hotel. It was really nice, complete with a fitness room (abused my Casey and myself) and an indoor pool. I love pools, indoor and otherwise.

Arizona...

More Arizona...

Virgin margaritas, like all the cool kids do.
Mine tasted like chili tamarind candy.
It was supposed to be kiwi.

This is how we do.

Oh, Marriott, you know us so well!

So, by the end of this day, I could honestly say that I'd been to Vegas! Well, in Vegas.

Okay, through Vegas. Whatever.

More tomorrow!