After coming back from my 2 week vacation I got the constant, “how was it?” The only logical way in describing it was, incredible. I cannot describe how amazing this two week vacation and on which level of amazing it all fell in. I definitely have to say that this was the best vacation I have ever taken only because nothing was off limits. We did everything we wanted and there was no time of “no I don’t feel like doing that right now” or anyone else holding us back from doing it. We definitely know our vacation style now and it is road trips and being in the great outdoors.
We started off on the road on Saturday around 1pm. The late start was due to wanting to celebrate my mom’s birthday before I went on vacation. I stopped by Barnes and Nobles to get a copy of The Help because when I got back my mom wanted to watch the movie. I had to make sure to read the book beforehand. Then our journey started soon after. It was perfect how it happened. If we would have left earlier it could have helped but then I would have missed all the stars in the sky at 2am and the darkness that fell upon New Mexico when we arrived. It was a pitch black that was not appreciated until the morning when I woke up to utter bliss and awe. I tear up just thinking about it because it was such a beauty to see and I wish I was there again now. We woke up and headed for a small tour around the pueblo. Oh and did I mention the temperature!? It was amazing! Coming from Texas seeing the temperature drop 10 degrees before your eyes was great! I had my hand out the window trying to remember what that temperature was like, none came to mind.
The rest of the time we spent driving around New Mexico and relaxing before my half marathon that I had planned that weekend. We visited Los Alamos, which was where the first atomic bomb was created. Santa Fe a beauty of a place with a shopping center called Old Town. Drove around in the Jeep with the top down and I didn’t care if my hair was a giant mess when we arrived back at the house.
The day of my half marathon was a cool brisk morning. It was a half marathon so not many people participated but it was still nice. I was super nervous because my pace was not a good one leading up to this half marathon and I had only ran twice leading up to the race. I think I did a good job though. I stopped only to get a drink and even though I wanted to stop so many times I didn’t. When I was done I received the best gift I could receive, Sam being there. It was just like a splash of cool air to see him cheering me on. As my boyfriend I can say he is definitely my best friend, my worst critic, and my demanding yet supportive coach. I burst into tears when I was done, as I do with many of my races, and so proud of myself. I was now ready to feel the pain that came along with not running and the subjecting myself to 13.1 miles, and so it began.
After the half we were ready to start the second part of our road trip. Destination Arizona, a peek into Utah, and a two day stay in Las Vegas. If any of this part was my favorite besides New Mexico, of course, it has to be Arizona. We planned a one night camping trip at the Grand Canyon and a tour into Utah to see Monument Valley. In Arizona we took a detour into Glen Canyon Dam and the most beautiful place I have ever been to, Horseshoe Bend. We saw the sign and literally passed it and immediately turned around. We saw the postcard in the Visitor’s Center at Glen Canyon Dam but because we weren’t going to visit it because we thought it was far from where we were I didn’t buy it. That is what I regret the most of my entire trip. We thought it was going to be a short walk to over the hump only to see about a mile of sand to what looked to be where the Bend was. Let me tell you it was worth it. I have no words to describe it and all I can do is feel my eyes tear up…again, and feel the tingling inside of me just like when I saw it. We left there in utter awe just happy to be alive and to be there with each other. Now on to our next stop on the trip, the Grand Canyon.
This had to be the best drive anyone can ever take. It was remote driving through little towns with probably around 5 cars on the road the whole time we were on it. Mountains on each side and every time you take a curve you see a different side of the mountain and it takes a different shape. We were driving right to the Grand Canyon while the sun was in our face. It was like we were driving right into the sunset. Magical. Again, heading into the Grand Canyon we got in right when it was dark so we would have to set up our tent in the dark. Then also not knowing if one false step would have us fall in the depths of the Canyon itself!! When we missed the turn to the camp we had to do a U-turn. Going forward was a bit scary because it seemed we would go into a ditch or the Canyon! We set up camp, made dinner, and drank Dos Equis with the full moon over us and just enjoyed the night. The weather was a cool 40 degrees!!! It was incredible! In the morning we woke up and headed to the Canyon which wasn’t too far. We got out of the truck headed to the edge and OMG!! You thought I was mystified by Horseshoe Bend?! This was incredible!! Seeing this first thing that came to mind was…and people still think that God exists!! This geological formation of beauty so intricate and enormous! I mean it was mindboggling and I was just incredibly reduced to size in an instant. I was crying with every step I took. We took two more hikes around the Canyon and then we had to leave to our next stop, Las Vegas, NV.
This part of the trip is going to be short. We spent two days there and Sam and I both wish we had cut it to one. We definitely agree that it was nice to go there experience it but we have no desire to return, unless subjected to it with a bachelor/bachelorette party. We ate at a fancy restaurant, hung out by the pool, walked the strip, and watched a Burlesque show. If there is anything to be said about Las Vegas it is that it’s expensive and you get all walks of life in a second in that city than you would think you would get anywhere else. Been there done that, check, move on!! If you want to know how I really feel, if I haven’t made a point of it already, the greater things in life are free and Vegas proved that. The entire trip we had spent no money due to just going on hikes, enjoying the sunsets on the porch, and just driving through towns with the windows down and purely enjoying things like Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon free of charge. We spent everything in Vegas without a single nickel being put into a slot! Ridiculous, but again different strokes for different folks and I would much rather hike up a mound to see the beauty of a formation than sit mindlessly in front of a slot in a smoky casino.
We headed back to New Mexico and the vacation was drawing to an end. I was growing sadder and sadder knowing I would leave soon and head back to the congestion of what Austin was becoming, the rudeness of people that are invading the city, and the heat of Texas that has come with no rain. We drew our stay to the last second and leaving on Sunday at 10am instead of the day before. The only good thing about the trip was that at 11pm at night in Texas we stopped on the side of the road because we were able to see the Milky Way in the sky. It was so humbling to see such a beautiful site before having to go back to the hustle and bustle of city life. I fell in love with New Mexico. Throughout the trip Sam and I have planned to live there soon. I have my heart and soul set on that and if anyone knows me they know that I make good on my goals and New Mexico will be my new home someday.
I wish I could tell you every single episode of our trip but with it comes things that I cannot describe in words and inside jokes that only Sam and I could find funny. We are now starting to plan Road Trip 2012 and we are spending every day hiking and camping. If we step foot in Nevada it will only be to camp in the Great Basin which is the darkest place in the country and perfect to see the whole night sky!!
With love from,
Cottonwood (Wolsie) Wash & Tucker Flat Wash
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