Good Day Sunshine

When I began this blog, I had a clear intention of chronicling my journey from New Jersey to San Diego, both as a means of personal record and means to share my experience with family, friends, and anyone else interested.  This task was the main driving force of this blog, but I also had a glimmer of an idea that I could keep this blog going after my road trip was finished; it could be a chance to practice (I believe one is always practicing the things they do, forever improving no matter how skilled one is in the task at hand) writing and a new channel for commitment and enjoyment.  So now, as I've touched on the overall timeline of my cross-country travels, I'm taking a stab at writing within less-dictated guidelines.  I've been bouncing around the idea that I should make my first non-road-trip-entry for a while now, always wondering what might be interesting enough to write about. And today, the topic came clear to me as if it was calling my name, and I felt enlightened at the realization. LOLJK.  That didn't happen.  I DID however realize that an idea would probably rarely, if ever, hit me that way, and I just had to go for it--try something--and work with what I had.

Here's a thing I LOVE about San Diego--it's practically ALWAYS sunny.  And I soak in every joy-inducing, bright beam of sunshine I catch with a satisfaction that's a combination of disbelief and ecstasy.  The first weekend I was here, I went to a bonfire on the beach at Coronado.  It wasn't exactly summer clothes & swimsuit kinda weather--I was comfortably sporting jeans and a hoodie.  Even still, I couldn't get over the fact that I was relaxing on the beach in February.  Sure, you can do that in New Jersey--but it'd be a lot colder.  I must've sounded like a toddler who just learned a new phrase--constantly repeating myself, over and over, no matter what was going on.

"Hey, want a soda?"
"No thanks. Wow I can't believe I'm on the beach in February!"

"Can you pass me the marshmallows?"
*Passes bag.* "Wow, I can't believe I'm on the beach in February!"

"How do you like your new place?"
"HEY DID YOU HEAR I'M ON THE BEACH IN FEBRUARY!!"

I think you get the idea.

This sunshine and warmth has been working wonders on my psyche.  Don't get me wrong--I've never been a girl that hated winter.  I always loved playing in the snow and sledding, and had forever felt a certain gratitude for growing up somewhere that had four seasons.  I though it was funny and adorable my freshman year of college when some new friends from California marveled at their first snowfall.  But as the weight of recent years had been piling up on my shoulders, I was finding less joy in snow that was hardly falling this winter, and more misery in the grayness of the season.  This girl was in desperate need of sunshine.

I've noticed that even on my down days here, the days when familiar depressing thoughts begin to creep up on me again, or days I feel homesick, I've maintained a steadfast beacon-thought that "I may be down, but I'm much better than I was two months ago".

There are a lot of factors in my move out here that have led me to this point, and though I suppose I can't attribute it entirely to the bountiful sunshine, I know it's played a huge roll.

Have you ever had a similar experience?  Finding amazing therapeutic power in sunshine?  Or perhaps suffered from a lack thereof?  How did you cope with gray skies?

San Diego (Or, if You Prefer, *in Ron Burgundy Voice* San DiAAAHgo)

Thursday, February 21 - Saturday, February 23

San Diego had been such a longed-for, drawn out, eventual destination for me that when we woke up on Thursday morning and prepared to get in the car again to drive to our next and final stop, I could hardly believe that stop was San Diego.  I'd spent so long thinking about San Diego, turning the idea of going there over in my mind constantly, that it seemed unreal that I would ever arrive.  It almost seemed surreal, like I couldn't trust what logic was telling me would be happening today.

After hugs and thank-yous and goodbyes, we said adieu to sunny Phoenix and made our way to the southern-most city in CA.  Funny note--there's a neighborhood (district? not sure of the proper classification) in Phoenix called "Surprise", which provided many laughs in situations such as seeing a cop car sporting "Surprise Police."  The most morbid, yet perhaps most humorous example was one we saw on our way out of the city: "Surprise Funeral Care".

See?  Wasn't kidding--it's actually called that!

We continued through the desert climate, and paused at a rest stop in Gila Bend (if I remember correctly).  It was an interesting little place with a small museum inside, off-beat brochures, and a smiling cactus.

We saw the same wide, empty spaces that had become familiar to us during our time in NM & AZ, and just after we drove through Yuma we entered California.  After some brief celebratory sentiments for hitting the Western-most state in the continental US (and of our journey), we were taken aback--we had entered the desert.  I thought we had been driving through desert for the past 2 1/2 states, but this was straight-up, sand dunes everywhere, beach without the ocean, nothing but sand, damn-when-did-we-get-to-the-Sahara desert.  Like many other things I had seen for the first time on this trip, it was incredible and unbelievable.

Then, after a handful of bewilderment at the sight of the desert, we came to perhaps the strangest, most foreign thing I saw during the course of the entire trip.  This bit of scenery was unlike anything I'd ever seen before--I felt like I was on another planet. They're mountains that look like giant piles of rocks.  They appear as a bunch of boulders piled on top of each other that just so happen to be balanced as you look at them--the whole time driving through this mountain range I was uneasy, fearing these piles might suddenly start to slip and down would come countless HUGE BOULDERS crashing as they tumble down to my car.  It didn't help that the weather was looking a bit ominous at this point.  (Anyone know what these mountains are called?  I haven't been able to find it and would like to know!)

Photos Courtesy of my Cousin Chelsea--Thanks! 

Note: The rocks are much bigger than they look in this photo (the mountains are too).

After some time, the mountains became a bit more familiar, and they were as beautiful as the previous peaks were peculiar.  I wish I could've gotten some more deliberate photos, but all I have is this quick snap my cousin took with her phone:

Doesn't really do it justice, but gives an idea.  Thanks for the pic again, Chelsea!

Pretty soon, things became familiar, and I realized I was in San Diego!  Still somewhat in disbelief, I was overcome by a tingling excitement at this realization.  This was it.  The place I had been shooting for all this time.  The beautiful city I had been thinking about for so long.  Throughout my journey I faced many diverse emotions, ranging from anticipation to homesickness.  Though I'd thought much about the family I missed, as I came into my destination I was absolutely thrilled.  I couldn't stop smiling!  Also, though I'd been there before, this was the first time I was actually driving on these roads--very aware on the California city traffic, I was wary and full of adrenaline at the same time.

After reaching our destination, we unloaded the super-packed car.  My car was spacious again--and my room was full of piles of everything.  Once we cleared a path, deciding to tackle the mess later, and met up with my boyfriend (who I was now in the same city as! yay!), we headed to a place called Slater's 50/50 with some friends.  It's a classy burger joint that has a famous 50/50 patty--half ground beef, half bacon.  I myself am not a burger-eater, but they do chicken sandwiches too which are pretty bangin'.  If you're ever in the San Diego area (and I think there may be more than just this one, in other cities, not sure), I recommend it!

Exhausted, we hit the hay after dinner.  The next morning we woke up and headed out for the San Diego Zoo!  My cousin only had one full day here, and the Zoo seemed like a must for her San Diego experience.  The 3 highlights of our zoo day (in my opinion) were:

1. Seeing the baby Panda!

Chelsea got the best picture.  The baby's playing!

2. Bonding with the giraffes

One giraffe became friendly with my cousin.  (S)he put his/her face down really close to Chelsea's (that's her on the bottom left)--this was after (s)he picked his/her head back up.

This is the photo Chelsea got when her giraffe friend stooped down to say hello!

3. SEEING THE SLOTHS MOVE!!!!!! (If you're reading this and aren't privy to my sloth obsession be informed that I LOVE SLOTHS!)

YAY SLOTH! 

After our time at the zoo, we made our way over to Balboa Park--one of my favorite places in San Diego.  There you can find a ton of museums, street performers, a Spanish Art Village, two theaters, a community of international cottages, and an Organ Amphitheater, to name a few places.

For dinner that night, we got mexican--because I'd been dying for some mexican food from San Diego, and I couldn't let Chelsea leave without her getting a taste too.  Afterwards, we headed downtown to the Horton Plaza mall with my boyfriend and 2 other friends.  Unfortunately, though, the night had to come to an end, and we needed to head back and go to bed so I could get my cousin to the airport for her early flight the next day.

When the morning rolled around, we groggily got out of bed, and I drove Chelsea to San Diego International Airport.  In what seemed simultaneously like the blink of an eye and a trip we had set out on ages ago, we had driven from the East Coast to the West.  I thought I knew that our country was huge and diverse, but I really did not understand until I drove across it--and I only traveled the bottom half this time!  I saw landscapes I didn't even know existed in America, and I met people from all over.  I had a wonderful time with the companionship of my cousin, and I was sad to see her go.  As I was driving back from the airport, I decided to listen to the radio, and guess what song came on?  It was "Take it Easy" by the Eagles (and written by Jackson Browne).  I could hardly believe it.  This song had graced my journey from when I set out to pick up my cousin at the beginning of the trip, to our stop somewhere in the middle at Winslow, AZ, to the car ride after I dropped my cousin off at the airport to fly home.  I'm not really sure what it means, but I'm going to take it as a good sign. :)

Phoenix

Tuesday, February 19 - Wednesday, February 20

After marveling in the Grand Canyon and all its glory (and enjoying the opportunity to use our legs!), we headed south.  Originally we planned to stop and see Sedona, Jerome, and Montezuma's Castle, but warnings of a winter snow storm hitting that day urged us to drive straight through to Phoenix.  So drive we did, and we arrived after sunset to the home of some lovely relatives.

We found out later that there was a sink hole on one of the roads we were traveling on not so long ago! Though later we realized it was farther north than we entered the road.

After some catching up we enjoyed a lovely night's sleep, and the next day we all headed into the city to spend time at the Heard Museum.  Our relatives treated us to a lovely time at this museum that exhibits Native American art.

Cradle Boards

Rug Weaving

Moccasins

Beaded Bags

Beautiful Glass Fence

Harry Potter Pottery!

Kachina Dolls

We also learned some about the Navajo code talkers from WWII, which were Navajo men who joined the Marines and developed a secret code using Navajo and English to help with communication--a code the Japanese never cracked.  I had heard that the code was so complex that I was actually surprised by how simple the system actually was (i.e. the Navajo word for bird meant plane, if I remember correctly).  I guess the complexity came from the multiple levels of translation.

After enjoying the beautiful art at the museum, we went back to the house for the night, where we had a delicious steak dinner, joined by more family.  Later that night, my cousin and I even enjoyed the hot tub!

It was so nice to spend time with family in Phoenix, and we had a little more time than originally planned due to the storm that drove us onward.  Thanks, Bob and Dale for the wonderful visit!  But by the next morning we had to be on our way--San Diego was our next stop!

Standin' on the Corner in Winslow Arizona, & The Grand Canyon

Monday, February 18 - Tuesday, February 19

After our not-so-spicy-as-expected Mexican lunch, we hit the road on our way to Arizona.  I must admit I had been a bit judgmental about New Mexico's scenery, but this day of driving was to help shape my opinion of the state's aesthetic more favorably.  We still saw a lot of empty landscape, but it was no longer so flat, and things became more colorful!

By the time we were entering Arizona, I was marveling at the scenery.  The rocks were turning red, and I just kept admiring the beauty of the color while anxiously anticipating a visit to the Grand Canyon.  Both in New Mexico and Arizona I saw many Native American trading posts and aspects of Native American Culture.

My cousin knew of an exceptional hotel in Winslow, AZ called La Posada, so we planned to stop there for the night.  We reached La Posada around dinner time, and I could tell immediately that this was a neat place.  Even from the outside it was very decorative and enticing.  The front desk was admist many dazzling gift shop items, including a bunch of beautiful Native American jewelry.  The building used to be a train station for the line built in the old west--trains still ride by on the tracks RIGHT next to the hotel, but the building's no longer a station.  The building is old, but very well kept and keenly decorated, with art exhibits you can peruse--even if you're not staying the night it's a nice place to visit.

Even the outlet's were artful!

After meandering through the various spectacles in the hotel on the way to the large staircase, we made our way up to our room.  Each room is dedicated to a famous historical figure, and there's a plate next to the door displaying the person with a brief biography.  Our room was the Amelia Earhart room.

After getting settled, we made our way to a dinner reservation at the hotel's famous restaurant--the Turquoise Room.  I had heard so many great things about the Turquoise Room from my Aunt and Cousin who had eaten breakfast there once on a past trip and couldn't stop raving about it, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations!  I had such a delicious meal with calimari as an appetizer, a succulent steak entrée, and followed by a heavenly double chocolate Grand Marinier soufflé.

After our incredible meal (thanks Aunt Vic!), we explored the galleries exhibiting work by an artist named Tina Mion.  She had many pieces with a presidential theme (perhaps this was more than a coincidence being so close to Presidents' Day?), but with the first ladies displayed more prevalently than the presidents. The most memorable was of Jackie Kennedy (and Jack, on a smaller scale):

Stop-Action Reaction
Jacqueline Kennedy, King of Hearts
by Tina Mion
http://www.tinamion.com/ladies_first/kennedy.html 

Haunting, isn't it?  Her work was impressive and very interesting, though sometimes a bit disquieting.

Happy from great food and captivating art, I enjoyed a good night's sleep that night.  The next day, we packed up our things, checked out, and headed over the the corner on Route 66 (La Posada is also on Route 66) where there is a statue of Jackson Browne (who wrote the famed Eagles song "Take it Easy") standing on the corner.  There is also a flatbed Ford parked on the street, and a mural on the wall which includes a girl in a flatbed Ford looking at Jackson Browne.  Of course, we had to get pictures standing on the corner, and after we visited the shop across the street.

After our visit with Jackson Browne, we said goodbye to Winslow (as my cousin put it, La Posada and the statue were literally the only things worth seeing there) and made our way to the most anticipated stop on the trip for me--the Grand Canyon!  I had never been before, and I was a bit surprised to be driving through forests and snow on my way up.  I also did not realize how common snow was at the national park--there was snow on the ground during our visit, but it was bright and warm in the sunshine (with my winter coat on).  The Grand Canyon was unbelievable.  I feel like I can't do it justice in attempt to describe it, but one aspect that left an impression on me was how incredibly vast the Canyon is.  I felt like it looked almost 2-dimensional to me, because there were so many levels and I could hardly determine where one ended and the other began.

Next Stop: Phoenix!

Santa Fe

Sunday, February 17 - Monday, February 18

As we drove farther north in NM, things seemed less barren but still pretty sparse.  I noticed the land was less flat and there seemed to be more vegetation, though we hit darkness before seeing a whole lot of change.  We still seemed to be on the only road around for the most part.  We reached Santa Fe late (maybe arond 9, 9:30? I can't quite remember), and though we were tired, we decided to trek to a place called Cowgirl's BBQ for dinner.  It was a neat little restaurant/bar with live music à la Neil Young and Bob Dylan, where I thoroughly enjoyed a delicious steak fajita platter.  

A Little Difficult to Tell, but this is Cowgirl's BBQ

Yum! My Delicious Steak Fajita Platter

The city seemed to be very quiet with many places closed on a Sunday night. The next morning we walked into town to peruse the shops we'd heard good things about, but nothing seemed to open until 10:00! We were trying to depart for our next destination around noon to avoid driving at night, so we walked into town before most places were open. We killed time walking around and visiting a few places open early. In one jewelry store we met a salesperson from Mount Laurel in New Jersey! It's such a small world.

It was easy to see why so many people like Santa Fe. It's filled with adorable boutiques and vintage shops, plus it has a bustling art scene that includes beautiful jewelry and turquoise as far as the eye can see! It felt like a hipster's paradise to me (in a good way haha, non-hipsters invited too!). I found an excellent pair of high-waisted levi bellbottoms in a thrift (read: high-end vintage) store that I was sad to discover were way too small for me :( But no worries--I ended up finding a great bag that I got and put to use as a new camera bag!

Shop in Santa Fe

A Fabulous Vintage Find

We ended our shopping spree in order to get an early lunch so we could be on the road before we burned too much daylight. We decided to go to a place near the railyard named Tomasita's, which opened just before we arrived. It's a reasonably-priced mexican restaurant with warnings about how hot the chiles are, and it has great ratings online. It's a great thing we decided to go early--by the time we had finished lunch there was a HUGE line waiting to get in! It seems to be a fortunate theme that we 'stumble upon' gems as we travel! Side note: the food wasn't even very spicy! It was good but I was honestly a little disappointed to miss out on the heat. My cousin wondered whether they could tell we were tourists and dialed it down.

Mural in Santa Fe

Artsy Walk Signs in Santa Fe

Between the Caverns and Santa Fe

Sunday, February 17

(note: I have made it safely to my destination at this point, for anyone that may be confused.  I clearly fell behind on posts--I will continue to post until I cover what I've missed, so the posts will cover what I did in chronological order even though I've already arrived!  Thanks for reading!)


Though completely different from the marvel that lies underground in the Carlsbad Caverns, the view from atop the mountain is quite impressive.  We stopped at a pull-off spot on the way back to town to enjoy the landscape.  One thing that stuck me was that we were so high up looking and many different levels of land expanded in front of us, yet just outside the national park everything was flat for miles and miles and miles.

These pictures really can't even translate how awesome and impressive the landscape is.

After leaving the Caverns and getting some much-needed lunch, we ditched Carlsbad, NM for Santa Fe!  This time we got to drive through New Mexico in the daytime.  At night, it had felt somewhat creepy driving though the empty, flat land in the dark.  During the day it wasn't so much creepy as surprising.  We still seemed to be on the only road around for most of the drive, with nothing to very little around.  We would see signs pointing to towns that seemed to consist of about four buildings.  Another thing we noticed was tons of trash that perhaps blew across the desert until it finally hit a fence.  We even saw a huge pile of trash labeled as a "dump site", which was bizarre--but not as bizarre as the city of Roswell!  If you don't know anything about Roswell, NM and its famed UFO incident, you can read a bit about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_UFO_incident .  Roswell was more built-up than most of what we were driving through, but it wasn't any big city I'm used to.  We passed by their famed UFO museum but that was far from being the only UFO reference visible on a quick drive through.  There were statues of aliens everywhere--at gas stations, hotels, parking lots, etc.  Roswell was a strange combination of tourist attractions (I use that term somewhat loosely, mainly thinking of the UFO museum and hotels), aliens, military, and hipsters.  We were somewhat surprised to stumble upon a hipster population at a Starbucks we stopped in, though after thinking a bit it seemed to make sense.

One of These Things is Not Like the Others...
Apparently Just Your Typical Shop in Roswell

Alien on the Side of the Road

Blurry Picture, but Sign Outside a Hotel
(Reads "I Feel at Home!")