Everyday we're hustlin'

From New Mexico, Alysha and I had nothing but new experiences on the horizon. Driving away from Taos, we drove passed Earthships, this area of land devoted to homes made out of recycled building materials and themed to look like miniature water parks with solar panels growing out of their roofs and gardens on terraces. It was crazy and smack in the middle of nowhere, it was its own little oasis of color and creativity. Driving up through a mountain pass in northern New Mexico provided us with amazing views as well as 8 foot snowplow banks and even a little part of road that iced back over. We persevered by pulling over to take pictures on top of snow plow piles while hoping we didn't fall in over our heads. The air is thinner, the skies seem bluer and you can see for miles ahead in any direction. The terrain even changes so much in what seems a short period of time. We drove through school bus graveyards and into the desert and through canyon lands. We drove into the Grand Canyon itself just after night fall and on the verge of peeing our pants, maybe it was just me. The sign on the ranger post before entering basically said, if you're reading this, keep driving, enjoy your stay. We found out camp ground, popped up our tent with just a little fuss. We layered up because there was snow on the ground and we were going to be sleeping on it. Unfortunately even after 3-4 layers of sweaters and jackets and socks and heavy blanket, our body heat was no match for the frozen ground and it sucked that and about 6 hours of good sleep from us. Which is why we cracked open a couple of Great Divide's as a rewarding night cap before the long night ahead. Our plan was to wake and watch the sunrise, but who are we kidding, we were already awake. 5:30 am turning into 7:30 am with little to no difference in the sky. Alysha was hell bent on finding the best lookout spot possible and so we found it, perfect perch and sat there for an hour and a half, looking homeless in our sweatpants and multiple layers of sweaters and a blanket across our laps. As we sat, I felt peace, the kind of peace that only a sunrise can bring, before people start moving about and stirring up the air around you with noise and distractions. It was beautiful. Then we encountered the Korean hostile take over, and by that I mean, a bus load of tourists came through the area from their nice warm cabins to take pictures of the mental image I already had. So we stole back to my car, turned on the heat and took a solid two hour nap which we counted as our sleep for the day. When we woke up, nice and toasty, we took down the tent, and did a couple miles worth of hiking the southern rim trail. It was a mesmerizing view that induced a bit of vertigo just looking down. Back in the car, ready for a drive we headed to LA, via Las Vegas. It was only about 40 minutes out of our way and by the time we drove through all the lights were already sinfully glittery and bright as day. We took a couple touristy pictures as we drove down the main drag. Fun Fact, the famous Strip is actually located in the city of Paradise just outside metro Las Vegas...but no one really cares. We got into LA and to my cousins place around 9 or so. By this time I had discovered my tooth had something severely wrong with it and it was decided that I should make a run to an urgent care, yet another trip down the AmeriCorps memory lane. The next day, we slept in a bit then headed out after our continental breakfast from Starbucks. We picked up Mare from work, and drove to the docs. 2 hours and too much money later, I had the fix in my reach and I could soon smile without cringing. We got some foods then went on a tour de Los Angeles. We went out to the art museum and watched the sunset with European impressionism. We got all dolled up for some steam punk underground 1920's themed bar downtown. The wait was bordering ridiculous at just under 2 hours but it the absinthe fairy and seeing an almost famous Disney star was worth seeing. We danced and scoped for more recent famous people but came up empty. The next day we gorged on delicious pancakes that were stacked three high and the size of the plate. We then headed out to the Santa Monica Pier and played skee ball at the arcade and gave away our tickets to a much more deserving 5 year old girl. We then took a drive up to the Observatory and saw the Hollywood sign, no longer lit up and smaller then you'd think but still there and still California's. Its free and is home to the most looked through telescope in the world. It was so neat to see the moon that close and interesting to say the least to walk around deep space being educated on the history of our universe while children jump off marble benches onto marble floors, eventually ending up in an ambulance. Don't worry he is alright, just a broken arm. Our time in LA ended too soon but on to San Diego, where Alysha would catch her flight and switch off with Caleb...