Sedona

So I haven't posted anything new in quite a while. Call it laziness, call it a lack of reliable internet in our hotels. Regardless, here I am - writing something new. This post is going to be about... you guessed it.. Sedona.

I took a little day trip from Phoenix with Rachel and Jade. We had a full schedule that included hot springs, massages, dinner and star gazing. 

The hot springs locale was remote. Like remote, remote. We had to take a 26-mile unpaved road through the mountains to get to the springs. There were times where the road was almost impassible because of boulders and other misshapen rocks jutting out from the road surface. Of course it didn't help that I was trying to drive through all of this with my Acura sedan... a vehicle best suited for paved endeavors.

So this was written in February of 2012, but I never finished it. I guess I will now!

Ok, unpaved craziness, boulders, rocks, cliffs, etc. It was actually a really cool drive. Going out into the wilderness and not having cell service, while risky, was also very fun. I felt like a traditional explorer.

We eventually came to the end of the line and had to leave the car behind. The only way to get to the hot springs was to cross a river on foot. The springs were located on a bluff that was the site of an old hotel which burned to the ground in the 40s I believe. The bridge crossing the river to get there had long washed away. This was true adventure! Fortunately, a group of nouveau hippies arrived in a Jeep and showed us the way to the river crossing. I don't think we would have found it had it not been for them. It was roughly a mile upstream, and we had been searching around where we had to park the car.

The river crossing was intense. As we were walking along the riverbank it was evident that the current was quite quick. I formulated a plan to bait Rachel into crossing first. She has a thing about people doubting her ability to do things, so I used this to my advantage. Jade and I schemed a little and made sure that we vocalized our fear of Rachel going first across the river because we didn't think it was safe enough, especially for her to be the first to attempt it. That sealed the deal. She was ready to roll as soon as we got to the river. hahahah

Rachel waded into the ice-cold rushing water and didn't die. So we soon followed suit. As soon as you get into the water, your lower body starts to tingle and quickly goes numb. It was a crazy sensation. Making it across to the other side was no small feat. The water was hitting you at the waist and would have loved to take you for a ride, so you really had to watch your footing. On the other side, you could start to defrost, but the real goal is to make it as quickly as possible to the hot springs.

There were two springs. Both were wonderfully warm. Over the years, people from all over had visited and written things on the walls of the foundation of the old hotel. The hippies who we followed there decided to jump off the cliff from the hot springs into the freezing cold river. I thought they were nuts, but they did it. They emerged from the water gasping because of the cold, but they didn't have broken limbs. They climbed up the rocks back to the warmth of the springs. The intrigue finally got the best of Jade and Rachel who also jumped into the river. I stayed in the springs. I was too comfy. :p


    

Home

So I've been home since May, and the transition back to a non-tour life has been an interesting one. It's been a good change overall. I like the stability of being home. I miss the change every now and then, but I've seen so many awesome things that I can live with the knowledge that sometime in the future I will see the places that I really liked again.

It will also be nice to be home for Christmas, something I didn't have for the past two years. Being on the road during holidays almost makes you forget their significance, especially when it's treated as another workday. I've been skating at the outdoor rink that my college sets up during Christmas. That was something I missed. I also missed Florida in the winter. It's a rather mild season usually. But it's nice to have the Christmas lights up everywhere and see the decorations.

It's been a long time since I've posted on here, and I didn't want to neglect my blog any longer. I'm going to try to be more vigilant and post things regularly.

Peace out.

Getting ready to say goodbye to California

I've been in California for quite some time now. I've enjoyed my time here a lot. I've met a wealth of wonderful people, and I'm going to miss them. I am looking forward to getting back to Florida for a while and see home and the people I've been missing. I just don't know where I want to end up when it's all said and done. I think California might be calling my name. Specifically San Fran. Time will tell.

Tucson: Food Paradise

Ok. I feel the need to express my love for Tucson's food scene. It's been very good to me and my friends during our stay. I"m gonna rattle off some of the things we've experienced.

Frost: Gelato place. Put quite simply: amazing. They're starting franchise opportunities. If you have extra money laying around, don't hesitate. You'll make a fortune.

Ra Sushi: Probably some of the best sushi I've ever had. The Lobster mango roll was so light and fresh. The King Crab roll was stellar, and the Pork Gyozas were out of the park. Having eaten there three times with several different friends, I can safely say that everything we tried was sensational.

El Charro: The birthplace of the chimichanga, and rightly so. Tiger shrimp, roasted corn, bacon, white queso. Delish. And the salsa was the best I've tasted. Ever.

Rosa's: Kylee and I ate at this little hole-in-the-wall place. OMG. The salsa had so much garlic in it... and I love garlic. I ordered everything a-la-carte. One cheese enchilada, one chicken enchilada, one green corn tamale and one chicken flauta. It all sounds like normal Mexican fare, but it was so not normal. The flavors were so spot on - subtle, without smacking you in the face. Nice. And the sopapillas.... yum.

Cafe Poca Cosa: I had high expectations after reading all the good things about this place. And I wasn't disappointed. It had been featured in all kind of magazines and periodicals. NY Times, etc. I had the Chicken Mole, Kylee and Neil had the combo platter that had a chicken dish, steak dish and eggplant dish. All of them were great. The big surprise for me was the beans. They weren't refried... but borracho style. I'm used to beans being a little grainy... but these melted in your mouth. So good. And the salsa was also amazing. A very close second to that of El Charro's.

El Guero Canelo: This place was featured on Man Vs Food. I had to go and get the Sonoran style hot dog. It was a hot dog wrapped in bacon, topped with beans, mayo, ketchup, mustard and a jalapeno sauce. So good. Also had a steak quesadilla that was so full of flavor.

So, Tucson, I tip my hat to thee. You have thoroughly impressed a well-traveled foodie. Cheers.

Ra and Frost

Mary King, my former business manager on the east coast, recommended I go to a sushi place called Ra for happy hour. I can't thank her enough. I enjoyed my first trek there with Mel so much that I had to go again after the show with Bogdan and Michelle. Both times the food was amazing. I must also mention the amazing gelato place that Mary said I had to go to. It's called Frost, and it's a little slice of heaven. I HAD to sample several flavors (there was no way around it) before I decided that Hazelnut was the winner. It was like eating a Ferrero Roche, but in ice cream form. I think I can die a happy camper after my recent excursions into food heaven. Thanks, Mare! You're the best :)

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Outline

http://www.travelchannel.com/Places_Trips/Travel_Ideas/Road_Trips_And_National_Parks/Road_Trips_Usa/Pacific_Coast_Highway

Plans!

As I sit at my computer in a hotel room in Tucson, I start to realize that I better start planning my escapades now, otherwise I might run into logistical problems. Sure enough, next week is Bakersfield... Bakersfield isn't the idea that pops into most peoples' heads when you mention California... and rightly so. There isn't a lot to do there. What it does offer is close proximity to Monterey. Monterey will mark the start of my drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara. This, my friends, is something I have wanted to do for a long time. What a nice slice of life I'm enjoying right now. :)