final leg of the epic journey

So I'm back and ready to report on the last part of the big drive. Our route was from Oakland, driving down towards Bakersfield then east into Arizona, stay the night in Williams, drive to the Grand Canyon in the morning, then continue north-east into Telluride. And let me tell you, this was a long one. The first part going to Williams was 12 hours, then the second day was about 8 hours (which included the stop at the Grand Canyon). But I had three others with me (Wayne, Kelley and Charlotte) so I could actually talk to people rather than do my usual radio sing-a-long, which helped things move briskly.

First stop on the drive was a farmers market that Kelley and Wayne always stop at when they do this drive. It had amazing fruits to buy, so we got the variety pack, with nectarines, peaches, cherries, blueberries, and these small orange things. Don't know what those were, but they were delicious. Also at this place was a petting zoo, complete with peacocks, goats, chickens, etc. It made me remember the peacocks that used to be on the grounds at our pre-k school growing up. Which seems weird now. Why did we have peacocks at our school in the suburbs of San Francisco. I don't know. Nor did my sister. We left there, passing the sign that said "We miss you already!" so I know we must have made an impression.

We continued our way towards Williams, and along the way passed lots of nothing. Windmills at one point. Otherwise just some frightening gas stations where I tried not to look people in the eye. After many hours, we arrived in Williams which was quite a pleasant surprise. I can officially say I've been on Route 66 too, since that is what it's main street follows. Upon arrival, we saw a cowboy walking the streets wearing stilts, a woman dressed in old west clothes (for costume, I hope) and a small band dressed in old civil war clothes who walked around the town playing songs for the visitors. It's a town that is basically the gateway to the Grand Canyon, so it's very touristy, which explains all these get-ups, but it was fantastic! We ate outdoors at a restaurant where there was a guy playing his guitar and singing 70's songs, and we found out that the guy on stilts was promoting the restaurant, so he stayed nearby, which Charlotte did not like. Also in attendance was a man drawing caricatures of people, which completed everything. It was a bit surreal, but so fun.

Next morning, we headed to the Grand Canyon, which I can not put into words, and my pictures don't show the gravity of the place. It is HUGE. And amazing! I knew sort of what to expect, but didn't know the magnitude of what I would see. With my fear of heights, I stayed away from the edges. It looks like it would be really fun to spend a few days there camping so I'll have to return one day for that.

Next up was the final leg of the trip to Telluride. We passed through deserts....and brown fields, and mesas. And what looked like miniature Grand Canyons. It wasn't the most thrilling drive. It felt like the flat plains would never end. They didn't have any rest stops, which was a bit troubling in case of any emergencies, but luckily we didn't have any.

And at last we made it to Telluride! It's beautiful and the weather's been amazing for the two days we've been back. It's pretty exciting too because the town just won a big court case the day we got back, involving the huge block of land that you drive through when you enter the town, so there won't be any huge developments going in, which is great. So everyone's cheering, excited, and they even threw a party on the main street last night with free beer. I love this place.

The only thing I'm having a hard time with is the altitude, which makes my lungs feel like they're going to burst and reminds me of just how out of shape I am. I went on a bike ride yesterday where I had to "stop to drink some water" (a.k.a. take a serious break before I keeled over and passed out) a few times. But it is absolutely beautiful and I can't get over the scenery here. I swear the sky is actually more blue here than anything I've ever seen. I actually am motivated to get outdoors and exercise, which as most of you know, is quite a feat.

So that's the latest. I'll keep this blog up with any news that goes on here. Which hopefully next time will be word of a new job and new place to live!