Dedication and goodbye!

Thank you for checking in and reading my road trip blog. Not sure blogging is for me, but it was fun while it lasted. Until I decide to blog again... Hasta! 

This blog is dedicated to Meredith Lillian Lavender Belkofer!

Somewhere in Texas!

Bye Suze, Hello LA!

It's that time... Had to drop Suze off at LAX Monday morning. Sad to see her go and end our journey. As I watched her walk through the doors of the Delta terminal with only a carry on bag (SO proud),  it hit me.... I have moved BACK to LA and my trip was over. I'm not sure how to describe this feeling. I have never lived somewhere and then moved back. I mean besides my short time at home recently, but that doesn't even feel like going back because it's home! I left Destin for Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa for LA, LA for NY, NY for Destin/Birmingham and now LA... Again?! It's weird, but I do feel like it's the right "move" for me at this time. And that's a feeling I have been missing.

So hello LA, good to be back!

Moms Last Day... Wah Wah!

Mom took and early morning walk on the Santa Monica Pier while I slept off the party, then we brunched at her fave spot in LA, Urth Cafe. Headed to the Promenade for some shopping and froyo, then back to her amazing hotel for dinner and drinks on the roof for sunset! Perfect last day for Suze. Sad to be taking to her to the airport tomorrow. I mean, will I miss the nagging about my driving and being stuck in car for 4 days, probably not, but Suze will be missed!

Mom enjoying her ocean view suite

Santa Monica

Tourist!

Mushroom Flatbread... Delish!

Sunset

Hotel Shang Ri La

Waking up in LA never felt so good!

Woke up in LA Saturday morning and had to pinch myself. Couldn't believe I was back here and to LIVE! Feels great. Had a busy day ahead getting all the preparations together for Schuyler's 30th birthday gathering. But first... at stop at my beloved Coffee Bean. Oh how I had missed thee! Next, UPS to print off pictures of Schuyler through the years to put on the wine bottles for decorations. Back home to string lights, pendants and set everything up. Mom made her famous vidalia onion dip and Texas caviar. People in LA don't understand the idea of mixing onion with cream cheese and mayonnaise, but they sure did LOVE it! Suze was hit! Party was fabulous. Chapman prepared a delicious feast, the decor was amazing and Sky had a blast!

Grand Canyon to LA!

Hola! I was too excited when we finally made it to LA on Friday that I haven't had time to post our last leg of adventures. So here goes...

On Friday morning we checked out of our Holiday Inn and headed to the Grand Canyon. It was the perfect day to go. Weather was amazing, sky so clear and blue and a breeze that made the walking around all the better! Mom had never been and was so stoked. She couldn't handle my stepping out on the rocks to get a better view. It was hilarious! She loved the Grand Canyon and I was so thrilled she got to see it. We spent 3 hours there and then headed back to Flagstaff to get on the road to LA! I was so anxious which of course made me moody. Oops... sorry Mom!

Don't you worry... we stopped at In & Out burger for dinner. Just another unhealthy choice, but SO good. When in CA!

And then we were here!! Suze was freaking when I started hopping freeways and I felt right at home! She started begging me to get her "off this ride" in her words. Ha! Said she felt like she was in a rocket!

We went straight to Schuyler's to catch up and have a glass of wine. Much needed after that trip! Then off to bed to sleep off the day.


545 miles, 9 hours, an In & Out burger and LA!!!!!!!

Another Day Bites the Dust!

Like I said, not sure what constitutes "blog worthy", so I'll just continue to tell about our days. Lucky you!
Todays jaunt was shorter and more entertaining. We had a delicious Mexican breakfast in Old Towne Albuquerque, NM. I know... I really can eat Mexican for every meal. It was amazing! Left Albuquerque and headed to Santa Fe. It was beautiful.... full of culture. We toured the Cathedral Basilica, where a bum had the nerve to call me TRASH... in a church. NO idea why. Quite hilarious though. Had to be there! We went to see the Miraculous staircase of the Loretto Chapel.  http://www.lorettochapel.com/history.html. Really beautiful! Santa Fe has this area called, The Plaza, with shops, galleries and restaurants all circling a park. Really cool. Suze and I did the appropriate amount of touristy before we took off for Flagstaff.

Suze made me stop at a random Indian gift store with Kachina dolls, the Continental Divide, The Route 66 sign and the Petrified Forest! 

We arrived in Flagstaff around 7:30 pm, grabbed dinner and headed for the hotel. EXHAUSTED! For someone who has never stayed in a Holiday Inn, I sure am becoming quite the regular. Just so happens to be the place we find to stop every night. So when mom heard the woman checking in before us say she was a preferred member, don't you know Suze inquired! We are now proud preferred members of the Holiday Inn. What did we get???? 2 free bottles of water! MAZEL! 

2 states, 448 miles, 7 hours, an irish pub dinner and a Holiday Inn.... God Bless!

Tomorrow's a new day!

I have no words to describe the deliciousness that was this breakfast!

Love this.

Cathedral

LL

Happy 4th from HWY 287!

Soooo.... We drove ALL day. I'm sure you're thinking I must have some great stories since Suze and I were stuck in the car together for 13 LONG hours on a rando desolate HWY in Texas, but nope. No one is more surprised than me, but Suze and I just cruised on through like no big. Just jamming out to some tunes and listening to our Mary Higgins Clark book on tape checked-out from the Destin Library. Yep, you heard right. My Night Time is My Alone Time, by MHC.
The day was long, but not uneventful! We stopped in Dallas to visit the JFK Memorial and grassy knoll. The city was dead, I'm assuming everyone was out on the water some where having a cold beer celebrating America's birthday. Not us... We were being tourist!
No drama to report, so I'll leave you with some photos.

2 states, 743 miles, 13 hours, an Applebee's Dinner and Holiday Inn... God Bless!

Tomorrow's a new day!

In good spirits starting day 2!

Happy 4th from HWY 287

Mom on the grassy knoll

Loves JFK

MUCH needed!

LL