How to Spend A Week in LA

It seems like the "Southern Sun" is so far away already. That it's been ages since we've left New York on July 1st. Well, true, it is like 8000 Miles away (still can't believe that I've crossed the whole country). But still. It also seems just like yesterday that we've said our Good-Byes. But really, it's only one week since. But I guess that's how it goes when you spend time away and experience and see so much.

I'm in Cali for one week now and again, it seems like it's been forever. We've done so much. Been to like almost every Amusement Park there is (Universal Studios, Sea World, Disneyland). Hit the Beach several times. I even biked there. Yes, while eating all this American food (just remembering Georgia now, huh, Becca ;)), I just HAVE to do some exercise, don't I :) I'm actually having the whole "Beach-Experience" here. Meeting Hot Dogs there (how weird is America *lol*), just strolling along, not lasting too long, cause I was hungry :) Imagine, a Hot Dog walking at the beach. Now, did ayone of you ever experience that? I guess not. But that's what you get here in Cali. And so much more ... Boogie Boarding (my first but prob not my last try). Getting Face Paintings plus Tattooes (you 'll figure out for yourselves if it's a real one or not ;)). Being pampered with a Pedi-and a Mancure. Eating Dippin Dots. Shopping a whole whole lot (kinda fell in love with Hollister). Being "kissded" soooo many times. And dancing the nights away with my Texan Cowboy Boots. I really have to start with Line Dance Lessons when I get back home.

So you see. One never gets bored during a week of "Dani California". Thank you soooooooo very much for everything, Teresa, Derek, Teri and Liana (I'm gonna miss those kisses, actually :)) So very grateful for ever and always! Thanks!!! But it's time now to get on the road again. Move on. Next destination: San Francisco. And those flowers are ready to being worn.

The pics of the "Southern Sun" are up now. Just go to ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157620558398019

Playing Cool @ Disneyland

Huntington State Beach

Again, at the beach

Playing Hunchback up at Griffith Observatory

The Del Rosario Bunch

On the road again.
Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again.
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

~ Willie Nelson ~

Tales of Canyons, Heat and Dancing Shoes

Before I get into the Texan heat and the amazing wonders of Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon ... I completely forgot to tell what I have been eating in New Orleans. Yeah, I do admit, I did have Alligator. Just as an appetizer though. Really doesn't taste any different from chicken. There you go, this is my confession of the day. But doesn't really mean I'm going to eat everything that crawls and is alive from now on :)

Back to the State of Texas (Yehaw! :)). After being swamped in Louisiana we headed straight into "The Lonestar State". Which took us like four days to cross (as it is the 2nd biggest state, behind Alaska). Four days of heat (I'm really not exaggerating, it's getting hotter and hotter here), dust, dancing in my new Cowboy Boots to Country Music (yep, I got them and lovin' them as much as to wear them day and night :)), a drive-in cinema which left us hangover as a preparation for Vegas, Bowling (I'm such a loser in this game), plus some chilling in the Schlitterbahn (a Water Park). It got even chillier when we crossed boarders to New Mexico. Those Carlsbad Caverns were a real nice treat after days of heat and sweat. New Mexico came and passed, us already anxious to see some of the most amazing monuments nature has to offer: Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon. You can't really try to put into words what you are feeling when you stand there in awe. A magnificent splendor. Nature at it's best. And you can barely grasp the beauty of it all. Especially not in a picture. Well, I've tried my best. But I guess Ive failed at some point. Best, you go there yourself.
Monument Valley has been traveled by Jeep. Followed by a Navajo Dinner (Navajo Tacos) and a drive back while the monuments were glowing in the most beautiful evening light. With this behind us, the next wonder was just very close ahead. The Grand Canyon. Flying over that hole in the ground with a helicopter and hiking it the next day. Shame on me. But I really didn't make it that far down. Though, I hiked it. Dragged myself. Complained. Nearly passed out and barely made it out of the Canyon. Those are about the adequate words for my Grand Canyon Hiking Experience :))

We're now at Zion National Park. Done some more hiking here (that's about it for me, I can tell ya *lol*). And making our way to Vegas tomorrow. Vegas Baby, here we come! And how do you say ... "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Let's see what's going to happen there :) Just sayin'. I hear Wedding Bells already ...

Cowgirls in San Antonio - Texas

Carlsbad - New Mexico

Monument Valley

Amazing Grand Canyon

Riverwalking in Zion NP

When your spirit cries for peace, come to a world of canyons deep in an old land,

feel the exultation of high plateaus, the strength of moving waters,

the simplicitiy of sand and grass, the silence of growth.

~ August Frugé ~

Heading West

The Jazz Music of New Orleans fell silent. The craziness of Bourbon Street is still going on (even though we've left :)). The Appalachian Mountains have been passed (but not really seen). The capitol of the US seems so far away already (but actually it's only one week since we've been there). I haven't really been a part of New York yet (just reciting the great Louis Armstrong). More states than I can count (at least six) have already been traveled through. The mosquitos are still v-e-r-y much present (arghhhh!!!). The heat is just unbearable at times. Storms have been driven through. And just all of this happening in only one week of traveling the "Southern Sun". After a tour in the swamps of Louisiana we've now arrived in "Cowboy Territory". Howdy Texas :) My intention for the next 4 days while traveling the big state of Texas is to get some Cowboy Boots. I'll let you know by next time if I've succeeded.

Till then. Safe travels wherever you are!

in front of Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC


Live Jazz Band in New Orleans

Being swamped in Louisiana

The Swamp - Louisiana