Once my new companion in crime had arrived in LA there was only one more day left in sunny California. And it seems that Melanie thought a trip to Venice Beach wouldn't be interesting enough if you have not made the acquaintance with the local police ... with that said, never block the intersection in LA. Or anyhwere else for that matter. Or you will have an illuminated American Xmas police car follow you!! As if LA traffic wasn't already crazy enough without it. Drama drama ... and welcome to the US Melanie ;) So one day in the City of Angels was definitely enough for one of the two of us and we left the Cali beaches behind and made our way to one more crazy city in the middle of the desert: Las Vegas. You will like it or you won't. But I think you should have at last experienced it once in your life. And you don't even have to spend your time there gambling. Or drinking. In my opinion it's fun enough to walk through Venice and Paris just looking and observing. And the next day you will still remember, and not have a wedding ring on your finger, not knowing who that guy next to you in your bed is. And just drive on ... Like we did. Because a big load of a-m-a-z-i-n-g things are waiting there!!! And it isn't even possible to describe what you see in the Grand Canyon. Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley. Antelope Canyon and Arches NP (and there is even more ...). It is so immane!! Stunning!! Incredible!!! I am missing the words here. Sadly there wasn't enough time to take it all in and reflect on it. There never is ... Because the next big thing was just around the corner. We did something different in every National Park to remember it by. Hiking the Angels Trail in Grand Canyon. Horseback riding in Bryce. A first for Melanie after many years, and in the end you could barely get her off that horse ;) I think she is already planning her next riding experice in her head. Marveling through Antelope Canyon. Unfortunately only on limited time!! Quad driving just outside of Arches NP. Soooooooo much fun!!! Thank you again to our guide Joel. A Jeep ride through parts of Monument Valley. Again, we could have stayed there for more than just a little while longer ....
But, as the West had kept us for half of the trip already it was time to head further East. More "normal" days were on the agenda now. Hopping from one State to the next. New Mexico (why again is this called "Land of Enchantment"??). Texas. Oklahoma. Arkansas. Tennessee. And still to come: Georgia. And always inbetween a quick encounter with the "Mother Road" of all roads here in the US: Route 66. There were so many changes of landscapes. From beaches to Canyons. From deserts. to lush green to snow to quiet and peaceful lakes and rivers. From cold winds to hot and humid airs. From "nothing and nowhere land" to Hot Springs (That we did not find ...) to cities and Music Festivals. From dusty roads to Highways. Extremes and contrasts. And many stories inbetween ...
Almost 3 weeks since we left Los Angeles. It seems like forever since! There are many roads traveled. Many beautiful and so diverse places seen. Many new memories made. But we are also a bit weiry and tired of being on the road ... after such a long way ... but nonetheless we are going to enjoy one more day in the "Music City". Then a stop at the Whistle Stop Cafe for some fried green tomatoes And then it's already good bye again and for me traveling on to the next and last part of this 5 months trip (Oh my gosh!! Only exactly 3 more weeks until I am back home!!). But for now another crazy and amazing place awaits: New York City. I hope you stay along!
We shall not cease from exploration,
and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time
and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time
- T.S. Eliot -
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