Cannot beat this weather

Nicky was our tour guide through Los Angeles today and he did a fantastic job. I don't think anyone could be depressed here due to the amazing weather.... there is a blizzard at home yet I'm soaking in 60 degree sun.

California Gurls

Finally made it to LA! Between the blue sky and the 60 something degree weather... Rey and I couldn't find anything to complain about. Of course the first thing we do when we got to LA is eat Cuban food and see Blue Valentine (another anxiety attack of a film). Then off to Nicholas' for a lovely game of Risk, chinese food and catch up. What better way to start LA life off?

Grand Canyon!

today was filled with sight seeing at the Grand Canyon... I wish it were less cold and less snowy so hiking and camping could have been more involved.

When I played house as a kid we always pretended to live in Arizona

....why we pretended to live in Arizona, I have no idea! We started at El Rancho Hotel then went to the Petrified Forest...which was a slight disappointment, thought it would be more filled with trees since it is called a FOREST. After we headed to our adorable hotel La Pasada in Winslow Arizona.

Albuquerque

We stayed with my Dad's friend Mark Rudd, if you don't know who he is you should. 

Our stay was in Mark's beautiful house he hand crafted himself, filled with adorable animals,

delicious south-west food, great conversation and wonderful colors. That's all I'm going

to say about our amazing time in New Mexico, but seriously look this guy up.  

ROSWELL ALIENS GALORE

Rey is an alien junky and was desperate to go to Roswell, so we went. It didn’t quite meet expectations… we hit the one museum and then some typical tourist traps and called it a day for that place.  

Who doesn't love Border Control?

In Texas there are more Border Control Rangers than Police Officers. So on that note, we are driving and driving it’s around 6am and the sun is still not up... we’re running out of gas so we’re a bit on edge and then we see a bunch of Border Patrol Rangers in big old jeeps hanging out on the side of the road. One of these keeps starts following me….no siren or anything but I still decide to pull over. The man walks to the car…

Ranger Man, “Everything ok?”

Me, “Yes, just weren’t sure if you were pulling us over?”

Ranger Man, “Oh no, I was just going to pass you but now that you are here mind if I check both of your IDs?”

Me, “No, not at all.”  (we hand him our IDs)

The next thing I know three more border patrol jeeps and a cop show up and start shining their flashlights into the car obviously wondering why/how I fit so much crap in my car…or thinking I’m smuggling drugs/people into the country... ya know same thing. Everyone was super nice, and then they checked our names to make sure we were citizens (I'm still not sure how) and then we were on our way…more tired and frustrated but on our way. And we drove and drove through the vast Texas terrain straight through to New Mexico…which didn’t have a welcome sign UGH. 

(I didn't get to take photos of the Border Control Rangers so here are some from the road)