The Great West
This
is a recap of the 5,000 mile road trip I took with Dan and Roberto in the
western part of the US while I was visiting home from Japan in August of
'09.
Day
One
Woke up at parent's house after returning home late from a great rave in
Orange County. Ate leftover lasanga. Drove 5 hours from San Diego to Las Vegas.
Tried to get a room at Excalibur. It was booked. Later checked in to Circus
Circus Hotel and Casino. Walked along strip. Went inside Venetian and took
pictures. Walked a little further and entered 3rd rate casino whose name I
forgot. Played blackjack at 5 dollar table and quickly lost 20 bucks.Tipped
cocktail waitress 1 dollar for beer. Drank 21 dollar beer and enjoyed it. Had 6
dollar steak and egg plate. Great deal for price. Took shower and turned in
early at the hotel.
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| Mojave Desert |
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| Four Crows |
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| Joshua Tree |
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| On the Way to Vegas |
Side
Note
Las Vegas is a hot desert city I have never much liked. After two or
three trips you get a kind of been there done that feel for the place. The
drive from San Diego is also long and bland. Well, I still wanted to check
Vegas out again. I guess it is because there is no other place like it in the
world. The downtown area along the strip has become a giant playground for adults.
While gambling, fine dining, alcohol and shows are the main attractions, there
is much more to do if you got money to blow. What you get mostly has a low
class appeal with a very touristy touch. Vegas' high end entertainment on the
other hand is reserved for only those few who can afford it.
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| Lights Off the Water |
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| The Venetian Hotel and Casino |
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| Inside the Venetian |
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| Umbrellas Galore |
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| About to Get Steak and Eggs |
Day
Two
Ate breakfast at In-N-Out. Drove in towards Utah. Stopped at outlet mall.
Dan and Roberto bought shoes, I got SD card for camera. Got back on Interstate.
Saw that Zion National Park was in area. Made slight detour. Visited park.
Payed 25 dollars to get in but only stayed for 45 minutes. Rode shuttle bus and
took pictures. First discovered problem with camera lens. Couldnt do anything
about it. Had to rush to Grand Canyon. Arrived at Northern Rim right before
sunset. Saw view, felt happy to be alive. Left Grand Canyon and headed west
across vast Arizona desert. Bought six pack of beer at small gas station
market. Pulled over 10 miles down road to drink beer. Had no bottle opener.
Continued 60 miles until we found next gas station. Bought bottle opener and
ice. Turned off highway to drink beer. Saw ominous wooden cross on side of
road. Decided to go a little further. 50 miles north of Flagstaff on 89 highway
finally stopped. Had beer atop big earthen mound while looking at moon. Slept
in car.
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| On the I-15 near Utah |
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| Inside Zion |
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| Cliff Wall |
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| After the Park |
Side
Note
Having never been to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon we made a last
minute change to go there instead of the South Rim. The North side is
definitely different, however, first time visitors will want to see the South
Rim. It's far more incredible. You get better vistas with deeper views. You can
even take a day hike in and out of the the canyon. The north side by contrast
does offer greener scenery but with less views and accessibility. It's no
wonder the South Rim is much more popular.
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| The North Rim |
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| Enjoying the View |
Day
Three
On way to Flagstaff happened upon Sunset Crater National Monument and
Wupatki Monument. Payed 10 bucks and entered. Took pictures of ashy mountain
and some old indian ruins. Continued south then east. Had lunch at McDonald's
in Tuba City, AZ. Gave change to Indian panhandler. Later in Winslow AZ random
dude at gas station invited us to house for bbq. Went and stuck around for an
hour. Talked mostly about sports and women. Had to leave to see Painted Desert
and Petrified Forest. Entered park. Hiked a bit and took pictures. Contemplated
stealing petrified wood from park but did not. Did not need bad juju. Continued
east to Albequerque NM. Met cousin Adrian at house about 11pm. He made us blue
corn enchiladas with green chile sauce. They were insanely good. Took shower.
Slept.
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| Sun Up |
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| Waking Up in the Car |
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| A Little Collared Lizard |
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| The Base of Sunset Crater |
Side
Note
The states of Arizona and New Mexico are Indian country. Outside of the
big cities like Phoenix and Albequerque their presence becomes very noticable.
Native American traditions and culture have helped to shape the area. Sadly, in
modern times the natives have fallen on hard times. Due to their
inaccessibility to a good education, alcoholism, crime and the lack of
employment opportunities in their region, many now live in impoversihed
conditions on their reservations.
Day
Four
Side
Note
My cousin Adrian is a very unique individual. Like me he has travelled
the world doing it on his own terms. Now he is settled in Bernalillo, New
Mexico with his life partner AJ. While he was a professional cook that once
worked for the Governor of Alaska, Adrian has shifted his attention to
Nutrition. He currently takes classes at the University of New Mexico. he still
knows his way around the kitchen though. The blue corn enchiladas he hastily
prepared for us were undoubtedly the best thing I ate during my one month stay
in the States.
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| Dan Sleeps In |
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| Adrian's Kitchen |
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| Playing with Saba |
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| Before we Left |
Day
Five
Left cousin's house and drove north to Santa Fe. Stopped off for
breakfast at BurgerKing. Made it to uncle Danny's place. Amazed by his newly
built adobe style house. Took uncle's car to Santa Fe National Forest and went
hiking in mountains. High elevation was harsh on lungs. Got up to about 10,000
ft and saw spectacular view. Snacked on cookies and a nectarine. Took pictures.
Returned to car. Stopped off at Santa Fe Plaza. Went to old Basilica Church.
Stepped in to a shop and bought turqouise necklace for girlfriend. Went to
Mexican Food Place called Tomasita's. Ate flautas, beans and rice. Drove to
Sam's Club at Roberto's behest. Marveled at stuff on shelves. Ended up buying
nothing but then got berry sundae at food counter. Split mine with Roberto.
Returned to uncle's house. Rained slightly. Checked out uncle's deck on second
floor and caught sight of rainbow. Most awsome rainbow I have ever seen. Took
pictures. Had shower. Talked with aunt and uncle. Washed clothes.
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| Hiking in the Rockies |
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| View from the Top |
Side
Note
Santa Fe is a city dominated by adobe architecture. Since visiting the
area as a kid I always assumed it was real adobe that the buildings were made
of. However, my Aunt and Uncle who recently built a new home explained that the
Adobe look is only for show. The majority of the walls I've been seeing are
really made of a standard wood frame with adobe style plaster on the outside.
Erecting a wooden house is much less labor intensive than laying down adobe mud
bricks apparently. While it does make sense I couldn't believe it when they
first told me.
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| Santa Fe Adobe Architecture |
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| Inside Church |
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| Uncle's House |
Day
Six
Woke up in uncle Danny's giant house. Left for breakfast. Ate big sample
platter and side of pancakes at I-HOP. Said goodbye to Danny and Nancy. Checked
out camera shop. Headed north to Taos. On way took detour to see Rio Grande
river. Swam in river with Dan. Met nice group of people from Colorado.
Continued on way. Stopped at Rio Gorge Bridge. Took pictures. Went west on 64
highway. Visited Taos Pueblo. Took tons of pictures. Finally made it to Grandpa
Bialquin's house. Saw him and was sad. Is 98 yrs old and is showing age. Grandpa
quickly went to sleep. Had dinner with Aunt Marla and Uncle Bob. Met with
friend of Dan's younger brother. A guy named Jaron. Showed me, Dan and Roberto
three bars in Taos area. Had some beer. Met two Taos indians. They invited us
to their place place in Toas Canyon. Drank more. Learned about Toas Pueblo
culture. Got home around 3:30 AM. Slept.
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| Camel Rock |
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| Rio Grande River |
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| River Gorge |
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| Bridge over River |
Side
Note
The Taos Pueblo is the only UNESCO LIving World Heritage Site in the
World. This is due to the fact that the area has been continuously inhabited
for over a thousand years while greatly preserving the ancient culture and
traditions of the people. The local Puebloans are very secretive about their
ways and language. Outsiders are strictly prohibited from intruding on their
reservation beyond the Pueblo site. By sheer coincidence, Dan, Roberto and I
drank with some Taos Indians who shared some of their secrets. Don't expect me
to write them down here though.
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| Taos Pueblo |
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| Dog Crossing |
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| Pueblo Church |
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| Local Native Girls |
Day
Seven
Woke up and had breakfast. Went to visit Grandmother Lila's grave.
Cried. Retuned to Granfather's house. Rested a bit. Took drive around Enchanted
Circle with Dan and Roberto. Went too far on Highway 155. Almost ended up in
Colorado. Turned back and found right road. Stopped in Red River. Walked
around. Took Photos. Conitued on road. Made another stop in Eagle's Nest.
Rushed home. Had dinner with Marla, Bob, Uncle Kenny and his friend. Ate meat
and bean burritos. Were delicious. Went out to Taos Plaza. Met Jaron again. Had
a drink at bar. Went to house party in Arroyo Seco. No beer there, only hard
liqour. Did not drink any more. Sat around bonfire and talked to others.
Returned home around 2:30am. Slept.
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| Grandfather's House in Taos |
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| Shop in Arroyo Seco |
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| Abandoned Adobe Home |
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| Lake in Red River |
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| Colorful Water |
Side
Note
The only person I have ever truly respected is my grandfather. He is an
amazing man who has led an exemplary life. However, now that he is 98, he has
slowed down tremendously. In fact he could not possibly manage on his own. My
father, and his siblings take turns looking after him. When we arrived in Taos
it was my Aunt Marla's turn. She gave him all the attention he need, but for me
it was difficult seeing him in such a needy state. I love him so much and don't
want to lose him.
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| Holding Grandfather's Hand |
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| Family Pictures |
Day
Eight
Got up to have breakfast that aunt prepared. Readied myself for leaving
to go north. Said goodbye to my Grandfather. Cried. Perhaps last time I will
ever see him. Left Grandfather's house. Drove to Mesa Verde National Park. Saw
old Anasazi ruins. Took pictures. Went around park seeing scenery. Got dark so
we continued on our way to next destination. Stopped briefly in four corners
but was late and closed. Pulled over in Dennehotso reservation in Arizona.
Slept in car. Sleep interrupted by local Navajo indians. Invited us to their
property. Talked for a while. Watched video about skin walkers and Coyote Jack.
Smoked mountain smoke to ward off evil spirits. Went back to sleep in car
around 3:00 AM.
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| Great View within Mesa Verde Park |
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| Little Horned Lizard |
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| Mesa Verde Ruins |
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| Dan Looks Up |
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| Park Ranger |
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| Shame on Me |
Side
Note
The Anasazi peoples who inhabited the four corner area of Arizona,
Colorado, New Mexico and Utah were once a thriving culture. However, it is
believed a severe drought that occurred 800 years ago decimated their numbers
and drove them to the Rio Grande river basin in what is now New Mexico. There
they re-established themselves and became the modern day Puebloans. Since these
Native Americans had no written language their history is very vague. Only
archeology and oral tradition has given some clues to their past, and what is
known I find very fascinating.
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| The Closest We Came to Four Corners |
Day
Nine
The Four Corners area falls with the Colorado Plateau. This geological
region contains several national parks. Of them we visited Zion, Grand Canyon,
Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde and Arches. Monument
Valley, Sunset Crater and Wupatki are monuments also found on the Plateau. This
area in fact has the largest concentration of parks and monuments in the
country. That said, I have never in all my travels seen any other region even
remotely similar to the plateau in terms of natural beauty. In my opinion it is
the most wondrous place on Earth. My pictures here fail to do it justice.
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| Mexican Hat |
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| More Desert |
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| Amazing Formations |
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| Posing Up High |
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| Crazy Colors |
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| Mini Arch |
Day
Ten
Day
Eleven
Got up and left Reno behind. Took detour off the I-80 to see Lake
Tahoe. Dan and I skipped rocks off lake surface then went in for swim. After
that got back and I-80 and drove to San Francisco. As we arrived in city
realized we were ahead of our schedule. Decided to turn back to go to Yosemite
and kill the next day there. First had dinner at Olive Garden. Then drove east.
On way to Yosimite stopped at bar in Groveland. Had two beers with Dan. Went a
little further and pulled over alongside road near perk entrance. Spent the
night there.
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| Lake Tahoe |
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| Depth Model of the Lake |
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| Roberto Strikes a Sexy Pose |
Day
Twelve
Awoke in car outside of Yosemite. Drove in to the park and made a loop
within Yosemite Valley. Took pictures. Left park and drove back to San
Fransisco. Roberto dropped Dan and I off in Oakland while he went to meet a
friend. Dan and I walked through Downtown Oakland Chinatown. We had lunch at a
Chinese restaurant. Killed more time wandering around. Surprisingly downtown
Oakland is very boring. Roberto came back for us. We all went to stay at a
friend of Roberto's house, but first ate at Jackinthebox. Slept at friends.
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| Yosemite Valley in the Morning |
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| Roberto Splits a Rock |
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| Park Forest |
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| Moon Beside Half Dome |
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| Valley in the Afternoon |
Side
Note
Ansel Adams was a famed naturalist and professional photographer. In 1941
he was comissioned by the Department of the Interior to travel to and take
pictures of the National Parks and Indian Reservations in the country. Through
his exceptional photography and persistent advocacy Ansel later helped expand
the National Park system. His continued work allowed him to see the best
natural scenery the United States had to offer. Nonetheless, from the time he
was a child Ansel always regarded Yosemite as his favorite place to photograph.
For anyone who has made the trip there it's easy to see why it forever captured
the naturalist's heart.
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| Buildings on a Lake |
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| Downtown Oakland Sign |
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| Beneath the Glass |
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| Old Mayor's House |
Day
Thirteen
Woke up somewhat early. Played a few video games. Left for downtown
San Francisco. parked on northside of area along street. Took trolley to
Fisherman's Wharf. Walked around and took pictures. Than walked back towards
where car was parked. Crossed through Chinatown along the way. I bought some
soveneigrs there. Also checked out adult video store. Got in car and drove over
to Golden Gate Bridge. Pulled over in park near there. Took photos. After that
went to Hayward to visit Dan's frind John, Had dinner there that John made.
Marinated chicken with salad and rice. Then went to see movie District 9.
Thought it was okay. Got back to house and slept.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the nation's most
popular suicide spots. The 245 ft drop and frigid waters below promise certain
death to those wanting to take the eternal plunge. The fact that many jumpers
are unseen and never recovered after their bodies are washed out to sea by
strong currents makes it difficult to track just how many people kill
themselves each year. Regardless it is deemed a local problem that has only now
being properly addressed. For years signs discouraging people from jumping were
the only deterrent. Barriers were suggested yet voted down because of the cost
and how they would effect the bridge's physical aesthetic. In 2008 a new plan
to run a plastic covered stainless steel net along the bottom of the bridge was
however approved.
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| Golden Gate Bridge |
Day
Fourteen
Had breakfast at place in Hayward. I ate belgium waffel with
strawberry topping. Said goodbye to John. Drove back to San Diego. Traffic in
Los Angeles was a bitch even though it was a Saturday. Arrived at parent's
house. Trip ended.
I absolutely hate Los Angeles and for good reason. The city is a traffic nightmare that is over polluted and congested. In the past I have always made every effort to avoid to
going there. This is not always possible unfortunately. To worsen things I got
caught in traffic while passing through on our way home. We then had to get gas
and stop off somewhere to eat. When we finally got clear of the greater city
area I felt free and relieved. How sad it is that every time I return from
abroad and touch down in LAX, Los Angeles is the first and ultimately last
place I see when in America.
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| Home at Last |
