I saw many people, and didn't see many people. I heard about my little sister Sophia's immaginary friends "Isa" and "Oo Oo" and realized just how much a year means when its from age 2.5 to 3.5. It was nice to see old family and friends but it wasn't long before I hit the road again. Deadlines of Easton and Beth going off to Canada (traitors!!) and Emily soon to go to Ethiopia for the Peace Corps (hard corps!!) I had to get moving.
Where am I now you ask? Well... a tent in the backyard of a friend's NoHo house with Adam, my partner in... bohemianism? Soon to check out some organic farms via wwoofing and start figuring out a more permanent plan for after that. We'll see. In any case, here is how I got from point A to point B:
Twas to be a long, long... loooong journey, but luckily I didn't have to make it alone. Ashley "Chrysanthemum Luna" and I "Nika Traveler" were to embark on the journey together. Her main points of interest along the way were New Orleans and Austin. Mine, Santa Fe, and obviously the end destination of Los Angeles for us both. Couch surfing out (too last minute), we decided to camp. I found us camps just before each major spot. All along the way Ashley stopped to interview folks for her blog "Tell Me a Love Story". Check it out and see some of the interesting folks we met along the way! Feel free to submit your own to her as well!
First stop: Buccaneer State Park Waveland, Mississippi, about an hour from New Orleans.
We thought we were lost several times and were creeped out by going down all the back roads in the dark. Luckily her iphone told us we were going the right way and we made it with little hiccups. This was Ashley's first time camping, she was a little spooked but also excited. Apparently Waveland is a book she likes. :)
The next day we packed up and after a quick interview with a fellow camper for her blog and a quick jump rope.
Ok, and we stopped to check out the super creepy abandoned would-be water park on the way out of the campsite.
Next, we were off to New Orleans, Louisiana.
It was a rainy day in NOLA on and off pouring. We made the best of it though! We had no destination in mind so we searched for vegan food and let the iphone do the guiding. Luckily it took us to the heart of the city and an amazing African food restaurant!
I was still on my search for the perfect lotus necklace to symbolize my growth in Korea, and she was in search of interviews for her blog. Due to this we happened upon some activists in a coffee shop. Kimberly Wolf, a prominent activist actually thought we recognized her from her work but it was just accident. We talked for a long while about just how bad the oil spill was, and all of the things we weren't hearing from the main stream media. Ashley interviewed Kimberly and one other member of the group while I chatted with a fellow who had left his life in Key West to work on the oil crisis. He said, this was his life now. He interviewed me to see what someone from out of the area knew from the media. He said I knew and cared more than most, that some people flat out said they didn't care. Very sad. As you can see, I'm not a journalist as I don't know his name, but I did get a portrait.
The bathroom of the coffee shop:
We stayed in NOLA longer than intended and would have enjoyed staying longer but we had to keep moving (and I DO want to have babies one day, so I heeded Kimberly's warnings to leave).
Our next stop: Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, Texas (an hour from Austin)
This one wasn't too hard to find but there was only one other camper at the site. For the newbie camper on board, this was not ideal. For me... it was ideal. :P
A couple quick shots at the site and we were off.
I'm actually not sure if we found this cool thing before or after Austin so I'll put it here:
Next stop: Austin, Texas!
And now... Austin! Where I didn't really take any photos of the city (psshh... been there, done that). This one however sums up the day. I stopped in Austin nearly 4 years ago on my first cross country trip to LA with Lillie, and stuffed myself so silly on a pizza there that I had to remain in the car for the duration of her sight-seeing with a massive tummy ache. It was just that good! Therefore, without knowing the name or location, I was determined to have that same pizza again. And I succeeded!! No small feet for a person of my directional memory. So here I am, celebrating with an Avocado boba tea the smarts to take a to-go box this time instead of making myself sick:
We chatted with and old friend of Ashley's and an interesting woman she interviewed in the coffee shop and once again were off. We had our sights set on reaching Santa Fe this night but we soon realized, the great state of Texas had us beat. 1 am rolled around and we were still a good 5 hours away. It was time to throw in the towel. We splurged on a hotel. What papered ladies. This portion of the trip contains no photos. We were tired and ready to reach a stopping point. I can't even tell you the town the hotel was in, suffice to say, it was not noteworthy.
Next stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico!
Oh Emmmmmillyyy! I have missed you.
Santa Fe was beautiful. Adobe (or fuax-dobe as the case may be) all around! Emily lives in a lovely little Casita (small house) at the back of an adobe house. She has a vegetable garden that is thriving and beautiful, as well as running a community garden. I was so impressed! I'd definitely live in New Mexico... if only it could be scootched a little closer to the ocean!
We took a little drive and hike to a watering hole. Emily and I delighted in checking out little rocks and the mica that sparkles within them.
Lovely rock overlooking the swimming hole. Yay gas station boxed sangria!
Yay gas station boxed sangria? Hmm...
Post swim. Post sangria. "Let's be like those adds where they are laughing like something is really hilarious." And... in our state, it was.
Upon arriving back at the car we were disgusted at the trash. We collected most of the trash we could find and dumped it in the back, then Ash and Em took to fixing a downed sign...
and then of course it was a prime photo op.
The next day we went on a mission to bath in the the hot springs in Toas, NM. Before we did however we visited 2 farms, first was the farm that Emily used to volunteer for through WWOOF. They have organic vegetables and goats for fur (the fluffy ones) and milk... I think they make soap and cheese from the goat's milk as well.
One of the current wwoofers working on the Clydesdale' dung! That is one hefty job!
The friendliest goat of all:
Most of the youngest kids.
I'm not sure what all is growing here. Looks like I have a lot to learn!
Checking out the garlic. Too early!
Best napping spot on the farm!
This giant dandelion was too cool to pass up!
Doing what nature intended, spreading the seeds!
Then it was off the to the horse farm of Catt and her wonderful mate. Ash is still waiting for her love story for the blog but apparently Catt saw him in dreams first! Can't wait to hear that one! She fed us delightful homemade yogurt and ice cream and provided great conversation. Em met her in a pottery class and we got to eat off of their creations for a lot of our New Mexico stay!
Ok back on track! To the hot springs!!
Oh wait... gotta stop and gather wood. And of course, take photos!
Ok NOW! To the hot springs!!
Oh crap! We're lost and out of gas! Luckily this little roadside stop, litteraly in the middle of nowhere said honk for the store. They so kindly sold us the last of the gas in their personal reserve tank. Phew. The lovely woman told us how they really need teachers in the area. Also her shop was featured on a documentary about the bike route, The Great Divide.
Ok... really... NOW, to the hot springs!
Oh wait... there is a beautiful bridge overlooking a gorge!
Ok seriously. It's getting to be dusk. Let's get to these hot springs! So we headed out. And what did we see on the way but Earthships! The sustainable, off the grid, recycled material houses I've been obsessing about for months, and here they are, right here! With an open visitor's center! OMG OMG OMG! Nope, screw it. Let's get to these damn hot springs already! And so it was, no photos of my dream home. Only memories of the beautiful sight. No photos worth posting of the hot springs either, it was too dark. We met some interesting people in there. Raw milk enthusiasts telling us all about the horrible hormones in a certain type of milk that cause all kinds of health and mental problems. They had just been to see the Earthships. We also met some river tour guides. Oh New Mexico, I love you!
Over the next day or 2 we hung around Santa Fe relaxing and looking at the sights downtown. We visited the Georgia O'keefe museum and I fell in love with her painting, Above the Clouds. We also went to see the glass blowing place where Em's roommate works. A colleague is pictured here:
After a sad farewell Ashley and I were headed to Albuquerque, NM (where I didn't take any photos) and then, Grand Canyon, Arizona! (just when you thought it was over). We arrived at night to full campsites. After checking all the hotels, all over 125/night we were feeling pretty discouraged. The last hotel desk man told Ashley of a little known camping area behind the hotels, totally free. Sounded sketch, but hey, we were desperate. With little map in hand we found said camping area. True enough there were parking pull-ins and fire rings. If Ashley was a little concerned in Bastrop, lets just say, she was extremely oppositional to the prospect of camping out here, but eventually I got her out of the car. We went to the sleep with the sound of coyotes in the distance, a knife and mace under her and I's heads, respectively.
And here we were, the GRAND CANYON. My second time, her first.
Outfit change! Too good of a photo op to waste on simple outfits.
By: Ashley
Got a reflector finally!
Ashley's turn!
The canyon after long time of shooting and sitting, staring into the abyss there were too many tourists coming for my taste so I snuck off to the side and did some self portraits.
After the canyon we headed to Huntington Beach, California to catch up with Val and Dan. This is when I stopped taking photos. I was exhausted from the journey and just enjoying! After a short day there we headed and reached our final destination of Los Angeles, California! Mmm Portos Bakery! California palms! Shoga Sushi! Tans gallore! Home sweet home in a tent! HUURRAAAYYY!!
By: Ashley
You thought it was over but... I was not there for 2 days when... Bonus round! Off to Smith Valley, Nevada, Adam and the gang's home town, with Jordan Savidge "George" to see the Savidges, Adam's brother Easton and his girlfriend Beth, and Mark, Adam's dad. Bonus round 2: Seeing Kevin and Natalie, along with Evan and Sabre and the glorious boxer Wilson (or goofy) formerly known as Mister, formerly known as Paaaayyttooon for some shenanigans in Reno!
First elephant garlic from Dale's garden. Delicious!!
George and his goat friend. All ready to eat some spiced popcorn in Reno.
View from the Harris residence on good old artist view, in Smith Valley.
Ahhh... finally, home sweet home to LA for some normal, calm, stability.
Me and the "family" love the leader. All hail the leader.
The end.
But then.... Yosemite and round 2 of Huntington Beach, Smith Valley and Reno. Maybe next time... ;)
