On the Road Day 6 - Virginia

Today was the final day in the car together. It was a short drive from Troutville, VA to my new home and we couldn't have timed it any better. As we pulled up in front of my apartment, the ABF Freight Truck with my relocube also pulled up. After I signed the shipping papers and the cube was placed in a parking spot, it hit me that I had finally reached home.

I'm really lucky that my dad agreed to embark on this journey with me. Had I done it alone, I wouldn't have stopped at half the places that we stopped at and I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make great memories with my father. I know I'll never forget Bucksnort, Tennessee or watching my dad eat a Hardee's Thickburger. I'll never forget the subtle drifts or the hike to jumpinoff rock. I'll also never forget the excitement in my dad's eyes at finally seeing the places he heard of as a boy. Thank you Dad.

On the Road Day 5 - NC, VA

Sadly, we had to leave Nashville this morning. I have to say, out of all the states I have visited on this trip, Tennessee is definitely the one to beat. Today's travels took us out of Tennessee and into North Carolina where we picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic road, an American road, travels along the crest of the blue ridge mountains from North Carolina all the way to Virginia. It is quite the scenic drive, all though it is a lot more scenery of forests and trees then it is of the mountains. Below are some pictures from the drive:




The Blue Ridge Parkway


The Blue Ridge Mountains as seen from Jumpinoff Rock

When we left the Blue Ridge Mountains we passed through a small town called Galax. Here are three reasons why I loved this town:

1. The sign outside the church read Happy 50th Birthday Ronald and Donald!
2. Off to the side of the previous sign was the advertisement for Bingo every Wednesday. However, underneath Ronald and Donald's birthday announcement was the note "No bingo this Wednesday" due to the fourth of July Holiday.
3. But don't fret! Instead of playing bingo on Wednesday you can go down to the Fourth of July fair at the high school where they have . . . lawnmower racing!!

I told you Galax, VA was awesome.

Tennessee Rocks!

Here are some pictures from Memphis and Nashville. While we were in Memphis we enjoyed some southern cooking, listened to a live blues band, and visited Elvis. In Nashville we spent the evening at the Grand Ole Opry House, visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, and took part in the one of the nation's largets fourth of July celebrations.


Memphis. Home of the Blues. Birthplace of Rock and Roll.


Beale Street


Graceland. Home of the King.


A few of Elvis' records.


The American Eagle Cape. Elvis tossed this cape into the audience at the end of the 1973 "Aloha from Hawaii" concert.


The Grand Ole Opry House where we saw and listened to the music of Porter Wagoner, Mandy Barnett, Connie Smith, Jason Michael Carroll, Jack Greene, Restless Heart, Mel McDaniel, and Neal McCoy.


One of the nation's largest Fourth of July Celebrations. You can see the main stage where Taylor Swift, Rodney Atkins and Van Zant performed, as well as the masses of people in front of the downtown Nashville skyline.

On the Road Day Four - AK, TN

So far we're loving Tennessee and loving the fact that it's all about music in this state. Last night we hung out on Beale Street in downtown Memphis and listened to some blues, this morning we experienced rock at Elvis' Graceland and then this afternoon we spent the evening at the church of country, also known as the Grand Ole Opry House, in Nashville. We even drove on the Music Highway (Interstate 40) between Memphis and Nashville.

Tomorrow we are off to the Country Music Hall of Fame and in the evening we'll join the rest of the city for the fireworks show down by the river. But right now I must get off the computer and climb into bed for some much needed rest. Pictures and more stories to come tomorrow!

On the Road Day Three - TX, AK

I'm happy to say that we have finally made it out of Texas and here in Arkansas the weather is much nicer. Well, for the most part. Dad and I left this morning at 5:30 am and headed off on Interstate 35 through Austin and Dallas before heading East towards Arkansas. On the whole, the drive was pretty un-eventful. Just a lot of flat land and open highway in front of us. We hit a few storms along the way, but nothing too drastic, although it was a little bit disconcerting when this conversation occurred:

Dad (looking down at gear shift)
Me: What are you looking for?
Dad: Oh I was just checking what gears I have with your car.
Me: Why?
Dad: Just in case I begin to hydroplane off of the highway.


Texas in the rain

Luckily it was only a conversation. This is the first time either of us have been in Arkansas and so far we're unimpressed. I'm sure once you get off of the main interstate there are some really lovely parts of the state, but off of Interstate 40 it's not that interesting. I also think that Arkansas has a weird obsession with naming things. Take for example the following:


This is the city that straddles the border of Texas and Arkansas, as you may be able to tell by the name. Texarkana.

This city must be Arkansas' version of Philadelphia.

Dad and I also noticed how clean the interstate was. We came up with two reasons why.

1. Because the fine for littering is $1000
2. Because of these fabulous billboards

Texas is Big!

Here are some photos from my drive into Texas.


Picaho Peak, somewhere in Texas


The long drive through Texas


As you can see from the pictures, there isn't much to see on the scenic Texas Mountain drive. Unfortunately for me Texas is big and there's a lot more of it to drive through tomorrow. Fortunately I'll have my dad with me.

Yesterday we took the dogs to the dog park. When we got back to the car they were hot, happy and most importantly, tired.


Riley and Jager


Kahlua

On the Road Day Two - TX

Here are some interesting things about driving through Texas:

• Texas has a speed limit and a speed minimum. I guess this is what keeps those tractors that don't do more than 45mph off of the freeway.


• Texas also has a speed limit for daytime and one for the night. Cars can do 80 mph during the day, trucks 70 mph, but at night everyone is limited to 65 mph.


• Funniest sign: "LITTERING IS unlAWFUL" Texans are so clever!

The only other adventure from being on the road in Texas was being pulled over. Yup, it happened. Apparently I missed the sign where the speed limit changed from 80mph to 70mph and the friendly police officer pulled me over doing 79 mph. Luckily, when he was writing up my ticket he received another call and decided to return my driver's licence to me with a verbal warning and no ticket. Phew!

So now I am staying with my brother and his girlfriend and getting to see the cool sites of San Antonio.

On the Road Day One - CA, AZ, NM, TX

In case you are wondering I am posting from the hotel computere heree at the America Inn located in the delightful Van Horn, TX. In case you're not sure where that is, it's about 430 miles west of San Antonio and 120 miles east of El Paso, off of Interstate 10. I must admit, one of the perks of staying at this hotel is the free internet. I guess I can officially admit that my blogging has reached addiction levels.

So now let's get back to the subject of the blog, day one on the road trip to Virginia. This morning I set off at 6 am from North Hollywood, hopped on Interstate 10 and kept heading east until now. In case you didn't know, Interstate 10 goes all the way from Santa Monica, CA to Florida. I also learned today that Interstate 10 is also called the Pearl Harbor Memorial Freeway.


101 in Hollywood minus the traffic

Here are some of the highlights from today's trip:

• Vital Stats: 906 miles driven, four states visited (see title of blog), 245 songs listened to on ipod, 2 conversations with my copilot plant.


• Best billboard: It was one of those black billboards with the white type written message from God which read, "Life is short, eternity is forever. ~God"


• Hottest temperature: 109F according to the thermometer in my car.


• Funniest street name: Sore Finger Road

My Copilot


Interstate 10 California

Interstate 10 Arizona

Interstate 10 New Mexico

Interstate 10 Texas

As you can see, all the states look pretty much the same off of Interstate 10. In total I spent 12 and a half hours on the road today but in all honesty it felt like three. The only traffic I hit was just outside of Phoenix due to a small fender bender. I also haven't had any thunderstorms yet, although I did some some lightning in the distance and also saw the rain falling behind me. Tomorrow is going to be a much lighter day of travel, only about 5 or 6 hours of driving, and I get to see my brother in the evening. It will be nice to see where he calls "home".

Now that I have my blogging fix it's time to return to my room for the night, watch a little tv, and get a good night's sleep. I have continental breakfast to look forward to in the morning and then back on the road!

T minus 12 hours (give or take)

As I drove away from the Hawaiian Villa, my oasis for the past three and a half years, it finally hit me ... I'm leaving LA. Hard to believe that this much anticipated "moving date" is finally here and as it was when I arrived, my apartment is now empty. Besides a little snafu with the couches I can happily say that the entire packing process ran pretty smoothly and efficiently.

Since there is absolutely nothing left in my apartment, I have decided to spend my last night in LA at a friend's house. It will be nice to have a night in with the ladies as we plan our upcoming adventure to China. It will also be nice to have one more meal of Numero Uno pizza, one of my favorite pizzas in the world second only to Bravo's cheeseless vegetable pizza.

The next post will be 1350 miles into the 2670 mile drive when I arrive in San Antonio, TX. There I'll be spending the weekend with my brother and his better half. Then on Sunday, my dad will be arriving and together we'll be embarking on a road trip as we drive across the other half of the United States. Until then it's just me, my plant, and the Wreckers

T minus 40 hours

• The ReloCube arrived this morning, was loaded this afternoon and is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow morning.


• The electricity is scheduled to be shut off on Thursday, the internet has been gone for a month now.


• The landlord has done a preliminary walk through, the final walk through is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.


• The ex-roommate's parents are stopping by tomorrow to pick up her remaining items; the couches are being picked up tonight (fingers crossed!).

I guess you could say I am ready to go!