Don't mess with Texas...don't drive through it either...

Didn't get a chance to post last night because I was absolutely exhausted from the drive through the rest of Arizona, New Mexico, and most of Texas. We left Tuscon around 8am on Tuesday morning and drove through New Mexico, which I have to say was pretty darn boring. Not much to look at at all and the beginning of Texas was not much different. I do have to say Texas is quite proud of itself...lots of 'Don't Mess With Texas' signs and state flags proudly displayed on just about every automobile, business building, and home. Ryan noticed a lot of anti-Obama tagging on the bathroom walls, which makes me not so proud of Texas. We drove by San Antonio around 1am, and I must say it's quite a beautiful skyline in the dead of night. Still wanted to get out of that state though. We stopped just a bit outside of San Antonio for the night, pretty much falling into the bed and passing out for the night. Only to wake up a few hours later and begin again. We left San Antonio around 9am and headed on through the rest of Texas which is surprisingly green and farm filled. Then at about 2pm we hit Louisiana, and let me say, its amazing how you can tell just what state you're in by the scenery. Just a bit before Louisiana, tall green trees begin to line the freeways like giant barrier walls and bayous and swamps swept underneath and around us. It was so mysterious and slightly creepy, but so gorgeous. If you know me at all, you know how much I love trees so I was in heaven gazing out the window for the next few hours. We passed a lot of bayous and then crossed over the Mississippi River, which looked like a lot of other rivers, but was very cool to see. Not long after that we stopped off at Lake Charles and had some shrimp gumbo and crawfish ettouffee. We drove into New Orleans around 7pm and took a breather before grabbing a beer across the street at a small bar with a live jazz band. Didn't get to enjoy the band or bar too much because I am exhausted and just want to sleep for like 12 hours. So, to wrap it up...yesterday=so-so, today=awesome, tomorrow=get to see the city! Goodnight!

xo
amanda

The Hunt for the King of Cactus...

Left Long Beach this morning around 9am and continued down the California coast on the Pacific Coast Highway. Drove through Huntington Beach and pulled over so that we could take a short walk on the beach and let the water touch our feet. I could have just lay there all day with my eyes closed listening to that sound the waves make when they crash down...so amazing. Drove through Laguna Beach and kept an eye out for Lauren Conrad but no such luck. Then we were on our way to Arizona. Driving along the border was pretty interesting, unlike many I have never been that close to it. Finally hit Arizona around 2pm, and unfortunatly did not get to take my picture next to the 'Welcome to Arizona' sign, but oh well. Had lunch in Yuma...yes like the movie...and continued on our way to Tucson. A pretty boring drive until the cactus made its appearance. First came small ones with tiny burst of vines sticking up and bright pink flowers on the top. Then came short curly bushy ones with what looked like cotton all over them. Then came the King of Cactus...the traditional tall ones with arms. I don't see these often, if at all, in California so I was in amazement for a good few hours. We searched for the biggest ones, the one with the most arms, the ones with arms that have died off, and the ultimate King being the tallest and coolest looking cactus of them all. Had to cut under some barbed wire, but we found what we were looking for. Man those things are cool...and quite intimidating once it is towering over you with its needle covered arms in the air. All in all, it was a good drive and I had the chance to see a lot of beautiful nature which is so refreshing. There's mountains made of giant red rocks! Finally arrived in Tuscon this evening and took a quick dip in the pool, and now off to get some sleep before tackling Texas tomorrow...ugh.

xo
amanda faye

Day 1 is dunzo...

Finally made it to Long Beach after a loooooooooooong day. I've learned I need to be more helpful. We've had a few setbacks already but nothing that is going to breaka our stride, oh no. Tomorrow we are off to Arizona...hopefully it will be a much shorter day, Ryan seems to have not handled today so well. Long Beach is rad by the way. Now I REALLY need SLEEP.

xo
amanda faye

Bullsh**t before goodsh**t...

As of a few weeks ago, my landlord abruptly gave us the news that the house we are renting has been sold, and we have to be out in 30 days. So now, with no job (and yes, I know I work part time at Forever 21 but I still consider that having no job), no prospects of a job, and living off of unemployment I had to make a decision. Move with Tori and Rob (the lovebirds of which I currently live with) to their new place in Tahoe Park or move back home to my parents house. I chose the latter. Although I love my best friend, living with a couple in love is absolutely the worst thing in the world. Even worse then living with my parents. On a more responsible note, I will be saving much needed money, not to mention home cooked meals and a hot tub. Even though my downtown life will dwindle to non-existent I am not too worried because it is pretty much already there anyway. I might even lose some weight if I'm not drinking so much.

As far as the goodsh**t, I will be leaving on a road trip starting March 28th that will take me from here to the Florida Keys with Ryan and I am super excited about that. I will leave you at that and keep you posted on the move and the trip.

xo
amanda faye