Day 14- White Sand, NM & Pheonix

We got up early only find that the park didn’t open until 7…so we waited only to find that the shop that rented the boards for sand boarding down the dunes didn’t open until 8. We were kind of on a time crunch…so we decided to just play around in the dunes. Jess went on a little hike while Katie, Sue and Lauren hurled themselves off the dunes, played a little baseball with clumps of sand, exfoliated, buried each other….etc. Dunes are so fun. The dunes were crazy. They are completely white. They don’t feel like sand either. The sand is actually gypsum that would normally be swept away by a river or other water. It is much heavier than sand, and really cold. It is similar to sugar or salt.

We had some fun at the dunes (finding energy from who knows where)….Then it is on to Phoenix to stay with our good friend Grace. On our way we stopped and got some New Mexico Mexican food. Jess really wanted some NM mex food with all the peppers and stuff. It was great! Although we ate so much that we all felt sick for the next stretch. (Brought back some Vegas buffet memories).

While we were driving, it occurred to us that we are going to be driving over the boarder form NM to AZ….and we have $200 worth of fireworks in the trunk (these are not sparklers, these are intense). We started to panic, because we didn’t want to give them up….but apparently it was no big deal. We didn’t even have to stop for an inspection.

We arrived to phoenix in record time. We showered!!! Then went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant named Oreganos. It was great! Our server was pretty cool, he told us some places to go on Mill St later that night. We celebrated Sue’s birthday one more time for a free pazookie.

Mill St was crazy. Sue and KT were dragging though. KT fell asleep on the way to the bar….redbull/vodka needed immediately. We eventually woke up and had so much fun! Grace and her friend Casey showed us a really good time!! We got down on the dance floor (standard). We got back and went for a quick dip in the pool….skinny style.

Crashed on the couch. Drive home tomorrow :( 

Day 13- Carlsbad Caverns, NM

It was sad to leave Austin. We were a little frazzled in the morning, we broke a wine bottle and smashed some fingers. We are all ok….and we got out of TX ok.

The drive from Texas to New Mexico was the longest we’ve done so far. It was pretty rough. The road kill and an occasional trucker was the most life we saw for 8hrs straight. We got really stressed when we realized that the Cavern was only open until 3:30…and we weren’t going to make it. We tried to figure out a way, and we took minimal stops but it seemed hopeless. Then….KT was driving while the crew slept and it dawned on her….Time change. WooHoo The truckers were lovin the happy dance.

We made it in time to walk through the whole cavern…and it was majestic!!! It was really hard to take pictures because it was so dark, so you’ll have to go see it for yourself. The cave is huge! It is nice and cool down there (750 ft below the surface)!

After we did the walk, we had some time to kill before the bat viewing….We were starving, so we set up camp in the parking lot. We made Indian food on the camp stove, and drank some wine. Peeps were jealous. At dusk, we walked back up the the cave entrance  to see the bats come out. The park ranger was the most intense man ever….he asked for volunteers to do a bat survival game. KT along with nine <12 yr kids played. KT won. The bats were a bit of a bust. A lot came out, but not really at the same time, since it has been dry, there aren’t as many bugs so the bat’s aren’t as active. Austin Bats were better.

We had originally planned to camp by the cavern, but we didn’t realize how long our drive to AZ was, so we wanted to get a little closer. Our gator cruise guide recommended we stop by the White Sand in NM….so we decided to drive there and camp around Lincoln National Forest. We got in around 1:30 and we had to leave at 5:45 am….we decided to bail the tent. Sue and Lauren slept in the car, Jess slept on the picnic table, and Katie slept on the roof of the van.  No sleep all around. (Well except Lauren….we have learned she is a pretty good sleeper). 

pics to follow.

Day 12- Austin, TX

Words can’t even describe this day. 

We got to sleep in! Darbi fed us the best breakfast of our trip…and we hit the road. The drive was long, and seemed longer. We were all a bit delirious (or as our new friend put it, “in a time warp”), KT tattooed Sue with temporary tattoos, and we had a couple hours of band practice. Our band, “The Big Booty Buffalos,” consists of Sue on the tambourine drum, KT on the american Slide Whistle, Lauren Vocals, Jess air guitar.

 

One highlight was our stop for some Texas BBQ at Clyde’s in Corsicana, TX. KT is the only non-vegetarian…so this was mostly a highlight for her. After our BBQ fill, we stopped down the road at Two Doors Down Coffee for a caffeine boost. Somehow we ended up staying there for an hour talking with the owner and telling him all about our trip.  This set us back a little bit in time, but it was worth it…the coffee was great, the people were awesome, it’s a cool spot.

 

We started the drive to Austin with no place to stay…..by the time we got there we had a swag-ass hotel thanks to Kevin Leavy!!

 

Austin is awesome. Everything is so cheap! We started our adventure with $2 margaritas and queso at *** Lauren and KT had to shower (badly) so we went back to the room to change for the night. Sue and Jess walked around a bit more, and saw the bats come out at dusk. It was great!

 

We regrouped and went to Ruby’s BBQ for dinner that was recommended by a local. The brisket was pretty good, although we weren’t blow away by the other food. On the way back to the hotel, we got Lauren her Texas donut. Then we hit the town.

 

We walked down 6^th st. Wow we hit that town hard. There was a Biker convention in Austin, so the bikers were out!!! They shut down the street and the bikes that were out there were very impressive!

 

We all had goals for the night…and we accomplished most of them. We coordinated the dance floor to do our new dance move “the mini-van,” we got body paint, we acquired a biker’s bandana and a grey curly wig, Sue beat-boxed on the microphone (she was also given her rapper name, “S-bomb”), we convinced a bunch of people that KT was the tattoo artist that did Sue’s (temporary) tats…we even had one guy wanting to set up an appointment. We were coined, “the coolest people in Austin.”

 

Overall, an awesome time in Austin, TX we will all definitely be going back to that town!! Early wake up to hit the road for Carlsbad Caverns.

Day 12- Austin, TX

Words can’t even describe this day. 

We got to sleep in! Darbi fed us the best breakfast of our trip…and we hit the road. The drive was long, and seemed longer. We were all a bit delirious (or as our new friend put it, “in a time warp”), KT tattooed Sue with temporary tattoos, and we had a couple hours of band practice. Our band, “The Big Booty Buffalos,” consists of Sue on the tambourine drum, KT on the american Slide Whistle, Lauren Vocals, Jess air guitar.

 

One highlight was our stop for some Texas BBQ at Clyde’s in Corsicana, TX. KT is the only non-vegetarian…so this was mostly a highlight for her. After our BBQ fill, we stopped down the road at Two Doors Down Coffee for a caffeine boost. Somehow we ended up staying there for an hour talking with the owner and telling him all about our trip.  This set us back a little bit in time, but it was worth it…the coffee was great, the people were awesome, it’s a cool spot.

 

We started the drive to Austin with no place to stay…..by the time we got there we had a swag-ass hotel thanks to Kevin Leavy!!

 

Austin is awesome. Everything is so cheap! We started our adventure with $2 margaritas and queso at *** Lauren and KT had to shower (badly) so we went back to the room to change for the night. Sue and Jess walked around a bit more, and saw the bats come out at dusk. It was great!

 

We regrouped and went to Ruby’s BBQ for dinner that was recommended by a local. The brisket was pretty good, although we weren’t blow away by the other food. On the way back to the hotel, we got Lauren her Texas donut. Then we hit the town.

 

We walked down 6^th st. Wow we hit that town hard. There was a Biker convention in Austin, so the bikers were out!!! They shut down the street and the bikes that were out there were very impressive!

 

We all had goals for the night…and we accomplished most of them. We coordinated the dance floor to do our new dance move “the mini-van,” we got body paint, we acquired a biker’s bandana and a grey curly wig, Sue beat-boxed on the microphone (she was also given her rapper name, “S-bomb”), we convinced a bunch of people that KT was the tattoo artist that did Sue’s (temporary) tats…we even had one guy wanting to set up an appointment. We were coined, “the coolest people in Austin.”

 

Overall, an awesome time in Austin, TX we will all definitely be going back to that town!! Early wake up to hit the road for Carlsbad Caverns.

Day 11- Shreveport and Gator Cruise

We woke up, got some breakfast and hit the road for Houma, LA to go on our swamp tour. We met our guide at Bayou Delight (a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere). The tour company was called Annie Miller’s Son’s Swamp Tours. Annie Miller’s son was pretty cool (and his mom seemed even cooler). We were on a tour with 2 other parties. We went along Bayou Black, and out to the intercontinental waters. The tour was really nice, really hot, but fun. We saw him feed some gators, a bunch of pretty flowers, birds, and trees etc.

After the 2.5 hr tour we were hungry for some gator. We ate at the little restaurant, it was hoppin’ (not sure if it was so busy because it was great, or because it is literally the only place in town).  We got po’boys, red beans &rice, crawfish etouffee, and fried alligator. The gator was great!!

On the road again to Shreveport to see Kt’s cousin. On the way, there was the most intense lightening we’ve ever seen. It was literally over our head . IT was raining the hardest we've seen coming in all directions. It was cRaZy! Just when we were thinking we should pull over and let the storm pass, we broke through the storm to sun. 

The drive to shreveport was interesting to say the least. Sue and KT had been awake the longest by far....and decided to switch with Lauren and Jess (as driver and navigator). Of course the second we get in the back seat (to go to sleep) we are wide awake...probably a little delirious. The whole car breaks out in song and dance and costumes (obviously)...and we stayed that way for the next 4hrs to Shreveport.  

Once in Shreveport, we were still giddy from the drive...we pulled up to Darbi and Kyle's mansion. Their house is amazing! It was so good to see them both. We were upset that we got in so late (due to traffic and us fooling around). We got some pizza  and hung out for awhile. We had big plans to go launch the rest of our fireworks (the big boys)....but we all literally passed out. KT could not keep her eyes open. We all got a great night sleep, probably the only one since we started! Thanks so much for the hospitality Darbs...(I love you guys- KT)!!!!

Day 10- Nawlins

Woke up at the lake….it was beautiful…so glad we stayed there. Best camp sites ever only $6! We packed up the tent in the stinkin’ heat, Sue and Katie jumped in the lake (we ignored the neon green algae), and we headed south. We were all really anxious to get to New Orelans.

Once we got to N.O, we checked in to our beautiful hotel, the Montelelone. (Thanks Kevin Leavy)!! After we loaded up, we heard some load rumbling…it took us awhile, but we figured out it was a massive thunder and lightning storm. It was pouring! Sue and Katie were antsy to get out to the city, so we walked around the corner in the dumping rain to get coffee and beignets. The beignets were so good! Jess met up with us, and we walked around Bourbon Street for a bit, buying a couple souveniers and scoping out the scene.

There is a bar on Bourbon St, called The Beach, where you can ride a mechanical whale instead of a mechanical bull!!! We walked down to the Mississippi river, and checked out some side streets. We went into a lot of touristy shops, and voodoo shops. We met the only white voodoo priest to come from Africa. He could go into our dreams…creeeepy. On our way home from the voodoo priest, we noticed a very knowledgeable local giving his friends a tour…so we hoped on it for a minute.

 

After a lot of walking around, we went back to the room to check on Lauren (napping). Sue and Katie stole a moment to catch some shut eye, while Jessica walked to the financial district by the Superdome. Once we were “refreshed” (we had to rally ourselves awake) we got ready for the night, and went over to Deanies to get some seafood and gumbo, Cajun style. Lauren ate BBQ shrimp pasta. Sue, Jess and KT ate gumbo…KT also had crawfish and softshell crab. Everything was great. This was Sue’s birthday dinner.

 

Went to the hotel to drop off some gear, and grab a drink…then we went out on the town. On Bourbon St we got some crazy jello shots, and beads. Bourbon St was cool, but a local recommended we check out Frenchman St for some live music. We went to 3 bars with live music there…all were great! On our walk back we stopped by, Café Du Mondt for some 24hr beignets (Lauren and Jess still needed to try them). These beignets weren’t as good as our original ones from Café Beignet, but they were pretty nice for 1 AM.

 

Back to the Hotel for some sleep.

Day 9-Memphis

The next morning, we woke up at 5am (soaked from the humidity), to sirens…we packed up fast and left. In hind sight it was probably not a great idea to camp under a dam during flood warnings. We got out fine, and we were proud of ourselves for surviving, and catching fish…it was a great experience!

It's Sue's Birthday!!!!!!!

The drive to Memphis was pretty intense, we had to drive on like 20 different little freeways. Missouri is beautiful!! The sunrise was amazing! We stopped in Arkansas to make some breakfast, and drink some caffeine (none of us slept well the night before). Down the road a little farther in Arkansas we stopped to go canoeing, rafting, tubing or whatever down the Missouri river (also flood warning). The lady who’s shop/house we stopped at did not sell her service very well. She first told us how much each vehicle would be to replace “if” we damaged it….then she told us stories about multiple different groups who broke canoes in half, popped tubes etc. When we asked about how extreme the rapids were, she said, “oh I won’t go out there no mo’ my shins been banged one too many times.” She also mentioned very nonchalantly about the 5ft water falls. We all couldn’t hang….so we moved on.

After we arrived in Memphis, we needed to take a shower, hop in a lake, go steal a hose etc., because we looked homeless and we didn’t want to make a bad impression on Adam (the guy we were couch surfing with). We contemplated what to do for awhile then decided to shmooze our way into the pool and locker rooms at Rhodes University. There was a summer camp at the pool, so there was no one in the pool, besides us, over the age of 12. Once clean, we met our guy and went to Beale Street in downtown Memphis.

Beale street was cool, during the day it was almost deserted though...it was a little strange. We grabbed some grub (sweet potato puffs w/ caramel, fried pickles, and artichoke dip) at BB Kings restaurant. We walked around a bit, and decided to take care of business and come back at night, when things would be a little more alive.

We got the oil changed, car wash etc. While all these errands were going down, Adam (our host) informed us that he had 9 other couch surfers staying at his house along with us. We weren’t feeling friendly enough to cuddle up to strangers, so we decided to drive to a lake in Mississippi to camp after our Beale St shenanigans.

Beale was poppin’ at night. We got dinner at Silky Sullivan’s Irish pub for some live music. The oyster bar was great! Once we got our Jazz fix, we headed south to Grenada Lake. It was perfect, because it was about 2 hrs away which made our drive the next day a nice length. 

On our way to the site, we stopped on the side of the road to blow up some fireworks for Sue’s birthday. A State trooper came over and guided us to a good spot to light them….we wish CA cops were like MS cops!

Our campsite was right next to the lake…we didn’t get in til around 1 am though so it was straight to bed. So many skeeters.