The next leg

We get on the road again tomorrow ... only 10 days, but guaranteed to be blast!

Beach bumming

We spent last week camping at San Simeon beach campground with my family.  I LOVE beach camping!!  We had a fabulous time enjoying the family -- everyone got to be there together except for my bro-in-law Chris :-(


Jason thought this pelican looked like it was trying to sell watches or something...

Elephant seals come every year to use the nearby beaches.  They aren't the most beautiful of creatures, but completely interesting.

Grandpa gets some help from the grandkids setting up the tent. 

 S'more-time!

Home in California!

Streets lined with palm trees and a perfect day at the beach -- need I say more??!!?

Death Valley National Park

My Mom says I was here as a small child, but I have no recollection of that.  It's possible I blocked it out ... this place is HOT and we came through on a cooler day.  Although I don't know that I'll ever need to go again, I am glad to have seen the interesting landscape and been below sea level while on dry ground.

NM --> AZ --> NV = Las Vegas (via the Grand Canyon)

Our drive from New Mexico to Nevada was another long day, and although there were a lot of desolate parts, there were some beautiful places too.  We added a detour to the Grand Canyon into our journey -- it was just too close-by to pass up.  We joined the many other tourists for a gander at the big canyon, then ended our day in Las Vegas at the home of my college friend (& awesome post-college travel partner) Brett and her sweet family.

TX --> NM = Albuquerque & Santa Fe

We had the pleasure of stopping in New Mexico at the house of a Peace Corps friend who we had not seen since we left Tonga 5 1/2 years ago when we looked like this:

Rose was an excellent tour guide of first Santa Fe & then Albuquerque.  We tried some New Mexican food -- Sopapillas & also Frito Pies.  Delish!

A roadrunner - A LOT smaller than I expected!