Today was a rush. We spent last night in Vegas...well technically not IN Vegas, in the next town over - Henderson, NV. Holiday Inn Express is a great hotel chain with free breakfast, free wi-fi, super friendly staff, and very nice accommodations. HIE in Nevada was nice. HIE in Albuquerque, NM is like the ritz in comparison. It's very nice here, and it smells tremendously better. That's not to say that Nevada is dirty, this hotel is just nicer. And the elevator works.
We covered a LOT of ground today - just shy of 700 miles. From Vegas we went to the Hoover Dam. It's a marvel of human engineering, truly immense, and looking over the edge is ridiculously vertigo-inducing. I never really could imagine what 6 million tons of concrete looked like. Now I don't have to imagine it anymore. We took a picture on the Nevada - Arizona border. Technically, my testicles were each in a different state at the same time.
From the dam we made a mad dash to Grand Canyon National Park, with a stop along the way in Williams, AZ and historic Route 66. We wanted meat for lunch, and driving down main street Williams (which looks like it hasn't changed since the 50's) we saw Cruiser's 66 Bar & Grill. There was a heavy smell of woodsmoke in the air, and we decided to stop there for lunch. I am glad we did. The brisket was fantastic, even if they did smother it in BBQ sauce after cooking, and Jim's NY Strip was phenomenal. The best thing though was the beer. They brew their own, and I started talking brewing and beer with our young waiter. After a bit, he brought us free samples of most of their brews, including a special one that they don't even have anymore. It was a mixture - a cuvee for all you winos out there - of a raspberry wheat and an oatmeal stout. Raspberry beers usually are cloyingly sweet, and I can only drink a small bit before my pallet is ruined. Oatmeal stouts are generally nutty and malty. Individually, each brew has its high points. Together, they are wonder twin powers activate! The sweet is cut down by the malty smoothness of the stout. They call it their "desert" beer. They should market that sh*t.
Anyway, after a fantastic lunch we trucked it to the Grand Canyon. Everybody's seen pictures of it, and has an idea of how big it is. I'm here to tell you, though, that you don't know nothin'. Big isn't a good identifier. Massive doesn't begin to define it. It exists on a scale all of its own; if there's anything on earth that will make a person feel small it's standing at ground level, looking down a mile into the earth at rocks that are 1,800 million years old and have been carved out by a river for the past 6 million years, and realizing that the tiny green dots at the bottom are full-sized mature trees. The Colorado river runs for 248 (if I remember correctly) river-miles. For 6 million years its carved out the rock in the Arizona desert and created a literally breath-taking sight. Where the Hoover Dam is one of the more impressive things I've ever seen in my life, the Canyon is spectacular and awe-inspiring. I've never seen anything like it, and I doubt I ever will.
Arizona is "the Grand Canyon State," and is named for good reason. In the upper corner of their state is a big (albeit old) hole in the ground and, at least in the northern part of the state, not much else. In fact, it's pretty much NOTHING else. We decided to stretch the trip today and we made it all the way to Albuquerque. From the canyon it was about 400-something miles. On one road. A straight road. When there's nothing on your right and nothing on your left and an endless expanse of pavement in front of you, a person tends to space out and start thinking about life. I did for a short time, but having to dodge tractor trailers for 400 miles takes a lot of mental power. I don't know how I'm conscious and typing now - it's been a long day. Tomorrow doesn't look any better.
Tomorrow is our hell day. We are planning on being on the road by 8:30. We are going 11ish hours from Albuquerque, NM to Dallas, TX to meet up with Nik. 651 miles, most of it on the same damn road. It's a good thing that Friday is an off-day. Jim and I are going to relax and recharge while Nik works, then we'll party and head out on Saturday morning. It will feel good to not be on a death march Friday.
More posts, pictures, and crazy people of the country tomorrow night and Friday. Right now, sleep!
Today's Map:
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Difficult Beginnings
Well - day 1 is in the books. And let me tell you - it wasn't the kind of day that I imagined that we would have.
Our plan for today was going to be to spend a few hours in Yosemite National Park, then head south and end up in Vegas for the night. It was going to be a long day, but worth it in terms of distance and sights. When I tell you that we got a late start it's an understatement. Last night was a hell of a lot of fun, but Jim and I were both paying for it today. Not only were we hungover, but we had to do a bunch of last minute packing/moving/spending $400 to ship boxes that wouldn't fit in the pod before we left. We ended up pulling out of Sunnyvale around 1pm. Luckily we hit no traffic, and the going was smooth. We made one stop at an O'Riley's Auto because I wanted to pick up a back support cushion. For the record, I did NOT buy an ass pillow, as Jim so lovingly declared on facebook.
We made it to Yosemite in good time considering our late start, but it was too late. The sun was already going down and the scenery had dramatically changed.
PRO TIP: National parks, although serene and beautiful, are incredibly creepy by night. Certainly no one would be around to hear you scream. The sky, however, is spectacular. I have never seen so many stars so clearly and brilliantly. We could see the haze of the outer galaxy too. Breath-taking beauty. Even saw a shooting star!
Jim really wants to see Yosemite, and I do too. To get here at night and end up just driving through would be a waste. So we decided to spend the night here. The room we're staying in is one half the cabin from The Great Outdoors and one half the cabin from Evil Dead. I know it's national park accommodations and it's supposed to be outdoors-y, but it's kind of disturbing. It's alright - we won't argue about a warm room and a bed to sleep in. We'll sleep tonight, and set out tomorrow to see the sights, and then power down to the Grand Canyon. We're likely skipping Vegas all together, which considering our affinities for both the consumption of alcoholic beverages and for getting distracted by fun noises and pretty lights is probably a good idea.
Either way, tomorrow will end at the Grand Canyon. That's gonna put us a little behind on our schedule, but it's not a solid schedule in the first place. You can't rush the road trip.
Stats so far:
Gas - 1 fill up before leaving Sunnyvale. No MPG report yet
Distance - around 175 miles - moderately disappointing
Food/Drink of note - We went to the lodge's food court. It looked exactly like every ski resort food court I've ever been to. I had a teriyaki turkey burger - it was tasty. Jim had a grilled chicken sandwich. He didn't complain, so I think he liked it. We took a short stroll over to the lounge to see if they had any local libations. I had a Mammoth IPA (2.75/5 - it was good but not great). Jim had a Mammoth Nut Brown (1/5 - a hell of a lot of nutty and syrupy badness) that was so bad he couldn't finish it.
Picture of the Day:
Well, that about does it for today. I'd call it day 1 in the books, but it was more like day 0.5 since we didn't get that much done, and we didn't even make it out of California yet.
More to come! Stay tuned!
Our plan for today was going to be to spend a few hours in Yosemite National Park, then head south and end up in Vegas for the night. It was going to be a long day, but worth it in terms of distance and sights. When I tell you that we got a late start it's an understatement. Last night was a hell of a lot of fun, but Jim and I were both paying for it today. Not only were we hungover, but we had to do a bunch of last minute packing/moving/spending $400 to ship boxes that wouldn't fit in the pod before we left. We ended up pulling out of Sunnyvale around 1pm. Luckily we hit no traffic, and the going was smooth. We made one stop at an O'Riley's Auto because I wanted to pick up a back support cushion. For the record, I did NOT buy an ass pillow, as Jim so lovingly declared on facebook.
We made it to Yosemite in good time considering our late start, but it was too late. The sun was already going down and the scenery had dramatically changed.
PRO TIP: National parks, although serene and beautiful, are incredibly creepy by night. Certainly no one would be around to hear you scream. The sky, however, is spectacular. I have never seen so many stars so clearly and brilliantly. We could see the haze of the outer galaxy too. Breath-taking beauty. Even saw a shooting star!
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| The picture really doesn't do it justice |
Jim really wants to see Yosemite, and I do too. To get here at night and end up just driving through would be a waste. So we decided to spend the night here. The room we're staying in is one half the cabin from The Great Outdoors and one half the cabin from Evil Dead. I know it's national park accommodations and it's supposed to be outdoors-y, but it's kind of disturbing. It's alright - we won't argue about a warm room and a bed to sleep in. We'll sleep tonight, and set out tomorrow to see the sights, and then power down to the Grand Canyon. We're likely skipping Vegas all together, which considering our affinities for both the consumption of alcoholic beverages and for getting distracted by fun noises and pretty lights is probably a good idea.
Either way, tomorrow will end at the Grand Canyon. That's gonna put us a little behind on our schedule, but it's not a solid schedule in the first place. You can't rush the road trip.
Stats so far:
Gas - 1 fill up before leaving Sunnyvale. No MPG report yet
Distance - around 175 miles - moderately disappointing
Food/Drink of note - We went to the lodge's food court. It looked exactly like every ski resort food court I've ever been to. I had a teriyaki turkey burger - it was tasty. Jim had a grilled chicken sandwich. He didn't complain, so I think he liked it. We took a short stroll over to the lounge to see if they had any local libations. I had a Mammoth IPA (2.75/5 - it was good but not great). Jim had a Mammoth Nut Brown (1/5 - a hell of a lot of nutty and syrupy badness) that was so bad he couldn't finish it.
Picture of the Day:
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| I've been loopy for panoramic shots lately. The landscape is beautiful. Yes, that's snow on the ground. |
More to come! Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The Team
And now for the introductions:
In THIS corner, at 28 years old and weighing in at far more than he should, is Ryan Brice. He's a physical and technical security professional currently looking for a job on the East Coast. Originally from Byram, Sussex (where men are men and sheep are scared) County, NJ - he currently resides in Sunnyvale, CA. He's a budding home chef, a gamer, a musician, a husband, and one day hopes to own a pub and restaurant with his two best friends!
In THIS corner, also at 28 years old and weighing a lean "I love beer...enough said," is James Cornelius Coates III. Jim makes his living providing the state of New Jersey with the single most valuable resource known to man...BEER! Well, sort of. He has been busting his hind parts delivering water to customers all over the state, and with the recent devastation of the Frankenstorm the only better thing is electricity. Originally from Hackettstown, Warren County, NJ - Jim currently resides in Bernardsville, NJ with his wif-er-fianc-er-girlfriend Emily! Three cheers for the mighty Jim!
And now for our final player; an addition to the team starting about halfway through the journey., Also at 28 years old and weighing in at "fuck you I'm not telling you how much I weigh," is Nikolas Carfano. Nik is a regional inventory manager for Verizon Wireless, and can't wait for an opening in NJ so he can move back home. Originally from Hackettstown, Warren County, NJ - he currently resides in The Colony, TX. Reports indicate that he hasn't gone full redneck yet, however the terms "y'all" and "all y'all" have been heard coming from his mouth. He isn't considered a lost cause yet, though.
In some areas, these three gentlemen could be considered the tri-fecta from hell. Ryan's mother has already warned him no less than 6 times that "the three of you have to be safe - no fooling around." It is currently projected that with the addition of Nik in Dallas, the three together will cut a hilarious swath of comedic destruction across the country akin to Frankenstorm and Katrina combined. Not really - that's mean. They're just going to have a really good time. Three guys who have been friends for so long in the same car for days? Surely hijinks will ensue.
What could possibly go wrong?
In THIS corner, at 28 years old and weighing in at far more than he should, is Ryan Brice. He's a physical and technical security professional currently looking for a job on the East Coast. Originally from Byram, Sussex (where men are men and sheep are scared) County, NJ - he currently resides in Sunnyvale, CA. He's a budding home chef, a gamer, a musician, a husband, and one day hopes to own a pub and restaurant with his two best friends!
 |
| Alton Brown seen here with his idol, Ryan Brice |
In THIS corner, also at 28 years old and weighing a lean "I love beer...enough said," is James Cornelius Coates III. Jim makes his living providing the state of New Jersey with the single most valuable resource known to man...BEER! Well, sort of. He has been busting his hind parts delivering water to customers all over the state, and with the recent devastation of the Frankenstorm the only better thing is electricity. Originally from Hackettstown, Warren County, NJ - Jim currently resides in Bernardsville, NJ with his wif-er-fianc-er-girlfriend Emily! Three cheers for the mighty Jim!
 | |
| An Irishman wearing a Mexican sombrero holding a bottle of Japanese rice wine... |
And now for our final player; an addition to the team starting about halfway through the journey., Also at 28 years old and weighing in at "fuck you I'm not telling you how much I weigh," is Nikolas Carfano. Nik is a regional inventory manager for Verizon Wireless, and can't wait for an opening in NJ so he can move back home. Originally from Hackettstown, Warren County, NJ - he currently resides in The Colony, TX. Reports indicate that he hasn't gone full redneck yet, however the terms "y'all" and "all y'all" have been heard coming from his mouth. He isn't considered a lost cause yet, though.
 |
| I know you like my camouflaged surfer cowboy hat from Wal*Mart...also I just farted |
In some areas, these three gentlemen could be considered the tri-fecta from hell. Ryan's mother has already warned him no less than 6 times that "the three of you have to be safe - no fooling around." It is currently projected that with the addition of Nik in Dallas, the three together will cut a hilarious swath of comedic destruction across the country akin to Frankenstorm and Katrina combined. Not really - that's mean. They're just going to have a really good time. Three guys who have been friends for so long in the same car for days? Surely hijinks will ensue.
 |
| A very tame rendition of some of our times together |
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| I...I really just don't know. Where did he get a corset? |
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| Yes, he used to try the "blow out" hair style. Yes, it was before the Jersey Shore |
 |
| One part FNB, one part Heimlich Maneuver, one part Zangeif |
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| Science has adopted a new time era - based on the evolution of Nik's ridiculous sideburns |
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| This is either right before or right after we all slow danced together |
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| It takes two to tango. Also, Jim really doesn't know how to do the tango |
What could possibly go wrong?
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Here We Go Again!
Well well well...
It may be a little sooner than we wanted it to be (thank you to the unnamed global company and terrible manager who made it possible for me), but we're on our way home.
Originally the plan was for us to move back to New Jersey in August of 2013. I had a good job and was getting great experience for my resume, and we wanted to stay another year because of it. Without the job (the wife can take hers back to New Jersey) there is no reason for us to stay in California. It's sad, really. We both like it here despite the crummy drivers, people who don't understand sarcasm and get offended WAY too easily, and the exorbitant prices.
So we're moving back to the Jerz. Back to friends and family and actual seasons and weather and thunderstorms and yes, even winter. We're actually moving back at the very BEGINNING of winter. Time to get those shoveling muscles back in shape!
Moving home might suck (it certainly sucks living in an apartment that looks like a cardboard jungle), but there is a silver lining to this cloud.
ROAD TRIP!!!!!
I did it last time, and I'm doing it again! To be more specific, WE are doing it again. Jim is coming back to Sunnyvale, helping us pack our storage pod (he might not know that yet) and then we're taking off on another trip across the US of A. This time we're headed across the southern route, which will take us straight through Dallas, where we will pick up our other best friend Nik. Nik will be on the rest of the trip with us, and home for Thanksgiving with his folks.
Unlike last time, I am planning on updating this blog as continuously as possible, and sharing information, statistics, gas mileage, distances, etc. for all the people who are following us.
First off: The routes.
The road trip will take place over 7 legs. The beginning and end points are static, so besides the major things we want to see, what happens in between them will be totally spontaneous. Here's our routes as they stand right now:
First Leg
Second Leg
Third Leg
Fourth Leg
Fifth Leg
Sixth Leg
Seventh Leg
It all ends with a triumphant return home for the three of us. I can't wait.
Follow along on Road Trip...Part Deux!
It may be a little sooner than we wanted it to be (thank you to the unnamed global company and terrible manager who made it possible for me), but we're on our way home.
Originally the plan was for us to move back to New Jersey in August of 2013. I had a good job and was getting great experience for my resume, and we wanted to stay another year because of it. Without the job (the wife can take hers back to New Jersey) there is no reason for us to stay in California. It's sad, really. We both like it here despite the crummy drivers, people who don't understand sarcasm and get offended WAY too easily, and the exorbitant prices.
So we're moving back to the Jerz. Back to friends and family and actual seasons and weather and thunderstorms and yes, even winter. We're actually moving back at the very BEGINNING of winter. Time to get those shoveling muscles back in shape!
Moving home might suck (it certainly sucks living in an apartment that looks like a cardboard jungle), but there is a silver lining to this cloud.
ROAD TRIP!!!!!
I did it last time, and I'm doing it again! To be more specific, WE are doing it again. Jim is coming back to Sunnyvale, helping us pack our storage pod (he might not know that yet) and then we're taking off on another trip across the US of A. This time we're headed across the southern route, which will take us straight through Dallas, where we will pick up our other best friend Nik. Nik will be on the rest of the trip with us, and home for Thanksgiving with his folks.
Unlike last time, I am planning on updating this blog as continuously as possible, and sharing information, statistics, gas mileage, distances, etc. for all the people who are following us.
First off: The routes.
The road trip will take place over 7 legs. The beginning and end points are static, so besides the major things we want to see, what happens in between them will be totally spontaneous. Here's our routes as they stand right now:
First Leg
Second Leg
Third Leg
Fourth Leg
Fifth Leg
Sixth Leg
Seventh Leg
It all ends with a triumphant return home for the three of us. I can't wait.
Follow along on Road Trip...Part Deux!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Pictures!
Here's the site for our photo album so far. Feel free to check them out!!!
Jim and Ryan's Excellent Adventure!
Jim and Ryan's Excellent Adventure!
Thursday
Despite Thursday being a relatively short drive distance-wise, the day seemed to drag on and on. We stopped at Devil's Tower National Monument, and DAMN is it one big ass, cool looking rock! Mother Nature is one cool lady, when she's not pissed and setting the world on fire or battering us with hurricanes and natural disasters.
There are no shortage of cows in the Wyoming countryside, but I don't want to see cows. I'm interested in critters I've never seen before. So far we've seen a mountain goat, prairie dogs, a jackalope or two, and some antelope. I have yet to see any buffalo, moose, elk, eagles, etc. I need to see these before I get to California. Quest accepted!
Today Jim and I are heading into Yellowstone. I heard that they're expecting 1 to 5 inches of snow today...Crazy. If they don't close the park due to the snow (wtf?) then we're doing Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Falls and Yellowstone Lake. This is the part of the trip that we've been looking forward to the most, hands down. I can't wait! LOTS of pictures to come next update. Which reminds me...
There are no shortage of cows in the Wyoming countryside, but I don't want to see cows. I'm interested in critters I've never seen before. So far we've seen a mountain goat, prairie dogs, a jackalope or two, and some antelope. I have yet to see any buffalo, moose, elk, eagles, etc. I need to see these before I get to California. Quest accepted!
Today Jim and I are heading into Yellowstone. I heard that they're expecting 1 to 5 inches of snow today...Crazy. If they don't close the park due to the snow (wtf?) then we're doing Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Falls and Yellowstone Lake. This is the part of the trip that we've been looking forward to the most, hands down. I can't wait! LOTS of pictures to come next update. Which reminds me...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
EDUCATION!!!
This trip has actually taught me things. It's only half over, but I feel that I should share what I've learned so far...
1. Outside of NJ and PA, motorists on the road are actually nice. They'll move over to the right when they're clear of cars. It inspires you to do the same. Aside from being so long, the drive has been pretty pleasant.
2. I. Hate. Corn. I've driven through six states after PA. All I've had to look at is freaking corn. To the left: corn. To the right: corn. Ahead of us: corn. Behind us: you guessed it...CORN!!!
3. Eff Indiana.
4. West of the Missouri River, this country is absolutely gorgeous. The hills are great, and the landscape is beautiful. I can't wait until Yellowstone.
5. The Road Trip Gods don't like clean windshields. As soon as they sense one nearby, they immediately direct every single big juicy bug towards it. I may be out of windshield washer fluid by the end of this trip :-(
1. Outside of NJ and PA, motorists on the road are actually nice. They'll move over to the right when they're clear of cars. It inspires you to do the same. Aside from being so long, the drive has been pretty pleasant.
2. I. Hate. Corn. I've driven through six states after PA. All I've had to look at is freaking corn. To the left: corn. To the right: corn. Ahead of us: corn. Behind us: you guessed it...CORN!!!
3. Eff Indiana.
4. West of the Missouri River, this country is absolutely gorgeous. The hills are great, and the landscape is beautiful. I can't wait until Yellowstone.
5. The Road Trip Gods don't like clean windshields. As soon as they sense one nearby, they immediately direct every single big juicy bug towards it. I may be out of windshield washer fluid by the end of this trip :-(
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