Colorado {Our Great Adventure}

Colorado!

Colorado was a real treat.  We had the privilege of meeting up with our great friend, Alan!  He lives in Durango and we couldn't pass up the chance to stop by for a visit in his beautiful town.  We spent the day walking the streets of downtown, eating lunch at a local brewery, and hiking a trail through the tall aspen trees.  We ended the night sitting around the campfire and catching up since we haven't seen each other in way too long.  Hopefully, now that we aren't so far from each other, we'll be able to get together more often than before.  Right, Alan!?

New Mexico - Part Two {Our Great Adventure}

Santa Fe was an awesome central point for a ton of cool hikes in New Mexico.  While staying at the VRBO, we took a few day trips out to the wilderness for some fun adventures.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks.  This was such an awesome short hike.  It was only about 4 miles round trip, but had so many cool features along the trail.  At the bottom, you weaved through these smooth canyon walls.  Then, you had to climb some steep rocks to get to the top of the trail.  Once at the top, you were greeted with views of the "tent rocks" (cone shaped rock formations) and amazing views of the snow capped mountains in the distance.  And on the way back down, you hiked by caves that were once used as homes thousands of years ago.  If you look closely at that last picture of Brett in the cave, you can see the black soot that still remains from the fires they had in the caves.  This stuff is so cool to me!

The other day hike we did while staying in Santa Fe was in the Sante Fe National Forest.  Um, let's just say we were not exactly prepared for this hike.  We ended up doing the longest and most strenuous day hike we've probably ever done because the trails were very poorly marked. We ended up hiking way out of the way and along trails we were not planning on traveling on.  We climbed the most ridiculously steep hill I have ever climbed in my life.  There were NO switchbacks.  We literally climbed straight UP about 6 football fields worth of height elevation.  From the base of a mountain to the very top of it.  Also, snow.  We were not expecting to encounter snow.  My legs were freezing.  But fun story, right? ;)

After we checked out of our VRBO in Santa Fe, we headed into a different part of the Santa Fe National Forest for some camping.  We were originally planning on camping further up the mountain, but it was so cold that we decided to camp down in the valley at a lower elevation.  But unfortunately, it was just as cold down there.  This was by FAR the coldest camping night of our entire trip (in New Mexico of all places).  There was a point during the night that we were so cold that I got into Brett's sleeping bag with him so we could stay warm with our body heat.  I was so glad when morning came.  Our original plan was to do a 2-3 day backpacking trip in the forest, but after the night of camping in the frigid temperatures, that plan was thrown out the window immediately.  Instead, we did an amazing day hike that took us up a mountain with spectacular views to a beautiful lake that was nestled in the trees at the top of the mountain.  Successful alternative to backpacking. :)

The rest of our time in New Mexico was spent in much warmer temperatures.  We left the freezing Santa Fe National Forest and headed west.  We stopped for beers at the Santa Fe Brewing Company, camped in amazingly pleasant warm temperatures, bought fresh produce at a local market, and checked out the ancient ruins at Aztec Ruins National Monument.  And with that, our week in New Mexico had come to an end and we were on the road to Colorado!

New Mexico {Our Great Adventure}

New Mexico!

We spent so much time in New Mexico.  Way longer than we were expecting.  Who would have thought we would love it so much!  We spent most of our time in and around Santa Fe, but before we got there, we stopped for a night of camping at this state park overlooking a valley.  Awesome view, but at night before getting in the tent to go to sleep, I saw a scorpion.  Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well THAT night...  Our Santa Fe accommodations were much better.  :)

We rented this adorable little VRBO studio apartment in downtown Santa Fe for four nights and it was so perfect.  We did a few hikes in the Santa Fe National Forest (separate post for those) while there, but when we weren't in the forest, we were downtown exploring the area.  We walked everywhere.  There were breweries, restaurants, farmers markets, and ice cream right in the neighborhood.  Santa Fe is such a cool town.  So much history in those buildings.  It's home to the oldest church in the United States along with the oldest house (which is right next door to the oldest church).  We wandered the old streets, checking out all the cool looking buildings, artistic shops, and ate so much mexican.  I had the best tacos of my life (thus far) while in Santa Fe. 

The Santa Fe portion of our trip holds a special place in my heart because it's there that I celebrated my 28th birthday.  It was a surreal feeling, turning 28 on the road, thousands of miles from home and what you know.  I never would have thought that at 28 years old, I'd be traveling across the country with my husband who I love so dearly, while slowly making our way to our new home in California.  It's funny how life turns out and is so unpredictable (if you let it be).

Texas {Our Great Adventure}

Texas!

After driving across the entire state of Oklahoma, we cruised right on into Texas.  Texas was the first state where the scenery really started to look different compared to the east coast.  Cacti, red rocks, canyons, and tumbleweeds all over the place.  We didn't get too deep into Texas because it is such a gigantic state, but we found an awesome area to explore in Northern Texas.  Palo Duro Canyon.  It is the second largest canyon in the United States (the Grand Canyon being the first, of course).  We did a really cool hike in the canyon that led to 'Lighthouse Rock'.  It was a million degrees outside.  But what a spectacular rock.  It's awesome things like this in nature that make you realize how small we really are in this big world.  Also, lizards.  Lizards everywhere!  Not used to those guys on the east coast...

And shout out to our little Honda Fit, we love you!  Thank you for putting up with us on this crazy trip across the country.  You're the best.  I promise we won't drag you through any more rocky, rough back roads that aren't really roads.  :)

Oklahoma {Our Great Adventure}

Oklahoma!

We didn't stop overnight in Oklahoma at all.  We spent a day driving across the entire state.  And the entire time, I was completely giddy.  Why was I giddy?  If you know me at all, you know that my most favorite band has been, is, and always will be HANSON.  And Hanson is from Oklahoma.  Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I have always dreamed of going to one of the Hanson Day events in Tulsa, but haven't made it out there yet.  One day, one day.  But for now, just driving through the state and seeing the Tulsa sign made me happy.  I even drank a Dr. Pepper in Hanson's honor while passing through the state.  (Why do I still remember what their favorite drink was from 1997?!)  I may or may not have continually kept trying to get Brett to detour and head towards Tulsa.  But that, of course, didn't work very well... ;)  Oh!  And also, Oklahoma was were I had my first Sonic experience.  Oreo milkshake.  Delicious.

Arkansas {Our Great Adventure}

Arkansas!

Arkansas was pretty much a pass through state, but ending up being so much more!  We entered into the state while crossing the big ol' Mississippi River.  Crossing the Mississippi River was a huge milestone in our road trip.  We were really heading west now.  We mainly just needed a place to sleep while passing through Arkansas and stumbled upon this amazing lakeside campground.  We pulled in right as the sun was setting and the view was spectacular. We set up camp, ate a tasty campfire dinner, and drifted into the night talking and watching the fire flames flicker alongside the water.  Perfect night and perfect stopping point.  Who knew Arkansas would be so great.  What a pleasant surprise.