Vacation- Days- 4 & 5

Day 4-

We woke up the morning of Day 4 in Amarillo, TX and headed to the Belmar Bakery. It wasn’t the greatest I’ve ever had but it was still good.

From there we headed to Santa Fe, NM. Along the way we expected New Mexico to have hot/dry weather- instead we spent the whole day with the rain pouring down and it was freezing.

When we got there we headed to the Plaza in Downtown Santa Fe. It was full of great jewelry, pottery, and clothing stores, and I have never seen so many art galleries in my entire life. I personally don’t really get into the whole Southwestern style but there with the desert and adobe homes it just seemed to fit.

After walking around downtown in the rain for a couple of hours we headed to eat. You can’t go to New Mexico without eating some tasty chiles- so that is of course what we did. We went to Tomasiita’s and enjoyed a dish with red and green chiles on it (Christmas style)- it was super yummy, but my tummy has never burned so much, Ever.

We went back to the hotel after dinner. We went swimming with the kids and then I exercised (my stomach burned so bad from the chiles I thought I was dying!). Then to bed we went.

Day 5-

On day 5 we woke up and ate breakfast at our hotel. We headed to Taos, NM which is a fun little ski town about 1 hour from Santa Fe. It’s up in the mountains and was super pretty there. We found a great play area there for the kids to play, and the downtown was really pretty. While there we also headed to the suspension bridge that crosses the Rio Grande Gorge. I didn’t experience a full blown anxiety attack while there (due to the heights), but I didn’t just love the feeling of being so high and being able to feel the bridge move with ever car that crossed over it either. And No I didn’t get to see Julia Roberts and her family while in Taos (she lives there). She must not have known we were there.

We left Taos and drove toLos Alamos by way of the High Road. When we got to Los Alamos we went to the Manhattan Project Museum to learn about the making of the nuclear bombs. It was so crazy to learn about how they made the town and how they kept it so secret.

About 6 miles from Los Alamos was Bandelier National Monument which is an ancient Pueblo Indian cave dwelling village. The Indians actually lived in caves in the side of the mountains. They made ladders up to their caves. The kids and the hubby had a big time climbing into the caves and we hiked. It was a big time. I only freaked once when I thought little miss was going to fall out of a cave, but no worries! She didn’t and all is well!

From Bandelier we drove around Santa Fe for a while checking out the sites. We went and ate supper at La Choza New Mexican Restaurant. Again we had our dinner smothered Christmas style with chiles, and again my belly burned like it had been lit on fire.

After dinner we swam at the hotel, exercised, and went to bed- it was a busy day 5!

Days 6 and 7 to come- and some pictures! Have a great day!

Days 2 and 3- Finding Our Kicks on Route 66

We're having a great time!

Yesterday (day 2) finished off with some swimming with my sister's family and then going out for some pizza- We had 2 of the best vegetarian pizzas I've ever tasted!

We woke up this morning and after some craziness- which included a Wal-Mart run- we hit the road again- this time headed for Oklahoma City.

While there we visited the Oklahoma City National Monument. It was so sad and hard to believe what had taken place there. It was especially hard to handle when I saw the smaller markers which marked the deaths of children. It just makes you realize that life is a gift and that we should make the most of every moment that we have- especially the ones with our loved ones.


After that we drove around downtown OKCity and then headed to Stock Yard City to eat at Cattlemen's Steakhouse- being the 95% vegetarians that we are- it wouldn't have been our first choice but Nolan assured me that it was on the list of "1,000 things to see before you die" so he said we had to eat there. I ate turkey. At a famous steakhouse. I'm weird. I know.

After lunch we hit the road again this time with our sites set on Texas- and another steakhouse. And Yes!- everything is bigger in Texas- 72 oz bigger in Amarillo, TX at The Big Texan Steakhouse. No, we didn't try the challenge but we did eat, all 4 of us, for only $8. How? you ask. We ordered the Chicken Fried steak which was regular $15, we had a 50% of coupon, we all shared (yes- all 4 of us shared one dish), and Yes- we all left feeling nice and comfortably satisfied- Not stuffed and disgusting like most- I'm sure.

Now it's bed time- Day 4 is taking us into New Mexico- Can't wait! Good Night!

Road Trip 2010- Day 1:

Day1- I survived it! Yay!

I think the only thing I left behind might have been my mind.

If you've ever packed for a trip- imagine that multiplied by about 35 days and then multiply that by 4 (me, 2 kiddos, and the hubby)- and I'm sure you could maybe imagine some of my stress.

We've got clothes, food- dry and cold, coolers, workout stuff, books for travel and pleasure, and pretty much the whole house crammed into our little van.

We are at my sister's house now- we will be here until Sunday morning when we will pull out and the real action will begin.

We've basically just been hanging out. We had burgers last night for supper and then this morning my sister and I went and got pedicures, looked at some gorgeous houses she and her husband are thinking of buying and made a trip to the health food store so I could stock up on some snack goodies.

We are headed, with the kids, to the pool here in a while.

Please keep us in all of your prayers that God will give us traveling grace and that he will help us to continue to have joy, love, and appreciation for one another throughout our trip (35 days in a car and hotel room together can test even the happiest of families).

Keep up with us- We'll take you to some great places- Bye for now!