A Brand New Blog

I hadn't decided whether or not I wanted to continue this blog after I got home from my road trip. I'm not really one for putting their deepest emotions out there for anyone to see. But I realized something, it's just a blog. I don't have to put anything into it that I don't feel comfortable with. Who knows, I may throw a little anguish in here from time to time, but this will mostly be about things that I've noticed, things that are pissing me off, or just random stuff that I wanted to bug Mike with but thought better.

For instance, it's hard to find the perfect house when you're working on a budget. There's always something that you love a lot about one, but then something else turns you off of it, whether it be the neighborhood, the floors, the yard, but it's always something. Today I saw a couple houses that were great. One was brand new, ranch style, lots of room, and I just loved the layout of the house, but the neighborhood wasn't great, there was an identical house next door, no A/C, and not much of a yard. The other I saw was an older ranch, big garage, nice deck in the back, big back yard, big barn, cool looking tree in the backyard, roomy, but there was also no A/C, some of the floors would have to be redone, and who knows what else would need to be done in the next few years, it is an older house. I've been looking and this seems to be the trend on the budget I'm working on: it's not gonna be perfect. So you know what I think, so what, it's not perfect now, with a little bit of work, I could come to thinkof it that way someday. But seeing as how just writing the word work gave me hives, we'll have to see.

Day Ten: Lansing, MI

This is the last entry for the roadtrip. I got home early Sunday and have been catching up with shows on my DVR, and pretty much just loafing about. I was beat when I got back, so I took it easy.

After I left the Boulder area I headed west to the Rocky Mountain National Park. As you get close to the park there is a town that leads into it, Estes Park, and if they ever thought about doing a Northern Exposure remake, it could be made here. Lots of log cabins and old style buildings and the thing that reminded me the most, elk on the side of the road eating grass, just chillin'. I didn't get a picture 'cause it was right by the middle of town on a somewhat busy street. I tell you what, there were elk all over that park, on the side of the road, you definitely had to keep your eyes on the road.

The park itself was really beautiful. it started off in the floor of Rocky's where it's teeming with trees, green and gold, to the top, where it's barren and snow covered. Here's a few of my favorite pictures.


You definitely had to take the mountain pass slow at times. Two miles above sea level on a two way street. It got a little nerve wracking at times.

There were pulloffs along the road where you could take a short path to something, sometimes a lake, sometimes just neat looking rock formations. I tried to take all that I could, but it became apparent that Rocky Mountain air is not the best air when you're fighting a cold, thank goodness I brought a jacket and gloves, just in case, although a winter hat, just in case, would have been nice too.

I spent a while in the park, but then I headed out, I took a road North through the rockies some more and drove west through Wyoming toward my next destination, Mt. Rushmore. I got there just after dark. For some reason the parking was free, nice. As I approached the Mt. all I could think about was how much it looked like a matte painting lit up by spotlights like it was. I stared at it for a while, tried to get a picture, but with the only light being spotlights, the best I got was not quite crystal clear. It's one of those surreal moments as you think about how something like that could even be done in those days.

I hauled ass for the next two days, cutting through South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and back to Michigan. I ended up sleeping at a rest area on the way, that's what they're there for, right. Plus, I got to thinking about how much this trip was costing and fell into cheapo mode. Well, I just didn't stay in a hotel Friday night. I got home early Sunday morning around 2 AM. I spent Sunday recuping by watching football, and now I'm back. I'm glad I went, but it's good to be back.

Day Eight: Boulder, CO

Man, today was just the rejuvenation I needed. Driving through Utah and Colorado, the scenery was so beautiful, time just flew by. I took I-70E. Here's a pic of what it was like in Utah.

I-70 through Colorado weaved around and sometimes through the Rocky Mountains. It was a great ride.

Day Seven: Las Vegas Part Two

Las Vegas, I am at a loss of words of what to say about this town. There is a lot of things to do, but being alone I went for the easiest thing to find to do in Vegas, gambling. Now I didn't lose the house or anything like that, but I sure didn't win. Man I'm a crybaby. Done with that, now onto the things that were good today. My sister Rolanda told me about an elvis impersonator who performs free everyday. I went and checked him out at Bill's, formerly Barbary Coast. He was really good, his gimmick was that he was Big Elvis. I have no idea who the chic is.

The other thing that was sweet was the fountain in front of the Bellagio. You know, the meeting place for the crew in the Ocean movies. I think I'll go check 'em out again before I go. I tell you what, I checked out the Bellagio and that place is awesome.

Oh yeah, I'm staying at the Planet Hollywood, the room is pretty nice. There's random memorabilia in every room, in mine is a picture of the Blues Brothers, a copy of a letter by Bruce Lee where he stated his plan on how he's gonna be the highest paid Oriental super star in the US, and a poster of 16 Blocks.

Oh, and there isn't a missing entry into the blog, I just couldn't get myself out of the room yesterday. I didn't feel good, so I just stayed in. Tomorrow I leave early, so I can get to Colorado and drive through the Rockies while it's still light out.

Day Five: Las Vegas - Part One

Made my up to the Grand Canyon early enough for me to get to Vegas around 8, here time. The drive was even more scenic than the day before, it was hard to keep my eyes on the road. At the Grand Canyon, I went to the southern entrance to the park and there's two lookout points. At the first one the fog was so bad you couldn't see anything.

I wonder how many people got there and thought, Why wouldn't it be? I just laughed and nodded, yup. Luckily the other lookout wasn't engulfed in fog.

After that I called up the Planet Hollywood hotel and got another night so I'll be there til Thursday. Tonight I'm gonna go see the strip. I'm gonna wait till later to get the full affect. Plus I just got up from a late night poker tournament that I was in. I got to the final 10 and then was taken out. I'm gonna loaf about for a bit.