100 Things: no. 2

#2: Road Trip Across the USA: In February 2008 (when I was officially done with school) I went on my first big road trip- upstate New York to California. It was 15 days of amazing sights and such an incredible learning experience traveling down Route 66.

Here are a bunch of my favorite snapshots from the trip.

So many shots out the car window.. 2,700 miles is a lot of miles! I saw some of the most beautiful scenery out the car window though.

St. Louis was great. The Gateway Arch is so impressive in person and the views from the top are incredible. It was pretty terrifying traveling to the top though. The "elevator" looks more like a slightly larger washing machine.. not ok! You can also feel the arch swaying ever-so-slightly in the wind.

Of course, a trip to the Anheuser Busch Brewery was a must. I had the best glass of beer I've ever had there.. Sun Dog. I haven't been able to find it again.. I guess we don't have it in New York.

Texas sunsets were the brightest and most colorful from what I remember. I only got to see the panhandle area of Texas on this trip. I definitely want to see more of that state eventually.

New Mexico was my favorite state. Maybe it was the sign I saw on the way in .. "New Mexico, Land of Enchantment," and I believed it. It looked like a painting. New Mexico even has it's own "state question!" Red or Green? They're referring to salsa chile peppers! (thanks Kel!).. mmm the food. Oh my gosh.

I only got to hike in the Grand Canyon for one day. I would have loved to hike down into the canyon, but time and ice made that a little difficult. It was early March at this point and I thought snow and ice would be long gone, but not really. Next time I'll have to bring crampons for my shoes.

It was so interesting to see more of California. There was so much desert between Las Vegas and Long Beach. At the end of the desert area there was a giant McDonald's billboard that read "This is not a mirage." I enjoyed that, oh yes I did.