Roadtrip to Cali!

4/9-10/12

2012-04-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Malibu Creek State Park

2012-04-01T22:19:00.002-07:00

West Los Angeles Symphony's 20th Anniversary at Royce Hall 4/1/12

Update- March 2012

2012-04-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

So I've been in California over a month now. Haven't been doing much updating on my blog... been busy exploring/doing hw/looking for a job. Job search has been coming along well, but still no bacon. I got offered a job, but i turned it down because it wasn't quite what I was looking for, although pay wasn't (too) bad. Maybe I should have taken it, but it's still too early to tell. The search continues.

I've also had a few chances to drive around cali and see the spots. It seems every time I leave the house I forget my camera, but luckily my phone has one. Enjoy the pics.

Hollywood hills

Angel's Stadium

Sunset @ Ocean City Pier

Police with guns drawn (above)

CALIFORNIA!!!! Week 1, 2/17-24/12

2012-02-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY MADE IT TO CALIFORNIA!!!!!

My first night in LA was VERY stressful. It was kinda my fault tho. LA is such a huge place that I had no idea where to start. A friend of mine from Miami put me in touch with a friend of his that moved out here about 9 months ago from Miami, so I figured it would be a good stop to get my bearings. It actually ended up being more of a distraction, and since I had a lot of things in my car and hadn't yet settled in it caused me some stress. Lesson learned, settle in first before going out to meet new people! I ended up getting a hotel for the night, and crashing.

My second day (Saturday 2/18/12) was uneventful, switched hotels to a slightly cheaper one, really began my search for a room. Went to go see a place in Riverside. It seems good location-wise on a map, but in reality it is WAY out there. Besides that though it is a very nice room, in a very nice house, in a very nice neighborhood. Only nowhere to eat nearby, and likely TOO FAR from any real job opportunities. The guy was pretty strict too in his screenings, so I was very pleased to hear that I passed his strict requirements.

On Sunday I finally got in touch with some extended family that lives out here, and we met for lunch in Orange City and later visited Laguna Beach. Again, I didn't take too many pictures... sorry.

The hotels in LA are pretty expensive compared to Vegas and Flagstaff, so this created a sense of urgency when it came to finding a place to stay. Ultimately tho, I had to find a balance between what was immediately available and what was a best fit for me. I actually passed on the first two places that I was accepted at, one due to location, and the other because it was a lil expensive, not that nice, and the lady was starting to act sketchy. I finally settled in Whittier on Wednesday, where I got a nice room for a nice price, with decent, friendly people, after prolonging my search for two nights AFTER my first two acceptances. In total, I spent 5 nights in hotels.

This whole crazy ordeal was why I hadn't posted in a while.

Las Vegas, 2/16/12

2012-02-26T09:35:00.001-08:00

Sorry, haven't posted in a long time, things have been pretty hectic for last week and a half or so. I'm ready to get caught up now, so I will start with Vegas.

Now this may sound stupid, but when I got to Vegas and saw a million people taking a picture of the same thing, I decided to leave my camera put away and just enjoy the scenery in person. I realize this isn't too good for my blog, but honestly people, just Google Vegas and you will see a million pictures, I doubt the lighting changed much while I was there :)

That being said, I will also not state what casinos I visited. Vegas is a tourist trap. It's like a polite highway robber. I'm not just saying this because I lost some $, but because i really feel that way about it. My advice to you is this: Go to Vegas, enjoy the sights, the shows, whatever for a day. Then (if you want to gamble), take whatever money you are willing to LOSE, and place ALL OF IT on black/red/even/odd/etc on the roulette wheel, and let it ride. You have about a 48% chance of doubling your money, that's about as good of odds as you can get out there...

Overall though I had a good experience. I played in three poker tourneys, the first of which I placed 9 of 24, which is not bad for my first tourney ever! On the others I didn't do as well, but there were definitely less players to begin with and I did take a few people out on those tables. Other than that I played roulette, which is where I lost the least money, and slots where I lost the most. I'm glad I went to Vegas and tried my luck! :D Better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all!

The Grand Canyon!!! 2/14/12

2012-02-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

NM to AZ, 2/13/12

2012-02-14T07:38:00.000-08:00

Now it's time to leave NM. I will definitely remember it, it is a great place. EXTREMELY under-rated. I am, however, very excited about the next leg of my journey Arizona- the GRAND CANYON state!!!

Last day in Albuquerque, 2/12/12

2012-02-13T21:10:00.000-08:00

My final day in Albuquerque started off with a surprise... it was SNOWING when I woke up!

I spent the morning helping my hosts dad move furniture from one office to another.

Weather was cloudy all day, with intermittent snow. Looked like it was snowing on the peaks all day.

Later on, we got a little bit of shopping done, and then went over to my host's dad's (Chris') place for some ribs :D

I had a lot of fun, and seems like everyone else did too, especially the dogs.

Rex fell in love <3

watch the video here.

Snowboarding!!! Santa Fe, NM, 2/11/12

2012-02-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

Today I finally went snowboarding!!! We went to Santa Fe Ski Area which is in the Santa Fe National Forest. I also bought a new camera on the way so I could take pictures again :)

The road leading up to the ski area.

Riding on the ski lift is an incredible experience... no safety bars.

After snowboarding we went to Taco Bueno for a bite to eat, then we headed home to get ready for the Hispano Chamber of Commerce event called "La Noche Encantada"

It was a really great event where I got the opportunity to network with many Hispanic Professionals in Albuquerque.

I had a really great time :)

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Also, for those of you who noticed, I didn't do a post for Friday... I basically just went out to look for my camera, didn't find it, did a TON of HW (since it was my last day of classes!!!!!), then at night we hit up the Marble Brewery and Nexus Brewery. It was cool, the bars out here have board games for people to play while they drink. We played Jenga. I don't know who won, but Cory lost :)

Sandia Peaks, 2/8/12

2012-02-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

So today I went to Sandia Peaks, and rode the world's largest tram. I had been planning on snowboarding, but we decided it would be better to do that in Santa Fe on Saturday, so that's the new plan. I still went up to the peaks and the ski area to do some sightseeing. I actually took some really amazing pics, with snow blowing around, all bundled up. Unfortunately on the way home I stopped at some national park recreation area to do some hiking, and at some point during my exploring I misplaced my camera! I spent at least an hour looking for it but couldn't find it... it was a large area. There was nobody out there so I'll prolly go back in the morning and look some more. I know I had it. NEways, other than that had a great day. Sorry no pics (from top of mountain), would've been some epic ones too :(

Puye Cliff Dwellings, 2/7/12

2012-02-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

So after having made it to Albuquerque, and sampling New Mexican cuisine, I was ready for some adventuring! My host Elizabeth and her bf Cory told me about the Puye Cliff Dwellings, and that they had some friends who worked out there. It definitely sounded like the type of thing I could not pass up, and just what I was looking for. I feel like Jim Carrey in Yes Man. You wanna do this? YES! How about that? YES!!!

This picture was taken at scenic stop on way in to Puye, looking west, the Jemez Mountains.

...looks can be deceiving.

This is the view looking east from the south side of the cliff, while climbing (above)

I've heard of this before, and seen pictures in textbooks, but nothing in a textbook, or even blog for that matter can describe what it's like to go there and see it... feel it.

So there is pottery everywhere. These things feel to me like they should be in a museum, but the tribe believes these things should remain undisturbed, so they don't excavate them.

I was also very fortunate that I went during the off season, and got a personal tour of the cliffs from a very smart, knowledgable descendant of the Puye. She told me all about their history, and how their people have adapted into modern society. It's a really great story.

So far I have got to say that this has been the most incredible part of my trip. California's gonna have to work hard to top this!

Superbowl Sunday, 2/5/12

2012-02-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

I finally found a good outfit to keep Rex warm :)

Saturday, 2/4/12, Dallas Cowboys Stadium

2012-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

Week 2, Dallas Texas

2012-02-02T14:43:00.000-08:00

So far having more fun in Dallas! Monday I met up with my cousin who is studying at a university nearby for lunch. Tuesday was largely uneventful, misc. errands, playing CoD. Wednesday was my birthday, and I had a blast playing trampoline dodge ball at Jump Street! See video above. We met up with a large group there, and most of us went to a bar afterwards to rehydrate with some cervezas.

I haven't really been taking a lot of pictures, but there will be plenty of pics soon when I head west!

Days 6 & 7, Dallas TX, 1/28-29/12

2012-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

So Saturday was mostly uneventful, had a lot of HW to do. But I did find time to go with Jimmy to a gun show... another very TEXAS thing to check off of my list :D Dallas is a funny place, on any given weekend there is guaranteed to be a gun show somewhere in the city. It's amazing how a guy can walk right by you calm and casually carrying an assault rifle in plain view and you barely even notice! I like TEXAS!!! Jimmy bought a Glock 17... very nice pistol :) See him very happy below...

Sunday involved a lot of HW again, but found time to go- not to a gun show, but to a gun range! Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures, but had a great time. In Texas they allow you to rapid fire. I don't know if it was jut the range I went to in Florida that didn't allow it, but it's good to know what it feels like. Feels great! The Glock 17 shoots lovely. I'm currently debating whether or not to rent a P90 they got there next time we go... looks sweet!

Then for dinner, we went to SaltGrass Steakhouse for another genuine TEXAS experience... the Texas T-Bone!!!! The picture almost does it justice... but not at all!!!

Rex enjoyed the t-bone as well! I wouldn't recommend trying to take it from him... unless you wanna lose a finger lol

Had a great time in Texas, so I will be staying another week! :)

Day 5, Dallas TX, 1/27/12

2012-01-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

So today was a busy day. I got to work on my final essay for one of my classes, which is due this Sunday. I wrote about 5 pages, which is more or less half of what I need. For lunch I went to a place called SmashBurger and had a BBQ Bacon Cheddar Smashburger. It was good, but I think maybe too salty or something... 5 Guys still reigns supreme. Also took a trip to he local Walmart AND Walmart Neighborhood Market. The neighborhood market is weird... it's green instead of blue. Other than that it was a pretty decent supermarket. When I was leaving I put a shopping cart up on the curb instead of in the right place, and some people actually stopped and stared at me... don't think anyone in Miami would have even noticed or cared.

Later on we went to go see the Mavs play! There was a great energy in the building, and our seats gave us a nice view. Had a great time. Also took a walk through the Katy Trail which runs through Dallas, very nice, exactly the kind of thing Miami is missing. Also went to a couple bars out there, don't recall the names. One had a really nice view from the roof, as you can see above. It was a very cold night!!!

Day 4, Dallas TX, 1/26/12

2012-01-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

All of days of not sleeping a lot, and driving, and madness finally caught up with me. I woke up for an hour or two during the day, but I slept mostly. Then woke up and did some hw and organizing. I managed to choose a topic, find sources of information, and write about a page or so.

Later on I went with Jimmy to the aquarium store, Dallas North Aquarium, which considering that Dallas is essentially landlocked was very nice. It's actually nicer than anything I've seen in Miami, with some really cool fish, and eels, and corals. You can see eels above.

After that, we went to Ghengis Grill for some stri fry mongolian food. It was pretty cool, you fill a bowl with all the ingredients you want, then hand it to them to cook it for you, then they take it to your table when it's ready. You kinda have to know what you're doing to not mess it up because you have to add your own spices and sauces, but mine came out pretty well. They only real catch was that it was pretty expensive, but it was good, and can be as great as you can create it.

Tomorrow I go to see the Dallas Mavericks!

Day 3, Dallas TX, 1/24/12

2012-01-25T17:42:00.000-08:00

So I'm finally in Dallas. It was cold as hell and pouring rain when I arrived last night, but I was just happy to be done with that leg of my journey. My friend Jimmy had prepared a nice place for me to sleep, so I didn't have to do much once I arrived... thanks Jimmy! We hung out for a bit and then I knocked out.

Poor Rex didn't get to use the bathroom much last night because of cold and rain, but he managed. I wasn't sure how he would take to the cold in the morning, and we was a bit hesitant at first, but once we went downstairs and he got to exploring and realized he was in a totally new area he got excited and started to enjoy himself. If you look closely you can see him in the pic above.

I gotta say, I like the landscape out here... rivers, hills, etc. I find Miami's flatness to be rather boring and lacking in character. But that's just me. Still haven't seen any mountains though, but I'm sure I will soon! Also saw scene from Alfred Hitchcock movie with the birds....

Also helped Jimmy set up his new tv. Then went to a bar, The Flying Saucer. Tried a couple new beers, Spaten Oktoberfest and something else, all i remember is that it was an amber ale from Denver, CO. The Spaten was better. Supposedly it's what they serve in Oktoberfest... ??? Was a very cool place, like 100 beers on tap or something.. Prost!

Gotta do hw tomorrow... ugh

Day 2, Gainesville to Dallas, 1/24/12

2012-01-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

So after approx 5 hours of sleep, I woke up around 8:30am. Had a fancy breakfast at BK with my brother, where he shared some of his roommate horror stories with me (with video- one of which would be well suited for a nasty website), then did a quick tour of University of Florida campus. Made me wonder why I didn't go out of town for college... looks like a fun place to study. So I finally hit the road for Dallas at 11:00am, two hours behind schedule. I don't really know what I was thinking, or how I figured that it would be a good idea to drive 15 hours, over 1000 miles, in one day, but i did.

As i mentioned in Day 1 post, I had gotten a lot done that day. One of those things was to stop by the Vet's office and pick up some doggie tranquilizer. I wasn't sure how it would work out, but I knew that rex would probably go crazy trapped in a car for 15+ hours, so I did us both the favor and got these to try it out. It was actually pretty funny at first, too bad I didn't get it on video, he was all woozy and stumbling around. I kinda felt bad about it, but it worked out really well overall, so I don't regret it. I don't plan on giving it to him again, but if for whatever reason I end up having to drive an extremely long time again, I would.

So my trip took me through 5 states on day 2; Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. I entered Texas at approx. midnight eastern time.

I had been very fortunate to encounter very little, light rain on most my journey, but as soon as I hit Dallas there was a downpour and it was freezing cold! not cool!

Day 1, Miami to Gainesville, 1/23/12

2012-01-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

So by this point, I had quit my job, and made arrangements to terminate my lease. I had been slowly furniture out of the apartment beforehand so I could have as little to do on day 1, but that didn't quite work out as planned. I was planning on leaving early afternoon, 4-5pm latest, but instead didn't end up leaving until about 8pm. On the bright side though, I did get a lot done, and I randomly ran into an old friend who was able to help me out and turned out to be a lifesaver... thanks Danny! From there it was off to Orlando, where I had a quick dinner and took my dog for a nice walk around the block with my buddy John. I wasn't sure if I would make it to Gainesville, but I still had energy and decided to go for it. I arrived around 2:30 am, chilled with my bro for a quick minute then knocked out. I don't know how crazy it sounds, but in reality it was freakin nuts!

As I considered leaving in the month(s) leading up to my departure, I posed the question, hypothetically, "why should I stay in Miami?". All I will say is that Miami gave me a strong answer, but I still need to go see what my options are. I will definitely miss Miami!!!

Introduction

2011-12-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hello. This is my first post. I've started a little late, but better late than never I suppose. So as you can deduce from the title, this blog is about my road trip to California! I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm eager and excited to see what lays ahead. The plan is to drive from Miami to LA (approx.) with my dog Rex, and see as much as possible on the way. I will definitely stopping at Dallas for a week to stay with/visit a good friend, and I hope to visit, Albuquerque, roswell, the grand canyon, and Vegas before arriving at California. Let's see what I actually end up doing! Finally, I would like to take this opportunity thank all the people who have supported me, you know who you are... thanks :)

and thank you Ali and Carrie for the Gift Basket... loved it!!!!