Last day - so begins the two days of flights home

We worked out that in the 19 days here we managed to clock up a massive 5,000 plus kms.
Visit 5 states. Stay in 9 hotels and 11 different beds in 11 cities.
Eat at 9 different fast food chains.
Averaged 5 hours sleep a night.
Had my picture with Elvis, Johnny, a cheer leader, a policeman and Mickey Mouse to name a few.
Hob Knobbed with African, Indian, Mexican, Caucasian and Green Alien Americans.
Got a farmers tan.
Saw Mountains, Lakes, Forests, Deserts, Oceans, Beaches and Cities.

And generally had an amazing time - I am hugely indebted to my friend Elisa for making this trip possible and to Noemi and her folks for their hospitality also in LA. I am a very lucky gal and sad to be getting on the plane but at the same time happy to get back and tell the tales to everyone back home.

Dallas day 1 and 2

This city was easy to navigate with a well informed local to guide me around so I was able to see all the different suburbs and their characters, ranging from the mammoth desperate housewife show type manicured mansions to the more scary ghetto like poor areas.

We had lunch at a local favourite where I had my first root beer float - kinda nice kinda strange flavour.

We then went for a tram ride round the main spots - ironically the tram was named Matilda and originally from Melbourne. Then looked around downtown to see where JFK was shot and the memorials for him.

Dinner was at a Texas Steakhouse and I have to admit it rivals some of NZ's best.

Lastly we went to a local sports bar to hang with Elisa's Brother and friends whilst playing Shuffle board - yet another sport I am not good at, but lots of fun none the less.

The following day we chilled and went for a wander around the shops like Wallmart, Macy's, Target and so on - as always I am amazed at the huge size of everything and the vast selection of brands they have here.

We were both feeling a bit yuk after so much travel so decided to get a makeover at the clinique counter by a funky makeup artist called Betty Page. Felt so much the better for it after.

I also got to sample some local treats like, Pecan pie, Pumpkin pie and smorgs all very sweet but nice.

Observations:
• It got to 90% humidity today and rain - go the frizzy hair
• Love all the "Don't mess with Texas" signs
• Finally found the story behind the lonestar state
• There is a whole lots of grass here
• Halloween has taken over the stores
• They don't have to wear helmets when riding motorcycles but they do on pushbikes
• Beer and wine have different rules to all other liquors
• Pink flamingo garden figures are everywhere

Ye ha Texas and Cowboys here I come (590kms)

Today we hit the road for our last big drive from Lubbock to Dallas, home of my amazing friend Elisa, the person who has done all the tiring driving for us these past 3 weeks.

On the way we stopped in Abilene and like Lubbock they are just boring towns so we didn't hang around long.

Then we hit Fort worth which was great as they had incredible water parks, fab shops and awesome architecture. It was an amazingly hot day with really high humidity so we decided the only way to battle that was to go to the local pub and cool off with a beer. We tried a Texas tasting plate of 5 beers but didn't like any so I ordered my new favourite Sierra Nevada Kellerweis mmmmm. From our rooftop table we were also able to watch a house for habitat being built in the square below.

Then we went to cowboy land at the Stockyards and had dinner at the famous Joe T Garcia's Mexican Restaurant where it is so popular they had to keep expanding and it now seats 1800 people. I can also happily say after tasting CalMex, New Mexico Mex and TexMex that the Texas one wins hand down.

Observations:
• Dallas has around 3,000 churches so averages 1 church per 3-400 people
• I have tried fried okra and am not a fan
• Have seen cottonfields for the first time and they are really pretty
• Oil drills are everywhere
• Cowboy boots are awesome but expensive
• Texans don't mind wearing/displaying their flags, state shape and symbols all the time
• I have finally gotten sick - inevitable with midnight beds, 7am wake ups and full on days
• Hit the bible belt and there are alot of messages around some witty some bad
• Texans are the nicest people I have met so far, and love telling you all the special things about their state
• They love their guns and Knives here

Roswell, New Mexico to Lubbock Texas (605kms)

We hit the extraterrestrial town of Roswell today which was fun with Alien images everywhere even the street lamps and the info on the crop circle phenomena was really interesting. I had to come here after loving pop culture and anything with a mythical twist to it. It also housed a fabulous art gallery so that was a definite bonus.

Observations:
• There were lots of amazing signs made from silhouette designs in metal
• Back in Oil drilling country like we saw in California
• So many abandoned houses and ghost towns
• Hit the plains which a sooooooo flat
• Loads of pretty sunflowers all along the highway
• Apparently largest wool producing area but didn't see a single sheep - weird
• Like the artists Larry Bob Phillips and Yoshiko Kanai

Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico

We spent the day in the charming town of Santa Fe exploring the old town area with all the terracotta coloured adobe buildings. It was jam packed with sculptures and art galleries so we got our fix of culture which was great. I also got a taste of the mexican culture and the Native American culture. I could have bought everything I saw (disclaimer - if I was rich) as the jewellery, art and crafts were all amazing. Three artists I particularly fell in love with were Frank Howell, Fabio Napoleoni and Gustave Baumann.

We also were able to see a show on cowboy boots which was great to see the craft behind it and some fab art versions, like Anne Noggles, plus some stories of the people who love them.

They love their chilies so you see them hanging up to dry everywhere and the food is HOT HOT HOT!

We also kinda got to see Georgia O'Keefes work as we saw a few in the General museum as her named one was closed.

We then went back to Albuquerque to explore their old town also interesting and then for more mexican food for dinner - note to self always eat half what they serve as it is almost impossible not to over eat mexican as it is sooooooo good.

Flagstaff, Sedona and Albuquerque (613 kms)

Today we started with a driving tour of Flagstaff a hip student town with an outdoorsy mountain cabinesque feel to it.

Then we headed down the highway to Sedona which was a great surprise as the terra cotta red rocks emerged and the matching red town appeared. It was a stunning place with loads of great sculptures including some funny cactus pots pictured below. I also like the water sprays that they do to cool you off as you walk around. This is also Navajo country so was able to see lots of their amazing crafts like Kachina dolls and Turquoise jewellery.

Then we travelled down the highway further to cross into state number four, New Mexico and arrive at Albuquerque where we encountered clouds for the first time in two weeks and some pretty scary some would say impressive lightning.

• Fell in love with the sculptor Lan Spurgers work

• Finally learnt the story behind the Kokopelli figure seen everywhere in the Southwest region

• Noticed even more pieces of tyres along the roadside - apparently they patch the trucks to save buying new ones but it is not very effective

• Finally figured out that only beef makes a burger all other items are sandwiches regardless of the bread, bun, pita etc... that the filling is in
• Am in love with the 99c 1 litre iced teas from McDonalds
• Was able to try something made from the prickly pear - tasted much like strawberry

• Came across a chain of gas stations called Loves - weird