Tag Archives: Arches National Park

America, the Beautiful!

I’ve gotten some emails from steadfast readers (thanks, guys!) asking where I’ve been and why I haven’t been posting about shows lately. Well, I haven’t seen a proper concert in over a month, but I have seen a whole lot of America! I had an amazing opportunity to drive from Sierra Vista (southeastern) Arizona all the way back to Maine in August. How do you say no to something so wonderfully bucket listy?! My dear friend Rachel and I met up in Arizona for a few days and then drove her VW Bug for nine packed days through 16 states for a grand total of 4,079 miles. And we still like each other! Thanks so much to Nick, Elizabeth, Val, and Dan who put us up during our road trip and to my great friends who took care of my fur family while I was out seeing all of these beautiful new places! Here are the highlights:

xo,

bree

PRE-ROAD TRIP EXPLORING IN ARIZONA:

First stop off the plane: La Casa Poca Cosa in Tucson, Arizona. Amazing! Even got hugs from the owner who used to live in Maine!

First stop off the plane:  La Casa Poca Cosa in Tucson, Arizona. Amazing! Even got hugs from the owner who used to live in Maine!

Cacti heading up Mt. Lemmon in Tucson

Cacti heading up Mt. Lemmon in Tucson

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Amazing sunset in Tucson. We had delicious Mexican food in a gas station/barber shop/restaurant that night, too.

Amazing sunset in Tucson. We had delicious Mexican food in a gas station/barber shop/restaurant that night, too.

Bisbee, Arizona:  former copper mining town turned artistic community

Bisbee, Arizona: former copper mining town turned artistic community

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Met this puppy and his brother who were up for adoption in Bisbee, Arizona. We think they were adopted as a pair. Heart melting.

Met this puppy and his brother who were up for adoption in Bisbee, Arizona. We think they were adopted as a pair. Heart melting.

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I came to Bisbee. I shopped. I hid my credit card the rest of the trip! :)

I came to Bisbee. I shopped. I hid my credit card the rest of the trip! 🙂

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Cows in Sierra Vista the night before our road trip began

Cows in Sierra Vista the night before our road trip began

ROAD TRIPPIN’–DAY ONE:

Stunning red rocks outside Sedona, Arizona. Day one of the road trip!

Stunning red rocks outside Sedona, Arizona. Day one of the road trip!

Elk at our campsite!

Elk at our campsite!

Sending Maine love from the Grand Canyon!

Sending Maine love from the Grand Canyon!

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DAY TWO:

Day two:  sunrise at the Grand Canyon and this pup from Arkansas named Sammy.

Day two:  sunrise at the Grand Canyon and this pup from Arkansas named Sammy.

 

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The Four Corners was out of the way and a zillion degrees.

The Four Corners was out of the way and a zillion degrees.

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Thank goodness for sno cones. SO HOT!

Thank goodness for sno cones. SO HOT!

Introducing Elkington Mather, affectionately known as Elkie.

Introducing Elkington Mather, affectionately known as Elkie.

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The Four Corners was out of the way and a zillion degrees.

The Four Corners was out of the way and a zillion degrees.

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DAY THREE:

Day three:  Moab, Utah's Arches National Park

Day three:  Moab, Utah’s Arches National Park

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Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

DAY FOUR:

Day four:  Voodoo Donuts in Denver, which fueled us for the long drive through eastern Colorado and most of Kansas.

Day four:  Voodoo Donuts in Denver, which fueled us for the long drive through eastern Colorado and most of Kansas.

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Food trucks in downtown Denver

Food trucks in downtown Denver

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Kansas sky

Kansas sky

World's biggest easel in Goodland, Kansas

World’s biggest easel in Goodland, Kansas

I'm on team buffalo. Buffalo Bill statue in Kansas.

I’m on team buffalo. Buffalo Bill statue in Kansas.

Hays, Kansas

Hays, Kansas

DAY FIVE:

Day five:  Brown v. Board of Education museum in Topeka, Kansas. Very much worth a visit.

Day five:  Brown v. Board of Education museum in Topeka, Kansas. Very much worth a visit.

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St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

Hi, Mississippi River!

Hi, Mississippi River!

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The St. Louis Gateway Arch. We rode a tram up to the top. It was a little scary, but worth it.

The St. Louis Gateway Arch. We rode a tram up to the top. It was a little scary, but worth it.

View of St. Louis from the top of the arch

View of St. Louis from the top of the arch

Adorable little one at the arch

Adorable little one at the arch

DAY SIX:

Day six:  Memphis, Tennessee--home of Graceland.

Day six:  Memphis, Tennessee–home of Graceland.

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Elvis' living room

Elvis’ living room

The pool room

The pool room

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A beautiful outpouring of love for Elvis at his gravesite. Really liked Graceland.

A beautiful outpouring of love for Elvis at his gravesite. Really liked Graceland.

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BBQ at A&R in Memphis

BBQ at A&R in Memphis

Nashville!

Nashville!

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Parthenon in Nashville

Parthenon in Nashville

DAY SEVEN:

Day seven:  backstage tour of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville

Day seven:  backstage tour of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville

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Rest in Peace, Minnie Pearl

Rest in Peace, Minnie Pearl

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Kind of overjoyed to be in one of the homes of the Grand Ole Opry!

I was kind of overjoyed to be in one of the homes of the Grand Ole Opry!

DAY EIGHT:

Day eight:  Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive. We hit a bear. Well, it hit us. We think it's okay. We're okay. Oh my.

Day eight: Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive. We hit a bear. Well, it hit us. We think it’s okay. We’re okay. Oh my.

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DAY NINE:

After hours and hours of traffic in MA, welcome home to MAINE!

After hours and hours of traffic in MA, welcome home to MAINE!

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4.079 miles completed and back home in Maine. Still friends! What an adventure!

4.079 miles completed and back home in Maine. Still friends! What an adventure!

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