Denver and Uncle Kevin's

I am behind on the travel blog but will try and catch up as i have time off in MI for christmas.  So jorge and i get up early and have to drive from salt lake city to denver, another long drive.  We get there and are staying with my uncle Kevin and his family.  I have two younger cousins there that i don't get to see very much so it will be good.  The basement i like a studio apt. which is great.  So the first night we just chill in the basement. The next day we play my uncle and cousin, nick in some two on two basketball and we lost.  The altitude is crazy, i could never catch my breath.  That night everyone i know in CO are planning on meeting up downtown denver.  It's weird but i actually knew a lot of people around there.  First we go to katie rooney's, pick her up and go to the denver brio.  As we are on the way to brio sarah t. calls me and says she is sitting at the bar at brio with lee (all people i have worked with at the naples brio.)  Sarah is actually just visiting for a wedding.  So we meet up get some drinks and i get a chix d.  Then we go to the hotel where sarah is staying and drink at the bar there until robyn and karalinda drive down from boulder.  When they finally get there we all go out to 16th street and it was going off.  Tons of bars and clubs everywhere.  We hit up almost all of them, don't really remember all of them but it was lots of fun.  Somehow we decide to go up to boulder- i did not drive.  Next day we blaze and finally get lee to drive us back to my truck which is still downtown denver.  When we get there all the streets are closed off and people everywhere.  The taste of Colorado is going on so we jump out of lee's truck so hungover and make our way through the masses of people.  Jorge tries to buy a bottle of water at a booth but you have to have tickets- so annoying.  Finally we get back to the hotel parking garage where my truck was parked and get the hell out of there.  I think we crashed in the basement after that for a while. 
Probably took it easy that day but the next day uncle kevin and lilly took us up mount evens, the highest paved road in the US- 14,200 feet and i ended up driving.  As i was going up this road the sights were amazing but jorge kept wanting me to whatch the road.  So we get to the top and get out of the car to take some pics when i realize it was freezing.  When we were on the ground it was 90 degrees now on the top of this mountain it was 37 and so windy.  We saw some mountain goats up there jorge got real close to one of them for a pic.  As the sun began to set we started to head down the mountain, what a beutiful way to see a sunset. 
A lot of days there were spent relaxing, sleeping in, working out, and playing soccer in the back yard with the cousins.  They are so competitive- lilly especially doesn't like to lose.  One of the nights uncle kevin and Nick took us to a colorado rockies game.  They played the cincinati reds, the game had playoff implications even though neither team made the playoffs but Coors field was packed.  We saw two nice home runs by toulowiski (sp.) and we talked some shit to the reds 3rd baseman.  We had great seats right by the field.  It was a good time and that pretty much ended our week in aurora with my uncle, great to see them and thanks for the hospitality.  Next stop boulder!

Salt Lake City

After a long drive through some big western states we finally arrive at the Salt Lake City hostel. It is the cheapest hostel yet at 16 dollars a night it's more like the prices i was used to in Australia and it is not bad, even a tv in the room. Tired we take it easy and plan out the next day. So wake up semi-early eat and get directions out to the salt lake. On the way we drive by hundreds of salt fields some of them were being mined or harvested for the salt. On the way we get real stoned and then we get to the national park. Pay to get in then drive to Antelope island which is huge. As we are entering the island we see some buffalo real close to the road they don't seem to be scared of us at all. The lake looks amazing, the water is so still that it looks like a mirror. You can see the mountains and sky in the reflection, i took a lot of pics. Then we find this beach spot and we thought we were going to go in and see if we really could float. But when we went up to the water since it is so still the bottom is real slimy and nothing can live on the lake except thousands of sand flies. Not the most ideal swimming situation, kind of reminded me of lake mead. I walked in a little ways but it was too gross. So instead we played a little soccer on the beach that was not much nicer a little muddy. While we were playing around this group of brits came and went straight in the water and one girl actually laid down and she did float. So at least i got to see that people can float on this lake. After the beach we drove over to this restaurant which had mostly bison on the menu but they said like five times the buffalo are not from the island, i don't know if i believe them. I got a bison brat, it was good. Then we drove around the island a little saw some antelope and a lot more buffalo. There was huge snake road kill. Right as we were about to leave this one buffalo was rolling around in the dirt near the road. Jorge was going to try and pet it for a pic but pussied out after a few feet. So we drive back to the hostel. Shower up and get ready to see what the salt lake city night life is like. We walk to the down town area past some huge moreman churches. We go to about 4 bars before this one bar tender told us about utah beer. All beer in utah bars have half the alcohol content they are supposed to have. There is nothing like bud light because it would be like water. If you ask for a bud light they give a bud since it pretty much is a bud light in utah. I was wondering why i was getting full faster then i was getting a buzz. At that point we started taking some shots. We were sitting on this one porch drinking and having a smoke when we met this couple that was from FL. They told us some other bars to check out so we left. We ended the night at this underground bar. It was cool and it had the most hot utah girls of any other bar we went to that night. They sold these huge beers for cheap but i had switched to liquor and i asked this girl why do you drink this utah beer. She said DUI's are punished so harshly in utah so if she just drinks this utah beer she doesn't feel bad about driving. So after the bars closed we walked back, not the most exciting city we traveled to but not as boring as i thought it was. After getting back we went to the parking lot and bogged out the truck for a while. Then off to bed since check out is 10 am and we have to drive to Denver the next day. On the way out of town we drove by were the Jazz play basketball (utah's only pro team) and got a pic. Wanting to smoke on the way i took morning shift since jorge doesn't like to smoke and drive but it worked out because i drove out of utah then we switched and he drove wyoming which is a boring drive. We stopped in Laramie where they are famous for gay hate crimes then i drove to aurora, where my uncle live near denver.

RENO

Reno Nevada is our next stop and while in Tahoe we saw a commercial, buy one get one free nights at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, so we booked it. Drive up after a 3.5 hour drive and the place is huge. Check in then, see the huge room with 2 giant beds and one real small tv but we smoke and watch some pre-season football anyway. Then i see in the local paper that there is a huge tomato throwing fight for cancer right downtown. We go down and we are an hour late, there are so many crushed tomato's in this park piled a few feet high. A few stragglers are still there throwing tomato's and people are all over covered in tomato juice and seeds. The festival is not over there are booths and bars set up all over the streets. Also there is live music with some white guys rapping on stage. We check out downtown Reno and eventually go back to the Grand Sierra. Starving we go to find some food and see a huge line at this buffet so it must be good. We decide to wait till the line goes down some and walk around the hotel. This place is amazing they have so much stuff to do like a bowling alley, movie theater, driving range, laser tag, a big pool, arcade, and of course a huge casino. We go back to the buffet around 8 and still don't get in until 9, which is a problem because they close at 10 and we want to put a dent in the buffet but we sit down anyway. Eleven they were still seating people so i guess i had nothing to worry about. It was good but nothing compared to the one in vegas great food and service. After that we were planning on getting in on this poker tournament but we missed the deadline so not wanting to lose a lot we sit down at the penny slots and ended up staying all night because the coctail server kept coming over to us every ten minutes. I used a 10 dollar bill in the machine and i think i drank 12 free coronas. We met some people that kept talking about burning man a festival going on right then in the desert. We thought about going until we looked online and saw the tickets were 300 for camping with no facilities.

Next day i slept in then checked out the hotel a little more. Then we went to the driving range, which is on the water so if you make your ball on one of the islands you win a prize. The furthest ones are prizes like a trip to Hawaii and the close ones are free dinner. I actually hit the free dinner one but it didn't stay on. Get some dinner then Jorge signs up for that nights poker tournament, i was not feeling lucky so i went and worked out instead. After i showered i went back out to the casino floor and he was still playing so i hit up the blackjack table. I put down 100 on the dollar blackjack and was up 40 bucks when it changed to 5 dollar minimum at midnight. I should have quit then but i ended up losing all but 25 dollars. So i took a break to blaze in the room. After some chilling i decide to go back out with the last 25 dollar chip. I sit down and meet these aussie guys from Melbourne who are going to burning man and they could not believe i was in the area and not going. I ask them why is it so expensive and they could not give a real reason but they say it's worth it. I ended up losing it and vow not to gamble anymore the rest of the trip.

Next day i call the front dest and get my normal late check out. Then it's off to Denver through Wyoming what a boring drive.

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

Well we spent a lot of money the last month in California, so for one night we are going to ruff it and sleep in the car. In that case there is no real hurry to leave San Fran, so we check out and sneak back in the hostel. I successfully went first and made some breakfast. By the time i saw jorge again was in the theater room and he was not so successful. He said he left his hat upstairs, they made him to leave his license and to come right back. He didn't and I fell asleep until this employee came in looking for Jorge. So I went and talked to the chic at the front desk gave her both ID's and she let us hang out as long as we needed. Around 4 we decide to make some moves and pick up the truck. Then we hit the road heading east for the first time, our slow trip home has started. We smoke and drive a little then get some food. A little more driving through nowhere Cali and we see a city in the distance. We finally get up to it and see that it's sacremento surrounded by vast nothing. A small two and half our drive and we get to Lake Tahoe. Since Tahoe is on the boarder of Cali and Nevada of course there are casinos on the nevada side. So we end up at Harra's watching some pre-season football. Ahh it's so good to have football back. Jorge got real sick from the temps in san fran so after the game he went to the truck and passed out. So i got some food and then went to the bar. I put 20 in the video poker, gambled slow and drank real fast. I met a chic named Roxy, she seemed cool. After a few more drinks we went to the truck to smoke where she told us she is an escort. I then made sure she knew it wasn't a business transaction and we went back in to drink some more. After i had enough alcohol to the point i thought i could pass out in the car and Roxy found what she was looking for, a rich business guy. We drove back to the Cali side for fear of DUI while sleeping on the nevada side and found a hotel parking lot to park in for the night. I woke up once at like 6am to maintenance people around the truck so moved the car and passed back out.
At about noon i went to the hotel we did book for the next two nights and checked in. Not sleeping much the night the night before i went back to sleep. We woke up worked out, ate, and showered. That was about enough activity for jorge so i went a drive around the lake. Which is beautiful, a bright blue lake surrounded by mountains. After a 1/4 of the lake i had to turn around because it is getting dark. I go back and smoke some relax and go to bed.
So next day i decide we have to do something so i was thinking volleyball. We go outside and it's freezing, one of the coldest days in tahoe, of course. So we want to go see a beach at least and King's beach is on the top part of the lake. South Lake Tahoe is where we are staying so i drive up the Nevada side get some good pics. It is an all mountain road at one point the drop off is on both sides staight down, kind of freaky. When we get to the beach it is so windy sand is blowing everywhere and it's like 45 degrees. So i guess volleyball is out and so are we. I head back the california way to the hotel. So after some chilling we decide to go to the casinos because there is a UFC fight and we know Harra's will have it on. We watch the first few at some bad casino seats then i find this cobo wabo bar in the tunnel from from Harra's to Harvey's where we watch the main event with bj penn and edgar. I try to buy Jorge a drink and he declines so i knew he was really sick. After the fight i play a little slots and stay away from the black jack! Back to the super 8 for our last night in Tahoe. I like Tahoe but i feel like we were just there at a bad time with the cold and no snow. If i could go back to Lake Tahoe for some snowboarding i would be all about it but summer is not a great time to visit this beautiful boarder town.

San Fran!!!

We wake up an hour after check out and scramble to grab our gear. Then we drive through Oakland and over the bay bridge then we see the golden gate bridge very clearly. Which is important, remember that for later. So we get to the HI (hosteling international) downtown san francisco and check in. I am a member of YHA hostels and have stayed at them in Australia which is affiliated with HI. So the hottie from Minnesota at the front desk gave me a discount. We leave our bags since we have to park the car about two blocks away. We pull in and it is 20 bucks a night, makes staying at a hostel not so cheap. We walk back and go to the room where meet george a japanese guy who lives in Vancouver. Then Jorge gets a little lost and when he gets back wants nothing to do with p90x but finally decides to man up. After the workout we eat and get ready to go party it up in San Fran. We ask around and are told Polk st. has a bunch of bars so that is where we head. The first bar we go into is dead we pound one (captain for me) and leave. Then we go to a bar that is a little less of a dive meet the hottest girl in california, take some shots drink a bunch. Then we ended up at some goth bar on the corner grab a drink and see that there is live music upstairs. I forgot to mention that it was 95 degrees outside which is very hot for san fran. So when we get upstairs it is so hot i instantly start sweating and, you know what, it was just not our seen anyway. I think after that we hit up one more bar before closing then we walked around a little. Right before 2am we grab 22 from the liquor store. Keep walking until Jorge walks into a "massage parlor" you know his back has been hurting. So i go inside and sit down the owner wants me to take this girl but i just wanted to smoke and drink. So i said no i'm good he told me to get the fuck out. So i left and stood on the corner by the liquor store and hit the one hitter. Then this black guy about my age comes up and asks me for a dollar, i tell him i have no money but he can hit the weed. So we smoke a little and there are a bunch of late night drinkers and bums on this corner by this time and i am wasted so i could careless. I meet this guys sister when finally Jorge comes back and we start walking. When this same guy i smoked with again asks me for a dollar, i yell back no money. So he hits me in the leg with his cane. I get in his bum face and tell him to fuck off i just smoked with him. Right before bust him in the face this other street guy comes over and gets his boy. Man i have not been that pissed the whole trip. After that we smoke on the way back to HI and call it a night.
I wake up pretty hungover to all this yelling outside like a chant. So i look outside pissed and there is strike going on at the Hilton across the street, unbelievable. Jorge is already gone, i find him in the kitchen but i have no groceries so i go to the jack in the box downstairs. After that i walk around downtown a little then i see my favorite receptionist is back so i ask her about this 49 mile driving tour of san fran that khaiman told me about. She gives me a map i get jorge and we get the truck. We decide we are not going to hit all 49 but definitely the major ones and honestly i don't remember all of the ones we saw. The driving tour is great for a hangover no hiking and smoking the whole time. City Hall was real impressive and the library across the street is where we packed the first bowl. Then the gates of china town which we drove through. Then a tower, forgot the name. A left turn, hard to do in san fran, and we are at another point Lombard street. The road is so straight down that it has to have switchbacks in it. After that we go to the best stop fisherman's warf which has like 11 points of the tour right there. First we wanted to see Alcatraz, so we head down pier 39 and before we get to the end we see a huge amount of sea lions on this dock. There where so many we get some picks and one swims right by us, sure don't see that on the east coast. We go to the end where you can see alcatraz and it is a crazy rock, i can't believe they built anything on it let alone a prison. One thing i didn't know, i thought it was further away from shore. I think someone really desperate could swim that but it is the freezing pacific ocean. We watch a little street dancing. Then we start to drive to the golden gate bridge. As we are driving we notice it getting foggy very quickly. We get to the golden gate park and the wind is kicking the fog is rolling in. We get out and you can't even see the bridge only a little red painted steel. We actually go walk on it thinking we could see better but i could barely see 5 feet in front of me. So we get out of the freezing wind as the sun is going down. It is amazing how fast the temperature drops out here. It went from shorts weather to coat weather in less then an hour. We get some food from the safeway the grocery store and jorge decides to make fajitas. The HI is real nice brand new modern kitchens almost looks like a restaurant kitchen. We get some good food finally then go to the movie theater, yes a hostel with a movie theater. Chill in there until this girl comes to lock it up and kicks us out. I try to make small talk with her and she ignored me. Jorge says i don't think she likes you much i say maybe she doesn't like you. When he informs i pissed her off being a smart ass last night when she was at the front desk and i don't remember any of this but i do believe it. Roll one up and walk to this city park near our place. Sit out there and smoke for a while. Then off to bed since we have to check out at 10am. Sux we have to leave so early and only two days in san fran but i feel like we did a lot with our time. Here people don't judge and good thing because there are some crazy californian's in the most liberal city in the U.S.

Rock The Bell's

So after a long time in wine country, with a great place to stay it is time to move on. The next big thing on our list is the Rock the Bells concert. So we drive through Oakland to Pallo Alto where we rented a hotel room. We got there a little late but still got a good workout in. Then we get some rest for the concert tomorrow.
We wake up early-ish and get some food on the way to the Shoreline Amphitheater. The plan was to be at at the second stage by 2pm for Clipse but with the parking and eating we didn't get in until 4. So we head straight to the main stage and DJ Premier was on. We find a good spot high up on the hill in the lawn seats. Now we prepared for this concert while at Khaiman's and Gabbie's by pre-rolling 8 joints (snoop can't be the only one smoking.) So after finding a seat we light one up. We wore pants because it gets real cold at night but still it is very hot during the day so sitting in the sun in between sets i took a nap. Then KRS-ONE went on and i was not very impressed but very stoned. Next was Rakim and at this point i was getting very thirsty so Jorge and i played rock paper for who had to go get the first round and i won. It took him like a half hour and he gets back with one beer. They told him he had to have two ID's for two beers. So i went through the crowd of blankets and people to get my 10 dollar beer. After i got it i stood there a moment and drank a little, looked over the crowd and there was a huge cloud of bud smoke just hovering above the crowd's head. That is when i knew this was going to be a good night. Next up was Lauryn Hill and she is not very good live. Next up was Tribe Called Quest and i was so high at this point but still not very impressed except they had a special guest appearance by Busta Rhymes and he killed it. The sun was starting to go down which was great because i was getting burned. Also the crowd was really starting to fill up no more spots left to sit. So we let these two indian chics sit kind of in our space but they were smoking some medical mj and they let me taste it. Next finally something i was looking forward to, Wu-Tang Clan all the original members with Boy Jones ODB's first born son. Out of all of them red man was on his game he also killed it so we smoked one to him. Now it is 11:30 pm and we have been sitting on this lawn all day for snoop dog. He comes out and announces that he will be performing Doggystyle in it entirety. Which so bad ass since i don't really know his new stuff but i know that CD. In a addition to that good news he has Warren G, Kurupt, and the dog pound with him. We each lit up our own J's right as snoop dog and the thousands of other people there did. I could not sit up on the hill anymore so we got as close to the stage as possible and i could actually see him blazing. Jorge found these two real hotties wearing barely anything and we smoked with them right as warren g performed regulators with out Nate Dogg for one of the first times. After all the classics he did end up performing some new stuff, then about 1 am we start to head out. A long day of music and smoking will make you very tired. Check out the next day for San Fransico!

Wine Country / Sebastapol

So we head over to Khaiman and Gabbie's earlier then expected and they were still sleeping off the hangover from the night before. They let us in and i get a few more hours of sleep. That night khaiman goes to work we chill and smoke with Gabbie she decides to cook dinner that night. She is making one of khaiman's favorite dishes, chicken meatball pasta and it was excellent.
Next day Gabbie works during the daytime so we made plans to go to the river but the first stop, the dispensary. Khaiman has a medi card so we tell him we want a g of something with crystals and a g of some purple, also we bought two brownies. The dispensary is so crazy it looks just like a doctors office. Jorge and i had to sit in the lobby as khaiman goes and picks out his "medicine." There were a couple of kids in there for their first time signing up, it would be so weird to grow up here. They must take it so forgranted. So we go back to the russian river where we went with keegan but prepared this time. We each have a tube, bathing suits, towels, and supplies. So after blowing the tubes up jorge and i eat our brownies and we go in. We float around like 20 min and i was complaining that i wasn't feeling anything. It just takes a while longer because 40 min. in floating on that river was so nice and relaxing. We finally go back and chill with gabbie.
Now i am not going to write about everyday because there was a lot of chilling and smoking. We have been partying since vegas so we just wanted to chill, workout, and not spend so much money. We did work out almost everyday.
Jorge did make up this amazing cheese, crackers, olives and meat platters we ate one night with a lot of wine. We also planned our wine tasting tour for the next day.
So we wake up get some p90x in, pack up some sandwiches and roll up a joint for the road. Gabbie got home from work and we roll out. Khaiman is a great tour guide we go through santa rosa then to Napa. There are so many wineries in this little area it's crazy. So many brands i know and sell at brio and lots i have never heard of. The first one we stopped at was tattinger and it was huge. Then we went to Chandon, which was very modern. We went to the wine bar where i bought a tasting of different champagnes. We meet a real cool and helpful bartender. He got khaiman and gabbie to sign up for their wine program, which he probably got commision for because he became real friendly after that. Khaiman would buy a glass and he would give everyone a large taste. Then someone else would get a glass and the same thing would happen over and over. I got a buzz quick. So eventually we ask for our check and he says 12 something, i say we all want our checks, he says yea thats all together. We got sooooo hooked up so of course we tip well. Then what is perfect after a lot of wine that joint we rolled earlier got smoked on the way to the castle winery. So we roll up to this amazing looking old castle and run up there to see if we have time to taste. They close at 6 it was 10 min to 6 but we made a mexican friend and we got us in anyway. At first the bar tender didn't look happy but we talked to him a little and he just started pouring. We each paid for 10 tastes and i'd say we got like 25 tastes each really fast. I don't usually drink wine so i was like 3 tastes deep at some times but i made it from light whites to reds to desert wine. What a great way to spend the afternoon friends and a whole lot of wine. After the tasting we see a tour so decide to go on a "self-guided" tour, that the winery didn't really know about. If we got caught we were going to say that we were looking for the bathroom but we didn't. We go down a few stairs into this completely dark dungeon looking room. Using our phones as flash lights we can see thousands of wine barrels aging. So after some more exploring we go back up stairs and go out front for some pics. Then we drive through the Napa City stopping at some famous restaurants like the French Laundry rated # 1 in the world for years in a row. We also go to Bouchon Bakery and got possibly the best muchies ever. After a long day of tasting and sight seeing we worked up an appetite so we go to their work. They work and cattleman's western steak house. We order a ridiculous amount of food and i tell jorge hey we are going to get this check for khaiman and gabbie letting us stay there. Well when we get the check there is not much on it, i think we got charged half of one entree. So again we tip the server great and head back. A whole day of getting hooked up can make u very tired so we smoke out and pass out.
Next day we plan out our next move. There is a festival near oakland called Rock the Bells that i buy tickets for. One of the days they were at work, after working out we decide to go play some basketball. We go to the Sebastapol community center and there is a wedding fiesta with hundreds of mexicans so jorge fits right in me on the other hand not so much. We start with a little 21 then these mexican kids wanted to play us. At one point me and this kid went for the ball at the same time and i knocked him down then he tripped me and i skinned up my hand and knee. If that kid would have started crying for his dad we probably would have rolled out right away but we finish with a win. One last night of smoking a little drinking and we say our goodbye's. Next day we pack up and head to the bay area!

Nor-Cal at Keegan's

Mom you don't need to read this post it is mostly about northern california's number one cash crop which is not grapes, even though we are in wine country. So Cali has some nice scenery we drove through mountains, plains, and over rivers. We saw the wind farms with the huge wind mills. We drove through cattle country and i could actually smell it before i even saw the thousands of cows. Then we got to keegan and brietta's area, i called him they were still at work so we went to the small downtown of Cotati got some food and beers while we waited. Then he called me said he was rolling one up now so we drove over to the even smaller town of Rehnert Park where they live. Walk in and smoke out and meet his roomates. They live in a big house with 4 other people from craigs list. When they found the house it said 420 friendly. When i went out for a cigarette in between the millions of blunts going around i see the garden with some pretty plants. Randomly one of their friends that lives in naples is also visiting and keegan and brietta just moved in there like a week and half ago, so it was a little awkward but i really don't care. The first night we all bought some beer and i tried to drink but it was hard with all the bud going around. Before this we were conserving smoking like a bowl or two a day and now it's like system overload. At one point i was finally able to start drinking and keegan says i am coming out of my coma and rolls another blunt with hash on it. Now that's hospitality!
Next day we all get in my truck- me, jorge, keegan, brietta, and their friend. We drive to the Russian River and it looks real nice with warm water but keegan didn't tell us to bring a bathing suit or anything so we just smoked a blunt. Then we went to Redwood National Forest. These trees are amazing i can't even see the top of the smaller ones. I got some good pics, then we went to the jagged coast where it was freezing. After the tour of sonoma county back to the house to smoke before in n out burger. Which may be the best fast food burger i have ever had. That night Khiman and Gabbie came over with more beer and we played some drinking games and got a little tipsy that night. After all night of drinking the one roommate works real early and he actually got up for work while were still drinking so khiman and gabbie left. We went up stairs to continue smoking and drinking with the couple that is also their roomates. Much cooler then the guy that works early. After a while i pass out and wake up around 11am, wishing i could sleep a little longer, but they are going to a concert and jorge and i are going to khaiman and gabbie's.

Oceanside - Danny's

So we leave L.A. which is my favorite city yet. We head to Oceanside where danny lives, who is jorge's friend from high school. He is a marine and live with two other marines. We get there a little late and Danny works at 4 am so we got there and went to bed.
I forgot to write that i lost in LA. What happened was we were at venice beach and went in the water then changed to walk on the boardwalk and i put my phone on the truck as i changed. Walked around then drove off with the phone on the car and i wasn't even stoned. So luckily i have insurance they sent out a phone the next day. So i wait around all day work out and do laundry. The phone is supposed to arrive no later then 3 by the fedex driver. Well it never came so i call them and they say the driver could not find the address but if i could find it in the dark then what kind of professional driver are you. Doesn't everyone have GPS now days? Anyway i had drive to the fedex place and pick it up. Then they all got out of work, turns out one of the roommate marines got a promotion to work on the helicopter that the president flies on. So of course we have to go out. We go to a few bars then hit up a karaoke place where danny raps. These guys are crazy no holding back. Then go back to the house since they all work early and we are leaving semi-early next day to go to nor-cal! But before bed we did get danny to smoke a little hope there is no drug test in the near future but he hit it and passed right out- light weight.

L.A. - Hermosa Beach

After checking out of the Duo in West Hollywood we drove to Hermosa Beach where we will be staying at surf city hostel. We give Robert a guy that was staying at Duo and had plans to stay in hermosa a ride, he is from serbia but lives in amsterdamn. It is so hard to park in L.A. that i would say other then the smog it is what i hate most. We can only find a meter spot that eats quarters fast. Check in and i am impressed with this place every room has it's own bathroom and it is right on the beach with bars under the hostel. So straight to the Pacific, where the waves are huge and the water freezing. We get some buggy boarding in then head back after a few hours were the party has already started. Our room is filled with marines on one night leave so u know they are going to drink it up. We go buy some coronas and join in. After some pre-gaming we go downstairs and start at Molly's where they have 2 dollar beers. We end up hanging out with some Aussie's and Irish and drink late into the night.

Next day we wake up kinda early to go to the Jay Leno Show! An Aussie chic from Melbourne named lisa joins us and we are off to Burbank. We get there they jump out to hold a spot in line and i am stuck finding a parking spot again. When i walk up they are waiting for me i guess the security would not let them in line without me and they took my lighter. So we get a # and sit on this bench for two hours then we finally go in the studio. The show has this guy who's job it is to pump up the audience and he was pretty funny. Then jay came out and talked to us told us to laugh and stuff. Then the show begins, headlines was really funny. Then Howie Mandel came out and he is a real weirdo. Then some other chic i never heard of that is some movie coming out. And Mike Posner was the musical guest- i always thought the guy that sang that song was black but nope he's a white guy. Now is when it gets real crazy, i left my bathroom stuff at duo so i went back to pick it up and i see Jonsey and his friend. I met these guys in Brisbane and they are from the UK. Just sitting outside drinking how random to accidentally find them in L.A. I go back and take a nap. Then we meet this guy from Ohio who is actually cool. We sign up for a beer pong tournament downstairs at Molly's. Lisa and Ohio actually beat up on me and Jorge. After enough beer pong we go to Sharkey's next door and start really drinking. Dance and take shots till the place closes. Then i am looking everywhere for Jorge and he making out with this hot russian who he tries to get to come back but her friend was with this black guy who was relentless.

Next day we were supposed to check out but too hungover to do anything we decide to stay another night. So we meet this other Aussie guy who is in need of a ride to venice. A cab would be like 40 so i give him a ride for 20 and we wanted to go to venice anyway. Pay to park again, then into the water for a while. So cold, but we did see a seal that was real close to Jorge. We walk down the boardwalk- classic venice beach. Guys trying to sell stuff and people trying to get u to sign up for medical marijuana. Then jorge's friend who lives closer to san diego finally calls him back and at this point we did not know where we were going the next night. He tells us we can come to Oceanside 1 and half south of LA. So we watch some street basketball and some other strange racket sport. I end up buying a hoodie because it is so cold at night and we see muscle beach. Then back to the hermosa. Not feeling the best i decide to take a night off from drinking. The hostel is putting a make your own hat party. Jorge makes a great sombrero out of construction paper and pipe cleaner. Fits him great, he got 1st place! Next morning we check out but don't have a place in Oceanside until 8pm. So we store our bags and think about volleyball but don't want to get all sandy or burnt. So we sit around all day then right before we are about to leave this minnesota guy tells us he is about to grab some cali buds. So we tell him we want one since we are still smoking brick from vegas and it is almost gone. He takes forever but it is worth the wait. Right away we roll one for the road and head south. I hate backtracking but a free place to stay and some laundry will be great.

L.A.- Hollywood

L.A. and San Diego are so close but seem so far away because of all the traffic. We pull into L.A. and from a distance through all the smog you can see the smaller then what i thought it would be downtown. We follow the GPS to the Duo Hostel in west hollywood on Crenshaw. Check in to a large converted house hmm, something i am thinking about doing. Anyway really wanted a nap but went site seeing instead. We drove down to Hollywood Blvd. saw the walk of fame and the Chinese theatre. Also the kodak theater and the wax museum. After an hour and half we go back to the truck and i get my first L.A. parking ticket for 45 dollars. So then we go to Rodeo Dr. in Beverley Hills. Park get out and walk around these shops, i thought i knew expensive from Naples but wow... EXPENSIVE! On the street there is a Bugatti, a very rare european car that runs 2.2 million. After a few head back to the car and what do you know another parking ticket. The signs in L.A. make no sense and Jorge says they are just souvenirs anyway. One last stop at the L.A. tar pits. Pretty nasty but something i have never seen before. There was a bunch of art by the park and jorge went climbing on this water windmilll thing that clearly said keep off, then we left. That night we drink a little beam then head out to Venice where there was a street festival. We arrive a little late and the bars are already packed. We walk by several bars when Jorge says he we can get in this one. As we are waiting in line this guy is talking shit to this female cop and she bounces his head off a wood fence, funny shit. We get in and i finally get a drink and I realize we are in a gay bar. Jorge immediately has a new friend. This older guy starts feeling his chest and arms. He then turns around and spreads his legs right close to him, i am cracking up at this point. We walk away from him and slam our drinks because jorge was probably going to fight someone if we stayed. We found another restaurant/bar with extremely over priced drinks. After the bars i meet tree man this guy on stilts who looks like a tree we get a pic. Then Jorge hits up the grease cars, the trailers serving all types of food out the back, i passed. We get in the cab and it is also not cheap, back to duo. Smoke some and pass out.
Next day i meet a girl from Brisbane Australia and she has only been in the US for one day. She seems cool so the three of us go downtown for a little exploring. I park by the Staples Center and of course there is a lot of basketball going on. There is a huge tournament going on called Nike Live. We watch a little then notice the main court where we get to watch a slam dunk contest. T-Dub won the whole thing with a 720 reverse two handed dunk, it was crazy. Jalen Rose was one of the judges, i got a pic of him. After we walk around the staples center and downtown we go back to the tournament. They have a dance contest and some live music. I love how L.A. always has something going on. Eat something and meet Danny, a guy from Jersey that runs the hostel. He tells us about this old movie in a cemetery that happens every 1st friday of the month. The outdoor theater is in an old famous cemetery where a lot of old movie stars are burried. We buy a bunch of beer and get on the city bus to ride over. Joining us is the girl from Brisbane and Hey, a Chinese guy. This place is packed i can't believe how many people are at this cemetery. We set up our spot crack some beers and before u know it, it's freezing. People are so overly prepared they have tables, martini glasses, shakers, subs, anything u can think of and i don't even have a long sleeve shirt. The beer and the smell of good weed everywhere kept me warm enough. We go back since no one really knows what is going on in this movie and drink more. Danny takes us back to his ensuite where he has a huge water bong. After some bs and drinking i pass out. Wake up 10ish and check out to head to the beach hostel.

San Diego

Check out around noon, you know i always get that hour later check out. Then Jorge gets the morning shift and i sleep till about Barstow. Then we get some food, fill up the tank and switch drivers. We get to our place in downtown san diego- the gas lamp district called lucky d's hostel. Check in and the guy tells me where i can park for free but he tells me just watch out for the bums. So we find this area of free parking like 6 blocks away. It is a shanty town- bumville we called it. Park and go back to the hostel. Make can food still left over from the grand canyon. Then i see there is a poker tournament after leaving vegas i didn't think i would be gambling any time soon but we sign up, only a 5 dollar buy in with one re-buy. I ended up going heads up with the guy who set up the game and works at the hostel. I lost but 2nd got 20 bucks so really i won a little. The winner, Tolga a guy from Turkey who happens to have a medical marijuana card smokes us out after the game and promises to get us some the next day.
So we wake up and head to Ocean Beach the hippie beach of diego. The beach is amazing great but the water is freezing, great waves but so cold. We found some people that we end up playing 3 games of volleyball with. Then back to the city to take it easy for that night.
Next day we go grocery shopping make some food. That night the hostel is hosting a pub crawl but first they make dinner for everyone, Sheppard's pie. This hostel is the best one so far they really take care of you and want everyone to meet and have fun. The first bar on the crawl is called shout, they have dulling piano's who really put on a great show and 2$ beers. Then next we go to a different bar were we play pool for an hour or so. Take some shots and go to Whiskey Girl. A bar/club that was packed. We take some more shots then i meet this asian girl that is amazing. Usually i am not a fan of asian's but this girls has me amazed. Talk and dance with her for a few. Couldn't make it happen so as we go outside and see almost a hundred hot girls on bikes trying to give rides home. It's like a taxi service we decide to walk, the hostel is only 3 blocks away. Earlier that day we moved from bumville to a pay parking lot next to the hostel. Which sux because 5 dollars for every 9 hours so sometimes we had to wake up in the middle of the night to put money in. Anyway we smoke one in the car then we see tolga. We go up to hime and he smoking with some hostel people. He shows us this medicinal mj some fire we smoke it and only really needed one hit. He tells me he is going to sell me what we smoked out of for 60 it looked like less then a G so delcined. We decided we were hungry like 5 am so we walk around trying to find this 24 hour place. Instead we go to this diner and we are the only people in the place with 3 employees. One comes up and gives us water and he did not look happy. We look at the menu and it is 10-14 dollars for breakfast food. We drink our water and bounce. A seven eleven is around the corner and at this point we have walked a mile around down town. Grab a breakfast sandwich and some milk, i love my milk. On the way back the sun came up something we say a lot in vegas but did not want to see in san diego, shit happens.
Next day hungover we just stayed around the hostel rested up for L.A. Get some laundry done pack up and go to bed for a nice early check out at 10am. Breakfast was provided then on the road again.

Las Vegas pt. 2

So jorge and i head over to Fremont st. were our cheap hotel is (The Las Vegas Club). We check in go to the pool, almost get in a fight with this old man in the elevator who must have lost a lot of money or some shit. Hang at the pool for a few hours then it's time to get katie from the airport. I pick her up and it is great to see her i will admit i did miss her. we drive down Las Vegas blvd then i tell her no the hotel is not here but on fremont. so we go over there and she was good sport about it no complaining i think she was just happy to be out of FL. We all get ready and go out for the night. Start at the 2 dollar corona and 4 dollar jager bar, which i think we are becoming regulars at because the bar tender said no it's ok i have seen your id. We go up and down the strip losing a little money but i at this point i backed off the gambling since i am not winning anything. Mostly i just worked on my buzz. Had a great night in vegas with Katie, so good to hang out with her again.

Next day we go to the new strip and go to the MGM. Where they have 3 CSI crime scenes set up. Katie really likes this stuff so we solve 2 murders and take some pics. That night jon and ray came to the hotel but me and katie were going to this comedy show at the Riviera. So the guys hung out and we left. It was free if u sign up for a players card so i did. The first guy kinda sucked, the second guy was a weird funny, and the third guy was hillarious. We left walked around a minute then back to fremont were we met up with jorge and started drinking again.
The next night we decide to to it big and go to a nice club. We pick Jet at the Mirage. I guess we didn't get there early enough because it was like an hour and a half line. When i am thirsty i can not wait that long. So we end up at the bar next to it where jorge makes me take an absinthe shot that was discusting. We drink there for a while then go to another bar around there. After leaving this bar katie meets 4 girls from minn. as we are talking to them a promoter comes up and asks us to go in the limo to the club in Aria, so we say hell yea talk the other girls into it and jump in the limo. We get there and go right to the front of the line the promoter says to the bouncer they have 8 girls and 3 guys and we get right in. Chill, drink, dance for a long. So about 6 am we get a cab back to our place and get some mcdonalds breakfast.
The next day (sun) we were planning on going to a pool party but woke up too late and two hungover. So we went to jon's thinking we would go in his pool which was empty when we got there. So we smoke a blunt chill in the AC for a while. Then on the way back to the strip we see the pawn shop where they film pawn stars, so we check it out. Inside i see an old coke machine that i saw on tv. I also so a patriots super bowl ring that was $100,000 and i saw a real 1,000 dollar bill. None of the guys from the show were there, i imagine now days they are only there for filming. Go back and hit a buffet because i am starving it was great i ate so much. Play a little 21 with no luck again! Then take a nap since i have drive katie to the airport like 4am. We say our goodbye's and this trip we got along pretty well only one small fight (which is great for us when we drink). then i drop her off and go back to bed.
For some reason Jorge and i decide 10 in vegas is not enough and stay an extra day but we mostly just slept, smoked, and ate. Then on to San diego. Vegas i love u but u really kill me- seeing the sun come up almost everyday- i'm to old for this shit.

Las Vegas part 1

We head to vegas with one stop at the hoover damn. Amazing that they were able to build this giant damn almost 100 years ago. Also some amazingly hot temps there around 115 degrees. So we finally get to Ray's moms guest house were jon and ray live temporarily before heading to denver. Meet ray for the first time and i think the first thing we did was smoke so i knew we would get a long. Oh, yea buster (their dog) may be one of the coolest dogs i ever met. So jon is already drinking beers and swears he not going out with us. Now Jorge has never been to vegas so we want to go to the strip. After a bottle of crown and a few old school drinking games we talk them into to joining us. Ray's step dad gave us a ride and did not seem very happy about it. I start off with some black jack in the video poker at the bar. So i put in 10 get my free drink. Then i drank fast and gambled slow got a few more compts. Move on start taking shots. We even smoke a little on the strip which was ray's idea, something i never done before. The casinos and bars after that are a little bit of a blur but i think ray and jon were ready to leave around 2am. Jorge and i then moved to the tables were i lost like 200 in black jack, i think jorge won some money at holdem'. I look outside and the sun is coming up which makes me not want to finish my corona. I text jorge to hurry up and we get a cab back to the spot. Next day i realize i am not as young as i used to be and can not even think about having a drink. I get my tires rotated and do some grocery shopping. The O i brought from FL is officially gone so ray helps me out. We just chill and blaze a little. Next day we get a little P90 in. Then decide to hit up old vegas (freemont st.) were the drinks are much more economical. We drink more and gamble less this night. Saw the light show pretty cool. One bar had 2 dollar corona's and 4 dollar jager bombs so we stayed there a lot of the time. Next day again sooo hungover we decide to go to lake mead. We get there and from a distance it looks so beautiful. We drive down to the beach part and it is disgusting. The water is like 90 degrees and muddy. Buster did not mind one bit but the rest of us just went back to the truck and smoked a blunt. After that we drive around a little a, take some pics then back to the city. We book a hotel on freemont to give ray and jon some peace and quiet. Plus katie is coming to visit me and 5 people and a dog in that studio would not really work, plus it's not so romantic.

Holly's / PHOENIX

As we drive more south we can really tell it is getting way hotter. We get to Holly's (good friend from college/HH) and it is 107 degrees. We get all our stuff in one trip up three flights to her, Ryan, and Kendall their new born, and two cats that i didn't know about. Lucky for me for some reason i wasn't that allergic to them. The first night i just chill get some laundry done. Next day we get some p90x in and some grocery shopping. That night they get a baby sitter so we go out to dos gringos. Ryan got sick in NY so he didn't go out but Holly's friend Daisha from Minnesota did. We drank some cheap drinks then played a giant game of Jinga in the bar then finished off with Holly doing a body shot. We quickly buy beer before 2 then go back to holly's for some drinking games like the old days. Slightly hungover the next day was even hotter like an oven outside. We went to the pool but it was like a hot bath. Then i discovered that two dr. pepper cans that were in the bed of my truck exploded from the heat. So i had to clean that out and by the end i was dripping sweat. The next day i decided to take it easy indoors and enjoy the AC. Do some more P90x, we actually did it everyday in phoenix. That night Jorge cooked a great meal for everyone stuffed pork it. That next night we went to see Ryan (holly's boyfriend) at cheesecake factory where he is a manager. We got so much food 2 rounds of apps, entrees, and cheesecakes and the best part it was all compt. So full we go back to the apt and smoke a blunt. The next day we have a river trip planned that holly loves to do. We head out to the salt river where we rent 3 tubes. We tie them together and put the cooler in the middle filled with beer and ice. We start off go over small rapids then i see a group of wild horses crazy! We smoke one then about half way there is a spot u can climb up like 15 ft. and jump off. Looks easy but it was kinda like rock climbing then u have to jump out to miss the rocks. Some swimming, drinking, and floating then four hours and u hit the end. I wanted to keep going but then u would have to walk back to the bus. It was a great thing to do in that heat. It must be like going to the beach for AZ people huh. Were planning on leaving that night but a bit buzzed and a lot tired we stayed our 5th and final night. Longest we have stayed anywhere yet. Next day wake up, pack up and head to Las Vegas!

A natural waterslide?

Jorge tells me about this place in Sedona, AZ which is on the way to Phoenix that has natural waterslides. It is a river running down from the mountains that runs over red rock national park. So the rocks are really smooth and the rushing water just pushes u over the rocks down stream. Some parts real fast and there are these nice pools we just sat in for a while. This time we were not prepared like our hike in the Grand Canyon we had no food or water. We were hanging out in this one big pool with a large mexican family. They eat lunch and then they say hey we have two extra sandwiches if u want so that's perfect. I go over they give me a coke and then they cut up this watermellon and we get some of that too. I would have been starved walking out of that canyon, good to meet nice people. We get back to the car after a 20 min hike up and there is a ticket on my windshield. At first i was pissed but i looked at it and is only a 5 dollar fine. Dry off and change then to finish the drive to Phoenix.

South to Flagstaff

Excited to get a bed and return to civilization we drive two hours south to Flagstaff, AZ. We go to a place called the Grand Canyon Hostel and i can't believe it but they don't have any AC. After 5 days without i have to go another 2 before holly's. Other than that it's a nice clean hostel. So after a much needed nap and shower. I get a lot of laundry done and we get some food that we didn't have to cook over a camp fire! It's a friday night in a new town so we get ready-pregame a little and head out. Downtown flagstaff is fun lots of bars all close together. We hit up like 4 of them the last one i don't remember so much but i do remember one of them had dollar well drinks. It was a horrible idea i think jorge and i drank a whole bottle of ron rico rum and a bunch of jager shots. I was so hungover the next day i didn't want to do anything so i just sat in the tv room mostly but we did clean out the car from the canyon dust and fire wood debrie. That night, still hungover, we just smoke and go to bed early so we can head to phoenix and see holly the next day.

GRAND CANYON Camping

We drive northwest to The Grand Canyon National Park. There is a 25 dollar park entrance fee then we go to Mather Camp Ground inside the park. We pay for 4 nights which was real cheap, so we think this is great. We go to our camp site, set up the tent, then we go to the shop and we find out the first great rip off of the grand canyon. They say u aren't allowed to scavenge for firewood and u have to buy your own at 7.50 a bundle. So the first night we buy a bundle. Then we have a little problem getting the fire started but after a little while we have fire for our hot dogs. Then we break out the jack and jim, one bottle for each of us. Sit around the fire drinking and smoking through the night. Next day 8am i wake up sweating, it is so hot when the sun comes up that i had to go start the truck, turn on the AC and pass back out till about noon.
Then it's off to see the canyon. We drive to the rim, park and walk up. When i first saw the view i was speechless. We both couldn't believe it was even real. So we get a little educated on the canyon and find out there are three trails that u can actually walk into the canyon. Bright Angel is the beginner trail not steep but a long walk. South Kaibab trail is the intermediate trail with steep cris cross paths. It also has the best views u can see the colorado river and it is the first place with views to the east and west. Then there is another trail that is not suggested unless u are an expert hiker and some parts are more like mountain climbing then hiking. We decide the next day we are going to try the South Kaibab trail. After our plans for the next day are made we drive around the park to get familiar. We watch the sunset at a look out point and it was so amazing. As we are driving by some cabins we see there are piles of wood. We fill half of the back of the truck so no more paying for wood. Although we did have to buy ice for 3.50 a bag. That night Jorge made a great dinner- chicken legs, beans, and a sauce made from ketchup, maple syrup, jack daniels, and coca-cola. It was amazing. No drinking that night as we wanted to be well rested for our hike.
Again 8am to the truck for a little more sleep. Then we wake up cook pancakes over the fire (with free fire wood!) We pack up a lot of water and some snacks drive to the trail head. Start to walk down and it is amazing zig zag trail on the edge of the canyon going down. We go about a third of the way down and see all the way to the east for the first time. We sit down in some shade and yes we smoked one in the canyon. Got some water and started back up the side of the mountain. Let me tell you the way down was beautiful but the way up was hell. We had to stop a bunch of times for water basically every time we saw shade we took a break. It took twice as long to go up then down. After that we were beat, we bought some beer got some more free fire wood. As we were looking for wood we see 4 huge elk right in the middle of town. A line of cars were stopped all taking pics so we did the same thing. Then we made a huge fire, cooked some chille, and drank some beers.
Next day we got on the free shuttle bus to all the stops. The plan was to get off and check out all the spots but we were enjoying the AC too much to get off at all of them. We did get off at the panoramic view visitor center. There they had binoculars and we saw where we could have hiked to, the bottom. Which takes two days- u have to camp at the bottom, i am so glad we did not go all the way to the bottom. After 4 days of camping we were done sick of no AC, two dollar showers, and expensive ice i wanted to go back to society.
So to bed early and up early 8 am by the suns clock. We pack up the tent, air mattress, food and roll out.

Albuquerque

So we have another real long drive to Albuquerque, NM so we wake up semi-early and hit the road. Jorge has the morning shift because i had to get a little more sleep. He drives for 4 hours, we stop for gas and some food in the pan handle of texas. Then my turn i drive another 4 and we are pulling into our hotel in Albuquerque. So we have nice big beds and our own room. Right as i am thinking this is pretty nice i go to get some ice and there 5 cop cars and fire truck. Some fight happened and someone got thrown through a hotel window. There was blood and broken glass everywhere. I think he died. So we decide to go get a drink, as we are leaving a guy tells me if u are going out do not drive that the cops are all over. I think yea where i live the cops are everywhere too. We drive downtown which was surprisingly busy and we realize we are under dressed. We tried to get into one place but did not have a collar shirt on. So we head back maybe looking for a dive bar but the amount of cops out on the main streets made me just want to go back to the hotel. So we just smoked and chilled. Slept in the next day and booked a camp site for the grand canyon. So we also bought supplies that day, a tent, some chairs, snacks, and a lot of can food. Check out the next day 11am and head to Arizona (which jorge is a little scared of.)

DALLAS

So we leave Louisiana around 1pm and finally got to Dallas like 10 what a drive. We get to the hostel and in our room is a Japanese guy and a man from Belize (sp.) Next day we drive over to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. We get a pass for 17 bucks to walk around. First we go to the field. That flat screen is so huge- biggest in north america. We take some pics, then go to the cheerleaders locker room. Then the players locker room where the staff guy happens to be from portage, mi and actually knew my neighborhood. What a small world! It's funny the third string players lockers are down a hall by the showers and the starters are in front of 2 flat screens with lots of room. Then the best part we go back to the field where there are some practice footballs. So we take turns kicking field goals. I missed two but i made one, it's way harder then it looks. So we throw the ball a round a little, then hit up the concession stand. After that we found bonnie's grave of bonnie and clyde. The next day we do a little shopping and laundry. That night we go out with a group of people from the hostel- mostly english and one texan. The next day i go to an urgent care because my ear infection has gone to both ears and is killing me. So after 300 hundred dollars i get some stronger ear drops. Then we go to the Galleria Mall one of the biggest malls in the country. The bottom floor of this mall has an ice skating rink so we have to do it. It's been a while for me but i picked it right back up, Jorge on the other hand was little shaky i would skate around and check him but he was hard to move. I got a video of it which is hilarious. Next Albuquerque, NM another long drive.

Mexican Hospitality

So the next stop on our trip is a visit to Jorge's aunts house. Now Jorge and Aunt Veronica haven't talked in 13 yrs, in fact he has 3 cousins that he doesn't even remember so this should be interesting. They live in Houma, La about 1 hr. west of New Orleans. We get there and no one is home (a growing trend.) They return from the store let us in and everyone is speaking spanish the whole time but i didn't care i was so hungover i just wanted some cold water. Then we hang out with the cousins play a little fifa on the ps3. Veronica makes us some dinner which i thought was pork tacos, ends up being goat tacos. Next day we go to the mall which i think is one of the few things to do in Houma. Then another dinner comes around aunt Veronica is making like a million tortilla's by hand. This time it is pork marinated in the most spicy sauce i have ever had. I like spicy stuff but this was out of control good thing i had lots of tortillas to calm it down. They all tell me i haven't had real mexican food before and now i believe them. We stay just two nights good enough for jorge to reconnect. Plus get some free laundry done. At this time i also have a painful ear infection so i have to get rid of that before Vegas but for now off to Dallas, which takes 8 hrs of driving. The furthest drive yet!

New Orleans

Jorge and i left gainesville for Slidell. It was about a 7 hr. drive. My friend from naples, jose let us crash on his couch. So we get settled and his friend Meredith comes over so we decide to go out for a few. New Orleans is like 45 min away so we just go to this local bar. Mudbugs is a real Louisiana bar we walk in finish our beers from the house. Grab another round, play some pool, then i notice the dance floor is alternating from country line dancing to rap. So the cowboys all leave the floor and the thugs come on pretty entertaining.
The next day we move on to New Orleans. So we get to this real run down area off Magazine st. our place is St. Vincents Guest House and i do not recommend it but it was one of the few places available since we waited to make a reservation until 3 days before the 4th of July. So we get all checked in and head off to bourbon st. My navigator (jorge) gets on a street car heading the wrong way so we ride into the suburbs which is the only nice part of New Orleans that i saw, filled with huge old mansions. We finally get back to Bourbon st. and it is packed. This weekend is essence fest which is a black pride festival. So I stuck out a little. We walked around got some food then back to the hotel for some P90x. Which really sux in New Orleans since we have no central air, not many places do. Next day we did a little site seeing and everything is so run down and still messed up from Katrina. That night is the 4th of July so we went back to Bourbon st. Straight to tropical isles for some hand granades which are really good. Cool thing about New Orleans is u can take a drink from one bar on the streets and into another. So we just went down bourbon st. from bar to bar with drink in hand. Some people were lighting off fireworks in the street and scaring the horses that the police were on, which started a stampede people running everywhere it was a crazy 4th but no problems unlike what everyone said.

Gainesville

I paid up all my bills and told my job i will return in Oct. We left Naples for the first leg of our trip. I have a good friend, Carolina i met at brio who lives in Gainesville and she said we could stay with her for our first stop. So rolled up and hit the road. It was a 4 hour drive and we get to her house with a little help from my GPS and she is not even there. She came right home though, Jorge and i made ourselves comfortable. The next night we went out to a gator bar called sherobs (sp.) drank some there and drank some after. The next day we started a P90x workout routine it takes 90 days so that is a perfect amount of time. Then we went to the complex pool which is amazing, i could imagine all the pool parties there during football season. That night we went to Get Him to the Greek, movie it was hilarious. Next day we took off for Slidell, La just east of New Orleans. I have a friend there as well. Jose is a friend from the naples park days and his is in the military stationed there. Just one night there then New Orleans for the 4th!

New Summer New Trip

So another busy season has come and gone and now summer has come to south Florida, business is slow i got that itch to travel again. Jorge, one of my good friends from college and i put together a summer long road trip covering most of the western United States. I plan on continuing to update my Australia blog with the new trip info. So keep checking back and have a good summer because i know i will.