Holy Santa Fe! | Laura

Back east, Charleston, SC is called the Holy City because of the abundance of churches and synagogs. Steeples pierce the sky as if they are raising their hand to ask their questions. In Charleston I am constantly bombarded with iconic images of steeples and I use them as landmarks for giving tourists directions. So it is probably this reason that I kept noting the steeples as I walked around Santa Fe. It could also be the intensely spiritual feeling you get from being so close to God. As a sea [level] dweller perched at Santa Fe's nearly 8,000 feet made me feel like I was having a religious experience. It was interesting to see the various religions and spiritual persuasions represented in the art and architecture. I will be back to make it a full study of the crosses of Santa Fe, mark my words. Until then, Enjoy these!

Love | Laura

It's official.  I'm moving to Santa Fe! Charleston is chopped liver. I feel all lightheaded and giddy... wait maybe that's the altitude talking. Either way I can't wait to share the images of the city of soft corners.
L.

Arizona | Laura

If you are reading this and you know me, have even met me for five minutes you'll note that I am wearing flip flops. I simply stay indoors if it is too cold to wear flip flops. The thing is, I don't like socks. Never have. I put on my tennis shoes and socks on for the long day ahead, but I wasn't thrilled with the idea of wearing socks all day. First we stopped to see Montezuma's Castle then on to Sedona and up to the Grand Canyon.  By the end of the day I was indeed glad that I had them on because Arizona blew my socks right off!

If I have time along the way I hope to post a blog about each of the places, but until then, here are a few favorite selections from Arizona...

Sunset in Arizona just outside the Eastern entrance to the Grand Canyon. This image is straight out of the camera.

 Day 2 ... Leaving Arizona

Urban Gypsies | Laura

Upon arriving in Sedona, food was first on the list. We had a picnic under the shadow of the Red Rocks. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  Next up?  Shopping! I have a few people on my 'cheezy teeshirts from the trip' list and I wanted to check off that list before I spent all my money on Turquoise. We asked the woman at the counter of a cool shop in the tourist district what a local would do, she sent us to Urban Gypsies. It's a cool vintage fashion and gift shop in West Sedona with tons of cool art and handmade jewelry.  I want one in Charelston so bad I may start a facebook page to lobby to have them open one. You'll see why:

http://www.facebook.com/urbangypsiesaz

Driving | Laura

Didn't quite make it to Santa Fe last night. A storm kicked up on the mesa  and after a long exhausting day we decided to set up camp.
Now we are back on the road. I'm glad we waited to drive in to Santa Fe in the daylight.  The vistas go on for miles!  In the day it's amazing, but when it's raining and there's lighting & thunder off in the distance, not so much.
More from Santa Fe!

Images | Laura

Here is a smathering of what I saw today: Leaving Phoenix on to Sedona, through Oak Creek Canyon and on around the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon.  Enjoy!

Grand Canyon | Laura

It took longer than expected, storm clouds loomed and I hesitated to begin a journey that I knew would take MUCH more time than we had to spare in order to experience it properly. But hey, we're talking about the Grand Canyon!  So I set aside doubts and schedules as Anne drove us into the most spectacular sites I have ever seen.

On this day the atmosphere was thick with moisture and smog, but I think that adds a bit of interest to the photos. The storm that loomed provided a bit of reflection and spotlighting to the Canyon which made for stunning photographs. And then, it happened...  a rainbow appeared. It was just another small reminder that the things we fear/ dread/ resist the most in our lives are actually trying to open us up to wonders beyond our imagination.

That is the lesson that I am taking from my Grand Canyon tour.  The way through life often looks long and treacherous with storm clouds looming. But it is soooo worth it in the end! I will (and I encourage you to) run forward when feeling hesitant about the thing that you must do.

I think I'll print an over sized print of this photo of the Grand Canyon for my living room wall above my fireplace. I briefly thought about naming it 'Run Forward' in honor of my lesson learned, but that seems a bit too close to that anecdote that your mother always recited when warning you to be wary of peer pressure. Let me be clear when I say, I am not suggesting anyone jump off a cliff.

Enjoy!