We're leaving Northern California (NorCal) with as much of our stuff as we can fit packed into a Scion tC and moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina (NorCar) for my PhD program. Goals along the way: visit family in AR and NM; see some iconic indigenous, civil rights, and art history; stop at as many German bakeries as possible; soak up some kitschy Americana roadside experiences; try some regionally unique cuisine; and glance at some locations relevant to my family's genealogical history on the way by. We're broke, so we'll be tent camping when not staying with family.
June Lake, California, United States
One of our favorite quiet campgrounds is Silver Lake Campground, with an incredible view of multiple waterfalls from camp! Night #1.
We weren't kidding about the bakeries. This will be our second time by this incredible place.
Into the Mojave! We'll be scoping out some singing sand dunes, hopefully some cool native plants, and camping here for Night #2.
If we were passing through Flagstaff, we weren't going to miss a chance to stop at this delicious hole-in-the-wall and have some carne asada fries. We had them last year on a trip to the Grand Canyon and have been dreaming about them since.
Pictographs, please!
Selected Location, Joseph City, Arizona
The Route 66 iconic Jack Rabbit Trading Post is its own exit just outside Joseph City. Must stop photo op.
First chance to use our parks pass!
Soaking up some aunts and cousins and love on Night #4.
They brag on their biscochitos, the state cookie of NM!
As far as German bakeries go, this menu offers a Stollen latte. I have my doubts but may report back.
Sfcc North Entrance, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Swinging by SFCC to see a cool recycled whale sculpture.
I couldn't pass up a chance to see the works and living environment of one of my favorite artists! I'm really hoping we have enough time to swing by and enough money to afford the entrance fee.
We'll just be taking a glance at the outside, time permitting. But someday hopefully more!
We're suckers for old churches, and this one is especially exciting. It inspired Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams, among others, and is a beautiful example of adobe construction.
A chance to appreciate the incredible Pueblan cultures. The Taos Pueblo predates Hispanic colonisation of the Southwest and has been continuously occupied for 1000 years. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you don't know who Mabel Dodge Luhan was, you should. An absolute counterculture icon. Maverick, iconoclast, patron of the arts who held salons (life goals) featuring greats including D.H. Lawrence, Ansel Adams, Willa Cather, and Georgia O'Keeffe, among others.
Camping for night #5, and also checking out MILLION YEAR OLD DINOSAUR TRACKS!!!
With 10 states total and 7 new to us under the belt, then it's time to collapse in the new apartment for some well-deserved relaxation. Well, not that much relaxation, because it's a third-story apartment and we don't own a mattress yet. But maybe at least a little sleep before my teaching orientation August 12.
Banner Photo Credit: AARoads and Carter Buchanan
