Day 3 - BEWARE: Adventures Ahead!

Day 3















Can't believe it's day 3 already!  We had a good nights rest in the cabin, after we calmed down.  We woke up safe - no creepers or creatures attacked us in the night.  :)




I think we woke up around 8 or 9 am.  We had about a 45 minute drive from the Black Canyon KOA to our first destination point of the day - Montezuma Castle.  We got ready, packed up the car and hit the road, deciding that it would be easier to grab some fast food for breakfast instead of of a sit down restaurant.  I opted for a Subway breakfast sandwich and a Crystal Light energy drink.  OMG, these Subways have green chilies AND a green chili sauce.  Yum!  Stella just got some coffee from McDonalds.

On our way to Montezuma Castle, we saw signs for Out of Africa Wildlife Park.  We both instantly agreed that we should stop!  I've never been to a wildlife park like this.  I wonder if we can drive through it?  That we be so awesome.  It wasn't too far off the highway.  It's not a park that you personally drive though, but it is one that THEY can drive you though.  Well at least part of it.  Since we still want to go to Montezuma Castle and be in Las Vegas by nightfall, we just want to go on their drive thru Safari.  Stella throws it out there that she's a teacher and we were able to buy a ticket JUST for the Safari, with them telling us that we MUST leave immediately after the ride since that's all we paid for.  Fine with us.  Yay!  BTW, it's really freaking hot outside and haha, I wore my leopard print top today, not knowing we would be taking a 'safari' ride. 

The Safari ride was $20 each, much better than paying for the regular admission of $36 and then paying extra for the safari especially since we didn't want to walk around the rest of the park.

The safari was awesome.  Definately worth the $20.  We got up close and personal with the animals, some more than others.  Our first stop was with a giraffe that we were allowed to feed.  Yay!  I've never been this close to giraffe, and wow, he had a giant head!!  The guide was very nice and full of information.


Imagine this, sitting in a school bus painted to look like an animal with no windows between you and the animals, you are feeding the giraffe, and no one has anymore carrots to give him.  He keeps leaning down for more carrots, or giraffe kisses, did I mention how big his head was and that he has a giant black tongue?  Yea.  Exactly.  Well Stella sat near the windown...and was not leaning as far as she could towards the inside to avoid being kissed by the giraffe.  Meanwhile, I'm on the edge of our already small seat about to fall into the aisle.  It was pretty funny.  I was taking pictures of the giraffe while Stella is trying to avoid her new boyfriend, she looks away for just a second and BAM!  He stole a kiss!!  Funniest thing ever.  Stella was a little grossed out.  I so wish I had gotten a picture of the kiss!!  But below is the after math of the kiss.  He wa lickin his lips.  Was Stella tasty?? haha

Stella's new boyfriend

Want to see more pictures?  Out of Africa Wildlife Park








Alright, so after Out of Africa, we continued to our original destination, Montezuma Castle.  I was pretty excited about this one.....a Native American cliff dwelling!  Maybe its the engineering nerd in me, but I find it super fascinating that Native Americans were able to build their homes into the side of cliffs.  How did they do this?  Did anyone fall to their death while building or living in these homes?  It's also pretty cool that these cliff dwellings are still in tact today. 

This stop was fairly quick.  It's maybe a quarter mile walk to the cliff dwelling.  I did get to wear my awesome little waist pack.  Although, that may be the last time I wear it.  I kinda felt like a goofball in it.  I need to just buy a small back pack for hiking next time.  Not a whole lot to see because you can't climb up in the cliff dwelling, bummer!  They have a nice visitor center, probably due to the fact that they charge you $5 per person to see the castle.  They also have a map, some information and pictures about the dwellings.  I bought myself and my aunt some prickly pear jelly in their gift shop.  I have yet to try it though.

Montezuma Castle

Alright, let's get outta here and head to Las Vegas!!

Day 2 Continued.....

I think our theme song for the first part of our trip is "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson. 

What is The Thing?  We've been seeing billboards for this must see attraction in the middle of no where.  Let's stop and check it out!!!  It's only a $1 and by the signs, they also have fun souvenirs.

8:20am AZ  We have arrived at The Thing?!

Sorry about the bugs on the windshield.  Our poor rental car is covered in bug juice.

We checked out the cute, but over priced souvenirs.

So what is The Thing?  It's only $1 so let's do it!  Ha, wow.  Okay, so definately a creepy strange thing.  They have a collection of old stuff to see before you get to The Thing?.  Fancy old cars, old wagon, odd carved people, an exhibit of how people are tortured around the world.  What is going on here!? I'm for sure feeling a little cr



Here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for!

The Thing? - a mumified mother and baby

Cool, but I think the excitement of wondering what The Thing? was, was higher than the excitment of what it actually is.

Alright let's get outta this creepy rest stop.  To see more pictures check out Stella And Petunia's Facebook Page

The Thing? gas station also has a Dairy Queen.  I don't think I've ever seen so many Dairy Queens before.  At least these Dairy Queens have more than just ice cream.

10:00am AZ Yay, civilization!!!  Hello Marana, AZ.  Is it lunchtime yet?  Maybe not in Arizona, but in Texas it's lunchtime.  Stella really wants some In n Out Burger but it's not open yet.  We need to kill 30 minutes.  I still needed some pepper spray for those creepers and bears since I couldn't find some at the Wal-Mart in Fort Stockton, TX.  They have it!  Pink or black??  Pink it is. 

It may look sweet and innocent but it will sting!

It is 10:30am yet?  Nope.  Okay, my Starbucks app says there is a Starbucks near by.  Let's go.  I love me some Starbucks.  :)  And with my Starbucks gold card, I earn stars towards a free drink!

My lasted obsession - Caramel Macciato with 1% milk.

Almost, 10:30am.  We can just wait in the parking lot for In n Out Burger until it opens.  Who knew a burger joint would open at 10:30am??  I guess lucky for us, it does.  I don't really get the whole obsession with In N Out burger, maybe it's just because I'm not a huge burger person.  They are good burgers - always fresh, never frozen, and they have a sauce...kinda like thousand island but with dill pickle in it.  The french fries are okay.  I think I like McDonald's french fries better, but if they'd have sweet potato fries, or more options on the menu, I might like In N Out Burger more.  I do like the idea that their food is fresh and they don't over process their food like other places.  Anyway, it's almost a "must stop" for everyone to at least try.  Also check out their not-so-secret secret menu.
In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Cheeseburger and French Fries.

11:00am AZ  Stella has been driving since early this morning, but she says she is still okay to drive some more.  Fine with me!  We are about 2.5 hours away from Black Canyon KOA and it's only 11am!  I didn't think we'd get there until late Saturday.

1:00pm AZ Another potty break, this time we are in North Phoenix, it's a very cute area!  Stella said she wants to move here.  I don't like it THAT much, but it is very nice.  This area/town is called Anthem.  We gotta stop at Wal-mart, again!  We wanted to pick up some stuff that we will need for camping.  Stella forgot socks, I still need facewash and contact solution.  20 minutes until we are at our KOA campground.


Black Canyon City KOA

1:40pm AZ  :)  We are here!! Black Canyon KOA.  Our first campsite.  The office doesn't open until 2pm, but they have a box with our info and tent site number on it since we made a reservation here.  We drive around the campground, it's not bad.  It has a pool, a lot of RVs, a great view, but no one is really outside, probably because it's so freaking hot outside.  The campground also has 4 cute cabins.  The tent sites aren't really much of anything, it's hot outside and we are both so tired.  I wonder how much those cabins are.  $40/night, so we'd only have to pay an extra $20 to stay there since we've already paid $20 for a tent site.  Let's do it.  $10 each for not having to set up a tent and having AC. SOLD!  Well as long as they are available.

Our KOA Cabin

2:00pm Thank goodness!  It was available.  It has a full size bed and bunk beds, AC, a little desk, windows, a mirror and a cute patio with a porch swing.  Awesome!!!  I immediately take advantage of the showers since we've basically been stuck in a car for 24 hours.  Stella takes a nap.  She's beat after driving for 6 hours.  I pass out as soon as I get back from the shower and neither of us wakes up until 5:30ish.  A bed never felt so good!

Click for more Black Canyon KOA Pictures

Before heading out on this road trip, I found a popular restaurant that's near Black Canyon KOA and has been featured on the Food Channel, so we are going to check it out for dinner.  It's called Rock Springs Cafe and it's known for it's pie.  It's also the closest food we have to the KOA other than the campground store, which closed at 6pm.   Rock Springs Cafe

Caesar Salad

Huge cornbread and so good.

We both had Chili.  Good with a little kick.



I had their special Mixed Berry Crumb Pie.  Very good.

Stella's pie.  Banana Cream I think.



It's not that late.  What should we do now?  It's a 20 minute drive back to north Phoenix.  We could go see a movie.  Besides it looks like rain again.  It rained last night too.  

Rain cloud rolling in.  Our campsite is in that direction.
At least the rain created a rainbow type thing in the clouds.



Check out that sunset!

Ya know what, both of us are really tired and nothing looks that good in the theaters right now.  Let's just find a Starbucks so maybe we can find an Arizona or Phoenix Starbucks mug.  The rain has started!  The first Starbucks was out of mugs and said they were told that they weren't close enough to Phoenix to get mugs in again.  Ugh!  Let's try our chance at another Starbucks.  yay!  They have the mug.  It's not a Phoenix mug, but at least it says Arizona.  I have a nice collection of mugs at home from other places I have visited.

Back at camp.  We are so happy that we upgraded to a cabin, especially since it's not raining outside and hot.  Let's sit outside on our covered patio.  It feels nice outside and it gives Stella a chance to give herself a mani pedi.  I, of course, add some excitement to our night, not intentionally though.  I have a good imagination and I've seen too many scary movies.  I think aloud and tell Stella my thoughts.  "I wonder what's out in the dark shadows.  We can't really see anything.  There could be someone sitting on the patio next to us or something out there watching us and we wouldn't know since we can't see anything"  hahaha, bad conversation to have in the dark, in a quiet campground.  We freak ourselves out and go inside, but ahh.  Stella needs to use the restroom, which we DON'T have in the cabin.  Of course she makes me go with her since we are now scared to be out in the dark.  I grab the handy mag lite my aunt and uncle let me borrow, since it's light and my uncle said it could be a good weapon.  :) 

Back in the cabin, lights out, door locked.  Good night. 

Stella, "Petunia, do you hear that???"  Me, "Yea, it's just a car driving by."  Stella, "Are you sure??".  Me, "Yes, go back to sleep."

A little later.  Stella, "OMG, did you see that?? Is that a shadow at the window?? Do you see that?" Me, "It's nothing.  Go back to sleep.  Nothing it out there."

I lie awake for a little while listening to the outside, and talking myself out of thinking that anything is out there.  ZZZZzzzzz



Finally out of Texas! Day 2

Saturday July 28th, 2012

Longest Day EVER.

1:30am We leave Fort Stockton, TX.  Still have a ways to go before we get out of Texas!!  No wonder I feel like I never leave Texas.  It's because it takes so long to get anywhere.  Everything is about 2 or more hours away from Houston.  This is one thing I don't like about Texas.  When I lived on the east coast, you could easily drive to popular destination.  I lived 4 hours from NYC, 6 hours from VA Beach, 8 hours from Niagara Falls, 1 hour from DC.  It takes 12 hours of driving just to get through West Texas.  And you only pass through 1 major city - San Antonio.  That's just crazy.  So we decided it was better to just drive drive drive until we are outta Texas!

Stella had been driving since San Antonio, so in Fort Stockton at 1:30am, I took the graveyard shift.  I drank my N.O.Xplode - Blue Raz flavor and hit the road.  Let me just say WOW, that drink had me WIDE AWAKE.  It's super sour, full of caffeine and the taste isn't bad.  I would definitely suggest N.O.-Xplode if you need to stay awake for any reason, but read the warning.  It's not good for people with medical conditions.  I actually like to drink a half portion before working out because it gives me extra energy.

I was rocking out to the music on my Iphone.  All Stella remembers about the music is "my chains bump my chest".  It took me a while to figure out what song that was from.  MIA - bad girls.  I love that song. 

MIA - Bad Girls Youtube Video

5:00am I wake Stella up because she wanted to see Mexico.  It was crazy.  Mexico literally lit up the night sky with all of it's lights.  We passed Mexico driving through El Paso, Texas.  We needed gas, to use the restrooms and wanted something to eat but we really didn't want to stop in El Paso because we've heard that it's not the safest place especially since we are two girls alone on the road really late at night.  My uncle told me that your car will get stolen and before you realize it's gone, it's across the border and gone forever!  Yikes.  Well we made it through El Paso before stopping at a gas station.  There was a donut place beside the gas station that Stella wanted to stop at but it was closed.  Good thing, cuz I hate donuts.  I even hate the smell of donuts.  I know I know, you must think I'm crazy.  Just one of my quirks I guess.   

The GPS says we will arrive at Black Canyon KOA by 1pm.  How can this be right?!  I didn't think we'd get there until late Saturday.  We must be making good time!! Yay.  Oh wait, we also go through two time changes.  Fall back one hour in New Mexico, and then fall back another hour when we get to Arizona.  Did you know that Arizona doesn't change times like the rest of the country? 

New Mexico Rest Stop at 4:30am

4:30am Mountain Time (MT) What what?  We are FINALLY out of Texas!!  Potty break!  We stopped at the rest stop for restrooms and maybe some coffee but it's all closed up.  Guess we are up too early for them. 

Petunia at NM Rest Stop

I'm still wide awake and ready to drive some more.  Might as well because I can't sleep until this drink wears off! 

6:00am  MT Stella is awake and now I'm starving.  I hope we find food soon.  Denny's!! Yay.  Okay, so anyone that knows me, knows I'm not a morning person....even if I've been up all night.  So I was pretty grouchy because now I'm starving, and the drink is wearing off so I'm tired now too.  Sorry Denny's, you will receive the wrath of morning Petunia.  The was food was good and now I'm ready to get to the car and get outta here...like 5 minutes ago.  We get out check, go up to pay and they say their register isn't working and it will be at least another 30 minutes until it's fixed.  Oh, uh uh.  I don't think so.  Being grouchy Petunia, I say no.  We have to leave NOW.  I whip out some cash, enough to just leave the change for their tip, and we are outta here.  Can't wait on these people any longer.  Get it together Denny's!

Even ICEE was on edge at Denny's

7:00am MT  Stella's turn to drive.  I hate sleeping in the car but I'm so tired right now that I think it will be easy to sleep, even though the sun is out already.  I wrap myself up in a blanket, adjust the pillow and I'm out.  Something wakes me up, I feel like I've been out for hours.  I ask Stella if she's still okay to drive.  She's fine....I look at the clock.  OMG, I was only asleep for 30 minutes!!!  That's crazy.  I felt rested and now I'm wide awake again.  Man, that must have been a good 30 minutes.  Oh well, I'm up again.  The scenery is finally changing and I don't wanna miss anything cool.

7:30am AZ We are finally in Arizona.  :)  We fall back another hour.  I feel like I'm in the twilight zone or groundhog day.  I've seen 7:30am too many times today.  I'm so happy that other states aren't as wide as Texas. 

View from creepy motel off I-10. Thanks for the restroom.

7:45am AZ  Stop giving Stella water!  She chugs it and has to use the restroom every hour.  lol.  Bathrooms are hard to come by when you are in the middle of no where and it's still early.  We had to use a creepy motel bathroom because everything else was still closed.  Stella dragged me out of my cocoon to go inside with her.

8:00am AZ Nice a huge W on the side of a mountain for Willcox, AZ, but I like it because my last name starts with a W.  :)  I-10 Mile Marker 343
How much longer??

On the Road

To be continued......

Let's get this show on the road! Day 1

Friday July 27th, 2012

Our Rental Car....kinda reminds me of a cop car

Let's get this show on the road!!  I had to work this morning, got off at noon.  Headed up home so Stella could come pick me up in our rental car.  Thank you so much C for the hook up!!  So this is our rental car, a Chevy Impala. 

We loaded her up....the trunk was full with our luggage, sleeping bags and camping supplies. We also had the back seat loaded up with a cooler for our 36 pack of water, munchies for the road, and Stella had some of her dresses hanging up.  I'm sure we over packed but hey, we ARE girls and I'd rather be over prepared than under prepared.






We left Houston around 1pm and neither of us had eaten lunch yet, so we decided to stop at our favorite Houston Mexican restaurant....Chuy's.  We stopped at the new Chuy's in Katy, TX so we were at least a little on the way.  It was surprisingly packed for being a little after the normal lunchtime rush.  We of course had the yummy chips ,salsa and jalapeno ranch.  Yum!  I ordered the Taco Salad with ground beef.  Tasty but huge!  I think my favorite thing at Chuy's are the Bean Chalupa's and Green Chile Stew.  Stella and I can't stop smiling.  We are so excited for this road trip!

ICEE at Chuys

Alright, let's get outta here!  We stopped at Bucee's on the way to the Riverwalk because I wanted to find out what Beaver Nuggets were and it's a huge gas station with food and souvenirs and pretty much anything you could want to pick up for the road.  I thought they might be some sort of Jerky nugget.  To my surprise, they were similar to Corn Pops, the cereal, except covered in caramel.  Pretty good though.  I love the fountain drinks that you can add cherry and vanilla to anything.   I got Diet Dr Pepper with cherry and vanilla.  Sooo good!

It's a VERY popular place and always busy.

ICEE with Cherry Sours, Beaver Nuggets, and my drink.

Almost to San Antonio.  We have our GPS set to take us to the Alamo in San Antonio.  Might as well make some stops on the way out of Texas since it's going to be a long drive.  Parking was kinda tricky near the Riverwalk.  We ended up parking in a pricey parking garage.  $12 for 2 hours.  Boo.  We got our picture taken at the Alamo then headed to the Riverwalk.

Stella and Petunia at the Alamo

Stella showin ICEE some love in front of the Alamo

You can walk around inside the Alamo and take a tour of it but we've both already seen it before so we were just there for the photo op.  Now to find where we wanna have dinner.

Stella suggested that we eat at Dick's Last Resort.  I wasn't too thrilled about this because they are Dicks to you.  Seriously.  They aren't very friendly to anyone.  Not exactly something I'd normally pay for but I've never been so I'll go along with it.

Ok, so we get to Dick's and wait in line for a little bit.  They check out IDs at the front door....not sure why because there are kids in this place.  The hostess sends inside to another host.  We go to the restroom instead.  We get back, the next host checks out IDs again.  I'm not saying much because I don't really want them to be mean to me.  Stella is asking a million questions....he throws her ID on the ground.  lol.  Then sends us outside again.  Seriously, we just want a table!  I think it's a seat yourself type of place so we squeeze into the middle of some picnic tables outside so we have a view of the riverwalk.  They only have drink/appetizer menus on the tables.  The waiter tries talking us into some alcoholic beverages which I say is a bad idea since we are on a ROAD TRIP.  Lot's of driving ahead.  He then walks away and really only talks to us from other tables.  Kind of annoying to me because I'm not a loud person.  Then we learn the menu is ON THE CEILING!  We gotta look up to see what type of food they have.  They really are dicks in this place.  I don't like it.  I just get a Chicken Caesar Salad which was pretty good.  Stella got the S.W. Salad.  She again asks too many questions.  I tell her this guy is gonna get her if she doesn't stop! 

This place creates hats for people with crazy stuff written on them.  Stella kept asking when she was going to get her hat.  I was just fine with NO HAT.  While eating, we get our hats.  First she gets hers.  "I PUT OUT" is written on it. hahahahaha.  Then later I get mine "NOT MORE THAN ME!"  wtf.  Stella gets a good loud laugh in before she tells me what my hat says.  Alright alright, it is pretty funny so I leave it o.  When we ask for the check, the waiter jokes about wanting our phone numbers...haha since we put out.  Still not a big fan of the place though.  Can we get back on the road yet?

Yay, ok.  Back on the road.  West Texas, here we come!  We are driving on I-10 towards El Paso to get out of Texas. 

Note to self: Don't drink so much water while you are on a road trip or you will be stopping a lot for potty breaks. 

I don't mind stopping though cuz it gives you a little break from driving and you get to see some cool stuff along the way.  We had to stop at Potter's Pecans to use the restroom.  They had a cool outhouse with a code that you need to punch in to use it.  They had a lot of cute knick knacks and obviously lots of pecans.  I got some caramel pecans, there were super tasty!

On the road again......  After a few more potty breaks and 5 hours later.  We arrive in Fort Stockton, TX to see the great Paisano Pete, the 10 foot tall Road Runner.  It's right off I-10 Business/285 that runs through the middle of town, at the corner of Main Street.  We arrived around 1am on a Friday night so all the good ol' boys were out drinking.  It kinda made me a little nervous cuz I was afraid someone would stop while we were taking pictures of Pete.  We did get a whistle and a honk but luckily no one stopped. 

So nothing is really open in this town at 1am except for bars and a Wal-mart.  We stopped to use the restroom at Wal-mart at 1:30am and bought some things that we had forgotten to pack.  This Wally World only had paper bags.  That was a first.

Fort Stockton, TX - only paper bags. No plastic.

Check out our facebook page.  We have a lot more pictures here.
Stella and Petunia's Facebook Page
To be continued.....