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California

The rain gave way to sun as we passed the Colorado River and entered into California...

Killer Day Hike and Heading Home

You can count on Paul Kind to pick the absolute hardest day hike in the entire Grand Canyon, and that is what we did yesterday. Starting at the top of the canyon at 10am, we worked our way down 4500 feet to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, with temperatures reaching 110 degrees. After taking a few pictures on the river and swimming, we started the long grueling hike back up to the top. All in all, we hiked an even 15 miles in 7 hours and 45 minutes. And almost inconceivable to me, Paul was still making 3 miles per hour time even as we approached the top. That guy can fly.

We crashed hard last night at the Royal American Inn and woke up to puddles and gas station chatter of flooding.

Now we head west to Los Angeles where we will greet partners and a kid and for Paul, his new home.

View From A Campsite

Campsite Near the Grand Canyon

We entered Arizona around 11pm and decided to try and make it to Flagstaff. Upon entering Flagstaff, we decided to drive another 80 miles to the base of the Grand Canyon and we arrived here around 3am this morning and found a nice cool, no mosquito place to sleep.

Rainbow Over Albuquerque

We rolled into Downtown Albuquerque in the evening, just in time to catch a rainbow, some Thai food and a movie.

Nearing New Mexico

Morning Bike Ride

We spent a while riding bikes around the quaint little town of Vernon, TX this morning.

Nearing Amarillo

Morning Pit Stop

Peanut Butter Cup blizzard with a shot of hot fudge. My $100 is now spent.

The Sacred Plant

Vernon, Texas

After attempting another nights sleep at a rest area under the stars, we got back in the Honda and headed further West to Vernon, Texas, where we found a Budget Host Inn for $45 a night. With two beds, a free breakfast and a swimming pool, we feel like Vernon could be our new home.

Rangers vs. Athletics

26 stadiums down, 4 to go. :)

PS. Thanks to Dad for getting me started on this stadium kick as a 5 year old.

Texas

The crazy thing about this ruggedly beautiful and formidable state is that I have lived within it's borders for a sixth of my life. At one time, I was a Texan. Somehow it doesn't feel right, even though I have fond childhood memories of the Astrodome and swimming near our ironically named street, Waterpark Lane.

We drove in this morning through Texarkana and have already eaten up several hundred miles of it's East.

Maybe it's a good thing we came in during the day...

Humidity, Arkansas and the Best Restaurant in Nashville

We woke up this morning to the kind of humidity that probably only exists in the South, so stifling that this West Coast kid had to gather his breath before moving on.

Before hitting the road we stopped in to see Asher in Nashville and spent a few hours seeing his hood and eating at the restaurant he works at called Burger Up. It just may be in the top 5 for my all time best meals. The food (100% local meat, produce and bread), beer, ambiance and company were a perfect way to start our trip.

We ended up at the Rest Inn for the night because the Mosquitos at our rest stop sleeping quarters may have eaten us alive...

Today we head to Arlington, Texas to catch a Rangers game, which will be my 26th ballpark.

Paul and I have talked continually for five hours now...there is no one else I'd rather be with for a road trip...I love this guy!