HOW MUCH WOOD WOULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK?

Following Route 66 across Northern Arizona was so enjoyable. The Grand Canyon State is famous for its scenic beauty, from the wide-open spaces, to the rocky and colorful landscape, majestic landmarks, and the best well-preserved 2-lane of pristine pavement of Route 66.

Saturday, June 26th, at 7:08 p.m. we stopped for photos at the entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park. We paid the entrance fee $20 per vehicle and were given a note explaining that it is illegal and heavy fines up to $325 would be imposed on anyone for removing the petrified wood, rocks, fossils (dating back 225 millions years, we were told) or any archaeological items from the park.

We started on the north entrance to the edge of a high mesa with spectacular views of Painted Desert. Continued along the 28 miles inside the park, we stopped at various historic sites of dwelling that were built 700 years ago or boulders that covered with petroglyphs carved by Pueblo Indians more than 500 years ago.

I was hypnotized by the dramatic colors of the rock formations. If it was not for the 115 degrees temperature, I would be happy just standing there for hours!

Different minerals in different concentrations caused the rich colors in petrified wood and in the brilliant colors of painted desert, especially under the bright sun at midday.

It was delightful to drive through the heart of the Petrified Forest and the colorful hills of the Painted Desert were heavenly beautiful.

Above is a 100-foot log spanning a 40-foot-wide wash named Agate Bridge.

How much (petrified) wood would a woodchuck chuck if it was legal chucked?

After dinner at a local diner (where the chatty server who originally from Minnesota complimented my English in comparison to the owner of the diner who was Japanese, after living in America more than 30 years still had heavy accent), our third night of the road-trip was in Holbrook, Arizona.

4,437 MILES

We did it! We drove 4,437 miles from St. Louis, crossed the state lines into Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and on Tuesday, June 29th reached the End of the Trail in Santa Monica, California and then back to St. Louis on Saturday, July 3rd. Our 2010 Route 66 week-long Adventure began on Thursday, June 24th. Since we already covered all of Route 66 in Missouri, Kansas and part of Oklahoma last October, we took I-44 all the way to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

I finally sorted thru 2,000+ photos in 5 memory cards from 3 cameras, two Sony Cybershots and a Canon Powershot. Whenever the battery ran out on one camera, I just took out the next camera and continued shooting - the wonder of digital cameras!

June 24th, we left work early and were on the road at 4:15 p.m., stopped at a diner in St. Robert, Missouri and then spent the night in Joplin, Missouri.

The next day, Friday, June 25th was the beginning of a jam-packed week-long schedule. After a full complimentary breakfast at the hotel, we were on the road around 7:05 a.m. It did not take us long to cross into Oklahoma. After paying $4.00 toll at Will Rogers Turnpike and another $4.00 at Turner Turnpike, we stopped for a lunch break at Banh Mi Ba Le in Oklahoma City. This little triangular building with the giant milk bottle on top (above photo) was originally a small grocery, now home to Saigon Baguette, a French-Vietnamese bakery serving Banh Mi, hearty sandwiches that taste just the way I used to eat in Viet Nam. We got Banh Mi Ga (chicken) for my husband and Banh Mi Gio Cha (pork) satisfied my hunger and brought back wonderful childhood memory.

We took turn driving and also regular breaks at rest areas or truck stops, filled up the gas tank and re-stocked the cooler with cold water bottles and snacks. We spent about an hour at the National Route 66 Museum (above photo) in Elk City, Oklahoma. We crossed into Texas, the Lone Star State, at 3:45 p.m. and decided to stay on I-44 until we got to Groom. It was one of my must-stop because I wanted to visit the 190 feet giant cross (below photo) and the outdoor sculptures of Stations of the Cross. From Groom, we drove on Route 66 into Amarillo.

It was about 6:15 p.m. when we got to Amarillo, just in time for a nice steak dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch (below photo). We did not attempt to take on the challenge of finishing up the 72-ounce steak in one hour!

We felt a kind of accomplishment when we reached Midpoint Café in Adrian (above photo) and saw the slogan, “When You’re Here, You’re Halfway There”. The café was closed since it already passed 8:00 p.m., therefore we did not get a chance to enjoy its famous “ugly crust” pies!

Twenty minutes later, we crossed into New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. A sign advising travelers that we have entered Mountain Time. We gained extra daytime by turning our watch back one hour but we started to get tired being on the road the last 13+ hours. We spent the second night of the trip in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Saturday, June 26th, we were on the road at 8:00 a.m. and then breakfast at the Silver Moon Café in Santa Rosa. At this point, it was a bit confusing with so many options of pre-1937 route and various loops, we spent more time than planned around Los Lunas, then encountered traffic jam and road construction around Albuquerque. It was time for lunch when we finally arrived in Grants. Later, we made time for pie and coffee at the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup (below photo).

At 6:20 p.m. we crossed the state line and received a warm welcome from Arizona, the Grand Canyon State.

BUS STORIES IN ETERNAL CITY (ROME, ITALY)

We did not take the bus during our 3-day in Rome. Instead we became almost experts at using the Metro Line (or Linea Turistica - tourist line as it is called) and easily navigated our way around the city. These photos were taken on July 8, 2008. We had wonderful time in the Eternal City and would love to go back and spend a whole month there, at least! Visit www.bus-stories.blogspot.com, written by Busboy in Albuquerque, New Mexico for interesting real bus stories. Here is what Busboy wrote, "I started riding the city bus in May, 2006, when gas hit $2.99 a gallon. I started collecting bus stories from the first day I rode the bus."

HOLY SKY - ST. PETER'S BASILICA - ROME, ITALY

Attending Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on July 8, 2008 was one of the top ten most memorable moments in my life that I will always treasure. These photos were taken during our tour of the Vatican on July 7th. The tour went a bit longer than we expected. The next day was the scheduled tour of the Forum and the Colosseum. That also took almost the entire day. We only had time for a brief visit to the Pantheon. Prior to our trip I already commented to my husband that if I had to miss everything else, so be it, but I would not forgive myself if I did not attend Mass at St. Peter. I was so glad we did.

ALASKA SKY

Alaska - July 5, 2002

AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE

Happy Independence Day - with grateful heart to our Armed Forces, to the brave men and women who are serving our great nation, protecting our freedom and liberty.

Happy Birthday America, land that I love - I am always proud to be an American.

A poem by Mary S. Chevalier (A Salesian Missions Publication)

When blue skies are gray.

May I ever be mindful of God's great love

And the blessings He sends, I pray;

He surely will renew hope in me and you

Although today's skies are gray!

FRIDAY SKY - TORONTO, CANADA

I don't know what is more beautiful, the stained glass dome at the Hockey Hall of Fame (or the Stanley Cup and all the trophies) or the CN Tower soaring high to the blue sky above.

The decoration (photo below) was part of the upcoming Annual Chinese Lantern Festival. The annual Festival is a showcase of over forty life-size illuminated lanterns, with nightly entertainment of dance, music and acrobats from China, food and crafts market and other Chinese traditional ceremonies such as Tea Ceremony and martial arts demonstrations. For more information, please visit http://www.chineselanternfestival.ca/ or call 1-866-666-8996.

HAPPY CANADA DAY