DAY FIVE: TIE DYES, SHOP THERAPY AND DRAG QUEENS!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Cape Cod is an interesting part of Massachusset's tourism experience! P-Town, Provincetown, is at the northeastern tip of the Cape and is New England's version of Key West.  Kids and I love P-town and most of all Dakota loves Shop Therapy, every hippy's dream!

We spent the morning at the Pow Wow and the afternoon driving up to P-Town, we didn't have a lot of time to waste so we shopped, ate, and enjoyed the sights of P-Town!
Kids love it there and so do I!

DAY FOUR: SANDWICH AND A POW WOW

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Finally, it's opening day of the Pow Wow! But as fate plays out, I find a Cape Cod tourism guide that is promoting a visit to Sandwich, MA, the first town to be chartered in the new colony... I know what you're thinking... Why would a native person find this interesting? Well.... I appreciate history, regardless of where the story begins, BUT most importantly, Sandwich has a grist mill and they sell freshly ground cornmeal. I was salivating at the thought of freshly ground corn and the sofkee we could be making! For those non-Seminoles, sofkee is a traditional Seminole drink made from various grains. It is an acquired taste for those not raised drinking it... like me - I could drink it by the gallons when I was little!
So it was off to Sandwich first thing in the morning and then to the Pow Wow! Sandwich was awesome! We visited the "Hoxie House" Sandwich's oldest house. We arrived a few minutes before opening and the kids helped the tour guides open the house and stage some props! We paid our admission ($5 for a combo ticket that included a tour of the house and of Dexter Grist Mill) and met our tour guide, Mary, who is 86 years old and a retired school teacher who is recovering from a massive heart attack.  Her stories were so interesting that the kids paid attention the entire time.
Once we left the house, we went to the mill and found it interesting that the fact native people introduced corn to the colonists/pilgrims that their story about corn didn't start with the native contribution. In fact, when the guide figured out I was native he began to discuss how "Mexicans" introduced corn to "Native Americans" and so it would be incorrect to say that native people introduced corn! Whatevz!

As we were walking around downtown Sandwich we found a church rummage sale, and a downtown craft fair at the Public Library! We met an awesome woman who makes jewelry, Alissa! We also ran into my new friends from Pittsburgh!!! Yup, I forgot to tell you we ran into them as we were walking around downtown Oak Bluffs yesterday and then we ended up on the same ferry back! So here we are once again, running into my newfound amigos!

Anyway, we traversed back to the Pow Wow and man it was packed. We decided to park in satellite parking which worked out great because the shuttle picks you up at your car and drops you off at front gate. No charge... Loved it. I couldn't believe the amount of people who were drawn to the pow wow. Chairman Cedric Cromwell also served as master of ceremonies and made sure that all those in attendance had a great time while they learned about what they were watching. The craft vendors were so busy it was hard to get to their tables.  We ran into Shinnecock tribal leader, Lance Gumbs and Narragansett leader, Hiawatha Brown... Two of my USET buddies! Oh and I have to mention the food! I was so impressed that there were so many food vendors serving indigenous foods! Snapping turtle stew, quahog, quail, clams, and a rice dish called jag! Yummmmm!!!! We were in heaven.
Our evening was spent at Mashpee's Casa de Harding for a bbq. We met Wampanoag's friends from Bermuda as we ate grilled chicken and salad. What a wonderful evening.... I love Mashpee!

DAY THREE: AQUINNAH, JOHN BELUSHI, AND A FERRY TRIP!

Friday, July 1, 2011

I seriously need help... Is it normal to travel at the pace that I do? I wonder if I have created travel monsters with my kids... Maybe I could start a new sport? Extreme tourism??? Cram in as much as you can see and do in any given amount of time! The third day of our trip certainly outdid day one which was a marathon! We spent the night out on Martha' Vineyard at Casa de Harding up near Aquinnah.  I slept with the window open and the fresh cool air was amazing. I slept like a baby and woke up in the best mood in a long time... I think it must have been the smell of coffee cooking and bacon cooking in the kitchen.. Our host, Mark Harding, is a total gem!!! Love him!!! Any man that can cook bacon, eggs and home fries like that is my hero! Anyway.... we enjoyed an awesome breakfast out on the porch and then we cleaned up, loaded up and took off on another tour of Aquinnah! We went to a few gift shops up on the point and I purchased a beautiful wampum bracelet.
We took some amazing photographs of the lighthouse and then continued our journey around MV and visited one of my all-time favorite comedians.... John Belushi!  I had no idea he was buried out there on MV! We paid our respects to the Blues Brother, SNL and star of Animal House.
After that we went back to Oak Bluffs and visited with our friends, the Osburns, who own Smoke 'N Bones. They have delicious bbq and if you visit Oak Bluffs you can go to their restaurant or they have a small satellite cafe downtown.
After we had our visit we headed straight to Vineyard Haven and caught the 2:15 ferry back to Woods Hole, MA! We had a great visit with Mark on the way back on the ferry. He's quite the tour guide!
Once we got back to port we had to find the realtor and pick up our lease and info on our vacation house... $275 a night in a neighborhood right at South Cape Beach. We knew this meant we had to get groceries and do laundry but hey it sure beat hotel rooms at 275 a night per room! Note to self however... Given the fact that it is a Friday before the holiday weekend, the grocery store was a total nightmare!!! Next time we check in on a Thursday and get groceries on the way in!
Although Mark and his family tell us about fireworks in Mashpee, we decided that we were far too tired to wander into town! We rented some movies at the grocery store (Red Box) and crashed!!! All four of us finally hit a wall... Yawn....

DAY TWO: CAPE, MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Thursday, June 30, 2011

We went to bed a little late and so I figured I'd sleep in a bit BUT then I figured I'd get up and get some coffee and go work out by going for a walk through Boston... To my surprise, Dakota was knocking on my door at 8:00am and we were out the door by 8:30!! We started off by walking from the Westin over to the wharf/waterfront. We were loving the sunny morning and decided to walk across the bridge into Boston. We ended up walking back to Quincy Market and all over downtown and back to the Westin! We were gone for two hours! WOW!!! We had a great time taking in the sights and talking about everything from the male world, politics, and things we hate to things we love to hate! LOL!
Once back we had to get the guys up and moving and we began our journey down to the Cape. Around noon we discovered we didn't eat and were getting a little hungry so we stopped at "The Hearth and Kettle" and ordered up a feast... Brody was the only one who enjoyed his food so we left disgusted and he left happy...
As we approached the exit for Mashpee we let our host know we were close so that we could plan out our afternoon trek to Martha's Vineyard. I gotta tell you, we barely made it on the ferry! We put our stuff at a table and hit the snack bar for a soda and guess who I bumped into??? My friend from Hertz, Debbie and her family! What a small world! The view of the Vineyard from the ferry was beautiful and breathtaking and Mark Harding, Mashpee Wampanoag's Treasurer and our tour guide, pointed out all the landmarks for us as we traveled by sea to Oak Bluffs.
Once we arrived to Oak Bluffs we walked around a bit and Mark took some time to smell the roses! Literally... as we walked through the summer camp/meeting place area at the center of town. We decided we needed to get on our way to Aquinnah so we didn't run out of daylight and we wanted to catch the sunset.. BEAUTIFUL!!!
We stayed in Mark's Aquinnah house - his vacation home project that overlooks the island's lighthouse and the ocean.... Ah.... this is the life!
We went to dinner at a restaurant owned and operated by an Aquinnah Tribal Member. The cool thing was that a young girl was super excited to see Dakota walk through the door... evidently they had met each other during the Close Up program at USET two years ago! Awesome!
I had a looooong day and so we decided to hit the hay!

DAY ONE: TRAVEL TO BOSTON VIA FT LAUDERDALE

I found the perfect friend!

Where's Brody? The crew outside Quincy Market

Bread Bowl with NE Clam Chowdah! 

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
No one should ever start off a week of vacation like we did... Waking Brody up on any given morning is not an easy task, but when the crickets are still chirping and the sun isn't even on the horizon, I had a better chance at being able to pick the winning lottery numbers! BUT... we did it. Up, packed and at the doctor's office with three minutes to spare!
Of course then we had to get through that appointment and back through the "Naples going to work traffic" to the house, where our ride was awaiting us. That's right, the OB Sr. Airport shuttle was waiting... as were Dakota and Tommy.
As everyone knows, I have the "airport thing" down! I check-in early and on Jet Blue, I can buy extra leg-room which includes your first bag free and early boarding, as well as expedited security screening for the low price of a $45 upgrade!  Man, we're set... I have our boarding passes printed and I am ready to skate through FLL!!! Life is great....... AND THEN... First, when we pull up to unload our bags we get yelled at by a guy for parking too close to his ILLEGALLY parked SUV.... We ignore him because as the "traveling fool" that I am, I know that I have four "expedited" boarding passes and just have to get in the easy "check bag only" lane! Right?! I mean that's what it said... NO!!! The line for me was as long as those who didn't take the extra time to print their boarding passes and pay an extra $45!
Uggg.... Well, it doesn't matter, at least we won't have to wait in the long security lines!  NO?! What???!!! That's right... All that does is get you in the short line prior to ID Check... Yup, that's right, after TSA checks our id's - by the way note to self... new i.d. for Brody, this one says he's only 5'0" - anyway, after TSA checks our id's we get to chose any of the same four lanes being pondered by the mob of others who don't want to cut anyone from our lane any slack at all!
Okay, so what about boarding.... well, at least we boarded early!
The flight went well... luggage all accounted for so now it's off to Hertz... I rented a prestige car and checked in on-line for that as well because I'm promised I'd be in the car and on my way in at least ten minutes.... Hmmmm.... Well... not quite... I'm not even in their system... Great! So it's off to the line I go. I get a really cooperative agent, thank goodness... BUT then the cherry on top is still to come. That comes in the form of a twelve-year old devil's spawn! A frazzled woman is checking in with the agent next to me and is proudly telling him how she has brought her son to Boston for his birthday so he can see where she went to grad school... Harvard. As she brags to him about her little jewel, I am imagining this young well-mannered, LL Bean dressed preppy to come around the corner with his sweater wrapped around his neck and a bottle of perrier for his mom. I was thinking how he must make me and my family look like the Motley Crue! About that time, I hear organs playing and a dark cloud begins to loom over the Hertz counter .... it is Damian! Yes, straight from the Omen! First he throws a temper tantrum because he wanted his mother to rent a volvo convertible... He then proceeded to tell his mother to Shutup! More than once.... I almost yanked him up by his preppy little collar! Well his embarrassed mother decided to ask my agent and I if we knew what to do with him... what I was thinking is illegal, so I didn't comment.. Then he proceeds to use an attached pen to almost destroy the credit card reader!
Then it happened...his mother turns to me and says, "I just want to kill myself. I'm a piece of.... he's right!"  Oh my.... NOT!!! That was it.... I killed the kid with my death stare! Regardless of how juvenile it sounded... I felt better!
I began to look at the woman to my right and thankfully she wasn't crazy! I spoke to her until my car was ready! This wonderful lady, Debbie from Pittsburgh, is a story I'll leave for later! WE continued to run into her for the next three days! All over MA!
Although we get lost going to our hotel, we make it to the Westin Waterfront at the Convention Center and the service is amazing! I just love the Westin!
Free shuttle service to Quincy Market and our awesome driver, Edwin, turned our luck around! We had an awesome night walking around Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. We saw amazing  street performers, ate some great food, and found a few good deals!
GREAT DAY ONE....

6 DAYS IN TO VACATION and behind in posting!

What a vacation! We are six days in and my Internet coverage has been so spotty that I haven't been able to catch up to blog! I'll be doing a day by day later! Awesome time! Happy 4th! Be safe and smart folks!

COUNTDOWN TO MASHPEE!!!

Well, it's three days until our next lift-off! We're getting ready to blow off some steam in the great state of Massachusetts! We arrive on Wednesday and spend two days on Martha's Vineyards and then back for the weekend and P-Town and then the POW WOW!  Whoop-Whoop!
The weather is amazing this time of year. I have been thinking about packing and figured that I needed to pack light but must remember the importance of layers! Although I love going to the beach up there - I remember the first time I went and thought about going into the water and was a bit surprised at how cold it was! Definitely not the Gulf of Mexico!
I am looking forward to visiting the homeland of the Wampanoags!

As the summer begins to heat up and everyone from Florida to Arizona can say it's getting pretty hot outside!!! Humidity is crazy high here in Florida and the lack of moisture is crazy dangerous in Arizona! Regardless of the weather, here, there or anywhere - I absolutely love the summer sun:-)  I can't get enough of the sun, surf and sand! As much as I want to fly to Arizona for Casper and 602's night with Toots and the Maytals, I have to stay back because of my trip to Cape Cod next week... Man, I hate being responsible!  

For those of you who are in or near Flagstaff Arizona, you absolutely have to check out Casper and 602 at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday night...  

If you're in or near Mashpee, Massachusetts, you have to check out the Wampanoag's Pow Wow on July   2-4!!!

MASHPEE MASSACHUSSETTS! NEXT TRIP SCHEDULED!!!

WOO HOO!!! As the wheels of my heavy duty luggage begin to seize up, I decided recommit to my traveling lifestyle and schedule our next jaunt...  We are accepting an invitation to attend a Pow Wow up in Mashpee, MA.  My good buddies, Cedric Cromwell and Mark Harding from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe have been telling me about this event and so here we go.......  The weather is supposed to be awesome with highs in the 70s!!! I'm in heaven!!! The three kids and I are going to escape to the Northeast for ten days! Then we're home for a few days and then we're off to Taos, New Mexico for their Pow Wow!!! 

  

For those of you who will be traveling in the Southwest the next few weeks - you may want to try out Arizona and sync your calendar with some live Hopi Reggae from Casper and the Mighty 602!  Casper will be opening for Toots and the Maytals - one of reggae music's legends! They will be performing live in Flagstaff at the Orpheum Theatre on the night of June 23rd!!! They travel down to White River - Apacheland - on the 24th and will be at the Sail Inn in Tempe, AZ on the 30th!  I have been to the Sail Inn and absolutely love the vibe! On Sundays, a Dead tribute band, Noodles, provides hours of melodic Dead music! It's a family affair as well - all ages are welcome at the Sail Inn! 

WHO SAYS business travel can't be a little restful?

You know, I am usually the first one to say, "H-E double hockey sticks NO!" when asked if all the traveling was fun! Most ask me to put them in my suitcase or ask - even more puzzling - if they could carry my bags! First, I can barely fit a piece of paper in my suitcase IF I'm on a three- night or more excursion... But to carry my bags? Have a good hernia repair doctor? Seriously, you don't want to do either one... In fact traveling with me normally involves five simple standard practices (rules):
1. Leave the day of first meeting if at all possible which normally involves a 6am flight out... I don't like being away from home more than already necessary...
2. I will come back on the same night if there are flights available! Making for a near 24-hour jaunt!
3. Be ready to go by the time you get to the security belt AND no, you cannot bring a coffee mug through security anymore! If you haven't flown since 9-11-2001 I have one word of advice... DRIVE!!
4. Always bring a pair of jeans and sneakers.
5. Don't plan on more than five hours of sleep each night...

That being said, I have learned that when you hit the proverbial wall, it's okay to skip dinner with the crew, go to your room, take a shower, and watch pay per view... A Tylenol PM helps too!

Finally.... Yes, the wall hurt when I slammed into it after flying to DC Sunday night, meeting at BIA Monday morning, flying to Milwaukee Monday at noon for NCAI, and back to DC this morning! OUCH!

MILWAUKEE IS AWESOME!!

I really wish I could have spent time with my friends who are from here so that I could see the city, but there was just no time. I spent all day at the Frontier Airlines Center for the National Congress of American Indian's mid-year conference. I must say that the Hyatt (not where I stayed) is amazing though! Their food is spectacular. I had the black-eyed pea hummus with pita chips and some "cheddar crunchy bread" that you would all just love!! I know - it doesn't sound good but it really is!!  Last night we ate at an Italian restaurant right across the street and let me tell you.... I put myself into a carbohydrate coma! My Oneida boys had the spaghetti and meatballs and they looked amazing - I didn't try any because I felt a bit insecure asking for a bite of their "meatball..."  Just sayin'....  Anyway - I had cheese tortellini with wild mushrooms in a creamy marinara sauce... YUMMMMMY!!! Not sure where tonight's culinary experience will be yet, but Ed Hall and I are thinking Thai.... hm.....  Early flight out in the morning and back to DC!!!

BUSINESS TRAVEL... NOT AS MUCH FUN TO PACK FOR BUT IT IS EASIER!!!

Well... I've been home for less than 48 hours and I'm packing for my next trip... however.... this time it's all business. First I'm off to Washington, DC and then to Milwaukee, WI... oh yeah, and then back to Washington, DC! Back to the grindstone! I must admit that it is easier to pack... Agendas help you determine ahead of time what to wear - as well as the weather map on my iPhone! Overhead compartment space please! Here I go...  RSW-DCA @ 7:10pm via CLT on US Air... a week that is going to be a blur of departures and arrivals.

NAPLES FLORIDA IS THE PLACE I CALL HOME!

The first thing I had to do when I got home (other than a shout out to my parents) was to go to Wildside Cafe for my morning coffee!!! Although Flagstaff's Macy's was da bomb, there's nothing like the hometown smiles of my peeps at Wildside Cafe! Kristina rocks!
Other than my morning routine with my parents, my brother stopped in and that was nice for just the four of us to visit. Growing up we were always together. My parents never did anything or went anywhere where my brother and I couldn't go.... sometimes we wished they would so we could do things our friends were doing - you know slumber parties, bowling, the beach... OB and I travelled and worked on most weekends.... If it wasn't for sports and pow wows we would have had no social life. I totally appreciate that now that I'm a parent and wish that my children had that same way of life. It absolutely contributed to my life today. My parents instilled a sense of home, a sense of family and a sense of purpose in my brother and I.
I call Naples, Florida my home and it is amazingly beautiful to me. Although I appreciate being in other people's hometowns I love my home...and....I'm never here enough to not appreciate it...grrr..... HELLO NAPLES, FLORIDA!!!!

I AM THAT SAME GIRL... I AM THAT SAME WOMAN

The last month has brought challenge, change and ultimately survival. As most of you, my friends, know - I am passionate, dedicated and fearless when it comes to my professional career. I am not as passionate, dedicated or fearless when it comes to my personal life... I have been criticized on both fronts over the last six weeks - and at times the critics have not only challenged and questioned my integrity but have attacked who I am as a native woman. I had an experience that shook me to the very core. I began to question everything I did, everything I am... I took these last few weeks to get to know myself again. I began to doubt that... but now I have spent a week on the road with my kids and close friends, one of whom I treasure like family and I had reparations to make. I want all of you to know that I am back. I am strong and resolved to fulfill my life's mission, "To pursue cultural and historic authenticity in an effort to defend, protect and define tribal sovereignty."

I had to remind myself who I really am... not who people want me to be...

I am that same first grader who walked bravely into Catholic school and wanted everyone to know that she was Seminole. I am that same third grade girl who danced for the public for tips so that she could buy new school shoes. I am that same fourth grader with buckteeth and pigtails who refused to write an essay on why Christopher Columbus was important to her. I am that same girl who went to the library to learn about Wounded Knee because she was infatuated with the members of AIM she met on the pow wow trails...  I am that same 7th grader who read about Hopi and the Peabody Coal debate. I am that same freshman in high school that couldn't wait to graduate because she wanted to go to college. I am that same girl who fouled out every basketball game she ever played because competition was personal. I am that same girl who has always challenged "what is" if it is "wrong."

I am that same woman who stands up to the the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Regional Office, to defend her Tribe. I am that same woman who stood up to the White House when our people were compared to Al Qaeda. I am that same woman who stood up to the Army Corps of Engineers and Water Management District when human remains were removed without consultation. I am that same woman who stands before thousands to talk about tribal sovereignty. I am that same woman who works more than 30 days in a row without a day off. I am that same woman who is not afraid of a challenge.

I am that same woman who has a hard time trusting people. I am working on that. I am that same woman who as a young woman was beaten so bad she was hospitalized and lost her first child. I am that same woman who was ashamed of her bruises. I am that same vulnerable woman who can make mistakes. I am that same woman who can admit she is lonely at times. I am ALSO THAT WOMAN who says, yes it hurt, yes it happened, but you will not take my power... you will not take me down as a woman. I am a warrior woman and I will pity the man without honor. I am that woman who will pray for the souls of her enemy. I am that woman who will not forget where I come from. I am a native woman who loves her life and loves her people.  I may have been down for a few weeks to figure out what I'm doing but I'm BACK and I'm determined! Let's do this!

DAY TRIP IN EASTERN ARIZONA! GERONIMO'S APACHELAND!

WHAT A FABULOUS WAY TO FINISH OFF A WEEK IN ARIZONA!  About a month ago, many of you will remember that I was speaking on behalf of the Tribal Chairman about the irresponsible and damaging use of Geronimo as a codename for Osama Bin Laden.  I had to go to Apacheland to reconcile my feelings about this issue. 

As we drove from Phoenix on Highway 60 we had the Superstition Mountains on our leftside and we talked about how many risked their lives for the search of gold (the Lost Dutchman) in the arrid and rocky environment of that powerful piece of mother earth.  As we approached San Carlos we stopped our suburban to take in the powerful rocky mountainside and terrain - remembering that this was Geronimo's stronghold.  We had to drive past  the strip mines and the small struggling towns of Globe and Miami. The drive was spotted with small restaurants teasing us with the promise of original mexican food and bars promising cold beer!  

Once we passed the mines, we found ourself in Apacheland... we could see the smoke plumes from a fire hundreds of miles away... We drove through the community and I was in awe of the historic preservation of their old federal buildings and churches. From a tourism standpoint, they have such opportunity with their recreation areas and casino/hotel operation. They also have a golf course! 

Okay - this may sound weird, but I was so impressed with the Bashas that they have on the reservation! This grocery store had many Apache employees. At every level - bakers, cashiers, managers, stockers.... amazing!!! These are minimum wage jobs for the most part!

As for my feelings about Geronimo - I am convinced that I stood up for the right cause and for the right reasons! He was defending his people, his land and his principles. Until such a time comes when the President of the United States stands up for the integrity of this nation's native peoples, we must continue to fight the battles of those who came before us and we must continue to fight for the rights of those who are unborn!!!

WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL AND CASINO!!! A MUST SEE/STAY!!

I absolutely love this hotel and casino! The customer service is superb and the vibe is totally happening! Gila River is awesome and Lt. Governor Joe Manuel is a "rockin'" tribal leader. We all know that the "one good thing about music is it when it hits you feel no pain!" His band, Eagle Heart, have a unique sound and you can tell that they have been together a long time and love what they do. Let's not forget the food. Their 24-7 cafe has an awesome breakfast at below great prices! The food court has an awesome deli with Boar's Head meat and of course they have a Shula's on site! I love Shula's!!!! The pool is killer - although being from Florida, I'm a bit hard to impress when it comes to anything like that... :)
I love Arizona. September takes me to Ft. McDowell and speaking from experience, they also have it together out there! Always had an awesome experience at their Radisson!
I am going to check out the malls, water park, and movies in Tempe today... Tomorrow we're doing Tucson and Sells:)

Wow What a day! Tubing didn't turn out quite like we planned... It was actually too hot and we weren't properly prepared for a tubing expedition. That didn't stop us from cruising Tonto National Park and experiencing the Salt River.  The kids are starting to ask for the "mall"! I guess my travel itinerary didn't include enough retail opportunties! Oops... forgive me!  I feel like a local now... I have learned my way around Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa and know how to use the 101, 202 and 60  to get around! From Gila River, we found outlets and many malls that are within 30 minutes. FUN!

TEMPE! Time for some mom-time!

Other than a few days with Tour Guide Bob, I have been taking care of everyone else and imma thinking I need some "me" time! Mom time is cool but I'm thinking of what to do for me for a day... Staying central in Phoenix is awesome for a minute because other than a day trip to Tucson, I could also run away to Mexico... Heeheeeehheeee! I told the kids that they thought losing Doug was bad on Hangover (or Teddy) - try explaining losing MOM! Cracks me up because those of you who know me KNOW that I tend to "disappear" at times - some of my life's best times weren't planned! I saw the interstate signs that pointed to Vegas or LA or Tucson and almost flipped a coin! Come on peeps! Sooooo shall I???

ANOTHER FULL DAY! CAN YOU KEEP UP WITH ME?!

Well... what a day!!! I continue to not only challenge myself and the kids but I think that I'm actually outlasting Tour Guide Bob! Today was amazing! I had to start off early by going to Macy's for an early morning backstroke through a double dose of java love! This morning Bob wanted to take B-Rock to his favorite place, Mike and Rhonda's, for biscuits and gravy - a bit of a personal challenge going on between the two of them for quite some time. I do believe that B-Rock decided he is going to be loyal and stick with his favorite place in Naples, Wildside Cafe!
After breakfast we loaded up and took off to the Grand Canyon. What a spectacular ride! The tunes were perfect with the exception of a brief time spent listening to Sinatra.... don't ask!  The kids had an awesome time and we took a ton of pictures. Brody and I taped silly tourists who were pretending to dance like Indians...
We are back in the valley and are looking forward to meeting with folks! Nite!!!

B-SIDE PLAYERS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDH0_yPNYa0&feature=related
OKAY... This band headlined Flagstaff's Hullabaloo last night! They are insanely charismatic and once you hear one beat, you're gonna be hooked for life! I bought 2 cd's already! This music is extremely appropriate for driving the roads of Arizona... So is Casper & 602 - don't get me wrong I love reggae - everyone knows that!

THE PERFECT ARIZONA DAY TRIP!!!!

I started off my day at Macy's - the most awesome coffee shop I have ever been to... BOB intro'd this place to me awhile back and I am hooked! I feel like a regular..  The vibe in this town is awesome and I feel right at home. Macy's roasts their own coffee beans and although they have a single shot small coffee, I suggest that a person dive in to the ultimate java experience with the double or triple shot HUGE COFFEE MUG! You just want to dive in and do the backstroke!
After coffee we went back to hotel to pick up the youths and we headed east to Hopiland! The village of Kykotsmovi was having some doings and the katsinas were coming out to dance. We sat up on the rooftops on the plaza and watched the katsinas dance us into a trancelike state! It was awesome! We met some amazing women who graciously invited us into their family home and fed us some of the best food ever! We had fried chicken, potato salad, tacos, and a traditional stew made out of mutton and hominy!
After lunch we headed out to Second Mesa as well as First... we stopped by McGee's Trading Post and bought all kinds of t-shirts and jewelry! Polacca was having dances too but their doings aren't open to non-Indians. We met some of the nicest peeps in the world out at Hopi today!
When we got back to Flagstaff we were debating on what to do.... Let's just say that they know how to live!!!! Saw the beset band in a long time!!!

BEST DAY IN MONTHS!!

Well we landed in Phoenix a little before 10:30 this morning. By noon it was 98 degrees out! BUT who cares because we hit "America's Taco Shop" for the best Carne asada tacos ever! Brody ate 8 of them! The beef is seasoned with just enough spices and lime to make you hungry for more! The food isn't greasy at all... We met up with BOB and he took us through Payson to get to Flagstaff - wow, what a beautiful drive! We had an awesome time! We stopped along the way to breathe in the fresh air! Nice! This afternoon we walked around downtown Flagstaff - you all have to visit! The unique boutiques carry everything from handmade clothes, jewelry, art... They had Art in the Park downtown and all the locals were gathered around to hear some guys jam! We all decided to go to our room by 8 tonight and order pizza & Chinese because we have an early morning tomorrow! Not to mention we're three hours ahead! Flagstaff is awesome!

CAN'T FORGET WHERE I COME FROM...

The sense of place and belonging is important to all of us... I have always found myself drawn to the Naples Pier when I need to center myself... In high school, I would walk out on the pier when I needed a break from studying. When I left for college, I had to visit the pier when I would come home just to "touch base." While I was pregnant with both children, I had to walk out on the pier to relax... Now I have to take all my friends and visitors to Naples to show it off like an old friend... Embrace those special places in your life and make it sacred! 

ARIZONA TOMORROW!

Well tomorrow will be here before you know it! A regular trip to Target just led to me having to re-pack!! Love that place!!! We may be bringing another trusty sidekick.... the famous (infamous) Wes Foreman! So our tour guide, BOB, will like that - BOB is the only friend I've ever had that my whole family ever agreed upon liking!!! So that's a plus! Here we go world... Let's do this!!! Hopi Saturday!

7 DAYS IN AMERICA'S SOUTHWEST - WHAT TO PACK?!

Luckily, I have spent some time in the Southwest over the years! As some of you know, the weather can be extremely hot during the day and very cool in the evenings depending upon your elevation... Traveling for a week doesn't mean you have to pack for a week... Remember, they have laundry rooms in most hotels and if not there are still the good ol' laundromats! I packed the essentials, various t-shirts for layering, jeans, capris, shorts, a few casual sundresses, sneakers and ballet flats! Everything fit nicely in a suitcase suitable for the overhead bin!!

WE ARE ON THE COUNTDOWN....

Two days before we take off to Arizona! There are four of us going on this trip. Brody, my 12-year old son, my 17-year old daughter, Dakota and her boyfriend, Tommy.  We will be joined by our illustrious friend, who we will call BOB... for purposes of this blog...  All of my friends know that I'm a traveller - so two days out, I usually don't prepare but for purposes of responsible travel, I am gathering essentials and planning to pack as light as possible. Today - "BOB" decided that we will start off on our day of arrival by driving north to Flagstaff, AZ from Phoenix.  We gotta get some southwest fare from one of my favorite carne adovada restaurants on 7th... Stay tuned peeps!