Once I arrived in Arizona, it was an experience. The fact that I had cell service was amazing! I went line dancing, went to Tombstone (and watched Tombstone...ironically), went to Tuscon to see the Desert Museum, saw 'The Iron Lady" (again) with my grandparents, helped my grandmother make a pizza (half pepperoni and half broccoli), *cough* gained five pounds *cough*, went on a horrid ride to the salt River Canyon, and many other things. I bought souvenirs and even got some political campaign buttons (and a book by Hillary Clinton) for less than ten dollars!
While at the Desert Museum, I saw a rare lizard which is only one of two poisonous lizards in North America (I don't remember the name but I think it was a heela-monster and yes the spelling is wrong). I did not see the Grand Canyon though. I also went to Mexico which was cool. I walked into Mexico and I walked back into the United States. It was much easier to return to the United States from Mexico than it was to return to the United States from Canada.
Overall, Arizona was a nice place to visit and the people were pleasant; however, I couldn't get past the backwardness of the political climate. I really can't stand that idiot in the state governorship. I really don't understand her anti-immigration campaign. Her idea of "building a fence" is simply stupid! There is a fence already in place at the border and I am certain it is made of either tin or aluminum. During my time at the border - on both sides - there were at least 15-30 border patrol agents doing nothing except holding the ground in place. This was also the case in New Mexico and Texas. We don't need a fence - which will cost billions of dollars both in labor and training more agents to guard the fence, we need those on the taxpayer's payroll to quit standing around and actually do their jobs. While I'm on this topic, by only asking, "Are you an American citizen" and with a sufficient "yes", the people are let through without question is really insulting. Why not provide valid proof such as a U.S. Passport, a driver's license, or some other form of excepted identification (at the border I might add). Also, it would help to bear in mind the 4th amendment to the Constitution and not just go on the racial profiling. I am in favor of that. Here is what I am not in favor of and really makes me mad both as a Hispanic and as an American: Being an American citizen with a tan complexion being told to open his truck, have his luggage searched through, having his car license plates run through a database, and flat out asking if he is a citizen of the United States and where he is going and what he is doing! Nevermind the fact that he has his passport, his driver's license from North Carolina (which, last I checked was in the United States), and cooperated in the best way he knew how even though it took every ounce of himself to not get in a shouting match and make a (valid) scene of racial profiling. One would think the passport alone would have validated the citizenship but oh no, NOT in the state of TEXAS!!! Yes, I am referring to my time in Texas east of El Paso (this part is in the first part of my blog entry). I've said it time and time again - let Hispanic Americans be in charge of - and lead - all Hispanic issues. Furthermore, being Hispanic does NOT mean you are automatically a Mexican! I always thought the people were more open-minded and tolerant but clearly I was mistaken when it comes to the southwestern part of the United States.
Overall, I had a good time out in Arizona and I plan on returning next year to "the Grand Canyon State" to visit my family. Hopefully, I'll be able to see the Grand Canyon and visit a few more National Parks - mainly for the stamp to put in my National Park Passport...and yes, President Bartlett would be proud of me!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Journey to the Wild West (Part 1 of 2)
My trip to Arizona was good. I left on Saturday afternoon (the 7th) and got there on Monday. Please bear in mind that I did this road trip by myself and I enjoyed it! I think what I'm going to do is break down the trip into two separate sections: Going out West & Returning from the West [and I will break it down even further by state]. I really hope I don't confuse anyone in the process; but, if I do...sorry!
Driving out to Arizona
North Carolina ~ I really don't remember driving in the western part of the state. I guess this is because I always - and still do - driving it to visit Western [Carolina University a.k.a. my Alma Mater]. At least there were no rock slides on I-40 to delay me from crossing over into Tennessee.
Tennessee ~ The Volunteer State! I really figured out the inner and outer beltways of the interstate highway systems when driving through/around major cities. Yes, I used to live in Washington, D.C.; however, when I lived there I either walked somewhere or took the metro. I've only driven in Washington a few times and I always got lucky regarding how to arrive at my destination. Well, I would sometimes find a metro stop and just leave my car and take the metro into the city via the blue line (so yes, I kinda cheated). Anyway, Nashville is a place where I would actually like to spend the day and see the sites. It is not, I repeat, NOT because I'm a country music fan. Don't get me wrong, there are few country songs that I like and will listen to if the chance presents itself; but overall, I am not a fan. I don't even watch the...well wait, I do watch the CMT Awards but that's different. It's like attending a mini-GOP convention!
Arkansas ~ This was the state I was so glad I drove through at night. What the history channel does not tell us is that "the natural state" is a boring, flat land-environment which lacks any means of hospitality or courtesy. I have not meet, or interacted with, a single person from the state that makes it look like a great place to live. The one thing it has going for itself is that it sits in Tornado Alley...and I say that only because I am a storm chaser at heart! Also, Conway is not an ideal place to spend the night...at least at the Quality Inn Hotel just off of Interstate 40.
Oklahoma ~ I didn't return through the Sooner State (which was a mistake in-and-of-itself), but I loved driving through it!!! Getting past my love for Tornado Alley, I really enjoyed the state and all it had to offer. Once I crossed the state border, I immediately began to sing all of the songs from the musical and I even sung "Oklahoma" twice as I was driving past the huge wheat fields! I also promised myself that the next time I traveled though the state, I would spend more time in Oklahoma City (the capital for those of you who are rusty on American Geography). The reason is simple: it looks like a beautiful city and I loved the traffic patterns. In addition, I also enjoyed knowing the names of the Native American tribes that were forced to relocate there due to the Trail of Tears. I believe this was the first state where I started to play a wonderful game entitled, "Guess how many Congressional Districts there are and name their member of Congress and their party affiliation!" Furthermore, I would also randomly shout out when I was entering a new congressional district [and its member of Congress]. It should be noted that when I travel, I channel my inner-President Bartlett. (Yes, that was a political reference for those of you who can't remember when he served ;D) For example, guess with congressional district has a democratic member of Congress in Oklahoma? I'll tell you if you don't know, ha-ha! I guess I should also reinstate the fact that I was making this road trip by myself and I really loved it!
Texas ~ As I continued my political game, I entered into the Lone Star State (a.k.a. "W" and Perry country). The panhandle is so much easier, and quicker, to drive through than the central part of the state (as I found out on the return trip). Anyway, Amarillo was alright; but, the traffic signs were a little hypocritical. For example, you can turn left on red even if there is a sign saying it is illegal to do so. There weren't even traffic cameras in the intersections. I guess things really are better on top!
New Mexico ~ The only highlight in "the Land of Enchantment" was stopping at White Sands National Park....okay, and driving through a live Missile Testing range. It was so epic! I spent the night in Ruidoso which is a wonderful place. Oh yeah, I also went to Roswell and it is indeed...out of this world! While I had no close encounters, I did have to pull over a few times because I thought I saw "something" in the sky. One of those "somethings" was a Delta flight going from Austin to Seattle - with a layover in Denver (and yes, I am an avid fan of flights and the whole aviation field - I should have been born in the '50s, '60s, or the later years of the '70s...not the '80s). I also went through a border checkpoint which was...a first. I didn't have to provide any documentation or proof other than a "yes, I am" to the question of my citizenship. I will surely discuss this on a later blog because there is a LOT I would LOVE to talk about regarding immigration and the stupidity of the Southwestern part of the country regarding this important topic of politics.
Returning to North Carolina
Arizona ~ It look less than two hours to drive and it was early in the morning. I listened to Lady Gaga just to keep me sane while leaving "the Grand Canyon" state.
New Mexico ~ The people are nice and driving through the lower portion of the state was fun. I was singing and dancing along with Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson from "Glee") as he sang "Hungry Like A Wolf/Rio" as I drove across the Rio Grande. I even sent out a tweet (and yes I was driving and I also left out the "e" on Grande because of my stupid auto-correct feature on the I-Phone).
Texas ~ I REALLY HATE THE STATE OF TEXAS!!!! Let me back up a second: there are people I know who are either from the state or who are living within the state so I don't hate all of the state. There was a border checkpoint east of El Paso and what I experienced was 100% racial profiling even though I showed valid proof of my citizenship! I've never been so uncomfortable in all of my life. I even wrote an e-mail to Secretary Napolitano and Governor Perry with my "concerns" regarding the checkpoint. Other than that horrid and inexcusable incident, the drive was so long. I'm really glad I didn't go to San Antonio as I originally planned. I went through Dallas/Ft. Worth at night and even that was a nightmare. They can't drive, merge correctly, or use a turning signal. Heck, I don't even think they knew how to change lanes properly. I guess everything really is bigger in Texas...except intelligence levels (remember, I am generalizing based on my accounts and it does not reflect ALL of the residents of the "Lone Star State"). I was so glad to leave the state even though I wanted to spend more time there. One thing Texas has going for itself is its history and historical points of interest. I'll see Deely Plaza, The Johnson Space Center, the state capital, and the Alamo the next time I visit. At least I drove through the hometown of George W. and Laura Bush (even though I didn't care and I'm sure nobody else does either).
Arkansas ~ I also REALLY HATE ARKANSAS! I do have to say this though: I stopped in Hope, AR! Now, ten points to the person to say why this place is important (especially for someone like me)? Here's a hint: The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" person is famous here, Give up??? President Bill Clinton was born there!!!
Also, I decided to drive up to Hot Spring National Park. Now, I drove up the side of a mountain, walked into the observation tower center and asked if it served as the visitor's center as well. Oh no.....the visitor's center is in town!!! So after I ranted - for ten minutes - about the stupidity I had just endured, I drove back down the mountain and into downtown. Guess what my next rant was about...the vistor's center!!! I had to pay for parking! I really really ticked off by this point! First of all, my tax dollars - along with everyone else's who pay taxes- pay for the park and the visitor's center; second, there were no signs directing me towards the visitor's center (the only signs was for the stupid observation tower which I had no interest in because I am not an avid fan of heights). I refused to pay for parking since I already do more than that in a single year.
Again, I hate Arkansas for these reasons - and many more. The drivers there are just (I am currently trying to think of a polite word to use)...freaking stupid! As a matter of fact, I believe they are a few notches below Dallas/Ft. Worth drivers - and that's saying something!
Tennessee ~ I always get a thrill when I cross the Mississippi River. In a sense, I feel like I am either Lewis or Clark; or, I'm time traveling from the present to the dawn of the 19th century. I realize that last line should have been in the "going to Arizona" section; but, it does apply here as well (just reverse the time-frames).
North Carolina ~ Okay, the only thing that was different is the fact that I crossed the state line around 11:15PM. I'm glad Asheville had minimal traffic on I-40. It felt great to see my very-surprised dog greet me upon walking into the house at 1:03AM. Oh yeah, every time I passed the exit to go to Western Carolina University, I sang the fight song as well as the Alma mater!
I realize this is a long blog post. To be fair, I will post what I did during my time in Arizona in a separate blog post (coming soon to a computer screen soon). Don't worry, I'll post it soon, I promise!
Driving out to Arizona
North Carolina ~ I really don't remember driving in the western part of the state. I guess this is because I always - and still do - driving it to visit Western [Carolina University a.k.a. my Alma Mater]. At least there were no rock slides on I-40 to delay me from crossing over into Tennessee.
Tennessee ~ The Volunteer State! I really figured out the inner and outer beltways of the interstate highway systems when driving through/around major cities. Yes, I used to live in Washington, D.C.; however, when I lived there I either walked somewhere or took the metro. I've only driven in Washington a few times and I always got lucky regarding how to arrive at my destination. Well, I would sometimes find a metro stop and just leave my car and take the metro into the city via the blue line (so yes, I kinda cheated). Anyway, Nashville is a place where I would actually like to spend the day and see the sites. It is not, I repeat, NOT because I'm a country music fan. Don't get me wrong, there are few country songs that I like and will listen to if the chance presents itself; but overall, I am not a fan. I don't even watch the...well wait, I do watch the CMT Awards but that's different. It's like attending a mini-GOP convention!
Arkansas ~ This was the state I was so glad I drove through at night. What the history channel does not tell us is that "the natural state" is a boring, flat land-environment which lacks any means of hospitality or courtesy. I have not meet, or interacted with, a single person from the state that makes it look like a great place to live. The one thing it has going for itself is that it sits in Tornado Alley...and I say that only because I am a storm chaser at heart! Also, Conway is not an ideal place to spend the night...at least at the Quality Inn Hotel just off of Interstate 40.
Oklahoma ~ I didn't return through the Sooner State (which was a mistake in-and-of-itself), but I loved driving through it!!! Getting past my love for Tornado Alley, I really enjoyed the state and all it had to offer. Once I crossed the state border, I immediately began to sing all of the songs from the musical and I even sung "Oklahoma" twice as I was driving past the huge wheat fields! I also promised myself that the next time I traveled though the state, I would spend more time in Oklahoma City (the capital for those of you who are rusty on American Geography). The reason is simple: it looks like a beautiful city and I loved the traffic patterns. In addition, I also enjoyed knowing the names of the Native American tribes that were forced to relocate there due to the Trail of Tears. I believe this was the first state where I started to play a wonderful game entitled, "Guess how many Congressional Districts there are and name their member of Congress and their party affiliation!" Furthermore, I would also randomly shout out when I was entering a new congressional district [and its member of Congress]. It should be noted that when I travel, I channel my inner-President Bartlett. (Yes, that was a political reference for those of you who can't remember when he served ;D) For example, guess with congressional district has a democratic member of Congress in Oklahoma? I'll tell you if you don't know, ha-ha! I guess I should also reinstate the fact that I was making this road trip by myself and I really loved it!
Texas ~ As I continued my political game, I entered into the Lone Star State (a.k.a. "W" and Perry country). The panhandle is so much easier, and quicker, to drive through than the central part of the state (as I found out on the return trip). Anyway, Amarillo was alright; but, the traffic signs were a little hypocritical. For example, you can turn left on red even if there is a sign saying it is illegal to do so. There weren't even traffic cameras in the intersections. I guess things really are better on top!
New Mexico ~ The only highlight in "the Land of Enchantment" was stopping at White Sands National Park....okay, and driving through a live Missile Testing range. It was so epic! I spent the night in Ruidoso which is a wonderful place. Oh yeah, I also went to Roswell and it is indeed...out of this world! While I had no close encounters, I did have to pull over a few times because I thought I saw "something" in the sky. One of those "somethings" was a Delta flight going from Austin to Seattle - with a layover in Denver (and yes, I am an avid fan of flights and the whole aviation field - I should have been born in the '50s, '60s, or the later years of the '70s...not the '80s). I also went through a border checkpoint which was...a first. I didn't have to provide any documentation or proof other than a "yes, I am" to the question of my citizenship. I will surely discuss this on a later blog because there is a LOT I would LOVE to talk about regarding immigration and the stupidity of the Southwestern part of the country regarding this important topic of politics.
Returning to North Carolina
Arizona ~ It look less than two hours to drive and it was early in the morning. I listened to Lady Gaga just to keep me sane while leaving "the Grand Canyon" state.
New Mexico ~ The people are nice and driving through the lower portion of the state was fun. I was singing and dancing along with Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson from "Glee") as he sang "Hungry Like A Wolf/Rio" as I drove across the Rio Grande. I even sent out a tweet (and yes I was driving and I also left out the "e" on Grande because of my stupid auto-correct feature on the I-Phone).
Texas ~ I REALLY HATE THE STATE OF TEXAS!!!! Let me back up a second: there are people I know who are either from the state or who are living within the state so I don't hate all of the state. There was a border checkpoint east of El Paso and what I experienced was 100% racial profiling even though I showed valid proof of my citizenship! I've never been so uncomfortable in all of my life. I even wrote an e-mail to Secretary Napolitano and Governor Perry with my "concerns" regarding the checkpoint. Other than that horrid and inexcusable incident, the drive was so long. I'm really glad I didn't go to San Antonio as I originally planned. I went through Dallas/Ft. Worth at night and even that was a nightmare. They can't drive, merge correctly, or use a turning signal. Heck, I don't even think they knew how to change lanes properly. I guess everything really is bigger in Texas...except intelligence levels (remember, I am generalizing based on my accounts and it does not reflect ALL of the residents of the "Lone Star State"). I was so glad to leave the state even though I wanted to spend more time there. One thing Texas has going for itself is its history and historical points of interest. I'll see Deely Plaza, The Johnson Space Center, the state capital, and the Alamo the next time I visit. At least I drove through the hometown of George W. and Laura Bush (even though I didn't care and I'm sure nobody else does either).
Arkansas ~ I also REALLY HATE ARKANSAS! I do have to say this though: I stopped in Hope, AR! Now, ten points to the person to say why this place is important (especially for someone like me)? Here's a hint: The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" person is famous here, Give up??? President Bill Clinton was born there!!!
Also, I decided to drive up to Hot Spring National Park. Now, I drove up the side of a mountain, walked into the observation tower center and asked if it served as the visitor's center as well. Oh no.....the visitor's center is in town!!! So after I ranted - for ten minutes - about the stupidity I had just endured, I drove back down the mountain and into downtown. Guess what my next rant was about...the vistor's center!!! I had to pay for parking! I really really ticked off by this point! First of all, my tax dollars - along with everyone else's who pay taxes- pay for the park and the visitor's center; second, there were no signs directing me towards the visitor's center (the only signs was for the stupid observation tower which I had no interest in because I am not an avid fan of heights). I refused to pay for parking since I already do more than that in a single year.
Again, I hate Arkansas for these reasons - and many more. The drivers there are just (I am currently trying to think of a polite word to use)...freaking stupid! As a matter of fact, I believe they are a few notches below Dallas/Ft. Worth drivers - and that's saying something!
Tennessee ~ I always get a thrill when I cross the Mississippi River. In a sense, I feel like I am either Lewis or Clark; or, I'm time traveling from the present to the dawn of the 19th century. I realize that last line should have been in the "going to Arizona" section; but, it does apply here as well (just reverse the time-frames).
North Carolina ~ Okay, the only thing that was different is the fact that I crossed the state line around 11:15PM. I'm glad Asheville had minimal traffic on I-40. It felt great to see my very-surprised dog greet me upon walking into the house at 1:03AM. Oh yeah, every time I passed the exit to go to Western Carolina University, I sang the fight song as well as the Alma mater!
I realize this is a long blog post. To be fair, I will post what I did during my time in Arizona in a separate blog post (coming soon to a computer screen soon). Don't worry, I'll post it soon, I promise!
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