Page 8 of ilchicag Travel Blog Posts



Day in LALiz Toms You would think I wouldn't complain, being from Illinois, when the weather during March is in the upper 60's... (and I'm not really complaining) but we decided that due to the weather being a little colder than we'd like, we would go to Hollywood instead of the beach today, though we did stop in Santa Monica Beach for a few minutes to get our feet sandy before heading on inland. I've got to say, Rand McNally has been letting me down as far as directions go; I can read a map better than it can give me directions (we ended up in Malibu instead of the Getty Center). We were planning on going to the Getty Center first to get a glimpse of the entire city before heading on into Hollywood, and ... read more
Me on Santa Monica Beach
The 405 from the Getty Center tram
Emulating a statue at the Getty Center

North America » United States » California » Big Sur March 20th 2007

Stanford to Redondo BeachLiz Toms Highway 1 is the greatest highway ever, I do believe. It's so scenic. We left Stanford and eventually got onto the Highway and finally got to see the Pacific Ocean. The weather didn't really clear up until we were a ways into the drive, but it wasn't too much of a hinderance when we were able to stop and take pictures (though it was probably a good thing we weren't planning on spending a long time in any one spot, nor actually stopping in Big Sur for that reason). Driving south, we were able to see the Bixby Bridge, some whales (I was so excited to finally spot some and photograph their migration), and a recreation of The Birds when we stopped and decided to feed the seagulls---there were two birds ... read more
First view of the Pacific Ocean
Bixby Bridge
Beautiful cove

North America » United States » California » Stanford March 20th 2007

Stanford... I think I love thee North America » United States » California » Stanford By ilchicagMarch 20th 2007StanfordLiz Toms After departing San Francisco, we rolled into the glorious, ever impressive campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California, to visit the law school there. All I can say is... Wow. This place is incredible. I definitely can see myself going here. The campus, the program, the atmosphere, etc. all seem to work with me. Granted, I could say that about a lot o... read more
Entrance Gates
Palm Drive
Campus


I can't believe I'm back in San Fran. I love this city so much, and I can't even put my finger on the reason why. It's just such a cool city. I don't think Keith was too thrilled about it (he claimed everything was "too close together," but I think that fact is part of San Fran's charm), but that could have been also due to the rain, which definitely put a damper on the day. We got up fairly early (around 7) and headed off to Crissy Field for some Golden Gate Bridge action. It wasn't really rainy yet, so we had some hope for the day, and got in some nice pictures. I liked the view of the Bridge from Crissy Field; the closest we came to it last time I was in ... read more
I love chasing birds
Golden Gate and barge
Crazy city from on top of Lombard


California, here we come... ! North America » United States » California » San Francisco By ilchicagMarch 19th 2007Drive to CaliforniaLiz Toms Wow. Long day of driving, again. The trip to Cali did turn out to be about 12 hours, but the fact that I got pulled over in Nevada might have something to do with it (don't worry... I'm an expert at getting out of ~300 dollar fines). We left Provo early in the morning and got into San Fran a good way into the evening. The drive was (not supris... read more
The Great Salt Lake
Random thing in Great Salt Lake Desert
Cows... NOT bison

North America » United States » Utah » Provo March 18th 2007

Today was pretty ordinary. We got up pretty late, sat around and watched basketball, and then went to a bonfire for a little bit. We called the bonfire a "bond-fire" because it wasn't really a bonfire; it was more a bunch of wood in a grill and makeshift s'mores. Definitely interesting. We spent the later part of the evening just hanging out with the guys. It was relaxing, which is definitely needed for out trip tomorrow to California. Another 770 miles or so to go! ... read more

North America » United States » Utah » Provo March 17th 2007

It was so nice to get some sleep last night on a mattress, instead in a car. It's so nice here, between the mountains and the weather. Stopping in Provo was such a good call. We were going to go to Wendover to the casions (on the infamous (?) Le Bus... I don't know, everyone around here is pseudo-obsessed with it), but decided instead to stick around town to see Connie dance in Fiesta (BYU's Latin American cultural show). I wasn't too saddened; we are going to Vegas soon. After watching some college hoops (note my omission about a certain team that was up by 13 and then somehow destroyed themselves ... gahhhhhh!), we headed over to Fiesta. It was really intense. They went through all these cultural dances native to all the Latin and South ... read more
Y on the mountainside
Chilean Easter Island dance at Fiesta

North America » United States » Utah » Provo March 17th 2007

Well, so much for the drive to Utah taking only 18 hours... we were in the car for roughly 25 hours. Granted, we stopped for breaks and a bit of sleep, but there was no way anyone could make that trip in less than 20 hours. However... it's worth it. We first saw mountains about 20 miles (give or take a little) once we were in Wyoming, which is the most desolate place I can imagine in the United States. We were hard up to find even a restaurant to eat at along I-80 (I can't imagine what it'd be like away from an interstate). Can't say I'll be hankering to live there anytime soon, though the terrain does make it interesting to drive though. The best part, both due to the close proximity of our ... read more
Welcome to Utah
Largest truck stop!
Sunrise in Nebraska

North America » United States » Tennessee » Memphis February 24th 2007

MEMPHIS! I love this place so much--and this time it's not snowing (though I still brought inappropriate shoes with no option for safer wear)! We got into town and checked into our West Memphis, Arkansas, Days Inn hotel (a real classy place) and then went straight to Beale Street. After finding parking and an ATM, I was in dire straits to get some catfish in me so, naturally, we headed a few blocks down to Alfred's. The catfish was amazing, and I got to see the Same Ol' 2 Step Band w/Lil' Guyland for a half hour or so. Although the band isn't the most energetic, there was the same little kid playing the squeeze box, which I'm impressed by. Maybe I'm just uneducated, but a six? seven? year old kid playing an accordion THAT well ... read more
Lil' Guyland at Alfred's
Cigars?
Out on Beale

North America » United States » Missouri » Farmington October 22nd 2006

It may have been cold at night, but my camping trip to the Lead Belt was worth the frostbite. The Ozarks are a beautiful part of the nation. I can't believe how the land transforms so quickly once you get out of St. Louis. Granted, I live in the flattest part of the flattest state ever so any sort of elevation gets a rise out of me, but these mountains were truly a sight to see. Not to mention I believe I picked the best time to go to the Ozarks - the fall foliage colors were so vibrant and diverse; it was phenomenal. We camped at St. Joe's State Park, which in itself was an experience. St. Joe's apparently is the ORV camp capital of the new world. Now, I'm in no way opposed to ... read more
View from Lookout Tower
Welcome to the Ozarks
Shadows over St. Francois Mountains




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