Travelog for: Hermies

So, after Ashley Marie finished with her classes I got to go for a little trip around Flagstaff.



Here I am with the San Francisco Peaks in the background. Look at the big puffy clouds. We are on our way to the student union to have some food.



Yummy food.

Next we stopped by the Drury Inn & Suites so that we could pick up Heidi's check.




We also found out that Ashley isn't going to Las Vegas for her birthday, but she promised to take me on some fun adventures so stay tuned!!

After a long week of Puppy sitting her boyfriend's dog, Ashley was finally able to take me somewhere else. We took a day long road trip through the Mojave Desert in California.

Here I am once I got into California. We tried to get one with the "Welcome to California" sign, but we had to change the batteries in the camera and missed it.



The terrain is so much different from that of Flagstaff. It is very dry and the mountains are smaller than in Flagstaff.


There were lots of big rigs on the freeway along the ride.


The sun was so warm, it felt good. The sky was really blue today too!!


Time to clean off the yucky dead bugs!


The moon was so big and red. But wait where am I?

There I am!!

So we did not get to go to Las Vegas for Ashley's 21st birthday sadly. Too many people could not make it. We did get to out to dinner . On the way to Ralberto's there was a crazy thunder storm.

Weather Video

This is supposed to be summer. I don't think I have ever seen or heard such crazy weather. Ashley said she hadn't either. She also said that Arizona has a thing called Monsoon summers, where there is lots of rain, sometimes it can even cause floods. Luckily, there wasn't any floods here. I found it odd to think there would be such weather when just earlier in the day it was sunny, with blue skies and fluffy looking clouds. Once the weather calmed a little, we headed out to eat!



The lights inside made everything look green! I loved it! A lot of NAU students like Ralberto's. It is very good smelling mexican food. I just wanted to go NOM NOM NOM!

So Ashley and Heidi took me for another little day trip. This time we went south to Sedona, Az. We took the scenic Highway 89A. It goes down through a very pretty canyon. Ashley tried to get lots of pictures, but they were blurry, here are some videos instead.

Drive to Sedona 1
Drive to Sedona 2

In the video, you can see all the tourist cars on the side of the road, as well as the change in environment. Sedona is famous for these really awesome red rock formations. We decided to stop at Slide Rock State Park. This area originally was a family owned Apple Orchard.


This is one of the tourist cabins built in the early 1930's. There were three of these. Next were the historic pieces of farm equipment.

I felt like a Farmer!!!


Uhh-ohh! How did I manage to get up here?!


Oops I broke the rules!

On with the rest of our stroll to the Slide Rock rec area.

This is me infront of the Pendley Family Homestead. Such a cute little house.

This is the apple packing shed.

Finally! We got to the Creek area. It was so pretty.



Whew! Such a long hike, time to relax!


Me and the girls just hung out in the sun, and enjoy a relaxing day in the sun.



The desert sun was getting quite hot and since they dont make lion sunscreen, Heidi felt it was best to keep me in the shade while they were taking pictures so that I didn't run the risk of developing skin cancer! I looked on as Ashley snapped a few shots of the part of the creek we were resting near. There was also a more popular area that is more for swimming and playing in the water.





We left a few hours later. What a nice relaxing day. I feel refreshed.

So I was relaxing in the Residence Hall with Ashley and her roommate Heidi. Ashley was doing homework and Heidi got me in TROUBLE!







Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies!! Yummy!

Day 1 and 2

Thursday, Ashley packed up me, Zeke, and all our things to head out to Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim, Ca. We left around 4 in the afternoon and headed out west on Highway 40. Hey!! This is the same way we went, we Ashley and I rode with her friend Steve.


Here we are in the car.


The sunset at the gas station in Lake Havasu City, Az.

After 6 and a half hours of driving we finally arrived in Anaheim, and stayed at the Ramada Maingate. We had some friends waiting for us.

These are towel Swans. Aren't they cute?

Ashley fell fast asleep right after we arrived.

Friday, we got to go to...

California Adventure

Everyone stops and takes pictures in front of the letters. Ashley and her sisters and brother took a picture in front of the candy corn "A's" because their last name starts with an A.

We took one on the "N" for the Not All Beauty community.


Here is the Halloween Time sign for California Adventure. It is attatched to their miniature Golden Gate Bridge. Ashley said the real Golden Gate Bridge looks very similar, but much much bigger and more beautiful.

Next we went to a really cool interactive show about bugs! It was really exciting. The entrance looks like you are walking through an ant hill. Then you go underground kinda, to the theater.


When you walk out you see a great view of Grizzley Mountain. It is the shape of a bear. Ashley told us that California's state animal is the bear.


As we kept walking, we encountered many things, including a pier area, and a boardwalk and other things that Ashley said were representative of different areas of California. Zeke and I had to go back into the backpack for a little bit while Ashley and her siblings rode some rides. When we came out we were at a little Fire Department water patrol boat.



We walked around some more and ended up on the other said of Grizzley Mountain, where there were geysers.


Next, we pulled over for a quick stop on ol Rt 66 in a little town called....

There were lots of cool road signs, and hubcaps from older makes and models of cars. We also found piles of tires and other car parts.

Soon after we headed over to Rainforest Cafe with Ashley's parents. That was quite an experience. Both the resturant and her family. They are very friendly and close, as well as hilarious. Rainforest Cafe has a jungle theme with lots of animals that move, make all sorts of noises and in general, just wreak havoc. It was fun.

Day 3

We woke up bright and early to get in all the things we wanted to do. First Ashley and her family stopped for a nice breakfast to energize them for the day.

Here is Zeke and I waiting with the family.

All you need is Faith Trust and a little Pixie Dust,
And here we go....







Adventure Land was our first stop

Here we are hiding in the jungle terrain!


Going on the Jungle cruise.


Elephants!! Maybe we will see some of my relatives?!




Are those other lions? They are!!





After that and a few other rides, we made our way to Frontier Land and Critter Country. Ashley and her Family went to ride Splash Mountain which is a log ride that results in a huge drop off a waterfall. To prevent me getting wet and possible drowning, I got put back in the purse. When we got off the ride, Ashley found me a cute Hermies sized Critter Tree house.


A few hours later we ended up at Nemo's Underwater Adventure. We took a Submarine ride to find Nemo and all his friends.




Unfortunately, as you go deeper under the sea, the darker it gets. So because a lot of the ride had animated scenes with Nemo and his friends, it was too dark for me to have good pictures with them.

Next was driving cars at Autopia in Tomorrowland. Ashley and I rode with her little brother Ben. 

Look at him all focused so we stay centered in our lane and dont crash into slower vehicles.


Look at me Sara! Im all strapped in so I dont fall out our get injured if we crash into someone else!

Me and my new friend Ben!!


After the cars the Family went to eat dinner and back to the hotel to change into warmer clothes. We came back and Disneyland has taken on a whole new look at night. Everything is all lit up and had a whole feel to it. It was very pretty!

Main Street Disney with all its lights!


This is Sleeping Beauty's Castle all purple and green. Ashley explained that it is these colors to show that it is under Malificent's Evil Spell.


Here is one last look at Tinkerbell before we leave.


And too finish it off, a look at the entrance to California Adventure at night as well. Look you can see the Golden Gate Bridge!


Bye Disneyland!!

Today, Ashley and I went around Flagstaff and took lots of pictures of different things around town. Somehow, her memory stick for the camera got reformated, or something, because all the pictures of me at special spots are missing. I decided to have Ashley show you pictures of everywhere we went that she has, even though I am not in them. I hope that is okay!

Walkup Skydome


This is the famous J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. This is where Northern Arizona University's football and basketball teams play their games. Ashley said that the cross country team runs in there as well as track and field teams. You can see Louie the Lumberjack, NAU's mascot.

These are birch trees on the side of the Dome.

NAU Observatory

This is one of the first observatories in Arizona.

Speaking of Observatories....
Lowell Observatory

This is Lowell Observatory at night. Ashley was telling me that it was founded in 1894, making it one of the oldest in the United States. It is also very famous because this is where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930! In 1965, Lowell Observatory was named a National Historic Landmark. Ashley told me she was the most sad to lose the picture she had of me at this place. Because of the discovery of Pluto, Flagstaff was designated one of the first Dark Sky cities that obtain light pollution laws.

Route 66

The historic US Route 66 runs right through Flagstaff and it one of the many reasons tourists flock to Arizona.

Flagstaff is really exciting. There are lots of interesting and unique things. Even though I haven't talked about them all here, while visiting Ashley, I have gone everywhere with her. Sadly, it is time for me to leave.

The time has come for me to head to my next host. Today I am heading to Christine in Colorado.

Time to say goodbye to everyone!!

Big hugs!! Bye Zeke I hope you have fun on your own travels.


Bye Ashley!! I really had lots of fun traveling all over Arizona and to Disneyland with you!


Me and Zekey on the way to the post office with Ashley.

Me and my letter for the next host!

One last picture!! I am in my new envelope about to go on my trip to Colorado!!

After traveling for 3 days, I have arrived in Centennial, Colorado. I cannot wait to see beautiful Colorado and meet my new friends!

Today I was supposed to go to Highlands Ranch for a nice lunch, but plans fell through. Thankfully, my hosts good friend Wild Bill the biker was around and he let me play with his motorcycle. October is such a wonderful time to ride in Colorado. The weather is so beautiful!

I am hoping to go to Casa Bonita Sunday, but we will see what happens! Tomorrow I get to meet oodles of animals!

Today we went to South Platte Park in Littleton, Colorado.



Today was very warm and sunny, even though we could see snow in the mountains and most of the Aspen trees have changed colors.





There is a nature center there called Carson Nature Center, and it is open every day.
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I was able to look at microscope slides and learn about the creatures that inhabit the South Platte Park



I also learned about the river bed



The view from the Nature Center is amazing.





After the nature center we we went on a hike.







I loved the view of the river

Today we went to Casa Bonita, a family Mexican Restaurant in Lakewood Colorado. It was featured on South Park and has cliff divers, stage acts and a huge waterfall indoors.





Outside, there is a fountain where all visitors make wishes.





When you go inside, you go directly into a line to order your food. Since it is October, there were Halloween decorations everywhere.





After ordering, we are given a tray so we can go pick up our hot food.

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We got a seat right by the waterfall so we could see the shows.





When you need something, you raise a red flag and someone comes to help you



The part was the Sopaipillas, which are free. Yummy!





After eating, we walked around. First we went behind the waterfall to get a good look.





I love the water



Then we went into the Haunted House of Casa Bonita.







They have a wishing well that has a talking head at the  bottom. Scary!



I wanted to see a magic show, but we did not have a ticket. We still got to see the stage.



Then my host put me in jail





Afterwards we went through the caverns



Finally it was time to go, but first, a trip into the treasure room





Goodbye Casa Bonita!

Today was my last day with my host before heading to my new host. We went to Downtown Littleton, a historic district in the Denver subburbs. The post office is even a historical landmark. I had fun in Colorado and hope to come back.

I safely arrived in Kirksville, Missouri today in just enough time to watch the inauguration celebration of President Barack Obama!  My hostess, Andrea, returned home from work to find me waiting patiently in the mailbox to be discovered.  She couldn't have been happier to receive me, and I couldn't have been more glad to get out of that package I was in!  Traveling is rough.



After being taken inside and warmed up with a steaming-hot cup of hot chocolate, I settled in to watch recaps of the inauguration, as well as the parade that was currently going on.  I was so excited to be out of the mail system in time to witness this important moment in history!





After a delicious vegetarian dinner, I was feeling so exhausted that I decided it was time to turn in for an early night.  Being in a new place made me a little nervous (especially when I saw my hostess's two dogs eying me hungrily!) but Andrea's sister decided she had room in her bed to invite me in.