Week in review

OK, so I am back at home in good old Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Home sweet home and I must say I am so happy to be here.  So to get you caught up for the week I've missed on my regular blogging here is the week in review from this week on the road.

As we all know Joan Rivers passed from this world into the next one.  I didn't like her voice much but loved her humor.  It just seemed to flow and be sincerely funny.  I can't help but wonder who's entertaining the good Lord more, her or Robin Williams. 

It was hard on the road to keep up with everything in my girly world but I wouldn't miss New York Fashion Week for anything!  Then to boot, here's a wonderful article on how to get great skin for Fashion Week.

I did a lot of following blogs and list to stay updated and this one in particular made it a breeze to cover the latest buzz on everything happening during the week of September 1 - 6.

I learned that Ashley Simpson got married to the son of Diana Ross.  I must have been sleeping because I had no idea she wasn't with Pete anymore!   Well this article sums it up.   I'll just ignore the ugly ones out there right now about Ashley living in Jessica's shadow.

Now, while on the road I blogged from my iPhone only and was unable to attach any links.  Below is a list of interesting links from places I blogged about all last week.

• Carmel-By-The-Sea!
• San Luis Obispo
• Beverly Hills, CA
• Malibu
• Ragged Point Inn
• Flagstaff, AZ
• Big Sur, CA
• Sedona

Thanks to everyone who tagged along on this road trip.  It was so much fun being able to blog it and find such interesting beautiful things about each area.  Now you go and find the things you love most in the world.  See you back here tomorrow for the new wish list.

-xoxo  Teresa Ann

Home from Phoenix

Hello there!

Today I am headed home.  Yesterday I spent the whole day getting in some final sight seeing and rest.  Mostly rest.  

Overall I think Phoenix is a unique town with definately it's own way about it.  Coming out here I had heard so much about it.  It's nice to finally see for myself what life is like in the southwest.  

Here are a few pics I snapped last minute to give you an idea about inside Phoenix. 

This is the mission that wasn't open.  It doesn't open until October.  A little strange I thought.  Beautiful nonetheless.

These pics were taken from Scottsdale in the Old Town area.  Lots of art sculptures.

Outside of Old Town it was very hot in the mid afternoon.  I did the usual and hit the malls to stay cool.  People here tend to stay inside a good bit.  I didn't really mind because the malls here in Paradise Valley are extremely high end.  

Not an exciting afternoon but my body needed the rest.  Today my flight leaves Phoenix at 1:00pm.  I won't actually get to Atlanta until late then I have a 2 hour drive from Atlanta to North Chattanooga... "home".  I miss the kids and my puppy.  Home sounds good right now. So I will get back to my regular blogging starting tomorrow. 

Thank you for following my week and crazy vacation blog.  It was so much fun!  It is my opinion that California is still the best!!!  

Love y'all! 

Flagstaff to Sedona

As my trip is winding down what better way to say goodbye to the west then Flagstaff and Sedona.  Two of the most coolest places ever.  I learned some pretty cool things about each area and it pays to actually see a place for yourself.

You would think since Flagstaff is so close on the map to the Phoenix area that it would have the same climate but no.  Flagstaff is a ski town that gets about 99 inches a yr of snow on average.  It sits at about an estimated 7,000 feet in altitude.  While I was there the high was only 82.   Waking up in the morning was a happy 48.  We drove up the mountain to check out the ponderosa pines and the alpine forest.  Just loved this area. 

Flagstaff has a wonderful square with all kinds of coffee shopes, organic reaturants and pubs. There seems to be a young vibe really strong for a town that entertains all kinda of atheletes like snow boarders and all snow sports.  It's so laid back everyone walks and chills in their hemp and flip flops. 

While walking around the square we noticed these three young people happily painting art. I loved that they were so happy to be painting. 

We stopped for lunch at the Weatherford Hotel built in 1897.  It is said that Wyatt Earp, famous writer Zane Grey and President Theodore Rosevelt have stayed here.   There was also a famous water color artist named Thomas Moran that visited this hotel frequently and became influential in convincing congress to perserve Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon as national parks. 

Yet, with all that notoriety my main concern was the grub.  This was seriously the best chicken salad sandwich I've ever had.  It had chicken, pesto, celery, roasted walnuts and alfalfa sprouts on warmed crossant bun.  Yummmmm!

I sure hate to leave Flagstaff, it felt so much like home.  So I am off to Sedona.  The more we drive, the more beautiful the view becomes. 

Sedona was a little like I thought it would be, kinda trendy and touristy but it's definately worth the visit because it is so unusual and absolutely beautiful.  

In town I met the sweetest kindred soul who took our aura pics.  Yes I'm a "yellow" personality type.  You know the type, they never wanna grow up.  Always in pursuit of happiness and always looking at the bright side of things. 

I did get the chance to hike Bell Rock and get a close as I could to an energy vortex.  It was the most amazing feeling I have to say and the view from the top wasn't so bad either. 

The view...

After the hike it was time to head back to Phoenix area.  I am so glad we saved these places for last.  This trip has really been amazing and such a blessing to be able to see so many wonderful places and meet so many cool people.  I will wrap it up in the next few days with post on the Phoenix area.  For now, this chic is headed to the Embassy for some R&R.  Love yall. 

Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam

I had to start heading back to the Phoenix area due to time and my flight kicks out on Saturday early.  Time to wind down this trip with a few final destinations.  So Vegas here I come! 

It was a toss up between the Venetian and the Wynn.  This hotel was nice but if I ever come back it's the Wynn all the way. 

You would think I would head on down to the casino and try my luck, however I'm headed out to look at the pretty lights and them back to this amazing room to bath, veg, and sleep.  Tired, tired, tired. 

Peace people! Now let's go see what all the fuss is about...

It was kinda cool seeing the kiss guy.  He walked really slow like he was on the moon.  People seemed happy to make his acquaintance.  I learned very quickly how fast these little old ladies can move in Vegas. So funny. 

I just thought this was a cool thing. Glowy eyes and all! Ha! 

The ugly truth about Vegas.  I try to keep the vibe high but I just kept thinking..."not my daughters!"  Then there are these people handing out sex cards.  I'm just over here like, "Lord, I'm just here for one night so if you smite this city let me out first!" Seriously. 

Vegas is no respect or of gender.  Whatever your flavor is, it's all here...  At this point I'm just trying to have a sense of humor. La la la

Time to see something pretty so you can get your mind off the dark side of Vegas. 

See this tired girl?  Time to put my Vegas hiney to bed soon.  

Just like that I'm back in my room and loving every minute of this awesome bath.  I could swear they were pumping perfume smells out of the gutters onto people. 

See ya later Vegas!  Next time I visit I hope to see some shows in the theater and not the ones on the street, lol.  All in all I think Vegas can be a fun place if your here with friends and see the cool shows they offer. 

I'm on the car now heading back to Phoenix.  I had to stop and take this pic of Lake Mead.  So breath-taking.  Next stop, THE HOOVER DAM. 

Almost there! 

If you come here it's a very visited site. I saw people here from all over the world.  Helicopter rides, drones flying around the dam and you can even grab a bite to eat here. 

I love the symbolism of the angels on guard here.  You just wouldn't imagine how angels have stood guard in so many unusual places through out history.  So when I see them on public places it makes me smile. 

Here's the Hoover Dam, known in the beginning as the Boulder Dam.  There were over 100 men that died building this Dam.  They have a memorial in honor of them here as well.  

This dam is the 18th largest dam in the world and it took 21,000 people to build it. So it really is worth a look if your passing through this area. 

Ok you crazy kids.  Time to get back on the road and make good time to flagstaff before nights end.  Stay tuned tomorrow as I will blog about Flagstaff and Sedonna.    Xoxo love y'all! 

Welcome to Carmel, CA

Good morning from Carmel, CA!

This morning I woke up to Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Starting off with breakfast in the square. 

Can I please just stay here forever?!?!

A nice little fire by my breakfast table in a town where the high is 67 degrees at the end of summer.  So if you visit this amazing little town be sure to bring a light jacket or scarf.

Time to walk it off.  Came to "The Pine Inn", which was just beautiful.  We met the sweetest woman that explained to us the history of the hotel.  It was actually moved by log and wagon to the place it is now in 1903.  This is a perfect place to stay on your visit.  

Walking through the square you see sculptures everywhere.  This one I thought was the sweetest.  Carmel is such a romantic place.  You just hve to see it to believe it. 

Carmel is loaded with a million art galleries and specialty shops from clock making to high end retail like Rolex.  It also sits extremely close to Pebble Beach so perfect for the ladies to shop while the men play golf, or vice versa if you like. 

These tiny little alley ways are full of art and magical pathways.  I couldn't help but think my sister Denise would absolutely love this town! 

I threw this pic in because it really shows the diversity here and it's uniqueness.  You rent a miniature room to stay in or a historical high end hotel.  No matter where you stay in Carmel your good. 

I had to see the Mission at Carmel.  I have been studying the Essene tradition and this particular mission is part of that.  Such rich beautiful history.  If you visit, it's worth a look see.  Ps. It is also a catholic school so you can view the grounds while the students are in class.  What an awesome school to go to!

Interesting fact:  this mission has been personally visited and blessed by the Pope.

I may not be catholic but I am very Jesus and very Essene.  I lit these bottom three candles for my babies and loved ones. Always say your prayers every chance you get, they move energy. 

My most favorite pic of all! 

1. 

Now I wish I could continue the west coast road trip and show you my favorite places in the San Fran area but time is running out.  There's so much more (San Fran, Little Italy, China Town, Point Reyes National Seashore, Nappa and Redding), that will have to wait until another trip.  We are heading back to Phoenix to catch our flight by the end of the week.  Stay tuned though because I promise to blog Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, and Sedona.  The perfect end to our road madness.  Love y'all!