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I now have a new respect for New Mexico and the desert. After the violent weather and a splinter from a cactus, I know not to mess with the land of enchantment (the state logo, I believe).

As for attractions, Carlsbad Caverns was awesome. As well as being beautiful, the caverns were extremely large. The magnificent structures were more than I had ever expected. Nothing is as it seems until you see it in person. The surrounding moutains and hiking trails were also beautiful (see pictures we have posted).

We were also able to see a drive-in movie, which was my first. In all, Carlsbad was a great pit stop on our way to Albequrque.
]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070304-213114 Chris Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:31:14 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070304-213114 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070304-212949
A day trip to San Antonio was extra special for Julia and I, because we were able to spend extra time with our family. We took a boat tour on the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, saw the Alamo, and almost met a famous mexican actor named Hector.

The Alamo Drafthouse was a great changeup from our normal trip routine. The Drafthouse is a movie theater/foodhouse/bar. While watching a movie you can order food from your waiter/waitress. Although I have been to places like this before, this experience was better than any other that I had been to.

It was tough leaving the confines of a home and our families, but we had new adventures to tackle. Our next leg is going to be a lot about National Parks and the old west.
]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070304-212949 Chris Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:29:49 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070304-212949 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070304-210707
We also were able to see two graves that Hanlon really wanted to see, Dimebag Darryl from Pantera and Stevie Ray Vaghan. Hanlon left a piece of himself behind in the form of guitar picks...

I was able to see Texas Stadium (where the Cowboy's play) and the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. This was the site of the first ever Rodeo in Texas.

As far as food is concerned, Dallas/Fort Worth both scored very high. In Dallas, a small burger joint called Snuffer's hit the spot. Their cheesy fries (which they are famous for) were excellent. In Fort Worth, a BBQ restaurant in the historic Stockyards named H3 Steakhouse proved to be our favorite thus far. Great BBQ and awesome bread/nachos really make me happy.
]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070304-210707 Chris Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:07:07 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070304-210707 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070225-210024
After leaving Kansas City, we headed through Kansas (Unfortunately we missed Allen Fieldhouse, the basketball arena where the Kansas Jayhawks play). After staying a night in very primitive Kansas, we made our way to Oklahoma City. I was very surprised. Oklahoma City was smaller than I expected, but the points of interest left lasting impressions.

The Oklahoma City bombing memorial was very touching. Small chair monuments represented children who lost thier lives in the tragedy. Overall, the memorial was one of the best I have seen.

We also had a great tram driver who gave us small tidbits about the city and the bombing. He was very nice to us even when he found out that we were Gators (he was an Ohio State fan). Oklahoma City, although a very short trip, was well worth it.

After leaving Oklahoma City, we made it to Norman, OK just before dark. It was great to see the University of Oklahoma and Owen Field, the historic football stadium home to the Sooners.
]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070225-210024 Chris Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:24 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070225-210024 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070220-213945
I was able to see my first football stadium (of many to come) in the form of Arrowhead. Considered by many in the NFL as one of the toughest places to play, we were able to view it from the Arrowhead Club, a private club designated for top players in Kansas City. At the other end of the spectrum, I was able to view Kaufmann Stadium, where the lowly Royals play.

The drive from Kansas City to Oklahoma City was extremely long. The plains states are beautiful, yet somewhat boring. I am looking forward to Oklahoma City and will let you know what is up in my next appointed blog.

Chris]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070220-213945 Chris Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:39:45 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070220-213945 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070218-215907
My favorite city so far. The arch was both beautiful and astonishing. I could see Busch Stadium (where the Cardinals play) from the Arch as well as the rest of the city. The Budweiser brewery tour is first on my list of best tours. Very insightful and the beauty of the factory is astonishing. I am sure the pictures do it justice.

Food was good. We ate at Blueberry Hill, a joint owned by Chuck Berry. Supposedly we missed him (yes Chuck Berry) playing by two days! The food was very good, prices were a little too high and service was a little slow on this night. We were able to eat with some friends from UF who have now moved to St. Louis for jobs. It made our night.

Another great stop was the St. Louis Science Center. A lot of fun and a great IMAX movie on Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans rebuilding process. St. Louis gets an A.

Chris]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070218-215907 Chris Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:59:07 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070218-215907 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070217-081443
Blues on Beale street was as cool as it should be. BB Kings Blues club was festive and Rum Boogie Cafe offered a hometown blues group that really got the crowd going.

Leaving Memphis was hard, as we loved our Wal-Mart parking lot spot, but St. Louis was on the horizon. Next stop, the St. Louis Arch and our gateway to the west.

Chris]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070217-081443 Chris Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:14:43 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070217-081443 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070213-222700
We drove for a huge part of the day today. Mississippi is a lot longer than I thought, plus the driving conditions were not so great. I found that driving a 31 foot RV with a 10 foot trailer is both physically and mentally draining. A 3.5 hour trip in a car can easily turn into a 5-6 hour venture in one of these.

We are all extremely excited to be in Memphis. We were a bit discouraged when we tried to eat at Corky's BBQ (a local BBQ restaurant, of which Memphis is famous for) but found that it was closed. We will make a trip there for lunch tomorrow. We are not sure what we will do but we have a few places in mind.... Graceland, the University of Memphis, some local jazz clubs and the Gibson guitar factory. Tomorrow will be busy. Talk to you all soon.

Chris
P.S.- It is a mere 15 degrees right now in Memphis. I miss Florida right now!!]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070213-222700 Chris Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:27:00 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070213-222700 http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070212-103133
Chris
]]> http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/index.php?entry=entry070212-103133 Chris Mon, 12 Feb 2007 18:31:33 GMT http://gatorroadtrip.com/chris/comments.php?y=07&m=02&entry=entry070212-103133