Like a babbling brook

So after making a friend and staying in Scottsdale for a couple days I headed back on the road toward my destiny. I don't know what my destiny is so don't ask. I'll tell you when I find it. I don’t know if I could hang in the low desert area. It’s so hot during the day that you can’t really do much. I’m an outdoorsy type of person and sitting inside all day makes me want to eat my hands with frustration, you know? I don’t want arms that end in bloody stumps so maybe a little higher up would be better?

I left Scottsdale by way of 87. Leaving was tough. I forgot how much I missed just chilling out in a home setting and it made me want to find a place and settle. Not enough to actually do it but you get the picture. I’m a home type of person. Having your car as your sanctuary isn’t quite the same. The road out was desert but still super pretty. I always thought the desert would be boring as hell and I’m psyched that I was wrong about that. I went by mountains full of these massive cacti and I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures. The cacti were huge and they grew like a cactus forest. The lack of pictures is haunting me so let’s not bring it up again eh? Anyway, 87 climbed up and into route 260. I left Scottsdale a little late and I hate driving in the mountains alone at night with no reception so I grabbed a room at Camp Verde. Next morning I was rewarded with a Starbucks and that made the stay there totally worth it. It didn’t even touch the iced coffee from Luna (unforgettable heaven in my mouth) but whatever, it’s iced coffee. I was told the town of Jerome (on 89A I think) was interesting so that’s where I headed for first. Jerome was tiny and pretty neat all around. Very artsy craftsy. I can see why I was offered the advice of going there. I’m really glad it was mentioned, as I never would have thought to go there on my own. I parked and walked about for a bit with James checking out the little shops and such. Very cool. After hopping back into the truck I headed back over to 89 and went on to Sedona. Sedone is so pretty! Wowser. Red rock everywhere. I took a right off the main drag and hit some of the scenic views for pictures. Totally worth it. We saw a “horse hotel” along the way. I bet the beds are huge huh? Since I am obviously never going to pass the emotional age of 8 all these horses are doing me good. If I stop anywhere you can bet there will be horses near by. The weather from Sedona to Flagstaff was perfect so along the way I stopped and romped about the shore of Oak Creek. It’s easy to enjoy yourself along the way here. It doesn’t matter where you pull off. Does your truck fit without blocking traffic? That’s a parking spot. Beats the hell out of what I am used to. I chose a place with no people (which is not as easy as it sounds being tourist season and all) and enjoyed a little time frolicking in the water with Jim. We had a blast. He hunted and I wandered around doing absolutely nothing trying not to fall in the water when crossing over meant jumping from rock to rock. Sometimes you just want to be on the other side. James was in full frenzy hunting mode so it was better to have him away from the street anyway. It’s also decent hunting for him as the underbrush is scarce so he really gets into it when he’s allowed to hunt.

Flagstaff is another built up town. Maybe I am just sick of seeing McDonalds and Walmart? I drive into larger town and wilt a little. People everywhere and the same shit you see everyday. Boring. But James needed a bath so I found the local self dog wash shop and lathered him to a glossy shine. I have to admit, the tea tree shampoo I purchased is wonderful. Smells great and keeps his skin feeling healthy. I am under the assumption that my travel companion should always feel his best. The women at the shop were telling me about grooming areas and how messy they get and I agreed letting them know I am a groomer. They all about fell apart and practically begged me to work there. I guess they are turning people away at an alarming rate. As much as I would love to help them out (I miss grooming terribly) I want to see CO before it snows. If I set up shop somewhere to groom you know I am not going anywhere for a while so I promised them if I came back into this area I would contact them. I would rather explore during the summer months and come back to work in the winter. I know it gets cold in the Flagstaff area but I don’t mind killing myself work wise when the temperature is low. For me there is nothing else to do then anyway. :) There are tons of jobs out here for groomers so that rules. If the opportunity is here when I get back, I’m on it. Until then, I explore. Yeah…

I keep seeing burned forest everywhere I go. Fires are an obvious problem. I have been using water bottles to put my finished cigarettes into. Imagine if I burned down half of AZ with the simple inconsiderate flick of a burning ember? Oh the horror. There are signs everywhere disallowing fires of any kind. No doubt. Fire is one of the things I have a great respect for, especially when it involves people dying and their homes being destroyed.

One of the neat things about this area is that you see younger kids doing things. Actual things, like work. They’re working behind the counter or out doing landscaping. It’s nice to see younger people being reliable and able to trust. In fact, the person that helped me get set up at the self-bathing place was a kid no older than 13. He was all professional and did the job well. What a champ.

I have been doing some serious thinking along the way and I’m liking how this whole trip is helping my head out. I feel calmer and far more confident than I ever have. I am totally unstoppable. One of the things that keeps me going is the music. I’m just going to keep saying it. Sometimes when I am driving long periods I start getting crazy woozy and the next thing you know I am driving off the road into the trees. Just kidding. But I do get woozy. The other night Jamiroquai totally stepped up to plate and helped me rock out until I was back to my alert self. Singing songs on the top of my lungs really helps the time fly by. Al Green is also a huge supporter of this trip and I really appreciate him for that. I don’t know where I would be without decent music. Finding a station I like is laborious. I tried doing the whole gospel station and even threw in some amens and halleluiahs but I couldn’t hang for more than 15 minutes at a whack. Country music is cool for a long time if you want to commit suicide at the end and rock music just gets me all amped and angry. That equals speeding and I don’t speed. Anymore. Having my own personal music collection kicks so much ass I can’t even explain it. SHOUT OUT TO MIKE AND MARCIA!!! I know you’re reading this so tell the dogs I miss them even though they don’t speak English would you? Thanks.

I was going to head up to the canyon but I just got wind that there have been lots of rapes up that area. I stopped in Flagstaff to change up the route. Plan B. I’m heading straight for CO. Maybe I’ll stop in Gallup, NM to find out when the whole Indian rendezvous (pow wow for all you simple folk out there) is taking place in August. I totally want to see that so I am going to book a room nice and early. As much as I am not totally against sleeping in my truck, I don’t want to sleep in my truck. Although once I go to the canyon I will be spending the night on the rim to see the sunrise. I hear it’s spectacular. Before that I am going to see all those dinosaurs on the side of the road along with the lava rocks, crater and Petrified Forest. I guess that means you will too.

Good night faithful readers, it's jump rope time.