Celia Hart's blog about what's going on in and around her studio.
Art, printmaking, inspirations, gardening, vegetables, hens, landscapes, wild flowers, East Anglia, adventure, travel.

Thursday 20 October 2011

USA Road Trip: part 1 – Route 66

If you guessed that I wasn't lurking in my studio for all of the past month, you were right – Cliff and I have been on a big adventure to South-West USA. There's no time to write about everything we did (or show you all 750 photos) but I'll give you a taster of our 'Road Trip' . . .  here's part 1

From the ridiculous to the sublime


We began our trip in Las Vegas – it was very hot (98F at 9pm – now that is just wrong!) and how can I begin to describe it? It was mad, fake, over-the-top and it was fun mooching around casino after casino for a day. In the evening we drove over to Rio to see Penn & Teller do lots of weird trickery, but the highlight of the show for me was jazz pianist Mike Jones.  



So – time to hit the road and head off down Route 66 to Arizona . . .


An overnight stop in Williams and a lovely dinner at the Red Raven, listening to singer Kelly-Lynn; in fact it was such a relaxing place we stayed long after we finished our meal.



Our next stop was here . . .


Grand Canyon . . . words and photos just can't describe the moment you walk towards the rim and get your first sight over the edge.


The changing weather unfolds across the view – it's breathtaking!

The next morning we got up before dawn to watch the sun come up, transforming Grand Canyon yet again.



Time to move on . . . and head south through the big open country of North Arizona; I had no idea the views were going to be this spectacular!



With the desert behind us we were heading towards the San Francisco Peaks and the city of Flagstaff for a couple of nights at a very cosy B&B – thank you Lauren for looking after us so well and for recommending Josephine's, the food was absolutely delicious.



Celia
x

Part 2 – L.A. (A departure from the script) will follow soon.

21 comments:

  1. Wow, what an amazing experience. Look forward to some more photos.

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  2. We were there at this time last year, as you say words and photos can never show the vastness of the canyon! You have to see it for yourself! We stayed in Flagstaff too, looking forward to your next post.

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  3. Wow! You picked some great spots to visit! Can't get over that rainbow in the canyon.

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  4. How wonderful. That pic of the canyon and the rainbow is so beautiful. Hope you've acclimatised to the cold British weather ok?

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  5. Fantastic. Bring on part 2.

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  6. It was under a 100 degrees in Las Vegas? It was mild! Can't wait to see how the colors of the southwest and those huge vistas seep into your art.

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  7. I'd been wondering where you'd gone!

    Wonderful photos! Can't wait for part 2.

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  8. Oh good, you took time out to have a holiday. Very sensible. It looks very different from home.

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  9. What fun to see this report of your Motoring West on Route 66.

    (I have never seen this part of my own country!)

    xo

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  10. I see it everyday and it is still pretty amazing! I'm right by the Four Corners where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah intersect- thanks for the tour!

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  11. Welcome back! Glad to read you have had such a good time.

    am wondering now if you got as far as Yellowstone, we have a road trip itinery all lined up, its just getting around to finding the time to do it.

    Look forward to reading more

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  12. lovely photos! words do fail to describe the grand canyon...& it's hard to apply the word 'grand' to anything else once you've seen the canyon. the desert is beautiful, in a terrifying sort of way..

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  13. Only 750 photos! Looks a stupendous experience and I can't wait to read more in Part 2. Welcome home.

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  14. Wow! I remember visiting those places, how wonderful. Welcome home!

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  15. Amazing!! Can't wait to see more!

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  16. Happy to here you enjoyed visiting my country! It is an amazing place, so varied like the song "America the Beautiful" describes . . . O beautiful for spacious skies,
    For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!

    Looking forward to seeing more of your photos!

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  17. Wow! Fabulous images. Really good to have you back!

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  18. I wondered where you'd been! Takes me back as we did a similar trip but nearly 25 years ago!

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  19. What fun, and your photos are wonderful. My husband and I just crossed the country in our car as we moved from Los Angeles to New England. We loved every mile of the way and want to do it again someday.
    I just found your blog and love your artwork.

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  20. ooooooooh! lucky girl - someday, someday I too shall drive (well Andrew will drive me) in America and I shall see beautiful sights.
    Enjoy every moment and every memory xxxx

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  21. Thank you for your comments - I really enjoy reading them all.

    I know it's very indulgent posting my holiday snaps – but it helps me remember some of the things we saw and I can pop back to have a look now and again.

    Celia
    x

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