samm85

Locked out

December 4, 2011

So, we were locked out of our hotel room when we got back to Hotel Tucson tonight. Our keys refused to work, and finally maintenance had to come help us out. The guy ended up visiting us a second time after we learned the hotel staff had failed to replace our non working hair dryer that actually would smoke if turned on. Needless to say we know have a working hairdryer. Yay!

We headed to Saguaro National Park once we got back to Tucson. It was still raining but the sights were amazing! I’m used to parks with hundreds of trees as far as the eye can see. If you replace the forests with cactus, then you have this park. It was neat, but different.

catus for miles — Catus as far as the eye could see.

I knew there were different types of cactus and that they grew pretty high, however, it really never registered until this trip. By the way, I have never traveled this far to the west before.

We found the perfect for sunrise tomorrow while leaving the park. Our waitress on Friday night had told us to get on Speedway and follow it on out, and we should have taken her advise. We left the park and followed Speedway roughly 15 miles into town and we plan to go back in the morning to watch the sun come up.

Today wore us out. We ended up eating left overs along with deserts from Whole Foods. I ended the day packing, during which I fell asleep. My aunt had to wake me up to finish clearing off my bed. I can say I was able to pack my all my new items into the already full luggage. I am only leaving behind a post card for my aunt to mail to me (a tradition when I go someplace new) as well as some jelly and sauce that I bought as gifts since it was all made in Arizona. Not bad at all.

Checking out Tucson

December 3, 2011

A marriage proposal marked the entrance of our arrival in Tucson. The flight from Houston was slightly uncomfortable with the plane being hot and stinky. We were also bounced out of our seats during bad weather. Still, we made it.

Last night we went to Casa Molina for dinner. It was a Mexican restaurant that was adorable and easily had some of the best food ever. The only problem was that the portions were huge. I had to take two thirds back to the hotel for dinner tonight.

Today, we went driving to watch the sunrise at A Mountain, however, it hadn’t opened yet so we went driving around instead. Lol, I got so excited about the sights that I forgot I was next to a cactus. I ended up with a couple of needles in the bottom of my jeans. Ouch!

We then headed to see 4-month old lion cubs at Reid Park Zoo. The three cubs are being introduced to their dad. It was cool to see the playful lion cubs in person and the male lion kept walking right in front of us – I could have touches him if there was not glass separating us- as if we were lunch. It was also cute seeing three giraffes who were quite hungry.

kid — This child got so excited when the lion would pace right in front of us. I was excited too, but that lion wanted us for lunch — thank goodness for the glass separating us only by inches.

We headed an hour away to Tumacacori National Park next for a local Hispanic festival and to shop at Santa Cruz Gift Shop, Chili Products, Spices and Everything Nice. We took advantage of it to buy ornaments made out of cactus for gifts, watch folkloric dances and singing, as well as try the local cuisine. I had a chili taco, which was a little too hot for me. It was good though and my Dr. Pepper helped take off the heat. We had a churro- I think I might be getting the name wrong-for desert. It was like a cinnamon twist with Carmel in the middle.

festival1 — One of the many dancers at the festival.

It’s now 3:55 p.m. and we are headed back to Tucson. The rain has finally caught up to us, but we’re determined to go see Saguaro National Park, the west district, next. Hopefully the rain will end by the time we get there.

I haven’t been able to upload pictures yet, but I will soon!

Taking off

December 2, 2011

A forgotten water bottle led to my purse being searched today as I begin my trip to Tucson, Az. It was a series of mishaps from my boarding pass on my cell not working to nearly missing the flight from Little Rock.

It got better. My “A” seat meant I was seated alone on my side of the aisle, and the view was gorgeous as we flew to Houston. I also had a delicious Mexican meal for lunch.

My aunt and I are now sitting on the next plane – once again I have an awesome “A” seat as we prepare for the plane to leave Houston for Tucson.

Where was that?

November 30, 2011

A complete list of where I’ve been and where I need to go. Continue reading “Where was that?”

Taste test

November 29, 2011

Cherry Custard — One of the latest Razzle Dazzle Confection Co. concoctions: A cherry custard cupcake. Photo courtesy of the company's Facebook page.

I’m writing a story on a new company in town that was started by a local 16-year-old, and I have decided that a taste test is now in order. I obviously need to sample the product if I’m going to do my story justice. ;D

Monkeying around

November 28, 2011

I saw a monkey in camo on Friday. It was a sight I've never seen before, and it was pretty darn cute. It was also appropriate as the little guy was in the duck and rice Capital of the world — Stuttgart, Ark. It's pretty much required for residents to have some sort of camo in their closet (a memo I conveniently lost, lol).

Say a little prayer

November 27, 2011

Today’s worship service officially ended the Wings Over the Prairie festival. The event entailed a male Labrador retriever and his owner helping others find Christ through a hunter’s experience.

IMG_0191 08-40-13 — Kingdom Dog Ministry's Hank Hough and one of his three dogs visited Stuttgart on Sunday.

Despite an interesting weekend — my mother came and spent the night with me Saturday — it was a dreary weekend with it raining pretty hard Saturday night. Sunday was cloudy with great puddles of water every where.

Wings Over the Prairie

November 26, 2011

A Stuttgart contestant in the Junior World Championship Duck Calling Contest on Saturday.

It’s finally here. It’s Wings Over the Prairie Festival time here in Stuttgart and hunters are sprawled all over downtown Stuttgart as they listen to the sound of duck calls. I’ve been covering duck calling contests all morning, and can happily announce, I have just finished covering my last one. Yay! Now, its time to check out the other parts of the festival: The Carnival and Gumbo cookoff! Can you say FUN!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2011

I have a lot to be thankful for. My work took the time to grill out for its employees, I have amazing parents, sister and brother-in-law who always have my back, and great cousins who can always make me smile.