Sedona

Spent the day in Sedona hiking with my sister Heidi after we escaped the Volkswagon dealership with no costs and no additional problems. We got lost on the hike and managed to wander around through the cactus and heat and find the trail. Heidi has managed to run into every cactus...she was always clumsy as a kid but Heidi leave the poor cactus alone, they never hurt anyone....wait that expression doesn't work on this plant.

Ice Cream Every Day

Tamara promised Susi and I ice cream everyday if we payed for the gas. She lived up to her promise but on her last day we couldn't find any so we had to settle for sharing ice cream with this crazy gold prospector. Safe trip home Tamara and we had a great time. Or should I call you Yardbird???

Cowgirls in Arizona

We gave up cactus farming because Susi and I were constantly getting splinters and man are they heavy so.....we thought we would try out to be a Professional Bull Riders. Sorry for being late in picking you up Heidi from the airport but you understand bull riding is much more important. Anyway you won't believe where I am writing this from....you guessed it we are in another VW dealership getting "Lulu" fixed. Kathi has been completely friendly and we still haven't diagnosed the problem. Oh yeah the problem is the battery went dead twice this morning, fortunately we got Tamara to the airport in time.

Flagstaff Arizona

That's me climbing in Jack's Canyon Arizona sending "Hold or Fold 12b/c" Easter was great got the best deal in the grocery store where they sold us a whole turkey with stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, sodas and rolls for $9.99!!!! We will be making turkey soup for the next month. Missed our families on Easter though...your cooking is still much better mom. We have decided on the name Lulu for the car and are going to destroy the tiki doll just like the fax machine out of the movie "Office Space".

Cactus farming

Susi and I have found a new profession...we have decided to become cactus farmers. So the past few days have been very interesting. Guess what???? The car broke down again. We blew a hose after leaving Roswell, New Mexico. I think the aliens did it but I'm not sure. We met an amazing man in Sorocco, New Mexico who spent about two hours working on the car and helped us fix the hose and didn't charge us a penny. Thanks alot Tom I owe you big time. That night after getting snowed off a cliff we decided to head to warmer weather in Arizona. On the way Susi tried to kill some animals....first it was a bunny on the highway then an elk and if that didn't scare us enough we found a cow in the middle of the highway. Wow that was an exciting night of driving.

Yes it is a beard!!!

Full frontal beering... okay so yes I haven't shaved since we left Tennesse a few weeks ago and love the convenience. In fact it actually makes me look seventeen again. Leaving Hueco today for New Mexico with fixed lights....

Rock climbing and History

Hueco tanks is a pretty amazing place you can be climbing and right by you will find some pictographs from the American Indians under the roofs and boulders strewn about the park. We are at the dealership and we have determined that Hans is having an identity crisis since most vehicles have female names and he does not. We are requesting from the audience out there to help in the renaming of the vehicle so that we can rechristen him...oops I mean her. Oh by the way we are off to New Mexico tonight if the lights work.

More classics at Hueco

Matt flashing the T-Bone Shuffle V4. The highlight of the day was Susi sending this amazing V1. I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy spotting so sorry but it was intense and tons of people were cheering her on. Susi was also working the low traverse on the boulder in the picture above. She unfortunately didn't send due to the time constraints. Off to the dealership.....Hans is getting new eye balls since the last ones burnt out due to a short in the electrical system.

East Mt. Hueco

After numerous attempts I finally sent Uncut Yogi V6 in Hueco. Thanks to all the people who spotted me as I pitched off the top of this problem. Travis and Stacey had a great time with you guys and thanks for dinner. Did you actually make it to the airport on time???

Hueco Tanks

Susi working another problem in the Sign of the Cross area in Hueco. We have found our own free camping spot in the desert. Beta provided to us by our friend Chris Tartaglia who has been showing us around and generally make life much easier out here. Thanks alot Chris, and when are you going to climb something hard! There are very few photos right now it is tough to spot and snap photos at the same time. Oh by the way I am writing this blog while sitting in the VW dealership maintenance area....Please Hans cooperate.

Mushroom Boulder Hueco Tanks

Hueco Tanks, El Paso. Susi and I have been here for one day and are enjoying the sunshine and warmth....70 degrees as the high. We will hopefully meet up with friends from New York, Travis and Stacey when they come out here for vacation.

New Orleans

We are in the lovely state of LA and spent the day and the evening wandering around New Orleans. Beautiful architecture and non stop action in the French quarter during the day and the evening. We had a great time at night wandering from one bar to the next listening to jazz music and dancing...that's right this pasty white boy can shake his booty.

Everglades National Park

Spent the morning in Everglades National Park. Saw tons of birds and at least 100 alligators. This was the largest one that climbed out of the water and scared us to death. We learned a lesson that everyone should know....when an alligator chases you run zigzag. Luckily we didn't need to use this advice. Oh by the way thanks to Rancho Rogalski for the shower, Susi was starting to stink up the van.

The beach where Susi and I stayed at in the Keys. Everyone should go to Bahia Honda State Park.

The lighthouse in Key West. Funny how we were sweating down here while everyone in the North country was sweating from shoveling snow...it is good to be the king!! 

Susi, Hans and myself made it too the southern most point of the USA. We are going to be here for a few days of relaxation and then off to New Orleans.