We're in AZ

Woah!  Talk about catching my breath!  I am quite a little tired. zzz.

I've got a few (very unedited but necessary) photos for you to have a look-see...

The beautiful Tasman Sea as seen from up in the air.  Heading to Auckland, New Zealand from Queenstown.  The view was amazing.

Farewell Spit for those of you who know a little of NZ geography.  Kind of ironic.  I had to snap up these photos, there ain't gonna be another chance for this in a quite a while.

Mount Taranaki.  So pretty.  And look, next pic, it's got a green dress on.

Beautiful.

Just another photo of this amazing world we live in.  The water with all the waves and ripples looked like the wrinkles on leather.  Still in NZ.

I put the camera away as we headed into Auckland.  After we were on the big plane though...

The faces of one very excited 3 year old.  It was a great flight... I haven't experienced another to compare though.  It was a bit cold, but we all had blankets.  We all got as much sleep as you can when sitting upright and getting kicked by that darling 3 year old.

When he's tired or hungry, or both, he gets mad.  And there is no consoling him - that is until I hold him tight and tell him made up stories of fun adventures - and he's out like a light.   Phew!

We arrived in LAX 15 minutes early (12hr flight), we were very ready to get off that plane and, as soon as we were off it, our achy muscles disappeared.  We only spent about 20 minutes from the start of customs to the other side of the airport.  It was a breeze, a little terrifying, but very smooth.

A short bus trip to where the rental car was waiting for us was so fun for the Little Lion.  The mid-sized car we booked wasn't available so we were upgraded to a mid-size SUV.  OH well.  Haha, it fit us and our bags much nicer.

Off we went to our motel to freshen up, then soon afterwards we headed out again to have dinner with Roy's sister and some US family.  They were awesome, the food was way too good and our boy was way too grumpy.

The next day we drove to Arizona.

Still in California, there's the HOLLYWOOD sign!  Oh, and my husband's nose.

On the freeway, 5 lanes going east.

This sign cracked me up and I almost didn't get it photographed.  Roy thought there was something wrong when I started freaking out trying to get the camera on in time.

"State Prison Next Exit - Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers"

The road was a straight line for about 6 hours.  I don't know how Roy managed to look so not-tired.

We're still in California in these photos.  One thing I haven't taken a photo of yet is the Saguaro Cactus.  They all looked like a person with their arms up saying, "Hug me!"

I promise I won't hug any cacti.

I will try to take some epic pics for everyone to see.  We just don't have a car so everywhere I go to has to be within walking distance.

I got a little overwhelmed yesterday with the realization of no independence.  No car.  It's a big place here, everything we need is within walking distance, 20-30mins one way max.  We only went to the playground that's within our apartment complex, twice, then went back home again.  Today we ventured out a little further after I read a map and got my bearings.  We're actually very close to the things we need, supermarket, craft store etc.  Always have to be close to a craft store.

In New Zealand, being in the Southern Hemisphere, as the sun rises in the east, it arcs around to the north then settles in the west.  But here in the Northern Hemisphere, it arcs around to the South.  Which means you can find yourself going north when you think you're going south and vice versa.

Crazy fact.


xx