Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Moab, Utah — Day 4

This was the first day when we didn’t have to pack and move out to the next stop. Today was dedicated for local sight seeing and there was a lot to see.

Our first destination was Arches National Park. This is probably one of the most popular parks out there as the number of people here was much greater then at the previous parks that we visited. And there is a reason for that. I don’t think any words or pictures will do it justice.

We spent around 5 hours admiring the beauty of this park. First it starts off with huge vertical walls which are mountains. There is a point which is called Park Avenue, because it looks like the mountains are like a row of huge skyscrapers. Read more…

In: Travel Tags: arch, Arches National Park, boat, Canyonlands National Park, Colorado River, Moab, road trip, Utah
Time: 17:49 Comments: No Comments Post a Comment

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Mesa Verge & Natural Bridges

В Кортез мы приехали поздно вечером. Устали, остались без ужина (если не считать обеденного перекуса в Burger King — ничего другого в округе просто не было!), но зато насмотрелись на красивые места по которым проходила дорога. Особенно поразила одна скала, похожая на замок с резными стенами (на фото она вышла не очень удачно).

На следующее утро мы отправились в Mesa Verde National Park. В нём находятся развалины индейских построек, которым как минимум 800 лет. То, что они построенны в скалах производит определённое впечаление. Однако, когда я сравниваю эти постройки с европейской архитектурой Read more…

In: Travel Tags: four corners, Mesa Verde, Natural Bridges, road trip
Time: 23:48 Comments: 1 Comment Post a Comment

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

From Cortez to Moab

Early on Monday morning we drove out to Mesa Verde National Park. The interesting thing about this park, besides beautiful landscapes is the collection of buildings in the cliffs built by ancient Indians.

After the park we made a small stop at Dolores, CO for more stamps and took of in the direction of missed opportunities. Like I said before we missed Four Corners. So we figured we’ll back track a little bit and will take a longer route to Moab.

Four Corners is a very small, but interesting monument. We all took part in trying to be in 4 states at once Read more…

In: Travel Tags: Cortez, Moab, Natural Bridges, nature, road trip
Time: 11:45 Comments: No Comments Post a Comment

Monday, April 28, 2008

Second Day

Our vacation is amazing. Every day brings something completely new and unexpected. I see something and think — that’s it, this is the most amazing thing I’ve seen. Then the next day comes along and the same thing happens. Read more…

In: Travel Tags: Arizona, Petrified Forest NP, road trip
Time: 16:52 Comments: 2 Comments Post a Comment

Daniel says: Subscribed

May 3, 2008 @ 11:36

Везде вокруг частная земля. Мы тоже удивлялись — едешь, едешь, а такого типа заборчик тянется сотнями миль.

То есть как в России не пойдешь гулять где вздумается. Папа по этому поводу возмущался много.

Но с другой стороны National Parks — их много, гулять можно, красота не обыкновенная, и если идти не знаешь куда, помогут, расскажут.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Albuquerque & Petrified Forest

За последние 4 дня мы проехали около 1,100 миль, получили больше 20 разнообразных печатей в National park passports, переночевали в 3 разных городах, посетили 4 национальных парка, побывали одновременно в 4 разных штатах, ну, и, наконец, покатались на лодке по реке Колорадо.

Что и говорить — впечатлений море! Даня уже писал о Santa Fe. Могу лишь добавить от себя — городок очень необычный и совершенно очаровательный. Домики греют душу тёплым цветом и неизбитой архитектурой; практически отсутствуют здания выше 3х этажей. Еще мне ну очень понравились Read more…

In: Travel Tags: Arizona, Petrified Forest NP, road trip, Santa Fe
Time: 15:42 Comments: 1 Comment Post a Comment

Таня says: Subscribed

May 3, 2008 @ 07:44

Ну как, связка перца доехала до Нью-Йорка? Надеюсь, что она уцелела и стильно украшает кузню
А пейзажи действительно крайне необычные. Натруа для съемок фильмов о других мирах - и павильоны строить не нужно. Думаю, когда видишь это вживую, впечатления еще более странные….

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Our Rental Car

We just returned our car to Avis. It’s kind of sad to have this trip coming to an end. This car served us well. Our trip came out to 2,108 miles or 3,392 kilometers.

It’s funny how we got the car. I reserved a full size car, but when we got there I was told that the only full size car they had for out of state driving was a Hyundai. I was hoping for an Impala or a Charger. Not a Hyundai. So I went to check out all other rental companies (and there were a lot). Most of them just didn’t allow one way drives from Albuquerque to Salt Lake City. The only other one that did quoted us $1,100, when Avis was giving us $700.

So we figured Hyundai it is. When I got back to the counter they managed to rent out the Hyundai and now the only car they had was Buick Lucerne. Premium car for the price or regular. Needless to say I was very happy. Everyone really liked the car too. My mom kept calling it a Beautick by accident too, which is funny.

Anyhow, right now we’re going for the last walk of Salt Lake City and then we’re going home.

Update: The flight from Salt Lake City to New York was 2,037 miles.

Our drive was longer then our flight.

In: Travel Tags: Buick, car, distance, Lucerne, rental, road trip
Time: 12:23 Comments: 2 Comments Post a Comment

I want to apologize for the lack of posts during the past week, but there just was no time. Today, however, is the last day of our vacation, so we should get back to normal schedule next week. And we’ll have a lot of posts and even more pictures. 4

I just wanted to let everyone know that our vacation is going absolutely amazingly. We just don’t have enough time to post, but we keep writing everything down. We’ll add pictures when we get home and will publish everything then. 1

Saturday, April 19, 2008

New Mexico

Today was a long a fun day. We’ve done a lot of stuff (besides flying in). Santa Fe turned out to be a beautiful little town. I don’t know why, but the architectural style of the south-west seems really happy to me. Maybe because it has some resemblance to Uzbekistan, where I was growing up. Everybody else liked it too.

I thought I would process all the pictures and post them, but I think that will have to wait until I get home. I’m just so tired now and can’t really do anything.

We also got a bunch of new stamps today. Most of them were non-standard ones at places which are not supposed to have stamps in the first place.

Albuquerque is a nice town too, although not as cozy as Santa Fe, because it’s bigger I guess.

A lot of driving for tomorrow, so I’m going to sleep.

In: Travel Tags: Albuquerque, New Mexico, road trip, Santa Fe
Time: 09:45 Comments: 1 Comment Post a Comment

So we’re living early in the morning tomorrow. If for some reason you guys want to get a postcard from Utah, please, let us know and send me or Danya an email with your address. I bought some domestic and international stamps just in case. 7

Alena says: Subscribed

April 28, 2008 @ 00:37

Оооооооооо.

А я, если честно, не получив никаких весточек от тебя по поводу открыток (с заправки и Ютинского предложения) подумала, что Американские открытки в коллекции присутствуют, и… Вобщем, надо было мне отправлять не ждя от тебя сигнала.

Обещаю со следующего отпуска обязательно прислать тебе парочку открыток!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Red Bowl

Last Saturday we had a delicious dinner in a little Chinese restaurant which is located in Williamsburg. It was our second visit to the Red Bowl, and, just as the first time, we had a great experience.

We know David, the owner of the restaurant, for a while now. He used to work as a waiter in Wasabi sushi restaurant in Bensonhurst. Maruks, being sushi lovers as they are, developed a very friendly relationship with David, so when he opened up his own place, he notified them, and they took us with them one day.

The food in the Red Bowl is really good, and the prices are moderate. What I especially like though, is the warm atmosphere of the place. David treats us as special guests, always shares good alcohol with us, and gives discounts. This time we tried some sparkling sake from little pink bottles — I must say that was a real treat!

And if you want to know where the name of the restaurant comes from — just visit its bathroom.

P.S. Too bad that the battery in Maruk’s camera died and we weren’t able to take a picture of David.

In: Food & Dining Tags: chinese, red bowl, restaurant
Time: 11:42 Comments: 2 Comments Post a Comment

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Fire Island

Yesterday we drove out to Fire Island. Our main reason was really to get a new stamp in our passports. My dad and Ignat joined us as well.

Today was one of the first days of the spring — the weather was great. The sky was a bit dark, but it was really warm still. When we parked on the island and got out of the car the first thing we heard was the sound of the waves breaking on the sandy beaches of Fire Island, even though the ocean itself wasn’t visible. The air was amazingly fresh too.

We took a wooden path through the dunes right to the old lighthouse that is a museum now. That’s where the passport can be stamped. On our way we saw a bunch of deer and Alena spotted a rabbit eating something in the grass. We tried to see it, but just weren’t able, until the rabbit started scratching his ear with his back paw. His fur was the same color as the bushes and the grass and he was really hard to see.

When we got our passports stamped Ignat decided that he wants to get a passport as well. Luckily most of those places do sell the passports, so he got one right away and got it stamped as well.

Then we walked out to the beach. The ocean does look magnificent. The sky was covered with dark grey clouds and because of the wind the waves where very high. It was like the ocean telling us — don’t mess with me now!

But soon summer will take over and we’ll definitely have to go back to Fire Island for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean itself.

P. S. Today we got 2 more stamps at Floyd Bennett Field and at a park in Breezy Point, NY.

In: Travel Tags: Fire Island, National Park, passport, stamp
Time: 20:49 Comments: No Comments Post a Comment

I got my GC by mail today! Congratulations to us!!!

If New York City Waterfalls doesn’t sound weird to you, I don’t know what would. Judging by the photos it’s not too impressive, but who knows — maybe it will be. 2