10. Meteor Crater in AZ- Talk about American hucksterism...I want one to crash in our yard in Ft. Washington. Now that would be a sweet way to make money, plus Bridget could run the Subway franchise we would open in the Museum/Visitor Center.
9. Swimming in the Pacific in Malibu- although the undertow was a little unsettling, at least we weren't pulled out to sea like Cat Stevens was, and last time I checked both of us are still Christian and have not had our Muslim conversion. Weird how the whole way to Cali, the coast and Ocean continued to beckon us.
8. The Cody Wyoming Rodeo- the Rodeo capital of the World, crazy horses, tough men, pretty little ladies, and flag carrying horsemen and women advertising the local bank and Dodge Ram franchise every 10 minutes...what's not to like.
7. Celine Dion in Vegas- Despite videos of her son who needs a haircut and her creepy husband (manager or gold digging cradle robber?), there is something slightly endearing about her, non?...and we know she can sing even Aretha into submission (VH1 Divas) which makes her Vegas gig the perfect way to spend a Friday night with drunk Bachelorettes.
6. Mt. Rushmore- Isbthere a spot up there for...ahem...a probable one term president like President Obama? With or without a cigarette in his mouth? It is really Clark Griswold kinda cool.
5. Colorado Springs - Broadmoor Hotel- While we didn't stay at the Broadmoor, we acted like we were guests, and it was definitely one of, if not the, the nicest hotel I have ever pretended I was staying at. Plus, Bridget decided this was where she wanted to honeymoon...I have a nice CD earning .35% interest to get ready...🏧.
4. Santa Fe-The Cowgirl Restaurant- yes the art and uniqueness etc. in Santa Fe are what most talk about, but the beef brisket and cold beer here were monumental, and the chill factor, live music, had us both in that very good place that people clearly seek when they escape here.
3. Bighorn National Forest and Mountains- This was definite"upside the head" evidence that we were not in Kansas anymore, and these mountains just kicked my arse with their sudden rise out of the plains. Climbing them in the convertible was quite the experience and my knuckles are still a tad white.
2. Old Faithful and the Geysers and Jellystone Park- sounds like a Motown group, but despite being a tourist Mecca, seeing them on the 4th was a trip and there is not much else like America's oldest National Park anywhere else on earth, so they rate in my book. Followed by a night under the Montana big sky in a Teepee and with vittles at the Bar N' Ranch, this was quite a memorable leg of the journey.
1. The Grand Canyon- Hiking along the South Rim and taking a train to get there, and surviving a train robbery was really, really cool. The views changed, the colors changed, and it made me really want to go back and see the original Planet of the Apes again with Charlton Heston. It does make one wonder what the $@&? has been going on here on the the Blue Marble the last 4.5 billion years. There is nothing to compare this to.
This list is by no means all inclusive, nor is it indicative of sidekick Bridgie's top picks. It also does deserve a late honorable mention pick of Paramount Studios where Lucy and Desi once ruled, and we got coffee at the Glee "Lima Bean" and even went into Glee's "Breadsticks" which is really the Paramount Commissary. Also seeing Scott Baio there in the flesh, on to a new role finally in "Daddy's Home" on Nick this fall (set your DVRs) and moving on from Charles in Charge, makes me feel like us almost 50 sumpin kids, still have a lot to offer the world 😘. Right?
Wild, wacky, vast, bizarre, funny, rockin, endless, silly, beautiful, cool, and yes good ol mother bleepin "fantastic" all come to mind when thinking about the last two weeks. Exceeded high expectations, and best of all, my sidekick Bridget Lawless Googas Gagas Day aka Bridgie the Kid, was what made all of this really a bucket list busting good time. We saw it all. Now we get to to go home and share it with the fam. We miss them, they miss us, and all is right with the world.
If you see a chance take it.
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Peter Day
215-519-3326
peteralexanderday@gmail.com
