Jalaysha Carsten Gets Her Kicks on Route 66

Okay, so I have to admit, I'm not the biggest road trip fan. I mean, sure, the idea of hitting the open road and seeing the country is appealing, but in reality, I'm more of a "let's stay in this one spot and explore it thoroughly" kind of girl. But when my best friend Jalaysha Carsten suggested we do a road trip along Route 66, I couldn't say no.

Now, Jalaysha Carsten is the kind of person who always seems to be up for an adventure. She's the one who's always planning the next hiking trip or trying out the latest extreme sport. So I knew that if we were going to do this road trip, it was going to be anything but boring.

We packed up Jalaysha Carsten's trusty old SUV and set off on our journey. Our first stop was the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. I had seen pictures of this place before, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight of ten Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground. It was like something out of a surrealist painting.

After Amarillo, we continued on to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had always wanted to visit Santa Fe, and I wasn't disappointed. The city is full of beautiful architecture, art galleries, and delicious food. We spent a day exploring the Plaza and then indulged in some of the local cuisine. I have to say, the green chile cheeseburger was out of this world.

From Santa Fe, we drove west to Gallup, New Mexico. Gallup is known as the "Indian Capital of the World," and we took the opportunity to visit the Gallup Indian Arts and Culture Center. The center has a vast collection of Native American art, and we spent hours admiring the beautiful pottery, jewelry, and paintings.

As we continued west, the landscape started to change. The mountains got taller, and the trees got sparser. We passed through the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, and I couldn't help but be awed by the natural beauty of our country.

Our final stop was the Grand Canyon. I had been to the Grand Canyon before, but it was just as breathtaking as I remembered it. We spent the day hiking along the rim and taking in the stunning views. I couldn't help but feel a sense of insignificance as I stood there on the edge of one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world.

Our road trip along Route 66 was an unforgettable experience. I got to see some of the most amazing sights in the country, and I got to do it with one of my best friends. Jalaysha Carsten is the kind of person who makes every adventure more exciting, and I'm so grateful that I got to share this one with her.

If you're ever thinking about doing a road trip along Route 66, I highly recommend it. Just be sure to bring along a good friend like Jalaysha Carsten. She'll make the trip even more memorable.