The third postcard from CJ's cross-country trip.  

Previous: Carlsbad, CA > Nevada

Williams, AZ is near the south rim of the Grand Canyon (a place I've yet to visit.) That's about all I could find out about it.

This is Week 2 of the CJ Postcard-a-thon from her cross country trip.
Week 1: Carlsbad, CA

I haven't been to Las Vegas. I really haven't had much of a desire to go either. I'm vaguely interested in it as a spectacle, but I'm not really into what's on offer out there. It's just not my thing. There are so many other places I'd rather go with what limited vacation time I have. As far as casinos go, there are tons of those nearby in Mississippi. Mississippi may not be on par with Vegas concerning neon lights per capita, but I think I can live with that. I have a few friends that are really into going to casinos and even they said they tired of Vegas after 24 hours or so. I'll check it out when I go see UNLV play as part of the ULTIMATE FOOTBALL PROJECT.

Also, I think I'll take this opportunity to mention that the phrase "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" is utterly and completely false (though it is a brilliant bit of marketing.) Every time someone goes to Las Vegas, they tell you every sordid detail of their trip the first time the chance arises.

Anyway...huge rant...CJ didn't even go to Vegas, she went through Laughlin.

About a month ago, my friend CJ flew from Alabama to California to help a friend of hers drive across the country to move to North Carolina. I look forward to the day when I can take a long cross country trip again (having a small child prevents long road trips from being any fun.) Anyway, CJ sent me 10 postcards along the way and I'll be featuring her trip for weeks to come.

The trip started out in Carlsbad, CA. I have got to get to California. I think I went when I was a little kid, but I obviously don't remember it. I also flew through LAX to get to New Zealand, but that doesn't count either (despite the eight hour layover.)

I'm taking my own Postcard Friday advice to "get out there and do something" this weekend. I'm headed to Atlanta on Saturday to see GRAB play and to visit some friends. Blogging will resume on Monday. Have a good weekend.

Jason sent this one from Germany while at the World Cup. This is an aerial photo of Frankfurt from 1945.

Speaking of the World Cup, the final game is this Sunday and it features France vs. Italy. It airs at 12:30 p.m. (central) on ABC.

Many thanks to my friend Nicole for sending this one in a few weeks ago.

I'll never forget the first (and to this date, only) time I visited Washington DC.

It was early September 2001 and a large group of my friends (eight of us to be exact) travelled to DC from Birmingham to watch the United States play Honduras in soccer in a World Cup qualifying match. Shockingly, the US ended up losing the game 3-2, but we all still had a great weekend because it was our first trip to the nation's capital.

We visited all of the monuments, The Smithsonian, the National Gallery and all of the stuff you're supposed to do on a first trip to DC.

I remember standing at the base of the Washington Monument with my wife (then fiancee) and surveying the incredible 360-degree view that includes the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. Taking in this splendid view, my wife remarked, "You know, this city looks really intimidating and strong from here. I can't imagine anyone ever trying to invade it. I just feel so safe."

On Tuesday, September 4th we flew back to Birmingham and as we were leaving Reagan National Aiport, my brother looked out of the window of the plane and remarked "Hey, look how close we are to the Pentagon."

We had no idea that exactly one week later, the city would be attacked and flight paths out of National Airport would be altered so as not to fly so close to the Pentagon.

On this 4th of July weekend, I want to wish all of my fellow Americans a safe and happy holiday. Even though this country is deeply politically divided at present, I think we all more or less have the same desire: for the United States to be the best it can possibly be both within and outside of our borders. Americans, be good to each other and be good neighbors in the international community. So, no matter where you land on the political spectrum, I hope you have a great holiday.

[If you want to send a postcard in to be featured on Postcard Friday, email me at rollbamaroll@gmail.com and I will tell you where to send it.]

"Postcard Friday" is a feature I had on my previous blog and people seemed to enjoy it, so I'm moving it over here.

The idea behind Postcard Friday is simple: It's the weekend, get out there and travel somewhere if you can...even it's just to a state park 50 miles down the road.

I only post postcards that have been sent to me by people on their travels. If you want to send one to be posted on RBR, email me at rollbamaroll@gmail.com and I'll tell you where to send it.

My friend Jason is travelling around Europe on a big soccer adventure and he sent me this one from Islington, a district in London where he stayed for a few months.

They must really be after tourism in Islington. You gotta love the broken bench, the taxidermy shop, the garbage can and the "creatively" altered road signs on the postcard.