Road Trip back to the Homeland

After driving for 7 days we finally reached Canada!

It was such an amazing trip, leaving Arizona we covered New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virgina, West Virgina, popped into Maryland and then finally New York, where we crossed the border into Canada.

road stop

  

I feel so lucky to have experienced so many different aspects of America that I had not yet visited. My favorite state that we encountered was definitely Tennessee, where we spent Christmas in Nashville. 

the famous Beale St in Memphis

There was however one place I regret "visiting". At the end of a long day's drive, without much choice of where to stay for the night we stumbled upon a Days Inn, located in Bristol, Tennessee. We drove down a dirt road past the burnt out hotel sign to arrive at our accommodations. My first instinct was "run", however it wasn't up to me and we weren't left with much else choice of where to go. Our rooms looked like they hadn't been clean, nor updated since the 70s. I wasn't sure if we were going to survive the night, as the whole situation reminded me of a horror film. We did make it through the night though, despite the power going out at 6am and me calling for my father in fear!

Although, as mentioned, my favourite part of our road trip was our Christmas in Nashville. We arrived about 6pm and took a "wrong" turn off the highway but ended up just where we wanted to be, right beside the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville's famous country music venue. 

We decided to check out the venue and the adjoining hotel the Gaylord Opryland before checking into our hotel for our Christmas Eve slumber. Growing up on country music it was very exciting to finally see the Grand Ole Opry which I had often heard about. 

After seeing that we went next door to the Gaylord Opryland which was decorated unbelievably for Christmas. It was so beautiful! We really couldn't have asked for a better place to spend Christmas Eve on our drive. 

We ended our adventure around the Grand Ole Opry by having our Christmas Eve meal at the Jack Daniel's restaurant/bar. It was a big change from our usual Candlelight service at Church, but it was sure fun. Near the end of our meal we had a country music performance. Later on they were asking for requests, so of course, I shouted a few out, both of which they played. Much to my father's dismay we were then referred to as the "loudmouth" table. Of course I only took that with pride!

my parents Aunt and Uncle and I at dinner

Christmas morning turned out better than I thought it could. After eating the hotel's breakfast including pancakes, sausage, egg, cereal, yogurt, toast and grits (gag), we decided to commander the lobby's Christmas tree and put our presents and stockings underneath and took turn opening gifts as usual.

Hotel/Burbridge Christmas tree

My parents and I Christmas morning

Most of the drive home we had good weather, until our last day when upon leaving West Virginia and entering Maryland a massive piece of ice flew off a truck going the opposite direction on the highway and smashed into the front of our SUV totalling the left side. But hey, no one was hurt so we were lucky!

As much as I enjoyed traveling across America I'm glad to be home at my parent's in Brockville for a short bit before I head back to work.

It's About Time!

It seems like now I'm starting every post with excuses why I haven't updated this blog in ages... but this time...won't be any different! It has been so busy getting ready for the holidays, and flying to Phoenix to meet my parents as well as all the holiday events/parties that were going on before my departure.

I will try to keep this brief...but here is what I've been up to!

A few weeks ago I was invited by a few friends to the launch of Mahiki Coconut Rum, it's been around for a while but this launch at Mahiki was to celebrate that Sainsburys and Tesco would now be carrying it. The party was fun, and it felt like summer inside with hard bodies dressed in surf attire and tiki-esque music playing, compared to the cold harsh winter wind outside! Upon leaving I was given a massive bottle of the Mahiki Coconut Rum, which I will be saving for those winter eves when I feel like I need a tiny summer escape!

I was like a little kid again, or as always really, when Morwenna and I were finally able to make it to the Harry Potter Studio Tour near Watford Junction just outside of London. We had been trying to go for several months but with both our busy schedules, but we did it!

We had so much fun seeing the different sets and finding out how the special effects were all done. We lucked out going when we did as well as some of the sets were decorated for Christmas, like in some of the films. I HIGHLY recommend anyone who enjoyed the Harry Potter franchise to make it out there, it's money well spent! We were looking at things for around 3 hours, so it's a great day out of the city. 

The Great Hall decorated for Christmas

The Christmas fun continued when I met up with one of my best friends Francesca for lunch before we went our separate ways for the holidays. We went to this place called Prix Fixe, which was a french spot on Dean St in Soho. The food and service was excellent, and the price being very reasonable.

 

 Afterwards we explored the shops and looked at all the lovely Christmas displays, was a great way to spend an afternoon!

My final week in London was coming to a close as this past Wednesday I spent packing, doing some last minute baking, cleaning up my room and dropping off some Christmas goodies at Morwenna's flat and having a cuppa there.

I left with a bang as that night I attended the joint party of Religion clothing and Premier to celebrate the announcement of a few model search winners, followed by Religion's Christmas Party.

I had such a great time as my partner in crime, fellow model Vanessa was there, and Morwenna was djing!

Vanessa and I 

Morwenna and I behind the DJ booth

Thursday it was time to say farewell to my home in London until the New Year as I flew via Canada to Phoenix to meet my parents, Aunt and Uncle for the holidays. Unfortunately the first two days here it was raining, but now the weather has improved. It's not bare leg weather but it's a fine improvement above a British or Canadian winter.

Since we will be on the road for Christmas we also had our big Christmas feast, which was nothing short of delicious!

My highlight of being in Phoenix though hasn't been the weather, but was going to an NBA game last night!

I have always loved basketball, playing throughout school, but had never attended a professional game, since Canada only has one NBA team. Alas, I was a happy happy girl when my dad purchased tickets for him, my uncle, my mom and I to go to the Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings!

My mom and I were sat quite close to the court whilst my Uncle and Dad were in the "nosebleed" section. It was so great watching the game and my mom and I were really getting into it. Of course we were cheering for the home team, the Suns and we had chosen right when they won 101-90 over the Kings. Attending the game was definitely something I will remember for a loooong time!

And as always, I will try to stay a tad more up to date with things and I will have lots of stories and pictures to share as we start our Americana road trip up to Canada starting Friday! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!