Open road...
It's time to see.
Time to do.
Coffee is fuel.
Showered clean.
Put socks on.
Brush the teeth...
And lets move!
It's time to see.
Time to do.
Coffee is fuel.
Showered clean.
Put socks on.
Brush the teeth...
And lets move!
Channel the Yoda
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
ON THE FLIPSIDE OF LIFE!
I'm leaving people, busting out of this joint!
HELLO CANADA!
Tomorrow morning I'm off to see all that Canada has to offer...well at least Ontario and Quebec!
And do I know French? No.
Do I have directions? No.
Am I screwed? No.
1. Cause I'm traveling with someone who has my back.
2. Cause that is the fun of a road trip. Maps. Ask. Guess. Go. Drive.
Hmm, be alive.
We will find our way.
But just in case I'm bringing a blanket and GF fruit bars cause you never know if you are going to get trapped in some snow storm without heat, fuel or, oh my, coffee.
I will keep you updated my friends!
First is Sault St. Marie, Michigan.
Second is North Bay, Ontario.
Third is Quebec City, Quebec.
Fourth is Montreal, Quebec.
Fifth is Vermont & Michigan.
Sixth is Illinois AND...
Back to Wisconsin on Friday!
Minneapolis on Saturday...
Whew!
BRING ON THE ROAD BABY!
And I will see you on the flipside!
HELLO CANADA!
Tomorrow morning I'm off to see all that Canada has to offer...well at least Ontario and Quebec!
And do I know French? No.
Do I have directions? No.
Am I screwed? No.
1. Cause I'm traveling with someone who has my back.
2. Cause that is the fun of a road trip. Maps. Ask. Guess. Go. Drive.
Hmm, be alive.
We will find our way.
But just in case I'm bringing a blanket and GF fruit bars cause you never know if you are going to get trapped in some snow storm without heat, fuel or, oh my, coffee.
I will keep you updated my friends!
First is Sault St. Marie, Michigan.
Second is North Bay, Ontario.
Third is Quebec City, Quebec.
Fourth is Montreal, Quebec.
Fifth is Vermont & Michigan.
Sixth is Illinois AND...
Back to Wisconsin on Friday!
Minneapolis on Saturday...
Whew!
BRING ON THE ROAD BABY!
And I will see you on the flipside!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Countdown Continues!
105 DAYS UNTIL IRELAND!
Ironically I have to pee again.
7 DAYS UNTIL CANADA!
So much excitement.
So much travel.
So little time.
Ironically I have to pee again.
7 DAYS UNTIL CANADA!
So much excitement.
So much travel.
So little time.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Al, I WANT TO EAT YOUR FRIES...Vermont Style
Road trip planning is in full swing!
It’s all working out in a non-structured let’s just drive and see the world kind of way. There is one thing plaguing us though. One state, that when faced with making decisions about roadside attractions I realize, I’ve got nothing!
Besides snow, skiing and cheddar, I know jack squat about Vermont!
But a little research educates the brain.
Like that it’s the 2nd least populous state, Wyoming being #1 (shocker).
Or that Vermont is the only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic.
And how about this, Vermont was originally claimed by France but they lost it to Britain in the almost never remembered French and Indian War.
Then Vermont was like, no, I don’t think so my British Buds. And thanks to the Green Mountain Boys Militia they became the Independent Vermont Republic.
After 14 years of independence they willingly joined the United States.
This state has guts and glory!
And I’m going to see it.
There are quite a few attractions, events or just plain oddities to be found in Vermont, specifically Northern Vermont where we will be traveling through.
1. THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAPLE SYRUP JUG
*Dakin Farm in Ferrisburg, Vermont (www.dakinfarm.com)
2. SEE WHALE TAILS beside I-89 (between exit 12 and 13)
3. BEST CHEDDAR IN THE WORLD
*Cabot, Vermont 800-748-2372
4. HAUNTED FOREST
*Willston
5. SPOT “CHAMP” IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN
6. LUNCH AT BEANSIE’S BUS (not even sure what this is but OKAY!)
7. LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME MUSEUM
*Vergennes, Vermont (www.lcmm.org)
-A full-sized revolutionary war GUNBOAT! (that is right, a boat with guns!)
8. LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY
*Burlington, Vermont (www.lakechamplainchocolate.com)
These are just a few of the possibilities that the great state of Vermont has to offer.
In fact, someone’s suggestion was to eat AL’S FRIES. I don’t even know where AL is, but I’m going to find him! And those fries better be good or at least decent enough to choke down with lots of ketchup!
What if AL'S is just someone's kitchen? That would be awesome!
It’s all working out in a non-structured let’s just drive and see the world kind of way. There is one thing plaguing us though. One state, that when faced with making decisions about roadside attractions I realize, I’ve got nothing!
Besides snow, skiing and cheddar, I know jack squat about Vermont!
But a little research educates the brain.
Like that it’s the 2nd least populous state, Wyoming being #1 (shocker).
Or that Vermont is the only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic.
And how about this, Vermont was originally claimed by France but they lost it to Britain in the almost never remembered French and Indian War.
Then Vermont was like, no, I don’t think so my British Buds. And thanks to the Green Mountain Boys Militia they became the Independent Vermont Republic.
After 14 years of independence they willingly joined the United States.
This state has guts and glory!
And I’m going to see it.
There are quite a few attractions, events or just plain oddities to be found in Vermont, specifically Northern Vermont where we will be traveling through.
1. THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAPLE SYRUP JUG
*Dakin Farm in Ferrisburg, Vermont (www.dakinfarm.com)
2. SEE WHALE TAILS beside I-89 (between exit 12 and 13)
3. BEST CHEDDAR IN THE WORLD
*Cabot, Vermont 800-748-2372
4. HAUNTED FOREST
*Willston
5. SPOT “CHAMP” IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN
6. LUNCH AT BEANSIE’S BUS (not even sure what this is but OKAY!)
7. LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME MUSEUM
*Vergennes, Vermont (www.lcmm.org)
-A full-sized revolutionary war GUNBOAT! (that is right, a boat with guns!)
8. LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY
*Burlington, Vermont (www.lakechamplainchocolate.com)
These are just a few of the possibilities that the great state of Vermont has to offer.
In fact, someone’s suggestion was to eat AL’S FRIES. I don’t even know where AL is, but I’m going to find him! And those fries better be good or at least decent enough to choke down with lots of ketchup!
What if AL'S is just someone's kitchen? That would be awesome!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
"THE AFTER BOOM" Chile Journal JANUARY 8TH
JANUARY 8TH
K and I are still a mess. Today we took a two hour boat ride around the Valparaiso bay. It cost 3 dollars… it was worth 3 dollars.
I ate a very, very questionable empanada that I bought from a lady on the pier—she pulled it out of a wooden tub and I paid a dollar for it.
What did I expect? Not fish oyster poop. I tried to eat it—and we were on the boat—swaying not gently in the breeze…
I’m understanding more Chilean Spanish now and I wish I didn’t because this man next to me who was talking to another man, was not very nice about the US or Argentina for that fact.
And that empanada had red stuff in it—blood I’m thinking—it just tasted so very wrong… but my stomach is pretty hard core now. I drink the tap water everywhere we go and Valparaiso has the dirtiest water but I would have to say but I’m okay. I eat pretty much whatever I can find.
Cleanliness is not a must anymore.
On that note, I’ve noticed since the trip to the South and maybe the South inspired it from lack of certain essentials but I don’t shower as much once every 3 or 4 days. I run almost every day but yet… I don’t think I smell but really does it matter?
My clothes are washed in a sink with cheap detergent and cold water and hung out to dry. The wind whips through Valpo picking up all the garbage that is scattered everywhere by the dogs. That dirty wind is exactly what dries my wet clothes after a washing.
I’m not worried about this though. I think it’s a damn good thing. I showered too much in the states. It was like religion for me. Before work, after work and a bath for relaxation. What a waste! And my skin looks better though my hair is a mess but there is no water softener so it takes a beating.
I don’t wash my clothes that much anymore because it just ruins them… I mean, I leave in 3 weeks—I can last just fine. And the clothes that I wear constantly should just be burned anyway. By the time I make it back, I should probably be burned too.
Oh and food is meant to be prepared! Or at least I take the time to do it—probably because food needs to be cooked here. We have no microwave or stove. So we eat Lentils. They take freaking hours! And pasta. But mostly lentils. They give us our nutrition and they are cheap—which is number one right now considering my money crunch.
The boat tour ended—THANK GOD and we decided we needed a movie. A movie from the states that was totally a Chick Flick. We stopped and bought toffee, dark chocolate, a large bottle of Coke, and some other candy I can’t remember. We stuffed it in my purse and snuck it in to the movie theater.
But, we did buy popcorn—oh yes and it’s not like the popcorn in the states! No this shit is the bomb! Like crack! Popcorn crack! I ate over half the bag it was sooooo goooood! I would’ve eaten it all but K was fighting me for it too! Damn her!
I tried to offer her toffee to keep her away but no! I am not always the beacon of hope when it comes to sharing. Back off. It was great popcorn.
But alas the movie, the junk food, soda, tons of tea and coffee, boat ride, empanada and so forth did not make us feel better about what happened the day before.
I kept imagining that penis—and not in a good way. I still feel dirty and angry… and it doesn’t help that while we walk around the hoots and hollers, cat calls, whistles and stares continue. I feel uneasy.
*K told me that “Apparently the boat tour was only 20 minutes but it felt like longer because it was soooo booooorrrrinnnng.” Geez.
K and I are still a mess. Today we took a two hour boat ride around the Valparaiso bay. It cost 3 dollars… it was worth 3 dollars.
I ate a very, very questionable empanada that I bought from a lady on the pier—she pulled it out of a wooden tub and I paid a dollar for it.
What did I expect? Not fish oyster poop. I tried to eat it—and we were on the boat—swaying not gently in the breeze…
I’m understanding more Chilean Spanish now and I wish I didn’t because this man next to me who was talking to another man, was not very nice about the US or Argentina for that fact.
And that empanada had red stuff in it—blood I’m thinking—it just tasted so very wrong… but my stomach is pretty hard core now. I drink the tap water everywhere we go and Valparaiso has the dirtiest water but I would have to say but I’m okay. I eat pretty much whatever I can find.
Cleanliness is not a must anymore.
On that note, I’ve noticed since the trip to the South and maybe the South inspired it from lack of certain essentials but I don’t shower as much once every 3 or 4 days. I run almost every day but yet… I don’t think I smell but really does it matter?
My clothes are washed in a sink with cheap detergent and cold water and hung out to dry. The wind whips through Valpo picking up all the garbage that is scattered everywhere by the dogs. That dirty wind is exactly what dries my wet clothes after a washing.
I’m not worried about this though. I think it’s a damn good thing. I showered too much in the states. It was like religion for me. Before work, after work and a bath for relaxation. What a waste! And my skin looks better though my hair is a mess but there is no water softener so it takes a beating.
I don’t wash my clothes that much anymore because it just ruins them… I mean, I leave in 3 weeks—I can last just fine. And the clothes that I wear constantly should just be burned anyway. By the time I make it back, I should probably be burned too.
Oh and food is meant to be prepared! Or at least I take the time to do it—probably because food needs to be cooked here. We have no microwave or stove. So we eat Lentils. They take freaking hours! And pasta. But mostly lentils. They give us our nutrition and they are cheap—which is number one right now considering my money crunch.
The boat tour ended—THANK GOD and we decided we needed a movie. A movie from the states that was totally a Chick Flick. We stopped and bought toffee, dark chocolate, a large bottle of Coke, and some other candy I can’t remember. We stuffed it in my purse and snuck it in to the movie theater.
But, we did buy popcorn—oh yes and it’s not like the popcorn in the states! No this shit is the bomb! Like crack! Popcorn crack! I ate over half the bag it was sooooo goooood! I would’ve eaten it all but K was fighting me for it too! Damn her!
I tried to offer her toffee to keep her away but no! I am not always the beacon of hope when it comes to sharing. Back off. It was great popcorn.
But alas the movie, the junk food, soda, tons of tea and coffee, boat ride, empanada and so forth did not make us feel better about what happened the day before.
I kept imagining that penis—and not in a good way. I still feel dirty and angry… and it doesn’t help that while we walk around the hoots and hollers, cat calls, whistles and stares continue. I feel uneasy.
*K told me that “Apparently the boat tour was only 20 minutes but it felt like longer because it was soooo booooorrrrinnnng.” Geez.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
ROAD TRIP! Following that Compulsive Traveling Gut (INSTINCT)
Where to go? What to see? What path is right for you and me?
Where to stay? What days and times? And with who, that tolerate all my rhymes?
Let's break it down!
November 27-Dec 2, 2011 (6 days)
Where:
Upper Peninsula
Ontario, Quebec, Canada
Vermont
Upstate New York
Michigan
A swoop down brings us back to big stinky cheese Wisconsin
And “Hello Again,” Minneapolis
There you have it folks; the path…
Can it be done? CAN IT BE DONE?!
Calm down, it’s not a challenge just a path that is always up for redirection or stopped in its tracks due to a massive Upper Peninsula blizzard (knock on wood and reminder to self to finish “Cold” book.)
Where to go is directly related to what we want see.
QUEBEC CITY!
That is my ultimate goal. I don’t know (IDK) the why’s specific to my desire to be there, I’m just following my gut—my Compulsive Traveling gut.
Specific to Quebec City is the Parliament building (Hotel du Parlement)—second empire architectural style, completed in 1886, with free 30 minute guided tours about the history of Quebec and it’s parliamentary institutions Monday thru Friday, 9 am-4:30 pm.
Yep, I’m a happy geek who loves her history.
Did I mention it’s an astoundingly beautiful edifice? I’m a sucker for a beauty. Who isn’t?
Prior to Quebec there is Exeter, Ontario, HOME OF THE WHITE SQUIRREL! Yes they are very proud with their mascot “Willis the White Wonder.”
We can’t forget the Gaetano Alberto "GUY" Lombardo Museum in London, Ontario--not only a band leader and violinist BUT also 1946 Gold Cup hydroplane speedboat race winner, winner chicken dinner!
And at some point we need to sleep in a YURT.
YURT: a portable, bent wood-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by Turkic nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.
Also found in CANADA! I mean, who knew?
There is a list plum full of CANADIAN possibilities:
Alien Sightings near the North Bay of Ottawa
World’s Largest Apple (Colborne)
Tiny Church (Dunlop)
Monument: The Farthest the U.S. ever invaded Canada (Hamilton)
Lifelike Dinosaurs AND Patio Furniture
HITCHHIKING BIGFOOT! (Vermillion Bay)
Life-Size Jumbo the Elephant, He died here (St. Thomas)
The “Underwater” Railway: The Tunnel of Death
Finicky Montreal is the final stop before we make our way into the states. I say finicky because all research points to FINICKY. I could be wrong in my assessment and I’m open to opposing arguments but driving sounds ugly and parking thrice as disgusting, so writes Tripadvisor.
But I’m up for the challenge or will have convinced myself I am by then.
From there it’s about Detroit, the LARGEST TIRE, and whatever fits our fancy between here and there and heck everywhere!
It will be an adventure that I'm happily sharing with someone who flows in the same direction as me. It shall be interesting and posting bail has been discussed as well as weapons I’m not allowed to have in my trunk.
Whatever. Protection is necessity.
This trip is about freedom, open road and a celebration of a forward moving life.
On that note I’m moving forward on publishing this blog post.
And CLICK.
Well hello world!
Where to stay? What days and times? And with who, that tolerate all my rhymes?
Let's break it down!
November 27-Dec 2, 2011 (6 days)
Where:
Upper Peninsula
Ontario, Quebec, Canada
Vermont
Upstate New York
Michigan
A swoop down brings us back to big stinky cheese Wisconsin
And “Hello Again,” Minneapolis
There you have it folks; the path…
Can it be done? CAN IT BE DONE?!
Calm down, it’s not a challenge just a path that is always up for redirection or stopped in its tracks due to a massive Upper Peninsula blizzard (knock on wood and reminder to self to finish “Cold” book.)
Where to go is directly related to what we want see.
QUEBEC CITY!
That is my ultimate goal. I don’t know (IDK) the why’s specific to my desire to be there, I’m just following my gut—my Compulsive Traveling gut.
Specific to Quebec City is the Parliament building (Hotel du Parlement)—second empire architectural style, completed in 1886, with free 30 minute guided tours about the history of Quebec and it’s parliamentary institutions Monday thru Friday, 9 am-4:30 pm.
Yep, I’m a happy geek who loves her history.
Did I mention it’s an astoundingly beautiful edifice? I’m a sucker for a beauty. Who isn’t?
Prior to Quebec there is Exeter, Ontario, HOME OF THE WHITE SQUIRREL! Yes they are very proud with their mascot “Willis the White Wonder.”
We can’t forget the Gaetano Alberto "GUY" Lombardo Museum in London, Ontario--not only a band leader and violinist BUT also 1946 Gold Cup hydroplane speedboat race winner, winner chicken dinner!
And at some point we need to sleep in a YURT.
YURT: a portable, bent wood-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by Turkic nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.
Also found in CANADA! I mean, who knew?
There is a list plum full of CANADIAN possibilities:
Alien Sightings near the North Bay of Ottawa
World’s Largest Apple (Colborne)
Tiny Church (Dunlop)
Monument: The Farthest the U.S. ever invaded Canada (Hamilton)
Lifelike Dinosaurs AND Patio Furniture
HITCHHIKING BIGFOOT! (Vermillion Bay)
Life-Size Jumbo the Elephant, He died here (St. Thomas)
The “Underwater” Railway: The Tunnel of Death
Finicky Montreal is the final stop before we make our way into the states. I say finicky because all research points to FINICKY. I could be wrong in my assessment and I’m open to opposing arguments but driving sounds ugly and parking thrice as disgusting, so writes Tripadvisor.
But I’m up for the challenge or will have convinced myself I am by then.
From there it’s about Detroit, the LARGEST TIRE, and whatever fits our fancy between here and there and heck everywhere!
It will be an adventure that I'm happily sharing with someone who flows in the same direction as me. It shall be interesting and posting bail has been discussed as well as weapons I’m not allowed to have in my trunk.
Whatever. Protection is necessity.
This trip is about freedom, open road and a celebration of a forward moving life.
On that note I’m moving forward on publishing this blog post.
And CLICK.
Well hello world!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
ANYWHERE (Goodbye Chile 2010)
ANYWHERE
(Goodbye Chile)
As my mind wanders
To my next destination
(Chicago via Panama City y Mexico City)
Rethinking, rechecking my brain—
Wondering in awe if I’ve had a seizure
Or stroke at the young age of 29
Because I’m sitting here
At the airport
Exhausted
And I haven’t even started
The long journey ahead
It was a long journey here…
To decide
To throw in the towel
To realize
What’s best for me—
Is apparently listening to Joe Schmoe
Sitting next to me
Hum his little tune
Sipping my coffee,
Watching the world pass by
As I wait for my turn
To get on my plane
And go anywhere
Anywhere being home
Home meaning a future—
That’s not “Anywhere But Here”
But a future that is
Where you are supposed to be.
That’s why I am here.
At the Santiago airport
With my feet propped up
Melting into the hard plastic chair
Lost in a sea of salty thought
Stinging, yet relaxing
Staring
At the world
(Cause it’s so big)
As it passes by
Going anywhere.
(Goodbye Chile)
As my mind wanders
To my next destination
(Chicago via Panama City y Mexico City)
Rethinking, rechecking my brain—
Wondering in awe if I’ve had a seizure
Or stroke at the young age of 29
Because I’m sitting here
At the airport
Exhausted
And I haven’t even started
The long journey ahead
It was a long journey here…
To decide
To throw in the towel
To realize
What’s best for me—
Is apparently listening to Joe Schmoe
Sitting next to me
Hum his little tune
Sipping my coffee,
Watching the world pass by
As I wait for my turn
To get on my plane
And go anywhere
Anywhere being home
Home meaning a future—
That’s not “Anywhere But Here”
But a future that is
Where you are supposed to be.
That’s why I am here.
At the Santiago airport
With my feet propped up
Melting into the hard plastic chair
Lost in a sea of salty thought
Stinging, yet relaxing
Staring
At the world
(Cause it’s so big)
As it passes by
Going anywhere.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
"TRAVELING FOOL FOR LOVE" Unquote
Sigh. I had a whole post for you. For you all. All of you.
But it didn't flow, fit or vibe. It didn't work.
Of course it took me two weeks and eventually a shower to realize why.
I'll leave the why out--yes I showered within the 2 week period too--but know that "Leaving New York" is never easy...
UPDATE
Canadian Road trip in planning phase (November 2011)
Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales ditto (March 2012)
Life is just a traveling fool for love. Stumbling and laughing all at the same time.
And you can quote me on that.
But it didn't flow, fit or vibe. It didn't work.
Of course it took me two weeks and eventually a shower to realize why.
I'll leave the why out--yes I showered within the 2 week period too--but know that "Leaving New York" is never easy...
UPDATE
Canadian Road trip in planning phase (November 2011)
Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales ditto (March 2012)
Life is just a traveling fool for love. Stumbling and laughing all at the same time.
And you can quote me on that.
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