Friday, September 25, 2009
Burlington, VT to Portland, ME
A few years back my friend Jessica visited Maine and after I saw her pictures I made a commitment to visit the state within the next 5 years. Thanks to JetBlue for allowing that to happen sooner rather than later. Leaving Burlington there was only one TSA lane open and two closed. I really love small airports and long lines. After hopping on board I peered out the window and as we touched down in Maine I was given a beautiful view of the Maine coast. At the airport I snuck on to the Holiday Inn shuttle and was carted downtown where I met my old Feinstein colleague, Johann, who was attending a conference at the hotel. After saying hello and leaving my luggage behind the counter, Johann pointed me in the direction of Congress street and away I went. Congress street was littered with art galleries and bookstores, so I went into each one and introduced myself, leaving 'Thoughts From the Chicken Bus' information everywhere I went. The people of Portland were very receptive and want me to send back posters for them to hang up in their stores! I am very excited. Continuing down Congress I found a Public Market where I grabbed a yummy falafel and kept going where Fore connected and stumbled upon quaint shops decked out with lobster aprons, lobster bags, and lobster postcards. Around the corner there was some poor soul dressed as a lobster waving to people and on the back of his costume it read "Eat Me." I high fived him for support. Through the ally-ways I ventured and met up with local fisherman who were bringing in the days catch, then over to the bayfront where I saw tourists lined up to catch a ferry out to the islands that dot the coast. Up a hill was the famous Portland observatory and Sumner Park which provided priceless views of Maine's most populous city. I sat there for a while and enjoyed the silence before joining up with Johann and some friends at Brian Baru's for a non-profit get together.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Unity, Maine
I had decided to visit Maine this weekend because of the Common Ground Festival. In it's 33rd year, I was told it would be full of Maine's farmers sharing their latest harvest, local animals, and fun festivities. A two hour drive from Portland found the roads covered in trees starting to change and lakes everywhere you looked. A long line of cars was backed up on a two-lane country road, so Johann used his I Phone to Google maps us a better way and ten minutes later we pulled up at the fair. Walking into the fair I was greeted to fresh blueberries, bins of garlic, and yummy homemade cheese. Searching out the food stands, I settled on a homemade grilled cheese and beet soup, topped off with yogurt...was this Top Chef out in the middle of a Unity, Maine field? There was an entire tent devoted to political action and justice and walking past I was greeted by a line of war protesters donning black masks and beating on white buckets as drums. The fair promoted all organic and homeade products, including not selling bottled water...throughout the grounds were water coolers and you could fill them up with your Nalgene or other water bottles. I was so happy to see this conservation.
At the end of the day I took in some Maine folk dancing lessons, listened to cool live music and tasted pumpkin ice cream before heading down the road to Courtney's house. Johann's friend, Courtney, had invited us to stay the night near Liberty, Maine and after entering the house we finished preparing a BBQ before gathering around the table to make new friends. Hamburgers, smoked sausage, chicken, corn on the cob, beans, and homemade ice cream were devoured before a campfire was put together and beers sipped on. Stories and laughter filled the air until I looked at my watch and it said 3 AM. Bedtime must be had so I waved goodnight and felt my way up the stairs to enjoy a good nights sleep.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Liberty, Maine
Waking up I was presented with a pretty view of the lake, directly off of the deck from Courtney's home. Rain had come during the night and drizzle lingered as I threw on my beanie and ventured into the cool air. Slowly the house woke up and when we had all gathered enough steam the seven of us headed down the road to a little house, turned restaurant, where breakfast and lunch filled the table. Afterwards Johann drove down highway 1 through Bath, Maine into Freeport, passing lakes and rivers along the way. Trees in Maine had not fully turned yet, but the ones that had reminded me why fall is my favorite season. In Freeport I saw the L.L.Bean compound, five big buildings with anything outdoorsy you would ever want to buy. Inside the camping store I was in heaven and meandered around the tents until we had to leave. Near the hunting and fishing building were two guys decked out in camoflauge, holding on to hunting dogs, and they looked just like an L.L.Bean commercial. Back in Portland we went down to American Flatbread pizza for dinner where the crust was the perfect amount of doughy inside and the oven provided the coziness one looks for on a rainy Maine evening.
Cuddling under my covers at nights end my trip to New England was over. It was beautiful and green as I had expected, but when it comes to fall foliage I think I'll stick with North Carolina.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 21, 2009
Buffalo, NY to Burlington, VT
So, when I booked my flight on JetBlue I asked for Buffalo to Burlington. Could there be two more random cities in the USA? I just had to laugh at myself. I was very sad to leave Buffalo today b/c my CS host was awesome and the upstate NY area was beautiful. However, it was off to Vermont and the land of maple syrup and Ben and Jerry's. Upon arrival I wondered over to the public transit bus stop and waited in the warm sunshine until the #1 pulled up. It took me into downtown Burlington, which was a quirky little environment, reminding me of Asheville. Everywhere I looked there were yoga studios and independent restaurants. I don't even know the last time I spotted a Wal-Mart. Connecting to another bus, I ventured down the Winookski River way to my CS home near the Koffe Kup Bakery. Delightful smells filled the air as I bypassed the doughnut making house. When the driver let me off he dumped me one stop ahead of where I needed to be so I began hauling my 50-pound luggage up the hill and around the community until I received a text from my host telling me where to go and what to do. At the condo building I found that he lived on the fourth floor, with no elevator, and continued to muscle it while wishing I had my backpack instead of this wheeling device.
At my CS house I found four other CS being hosted at the same time. My CS was a 22-year old guy and the first thing he told me was "I have a kegerator in the bathroom." I quickly dumped my stuff and headed back out for sightseeing. On the bus back to DT an older man began to talk with me. When he offered me directions to a lunch spot, I thanked him. When he offered to walk me there, I said sure. When he asked if he could join me, I wondered how I was going to get rid of him. His name turned out to be Pete and he stayed for over an hour telling me his life story...then he asked for my home address and I had to swiftly say goodbye. I have enough problems, I don't need Pete stalking me. In DT Burlington I found Church street which is where the main part of town meets pedestrians. In each direction there were people enjoying the warm autumn day. Perusing around I found City Hall and down the street there was Battery Park and the waterfront. Staring back at me was Lake Champlain in all its glory. Huge and magnificant, I sat on a bench to take it all in before strolling down a bike path to come across a beach known as the North Shore. It was there that I watched the sun disappear behind the Adirondack's and was overwhelmed with what nature had handed me.
Back at the house Ross invited everyone to join him at a CS potluck that evening. We walked up the hill to the party and when we arrived I found homemade tortillas being made and a freezer full of Ben and Jerry's. It is the one thing in Vermont everyone can agree on! As I went around introducing myself to people one guy shouted back "I hate San Diego. I went there once and it was horrible!" Um...okay...what does he want me to do about it? He complained about how cold the water was and how unfriendly the people were. I'll give him the water, but really, unfriendly people. San Diegans are hospitable as hell! When it came time to call it a night Ross packed two air mattresses together, next to a camping cot and his futon. Why did I feel like I was in Animal House?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Burlington, VT
There are two ways to see Ben and Jerry while in Vermont. One is to rent a car and the other is to take a commuter bus. Car rentals in Vermont start at $40/day without tax so I vetoed that idea real quickly. Waking up at 6:30 AM, I caught the 7:25 AM bus to Montpelier for $4. Along the way rain begins to trickle down and I remember that I need to start looking at the weather now that I'm no longer in a city that is sunny 365 days a year. In Montpelier I connect to another bus that is small, made for the county, and driven by an 80-year old woman named Elna. I wonder how she is still passing the Vermont driving test, but she drops me off in Waterbury and points down a road to the B&J factory, then says "I hope you got your walkin' shoes on.." I do, but before I use them I pop into the Green Mountain coffee shop where I enjoy coffee with an Englishman named Simon. He came over on the bus with me and is traveling through New England for a month. As he talks to some American men they offer us both a ride to our general directions (Simon is going to Stowe), so I scrunch in the back of the Neon and down the road to B&J I go. Once inside the famous ice cream grounds I pay the $3 entrance fee and look around at all their famousness. There is a letter from Joan Lunden about how much she loves B&J and a wall full of patented ice cream scoops dating back to the mid-1800's.
Once the tour starts our guide likes to use words such as "Mooooving" a lot in reference to the famous cows. He shows us a video about B&J and how they've now sold their fortune to live in the Caribbean (or somewhere warmer than Vermont), then takes us into the factory production area. It's actually really boring and you can't see anything else happening besides little pints going down a conveyer belt. Down another set of stairs we are given a free sample of chocolate chip ice cream and then that's it. So happy I came to Vermont to find the secrets of B&J.
Outside I walk a mile down the road back to Waterbury where I find the Winooski river and it is very pretty. There is a guy fly fishing down at the bottom and state workers running around the path on their lunch break. Across town is the Vermont Tea and Leaf company, and the owner offers free samples of tea while I peruse through the store finding lots of tea varieties such as "mint chocolate" and "candy apple." Late afternoon brings the commuter bus back around and I head into Montpelier, which is the only state capital without a McDonalds. People have been telling me this all day and I want to scream back "I get it!!!" At the State House it's after 4:00 closing time, but I sneak in anyway. Upstairs is the house chambers and as I walk in I see four other people but don't really pay them any attention until I go up to take a photo and the woman says something to me about pointing my finger while smiling. It's only then that I realize it's Cloris Leachman and wonder what in the hell she is doing in Vermont. Following her as fast as possible into the Senate Chambers her son is yelling at her "Mother...Mother..." but she doesn't give him the time of day. There is an assistant there from the Gov office and he says "This is the first state capital with..." but Cloris cuts him off and says "That's all I hear in Vermont. This is the first, this is the oldest." I laugh b/c that's exactly what I've been thinking about all of New England. After asking for her photo she takes time to talk with me and her sons are very nice. It was such a random happening that I am completely flabergasted!
Wednesday September 23, 2009
Burlington, VT to Port Kent, NY
A quick Google search told me that Bing Crosby has been lying to me all these years and there really is no Pine Tree, Vermont. Whatever was I going to do now that I couldn't go to one of my favorite places of all time?
I found out there is a ferry that goes to the Adirondacks. Last night I looked up some trails right across the lake and they looked very accessible, even without a car. I asked my CS host Ross, but he doesn't seem to know a lot for a guy that has lived here for 5 years. On the ferry ride over there was a family from Israel traveling and the little girl and I began speaking. She told me all about their trip to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory and B&J and how she learned English from watching Hannah Montana!!! She even sings me the Hannah Montana song. Her family is traveling for two weeks in the USA, but mainly in the New England area. At Port Kent I go to find the information booth, which isn't there like it's supposed to be, and two people I met on the ferry offer to drop me off up the road. Once there I wonder around, but there are no trails to be found. As a car approaches I flag it down and ask for directions. He's an older man about 65 and says he's going that way, would I like a ride? Sure, why not. I open the back door and there are two hunting rifles in the back. He tells me "BTW, I have a couple of guns in the back." Oh, don't you worry, I noticed them already! He is a nice old man and takes me down to a wildlife viewing area that has a trail to loop back around to Lake Champlain. I wave goodbye and began down the trail. Markers are sparse, but I continue onwards. The yellow path leads me to a creek, which I begin to cross until I see that it's five feet overgrown and don't know what kind of snakes might be lurking down there. As I turn around rain begins to trickle down and by the time I am halfway back there is rain beating down hard. It's muddy and as I step forward a snake scurries across my path. I assume he's not dangerous so I stop and take his photo. After coming out of the trail I head back towards the ferry. Rain is pouring down now and I hold my hand up to flag down multiple cars, but no one stops. Just a girl, 5'1, in a pink raincoat...I am pretty threatening.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Burlington, VT
Lake Champlain Chocolates...yum, yum, yum!!! I attempted to go on a tour yesterday but was ten minutes late so they wouldn't let me join up. Today I was three minutes late and they had already started...prompt people!!! But, I joined up anyway, even though they had a sign up telling me to wait. How much could I have missed in three minutes? When I sat down I learned all about cocoa, pistols (a fancy name for chocolate chips), and how they make hollow Easter Bunnies. After she was done the tour guide gave us all we could eat chocolate and I ate enough to make me want to puke before I said it was time to go. Back down the street I revisted Great Harvest Bakery that I had come across the day before and they passed out more free slices of their delicious homemade goodies. In the afternoon I took a bus to South Burlington and the Magic Hat Brewery. Founded by two guys in the mid-90's the Magic Hat Brewery was decked out in Halloween gear and after walking in the girl said "Let's get you something to drink." Well, alright then. Magic Hat Brewery had ten beers on tap, you can try them all, or just one, but they let you drink AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!! A few beers before the tour, then I followed the guide into the plant where I saw the bottles being filled up, topped off, and packaged. It was very cool and as we were enjoying the tour another guide came through with more beer! After the tour you walked back to the lobby and enjoyed more free beer. The guide told me they had just started selling their #9 Magic Hat beer in Southern California; so if you live there definately check it out!
Buffalo, NY to Burlington, VT
So, when I booked my flight on JetBlue I asked for Buffalo to Burlington. Could there be two more random cities in the USA? I just had to laugh at myself. I was very sad to leave Buffalo today b/c my CS host was awesome and the upstate NY area was beautiful. However, it was off to Vermont and the land of maple syrup and Ben and Jerry's. Upon arrival I wondered over to the public transit bus stop and waited in the warm sunshine until the #1 pulled up. It took me into downtown Burlington, which was a quirky little environment, reminding me of Asheville. Everywhere I looked there were yoga studios and independent restaurants. I don't even know the last time I spotted a Wal-Mart. Connecting to another bus, I ventured down the Winookski River way to my CS home near the Koffe Kup Bakery. Delightful smells filled the air as I bypassed the doughnut making house. When the driver let me off he dumped me one stop ahead of where I needed to be so I began hauling my 50-pound luggage up the hill and around the community until I received a text from my host telling me where to go and what to do. At the condo building I found that he lived on the fourth floor, with no elevator, and continued to muscle it while wishing I had my backpack instead of this wheeling device.
At my CS house I found four other CS being hosted at the same time. My CS was a 22-year old guy and the first thing he told me was "I have a kegerator in the bathroom." I quickly dumped my stuff and headed back out for sightseeing. On the bus back to DT an older man began to talk with me. When he offered me directions to a lunch spot, I thanked him. When he offered to walk me there, I said sure. When he asked if he could join me, I wondered how I was going to get rid of him. His name turned out to be Pete and he stayed for over an hour telling me his life story...then he asked for my home address and I had to swiftly say goodbye. I have enough problems, I don't need Pete stalking me. In DT Burlington I found Church street which is where the main part of town meets pedestrians. In each direction there were people enjoying the warm autumn day. Perusing around I found City Hall and down the street there was Battery Park and the waterfront. Staring back at me was Lake Champlain in all its glory. Huge and magnificant, I sat on a bench to take it all in before strolling down a bike path to come across a beach known as the North Shore. It was there that I watched the sun disappear behind the Adirondack's and was overwhelmed with what nature had handed me.
Back at the house Ross invited everyone to join him at a CS potluck that evening. We walked up the hill to the party and when we arrived I found homemade tortillas being made and a freezer full of Ben and Jerry's. It is the one thing in Vermont everyone can agree on! As I went around introducing myself to people one guy shouted back "I hate San Diego. I went there once and it was horrible!" Um...okay...what does he want me to do about it? He complained about how cold the water was and how unfriendly the people were. I'll give him the water, but really, unfriendly people. San Diegans are hospitable as hell! When it came time to call it a night Ross packed two air mattresses together, next to a camping cot and his futon. Why did I feel like I was in Animal House?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Burlington, VT
There are two ways to see Ben and Jerry while in Vermont. One is to rent a car and the other is to take a commuter bus. Car rentals in Vermont start at $40/day without tax so I vetoed that idea real quickly. Waking up at 6:30 AM, I caught the 7:25 AM bus to Montpelier for $4. Along the way rain begins to trickle down and I remember that I need to start looking at the weather now that I'm no longer in a city that is sunny 365 days a year. In Montpelier I connect to another bus that is small, made for the county, and driven by an 80-year old woman named Elna. I wonder how she is still passing the Vermont driving test, but she drops me off in Waterbury and points down a road to the B&J factory, then says "I hope you got your walkin' shoes on.." I do, but before I use them I pop into the Green Mountain coffee shop where I enjoy coffee with an Englishman named Simon. He came over on the bus with me and is traveling through New England for a month. As he talks to some American men they offer us both a ride to our general directions (Simon is going to Stowe), so I scrunch in the back of the Neon and down the road to B&J I go. Once inside the famous ice cream grounds I pay the $3 entrance fee and look around at all their famousness. There is a letter from Joan Lunden about how much she loves B&J and a wall full of patented ice cream scoops dating back to the mid-1800's.
Once the tour starts our guide likes to use words such as "Mooooving" a lot in reference to the famous cows. He shows us a video about B&J and how they've now sold their fortune to live in the Caribbean (or somewhere warmer than Vermont), then takes us into the factory production area. It's actually really boring and you can't see anything else happening besides little pints going down a conveyer belt. Down another set of stairs we are given a free sample of chocolate chip ice cream and then that's it. So happy I came to Vermont to find the secrets of B&J.
Outside I walk a mile down the road back to Waterbury where I find the Winooski river and it is very pretty. There is a guy fly fishing down at the bottom and state workers running around the path on their lunch break. Across town is the Vermont Tea and Leaf company, and the owner offers free samples of tea while I peruse through the store finding lots of tea varieties such as "mint chocolate" and "candy apple." Late afternoon brings the commuter bus back around and I head into Montpelier, which is the only state capital without a McDonalds. People have been telling me this all day and I want to scream back "I get it!!!" At the State House it's after 4:00 closing time, but I sneak in anyway. Upstairs is the house chambers and as I walk in I see four other people but don't really pay them any attention until I go up to take a photo and the woman says something to me about pointing my finger while smiling. It's only then that I realize it's Cloris Leachman and wonder what in the hell she is doing in Vermont. Following her as fast as possible into the Senate Chambers her son is yelling at her "Mother...Mother..." but she doesn't give him the time of day. There is an assistant there from the Gov office and he says "This is the first state capital with..." but Cloris cuts him off and says "That's all I hear in Vermont. This is the first, this is the oldest." I laugh b/c that's exactly what I've been thinking about all of New England. After asking for her photo she takes time to talk with me and her sons are very nice. It was such a random happening that I am completely flabergasted!
Wednesday September 23, 2009
Burlington, VT to Port Kent, NY
A quick Google search told me that Bing Crosby has been lying to me all these years and there really is no Pine Tree, Vermont. Whatever was I going to do now that I couldn't go to one of my favorite places of all time?
I found out there is a ferry that goes to the Adirondacks. Last night I looked up some trails right across the lake and they looked very accessible, even without a car. I asked my CS host Ross, but he doesn't seem to know a lot for a guy that has lived here for 5 years. On the ferry ride over there was a family from Israel traveling and the little girl and I began speaking. She told me all about their trip to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory and B&J and how she learned English from watching Hannah Montana!!! She even sings me the Hannah Montana song. Her family is traveling for two weeks in the USA, but mainly in the New England area. At Port Kent I go to find the information booth, which isn't there like it's supposed to be, and two people I met on the ferry offer to drop me off up the road. Once there I wonder around, but there are no trails to be found. As a car approaches I flag it down and ask for directions. He's an older man about 65 and says he's going that way, would I like a ride? Sure, why not. I open the back door and there are two hunting rifles in the back. He tells me "BTW, I have a couple of guns in the back." Oh, don't you worry, I noticed them already! He is a nice old man and takes me down to a wildlife viewing area that has a trail to loop back around to Lake Champlain. I wave goodbye and began down the trail. Markers are sparse, but I continue onwards. The yellow path leads me to a creek, which I begin to cross until I see that it's five feet overgrown and don't know what kind of snakes might be lurking down there. As I turn around rain begins to trickle down and by the time I am halfway back there is rain beating down hard. It's muddy and as I step forward a snake scurries across my path. I assume he's not dangerous so I stop and take his photo. After coming out of the trail I head back towards the ferry. Rain is pouring down now and I hold my hand up to flag down multiple cars, but no one stops. Just a girl, 5'1, in a pink raincoat...I am pretty threatening.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Burlington, VT
Lake Champlain Chocolates...yum, yum, yum!!! I attempted to go on a tour yesterday but was ten minutes late so they wouldn't let me join up. Today I was three minutes late and they had already started...prompt people!!! But, I joined up anyway, even though they had a sign up telling me to wait. How much could I have missed in three minutes? When I sat down I learned all about cocoa, pistols (a fancy name for chocolate chips), and how they make hollow Easter Bunnies. After she was done the tour guide gave us all we could eat chocolate and I ate enough to make me want to puke before I said it was time to go. Back down the street I revisted Great Harvest Bakery that I had come across the day before and they passed out more free slices of their delicious homemade goodies. In the afternoon I took a bus to South Burlington and the Magic Hat Brewery. Founded by two guys in the mid-90's the Magic Hat Brewery was decked out in Halloween gear and after walking in the girl said "Let's get you something to drink." Well, alright then. Magic Hat Brewery had ten beers on tap, you can try them all, or just one, but they let you drink AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!! A few beers before the tour, then I followed the guide into the plant where I saw the bottles being filled up, topped off, and packaged. It was very cool and as we were enjoying the tour another guide came through with more beer! After the tour you walked back to the lobby and enjoyed more free beer. The guide told me they had just started selling their #9 Magic Hat beer in Southern California; so if you live there definately check it out!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Boston, MA to Buffalo, NY
September 18, 2009
Boston, MA to Buffalo, NY
Looking out the window of the airplane, I spotted Finger Lakes below and could not wait to land in this land called Buffalo. What did Buffalo have to offer a traveler? My CS host had called me and told me I would love the outdoors up here and after some Wikipedia research I halfway believed him. Soon after Jetblue dropped me off and I was officially stuck in upstate NY for three days, my CS host, Jeremy, met me at the airport and drove me off to the Anchor Bar…home of the World Famous Buffalo Chicken Wing! What a place to start. Jeremy’s friend Billy joined us and soon the three of us were downing 30 of Buffalo’s finest homemade hot poultry apps as we got to know each other. Jeremy and I soon realize that we are like brother and sister and when I order a PBR he gives me a hard time the rest of the night. Hello! It was either that or a Molson and I’m not Canadian. It was so weird being in the USA but seeing Canadian beer everywhere I went. Following the Anchor bar Jeremy showed me one of his favorite places in Buffalo, Niecce’s, where we saw a Frank Zappa cover band. They were so cool, but after Billy fell asleep standing up we decided it was best to call it a night. On the way out I witnessed a lady selling tomatoes and wondered if that’s what drunk people in Buffalo call for at 2 AM. Towards the car a guy ran down the street with three police officers following him…when they reached him he got hit with the nightstick while fighting back and yelling “Don’t hit me!” Don’t run brother if you didn’t do anything wrong…
September 19, 2009
Letchworth State Park, NY
Lounging on the couch, talking with Jeremy’s cousin Tom, the two of us were enjoying an early Saturday morning over coffee when Billy’s three nieces bounced up the front porch to invite us to breakfast. Before we could say yes they had taken over Jeremy’s studio and created a rock band with his drum set. Nothing like the sound of a nine year old beating the drums at 9 AM. Throwing on our hiking boots, a group of us took off to Apollo Family Restaurant and enjoyed some homemade diner food washed down with orange juice and coffee. Outside I wanted to get a photo of the group and looked around for someone whom I might be able to take a picture that wasn’t blurry…I saw two guys coming towards us and asked them “Hi, can you take a picture for me.” The guy looked at me a little weird and then when I handed him the camera I noticed that he didn’t have a hand. Nice. I couldn’t decide if he thought I was a bitch b/c I hadn’t noticed or inconsiderate b/c I made him take it anyway. Whatever. It was too late to turn back by that point and only I could find the one guy in Buffalo with no hand to take a picture.
Back in the car we headed out of town and east towards Letchworth State Park. Jeremy told me they call it the Grand Canyon of the East so I was very excited. Perfect weather poured over us and as the sun belted down I enjoyed the countryside of upstate New York. We passed by multiple dairy farms and roadside stands selling corn 12 for $2 before I saw a sign that read “Democrats and Republicans Pancake Breakfast.” I wonder what was going on. At Letchworth the lady working the entrance informed us that there was a Native American Festival taking place that day with events, etc., but when we showed up it turned out to be more like beads and feathers made in China and sold in New York. Driving through the park leaves were starting to change and fall off, there were lots of motorcyclists driving through and at Mr. Letchworth’s house three weddings were taking place. One of the weddings included every bridal attendant having a tattoo right above their breast, including the bride…then they all yelled “F8&$”…it was nothin’ but class up in there. Jeremy showed me the lower falls, upper falls and Portidge Bridge area. Everything was so beautiful and the river below was exceptionally clear. So clear that I could see straight through to the bottom. Although the water was really low; only 6 inches in some parts. At the Portidge Bridge we snuck around the fenced area and joined other tourist to walk the train tracks for a mile high view of the valley. Green trees went on for miles and hawks soared above our heads.
Back towards Buffalo we stopped at a roadside stand where we picked up fruits and veggies, which were turned in to a pasta and side dish later that night. Jeremy, Billy, and Tom sat me down after dinner and taught me how to play “Farkle,” but were not impressed when I soon whipped their ass with a few hot rolls. What a fun game!
September 20, 2009
Niagara Falls, NY
It was 39-degrees last night; too cold for me. I would never survive a Buffalo winter! My bones were stiff as I peeled away the covers and stood up to take in Sunday morning. Grabbing our hiking boots again, Jeremy drove us twenty miles away to Niagara Falls, home of the USA’s first state park. Through Buffalo I saw the General Mills plant, where they make Cheerios, Tyson foods, where they make lunchmeat, and Honeywell, where they make….
In the car we jammed to Iron Maiden and Bob Dylan before pulling in to Niagara Falls, where we parked near the river and walked through the park. Rapids flowed and the water was crystal clear as we approached Bridal Veil falls. The water hurried down the cliff and everyone looking on was a tourist. Mostly Asian and Indian tourist and one guy even had three cameras! I thought I took a lot of pictures! Looking over towards Canada I could see the Maiden of the Mist ship that cruises people near the bottom of the waterfall and I spotted double rainbows. After Bridal Veil falls, we walked towards Horseshoe Falls, which is where people jump over and try to survive. Already over the ledge were two European girls in stripper heels attempting to get a better picture. That is how people die I wanted to tell them, but figured they would get it as they tumbled in. Next to them a Bollywood movie was being filmed, so I snapped a picture of that, too. Down at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls, Jeremy and I entered the Cave of the Winds where we were outfitted with yellow panchos and flip flops that will later be donated to poverty stricken countries. Inside Cave of the Winds I walk towards the railway and see the most beautiful view of the falls and another rainbow. Up the stairs the falls pour down on me and I stand underneath and they rush onto my body. It is an amazing feeling just being there and allowing the water to rush all over you. When else in my life will I be back at Niagara Falls and have this experience?
In the afternoon my CS host introduces me to his family and friends and we watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while eating homemade chicken noodle soup and ribs…DELICIOUS! It hit the spot and the people in Buffalo were so nice and welcoming until I told them I was a Charger fan…
Boston, MA to Buffalo, NY
Looking out the window of the airplane, I spotted Finger Lakes below and could not wait to land in this land called Buffalo. What did Buffalo have to offer a traveler? My CS host had called me and told me I would love the outdoors up here and after some Wikipedia research I halfway believed him. Soon after Jetblue dropped me off and I was officially stuck in upstate NY for three days, my CS host, Jeremy, met me at the airport and drove me off to the Anchor Bar…home of the World Famous Buffalo Chicken Wing! What a place to start. Jeremy’s friend Billy joined us and soon the three of us were downing 30 of Buffalo’s finest homemade hot poultry apps as we got to know each other. Jeremy and I soon realize that we are like brother and sister and when I order a PBR he gives me a hard time the rest of the night. Hello! It was either that or a Molson and I’m not Canadian. It was so weird being in the USA but seeing Canadian beer everywhere I went. Following the Anchor bar Jeremy showed me one of his favorite places in Buffalo, Niecce’s, where we saw a Frank Zappa cover band. They were so cool, but after Billy fell asleep standing up we decided it was best to call it a night. On the way out I witnessed a lady selling tomatoes and wondered if that’s what drunk people in Buffalo call for at 2 AM. Towards the car a guy ran down the street with three police officers following him…when they reached him he got hit with the nightstick while fighting back and yelling “Don’t hit me!” Don’t run brother if you didn’t do anything wrong…
September 19, 2009
Letchworth State Park, NY
Lounging on the couch, talking with Jeremy’s cousin Tom, the two of us were enjoying an early Saturday morning over coffee when Billy’s three nieces bounced up the front porch to invite us to breakfast. Before we could say yes they had taken over Jeremy’s studio and created a rock band with his drum set. Nothing like the sound of a nine year old beating the drums at 9 AM. Throwing on our hiking boots, a group of us took off to Apollo Family Restaurant and enjoyed some homemade diner food washed down with orange juice and coffee. Outside I wanted to get a photo of the group and looked around for someone whom I might be able to take a picture that wasn’t blurry…I saw two guys coming towards us and asked them “Hi, can you take a picture for me.” The guy looked at me a little weird and then when I handed him the camera I noticed that he didn’t have a hand. Nice. I couldn’t decide if he thought I was a bitch b/c I hadn’t noticed or inconsiderate b/c I made him take it anyway. Whatever. It was too late to turn back by that point and only I could find the one guy in Buffalo with no hand to take a picture.
Back in the car we headed out of town and east towards Letchworth State Park. Jeremy told me they call it the Grand Canyon of the East so I was very excited. Perfect weather poured over us and as the sun belted down I enjoyed the countryside of upstate New York. We passed by multiple dairy farms and roadside stands selling corn 12 for $2 before I saw a sign that read “Democrats and Republicans Pancake Breakfast.” I wonder what was going on. At Letchworth the lady working the entrance informed us that there was a Native American Festival taking place that day with events, etc., but when we showed up it turned out to be more like beads and feathers made in China and sold in New York. Driving through the park leaves were starting to change and fall off, there were lots of motorcyclists driving through and at Mr. Letchworth’s house three weddings were taking place. One of the weddings included every bridal attendant having a tattoo right above their breast, including the bride…then they all yelled “F8&$”…it was nothin’ but class up in there. Jeremy showed me the lower falls, upper falls and Portidge Bridge area. Everything was so beautiful and the river below was exceptionally clear. So clear that I could see straight through to the bottom. Although the water was really low; only 6 inches in some parts. At the Portidge Bridge we snuck around the fenced area and joined other tourist to walk the train tracks for a mile high view of the valley. Green trees went on for miles and hawks soared above our heads.
Back towards Buffalo we stopped at a roadside stand where we picked up fruits and veggies, which were turned in to a pasta and side dish later that night. Jeremy, Billy, and Tom sat me down after dinner and taught me how to play “Farkle,” but were not impressed when I soon whipped their ass with a few hot rolls. What a fun game!
September 20, 2009
Niagara Falls, NY
It was 39-degrees last night; too cold for me. I would never survive a Buffalo winter! My bones were stiff as I peeled away the covers and stood up to take in Sunday morning. Grabbing our hiking boots again, Jeremy drove us twenty miles away to Niagara Falls, home of the USA’s first state park. Through Buffalo I saw the General Mills plant, where they make Cheerios, Tyson foods, where they make lunchmeat, and Honeywell, where they make….
In the car we jammed to Iron Maiden and Bob Dylan before pulling in to Niagara Falls, where we parked near the river and walked through the park. Rapids flowed and the water was crystal clear as we approached Bridal Veil falls. The water hurried down the cliff and everyone looking on was a tourist. Mostly Asian and Indian tourist and one guy even had three cameras! I thought I took a lot of pictures! Looking over towards Canada I could see the Maiden of the Mist ship that cruises people near the bottom of the waterfall and I spotted double rainbows. After Bridal Veil falls, we walked towards Horseshoe Falls, which is where people jump over and try to survive. Already over the ledge were two European girls in stripper heels attempting to get a better picture. That is how people die I wanted to tell them, but figured they would get it as they tumbled in. Next to them a Bollywood movie was being filmed, so I snapped a picture of that, too. Down at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls, Jeremy and I entered the Cave of the Winds where we were outfitted with yellow panchos and flip flops that will later be donated to poverty stricken countries. Inside Cave of the Winds I walk towards the railway and see the most beautiful view of the falls and another rainbow. Up the stairs the falls pour down on me and I stand underneath and they rush onto my body. It is an amazing feeling just being there and allowing the water to rush all over you. When else in my life will I be back at Niagara Falls and have this experience?
In the afternoon my CS host introduces me to his family and friends and we watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while eating homemade chicken noodle soup and ribs…DELICIOUS! It hit the spot and the people in Buffalo were so nice and welcoming until I told them I was a Charger fan…
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Orlando, FL to Boston, MA
September 15, 2009
Orlando, FL to Boston, MA
Sitting on the plane with ten minutes to spare before takeoff, everyone was nestled all snug in their seats when suddenly three people appeared out of nowhere racing into the aircraft yelling and screaming. Something about how the gate number had changed on them, someone had a broken foot, high blood pressure and they were “Going to sue the pants off of JetBlue!” By this point everyone had spaced out in the aircraft so when the 80 year old woman shouted “We have seats 2 E and F” everyone tried to inform her just to sit down so we could take off, but then her husband started yelling too and said “What’s the point of having assigned seats if you’re not gonna get them?” With everyone shuffling around and the old man still yelling that his daughters broken foot needed medical attention the poor JetBlue flight attendants looked like they needed one of their $6 cocktails. After we finally took off he still wouldn’t shut up, so I finally turned around and told him that I didn’t feel like listening to him for 2 ½ hours, and if he still needed to complain then send a letter to JetBlue corporate. Then he called me rude, but other people on the plane clapped and said “thanks.”
After landing at Logan I was met by a Couchsurfing friend who drove me into town near Fenway and together we went to see the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” cast kick off their six city theater tour at the Boston House of Blues. Across the street was Fenway park and I don’t know the last time I ever saw that many people at a Padres game. Winning or losing. It was quite neat how the Red Sox close off the whole street and there are hot dog vendors in the street catering to the crowd. Not a person headed into the game without something red or blue on without the logo “B” attached. Inside the HOB it was standing room only and although cameras weren’t allowed mine wasn’t confiscated, along with about 100 others so soon I was taking as many pics as possible in the dimly lit place. Opening for the cast was some shady band whose name I didn’t catch, but let me tell you I didn’t spend $10 on the CD they were hawking. Soon Danny DeVito and the gang were on singing and dancing and although there were a few glitches I’d give the performance an 8 out of 10; by the sixth city I’d say they’ll know all their lines. Plus, they showed an upcoming episode from this season and a clip from their Christmas DVD. Down the street I joined my actual CS host, named Dario. His condo is in the Brookline area, near Coolidge corners. When I got there, two other CS from NYC were spending two days as well. They were two students from Korea, studying English in Queens so I was excited to have someone to explore the city with!
September 16, 2009
Boston, MA
I headed over to Harvard and MIT with my two new CS friends first thing this morning. We grabbed the #66 bus straight down to Harvard Square where we asked the really old man in the information booth what time the student run tour would begin. He said 10:30 which meant we had 45 minutes to kill and we walked around watching kids go to and from class. Back at 10:30 the really old man informed us that the tour would start at 10:45…at 10:45 he informed us that “oh, yeah! The tours are actually canceled on Wednesday’s now.” WTF I thought Harvard was the SMART school! Buying a map of the joint, the three of us began our own self guided tour of the university with the first stop being to rub John Harvards foot. We are joined by 50 teenagers yelling and screaming, and I’m also assuming praying, to get into the Ivy Leaguer. Past that building we see the biggest library I have ever photographed, but you can only be admitted with a Harvard ID. Every building on campus is accompanied by a steeple and the law school has 10 buildings to itself. We sneak into one to use the restroom, but to my surprise there are more men’s RR than women’s. Obviously this place is REALLY, REALLY, old. For lunch we go to Mr. Bartley’s homemade burgers on Harvard Square which is world famous and even been featured on the Travel Channel’s show with that guy who has really scary blonde hair. I am a little disappointed though by the crappy service and the fact that my burger is burned to hell. Mr. Bartley, I won’t be returning.
After lunch the girls head over to MIT and I meet up with my old Resident Director, Josh, from when I was an RA at Appalachian. He’s an Associate Dean now at Harvard and when I tell him I rubbed John Harvards foot he tells me the students pee on the statue. AWESOME.
Closing out the afternoon I, too, find my way to MIT where a student gives me wrong directions and I end up in the industrial part of town as opposed to the industrial part of campus. I haven’t found too many welcoming people in Boston so far. They all pass you by without so much as a “hello” and everyone seems quite snobby. No one rushes to hold the door open for you and I’ve had more than one person step on my foot when walking on the sidewalk. Normally when traveling I don’t need a map, but this city seems lost on direction, so I found myself standing on a street corner today holding my map out large and wide. Not one single person stopped to ask if I needed assistance.
For dinner I met up with one of my oldest friends in the world, Laurie. We lived on the same hall in our Coltrane dorm at App and have been friends forever; now she lives up in MA. Laughing with her and Josh took the edge off of the Bostonians. But seriously people, they really need to be more welcoming.
September 17, 2009
Boston, MA
There’s no better way to start your day than a trip to the Samuel Adams Brewery! Tours start at 10:00 AM and we were there spot on. Located a few blocks off the end of the Orange line in a corner on Germania street, the brewery is small but welcoming. There are so many awards lining the walls that they’re probably going to have to build another room soon. A TV monitor with Jim Koch welcomes you and college students give the tours. Kale was our tour guide and holding a Sam Adams Boston Lager the whole time, he lead us into the back room where he showed us the four main ingredients used in their beer making process before telling us all the history we ever wanted to know. It was actually more like a winery tour than a beer factory tour, but they are a smaller brewery than others; however, I was at least expecting the bottling section! At the end they invite you into the tasting room where you receive a 7 ounce glass to keep and Kale started pouring away. Of course we got the Boston Lager, then the Octoberfest, followed by the nastiest Oatmeal Stout I’ve ever put in my mouth. It’s only served at Patriot’s games, which is just one more reason for me to never visit Gillette Stadium.
Saying goodbye to the girls, I headed downtown to Boston Commons where I began following the red bricks and the Freedom Trail. Although you are supposed to follow the red bricks, half of them are missing, so I kept getting lost all over the place. Asking directions was dumb because people were just walking past me when I tried to gain their attention. Attention Bostonians…YOU SUCK! Finally I found my way again and more cemeteries turned into Fanuel Hall and Quincy Market. I went inside to Quincy Market thinking I would find a Farmers Market type atmosphere but the first thing I see is a Starbuck’s and I wonder if the founders of America ever envisioned the green and white coffee shop there. I immediately U-turn out, but not before I walk through “Cheers” just to say I did it and then continue onwards to Paul Revere’s house and Copp’s cemetery. Inside the cemetery is a city worker fixing some bricks who begins talking to me and gives me the entire history of Boston and Paul Revere in five minutes. He asks me “What else do you want to know?” so I ask him “Where is Mr. Copps grave?” and he says “That I don’t know.” WE ARE IN MR. COPPS CEMETERY!!!
After walking across the Charlestown bridge I catch the T back to the house and get ready for that night’s boat cruise. My CS host, Dario, and his friend Sean told me about it before I came and it sounded fun. At 7:30 PM we sat sail from the Boston port and I see the city all lit up in beauty. We sail past Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution. There is a DJ on board and two live bands; someone is airbrushing tattoos. It is a fun way to spend my last night in Boston. I can’t really grasp the people on board. There is really no fashion sense in this town. And no one really knows how to dance at all. It’s like all the smart Ivy Leaguers who are trying to be cool…but failing. I see a dorky guy trying to dance and video him. Sean says he will be the next YouTube hit.
September 18, 2009
Boston, MA
Ben Affleck is here making a movie. I walked over to Fenway today to finally see the stadium and there were all these barricades up and movie trailers. It’s called ‘The Town,’ which I do hope they end up changing to something more unique before printing posters. When I asked the Boston PD what the name of the movie was he laughed as he told me. Anyway, it is apparently some FBI thriller because everyone was wearing guns and vests and they had a Boston FBI van set up. I saw the trailers and such, but I did not see Ben Affleck. Or Jennifer Garner. Or their kids. Or Matt Damon…
However, I once again did get some bad directions from the Boston police. He sent me to the wrong T station, with my luggage. Then when I got to the right T station the elevator was broken, so I lugged my now 47 pound bag down the stairs. I met my old Phi Mu sister, Erin, out at the Alewhite station and she drove us into Concord for lunch. We went into a quaint little place and I had my very first lobster roll ever, accompanied by some New England clam chowder. The lobster was delicious, although I still can’t figure out the roll concept. Erin did explain it to me, but I will keep eating them until I get it right. Back on the road I saw Minuteman National Park where Paul Revere began his journey and the leaves are starting to change. I am excited about the next few weeks when I continue up through Vermont and Maine. Fall is here and I am loving it!
Orlando, FL to Boston, MA
Sitting on the plane with ten minutes to spare before takeoff, everyone was nestled all snug in their seats when suddenly three people appeared out of nowhere racing into the aircraft yelling and screaming. Something about how the gate number had changed on them, someone had a broken foot, high blood pressure and they were “Going to sue the pants off of JetBlue!” By this point everyone had spaced out in the aircraft so when the 80 year old woman shouted “We have seats 2 E and F” everyone tried to inform her just to sit down so we could take off, but then her husband started yelling too and said “What’s the point of having assigned seats if you’re not gonna get them?” With everyone shuffling around and the old man still yelling that his daughters broken foot needed medical attention the poor JetBlue flight attendants looked like they needed one of their $6 cocktails. After we finally took off he still wouldn’t shut up, so I finally turned around and told him that I didn’t feel like listening to him for 2 ½ hours, and if he still needed to complain then send a letter to JetBlue corporate. Then he called me rude, but other people on the plane clapped and said “thanks.”
After landing at Logan I was met by a Couchsurfing friend who drove me into town near Fenway and together we went to see the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” cast kick off their six city theater tour at the Boston House of Blues. Across the street was Fenway park and I don’t know the last time I ever saw that many people at a Padres game. Winning or losing. It was quite neat how the Red Sox close off the whole street and there are hot dog vendors in the street catering to the crowd. Not a person headed into the game without something red or blue on without the logo “B” attached. Inside the HOB it was standing room only and although cameras weren’t allowed mine wasn’t confiscated, along with about 100 others so soon I was taking as many pics as possible in the dimly lit place. Opening for the cast was some shady band whose name I didn’t catch, but let me tell you I didn’t spend $10 on the CD they were hawking. Soon Danny DeVito and the gang were on singing and dancing and although there were a few glitches I’d give the performance an 8 out of 10; by the sixth city I’d say they’ll know all their lines. Plus, they showed an upcoming episode from this season and a clip from their Christmas DVD. Down the street I joined my actual CS host, named Dario. His condo is in the Brookline area, near Coolidge corners. When I got there, two other CS from NYC were spending two days as well. They were two students from Korea, studying English in Queens so I was excited to have someone to explore the city with!
September 16, 2009
Boston, MA
I headed over to Harvard and MIT with my two new CS friends first thing this morning. We grabbed the #66 bus straight down to Harvard Square where we asked the really old man in the information booth what time the student run tour would begin. He said 10:30 which meant we had 45 minutes to kill and we walked around watching kids go to and from class. Back at 10:30 the really old man informed us that the tour would start at 10:45…at 10:45 he informed us that “oh, yeah! The tours are actually canceled on Wednesday’s now.” WTF I thought Harvard was the SMART school! Buying a map of the joint, the three of us began our own self guided tour of the university with the first stop being to rub John Harvards foot. We are joined by 50 teenagers yelling and screaming, and I’m also assuming praying, to get into the Ivy Leaguer. Past that building we see the biggest library I have ever photographed, but you can only be admitted with a Harvard ID. Every building on campus is accompanied by a steeple and the law school has 10 buildings to itself. We sneak into one to use the restroom, but to my surprise there are more men’s RR than women’s. Obviously this place is REALLY, REALLY, old. For lunch we go to Mr. Bartley’s homemade burgers on Harvard Square which is world famous and even been featured on the Travel Channel’s show with that guy who has really scary blonde hair. I am a little disappointed though by the crappy service and the fact that my burger is burned to hell. Mr. Bartley, I won’t be returning.
After lunch the girls head over to MIT and I meet up with my old Resident Director, Josh, from when I was an RA at Appalachian. He’s an Associate Dean now at Harvard and when I tell him I rubbed John Harvards foot he tells me the students pee on the statue. AWESOME.
Closing out the afternoon I, too, find my way to MIT where a student gives me wrong directions and I end up in the industrial part of town as opposed to the industrial part of campus. I haven’t found too many welcoming people in Boston so far. They all pass you by without so much as a “hello” and everyone seems quite snobby. No one rushes to hold the door open for you and I’ve had more than one person step on my foot when walking on the sidewalk. Normally when traveling I don’t need a map, but this city seems lost on direction, so I found myself standing on a street corner today holding my map out large and wide. Not one single person stopped to ask if I needed assistance.
For dinner I met up with one of my oldest friends in the world, Laurie. We lived on the same hall in our Coltrane dorm at App and have been friends forever; now she lives up in MA. Laughing with her and Josh took the edge off of the Bostonians. But seriously people, they really need to be more welcoming.
September 17, 2009
Boston, MA
There’s no better way to start your day than a trip to the Samuel Adams Brewery! Tours start at 10:00 AM and we were there spot on. Located a few blocks off the end of the Orange line in a corner on Germania street, the brewery is small but welcoming. There are so many awards lining the walls that they’re probably going to have to build another room soon. A TV monitor with Jim Koch welcomes you and college students give the tours. Kale was our tour guide and holding a Sam Adams Boston Lager the whole time, he lead us into the back room where he showed us the four main ingredients used in their beer making process before telling us all the history we ever wanted to know. It was actually more like a winery tour than a beer factory tour, but they are a smaller brewery than others; however, I was at least expecting the bottling section! At the end they invite you into the tasting room where you receive a 7 ounce glass to keep and Kale started pouring away. Of course we got the Boston Lager, then the Octoberfest, followed by the nastiest Oatmeal Stout I’ve ever put in my mouth. It’s only served at Patriot’s games, which is just one more reason for me to never visit Gillette Stadium.
Saying goodbye to the girls, I headed downtown to Boston Commons where I began following the red bricks and the Freedom Trail. Although you are supposed to follow the red bricks, half of them are missing, so I kept getting lost all over the place. Asking directions was dumb because people were just walking past me when I tried to gain their attention. Attention Bostonians…YOU SUCK! Finally I found my way again and more cemeteries turned into Fanuel Hall and Quincy Market. I went inside to Quincy Market thinking I would find a Farmers Market type atmosphere but the first thing I see is a Starbuck’s and I wonder if the founders of America ever envisioned the green and white coffee shop there. I immediately U-turn out, but not before I walk through “Cheers” just to say I did it and then continue onwards to Paul Revere’s house and Copp’s cemetery. Inside the cemetery is a city worker fixing some bricks who begins talking to me and gives me the entire history of Boston and Paul Revere in five minutes. He asks me “What else do you want to know?” so I ask him “Where is Mr. Copps grave?” and he says “That I don’t know.” WE ARE IN MR. COPPS CEMETERY!!!
After walking across the Charlestown bridge I catch the T back to the house and get ready for that night’s boat cruise. My CS host, Dario, and his friend Sean told me about it before I came and it sounded fun. At 7:30 PM we sat sail from the Boston port and I see the city all lit up in beauty. We sail past Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution. There is a DJ on board and two live bands; someone is airbrushing tattoos. It is a fun way to spend my last night in Boston. I can’t really grasp the people on board. There is really no fashion sense in this town. And no one really knows how to dance at all. It’s like all the smart Ivy Leaguers who are trying to be cool…but failing. I see a dorky guy trying to dance and video him. Sean says he will be the next YouTube hit.
September 18, 2009
Boston, MA
Ben Affleck is here making a movie. I walked over to Fenway today to finally see the stadium and there were all these barricades up and movie trailers. It’s called ‘The Town,’ which I do hope they end up changing to something more unique before printing posters. When I asked the Boston PD what the name of the movie was he laughed as he told me. Anyway, it is apparently some FBI thriller because everyone was wearing guns and vests and they had a Boston FBI van set up. I saw the trailers and such, but I did not see Ben Affleck. Or Jennifer Garner. Or their kids. Or Matt Damon…
However, I once again did get some bad directions from the Boston police. He sent me to the wrong T station, with my luggage. Then when I got to the right T station the elevator was broken, so I lugged my now 47 pound bag down the stairs. I met my old Phi Mu sister, Erin, out at the Alewhite station and she drove us into Concord for lunch. We went into a quaint little place and I had my very first lobster roll ever, accompanied by some New England clam chowder. The lobster was delicious, although I still can’t figure out the roll concept. Erin did explain it to me, but I will keep eating them until I get it right. Back on the road I saw Minuteman National Park where Paul Revere began his journey and the leaves are starting to change. I am excited about the next few weeks when I continue up through Vermont and Maine. Fall is here and I am loving it!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Forest City, NC to Orlando, FL
September 12, 2009
Forest City, NC to Orlando, FL
Last year while traveling in Bocas del Toro, Panama I met a friend who lived in Orlando. Since then he's been telling me about how awesome this city is and how I should come visit. A few weeks back my friend D'Ann mentioned that she would be in Orlando for a conference and invited me to join her; coincidentally another ASU alum named Parker suddenly popped up in Mickey's hometown and I called JetBlue to figure out the fastest way down now that the moon had aligned for me to visit the Sunshine State.
Landing at the Orlando airport I was met by statuettes of Disney characters in each direction. Passing them by I walked out of the terminal and was greeted by my friend Tim holding up a sign that read "Jenifer Bubenik, Author." He is so funny! Tim drove me over to meet up with D'Ann, at the JW Marriot. As soon as I walked in I was in awe. The JW Marriot was covered in waterfalls and chandeliers and all it needed was a casino to be Vegas. D'Ann greeted me, got me settled in, and the two of us got cozy by a firepit outside, underneath an umbrella as rain came down. I was very happy she had asked me to join her in the paradise known as Orlando.
September 13, 2009
Orlando, FL
Tim decided to show me his hometown by taking me to SeaWorld. I know some people will think it's funny that I flew from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Orlando, but all in a days fun. Tim's dad has been a SeaWorld employee for 20+ years so he handed me a free pass and in the entrance we went. I was met by a huge lake and a tower painted with Shamu. Bypassing all the kiddies we headed towards the manatees and stingrays where we got a plate of dead minnows to feed the slimy animals. I placed my hand down in the water and two seconds later I was met by stingrays fighting each other to lick my fingers. It was more scary than snorkeling with the little fellows. Continuing on we visited the Antartic and saw pengiuns and polar bears before catching the dolphin show where trapeeze artist were involved and riding Atlantis where Tim pushed us into the front row, causing buckets of water to fall into the seat and my cotton pants to be soaked for the rest of the day. Before the day was over we also hit up the ever scary roller coaster Manta where I found myself screaming for dear life and I noticed that you could follow Shamu on twitter.
Back at the JW Marriot D'Ann and I were joined by my ASU alum friend Parker. Such a randomness that the three of us were in Orlando, yet none of us live here, we lived it up in the restaurant downstairs. An afternoon rainstorm had left the patio drenched, but D'Ann wanted to sit out in the Florida air, so the nice busboy cleaned off the table and sat tablecloths on the chairs for us. Two minutes after we sat down a baby rattlesnake joined us and the server told us "We must move inside, there is a snake." We told her it's just a baby and all of us are from the country, it'd be okay. Another two minutes later rain poured down and we were forced inside anyway. But, thanks for all of their hard work and determination.
September 14, 2009
Orlando, FL
I had found that it rained every afternoon in Orlando. Like Hawaii, but without the beach. Before the rain kicked in I headed out around the JW Marriot for a run. Built on a lake there was a great 1 mile running path that I enjoyed and found a butterly garden and organic garden on property during my morning workout. I highly recommend the Orlando JW to anyone in the area and soooo many thanks to D'Ann for letting me tag along. After D'Ann finished up with her work we enjoyed the sunshine by grabbing some inner tubes and lounging around the lazy river. The pool was huge and the lifeguard told us that there were 900 chairs on property! We were blessed yesterday that the rain held off and at 5:00 PM we left the sun to get ready for Monday Night Football.
In the lobby bar we watched Del Potro win the US Open before cheering on the Chargers during MNF. Parker joined up with us again and laugher continued in Orlando throughout the night. I was so happy that I finally made it down to this town and thankful that I got to see everyone. What a great time!
Forest City, NC to Orlando, FL
Last year while traveling in Bocas del Toro, Panama I met a friend who lived in Orlando. Since then he's been telling me about how awesome this city is and how I should come visit. A few weeks back my friend D'Ann mentioned that she would be in Orlando for a conference and invited me to join her; coincidentally another ASU alum named Parker suddenly popped up in Mickey's hometown and I called JetBlue to figure out the fastest way down now that the moon had aligned for me to visit the Sunshine State.
Landing at the Orlando airport I was met by statuettes of Disney characters in each direction. Passing them by I walked out of the terminal and was greeted by my friend Tim holding up a sign that read "Jenifer Bubenik, Author." He is so funny! Tim drove me over to meet up with D'Ann, at the JW Marriot. As soon as I walked in I was in awe. The JW Marriot was covered in waterfalls and chandeliers and all it needed was a casino to be Vegas. D'Ann greeted me, got me settled in, and the two of us got cozy by a firepit outside, underneath an umbrella as rain came down. I was very happy she had asked me to join her in the paradise known as Orlando.
September 13, 2009
Orlando, FL
Tim decided to show me his hometown by taking me to SeaWorld. I know some people will think it's funny that I flew from SeaWorld San Diego to SeaWorld Orlando, but all in a days fun. Tim's dad has been a SeaWorld employee for 20+ years so he handed me a free pass and in the entrance we went. I was met by a huge lake and a tower painted with Shamu. Bypassing all the kiddies we headed towards the manatees and stingrays where we got a plate of dead minnows to feed the slimy animals. I placed my hand down in the water and two seconds later I was met by stingrays fighting each other to lick my fingers. It was more scary than snorkeling with the little fellows. Continuing on we visited the Antartic and saw pengiuns and polar bears before catching the dolphin show where trapeeze artist were involved and riding Atlantis where Tim pushed us into the front row, causing buckets of water to fall into the seat and my cotton pants to be soaked for the rest of the day. Before the day was over we also hit up the ever scary roller coaster Manta where I found myself screaming for dear life and I noticed that you could follow Shamu on twitter.
Back at the JW Marriot D'Ann and I were joined by my ASU alum friend Parker. Such a randomness that the three of us were in Orlando, yet none of us live here, we lived it up in the restaurant downstairs. An afternoon rainstorm had left the patio drenched, but D'Ann wanted to sit out in the Florida air, so the nice busboy cleaned off the table and sat tablecloths on the chairs for us. Two minutes after we sat down a baby rattlesnake joined us and the server told us "We must move inside, there is a snake." We told her it's just a baby and all of us are from the country, it'd be okay. Another two minutes later rain poured down and we were forced inside anyway. But, thanks for all of their hard work and determination.
September 14, 2009
Orlando, FL
I had found that it rained every afternoon in Orlando. Like Hawaii, but without the beach. Before the rain kicked in I headed out around the JW Marriot for a run. Built on a lake there was a great 1 mile running path that I enjoyed and found a butterly garden and organic garden on property during my morning workout. I highly recommend the Orlando JW to anyone in the area and soooo many thanks to D'Ann for letting me tag along. After D'Ann finished up with her work we enjoyed the sunshine by grabbing some inner tubes and lounging around the lazy river. The pool was huge and the lifeguard told us that there were 900 chairs on property! We were blessed yesterday that the rain held off and at 5:00 PM we left the sun to get ready for Monday Night Football.
In the lobby bar we watched Del Potro win the US Open before cheering on the Chargers during MNF. Parker joined up with us again and laugher continued in Orlando throughout the night. I was so happy that I finally made it down to this town and thankful that I got to see everyone. What a great time!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
NYC to Lake Lure, NC
September 11, 2009
NYC to Lake Lure, NC
So, about a week ago my brother sent me an email saying "Want to go to the LeAnn Rimes concert in Forest City on September 11?" With an all you can fly JetBlue pass my response was of course "Why the hell not?" So, after making the quick two hour flight down from JFK, which really felt like six hours thanks to the three kids under the age of five sitting in the row in front of me yelling and screaming the whole time, I arrived at the Charlotte airport.
Hopping in my brothers Honda, we jetted up the 74 through Shebly and Rutherford County, where the state of North Carolina is lined with nothing more than Baptist churches and Bojangles. I decided on chicken and and after we pulled through the drive through we were back on our way to Forest City. Upon arrival in the tiny town, I said "Man, look at that beautiful building!" Again, it was a Baptist church that looked like a plantation one might find down in Charleston. Down the road on the right is the baseball park, home to the Forest City owls, and the place of that nights concert for grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes. Either she's really hard up for money or, just like me, has an all you can fly pass, b/c I don't know why she's out in the middle of this baseball field singing for $20 tickets, which in fact look as though we printed them up on our Dell laser jet printer ourselves.
Mom and dad soon show up and once we are all banded the girl says "Wow, you guys are on field level." I am quite impressed until we walk on through and I realize that LeAnn Rimes can't even fill up the Forest Owls Field Stadium. Chris tells me he had more people than this at his last party. But, with beers being only $3 the fans are already pretty lively to hear the one-hit wonders of the 1990's, Ricochet. A bad young band soon follows called Easy Ryde or something like that. The lead singer was horrible enough, but when his mate took over to remake John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" I had to begin making a YouTube video. Finally, LeAnn Rimes walked on stage and after touting her main hits she told the crowd about her new album coming out, which has some songs about divorce, since she "has a friend currently going through the situation." Would his name be Eddie?
As the evening came to a close, we drove 30 minutes up the road to the famous town of Lake Lure, which many North Carolinians know is where Dirty Dancing was filmed and Chimney Rock is, where Last of the Mohicans found fame. Spending the night at the Esmerelda was a relaxing way to visit the family and walking around town Saturday morning we played some mini-golf before I came back to the Charlotte airport and began on my way to Orlando.
NYC to Lake Lure, NC
So, about a week ago my brother sent me an email saying "Want to go to the LeAnn Rimes concert in Forest City on September 11?" With an all you can fly JetBlue pass my response was of course "Why the hell not?" So, after making the quick two hour flight down from JFK, which really felt like six hours thanks to the three kids under the age of five sitting in the row in front of me yelling and screaming the whole time, I arrived at the Charlotte airport.
Hopping in my brothers Honda, we jetted up the 74 through Shebly and Rutherford County, where the state of North Carolina is lined with nothing more than Baptist churches and Bojangles. I decided on chicken and and after we pulled through the drive through we were back on our way to Forest City. Upon arrival in the tiny town, I said "Man, look at that beautiful building!" Again, it was a Baptist church that looked like a plantation one might find down in Charleston. Down the road on the right is the baseball park, home to the Forest City owls, and the place of that nights concert for grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes. Either she's really hard up for money or, just like me, has an all you can fly pass, b/c I don't know why she's out in the middle of this baseball field singing for $20 tickets, which in fact look as though we printed them up on our Dell laser jet printer ourselves.
Mom and dad soon show up and once we are all banded the girl says "Wow, you guys are on field level." I am quite impressed until we walk on through and I realize that LeAnn Rimes can't even fill up the Forest Owls Field Stadium. Chris tells me he had more people than this at his last party. But, with beers being only $3 the fans are already pretty lively to hear the one-hit wonders of the 1990's, Ricochet. A bad young band soon follows called Easy Ryde or something like that. The lead singer was horrible enough, but when his mate took over to remake John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" I had to begin making a YouTube video. Finally, LeAnn Rimes walked on stage and after touting her main hits she told the crowd about her new album coming out, which has some songs about divorce, since she "has a friend currently going through the situation." Would his name be Eddie?
As the evening came to a close, we drove 30 minutes up the road to the famous town of Lake Lure, which many North Carolinians know is where Dirty Dancing was filmed and Chimney Rock is, where Last of the Mohicans found fame. Spending the night at the Esmerelda was a relaxing way to visit the family and walking around town Saturday morning we played some mini-golf before I came back to the Charlotte airport and began on my way to Orlando.
Friday, September 11, 2009
San Diego, CA to New York City
September 8, 2009
San Diego, CA to NYC
Goodbye San Diego, hello 'All You Can Fly JetBlue Pass.' I handed my luggage to the guy and it was 57.5 pounds, so I removed my hiking boots and it settled at 51.5. e let me by, but the baggage carrier wanted to know why I didn't have to pay the $50 extra and it took all I had to inform his chubby little butt that 1.5 lbs extra probably would do him some good. After making it to the gate JetBlue welcomed us on and said there were 30-40 people flying with the pass that day, about thirty percent of that plane. And for those of you who haven't flown JetBlue yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Free drinks and snacks, plus your own little TV at your seat. And, more leg room than the other guys. I have been sold.
After landing at JFK I retrieved my luggage, which now read 56 pounds according to the tag attached to it and headed off on the subway to my Couchsurfers house at Battery Park. Immediately I rememembered how much I miss NYC. Everytime I return I fall more in love with this city. The public transit alone is reason for me to want to make out with Mayor Bloomberg. For $2.25 you stay on the same train from JFK to the WTC, no transfers, and one low price. Take note SDCOMMUTE. At the WTC I see where they are preparing for Friday's events and up close and personal the massive hole left by 9/11 is incredible. When I make my way through Gateway Plaza I am greeted by my CS Chris, who's studio view is of Lady Liberty herself. He proceeds to give me tons of insider info on his fave NYC spots, which I enjoy since I've done every touristy thing in this city before. After sharing war stories of travel and volunteer work, we call it an early night.
September 9, 2009
NYC
An early morning run through Battery Park jolted my body onto EST. There are so many NYPD around barricading people off in preparation for 9/11. After my run I decided to venture onto the Staten Island Ferry, b/c I haven't seen the Statue of Liberty in a while and on the way I see a huge celebration near Pier A. People are lined up to take pics and there are white tents shielded off by high wooded walls. I asked a NYCPO what's going on and he laughs and tells me the Princess of Norway is getting married. Boarding the ferry I sip my coffee while enjoying the view. 8 years later it is still hard to take in the skyline without the twin towers. I'm not climbing the SOL today or visiting Ellis Island b/c I have done that twice before, so I just sit back on the ferry and don't fight the crowd.
Afterwards, I take the 7 train out to Queens and visit Arthur Ashe Stadium and people watch everyone entering the US Open. Everyone is dressed in their business suits and rushing in, as though they are on their lunch breaks and just trying to catch a quick glimpse of tennis before heading back. There are still $48 tix available for that day, but I decide to save my money for other fun events.
Onward back to Manhattan, I stop at Bryant Park where the white tents have popped up for Fashion Week. It's lunchtime and there are men playing quick games of chess, people catching a nap, and pigeons swooping in and out. I look for Tim Gunn, but he must not be in town yet. Around the corner I step into the NY Public Library, and am awed by its beauty. There are staircases everywhere, leading you to millions of books, many perched on gold bookshelves. I peek into the geneology room and the library employee helps me look into my family records. I find when and who came to the USA on what ships and see PDF versions of their original passport applications and birth records. Since I'm nearby I continue down the street into Times Square and find a nude girl being painted from head to toe and the line at TKTS wrapped around the block three times. At Wicked I attempt to win front row seats for $26 in their daily lottery, but it appears rigged when the local guys behind me say "We're just going to get our tix and go on our date" and then they win. Saddened by my loss (of time more than the tix) I hustled back down the street into Central Park. There are so many runners coming towards me that I think for a moment maybe the NYC Marathon has come a month early. To the west side of the park is Strawberry Fields, dedicated to John Lennon, and as I enter this area I am greeted by ten homeless men dancing around with a half empty bottle of Jim Beam and a strong scent of weed. "Hey baby, come dance with us" they say! Snap, snap...goes the camera and off I head.
September 10, 2009
NYC
It's early morning and I'm walking up Broadway past City Hall. Attempting to cut through the City Hall park I find barricades and the NYC City Hall is closed off like the White House. No pass for Jen. Further up Broadway I begin to pass through SoHo and if I only had a black AmEx card I could go crazy with all the shopping that stares back at me. I am on my way to the Arrojo hair studio where I have been signed up for a free wash and style this morning. Once I am in the chair the girl begins to turn the round brush and I think to myself that I could have done a better job blowing out my hair than her. But, it is free so I let her continue on. By the time she's done I don't really notice a difference, which doesn't really matter since out on the street the wind blows it backwards anyways. At this point I get lost, going from street to street through Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Meatpacking District before I finally settle on walking up the Hudson River path and having lunch at the Chelsea Market. According to the Lonely Planet (which we all know never steers me wrong) the Chelsea Market is full of cheeses, breads, and fruit for you and taste and have fun with. Wrong again LP. Yes, the Chelsea Market does have those things, but they are for you to look over and buy, then taste. I settle on a cheeseburger and one of the little diners inside and enjoy it near an indoor water fixture. The Chelsea Market also houses the Food Network and Oxygen on their upper floors and I see some guy with a weird looking mustache and a microphone; perhaps he is important?
Back down in Battery Park they are celebrating 400NY and the New Amsterdam Trail. There is a big Dutch party going on at Bowling Green and I find a fun band to listen to. Across the way flags have been set up to honor the victims of 9/11 in front of 'The Sphere' which was retrieved from the WTC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sphere Finally, I make my way back up to Washington Square Park where I meet my CS Chris and he shows me his fave places in the NYU area. We enjoy tapas and sangria before going over to Magnolia's Bakery for cupcakes. Apparently it was made famous from Sex and the City, but I don't remember that episode... Completing the night, Chris shows me his other fave spots in the West Village, including V Bar and Shade. Greenwich Village is awesome; when I was younger I was too dumb to enjoy the area. Now it is just perfect.
September 11, 2009
NYC
5:45 AM I rise and shine to head over for the 9/11 activities. I get there even before the NYPD even though I was told there would be 20,000 people attending today's activities. Wrong. Once I get to the WTC area it doesn't matter b/c the memorial service isn't open for the public, just family members and press. So, I take a standing room position by a fire hydrant and let the rain come pouring down. As it starts to rain, the wind begins to blow and it is freezing. I ask three NYCPO where the public is supposed to stand and they all tell me they don't know what's going on. Finding the event not well organized, I leave and decide to watch it on TV along with everyone else. Back at my CS house, I get my bags ready for JFK. It is time for Leg 2 of 'JetBlue' and I am off to Forest City for the night.
San Diego, CA to NYC
Goodbye San Diego, hello 'All You Can Fly JetBlue Pass.' I handed my luggage to the guy and it was 57.5 pounds, so I removed my hiking boots and it settled at 51.5. e let me by, but the baggage carrier wanted to know why I didn't have to pay the $50 extra and it took all I had to inform his chubby little butt that 1.5 lbs extra probably would do him some good. After making it to the gate JetBlue welcomed us on and said there were 30-40 people flying with the pass that day, about thirty percent of that plane. And for those of you who haven't flown JetBlue yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Free drinks and snacks, plus your own little TV at your seat. And, more leg room than the other guys. I have been sold.
After landing at JFK I retrieved my luggage, which now read 56 pounds according to the tag attached to it and headed off on the subway to my Couchsurfers house at Battery Park. Immediately I rememembered how much I miss NYC. Everytime I return I fall more in love with this city. The public transit alone is reason for me to want to make out with Mayor Bloomberg. For $2.25 you stay on the same train from JFK to the WTC, no transfers, and one low price. Take note SDCOMMUTE. At the WTC I see where they are preparing for Friday's events and up close and personal the massive hole left by 9/11 is incredible. When I make my way through Gateway Plaza I am greeted by my CS Chris, who's studio view is of Lady Liberty herself. He proceeds to give me tons of insider info on his fave NYC spots, which I enjoy since I've done every touristy thing in this city before. After sharing war stories of travel and volunteer work, we call it an early night.
September 9, 2009
NYC
An early morning run through Battery Park jolted my body onto EST. There are so many NYPD around barricading people off in preparation for 9/11. After my run I decided to venture onto the Staten Island Ferry, b/c I haven't seen the Statue of Liberty in a while and on the way I see a huge celebration near Pier A. People are lined up to take pics and there are white tents shielded off by high wooded walls. I asked a NYCPO what's going on and he laughs and tells me the Princess of Norway is getting married. Boarding the ferry I sip my coffee while enjoying the view. 8 years later it is still hard to take in the skyline without the twin towers. I'm not climbing the SOL today or visiting Ellis Island b/c I have done that twice before, so I just sit back on the ferry and don't fight the crowd.
Afterwards, I take the 7 train out to Queens and visit Arthur Ashe Stadium and people watch everyone entering the US Open. Everyone is dressed in their business suits and rushing in, as though they are on their lunch breaks and just trying to catch a quick glimpse of tennis before heading back. There are still $48 tix available for that day, but I decide to save my money for other fun events.
Onward back to Manhattan, I stop at Bryant Park where the white tents have popped up for Fashion Week. It's lunchtime and there are men playing quick games of chess, people catching a nap, and pigeons swooping in and out. I look for Tim Gunn, but he must not be in town yet. Around the corner I step into the NY Public Library, and am awed by its beauty. There are staircases everywhere, leading you to millions of books, many perched on gold bookshelves. I peek into the geneology room and the library employee helps me look into my family records. I find when and who came to the USA on what ships and see PDF versions of their original passport applications and birth records. Since I'm nearby I continue down the street into Times Square and find a nude girl being painted from head to toe and the line at TKTS wrapped around the block three times. At Wicked I attempt to win front row seats for $26 in their daily lottery, but it appears rigged when the local guys behind me say "We're just going to get our tix and go on our date" and then they win. Saddened by my loss (of time more than the tix) I hustled back down the street into Central Park. There are so many runners coming towards me that I think for a moment maybe the NYC Marathon has come a month early. To the west side of the park is Strawberry Fields, dedicated to John Lennon, and as I enter this area I am greeted by ten homeless men dancing around with a half empty bottle of Jim Beam and a strong scent of weed. "Hey baby, come dance with us" they say! Snap, snap...goes the camera and off I head.
September 10, 2009
NYC
It's early morning and I'm walking up Broadway past City Hall. Attempting to cut through the City Hall park I find barricades and the NYC City Hall is closed off like the White House. No pass for Jen. Further up Broadway I begin to pass through SoHo and if I only had a black AmEx card I could go crazy with all the shopping that stares back at me. I am on my way to the Arrojo hair studio where I have been signed up for a free wash and style this morning. Once I am in the chair the girl begins to turn the round brush and I think to myself that I could have done a better job blowing out my hair than her. But, it is free so I let her continue on. By the time she's done I don't really notice a difference, which doesn't really matter since out on the street the wind blows it backwards anyways. At this point I get lost, going from street to street through Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Meatpacking District before I finally settle on walking up the Hudson River path and having lunch at the Chelsea Market. According to the Lonely Planet (which we all know never steers me wrong) the Chelsea Market is full of cheeses, breads, and fruit for you and taste and have fun with. Wrong again LP. Yes, the Chelsea Market does have those things, but they are for you to look over and buy, then taste. I settle on a cheeseburger and one of the little diners inside and enjoy it near an indoor water fixture. The Chelsea Market also houses the Food Network and Oxygen on their upper floors and I see some guy with a weird looking mustache and a microphone; perhaps he is important?
Back down in Battery Park they are celebrating 400NY and the New Amsterdam Trail. There is a big Dutch party going on at Bowling Green and I find a fun band to listen to. Across the way flags have been set up to honor the victims of 9/11 in front of 'The Sphere' which was retrieved from the WTC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sphere Finally, I make my way back up to Washington Square Park where I meet my CS Chris and he shows me his fave places in the NYU area. We enjoy tapas and sangria before going over to Magnolia's Bakery for cupcakes. Apparently it was made famous from Sex and the City, but I don't remember that episode... Completing the night, Chris shows me his other fave spots in the West Village, including V Bar and Shade. Greenwich Village is awesome; when I was younger I was too dumb to enjoy the area. Now it is just perfect.
September 11, 2009
NYC
5:45 AM I rise and shine to head over for the 9/11 activities. I get there even before the NYPD even though I was told there would be 20,000 people attending today's activities. Wrong. Once I get to the WTC area it doesn't matter b/c the memorial service isn't open for the public, just family members and press. So, I take a standing room position by a fire hydrant and let the rain come pouring down. As it starts to rain, the wind begins to blow and it is freezing. I ask three NYCPO where the public is supposed to stand and they all tell me they don't know what's going on. Finding the event not well organized, I leave and decide to watch it on TV along with everyone else. Back at my CS house, I get my bags ready for JFK. It is time for Leg 2 of 'JetBlue' and I am off to Forest City for the night.
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