Much like Alice falling down that rabbit hole I have bumped and scraped by and down a windy shoot of unfortunates and unhappiness. It has been a while since I have picked up and no apologies, we all know how I feel about writing about why I haven't written. I am going to employ a little faith that the past will all reveal itself as needed and I will simply press forward.
This past Tuesday I found myself awkwardly and excitedly to the right of a very cool lady. Sonya Cote. In the small kitchen she runs on the East side of sixth street in Austin I tiptoed around in my non-Danskos and oversized pants.
I don't know what it is about dressing for the first day of a new gig that I just can't get down. I was pulling my pants up every five minutes to not only spare the crack attack but also save myself from any explanation of the cherry blossom branch that runs up and down the greater part of my back. To my surprise, I was not as sweaty as I feared I might be in the kitchen, here in Texas I seem to begin sweating just looking at the weather report on my iphone.
So here's the story: looking for a little meaning in my life I was perusing the class listing at the whole foods mecca on lamar. There it was, Charcuterie 101. Perfect, I thought. $65 and 3 hours later I would feel one step closer to being closer to figuring out how to be what it is i'm supposed to be. After scrambling to get my shift covered at my "real job" I was set, until two days before the class i got a call letting me know that it was cancelled. The woman who had to break the news to me didn't know what she was in for. I gasped and as tears welled up in my eyes I deperatly tried to negotiate the truth in her statement. "no, it can't be canceled, no really it can't be, but why, that's rediculous..." She offered to find me room in the lunchtime sushi class or pie making. She didn't get that what was hidden between the lines of my desperation was the very will to live, well at least in Austin, I wanted to say to her, "Lady, this is all i have." But, I came to my senses that the whole foods culinary center is not meant to be used as a crisis center for lost twenty somethings and that I better hang up the phone before I scare somebody.
I quickly posted the facts on my facebook. I wanted everyone to tell me that I should just come home. My sister did. I wanted more for someone to give me a million dollars and a crystal ball so that I knew what to do with it.
I know I can't go home yet. That's okay. I'm slowly starting to think of it as less of a punishment and maybe, stumbling, fumbling with that silver lining it is almost an opportunity. It was in one of these moments that I decided to track down the woman who was teaching the class. Sonya Cote. I found her email address through the magic of google. I tried to mask my desperation as I delicately confessed that I needed a little direction, and to my surprise she invited me to lunch.
Over a plate of sliced meats at Home Slice, we talked about food and the meaning of real food. I told her that someday I'm going to cure meats while Andrew guides out of towners through the wild of Montana. She invited me to dinner.
Even though I had to work, I knew I needed to do this. If for no other reason, I knew a little meat might normal me out. It has been a while since I've eaten the kind of food I love. It came out little by little. By the time I left for work I had eaten enough animals to fill a petting zoo. I was delirious with organ meat and accoutrement.
So, this week I sauteed for real and blended chicken livers with cream. I trimmed pork belly and rubbed them with curing salt. I also cleaned the walk in. I literally scrubbed spilled cream off the cold metal floor. It felt good.
A chance of a lifetime, maybe. But I will say this, butcher or not, I got to it finally. Something made my little soul tick to the beat of living.
I look forward to next Tuesday.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Split
First you melt the butter.
I looked up at the table, 3 iphones are pointed at me like laser beams. It's not so much joy and anticipation, more like an "or else." "The Split" is a dessert at the new restaurant. It's bananas foster meets banana split. The goal as the server is to get the flame so high it becomes a safety hazard. People really get emotionally invested in this dessert. I've seen failed flambes that result in somberness that would make you think JFK got shot all over again. I happen to be good it.
Add the brown sugar.
It's amazing how in moments of self display one can retreat into ones own thoughts completely. I'm sure after I've made this dessert over 100 times I might change my mind, but I love the smell of the melting sugar in butter. As I wait for the bubble to begin, my thoughts wonder away from the flambe cart, it's Thursday, Andrew left for Seattle just hours ago. I think about what it's going to be like when I get home and he's not there. I hope we made the right decision.
Toss in the sliced bananas.
We last left off on this blog really when we arrived in Austin. Before we get to the part when Andrew got in the Honda and began the journey up North, we should probably go back to the beginning, the way beginning.
Sitting outside of a Dairy Queen in South Seattle going on three years ago, Ingrid and I decided that, it was time for a change. We started to discuss, cities that we could move to. The short list included, Chicago, St.Paul and Austin. Fast forward a bit, Ingrid applies for a masters program in Chicago and gets accepted. I visit Austin and decide that the sunshine and patriotism is exactly what I need. During this time I met Andrew. He was the Wednesday wine delivery. Though I had my sights on getting out of the city, Andrew was hard for me to overlook. We began chatting and soon found that we had many common interests. One being Austin. Andrew had been to Austin a couple of times and knew some people in town. Not long into our romance we decided we'd be moving together. It wasn't long before our little jar of money began to grow and we began laying the land for our big journey.
We both had 93420984 answers for why we were moving. I guess in hind sight the only really good one was that we wanted to. Okay, there's no need for me to be that down on it. Andrew and I both felt that we needed a change. Austin with its sunshine and youth seemed like just the place for a couple of lost 20 somethings to find themselves. We figured we'd come down here, take whatever jobs we could get and start to figure out our future.
Heat until the sugar is bubbling.
Well, somewhere on the journey between then and now, it would seem something unexpected happened.
The problem with my generation I think is that we all think that the answer to the future will make some great reveal at some point. It's not that we are talentless, have poor work ethics and are valueless, it's that, I think, we fear wasting some great potential. So, rather than trying and failing and following through, we expect that someday our calling will, well...call. Maybe that's why we all have a cell phone addiction. Jesus just might post the meaning of life on your facebook. I know that I have relied too heavily on the "it'll all be okays." Andrew has too. We have gotten by this far. We could get by for a long time to come.
Austin is full of twenty somethings. The forty year olds are twenty somethings. I met a group of grandfathers that were dedicating themselves to building a 200ft Willie Nelson statue. The plan is his belt buckle will be an observation deck, over looking South Congress. As they told me the details, they bumbled with the familiar enthusiasm of a bachelors holding dreamer, with too many connections connecting to probably, maybe, well, we may have to work out a few details. I could be wrong, Willie Nelson and Jesus may themselves be funding the project. My point is that being here has painted a pretty clear picture of what it is to be a "figure it out" hopeful, stopping and heading in so many directions that you've been running in place so long you've dug a ditch for yourself.
Take me for example:
I have my Bachelor's in Fine Art.
I started as a photographer but,
changed my focus to video and printmaking however,
now, I make art with whiskey, watercolor and wool,
I also am an amature artisan butcher,
who makes butter because,
I happen to be a good cook though,
I make my living as a waitress, who...
Add rum and flambe.
Somewhere along the way this became clear: I am closer to thirty than I am to twenty. I don't want to be twenty forever. Getting to spend two months side-by-side with Andrew made me realize that I want something more for us than the routine uncertainties and procrastinations of our generation.
So, after spending not long in the city and having seen what was readily available here, Andrew and I decided that what we need to build our future isn't in the Republic of Texas. Soon after this realization, Andrew was offered a new position at his former company in Seattle. Things quickly started to reveal themselves. We made the decision to try the long distance relationship, while we get our ducks aligned to take on the next phase of our lives.
Pour over ice cream, top with whipped cream and nuts. Serve.
And here we are, or rather I am, typing away in our two bedroom apartment enjoying the brief cool down. I'm getting okay at taking out the trash and waking up alone. Evey time I see his digitized face on skype and get his funny little text messages I know we are doing the right thing. For the first time ever, Andrew and I are focusing on how to get from point A to point future. Once again, I find myself dollar at a time, filling the money jar that is our life's savings.
Someday Andrew and I are going to have it all. Our hopes, dreams and aspirations combined with our love for each other is sure to cook up a success story.
I looked up at the table, 3 iphones are pointed at me like laser beams. It's not so much joy and anticipation, more like an "or else." "The Split" is a dessert at the new restaurant. It's bananas foster meets banana split. The goal as the server is to get the flame so high it becomes a safety hazard. People really get emotionally invested in this dessert. I've seen failed flambes that result in somberness that would make you think JFK got shot all over again. I happen to be good it.
Add the brown sugar.
It's amazing how in moments of self display one can retreat into ones own thoughts completely. I'm sure after I've made this dessert over 100 times I might change my mind, but I love the smell of the melting sugar in butter. As I wait for the bubble to begin, my thoughts wonder away from the flambe cart, it's Thursday, Andrew left for Seattle just hours ago. I think about what it's going to be like when I get home and he's not there. I hope we made the right decision.
Toss in the sliced bananas.
We last left off on this blog really when we arrived in Austin. Before we get to the part when Andrew got in the Honda and began the journey up North, we should probably go back to the beginning, the way beginning.
Sitting outside of a Dairy Queen in South Seattle going on three years ago, Ingrid and I decided that, it was time for a change. We started to discuss, cities that we could move to. The short list included, Chicago, St.Paul and Austin. Fast forward a bit, Ingrid applies for a masters program in Chicago and gets accepted. I visit Austin and decide that the sunshine and patriotism is exactly what I need. During this time I met Andrew. He was the Wednesday wine delivery. Though I had my sights on getting out of the city, Andrew was hard for me to overlook. We began chatting and soon found that we had many common interests. One being Austin. Andrew had been to Austin a couple of times and knew some people in town. Not long into our romance we decided we'd be moving together. It wasn't long before our little jar of money began to grow and we began laying the land for our big journey.
We both had 93420984 answers for why we were moving. I guess in hind sight the only really good one was that we wanted to. Okay, there's no need for me to be that down on it. Andrew and I both felt that we needed a change. Austin with its sunshine and youth seemed like just the place for a couple of lost 20 somethings to find themselves. We figured we'd come down here, take whatever jobs we could get and start to figure out our future.
Heat until the sugar is bubbling.
Well, somewhere on the journey between then and now, it would seem something unexpected happened.
The problem with my generation I think is that we all think that the answer to the future will make some great reveal at some point. It's not that we are talentless, have poor work ethics and are valueless, it's that, I think, we fear wasting some great potential. So, rather than trying and failing and following through, we expect that someday our calling will, well...call. Maybe that's why we all have a cell phone addiction. Jesus just might post the meaning of life on your facebook. I know that I have relied too heavily on the "it'll all be okays." Andrew has too. We have gotten by this far. We could get by for a long time to come.
Austin is full of twenty somethings. The forty year olds are twenty somethings. I met a group of grandfathers that were dedicating themselves to building a 200ft Willie Nelson statue. The plan is his belt buckle will be an observation deck, over looking South Congress. As they told me the details, they bumbled with the familiar enthusiasm of a bachelors holding dreamer, with too many connections connecting to probably, maybe, well, we may have to work out a few details. I could be wrong, Willie Nelson and Jesus may themselves be funding the project. My point is that being here has painted a pretty clear picture of what it is to be a "figure it out" hopeful, stopping and heading in so many directions that you've been running in place so long you've dug a ditch for yourself.
Take me for example:
I have my Bachelor's in Fine Art.
I started as a photographer but,
changed my focus to video and printmaking however,
now, I make art with whiskey, watercolor and wool,
I also am an amature artisan butcher,
who makes butter because,
I happen to be a good cook though,
I make my living as a waitress, who...
Add rum and flambe.
Somewhere along the way this became clear: I am closer to thirty than I am to twenty. I don't want to be twenty forever. Getting to spend two months side-by-side with Andrew made me realize that I want something more for us than the routine uncertainties and procrastinations of our generation.
So, after spending not long in the city and having seen what was readily available here, Andrew and I decided that what we need to build our future isn't in the Republic of Texas. Soon after this realization, Andrew was offered a new position at his former company in Seattle. Things quickly started to reveal themselves. We made the decision to try the long distance relationship, while we get our ducks aligned to take on the next phase of our lives.
Pour over ice cream, top with whipped cream and nuts. Serve.
And here we are, or rather I am, typing away in our two bedroom apartment enjoying the brief cool down. I'm getting okay at taking out the trash and waking up alone. Evey time I see his digitized face on skype and get his funny little text messages I know we are doing the right thing. For the first time ever, Andrew and I are focusing on how to get from point A to point future. Once again, I find myself dollar at a time, filling the money jar that is our life's savings.
Someday Andrew and I are going to have it all. Our hopes, dreams and aspirations combined with our love for each other is sure to cook up a success story.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Where did you go ?
Hey everyone ! I figured it was way past time to update and tell you how life is going deep in the heart of Texass ! :)
We've been here a couple of weeks now ... Nicole has found a job, just seeing how well it works out! I figured she'd get a job quick, she has a powerhouse resume that any job would never in their right mind turn down! So now it's my turn ... and hopefully some prospects pan out. We are officially starting life now. It's consistently over 100 degrees here in this fine month of August. We are acclimating pretty well, purely by sweat equity!
Had the pleasure of a couple of old family visiting this week! Was so happy to reunite with the Metz clan ... its been about 15 years since Rog and I saw each other and it was so nice to see all them together again ! Kathryn is officially a doctor now. She came to defend her dissertation and sounded like it was a blast doing it!
We hope all is well with all of you! We are taking openings of all of you coming to visit so get those tickets reserved and get yo butt down here!
Give us a shout if you can!
We've been here a couple of weeks now ... Nicole has found a job, just seeing how well it works out! I figured she'd get a job quick, she has a powerhouse resume that any job would never in their right mind turn down! So now it's my turn ... and hopefully some prospects pan out. We are officially starting life now. It's consistently over 100 degrees here in this fine month of August. We are acclimating pretty well, purely by sweat equity!
Had the pleasure of a couple of old family visiting this week! Was so happy to reunite with the Metz clan ... its been about 15 years since Rog and I saw each other and it was so nice to see all them together again ! Kathryn is officially a doctor now. She came to defend her dissertation and sounded like it was a blast doing it!
We hope all is well with all of you! We are taking openings of all of you coming to visit so get those tickets reserved and get yo butt down here!
Give us a shout if you can!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Everything is bigger here ... crazy peoples!
Here we be ! In the fine city of Austin Texas ! We've made it to our final destination !
It's only been 2 days ... got signed up at our housing complex. Found out there isn't a workout room ... :*( sad ... but swimming, biking to zilker park, and plenty of establishments around to play and explore! It's gonna be a great time here, visitors are always welcomed, but give us a little time to round up some furniture. Our new place is huge by comparison: three huge rooms with two closets, two sinks, two people to use it all up.
We're excited! We can't move in until Saturday/Sunday but alas, we will make do. The job hunt is on. Got a lead for us? Nicole is busy applying for food and beverage licenses and I'm debating what I need to do ... per usual. Wish us luck! We'll be posting again soon I'm sure ... here's a little snapshot of our new territory. Time to start learning the streets .. and the lingo!
Check out the youtube channel for other videos ... will be uploading continuously through time and space ...
YouTubeMe
It's only been 2 days ... got signed up at our housing complex. Found out there isn't a workout room ... :*( sad ... but swimming, biking to zilker park, and plenty of establishments around to play and explore! It's gonna be a great time here, visitors are always welcomed, but give us a little time to round up some furniture. Our new place is huge by comparison: three huge rooms with two closets, two sinks, two people to use it all up.
We're excited! We can't move in until Saturday/Sunday but alas, we will make do. The job hunt is on. Got a lead for us? Nicole is busy applying for food and beverage licenses and I'm debating what I need to do ... per usual. Wish us luck! We'll be posting again soon I'm sure ... here's a little snapshot of our new territory. Time to start learning the streets .. and the lingo!
Check out the youtube channel for other videos ... will be uploading continuously through time and space ...
YouTubeMe
Monday, July 26, 2010
Mountain View Arrrr Kansas
Oh Arkansas ... what a beautiful place! Full of good people, good flea markets, and poisonous copperheads! Ahhh! It was such a great time visiting my old buddy ole pal Travis and his lady Miss Rachael Kay ... we toured the city of Mountain View and saw so many cool things. This place is labeled as the Folk Music Capital of the World! Crazy! But unexplainably its true!
A man by the name of Jimmy Driftwood was born very close to this lovely place in Timbo, AR. He wrote a song by the name of "The Battle of New Orleans." May of heard it eh? I sure do know that catchy tune! But really, it was a trip to go down to town square about 11 at night and see all the oldies hanging in their "drum" folk circles playing music into the early morning hours. It seemed as if you're over 50 there is a 90% chance you play music and are down in the square hanging with their homies, putting back some ice cream and cokes, and having a great time.
We ate some delicious grilled cat fish at Jo Jo's with some hush puppies on the side. MMMM, man I love food. No matter what it is you have to try it, cause you never know how much you're gonna like it! That's my philosophy! I had my staple country fried steak and it was danky as well. They have this cool all inclusive resort service to go fishing, rent cabins, and feed you till you roll down the road 20 feet to your housing unit. All that fishing can make a grown man hungry, and whadya know, there is some great food right there so you don't even have to sweat too much thinking or moving to get it!
The next day proved to be even more interesting. We met the local owner of Stone County Ironworks. They are a modern day blacksmith shop that makes some amazing stuff all with straight blood and sweat. They had some beautiful works that I wish I could own, but I have to wait a couple years when I am actually making money!
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All this happened just while sitting in the beautiful Turner Coffee Tree having a doppio with two tons of sugar in it ... least I can say is that I was pumped up!! Rachael has got a beautiful place there complete with some beautiful wood furniture made by her family. Purdy cool! Later that night we ventured to the local drive in to watch Despicable Me. Sitting out, no thunderstorms luckily, eating some Tommy's bbq rib pizza that, and watching a couple fire flies cruise by ... oh yeah, and the movie. One thing that was hard to believe, but was inevitably true, is that Stone County is a dry county. No booze! Ahhhh! I know I love a drink now and then but to live somewhere it doesn't exist (except by other measures) I say you're crazy! It's not really that bad but just weird ...
Our last full day was a trip to the Blanchard Springs Cave. One of the biggest living caves in the US it was pretty fun to go see some new caverns that were completely different then the Lewis and Clark caverns we saw just a couple of months ago. It had some big rooms where they sing christmas carols, do some valentines day stuff, and just have a good time in! I know all Trav and I wanted to do was put on some boom boom music and have a dance partay! Whooo whooop! The springs that carved the cave were located on a different level, but they were a rushing spring that was gushing over 7000 gallons of water a minute out of the mountain. That results in some seriously cool rooms that are carved relatively fast in Earth history time (aka only millions and millions of years).
It was so nice to see Travis and Rachael. They gave us a great place to stay, took us to some good eateries, and kept the poisonous snakes at bay. We made it to Rachael's parents house outside the city for some good beef burgers, baked beans, baked potatoes, and bean queso dip. Did I tell you I like food? Cause it's true! On our way to the cars they were pretty serious when they said that we should be aware of the copperheads that lurk in the yard late at night. Yikes! Dangerous ... very dangerous!
We're off on our final legs to Austin. The weather is keeping us from getting very far. Better safe than sorry. It will be nice to get into a place for real. We got many new adventures to go on in the future and we are still on one, but it's gonna be so great to see our new place! But not yet!
We've gone over 5600 miles. Whew. Car has held up, feel like I shouldn't drive it for weeks once we get there. Thankfully we've got some bikes waiting for us. Even though SOME people think not so fondly of them ... of all the nerve ... :)
quick clips
got a new video up from Minnesota ... the lovely lady holding the funny fish
-outside minneapolis
-the corn palace
-got caught in this damn storm after a lovely breakfast
-outside minneapolis
-the corn palace
-got caught in this damn storm after a lovely breakfast
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Jingle Jangle
The beautiful city of Branson, Missouri. What a crazy place that is in the middle of nothing. This entertainment capital of ole Mizzoura is a sight to see! Given that it is pretty much geared towards the oldies and non-partying type, we read a description of it as - Las Vegas, if Ned Flanders ran it. Amen to that!
Branson, as I know it, was first brought to my attention when I moved to Sheridan, MT. We were doing our 7th grade play or something of the sorts and it was a Christmas musical about something, its all pretty vague, except for the part where we sing ... "We're going to Branson! Miiisssouri !" So I figure we go check it out while we were travelling down, as it was on our wall and all. I'm sure glad we came to check it out! There are numerous famous attractions like Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Dick Clark's American Band Stand, the Hollywood wax museum, and on and on ...
One of our favorite sights was the Titanic hotel/theater. It had an almost life size boat with a big ole glacier next to it as the entrance. The feature show at this place was, "The Dogs of the Titanic", a show about the 10 dogs that were known to be on the Titanic on its maiden/last voyage across the deep blue sea. I bet it was a fantastic show that we wished we could waste money to see! But we're cheap now, as we are on the last legs of our trip. We found a hotel room for $30 a night and that's our entertainment ... cable television and microwave dinners!
There were so many odd ball attractions here, tons of miniature golf places, and our favorite ... good, cheap buffets! We managed to go to the Grand Country Buffet, which was $7 for all you can eat! If you plan it right (10:00 am) you can eat right into their lunch buffet which gives you even more options and pretty decent food! Right up our alley, even though it doesn't compare to the Bellagio's buffet but the price is right and the food is hot and filling!
As we weren't able to do much as way of attractions, Branson is a place where all the good people come to see a good show and spend some good money while doing it. They had plenty of cheap motels and buffets like Vegas, but no debauchery and people of the night lurking around. If you need a job, go to Branson. Everybody was hiring, and we figure if worse comes to worse we can just move there and have steady work forever!
Going to Arkansas next. Time to see an old friend and meet some new people! Apparently Mountain View, AR is the folk capital of the world! Can't wait to see it, and dink around in the Ozarks ... so until then ... keep it in perspective.
Branson, as I know it, was first brought to my attention when I moved to Sheridan, MT. We were doing our 7th grade play or something of the sorts and it was a Christmas musical about something, its all pretty vague, except for the part where we sing ... "We're going to Branson! Miiisssouri !" So I figure we go check it out while we were travelling down, as it was on our wall and all. I'm sure glad we came to check it out! There are numerous famous attractions like Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Dick Clark's American Band Stand, the Hollywood wax museum, and on and on ...
One of our favorite sights was the Titanic hotel/theater. It had an almost life size boat with a big ole glacier next to it as the entrance. The feature show at this place was, "The Dogs of the Titanic", a show about the 10 dogs that were known to be on the Titanic on its maiden/last voyage across the deep blue sea. I bet it was a fantastic show that we wished we could waste money to see! But we're cheap now, as we are on the last legs of our trip. We found a hotel room for $30 a night and that's our entertainment ... cable television and microwave dinners!
There were so many odd ball attractions here, tons of miniature golf places, and our favorite ... good, cheap buffets! We managed to go to the Grand Country Buffet, which was $7 for all you can eat! If you plan it right (10:00 am) you can eat right into their lunch buffet which gives you even more options and pretty decent food! Right up our alley, even though it doesn't compare to the Bellagio's buffet but the price is right and the food is hot and filling!
As we weren't able to do much as way of attractions, Branson is a place where all the good people come to see a good show and spend some good money while doing it. They had plenty of cheap motels and buffets like Vegas, but no debauchery and people of the night lurking around. If you need a job, go to Branson. Everybody was hiring, and we figure if worse comes to worse we can just move there and have steady work forever!
Going to Arkansas next. Time to see an old friend and meet some new people! Apparently Mountain View, AR is the folk capital of the world! Can't wait to see it, and dink around in the Ozarks ... so until then ... keep it in perspective.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Land of the Simpsons
"D'oh!"
We're stuck in Springfield, IL! There are storms all around us, lightning crashing down, rolling thunder for minutes at a time ... Ahhh! It's crazy! We're a little stuck ... trapped by storms all around at a motel 6 ... at least they left that light on! haha ... ok not really. It's exciting to see and hear these crazy storms, as its been so long since we've both seen an amazing lightning storm.
The weather out here is so outta whack! We'll be driving along then all of sudden you see the storm right in front of you, and then BAM! it's right on top of you. Crazy rain that makes driving very iffy. We hydro-planed for a second, long enough to just be like, "ehhh, ok maybe I will pull over next time." I am confident in my driving but you never can mess with something as fierce as a raging storm banging on your car.
So with Springfield come and gone, we are going to a crazy state park called the Johnson Shut-Ins. A recommendation by Joe, and it looks like a great time for some swimming and rock diving!
Miles travelled : around 6000 ! ahhh !
Saturday, July 17, 2010
It's like I was telling Ingrid
My hair is uncontrollable, I haven't had mascara since LA, I'm always sticky from the heat, all my clothes are stained forever, I've been eaten alive by vicious mosquitos, I've had hay fever so bad that I can't remember a few days on the Northern plains and I'm happy, so happy.
The truth of the matter is that our journey changed so much after the Grand Canyon. Up until then, our pace was much slower, spending a couple of days at each location and driving not too far distances in between. We were truly camping, waking up snuggling in our tent, bathing out of a chip bowl and enjoying the outdoors in a capacity I had only seen on the cover of REI's sale catalog.
I felt like we were doing what we were supposed to be doing on this journey. Our pictures and
posts were full of nature, accomplishment and discovery. We plotted out our trip a year ago based on two things, that outdoors experience and the people we love. After the Grand Canyon our destinations really changed from places to people. The landscape has changed too. After Colorado, things got flat. Things got hotter, it's mid-July all over America and we've been feeling it. It's all changed our trip isn't the Levi's commercial it was shaping up to be. It really isn't the way we planned.
Well Nicole, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Thank god.
We're finishing our time in Chicago. As I type, Andrew's looking through his city loot of vintage shirts and new NES games. We may be poor in Texas but, we'll have each other and his Nintendo collection. We came to Chicago to visit Andrew's Auntie G and cousin John and Ing, my best friend.
Right before we were here we visited Andrew's sister and brother-in-law in St. Paul. Malia and Jim put us up for a couple of days too. It's always nice to see a friendly face and have a hot shower. But, with Andrew's family it's beyond that. You always know that you'll get a big hug and good conversation. We really showed up outta nowhere with Malia and Auntie G. But, without skipping a beat there were clean towels, concern for our laundry situation and praise for our journey thus far.
I am so thankful.
Ingrid and I have been friends since basically, high school. We both had a thing for punk rocker boys, black and white stripes, Chuck Taylors and good grades. I wish I had our senior pictures to post. We were awkward to say the least. It was a couple of years ago that we were sitting outside of Dairy Queen in White Center when we had the conversation that would change everything.
"Ingrid, I'm just so tired of knowing which way is North."
We were both single at the time. We were both working jobs that were not really taking us anywhere. We started talking about other cities. We started talking about how to get there. That was really when we realized that we wanted to move. The details have changed for the most part but that's where the ball started rolling, in the outskirts of Seattle on a curb eating a chocolate dipped cone.
Fast forward two years and Ingrid just finished a masters program at the University of Chicago and I am on the last leg of the "great american road trip" headed to Austin, TX. We are still navigating the long distance relationship and still getting used to our changing contexts but, still, we have a way of bringing out the best in each other.
I've only talked to Ing a couple of times on this trip. She mostly keeps track of me here on this blog. So, you can only imagine that we had some catching up to do.
Talking to your best friend is a lot different than posting on a blog. If I could write the way I talk to Ing there would have been a movie deal six states ago. But I can't. People are involved now. That's why I think I've been so blog constipated. Since the trip has changed gears so much it's been harder to blab about it. Everything has gotten so much more personal. Every story has at least 2 important details that I can't write about for one reason or the other...
Andrew and I pulled off of the side of the road and into the small town of Luverne, searching for a place to stay. It was at the height of my hay fever meltdown and a night away from the comforts of Malia and Jim's house in St. Paul. One more night of camping and we'd have a shower. Andrew went to pay the overpriced camping fee and I started to set up to make dinner. I pulled out the faithful korean grill and started to cook. I began to swat the flies off of my face and cutting boards. "Gee, seems like a lot of flies", I thought. At this point in the trip I'm not thrilled with flies but I'm used to them. It was okay until I realized that the flies wern't flies at all and instead it was a 50/50 mix of strange small and insistant beetles and mosquitos. All through preparation they plagued the picnic table and about halfway through eating I had to stop. I looked over at Andrew and he was covered like a knight in metal mesh, with beetles. He didn't really seem to mind but they were seriously grossing me out. Plus, the mosquitos decided that I would make a fine meal for the evening, I was getting miserable fast.
*Insert mystery detail
The next thing I knew I had been Truman Show-ed. Andrew and I we're six feet off the ground looking through a set of government provided binoculars trying to see the buffalo that were promised to be on the horizon. We sat in silence for what could have been three hours on our prairie fort listening to the zooms of birds diving into the tall grass. They could have been kamikaze bombers. They could have been UFOs.
The lavender light fell across the world around 8:00pm. I watched every inch of the night crawl towards us. I could hear a family down at the swimming hole. If they wern't worried niether was I. We saw a couple, in biker leathers or goth club ready, heading towards the stairs. Time to go. We headed out the back way. I knew it was a bad idea to walk through the tall grass. But, I didn't care.
We thought long and hard for a while.
"So, let's pretend that we came back in time from the future to now. We came back to now because something happens now that is significant to the future. We just don't know what it is...start pretending."
We were laughing so hard and talking about nothing important until we arrived back at the dam. There between the trees and across the water we could see the lights of the ranger station. It looked like a picture. No seriously, I was pretty sure Thomas Kinkaid had come out and painted the ranger station. I was intently watching the waterfall and the lights. A deer and her fawn walked across the picture. It was perfect.
It was about then that I remembered. The bugs.
Night had fallen and quiet hours had come with it. Andrew built a fire to try and comfort me. We both knew it was too late. He even tried to convince me it wasn't that bad. I looked at him with my swollen eye and bubbling forhead. He knew then, I wouldn't know until the morning. I was itchy.
"I swear I'm really itchy." I was hardly buying it because I was uncontrollably laughing. I knew I had to seek cover.
I finally was starting to get comfortable in the tent when I started to remember something. Lyme's Disease.
"Andrew, is lymes disease really when a tick head enter's your blood steam and get's into your heart and you die."
"No, lyme's disease is when a mosquito or tick bites you and it causes you to get dehydrated."
(neither of these explainations are true)
"Oh, okay. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Uncontrollably, nervously laughing.
"Uh, how do you get ticks anyway?"
"In the woods. When I was in scouts one time when I got back from a trip I was peeing in the middle of the night and I found one, down there, hidden in the folds."
"what."
"Yeah, I found it..."
"what."
"I found..."
"Where's the flashlight?"
"Baby, we don't have ticks."
I frantically threw the covers around our 4'x8' sleeping space looking for the LED light. Andrew tried to convince me we were safe, but I knew we couldn't be too safe."
"Okay, (as I held the flashlight at my chin like a crazed camp counselor telling a scary story) I'm gonna check you and then you check me. Come here."
Andrew struggled. He knew it was a lost cause, I wasn't going to giv e up because I wasn't going to sleep until I knew for sure there were no ticks. Like a spotlight on the prision blacktop I shone that white light into every hiding place on Andrew's pale Montanan body.
*insert second mystery detail
"Okay, now check me." As I passed the flashlight, there in the crease of the tent...I knew what it was but I didn't really know what it was. "What is that?"
"It's an earwig."
"Why do they call it that? Do they get in your ears? Are they like ticks. We have to get it out of the tent. Andrew come on get it out."
I had the sucker cornered with the light. All Andrew had to do was swoop it up with one of my Kleenexes. The earwig wasn't gonna survive this one.
"Why'd you do that?!" Quiet hours or no quite hours. I was still laughing loudly and nervously. On top of that Andrew dropped the little charlie into the abyss of sleeping bags and clothes.
"Are you kidding me why'd you do that?" As if he did it on purpose.
"What you think I did that on purpose?"
"What are we gonna do?" I'm already considering pulling out the iphone to ask Jeeves if earwigs really wig in your ears. By then Andrew had caught him and thrown him out of the tent. Phew.
Almost safe.
"Thanks for letting me check you for ticks. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, baby."
...
"I have to pee."
"Seriously?"
Andrew knows that I would rather not roam the woods at this point looking for a good place to pee. We're both dressed to nothing post-tick checks and there's no way that I can get myself dressed.
''Just go outside the tent."
"Okay, but you have to close it up right after I get out so the bugs don't get in."
"Okay."
I grab the flashlight, and ready myself for the big jump. I unzipped the tent and went for it. i'm sure I looked like a special effect at a rave, Me, stumbling of of the tent rolling on the ground, flashlight in hand. Before I could abort the mission, Andrew had already closed her up on me. Before I could make it far enough I started to go.
"Jesus, baby, not that close you're basiclly peeing on the tent."
I knew that I had failed. I turned off the flashlight so that I didn't have to look at Andrew's dissapointed face. He was an Eagle Scout. Here he is stuck with a failed Girl Scout who can't manage to pee three yards from the tent. He let me back in.
"I'm sorry."
"Goodnight."
No ticks. Bathroom, check. I was ready for bed.
"Goodnight."
The conclusion to this story is a lot less colorful. We woke up the next morning and as most people do. We didn't talk about it. Not at first.
"I really was itchy though."
"I know."
At this point I know that I'm usually over reacting and Andrew's cool and calm demeanor generally falls closer to the voice of reason than my crazed city girl, half Korean rants. I was itchy but, it wasn't as bad as I thought the night before. the night before i basically though that I had been eatin' alive. I was sure my butt was going to be covered in bites and I could have sworn that my face was getting bigger. Andrew assured me that wasn't the case, I knew he was right.
Before we left the sight I headed over to the restroom. I did my business and as I looked up from the handwashing sink, I realized. Andrew had lied. Just as I thought, I was convered in red welts, from head to toe. My eye was swollen, I couldn't count the number of bites on my rear. There in the center of my forhead was a glistening mound of skin and bug bite.
I got into the car. I grabbed the iPhone. Wikipedia..."mosquito borne illnesses."
Talking to your best friend is a lot different than posting on a blog. If I could write the way I talk to Ing there would have been a movie deal six states ago. But I can't. People are involved now. That's why I think I've been so blog constipated. Since the trip has changed gears so much it's been harder to blab about it. Everything has gotten so much more personal. Every story has at least 2 important details that I can't write about for one reason or the other...
Andrew and I pulled off of the side of the road and into the small town of Luverne, searching for a place to stay. It was at the height of my hay fever meltdown and a night away from the comforts of Malia and Jim's house in St. Paul. One more night of camping and we'd have a shower. Andrew went to pay the overpriced camping fee and I started to set up to make dinner. I pulled out the faithful korean grill and started to cook. I began to swat the flies off of my face and cutting boards. "Gee, seems like a lot of flies", I thought. At this point in the trip I'm not thrilled with flies but I'm used to them. It was okay until I realized that the flies wern't flies at all and instead it was a 50/50 mix of strange small and insistant beetles and mosquitos. All through preparation they plagued the picnic table and about halfway through eating I had to stop. I looked over at Andrew and he was covered like a knight in metal mesh, with beetles. He didn't really seem to mind but they were seriously grossing me out. Plus, the mosquitos decided that I would make a fine meal for the evening, I was getting miserable fast.
*Insert mystery detail
The next thing I knew I had been Truman Show-ed. Andrew and I we're six feet off the ground looking through a set of government provided binoculars trying to see the buffalo that were promised to be on the horizon. We sat in silence for what could have been three hours on our prairie fort listening to the zooms of birds diving into the tall grass. They could have been kamikaze bombers. They could have been UFOs.
The lavender light fell across the world around 8:00pm. I watched every inch of the night crawl towards us. I could hear a family down at the swimming hole. If they wern't worried niether was I. We saw a couple, in biker leathers or goth club ready, heading towards the stairs. Time to go. We headed out the back way. I knew it was a bad idea to walk through the tall grass. But, I didn't care.
We thought long and hard for a while.
"So, let's pretend that we came back in time from the future to now. We came back to now because something happens now that is significant to the future. We just don't know what it is...start pretending."
We were laughing so hard and talking about nothing important until we arrived back at the dam. There between the trees and across the water we could see the lights of the ranger station. It looked like a picture. No seriously, I was pretty sure Thomas Kinkaid had come out and painted the ranger station. I was intently watching the waterfall and the lights. A deer and her fawn walked across the picture. It was perfect.
It was about then that I remembered. The bugs.
Night had fallen and quiet hours had come with it. Andrew built a fire to try and comfort me. We both knew it was too late. He even tried to convince me it wasn't that bad. I looked at him with my swollen eye and bubbling forhead. He knew then, I wouldn't know until the morning. I was itchy.
"I swear I'm really itchy." I was hardly buying it because I was uncontrollably laughing. I knew I had to seek cover.
I finally was starting to get comfortable in the tent when I started to remember something. Lyme's Disease.
"Andrew, is lymes disease really when a tick head enter's your blood steam and get's into your heart and you die."
"No, lyme's disease is when a mosquito or tick bites you and it causes you to get dehydrated."
(neither of these explainations are true)
"Oh, okay. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Uncontrollably, nervously laughing.
"Uh, how do you get ticks anyway?"
"In the woods. When I was in scouts one time when I got back from a trip I was peeing in the middle of the night and I found one, down there, hidden in the folds."
"what."
"Yeah, I found it..."
"what."
"I found..."
"Where's the flashlight?"
"Baby, we don't have ticks."
I frantically threw the covers around our 4'x8' sleeping space looking for the LED light. Andrew tried to convince me we were safe, but I knew we couldn't be too safe."
"Okay, (as I held the flashlight at my chin like a crazed camp counselor telling a scary story) I'm gonna check you and then you check me. Come here."
Andrew struggled. He knew it was a lost cause, I wasn't going to giv e up because I wasn't going to sleep until I knew for sure there were no ticks. Like a spotlight on the prision blacktop I shone that white light into every hiding place on Andrew's pale Montanan body.
*insert second mystery detail
"Okay, now check me." As I passed the flashlight, there in the crease of the tent...I knew what it was but I didn't really know what it was. "What is that?"
"It's an earwig."
"Why do they call it that? Do they get in your ears? Are they like ticks. We have to get it out of the tent. Andrew come on get it out."
I had the sucker cornered with the light. All Andrew had to do was swoop it up with one of my Kleenexes. The earwig wasn't gonna survive this one.
"Why'd you do that?!" Quiet hours or no quite hours. I was still laughing loudly and nervously. On top of that Andrew dropped the little charlie into the abyss of sleeping bags and clothes.
"Are you kidding me why'd you do that?" As if he did it on purpose.
"What you think I did that on purpose?"
"What are we gonna do?" I'm already considering pulling out the iphone to ask Jeeves if earwigs really wig in your ears. By then Andrew had caught him and thrown him out of the tent. Phew.
Almost safe.
"Thanks for letting me check you for ticks. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, baby."
...
"I have to pee."
"Seriously?"
Andrew knows that I would rather not roam the woods at this point looking for a good place to pee. We're both dressed to nothing post-tick checks and there's no way that I can get myself dressed.
''Just go outside the tent."
"Okay, but you have to close it up right after I get out so the bugs don't get in."
"Okay."
I grab the flashlight, and ready myself for the big jump. I unzipped the tent and went for it. i'm sure I looked like a special effect at a rave, Me, stumbling of of the tent rolling on the ground, flashlight in hand. Before I could abort the mission, Andrew had already closed her up on me. Before I could make it far enough I started to go.
"Jesus, baby, not that close you're basiclly peeing on the tent."
I knew that I had failed. I turned off the flashlight so that I didn't have to look at Andrew's dissapointed face. He was an Eagle Scout. Here he is stuck with a failed Girl Scout who can't manage to pee three yards from the tent. He let me back in.
"I'm sorry."
"Goodnight."
No ticks. Bathroom, check. I was ready for bed.
"Goodnight."
The conclusion to this story is a lot less colorful. We woke up the next morning and as most people do. We didn't talk about it. Not at first.
"I really was itchy though."
"I know."
At this point I know that I'm usually over reacting and Andrew's cool and calm demeanor generally falls closer to the voice of reason than my crazed city girl, half Korean rants. I was itchy but, it wasn't as bad as I thought the night before. the night before i basically though that I had been eatin' alive. I was sure my butt was going to be covered in bites and I could have sworn that my face was getting bigger. Andrew assured me that wasn't the case, I knew he was right.
Before we left the sight I headed over to the restroom. I did my business and as I looked up from the handwashing sink, I realized. Andrew had lied. Just as I thought, I was convered in red welts, from head to toe. My eye was swollen, I couldn't count the number of bites on my rear. There in the center of my forhead was a glistening mound of skin and bug bite.
I got into the car. I grabbed the iPhone. Wikipedia..."mosquito borne illnesses."
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Meeting Wild Bill and Calamity Jane
Hey all y'all !
I know its been a bit since our last post. But our trip has been full of company and fun, therefore harder to post up some of our madness!
The last time we talked we were leaving Custer, SD on our way to the rough n ready town of Deadwood, SD. What a time that was! The actual saloon were Wild Bill was shot was closed for renovation, but we visited the temporary spot of Old Saloon No. 10. It was a true old western bar, full of drunks, gambling, and women of the night (not really). I was able to get in on some reasonable blackjack games, and ended up winning a little money. Apart, naturally, from any money that I had sitting on the table and Nicole came back around for her next ration for slots, or drinks. All in all it was a great time though. Everyone there was having a good time and it became very contagious!
We were fortunate to stay in a town about three miles from Deadwood called Lead. The hotel was the old city hall, and we stayed in the defense room. The high vaulted ceilings and thin walls gave great character to this little abode that we called home for two days. It seems everywhere we have been going we tend to refer to as home. No matter if its hours or days, we build camp, go explore, then say, "Shall we return to our homestead?" Its been a crazy adventure measured by days at a time, seeming as if we left Seattle years ago. But that's the way it is, we have been living out of a small car moving towards a final destination that will offer us things unknown.
Surprisingly in the Lead/Deadwood area there are these amazing services called taxis! We were unsure staying in the neighboring town but for a cheap fare (non-sharable between two groups going to the same town) you can get a ride to Deadwood and vice versa. Good quality service with a smile and an occasional mohawk.
We had a great time in Deadwood, it was a great place to unwind and let loose and not feel like we were blowing our wad on gambling and drinks. Highly recommended to anyone in the area. Surprisingly close to Sturgis as well if you want to ride your bike over and stay in an old western spot, this is it! We stayed in the Bullock hotel, a great reasonable place that kept me thinking of the HBO series and raised my interesting in gold mining once again.
Next stop : Wall Drug and The Badlands
Money lost in Deadwood : $20 bux
I know its been a bit since our last post. But our trip has been full of company and fun, therefore harder to post up some of our madness!
The last time we talked we were leaving Custer, SD on our way to the rough n ready town of Deadwood, SD. What a time that was! The actual saloon were Wild Bill was shot was closed for renovation, but we visited the temporary spot of Old Saloon No. 10. It was a true old western bar, full of drunks, gambling, and women of the night (not really). I was able to get in on some reasonable blackjack games, and ended up winning a little money. Apart, naturally, from any money that I had sitting on the table and Nicole came back around for her next ration for slots, or drinks. All in all it was a great time though. Everyone there was having a good time and it became very contagious!
We were fortunate to stay in a town about three miles from Deadwood called Lead. The hotel was the old city hall, and we stayed in the defense room. The high vaulted ceilings and thin walls gave great character to this little abode that we called home for two days. It seems everywhere we have been going we tend to refer to as home. No matter if its hours or days, we build camp, go explore, then say, "Shall we return to our homestead?" Its been a crazy adventure measured by days at a time, seeming as if we left Seattle years ago. But that's the way it is, we have been living out of a small car moving towards a final destination that will offer us things unknown.
Surprisingly in the Lead/Deadwood area there are these amazing services called taxis! We were unsure staying in the neighboring town but for a cheap fare (non-sharable between two groups going to the same town) you can get a ride to Deadwood and vice versa. Good quality service with a smile and an occasional mohawk.
We had a great time in Deadwood, it was a great place to unwind and let loose and not feel like we were blowing our wad on gambling and drinks. Highly recommended to anyone in the area. Surprisingly close to Sturgis as well if you want to ride your bike over and stay in an old western spot, this is it! We stayed in the Bullock hotel, a great reasonable place that kept me thinking of the HBO series and raised my interesting in gold mining once again.
Next stop : Wall Drug and The Badlands
Money lost in Deadwood : $20 bux
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Enjoying the hot, humid Minneapolis St Paul
Greetings to you all! We're here at the lovely abode of my sister Malia and Jim's house ... enjoying some hot, humid weather ... with an occasional tornado warning. Its been a pleasant day out on the St. Croix river, canoeing and finally breaking in my new fly rod! Boy oh boy was I excited! Sure enough those trusty rods from the ruby valley hold up to their world known reputation! Caught 5 fish today, only kept two ... a couple of nice small mouthed bass, not to be confused with small fish ... they were about 15" long and weighed about 8 lbs each! Yippee! Good times, and thanks to ole Jimbo for showing off his great fishing holes!
I wanted to share our great adventure today. We're in the process of cooking those little gems right now! Its been an adventurous time from Custer, SD to here. We'll be sure to post all about it here pretty quickly!
Cheers to all! And if you can ... GO FISHING!
Animals seen today alone : 4 bald eagles, 20 blue herons, couple of momma and fawn deer, and a big a** turtle
I wanted to share our great adventure today. We're in the process of cooking those little gems right now! Its been an adventurous time from Custer, SD to here. We'll be sure to post all about it here pretty quickly!
Cheers to all! And if you can ... GO FISHING!
Animals seen today alone : 4 bald eagles, 20 blue herons, couple of momma and fawn deer, and a big a** turtle
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Quick note on Custer, SD
Aww how I love the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. A place infamous for so many things, such as, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain, Deadwood city, Wall Drug, the Badlands, Custer St. Park, the Wind Caves, the Jewel cave, and a plenitude of miniature golf courses!
After a lovely night spent at Fred Flintstones palace in the city of Bedrock, and a round of miniature golf across the street at "Grizzly Gulch" there was an amazing shot Nicole had on hole #3, aptly named "Rock Slide." Even though we scored a 58 a piece on a par 39 course, this shot, in my opinion, gives her the edge!
She stroked the ball with her usual extreme power and managed to get it to bounce off these rocks on the left, multiple times, then trickle down back to the green, across the hole, hits the right bricks, bounces back and drains it for par. Absolutely astounding shot! I wish I got it on film but, holy mooley! I'll never forget that shot!
After a lovely night spent at Fred Flintstones palace in the city of Bedrock, and a round of miniature golf across the street at "Grizzly Gulch" there was an amazing shot Nicole had on hole #3, aptly named "Rock Slide." Even though we scored a 58 a piece on a par 39 course, this shot, in my opinion, gives her the edge!
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Sippin' on some SoDa
Mount Rushmore would have been a lot more enjoyable if I was not in the height of being sick.
It's really awesome being sick at a National Monument. I guess no family vacation is complete without someone whining at a historically significant place. Luckily my partner is a good sport.
We decided to eat at a place back in town. After a historic game of mini golf, we headed toward a sign advertising dinners starting at $5.95. We followed this sign. We followed it to where we thought it directed to an in-back and upstairs joint called "Darkhorse." Note: Don't eat at a place called "Darkhorse." Think "Kitchen Nightmares" that boasts a selection of over a hundred beers. We actually left after sending our meals back with empty stomachs. Not only was there no $5.95 dinner, everything was old. Including the food. We later found out that the restaurant we thought we were going to is the "Cattleman's" up front. We had no appetite to give it a try.
Overall, the last few days have been great, minus the sickness. I was concerned about being on the road with no real destination. But, so far, we've really gotten lucky. Plus, we've got each other. Seriously, Andrew makes everything enjoyable, we laugh a lot, we laugh at ourselves a lot. Regardless of where we're headed at the moment I'm sure that every mile will be full of something, love and adventure mostly.
Wish us luck in Deadwood the Las Vegas of South Dakota!
just in time for the unexpected
It was bound to happen. I'm not sure if I'm actually sick or if it's my allergies. I know the constant climate change isn't helping. We went from sleeping in 90 degree heat one night to sleeping in 40 degree cold the next. We've been on the road a lot this last week, we're not looking the healthiest. Due to my sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and misery we cancelled a four hour cave expedition a Wind Cave National Park today. I'm pretty bummed but at the same time I know that Andrew's just looking out for me. Yesterday, I realized that we have not been without one another for almost a month now. I was trying to imagine if it was going to be weird the first time we're apart after this. It'll be much welcomed to spend some time doing some girly things. It's little awkward tweezing my eyebrows in front of Andrew. Though I will say we are strangely comfortable around each other and separately we are both hygienically unique people.
Andrew's beard is really growing out. I had to trim the hairs that hung over his lip. I was getting a scratched up when he kissed me and my skin's already pretty dry from all of the climate change.
So, here we are back in the North and actually not far from where we started. I can't but have this feeling that we could head West and stop by home for day or two. South Dakota isn't that far from Seattle unless you've just driven over 3500 miles to get here. Speaking of home... I've really started to feel unsure about where to say that I'm from. It's a bit worrisome that I have no problem telling people where I'm going but when it comes to where my roots are I get all tongue twisted. "I'm from Seattle, well actually Tacoma, my parent's live south of there, but I'm kinda from Seattle, that's where I went to college, Tacoma is thirty-ish miles from there, I mean I'm a military brat, but I was born in Edmonds, that's near Seattle...blah, blah, blah" For Andrew it's easy, he's from Montana. Even though he's a military brat too, he's very sure that he belongs to Montana. I get jealous of that. People aways love people from Montana. When you say you're from Seattle people always say something about the rain, maybe Starbucks, and usually "Sleepless in Seattle" and it's never followed by "I here it's really nice there." I usually just let Andrew answer and ride that train until I can't.
Let me tell you, time doesn't really run the same out on the road. First off, we cross through time zones pretty often, so I don't really know if we're an hour ahead or behind. Second, there's nothing to really make you think about time. It's kind of nice I guess. Grand Canyon was the last place, we really had a time and place destination. We have a few stops that were planned ahead, but very loosly and they are pretty far apart. So, we've really just been filling in the gaps on the fly and trying to make good distance while having time to experience things. I take a lot of pictures from the passenger seat window. There are things I wish we could have stopped the car for, but sometimes you gotta make that mile mark.
Some treasures though, you thankfully stumble across at the right place at the right time. I was so ready to be out of Colorado. I enjoyed Mesa Verde and also really was interested in some "street art" we saw on the drive through Tuba City and the rest of the Navajo reservation.
By the way excellent radio stations out there: Tuba City radio 91.3fm and 104.5fm through Marcos Valley. I don't know why, but it felt like Colorado was never going to end. It's also where I started feeling sick. Our last night in Colorado was spent shivering in a middle of nowhere state park campground that we didn't find until 10pm. I don't do well in situations like that. After Andrew had to zip me up in my sleeping bag, I spent the whole night with our hunting knife close at hand and pinned up against Andrew who was pinned up against the side of the tent. I was scared. I was very excited once we got out of Colorado. Denver was pretty much a blur. We stopped in Fort Collins which screamed Bellingham so we were excited to get our hands on some Kombucha at the co-op there. We drove 20 miles out of our way to find out that Kombucha has been taken off of the market for a while. Something about a higher alcohol content than expected. That explains a lot.
We chose to drive through Eastern Nebraska rather than Western Wyoming even though it was a bit further. We cut through Cheyenne on our way over. As a reward to ourselves after the long night we decided to treat ourselves to a thrift shop and lunch. I suggest both. Havens Treasure Flea Market at 312 W. 17th ST, is full of great finds much that might be found at an interstate gas station but also a lot of cowboy themed vintage stuff. For the most part it's all really reasonably priced. Just down the street is "Pizzaria Venti" at 112 E. 17th Street. "America's only authentic sliceria" totally hit the spot.
We were welcomed by presumably the restaurant's matriarch. She knew that we had never been in so gave us the whole spiel. "Look at the board, choose some things from the case, order, get you drink and silverware and we take care of you. You can sit anywhere you'd like." We watched the staff bumble about the floor, everyone friendly. I told Andrew that I thought it must be a new restaurant, because it seemed to be running so efficiently with such a large staff. We later found out they've been there for six years! We found out why too. The pizza is so good. I love a crust where you can taste the cornmeal. The "Grande Max" was a rectangular slice with green peppers, onion, pepperoni, and homemade meatballs. "Mama" informed us that everything is homemade, from scratch. A meal like this, a la fresh ingredients is well needed for the weary traveler and we were very excited to have found it.
As we left Cheyenne, all evidence of the Rockies began to fade and we headed across the plains to Alliance, Nebraska. Alliance is the home of the infamous "Carhenge."
That's right! It's a nearly perfect replica of Stonehenge created from old cars.I got abut 398924347 bug bites walking around the grounds but it was well worth it.
We had found a semi-large town near the South Dakota boarder called Chadron where we figured we'd find a cheap motel. I asked the Carhenge lady if she knew anywhere to stay there. She said she'd stayed there once but with the festivities didn't know how affordable it would be. Festivities!?
That's right not only was it Chadron's very popular annual coming of Fur Trader Days but also the towns quasquicentennial! That's it's 125th anniversary.
We were lucky enough to get a room at the Grand Westerner Motel and spent some time with the locals that night. There was even a carnival in town. The next day we headed to Fort Bordeaux which is now the site of the Fur trapper Museum. Andrew inherited from his father a love of all thing fur trapping. We spent a good amount of time looking at old trading artifacts. We saw everything from old Green River knives to small beaded pouches used to store umbilical chords. We would have liked to stay another night but couldn't find a room. We made a reservation for the wind cave tour instead.
Andrew's beard is really growing out. I had to trim the hairs that hung over his lip. I was getting a scratched up when he kissed me and my skin's already pretty dry from all of the climate change.
So, here we are back in the North and actually not far from where we started. I can't but have this feeling that we could head West and stop by home for day or two. South Dakota isn't that far from Seattle unless you've just driven over 3500 miles to get here. Speaking of home... I've really started to feel unsure about where to say that I'm from. It's a bit worrisome that I have no problem telling people where I'm going but when it comes to where my roots are I get all tongue twisted. "I'm from Seattle, well actually Tacoma, my parent's live south of there, but I'm kinda from Seattle, that's where I went to college, Tacoma is thirty-ish miles from there, I mean I'm a military brat, but I was born in Edmonds, that's near Seattle...blah, blah, blah" For Andrew it's easy, he's from Montana. Even though he's a military brat too, he's very sure that he belongs to Montana. I get jealous of that. People aways love people from Montana. When you say you're from Seattle people always say something about the rain, maybe Starbucks, and usually "Sleepless in Seattle" and it's never followed by "I here it's really nice there." I usually just let Andrew answer and ride that train until I can't.
Let me tell you, time doesn't really run the same out on the road. First off, we cross through time zones pretty often, so I don't really know if we're an hour ahead or behind. Second, there's nothing to really make you think about time. It's kind of nice I guess. Grand Canyon was the last place, we really had a time and place destination. We have a few stops that were planned ahead, but very loosly and they are pretty far apart. So, we've really just been filling in the gaps on the fly and trying to make good distance while having time to experience things. I take a lot of pictures from the passenger seat window. There are things I wish we could have stopped the car for, but sometimes you gotta make that mile mark.
Some treasures though, you thankfully stumble across at the right place at the right time. I was so ready to be out of Colorado. I enjoyed Mesa Verde and also really was interested in some "street art" we saw on the drive through Tuba City and the rest of the Navajo reservation.
By the way excellent radio stations out there: Tuba City radio 91.3fm and 104.5fm through Marcos Valley. I don't know why, but it felt like Colorado was never going to end. It's also where I started feeling sick. Our last night in Colorado was spent shivering in a middle of nowhere state park campground that we didn't find until 10pm. I don't do well in situations like that. After Andrew had to zip me up in my sleeping bag, I spent the whole night with our hunting knife close at hand and pinned up against Andrew who was pinned up against the side of the tent. I was scared. I was very excited once we got out of Colorado. Denver was pretty much a blur. We stopped in Fort Collins which screamed Bellingham so we were excited to get our hands on some Kombucha at the co-op there. We drove 20 miles out of our way to find out that Kombucha has been taken off of the market for a while. Something about a higher alcohol content than expected. That explains a lot.
We were welcomed by presumably the restaurant's matriarch. She knew that we had never been in so gave us the whole spiel. "Look at the board, choose some things from the case, order, get you drink and silverware and we take care of you. You can sit anywhere you'd like." We watched the staff bumble about the floor, everyone friendly. I told Andrew that I thought it must be a new restaurant, because it seemed to be running so efficiently with such a large staff. We later found out they've been there for six years! We found out why too. The pizza is so good. I love a crust where you can taste the cornmeal. The "Grande Max" was a rectangular slice with green peppers, onion, pepperoni, and homemade meatballs. "Mama" informed us that everything is homemade, from scratch. A meal like this, a la fresh ingredients is well needed for the weary traveler and we were very excited to have found it.
As we left Cheyenne, all evidence of the Rockies began to fade and we headed across the plains to Alliance, Nebraska. Alliance is the home of the infamous "Carhenge."
That's right! It's a nearly perfect replica of Stonehenge created from old cars.I got abut 398924347 bug bites walking around the grounds but it was well worth it.
We had found a semi-large town near the South Dakota boarder called Chadron where we figured we'd find a cheap motel. I asked the Carhenge lady if she knew anywhere to stay there. She said she'd stayed there once but with the festivities didn't know how affordable it would be. Festivities!?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
This Native American Life
Its been an adventurous past couple of days here on our beloved journey across the US of A. We last left you at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We made it to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado the next day. A beautiful 'green desert table' in SW CO, that is home to the Anasazi Indians who have relations in the Hopi, Navajo, and other tribes that surround the area. It was a very interesting place that offered ranger guided tours to many of the main attractions for $3 bucks a head. Well worth it, as its close to nothing, unlike the campsites that are there, which are very poorly laid out and costly (almost $25 for one night, tax included)! More than the Grand Canyon even, but only due to the fact that it is run independently from the actual national park.
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Native American people are my favorite people to learn about. They were masters in the art of using their surroundings to establish a rich life style, not of material wealth of course.
If we had more time, it would have been great to explore the area more. All of the cliff dwellings around the area represented a whole community of people working together. Their main harvests were of corn, squash, and beans, the staples of many cultures who were to survive. They kept domestic dogs and turkeys that were their dependency for food and well being. Not just one group used the dwellings either, they past on from people to people, eventually being abandoned around 1300. There was a twenty year drought in the area that forced the pueblo peoples out to new areas so that they may survive.
So much vibrant history! I love it! Then again if I had it my way, I'd live in a shack in the woods and trade with people around the valley for survival. Who needs half of what we have today? Conveniences are nice, yes, but not necessities. I do love myself some technology, but if I could go back and live in the wild, wild west, I say "Hell yeah!" I'm sure my other half would willingly oblige, as long as I provide and she feels safe of course.
If you're ever in southwest Colorado, go check out Mesa Verde. It is an amazing place, and hopefully you won't encounter all the traffic we have been running into left and right. One of the biggest let downs being the fact that we specifically drove through four corners to leave our mark on four states at once. But alas, all we find is this:
We must venture on! The next night we spent at a 'shady' campground by Dillon, CO. It was an alright spot, but nobody was there! Nice in my opinion, but a little scary for the lady. I'll bring her around though. She's got that adventure spirit in her, I just have to build it up a little more! Spent a lot of time driving so we can keep the schedule somewhat on track.
Next stop : Nebraska
Miles traveled : 2800
Ankles Nicole's sprained : 2
Days Andrew's gone without a shower : 4
Love shown between the two of us : infinite x2
Grand Canyon ... Mule Rides Anyone ?
Hello from one of the biggest cracks known to mankind! Aside from the usual joke that can be played over and over about this place, it is rather amazing to see what time and a little mix of water and rock can do! By far some of the oldest stuff we've seen so far, our stay was full of relaxing and taking in some serene mother nature. I've thrown another clip on for you to have that 'imagine you're here with us' moment. Since we know most of you would love to be but alas, not everyone can quit their job and take an adventure!
We've been here three days now. When I arranged the reservation for a campsite (highly recommended) I asked the guy Ryan to hook up a good spot. So he put us a good distance from the bathroom and close to the main thoroughfare road. Thanks bud! Next time I'll just look at the map myself ... although we did have a nice big 8 x 7 bull elk that roamed around the campsites.
I'll throw another video up later ... a little closer and better !
So aside from checking out nature, finally having some campfires to appease my inner Boy Scout, and walking around the big hole in the ground, the Grand Canyon is its own little self propelled village. The south rim is very populated, and has a fully operational grocery store. You don't have to leave the GC village area if you don't want to for anything! Kinda odd, but appropriate. Next time the north rim will be calling, along with a couple day hike through the canyon up onto the south rim.
As chance would have it, a team of photography teachers being sponsored by Canon were holding photography classes at the park. You just register for the class (three offered daily) and they give you a complete setup with some nice $$$$ *ss cameras. That was quite fun! Just meandering around taking high quality pics, then they setup a link to your photos online so you can download them in 7 or 8 days. I thought that was a great idea! They are a travelling group that are going from Yosemite to Grand Canyon to Teton NP to Yellowstone to Acadia. What a job! Dang!
So thats the canyon! Peaceful and serene (minus the roadway). Met some good people from Tennessee and some late arrivals next to us on the other side. They pulled in around midnight with some noisy kids and some frustrated parents. Ugh ...
Next stop : Mesa Verde ... where the ancient cliff dwellings are!
Miles travelled : idk ... about 2100 or so
unfortunately no Javelina's encountered ...
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Land of Hippies and Sidewinders
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While we were in Los Angeles I was able to meet up with a great friend of mine, Mr. Andrew Dane. You probably know him from a few feature films and he's got a few more coming up too! I told him our next stop was Joshua Tree. To which he replied, "Ah, yes! Joshua Tree, that's where all the LA hipsters and Hippies go and take a bunch of mushrooms and freak out." Interesting I thought. But a valid statement at that!
We arrived later in the evening as we were put back by a couple hours of Nicole dozing off in the car as I stared at the same, non-exciting license plates of California in the traffic jam known as greater Los Angeles county. The sun was starting to preform its magical setting sequence over the mountains as we got camp set up and pondered what was for dinner. Winner was chicken noodle soup with sandwiches, a common winner at that. The moments I'd been wanting to take part of soon came upon us. We took a chance and went through the south entrance of the JTNP, but as it turns out the campsite we stayed at (cottonwood) was the darkest and best spot for taking some night photography. Finally, I'd get my star shots I've been wanting!
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Unfortunately, the camera we have requires you hold the button to do a prolonged exposure over 30 seconds. So I couldn't get exactly what I was hoping for, but still, some nice shots none the less! Nicole gave me a little photo 101 on the do's and do more often of night time shooting and we were off!
The following morning we got a bright and early start, as we had to make it to the Grand Canyon to not lose our camping spot. We traversed the national park seeing some absolutely amazing flora and a couple exotic insects/birds. Some of the personal favorites were :
- the "teddybear" cholla
- the ocotillo plant
- the joshua tree
 | The "Teddybear" cholla was a crazy cacti that looks all warm and fuzzy with mixes of brown, orange, white, and black coloring. Truly amazing plant that will really put you under for a couple of days they say. |
 | The Ocotillo plant is actually a deciduous tree that can shed its leaves up to five times a year. Its leaf cycle is completely dependent upon the amount of water in the area during the year. Quite interesting eh? |
 | The Joshua tree is what we came for, naturally. It's also known as a Yucca tree, and is very dependent upon Yucca moths to fertilize the seeds as to allow for future growth and expansion throughout the desert. |
There were a lot of interesting things to see at Joshua Tree, and we wish we had more time to experience them all. We stumbled upon this flowering weed type of plant on the side of the road. It was early enough in the morning during our trip that we frequently just roamed the road slowly, stopping for new sights and plants (recommend!). Once we got out of the car, we saw them. They were GIANT ant like creatures with wings, buzzing around collecting pollen. They measured about 3-4 inches long, a metallic blue in color with orange wings. Pretty wild creatures! Check out this video to see what I mean ...
Days spent over 99 degrees : 4
Water consumed : 90 metric tons
Ant related attacks : 5
We're off to the Grand Canyon next! It should be warm and gigantic! Just gotta hope we make it without any hitches ...
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