Where in the World: The Open Road
The Inspiration: Envy, as usual; it seems the seven deadly sins (well, at least lust, envy, greed, gluttony, pride in your adventures, and a dose of sloth on the beach; wrath doesn't fit very well, which is a good thing) are all very closely related when it comes travel. This week I've been talking to a friend who is driving through the West, and during a few moments of clear phone signals I've been getting amazing descriptions of the scenery and wildlife. I loved driving through the Southwest when I was there a year and half ago, and I'd love to see it in the fall when it would be perfect for hiking.
I am also a huge fan road trip music; I think there a some really fantastic songs that deserve the setting of the blue sky and great stretches of lonely highway. My friend's road trip has me humming Matt Costa's "The Road" and the Counting Crows' "Omaha" and "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" ("We drove out to the desert/ just to lie down beneath this bowl of stars.")which are certainly staples for any trek across Nebraska into the mountains. The play list already has a few items, which are expanding exponentially as I write this, so I think I should stop with the distracted writing, and maybe find a map. As long as I watch my mileage, this is a dream that isn't out of reach. =)
Showing posts with label Open Spaces. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Open Spaces. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
My Golden Ticket Dilemma
Warning: Ignorance may be bliss regarding this one.
Where in the World: ANYWHERE that JetBlue Flies, September 8- October 8, for $599.
The Inspiration: It's pretty obvious that I've found an airline special, isn't it? I think I'm in love with JetBlue. Check this crazy action out (go ahead, I'll be right here debating and waiting for you to get back): http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/?intcmp=HPHero1Eng_All-You-Can-JetPass
Here's the tricky part: this is AMAZING, but I work on the weekends, and go to school during the week. I don't know if I could take off all of the weekends in September without getting fired, or even to have enough cash to eat and stay in all the places I'd like to visit in that month. If this were for August, while I don't have classes, there is no question that I would already be a happy vagrant, sending a postcard goodbye to my tea shop job. My tea shop job is nice, though, and they are very kind to accommodate my occasionally ridiculous class schedule, and I am very far from wealthy and need the cash. Knowing that this special exists is rather torturous, though; it's my Pandora's box, full of all sort of delights and evils, and nearly impossible to avoid opening.
Hmmmm.... Perhaps I can get someone to pay me to travel, and to write about it? I think tonight I'll fall asleep singing "I've got a golden ticket!" and dream about just that.
Where in the World: ANYWHERE that JetBlue Flies, September 8- October 8, for $599.
The Inspiration: It's pretty obvious that I've found an airline special, isn't it? I think I'm in love with JetBlue. Check this crazy action out (go ahead, I'll be right here debating and waiting for you to get back): http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/?intcmp=HPHero1Eng_All-You-Can-JetPass
Here's the tricky part: this is AMAZING, but I work on the weekends, and go to school during the week. I don't know if I could take off all of the weekends in September without getting fired, or even to have enough cash to eat and stay in all the places I'd like to visit in that month. If this were for August, while I don't have classes, there is no question that I would already be a happy vagrant, sending a postcard goodbye to my tea shop job. My tea shop job is nice, though, and they are very kind to accommodate my occasionally ridiculous class schedule, and I am very far from wealthy and need the cash. Knowing that this special exists is rather torturous, though; it's my Pandora's box, full of all sort of delights and evils, and nearly impossible to avoid opening.
Hmmmm.... Perhaps I can get someone to pay me to travel, and to write about it? I think tonight I'll fall asleep singing "I've got a golden ticket!" and dream about just that.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Iceland!
Where in the World: Iceland
The Inspiration: Helping a friend plan a trip (hooray for variety in inspiration!). Iceland is crazy beautiful, due to their economic woes their currency favors American tourists, it's cold but there are lovely hot springs. My friend is planning a couples-y trip, so I might have to plan my own adventure rather than tagging along (being a fifth wheel for the movies can be a bit awkward; being a fifth wheel for a vacation would have, um, significantly more potential for awkwardness). Every time I learn a little more about Iceland, I realize I need to bump it up on my must-see list.
To start being dazzled on your own, I suggest http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/
The Inspiration: Helping a friend plan a trip (hooray for variety in inspiration!). Iceland is crazy beautiful, due to their economic woes their currency favors American tourists, it's cold but there are lovely hot springs. My friend is planning a couples-y trip, so I might have to plan my own adventure rather than tagging along (being a fifth wheel for the movies can be a bit awkward; being a fifth wheel for a vacation would have, um, significantly more potential for awkwardness). Every time I learn a little more about Iceland, I realize I need to bump it up on my must-see list.
To start being dazzled on your own, I suggest http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hiking on the Edge
Where in the World: A Rocky Ledge with Great Views; Katoomba Australia would be nice, but Utah could work, too.
The Inspiration: More reminiscing. Two years ago today, B and I had progressed to Australia, and my friends in Sydney took us out to the Blue Mountains to hike for the day.
I believe this was in the area known as the King's Tableland. From here, we went to see The Three Sisters rock formation, and hiked around there. I couldn't get over the fact that there were wild cockatoos in the woods; my friends couldn't believe we were surprised.
It was a fantastic day, and remembering it has me anxious for my next wilderness adventure.
The Inspiration: More reminiscing. Two years ago today, B and I had progressed to Australia, and my friends in Sydney took us out to the Blue Mountains to hike for the day.
I believe this was in the area known as the King's Tableland. From here, we went to see The Three Sisters rock formation, and hiked around there. I couldn't get over the fact that there were wild cockatoos in the woods; my friends couldn't believe we were surprised.
It was a fantastic day, and remembering it has me anxious for my next wilderness adventure.
Friday, June 26, 2009
New Zealand
Where in the World: New ZealandThe Inspiration: Nostalgia, and the fact that I didn't really want to leave the first time I was there. Two years ago, I left LA on a flight around 11pm on June 25, and 15 hours later I arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, around 7:30am on June 27. That's not a typo, the first part of my trip to New Zealand actually involved time travel, and I think that's crazy cool.* Of course, that's just the beginning. My trip lasted a total of 40 days, and so for the next 40 days I'm predicting that I'll be daydreaming about revisiting most of the places that I went to on that adventure. With that in mind, it's only fair to share a bit of what I saw on my first day in NZ.
I met up with my brother in Auckland, and we flew together to Christchurch. This is what NZ looks like from the air.
We rented a car, and drove from Christchurch to Kaikoura. We had to stop a few times on the way there, because it was simply too beautiful to just drive by.
Kaikoura is in an area with several marine sancutaries. We went directly to the beach to see the seals. I was just a little excited.
We then went for a walk along the cliffs. I was thrilled to be looking east towards the Pacific Ocean, and the scenery just took my breath away.
I may have chased these sheep a little bit, and then decided it was proof of my natural shepherding skills, and that I could live there forever.
This photo doesn't do justice to the colors we saw there; it was unspeakably beautiful. That's why I need to go back to see it again. =)
*You know what else isn't a typo? The spelling of "New Zealand". The spell checker keeps underlining it like it's wrong, which I think is pretty irksome. It's a country, for goodness sake! It's not like I'm using the Maori name, Aotearoa.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Melbourne
Where in the World: Melbourne, Australia
The Inspiration: Good friends and a cheap plane ticket. Here's a true story: Last night I was up until 3:00 (which is midnight in California, and therefore the last minute for the sale that ended on June 16) staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out how to take advantage of amazing air fares. I had to called my friend JC in Melbourne twice, first to make sure the dates worked for visiting, and then because I had run out of ideas and was still indecisive, and he was the only person I knew who was awake. Okay, that's half true: I could have called my friends N&P, who also live in Melbourne, but N would help me be excited and not reasonable, when JC could try to be both. In the end, at 3:02, I closed the window asking for my credit card information, and the logical, responsible half of my personality beat out the adventurous half. Now, I know that was the better choice, but today Qantas extended the sale (although all the tickets have gone up by at least $100 each way) and after spending a day imagining all the fun I'd have visiting Melbourne and some of my other Aussie friends, I just want to get there soon, and I'm pouting like a two year old about it.
I visited Melbourne for the first time almost exactly two years ago with my brother, when JC was unfortunately out of the country and I hadn't even met N&P yet. We had a fantastic time without knowing anyone in the city, and I can only imagine it being better with delightful friends. Since I have photos from that trip, I thought I'd share.
This is my brother in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this bridge.
In most major cities, you're encouraged to avoid the alleys. In Melbourne, they tell you to go check them out. It turns out that they're full of wonderful restaurants and interesting little shops.
We also took a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, which is one of the most charming natural phenomenons in history. We were not permitted to photograph the penguins, but the whole trip was full of fun sights.
I fed kangaroos at a petting zoo.
We stopped at gorgeous beaches on the way. It was winter there, so they didn't have many visitors, which made them all the more majestic.
And before we left Phillip Island, I spotted the best sign I've ever seen.
I can't wait to go back!
The Inspiration: Good friends and a cheap plane ticket. Here's a true story: Last night I was up until 3:00 (which is midnight in California, and therefore the last minute for the sale that ended on June 16) staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out how to take advantage of amazing air fares. I had to called my friend JC in Melbourne twice, first to make sure the dates worked for visiting, and then because I had run out of ideas and was still indecisive, and he was the only person I knew who was awake. Okay, that's half true: I could have called my friends N&P, who also live in Melbourne, but N would help me be excited and not reasonable, when JC could try to be both. In the end, at 3:02, I closed the window asking for my credit card information, and the logical, responsible half of my personality beat out the adventurous half. Now, I know that was the better choice, but today Qantas extended the sale (although all the tickets have gone up by at least $100 each way) and after spending a day imagining all the fun I'd have visiting Melbourne and some of my other Aussie friends, I just want to get there soon, and I'm pouting like a two year old about it.
I visited Melbourne for the first time almost exactly two years ago with my brother, when JC was unfortunately out of the country and I hadn't even met N&P yet. We had a fantastic time without knowing anyone in the city, and I can only imagine it being better with delightful friends. Since I have photos from that trip, I thought I'd share.
This is my brother in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this bridge.
In most major cities, you're encouraged to avoid the alleys. In Melbourne, they tell you to go check them out. It turns out that they're full of wonderful restaurants and interesting little shops.
We also took a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, which is one of the most charming natural phenomenons in history. We were not permitted to photograph the penguins, but the whole trip was full of fun sights.
I fed kangaroos at a petting zoo.
We stopped at gorgeous beaches on the way. It was winter there, so they didn't have many visitors, which made them all the more majestic.
And before we left Phillip Island, I spotted the best sign I've ever seen.
I can't wait to go back!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"Once in a Lifetime Trips"
I want this book.
It's Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World's 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences by Chris Santella.
It looks gorgeous.
It's full of photos like this. Doesn't that ship in the Spice Islands look like it sailed out Arabian Nights? *Swoon*
I'd also love to write books like this one, although I think that wish is pretty obvious.
It's Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World's 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences by Chris Santella.It looks gorgeous.
It's full of photos like this. Doesn't that ship in the Spice Islands look like it sailed out Arabian Nights? *Swoon*I'd also love to write books like this one, although I think that wish is pretty obvious.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Anchorage, Alaska
Where in the world: Anchorage, Alaska, and Alaska in general.
Inspired by: A few things, really. I ordered a new computer last weekend, and I've been tracking its progress towards me. Today it is in Anchorage, and I'm as jealous as a person could be of an inanimate object's travels. Also, last night after the hockey game we watched the end of the movie "Mystery, Alaska," which is about a local hockey team in a town where people skate to work in the winter. I love cold weather, ice skating, mountains by the ocean, wildlife, and trekking through parks of all sizes, so I strongly suspect I'd enjoy Alaska. I once applied for a summer job working on a whale watching boat near Juneau, but didn't pursue it when I realized it would almost cost more to drive there than I would make during the season. I'd still like to take a whale watching tour, though, and ride the Great Alaskan railroad to Denali while listening to Eddie Vedder sing the sound track to "Into the Wild." I'd hike in the park, try to spot some caribou, or moose, or bear (at a very great distance). It would be a "Great Alaskan Adventure."
I would be delighted if you'd share any of your recommendations for other things to daydream about seeing and doing there.
Inspired by: A few things, really. I ordered a new computer last weekend, and I've been tracking its progress towards me. Today it is in Anchorage, and I'm as jealous as a person could be of an inanimate object's travels. Also, last night after the hockey game we watched the end of the movie "Mystery, Alaska," which is about a local hockey team in a town where people skate to work in the winter. I love cold weather, ice skating, mountains by the ocean, wildlife, and trekking through parks of all sizes, so I strongly suspect I'd enjoy Alaska. I once applied for a summer job working on a whale watching boat near Juneau, but didn't pursue it when I realized it would almost cost more to drive there than I would make during the season. I'd still like to take a whale watching tour, though, and ride the Great Alaskan railroad to Denali while listening to Eddie Vedder sing the sound track to "Into the Wild." I'd hike in the park, try to spot some caribou, or moose, or bear (at a very great distance). It would be a "Great Alaskan Adventure."
I would be delighted if you'd share any of your recommendations for other things to daydream about seeing and doing there.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Burren
Where in the world: The Burren, County Clare, Ireland
The Inspiration: This week I was writing about family roots for one of my classes, and thinking about my Irish family. My great-grandmother emigrated from County Clare, Ireland, and while I don't know any family in that area, I did visit it on my first trip to Ireland. When I was there, we went to the Burren, which from a distance just looks like a field of flat rock. The beauty, however, comes when get get up close into the grasses that grow thinly over limestone. In all of the cracks and cervices are the loveliest little wildflowers you've ever seen. The mist that hangs over them keeps them insulated from the wind of the bare, seaside landscape, and they are profuse, vibrant, diverse, and delightful.
The Inspiration: This week I was writing about family roots for one of my classes, and thinking about my Irish family. My great-grandmother emigrated from County Clare, Ireland, and while I don't know any family in that area, I did visit it on my first trip to Ireland. When I was there, we went to the Burren, which from a distance just looks like a field of flat rock. The beauty, however, comes when get get up close into the grasses that grow thinly over limestone. In all of the cracks and cervices are the loveliest little wildflowers you've ever seen. The mist that hangs over them keeps them insulated from the wind of the bare, seaside landscape, and they are profuse, vibrant, diverse, and delightful.
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