Where in the World: Indianapolis, Indiana
The Inspiration: Ok, so this doesn't seem like a terribly exciting location, but in a few weeks the National Samoyed show will be in Indiana, and I'd really like to go. My parents are going to visit a friend from Oregon who will be showing her dogs, and visiting with other friends in Cincinnati and Indy on the way, and I'd love to be part of the trip. Is that silly? Probably not, especially considering these fantastic and hilarious friends.
Also, I'm really ready to just go SOMEWHERE and am particularly envious of travelers lately. Maybe I could get one of those nanny jobs where you travel with a family and take the kids to exotic museums while the parents conduct international business and I could do my homework while the kids have nap time or take their violin lessons at the Parisian conservatory... Do you know people like that? Are they hiring? Can you introduce us? Can you tell that I could use a change of scenery?
Showing posts with label Road Trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Road Trip. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Great American Road Trip
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. =)
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. =)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Go West!
Where in the World: Westward! Mostly to the coastal states.
The Inspiration: "Paradise is there," among other things. This weekend starts a series of weeks where I would like to be on the west coast. For starters, there will be a fantastic party to celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday in San Francisco. Then, my best friend will be completing some tremendously challenging tests, during which time I'd like to provide moral support and ice cream, and be there at the completion to celebrate her overall brilliance and success, and help her move half way across the country again. Also, I'd love a chance to just visit and talk with my brother, who lives in Seattle, and I'm feeling more and more like I'll need a plane ticket to do that. Oh, and he invited me to go to a really fabulous music festival with him in three weeks, so that too.
All of these lovely attractants exist without even mentioning the overwhelming beauty of the Pacific Northwest when it's not raining, the loveliness of Pacific coastlines, the delightful temperance of San Francisco's weather, and the glorious buttes and curves and wide open landscapes from southern California to south central Texas. I'm all full of itinerant lusting today.
The Inspiration: "Paradise is there," among other things. This weekend starts a series of weeks where I would like to be on the west coast. For starters, there will be a fantastic party to celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday in San Francisco. Then, my best friend will be completing some tremendously challenging tests, during which time I'd like to provide moral support and ice cream, and be there at the completion to celebrate her overall brilliance and success, and help her move half way across the country again. Also, I'd love a chance to just visit and talk with my brother, who lives in Seattle, and I'm feeling more and more like I'll need a plane ticket to do that. Oh, and he invited me to go to a really fabulous music festival with him in three weeks, so that too.
All of these lovely attractants exist without even mentioning the overwhelming beauty of the Pacific Northwest when it's not raining, the loveliness of Pacific coastlines, the delightful temperance of San Francisco's weather, and the glorious buttes and curves and wide open landscapes from southern California to south central Texas. I'm all full of itinerant lusting today.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Chautauqua Institution
Where in the World: The Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York
The Inspiration: Looking for a place to get away with friends that's not too far away. Family friends have had a cabin there since I was little, and I've always been a nerd, so I've always been intrigued by a place that was "founded on the belief that everyone 'has a right to be all that he can be -- to know all that he can know.'" Every day of their entire summer schedule is full of fascinating lectures, concerts, sermons, and art classes in a really lovely setting. Elie Wiesel and Justice Anthony Kennedy are two of this the speakers this year on a stage that has also hosted Franklin Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, and Ameila Earhart. I'm thinking of going after the summer class term ends and learning just for the fun of it for a few days. If that's appealing to you too, you may want to check out their website: http://www.ciweb.org/
PS: Here's something a bit crazy: spell check struggles with "New Zealand" but is fine with "Chautauqua." How does that work?
The Inspiration: Looking for a place to get away with friends that's not too far away. Family friends have had a cabin there since I was little, and I've always been a nerd, so I've always been intrigued by a place that was "founded on the belief that everyone 'has a right to be all that he can be -- to know all that he can know.'" Every day of their entire summer schedule is full of fascinating lectures, concerts, sermons, and art classes in a really lovely setting. Elie Wiesel and Justice Anthony Kennedy are two of this the speakers this year on a stage that has also hosted Franklin Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, and Ameila Earhart. I'm thinking of going after the summer class term ends and learning just for the fun of it for a few days. If that's appealing to you too, you may want to check out their website: http://www.ciweb.org/
PS: Here's something a bit crazy: spell check struggles with "New Zealand" but is fine with "Chautauqua." How does that work?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
"Excuse me, is this the town?"
Where in the World: The tiny towns along New Zealand routes 1, 6, and 7 between Kaikoura and Franz Josef.
The Inspiration: Nostalgia etc.; I did warn you. Once upon at time exactly two years ago, I stopped at an intersection near Victoria Forest Park, New Zealand. We got out of the car, and I approached a man walking down the side of the road, and said, "Excuse me, is this the town?" It was a reasonable question. Other than the "T" intersection of the highways that matched the map, there were only three buildings to indicate any sort of town-ness. The man laughed, and told me it actually was Springs Junction, and asked me what I had been expecting. At the puzzling advice of the woman from whom we tried to rent a motel room, we pressed on to Reefton for food and shelter that night. The next day we drove to Punakaiki, and then south down the coast to Franz Josef. Since I'm all misty-eyed over it, and I'm not sure you actually exist, lovely reader, I'm going to show off some more of the photos that are inspiring me. It's also worth noting that neither words or photos could ever adequately capture the beauty of that landscape.
This was on the "highway" across central New Zealand.
The plains run right up to the mountains, and make the geology lessons about the power of glaciers make sense.
This drive was unbelievable
As we got closer to the coast, the snow on the mountains vanished and was replaced by vegitation that looked delightfully prehistoric.
Here's me at the Pancake Rocks, which are amazing rock formations on the west coast. It was freezing cold, and raining, and I was so happy to be there.
The Maori name for New Zealand translates to "Land of the Long White Cloud," so when the views were obscured by fog I felt like I was at least having an authentic Kiwi experience. It actually added to the landscape, and gave it a sort of mythical property. This is one of my favorite photos.
The Inspiration: Nostalgia etc.; I did warn you. Once upon at time exactly two years ago, I stopped at an intersection near Victoria Forest Park, New Zealand. We got out of the car, and I approached a man walking down the side of the road, and said, "Excuse me, is this the town?" It was a reasonable question. Other than the "T" intersection of the highways that matched the map, there were only three buildings to indicate any sort of town-ness. The man laughed, and told me it actually was Springs Junction, and asked me what I had been expecting. At the puzzling advice of the woman from whom we tried to rent a motel room, we pressed on to Reefton for food and shelter that night. The next day we drove to Punakaiki, and then south down the coast to Franz Josef. Since I'm all misty-eyed over it, and I'm not sure you actually exist, lovely reader, I'm going to show off some more of the photos that are inspiring me. It's also worth noting that neither words or photos could ever adequately capture the beauty of that landscape.
This was on the "highway" across central New Zealand.
The plains run right up to the mountains, and make the geology lessons about the power of glaciers make sense.
This drive was unbelievable
As we got closer to the coast, the snow on the mountains vanished and was replaced by vegitation that looked delightfully prehistoric.
Here's me at the Pancake Rocks, which are amazing rock formations on the west coast. It was freezing cold, and raining, and I was so happy to be there.
The Maori name for New Zealand translates to "Land of the Long White Cloud," so when the views were obscured by fog I felt like I was at least having an authentic Kiwi experience. It actually added to the landscape, and gave it a sort of mythical property. This is one of my favorite photos.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Chicago
Where in the World: Chicago, Illinois
The Inspiration: Another lovely friend, who will be running the Chicago Marathon in October. I am not a marathoner. I'm not even a runner. However, I'm really impressed by marathoners, and I would love to be there to cheer her through the race (which is much more my speed). Also, I love Chicago. I visited once, as part of a shopping trip for a wedding in which I was a bridesmaid (file that story into the "fabulous extravagant things I'd never choose to do myself" category). That trip had lots of lace, sparkles, and satin, which could have been overwhelming if we hadn't balanced it with tons of delicious food. I'd love to go back and explore more than the bridal circuit, checking out the museums, more of the wonderful places to eat and to dance, and take in some real Chicago blues.
The Inspiration: Another lovely friend, who will be running the Chicago Marathon in October. I am not a marathoner. I'm not even a runner. However, I'm really impressed by marathoners, and I would love to be there to cheer her through the race (which is much more my speed). Also, I love Chicago. I visited once, as part of a shopping trip for a wedding in which I was a bridesmaid (file that story into the "fabulous extravagant things I'd never choose to do myself" category). That trip had lots of lace, sparkles, and satin, which could have been overwhelming if we hadn't balanced it with tons of delicious food. I'd love to go back and explore more than the bridal circuit, checking out the museums, more of the wonderful places to eat and to dance, and take in some real Chicago blues.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Adirondacks
Where in the World: The Adirondack Region, Northern New York
Inspired by: My lovely friends, K&J, who are currently honeymooning in upstate New York. The region is rugged and beautiful, with calm lakes and fierce mountains. Last time I visited the area I stayed between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, where we spent a lot of time kayaking. I gave the newlyweds a map so that they could make sure to get Donnelly's Ice Cream near Lake Clear. My parents went to college in the area, and for my entire childhood they told me of the wonder of Donnelly's, where a berry patch and a dairy farm meet in an ice cream shack. The most amazing part is that when I finally tried Donnelly's as a teenager, it exceeded the expectations that I had been building for years. Since I told K&J, I've been anxious to get in the car and make the treck myself. I'd divide my day between breathtaking mountain hikes and creamy raspberry gluttony. How delightful!
Inspired by: My lovely friends, K&J, who are currently honeymooning in upstate New York. The region is rugged and beautiful, with calm lakes and fierce mountains. Last time I visited the area I stayed between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, where we spent a lot of time kayaking. I gave the newlyweds a map so that they could make sure to get Donnelly's Ice Cream near Lake Clear. My parents went to college in the area, and for my entire childhood they told me of the wonder of Donnelly's, where a berry patch and a dairy farm meet in an ice cream shack. The most amazing part is that when I finally tried Donnelly's as a teenager, it exceeded the expectations that I had been building for years. Since I told K&J, I've been anxious to get in the car and make the treck myself. I'd divide my day between breathtaking mountain hikes and creamy raspberry gluttony. How delightful!
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