Day 60: THE LAST DAY

Current Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

Today was the last day of my journey. I pulled into SLO last night and today was a recovery day from the last 60 days of traveling around the country. I had a great time and I will never forget all of the things I experienced, people I saw, and funny things that happened. People are always asking me about my trip highlights so I am gonna give you all a few...

- Going to Wrigley Field TWICE

- Driving through the night with Emily Buckel

- Seeing my old roommates along the way

- Meeting people like Charlotte, Conrad, Eduardo, Jeff, Chris, and so many more people that I would have had the pleasure of meeting, but hopefully will someday again.

- Seeing my family

- Driving across the middle of nowhere and just enjoying the view

There are really so many other things that I cannot think about but happened. I loved it all and I will never forget this trip.

So that is it. I am done with this trip, done blogging, and now I have to figure out my life haha, wish me luck again.

Peace

P.S. Just if you are interested here are some stats from my trip.

TOTAL MILES: 12,036

TOTAL DAYS: 60

TOTAL STATES VISITED: 36

TOTAL $ SPENT ON GAS: $1420.20

Day 59: Driving Home to SLO!!!!

Current Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

Today was the final day of driving on my road trip, officially. I got up and had a large breakfast with Marje and Jack, it was delicious! I left around 11am headed West on the 10 toward LA. I arrived in LA around 4:30pm which as you can imagine is a nightmare with traffic. Again I say, Why do I always end up in the largest cities during rush hour! It seems like each time I drive through LA I want to die with all this traffic haha. Well I finally made it through all of that and onward north up the coast. I saw the sunset on the Pacific around Ventura and thought it was a pretty good end to my driving. I arrived in SLO around 8pm and Alese, Katherine and Myself enjoyed a celebratory drink downtown at the Black Sheep. The night was good. And tomorrow marks the last day of my road trip.

Peace

Day 58: Albuquerque to AZ

Current Location: Phoenix (Mesa), AZ

Today I woke up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. To be honest New Mexico (a place I have been twice) is actually pretty cool. I like the old town areas and the pueblo style that runs throughout the city. But anyway that is not the point. So like I said my day started in a Holiday Inn Express and then I headed to Old Town Albuquerque in order to go the the Indian retail stands so that I could buy a couple unique jewelry. I found a couple of cool pieces a sterling silver and turquiose ring and then a pair of matching earrings haha. Anyway they were good finds. After that I headed out west.

I drove most of the day through some pretty plain country. I know that yesterday I was raving about the beautiful Texas country and flat land but I must say that between Albuquerque and Flagstaff there is really not much to see. The land is dry, full of shrubs, and pretty much rolling boring hills haha, not as good as yesterday though.

Well this evening I arrived at my Great Aunt and Uncle's place and went to Applebee's Bar and Grille haha. After was spent sharing pictures and watching the NBA kickoff night on the TV. The game is back on so ....

Peace

Day 57: Dallas to Albuquerque

Current Location: Albuquerque, NM

Today Amber and I got up and went to breakfast at Bread Winners a breakfast place/bakery/club at night haha. I had surprise, surprise, a Tex-Mex breakfast that was delicious and then headed out of town. Sad saying goodbye to Amber :(. I drove up northwest hit a piece of Oklahoma, on to Amarillo, across the pan handle and ended up in Albuquerque, NM for the night.

Today was just driving mostly after leaving Dallas, I love the scenery around this area. Most people think it is boring, flat, and full of cows and tumbleweeds, but I know otherwise. The open "range" as some might say is awesome. I love the flat land that you can see miles in each direction, staring at the same thing that has been there for centuries. There is something about the open space that breathes of opportunity. Maybe I get too sentimental over the open road but if you know it and appreciate it like I do then you understand. I just love the country, tumbleweeds, cows and all. Guess I am in luck because tomorrow I'll get to see even more because I am headed to Phoenix.

Peace

Day 56: That’s what I love about Sundays

Current Location: Dallas, TX

It is Sunday and Amber and I awoke ready to start the day at church. We got up dressed and headed off to a church that Amber likes called Watermark in North Dallas. The church was huge just like the mega church I described in Chicago it seemed more like a small college campus or large theater than a church. However, I enjoyed it, the pastor was exciting, the people were friendly and they had coffee! So A in my book. After Amber and I wanted to go shopping and get our nails done. However, Sundays in Dallas apparently means everything is closed. So we had to change our plans. Instead we headed downtown to Downtown West and wandered around taking pictures and got lunch at a place called RJ’s Mexican Cuisine that of course served Tex-Mex (like every other place in the city). Anyway our waiter, Rudy, was super great and we had two enormous, in both size and taste, salads. By this time the three shops that are open on Sundays had opened and I made a couple purchases before we headed back to get our nails done.

Nails, Starbucks, diving around for pictures, and relaxing with the TV all followed. Amber later had to go to her lacrosse practice, where she coaches third graders, and I during this time went for a light job around the area. After all of that We got ready and went out! (Yes, Yes, on a Sunday).

Together we went to Mi Cocina a place in Uptown, Dallas. The entire area of Uptown is very nice, shops, food, bars, clubs, and a very young scene. I had the most amazing Tacos “de Brisket” as they were called that surprise again were Tex-Mex. We also enjoyed a couple super delish margaritas. We walked around, sat and talked, and enjoyed our night before heading over to one of Amber’s friends houses to watch football and Sportscenter to cap off the night. In the words of Mr. Craig Morgan, “ That’s what I love about Sundays”.

Peace.

Day 55: Football and Tornadoes

Current Location: Amber's Casa Dallas, TX

Today is Saturday and the homecoming day for both Baylor and SMU colleges around Dallas. Amber and I got up and headed out for a small walk and to pick up some coffee before the games. We then headed out to the tailgating party that is actually not a tailgate party but called boulevarding and is something that looks more like a small state fair (yes, they are extremely serious about football here). So we go and sign up for a couple places at the game and get some free BBQ and some drinks and wait for the game to start. The weather at this point was decent yet pretty humid (for my taste, which means mildly humid I guess, but whatever). It was a normal day. Literally as we finish our meal and Amber's sister calls to ask us about the weather and if we have heard the tornado warning yet, THE WEATHER TURNS. haha the sky blackens the clouds move in, it it gets windy and and starts pouring down rain. Needless to say Amber and I split rather quickly haha. I mean we were not about to stand in that, especially Amber who for some reason hates the rain more than anything.

So we were on to plan two, shopping at Target, watching the games from the couch and then chilling out with some sushi and salads. Hahah pretty good day minus the weather that was terrible. Seriously.

Okay. Peace

Day 54: A day in Dallas

Current Location: Dallas, TX

Today, Amber had to get up early and go to school but I got to sleep in until the late hours of 10am haha. Then I got up did some organizing and got ready to go to my spa facial apt. I had a relaxing time at the spa, got a snack and then headed home to meet Amber after class. After some planning we decided to go on a run around the extremely cute and wealthy neighborhoods and watch the All-American families play soccer and lacrosse in the park. Then it was time to shower and head out to meet Amber's sister, Stephanie, for some dinner at Blue Mesa Grille. Blue Mesa was a great looking restaurant with a very delicious menu, so all around good. Then we headed back to Amber's apartment picked up her roommate plus one and headed to Humperdinks a bar/restaurant to watch the TEXAS RANGERS win the AL championship and make there way to the world series! I don't actually like the Rangers nor was I cheering for the team in general but I have to say that being in that bar was much like a movie when the underdog team wins the championship for the first time. People where going nuts, everyone was wearing Ranger gear, strangers were hugging and high-fiving, and everyone was signing along. It was literally HISTORIC, which was pretty amazing. I do have to say that I am glad the Rangers won, they are a great team with some good history and have never made it to a World Series before, so props to them; too bad they are gonna lose to my Giants. hahaha. Anyway that was the night. Amber and I later feel asleep watching Wedding Crashers. Which we will finish watching later tonight.

Peace

Day 53: Wake up in Nashville, go to bed in Dallas.

Current Location: Dallas, TX

So this morning I go up at the wee hours of 7am and left my newest favorite city to head out West. I drove southwest toward Memphis and then turned due south toward Leland, MS a small down off the 61 in Mississippi. I had never been to Mississippi before and it seemed pretty nice, in fact a lot of the scenery from the 61 reminded me of the 5 that goes through California's valley. Anyway that is not important what is important is how I believe that I love the SOUTH! I am not kidding, the way of life down here, the warmth, the food, the people, EVERYTHING is great. In Mississippi I stopped for gas and lunch at a small down called Clarksdale where I was directed via signage to a little ole' place called Abe's BBQ. The place was so cute, just a small little diner that must have had everyone in town eating there at the same time because I could barely find a parking spot. I went in and ordered a Pork sandwich and a root beer to go. The guy was great, "Ma'am" was coming out of his mouth every other word, he was even considered at whether or not I could or should have to open my root beer's twist top on my own or if I would like his assistance. The entire interaction was so friendly and awesome that I could not help but be impressed by the southern hospitality, and obviously the southern drawl haha. Anyway if I had ordered that in Cali I would have gotten everything in a bag with the only words being my total and "sign here". haha yeahh.....

Well after that it was through Arkansas, Louisiana and then on to Texas. I arrive at Amber Curry's 12 hours after my departure!!!! We already had plans so I got ready we had dinner and then it was off to Lady's Night at the Red River dancehall. This place was huge with a disco studded saddle, mechanical bull (which I rode), a huge circular dance floor, stage with live band, and about four or five bars. The night was great, the people were great, I had a great time haha. So yeah I think y'all (hahaha this was added for authenticity) can figure out I had a great time haha.

Peace

Day 52: Mocha Club and Bluebird

Current Location: Nashville, TN

This morning was rough because we have been having so much fun recently that it was wearing me out. Luckily we got up and left to immediately stop for coffee at a place called The Perch out in Brentwood, TN. We headed out there for two things, one a quick stop at Target to purchase Sugarland's new Deluxe Edition CD!!!! and two to go to Cassidy's internship at Mocha Club.

Mocha Club is a really awesome organization that works with many different non-profit companies to raise money for their programs in Africa. I just did a really lame job explaining their awesomeness so go check it out yourself HERE!!

On another note and back to The Perch, I will again hammer home by point that Nashville may have the best, cutest, most delicious, and pretty dang cool coffee shops I have ever seen (Please note that this comment excludes all coffee shops in the SLO area as well as and most importantly Uptown Espresso, you are still number one!!!). Okay but yes Nashville is the place.

So back to Mocha Club, the day was spent on some various projects and I helped with some folding of a new scarf line that comes from Africa and all the purchases go back to helping the women in Ethiopia that make them (I bought one and they are so cute!). I just sorta talked with people, helped out with some small things, and looked at stuff on the internet haha. It was fun. After all of that we headed home got a quick snack and then I went on a short run.

THEN at 9pm Cassidy and I headed out to The Bluebird Cafe (LINK HERE) the most amazing little cafe in Nashville, not because of the food, even though it was good, but because of the live music. Each night singers and songwriters sign up to play at the Cafe, and they are amazing. They will just go around in a circle signing songs that they wrote and telling you the meaning behind the song and who cut it on their records. LITERALLY MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE AND I WANT TO GO EVERY NIGHT.

Well that was really they day today. This blog was a lot longer than normal haha lots of information to include!!!

Peace

Day 51: Good Ol' Southern Food

Current Location: Nashville, TN

NASHVILLE!!! So I have officially decided that Nashville is a great city. I mean Cassidy had told me this before but now it is definately official. Cassidy had to work a little bit this morning and I slept in until she came back and we went to get some breakfast and meet her friend Chris at The Frothy Monkey! Again we had amazing coffee and food at this cute coffee shop and then it was off to Franklin, TN. Franklin is southwest of Nashville and has a very old and cute downtown area. In downtown Franklin I purchased a couple things from a store call Philanthropy. This store is awesome and almost everything they sell here gives back to others, helps the organization, or is part of a non-profit. We also went to the famous Pucketts for lunch and then got a cupcake at the same bakery Carrie Underwood got her wedding cake, yes I know, nbd. After all of that it was time for a short run around the Belmont area and then off to dinner at the Loveless Cafe.

The Loveless Cafe is a tradition in Nashville and represents a huge history in the town. It is located on Highway 100 and has served many famous people throughout the years. After changing ownership many times the restaurant still boasts the same recipes from the original openers. Our meal was such...

Fried Chicken

Creamed Corn

Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Grits

Biscuits & Perseveres

Needless to say that it was an amazing meal.

Good night yet again.

Peace

Day 50: Nashvillians!

Today was a great day to be in the south. I am talking about Nashville, TN. I have been in Nashville for a full 24hours now and I already think it is amazing. Today Cass and I went to The Frothy Monkey, a wonderful and super cute coffee shop in the Belmont area, and had a great breakfast. Then we walked around Hillsboro Village shopping center, shopped at some Nashville boutiques and then hit up Sweet Cece's for some frozen yogurt. Then Broadway Street! Broadway was awesome all the bars and Honkey Tonks. We went to all the famous places, Hatch Print Shop, the CMT building, The Ryman, and everything in between. It was a great day, we even bought Sweet Tea and Corn Cakes for a snack at a local eatery. Delicious.

After that it was time to head home and relax with a little ESPN and then back out to pick of the boys from the airport and get some dinner at a very interesting Asian inspired bistro grille sushi all in one place, called PM. It was again delicious and Cassidy and I hung out the rest of the night in The Enclave haha. Great day.

Peace

Day 48/49: Football and Nashville

Current Location: Nashville, TN

This is a double blog because I neglected my duty to write something last night haha. Sorry. But I am currently rectifying the situation.

So yesterday morning to my surprise I woke up on a sailboat extremely well rested. I thought that sleeping on a boat would be more difficult with the whole wave thing and such, but I was mistaken because of where the boat was docked. Anyway the boat was very nice and comfortable. We had a delicious breakfast of SPAM and eggs haha which I tried for the first time. I will admit SPAM has great flavor but I am not exactly stuck on the texture of it. So I feel that my first and last experience with SPAM will be one in the same. After breakfast it was time to get dressed and head over to Mr. Bacher's favorite city, Annapolis. We drove over and had some lunch at the famous Pusser's Bar and then walked through the city and arrived at the Marine-Navy Memorial Stadium. We watched the Navy beat Dallas' SMU in a crazy exciting second half come back. After the game it was back to Pusser's for dinner appetizers and dessert. Watched some interesting people and the Giants baseball game (GO GIANTS!!!! THEY WON BTW), then headed back to the boat.

This morning I got up around 7:10am (yes I know, impressive) and got ready for today's drive to Nashville, TN new home of Cassidy Myers the newest edition to the Nashvillian family. The drive took around 11 hours which is not too bad and I arrived just in time to head over to 3rd and Lindsley Bar to watch Ben Rector and Drew Holcomb perform. Then it was time for dessert at Jackson's in Hillsboro Village and a night tour of Nashville's Broadway, hosted by Cassidy. Now just relaxing with some ESPN and a big comfy couch. Goodnight Nashville, see you in the morning.

Peace

Day 47: I'm on a boat!

Current Location: The Freedom, Chesapeake Bay

Today was a day of relaxation in all its forms. Started with a night of sleeping in for a little, hanging out with family friends (obviously a Starbucks run) and then driving over to the Chesapeake Bay. After that we spend the rest of the evening on the Yacht chilling and eating crab and other finger foods. I am gonna have to tally this day in the books as pretty sweet and ultra relaxing. Great day I have to say. Maybe another night out again but who knows.

Peacage!

Day 46: A day in Reston, VA

Current Location: Reston, VA

I am not really feeling like typing everything up that happened today so I am giving a brief summary....

Oil Change for The Shadow

Costco with Mrs. Bacher

Gym

Picked up Steph from Dullis

Dinner at the Tap Room in downtown Reston.....

Peace

Day 45: Washington D.C..... it's the place to be.

Current Location: Reston, VA

I have to say that I have officially fallen back in love with D.C. I visited for the first time over a year ago and I loved the city and now coming back to it just reminds me that I really do love it and have a great appreciation for the city and it's history. Mom and I got up early today and packed up and headed out to visit my mother's good friend who lives in Vienna and just had a baby (CONGRATS!!!) and then headed over to D.C. for some fine dining. Now when I mean fine dining I am talking about Old Ebbitt's Grille a place definitely worth visiting and the money if you are trying to find a great meal in D.C. Anyway after out amazing, and yes truly amazing, lunch Moms and I walked the D.C. area and saw a couple of things the Mall has to offer. Then it was time to take her back to Baltimore and to the airport so she could head home to California. She cried at the airport, of course, but I had a great time with her this week and am so thankful that she got to come out and visit. Afterward I had to run some errands and then met up with the wonderful Bacher's to spend a lovely evening in Reston. Tomorrow is somewhat of a relaxing catch up day and some much needed spa time for The White Shadow aka and oil change. That is all for now.

Peace

Day 44: Front Royal, Middleburg and Reston, VA

Current Location: Front Royal, in the VA

Today I wore an outfit that I would normally wear in the summer in California, now that is saying something about the weather. It is still gorgeous, you can just now start to smell fall approaching and the leaves and everything are changing colors. I am hearing from all my friends that lots of tests are starting to come up in their classes, I wish them all good luck, but I am pretty happy not to be worrying about school right now. My biggest worry is where I should be driving and who I want to meet! Anyway needless to say my travels are just as good as the weather we have been experiencing the last few days, awesome.

Today Moms and I went on a walk in the Front Royal neighborhood my Uncle lives in, then headed out out of the house. We drove over to a small town called Middleburg (apparently famous for breeding horses including Secretariat and the setting for the crop circles scene of Scary Movie 3 haha fyi). Anyway, the town and the drive there are beautiful, everything looked like a magazine or a postcard. Rolling green hills filled the view out of my side windows while I was guided along the route by ancient hand laid stone walls separating the road from the meadows. There were gorgeous horses grazing everywhere and the trees of the forrest are changing colors into beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. It was extremely good looking. Mom and I did some boutique shopping in the town and got lunch at a quaint Cafe & Bakery. Then we headed off to Reston, VA to visit Mrs. Bacher, our close family friend and mother of one of my best friends. We visited with her and then headed back to Front Royal for a delicious home cooked meal by my Aunt. All and all another beautiful day. Tomorrow my Mom goes back to Sacramento so she can start her new job on Monday, WOOOO (for her new job, not her leaving haha).

Peace

Day 43: Myrtle Beach, SC to Front Royal, VA

Current Location: Front Royal, VA

Today was an early day, yes props to myself for getting up in the wee hours of the morning. However, I awoke this morning to the rising sun over the Atlantic Ocean, something I don’t get to see everyday J, it was pretty awesome. Our hotel and delivered on its promise of an ocean front view and I enjoyed every minute of it until our premature departure from Myrtle Beach, SC. We, of course, head to Starbucks for some morning coffee and got underway by 7:30am. Around 9:30am Moms and I were starting to get hungry so we stopped in at the very classy Huddle House, breakfast chain somewhere off the I-95 in South Carolina, like I said, very classy. After my sausage breakfast sandwich with a side of grits we were back on the road and headed north toward Virginia.

Around 4:00pm we pulled into the small and quaint town of Front Royal, VA, home of my ancestors, actually only home to my mother’s brother aka my Uncle Bob. My Uncle, Cousin Parker, and Mother headed down to the Shenandoah River to hang out with the water at sunset and see some of the heartland. The river was really beautiful and I enjoyed walking along the banks. After that a delicious dinner at the Lucky Star Lounge & Grille in downtown Front Royal fully satisfied me for the rest of the night. The evening has consisted of relaxing on the veranda, drinking wine and tea, and hanging out with the family. Good times.

Peace.

Day 42: The Carolinas

Current Location: Myrtle Beach, SC

Today Mom and I awoke in Norfolk, VA, a beautiful place, to another awesome day of weather. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that the weather is nice this time of year. Being from California you can imagine that I am somewhat of a weather snob haha, I basically am comfortable between the temperatures of 65 and 80 degrees and 0% to 30% humidity. That is my small comfort zone. However, when traveling I am better about weather I just like living in a place that offers a majority of “my type” of weather haha. Anyway today was great again, although strangely hot for this time of year.

So back to this morning…. We rolled out of bed, packed up and headed down to North Carolina. We hit up Virginia Beach, Hags Head, Kitty Hawk, The Hatteras National Shoreline, Roanoke Island and some other places along the way. We even stopped at the Kitty Hawk National Monument to visit the historic site. After that we headed down the coast of NC toward New Burn and Wilmington. Wilmington was amazing we had a great dinner the town is very nice, great river walk and river front area (on the Cape Fear river). There are so many places to eat and delicious seafood, cute stores, and over 500 movies and TV shows have been filmed there. The place is highly recommended by myself for a visit.

The night ended with an apple pie a la mode and the Cabana hotel (super classy of course hahah ….. not) in Myrtle Beach, SC. Pretty much another beauty of a day.

Peace

Day 41: Football and Friends!

Day 39/40: US History & Toll Roads

Current Location: Dover, DE

Yesterday was a great day and so was today. We, meaning my mother and I for those that have not been keeping track, toured some very famous places in American history.

Yesterday we got up and drove to Gettysburg, PA the place where the history Battle of Gettysburg took place. It was very cool, the visitor’s center was very nice and we decided to take the audio tour in The White Shadow, with the audio tour CD one can buy from the book store. We saw a lot of cool places and monuments on the tour and it was actually quite long and the grounds are very large. It seems when you think of “The Battle of Gettysburg” that it would have all taken place on some little meadow in the middle of no where, BUT!, you would be mistaken. Anyway check out the pictures. We also ventured around the city of Harrisburg to another history town, Hershey, PA, where milk chocolate was invented! Haha. The town is a huge tourist trap so since we did not really feel the need to ride a chocolate rollercoaster or take a picture with the Hershey’s Kiss we decided only to stop and have dinner. Our dinner was very delicious and yes I did have chocolate for dessert! We drove that night to Atlantic City and got a hotel!

This morning we awoke in Atlantic City, aka the east coast’s Vegas, and did what anyone would do, went shopping, there were outlets and stores everywhere and I definitely could have used a lot more time and money there. I only really wanted a couple things and I got them. The reason I have been so dead set on shopping in New Jersey is because they do not have sales tax. It is amazing! The saying, “You get what you pay for”, actually means something here. Afterward we quickly drove back to Philly so that we could take the historic downtown walking tour at Independence Hall. The tour was super interesting and we had a very nice tour guide named Clark. We walked around the city while he gave his little tid bits of knowledge on various morsels of history. I really enjoyed seeing everything that Philly has to offer. After that it was a quick detour to see my mother’s employer’s headquarters and then off to the First State’s capitol, Dover.

That is really it for now except that I have amazing news. For the next four Saturdays in a row I will be getting to go to four different college football games in four different states, pretty sweet yes I know. Okay well….

Peace

Day 38:Philly to Baltimore to pick up the madre.

Current Location: Baltimore, MD

Today was a day of beautiful weather and great events, well mostly great events. Hayley and I got up got some wonderful Starbucks coffee and then headed out shopping and to some must see sights of Philly. We went to the museum of art (if you have not seen my video on YouTube or Facebook, check it out) and we went to L.O.V.E park, both were quite awesome. After the day was done and Hay had to go to work I packed up and left for Baltimore, which is where the bad news comes into play. After 3 days of moving the cars around Philly every couple hours to avoid parking tickets, in the last five minutes of my stay between trips loading my car I get a damn ticket. AHHHH! Well I guess I should have moved my car for the last ten minutes of my stay but still that is annoying and expensive. So your welcome Philly Parking Authority, take my money.

Anyway I drove down to Baltimore and picked Moms up from the airport we checked into the hotel and lights out was the end of the day.

Peace

Day 37: Philly.... cheesesteaks!!!

Current Location: Philly, PA

Today was another great day in the city of Philly, the weather however was not so great, it is still raining. But no matter. Hayley and I got up and went to a wonderful breakfast place and then visited the highly education Ben Franklin Institute where we learned so much about science hahah. It was fun though to go around and see all the exhibits. Afterward Hayley had work again and I again went to the gym. Then we visited the two major cheesesteak places in Philly and I had to make the ultimate decision, Pat or Geno's. I chose Pat's and for the reason that they were no so flashy and Vegas like. I wanted a cheesesteak not dinner and a show. So anyway we ate our cheesesteak WIT onions and Provalonyyy, which is how they say it. They were delicious. We also enjoyed some water-ice from Rita's afterward, also delicious. Anyway it was a good day like I said. Gonna do some museums tomorrow and then Rocky it up and go to LOVE park.

Peace

Day 36: Philadelphia

Current Location: Hayley's Bed, Philadelphia, PA

Today was both interesting and great! Got up and tried to go to a spa which is apparently the front of a con or something because the people that worked there had no idea what spas do or how to treat customers. Needless to say we did not go there and instead went to a great nail salon and had fabulous mani pedis. It was great. After Hayley worked and I relaxed and posed as her in order to use her gym membership and tried to work off all the amazing food I have eaten on my travels. Afterward of course we went to dinner at the smallest sushi restaurant in the world, haha. It was about the size of my parents kitchen containing seven or eight stools and one table, BUT the Pork Gyoza that I had was really delicious! Apparently the California Rolls though are not so amazing. Anyway we stopped at Wa Wa and came home to watch a movie. Notting HIll was the selection, it is quite funny and we actually have to finish it right now so....

Peace

Day 35: Connecticut Wine Trail, ending up in Philly…

Current Location: Philly, PA

The day again was gorgeous, weather was awesome and Mairin, her roommate Michelle, and I all got up and picked up her two other friends John and Josh to tour the Connecticut Wine Trail. We went to three different wineries sampling wine, cheese and chocolate for pairings. Everything was delicious however, I have to say that California still has the best wines, at least for reds. The reds here on the east coast seem to be very light, thin and not so robust as the western wines. However, they have a very large selection of white wines. Anyway that was really fun and we got some good food and souvenir glasses from the day J.

Once we got home I headed out and drove my way down the eastern shore to Philadelphia, PA and to my old roommate Hayley’s Philly apt. I drove mostly on the Jersey Turnpike which was crazy and I almost died about three times from Big Rig trucks that do not know how to drive, they suck and almost kill everything in their path. But whatever I survived.

Peace.

Day 34: Boston Lagerrrrr

Current Location: New Haven, CT

Today was another amazing day, the weather was perfect, I woke up with my cousin in Boston, MA and we got to hang around all day in the beautiful New England fall weather.

Our first stop was the Sam Adams brewery, where Sam Adams does all the first and initial tastings for their beers before they are put into production. If you do not know beer is made of Hops, Malt, Water and Yeast (makes the alcohol). Anyway we learned a little something something and then got to sample Boston Lager, Octoberfest, and Cream Stout. Needless to say the day had started out very well. Next we decided to head down to Quincy Market and get food, by way of the Boston “T”. The day was gorgeous so we shopped, walked around and got lunch.

After that we hopped in the car and drove back to New Haven, CT (where Mairin lives) and decided to get some dinner and go out to the bar Gypcy where her and her friends all work. We had a good time an then crashed pretty late. All in all a successful New England day.

Peace

Day 33: Welcome to New England!

Current Location: Boston, MA (Braintree, MA)

Today I woke up alive! I say this because I stayed in a small hotel motel that could or could not have harbored a psycho killer, therefore I am happy to be alive. Anyway got up and went to New Hampshire and then Maine nbd haha. Then I went and picked up my cousin Mairin at the Boston train station. We spent the afternoon/evening walking around downtown Boston stimulating the economy one retail store at a time (You're welcome Obama). It has been raining profusely all day and then only let up in the evening a little while we walked around. It was a good day all in all! Tonight a hotel in Boston and tomorrow Sam Adams tours and more.

Peace.

Day 32: Vermont by way of Niagara Falls

Current Location: Bennington, VT

Today started off with a trip to the Apple Store, haha not just any Apple store that you can go to anywhere, but the Buffalo, NY mall Apple Store. No there is nothing important about this store other than I needed to take in my iPod to get it fixed and since it was raining I figured there was no harm in taking a little time to swing by the Apple Store and Banana Republic (yes, I bought a shirt haha). Anyway after that I went to NIAGARA FALLS! It was raining a bit when I was there but I still had a great view of the falls and everything was gorgeous. I had a great time and then headed out toward the east coast. I drove across the state of New York. I drove across the whole state in the same amount of time it would take to drive from Sacramento to my college in San Luis Obispo, haha says sometime about California's size. Anyway around eight I wanted to find a hotel so Bennington, VT it was and now I am chillin in a little place waiting for Friday when I get to meet my cousin and her roommate in Boston! I cannot wait.

Peace.

Day 31: Dayton, OH to Buffalo, NY

Current Location: Buffalo, NY

Today was another driving day. I woke up in Dayton, OH at my Grandmother's house, finished making my project for her and then packed up The Shadow and split. I drove THE SPEED LIMIT almost the whole way. I went east on 70 toward Columbus then up toward Pittsburg. North from there and then east again all the way until Buffalo. Why Buffalo you ask. Well because tomorrow I am going to visit Niagara Falls! I am very excited because it is supposed to be an amazing sight.

I went through four states today; Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York! That is really about it. I mean I am in a hotel for tonight. Which is strange because this is only the 3rd hotel I have been in since my Dad left and it is the first hotel I have stayed in alone (not ever because I stay in hotels for work alone all the time), I was referring to the trip. In general thought I am pretty happy I have not had to stay in many hotels because gosh they are expensive! lol

Aiight peace. I am enjoying cable and internet again.

Day 30: Vandalia, Dayton, Fairfield, Englewood, Vandalia Dayton, Richmond

Current Location: Grandma’s House, OH

Today was a busy day and officially the last full day at Grandma’s house. We got up and I took Grandma to her eye appointment and then chilled at a nearby Starbucks!!!!!! It was amazing like coming up for air from a long die. Hahaha okay that may have been over dramatic. Anyway being at a coffee shop was a long needed commodity. After the appointment Grandma and I headed over to Fairfield Commons and went to spend her gift card at JCPennys. She got some new digs and is looking sharp for fall. Afterward we headed out for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, a place where overindulgence is as common as obese Americans. Anyway it was of course delicious and we decided to run a couple more errands and then head home.

Around three we got a call from my cousin to invite us over for dinner. Sounded good to us so we went home relaxed for like thirty seconds and then headed over to Richmond, IN where we hung out and at hamburgers with the family while checking out some old photos. We did not get home until pretty late so Grandma went to bed and I am just chilling watching TV. I still don’t like this whole time change thing. I think West Coast time is the place to be, personally.

Anyway tomorrow I am headed off to Buffalo New York in order to see the great Niagara Falls. I am pretty excited but even more excited to meet my cousin in Boston on Friday from there things just get busier and that is fine with me. This past week has been pretty lazy and laid back, plus Grandma think I look thin (I think every Grandmother says that) and decided to fatten me up. Well she accomplished her mission and therefore I need to get out of here before I get diabetes or something from all her baking. Well that is about it for now. I am really excited for the next half of my trip, tomorrow officially marks the ½ way point in my Epic Road Trip.

Peace

Day 29: Chilin… in Ohio

Current Location: Vandalia, OH

Today I woke up at 11:30am! Yes, I know early! Well in any case it was still a good night sleep haha and I enjoyed it! Especially because I have taken on the role of getting up at east coast time and going to bed at west coast time. After getting up and went to trusty PANERA and used the internet for a while and then went over to the Vandalia Sports Complex again and used the gym.

That was really all the excitement for the day. Grandma made steaks and veggies for dinner. She is fattening me up, it is crazy. She is making brownies, cookies, and everything else she can think of it. Well it is delicious either way.

Peace.

Day 28: Church, Brunch & Football

Current Location: Vandalia/Dayton, OH

Today I again was up bright and early ready to leave for church at 9:00am. Church starts at 9:30am and is five minutes away, you do that math. Church was cool everyone loves Grandma (of course) and I shook hands with so many of her friends I think I have new calluses haha. After church we came home for a minute to get a jacket and then left at 11:20am to meet our family for brunch at 12:00pm, the place is 15min away, again you do the math. In essence what I am saying is that Grandma likes to be places about 20 to 30 minutes before necessary haha.

Anyway for brunch after church we went to the Barnsider in Dayton a place that serves up a brunch buffet with all the stuff. It was very delicious I have to say! After brunch it was football time so we went back to my uncles house to watch the Panthers play the Bengals. That was really it. Now Grandma and I are watching “The Bone Collector”, which I have to say I did not like very much.

Anyway now once again I am mooching internet from Drury Hotels (I figured I should give them some free advertising for providing me internet this week). But yeah I need to return this movie and reconnect with the world.

Peace

Day 27: The Tipp City Mum Festival

Current Location: On a Bed in a Room of a House in, Vandalia, OH, USA

Today I awoke at the early hour of 8:30am (yes I know you are all very impressed). I woke up so early because I was told that my aunt and uncle were picking me and Grandma up for the Tipp City Mum Festival. What I did not know what that my uncle had called earlier and told us he was going to come at ten. So yes I could have slept in until 9:30am. Needless to say I was somewhat disappointed. Anyway, we finally were on our way by 10:00am and off to find a parking spot for the festival, not an easy task. After learning what a Mum was the four of us walked around endless stands of crafts and fried food stands that smelled like any state fair. Tim and I played the role of the bag-holders, place markers, stuff watchers, and general people in the way, while Diana and Grandma visited every single stand whether they were selling painted rocks or antique glass plates, they wanted them all. Actually the sight was pretty amusing and at the end of the day they really did not buy that much. All in all the time at the festival was pretty entertaining with some definite champion people watching for Tim and I.

After the festival we decided to hit up T.G.I. Fridays and get lunch. Grabbed some food and hit Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple things then it was off to the house. Tim and Diana went home to watch football, which sadly is not available at the house with no TV, aka here. So I decided to indulge another electronic craving and bring my laptop over to the nearest large hotel and steal their Wi-Fi connection for a couple hours while sitting in The White Shadow. Yes, I realize that sounds desperate. Whatever. I also ran a couple errands, rented a movie (that neither of us liked), and then decided to go on a run and eat dinner. The rest of the night was pretty uneventful rather that showering and looking through old photo albums.

So that is really about it. Church in the morning. Holla Holla.

Peace

Day 26: Vandalia, Texas Roadhouse & Starbucks

Current Location: G-ma’s house, Ohio

Today I successfully accomplished my plan of getting up at 9:30! Haha I got up and headed off to Starbucks that was ten miles away, yes I am that dedicated. Really though I needed to use the internet and I needed my Venti Pike’s blend with room for soymilk. So I spent about two hours there until I realized how desperately I needed a work out clothing facelift. So in an effort to rectify this situation I got up and headed over to Dick’s Sporting goods. I found too much of what I needed. I got some new Nike shorts, spandis, t-shirts and sports outerwear! Haha now I won’t look homeless while working out. Anyway then I went back and had a hot dog with Grams. After that I decided I should try out my new garb at the gym, so I went over to the Vandalia community recreation center and spent the $7 to get to use the gym for the day. Then I came back and got ready for dinner

Tonight we met my cousin and his parents for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. I had been told by my family in Iowa that the cinnamon butter at the Roadhouse was pretty amazing and I have to say I agree. I also tried their fried pickle chips which were great. Anyway that was the extent of the evenings culinary endeavor. The family came over after dinner so I could share some pictures from my journey. Visted, talked, hung out. That was about it.

Ps. Feel sorry for me, I have no internet or cable. Ahaha

Peace

Day 25: Day in Dayton/Vandalia

Current Location: Vandalia, OH

Today I got up early at 10:00am. This may not seem early to most people but since I have been on vacation I have been sleeping in until around 11:00am and since I lost and hour yesterday I really got up around 9:00am today. So I am slowly going to push my clock back haha so that I can get back into the swing of normal life. Anyway tomorrow I am going to try and get up earlier aka 9:30am and so on and so forth until I can get up at 8am haha or 7:30am. I mean I am not trying to be lazy or anything.

Besides getting up “early” the day consisted of a couple things. A quick trip to Panera bread in order to use the internet and download some stuff and upload some stuff. Then the mall in order to return something for the G-ma, and finally a trip to the grocery store. Got some good food for the week which will save me lots of dinero from eating out so much like I have been. O and I also went on a run, which reminded me of how extremely out of shape I am haha. Anyway we just watched a movie and pretty soon will be hitting the sheets.

As most of you may know, Ohio is not the capital of activity. However, that is okay because the family is here and this is going to be a relaxing time to hang out with them. I mean I never get to see them since they do leave 2000 miles away from California.

Anyway peace out!

Day 24: Chicago to Ohio

Current Location: Dayton(Vandalia), OH

Today was both uneventful and eventful. I got up late showered and left my favorite condo in Chicago to drive southeast toward Ohio. First however I decided I would take the scenic route and head east through Indiana and Michigan then turned south from there and made my way to Dayton. As far as northern Indiana goes, I think it is pretty gross (sorry anyone from northern Indiana). Basically the weather was crappy, the air looked like L.A.’s and there were ugly buildings everywhere. However, that all changed when you enter Michigan. It was beautiful, I now understand why people have summer homes there. The leaves were changing colors, there were open fields of soybeans and other things amidst huge groves of trees. In short, it was very nice. As I turned south Ohio’s countryside was really beautiful as well. I spaced out part of the journey and missed probably a lot of the same things I had seen but I am sure it was pretty.

Anyway the trip was pretty routine except for one troubling engine light indicator. This however went away after a quick stop and I will hopefully figure out if there really is a problem (God I hope not!!) sometime this week when I take it to the dealer. Most likely the White Shadow is fine, I mean he is a champ and has never failed me before.

Other than that I arrived in Dayton safely and landed in Ohio’s humidity woo hoo, not. But Grandma had an amazing home cooked meal ready and waiting for me when I arrived and then we enjoyed some Law & Order episodes. Solid night if I do say so myself. Anyway ill post this whenever I get an internet connection, aka when I visit Starbucks or Panera, needless to say Grandma is a little behind on the times haha J

Peace

Day 23: Chicago and SF Giants Victory

Current Location: Chicago Wrigley Field

Today was another great and last day in the city of Chicago. I got up, navigated the streets until I reached Starbucks, then again to Sports Authority, and some Team Apparel store. However, in all my searches I was successful in only the stop at Starbucks (I mean when am I ever unsuccessful here). Either way I was trying to find some type of SF Giants apparel for the baseball game today, I found only a youth $70 jersey and I was not about to spend $70 on a jersey so I passed. Instead as you can see in the pictures I showed my support by wearing the team colors and cheering super obnoxiously haha.

Other than that Steph and I went to an amazing dinner/lunch or appetizers at a place on Clark called Havana. We had chimichanga and calimari appetizers and chips and salsa. WOW it was amazing. I highly recommend a stop there if you are trying to get some good food. After that it was a hop on the "L" until we got to Wrigley Field and got our tickets at Will Call for the game. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and the game got delayed a good hour and fifteen minutes, a time in which Steph and I entertained ourselves by making videos (check out Facebook for a couple). The game started and was pretty quick but good, I was loud and annoying to Cubs Fans and basically because of me (and Buster Posey's home run) the Giants won the game. Everything was peachy. Cabbed it home and now going to bed. Going to Ohio in the morning.

Peace.

Day 22: Back in DT Chicago

Current Location: LaSalle @ Kinzie, Chicago IL

Yesterday was another transitional day. I moved back from the west loop at my cousin's apt to my friend Steph's condo that I was at last week. I basically did only a couple things because I was tired from the weekend and got up late.

Once I made the move back to Steph's my computer and I posted up at Starbucks for a good three hours, surfing the web, downloading stuff, wasting time, planning Winter quarter classes, stuff like that. Then later Steph and I met up for some dinner at good ole Portillos of Chicago, which I have been informed is famous. I had an Italian sausage, mhmmmm. Later that night Steph and I watched Monday Night Football!! However I am pretty upset that Drew got down the field so that the Saints could score the field goal in the last seconds of the game, pretty heartbreaking. I really thought the game was exciting though but come on 49ers this cannot happen again, they put in too much work and it was too close to be a loss on their record. Ah well though, they will hopefully step their game up And to be honest I am a Chargers fan. haha. Anyway today/tonight we are out at Wrigley watching the SF Giants play the Cubs!

Peace.

Day 21: Sunday in the Suburbs, Chicago IL

Today after the long day of Day20 we awoke bright and early to get up and head out to Willow Creek Church. For those of you that don't know, Willow Creek Community Church is one of the largest and most influential non-denominational evangelical churches in America. The church has three weekend services averaging nearly 23K attendees and was founded back in 1975. Go here to learn more or here to the church's site. :)

Anyway after service the family and I (included Ron, Leslie, Brad, Emily, Lucas, Agatha, and Sydney) all went out to eat some after church lunch! After consuming too much food and too much Tanch (Tapatio and Ranch) we headed to Brad's house for some Bears Vs. Cowboys football! The game was great and the Bears won! Holla Holla because I don't like the Cowboys. NOTE: If you do like the Cowboys sorry, keep reading my blog anyway. After that we commuted back to the city with of course a quick trip to Dick's sporting goods and Starbucks. The reason for the stop at Dick's is because I desperately need something SF Giants baseball that I can wear to the Cub's vs. Giants baseball game I am going to on Tuesday night. Can you believe that they don't sell SF Giants stuff in this city hahahaha ;) ...

Anyway the rest of the night was spent relaxing in front of the TV and hanging out with the fam bam. I love it. Anyway tomorrow I am back at Steph's and then off to the game and then off to Ohio the next day. Love ya all.

Peace

PS SORRY THERE ARE NO PICTURES TODAY I LEFT MY PHONE AND CAMERA AT HOME ALL DAY :( MY BAD

Day 20: Navy Pier/ChiTown/Wrigley/Dave Matthews Band

Current Location: Meat Packing District Chicago

So yesterday, day 20, was spent in a variety of ways. Firstly a little history, I am staying at a place in the meat packing district of Chicago aka where the events of the book "The Jungle" took place. Anyway the area around here was pretty busy with the meatpacking industry and the area was home to a lot of Ukrainian immigrants like those represented in "The Jungle". If you have not read the book I recommend it and if you wanna read something about the Union Stock Yards, check this out. So that is really all on the subject there lol.

Basically yesterday consisted of getting up around 10am hanging around and watching the Illinois football game and then heading out to Navy Pier. At Navy Pier we walked around and did the touristy thing that so many people enjoy. There is a lot of interesting stuff there, shops, tours, art displays, museum type stuff. After lunch at Harry Carry's we spent some time walking and then eventually headed back to a small house party in Wrigleyville. To our great surprise a friend of friend had some tickets to the Dave Matthews Band concert that was happening at Wrigley that night and we picked them up and spent the rest of the night in a Suite at Wrigley field enjoying the show! I met a lot of new people and the suite was fully stocked with drinks and had a great view of the concert. Jason Mraz opened, which I thought was awesome, and then Dave played. I am not really a Dave Matthews enthusiast however the show was good and it was even better to just sit and relax in an amazing environment. Things worked out pretty well and after the concert we headed to a bar called McDunnas to meet some more people. We got in pretty late, but the night was a complete success:)

Peace

Day 19: Chicago with the Johnsons

Current Location: ChiTown

Today after awaking and getting breakfast which actually was lunch at Champps restaurant in Old Orchard Mall outside of Evanston, Steph and I relaxed again at the condo. Then around six I headed over to the families house and star the weekend off right with a tour of the Willis aka Sears Tower. The tower was amazing and according to the decorative walls that boast a display of Sears Tower facts including that the tower contains more than two million pounds of concrete and 16000 feet of plumbing. The tower was great and the views amazing. I would have uploaded pictures tonight but I left the connection cord in the car and my laziness is preventing me from retrieving it. On another note the night was finished off with nachos, beer, and chatting about anything under the sun at a place called Rock Bottom in downtown Chicago (I also recommend the mini chocolate cake for dessert!). Anyway I am headed to bed early because of the fact that I was up until 4 am last night. That is all, lots of fun for tomorrow. Goodnight and Peace.

Day 18: ChiTown!!!

Current Location: Chicago, IL

So Day 18 which was yesterday was pretty great. I am becoming an expert in relaxation techniques. After the night of dancing and going to bed very late, Steph had to get up for class at 830 and I of course had to get up at no particular time at all, haha. I got up at around 11am and then watched Sportscenter of course, then caught up on Grey's Anatomy online, and then some ANTM. I went on a nice walk around the River Walk of Chicago and got myself some Starbucks, meandered Chi and then went home to re-assume my position on the couch haha. Steph and I finally got our butts off the couch around 5pm and got ready for dinner at Dave's Italian Rest. in Evanston and then went over to Loyala Shore Campus apartments so that we could get ready to go out downtown. The night went on from there with cute pictures and fun night. :)

Day 17: ChiTown

Current Location: Chicago, IL

So today was an awesome day in Chicago Illinois. Got up at the early hour of 11am went to trusty ole Starbucks, venti Pikes with soymilk! Then Steph was off to class and I had run of the condo. I checked some Facebook, went to the gym, showered and then picked Steph and LA up for an early dinner. We went to Flat Iron in Evanston, very similar to Mongolian BBQ style. The food was really good and spicy!!! Steph and I, after a long and strenuous day, needed to relax so we headed back to the condo and then headed out for some drink and dessert in downtown. After a rich and moist chocolate cake, a couple mojitos and a long island it was time to head home. BUT not before stopping for a quick dance and another drink with some South African business men in Chicago for a convention. After escaping the clutches a a mid life crisis we headed back to the apt. All in a good days work. Goodnight to all. Peace.

Day 16: Marshalltown, IA to Chicago, IL

Current Location: Chicago, IL

So today was a fabulous day of driving. I got up and had a final farewell breakfast at Cecil's! (Ps. the French Toast is BOMB!). Then i got in The Shadow and drove from Iowa through Wisconsin and down to Illinois (yes I know that is not a direct route, but I am an auto tourist, I go where I please). I past through two of the cutest and actually really beautiful towns, Green Hazel, WI and Galena, IL. They were awesome and very gorgeous, if you are considering moving to a place with mostly corn, I would suggest here. There are a couple pictures in todays album, but seriously they were really nice, super small, but nice. Other then that I really just drove all day. I got into the Chicago area about 5 and ended up at the condo at 630, yes traffic was the culprit, but I saw a lot of Chicago suburbs by taking the backroads to get downtown. Once at the condo I parked the shadow and headed off to see Ms. Bacher, we had a great dinner at CPK then relaxed the rest of the night. Starbucks in the morning!!!!
PEACE!!!

ps. Starbucks in or around Marshalltown = clutch

Day 14/15: Marshalltown, IA

Current Location: Marshalltown, IA

So this is going to be a blog for both the 14^th and 15^th days of my journey due to some internet connectivity issues I have been suffering, lol, yes suffering. Yesterday was spent doing some good old fashioned relaxing in the middle of Iowa. Slept and then got up and had breakfast at CECIL’s CAFÉ, super delicious. Then just sort of hung around with the extended family and then went out to Legend’s restaurant where there are about 15 big screen TVs on the walls, one smaller LCD for each of the booths, and then big screens in the bathrooms, so that you cannot miss one instant of football (or whatever sports) action, pretty sweet! Everyone went to bed pretty early so I just hung around and read until I fell asleep too.

This morning I got up and went over to Cecil’s again for some French toast, again delicious! Then took my car to the Goodyear center to get my brakes fixed (yeah sorta important). Got a tour of old Marshalltown and saw where my grandparents grew up and met .>

Peace

Day 13: Rapid City, SD to Marshalltown, IA

Current Location: Marshalltown, IA

Today Emily and I went to our last Starbucks run in South Dakota before I drove her to the HUGE (actually super small) Rapid City Regional Airport. After leaving her I drove across the country to Marshalltown IA the place of my ancestors. I drove across South Dakota and then into Nebraska and then into Iowa. Really pretty scenery across the states but really corn fields were about it. Haha. Anyway that was really it and I did not get internet last night so yeah... anyway hanging out in Marshalltown today.

Peace

Day 12: Rapid City, SD

Last night was something else. There were so many things that happened that were insane. From my last post at the Starbucks in Great Falls, Emily and I drove the entire night down to Billings, MT and then across to Marmarth, ND where there is a giant T-rex metal statue that we saw online and then made it happen and saw in person! Then we drove the rest of the morning in order to get to Belle Louche and went breakfast at a small cafe called Bob's Cafe. The cafe was great and the whole place which is 60 years old looks like something straight out of a 1950's film. We got a huge breakfast for $5.50 and then we talked to the waitress Diana and Charlotte the 85 year old chef. Everything was great and we were on our way to the Mount of Rushmore haha. Emily and I were extremely tired from the night of driving before and we decided to stop at a rest stop in the Black Hills Forest for a nap for a couple hours before driving down to Mount Rushmore. The place was really cool and so many people were there looking at the four heads. We then checked into a really classy Motel6 haha and got some dinner. Basically this entire day was a laugh-fest of ridiculous deliriousness. It was crazy. I really had a great time and tomorrow I am gonna be really sad because Emily is going to going back to California tomorrow.

Day 11: Kalispell/Glacier/Great Falls etc.... MT

Current Locaiton: Starbucks in Great Falls, MT

Today was great, slept in a little bit and then got up and going into Glacier National Park (Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park) haha yes that is the PC name. Anyway the park is super crazy amazing beautiful and any other adjective that describes how awesome something looks. It splits the continental divide and is amazingly scenic (check the blog day 11 video or Facebook for photos). Then Emily and I drove through a couple small towns and booked it over to Great Falls for an awesome dinner and we are now at Starbucks. To be honest it looks as though we are too cheap to pay for a hotel and a long night of driving to Rapid City lies ahead haha we are THAT anxious to see the giant heads of Mt. Rushmore lol. But have no fear we are always super safe.

That is it. O I had a Buffalo burger for dinner YUM!

Peace

Day 10: Seattle, WA to Kalispell, MT

Current Location: Kalispell, MT

Today I officially broke two records. #1 we hit 2000 miles for a trip and #2 I drove for more than 12 straight hours in the car. This morning after getting up and leaving our incredibly hospitable host in Snohomash, WA we took Hayley to the airport, which took two hours. Seattle if you are listening your freeways are poorly designed, your roads need to be widened, your drivers training tests need to be harder, and your weather nicer :). lol But after successfully delivering Hay to the iron bird Emily and I desperately needed Starbucks to begin our journey westward.

After some time and some flat and interesting scenery we stopped in George, WA, yes George Washington. Continued on the stopped again in Spokane where we drove around the city, looked at Gonzaga, got gas, and ate at an ole 50's style diner with great hamburgers and shakes. Off again we drove crossing into Idaho and then quickly into Montana. Three states in one day. We eventually made it to a cheap hotel in Kalispell at around 9pm lol. Really good day, lots of fun which just happens around Emily and I and we are ready to tour beautiful Glacier National Park tomorrow.

Peace

Day 9: Seattle, SeaTac, Snohomash, WA

Current Location: Snohomash, WA

Note: I wrote this last night but could not post it until today, sorry!

So today was pretty darn good. I slept in and had a cook to order omelet at the hotel, then watched YouTube videos with Hayley all morning laughing at people. Then, we took my Dad to the airport and picked up EMILY!!!! After getting Emily we went to Pike’s market and met up with Leanne and all four of us got to hang out in downtown Seattle. I still cannot believe how college friends now living in Seattle, SLO, Philly and Sacramento all spontaneously got to meet up in Seattle. That is amazing and it was so fun! After that Emily, Hayley and I went to my mother’s college roommate’s house outside of Seattle. We had an amazing home cooked meal and visited, it was awesome. Today was really not much in the way of pictures or sightseeing more of a pick up drop off session! Anyway on the road to glacier tomorrow and Emily is with me to Saturday, this is gonna get crazy.

Peace

Day 8: Bumbershoot Music Festival, Seattle WA

Current Location: Seattle, WA

Today I got up at the early hours of 10 am, showered and then this afternoon went to pick Hayley up from Leanne's house to go to Bumbershoot Music Festival in Seattle Center. The place was pretty cool we saw Greg Laswell (who sings the song "And Then You"), saw a couple of comedians (one that utterly sucked and two that were really funny), and DRAKE!!!! Everything was pretty cool weather wise except that it did rain a couple times during the concerts. Luckily for Hayley and I that we are so adapt to so many types of weather (haha) that it did not phase us, well sorta ;)

Anyway tomorrow we are picking up Emily and dropping off my father. So that is that. Good day with Hayley!!!

Peace

Day 7: Seattle, WA

Current Location: Hotel Sierra Redmond, WA haha outside Seattle

Today has been a semi(seemingly long) day. I awoke, dressed, blah blah etc. Then Pops and I headed out to Pike's Place market in downtown Seattle. Walked around and who did we happen to stumble upon but two friends haha (actually we had already planned it) but Leanne and Hayley!!! We had lunch together and walked around, Leanne gave us a great tour and everything was gorgeous. This is one of the nicest days Seattle gets, because apparently it is usually raining, which is why the suicide rate is so high and why UDub requires people students in the dorms to sign release forms saying that if they jump and try and commit suicide from a dorm building it is not the schools fault. Pretty messed up eh? (notice the eh i picked up while in victoria hahaah).

Anyway Dad and I did a little sightseeing and exploring of our own and then tomorrow the plan for Hayley and I is to go to Bumbershoot and see some famous people sing haha aka DRAKE!!! Super stoked. I am very excited for this reunited-in-Seattle date for Hay and I, also I have been hearing great things about Bumbershoot for quite some time. The weather was so awesome today that I hope it stays the same tomorrow and we do not need a bumbershoot at Bumbershoot (a bumbershoot is an umbrella for those who are not aware). Anyway that is the plan!

Peace

Day 6: Port Townsend to Seattle(Redmond)

Current Location: Seattle (Redmond, WA)

Today I awoke bright and early (10am) and we went to downtown Port Townsend to walk around and get some delicious breakfast. After we were done there we started are drive down to Tacoma and then back up toward Seattle to a little suburb outside Seattle called Redmond, WA. This place is very nice I quite like it haha. Anyway our hotel is very nice, obviously because I picked this one out instead of Pops lol, and we basically relaxed, enjoyed a happy hour, and watched a movie. Tomorrow is a big day for some Seattle tourism, also my lover and friend Hayley haha is flying into Seattle tonight and we are going to Bumbershoot on Monday!!! Holla Holla can't wait. I am pretty stoked to see Seattle I have never been here.

This trip is getting more and more exciting by the minute, agenda is as follows.

Sunday- sightseeing with Pops in Seattle

Monday- Bumbershoot music festival with Leanne and Hayley!

Tuesday- Dad leaves, EMILY ARRIVES!!

Wednesday- Hayley to airport and Emily and me are on the road!

Things are looking up and this whole trip has been on the up and up for since day 1.

Love you all

Peace

Day 5: Victoria, BC

Day 5

Current Location: Port Townsend, WA (Day’s Location: Victoria, BC, Canada

So yesterday I did not have a chance to write because of two reasons first I almost go hypothermia coming back on the ferry from Victoria so late and was extremely tired upon arriving at the hotel. Second, because I was enraptured by a John Wayne movie last night and lost all track of time while watching before going to bed, so basically, I forgot. Now however I am typing this from the passenger seat of The Shadow driving from Port Townsend, WA to Seattle Area (Redmond, WA).

Yesterday morning I got up early and had to be at the ferry by 745. Bought my ticket, grabbed my passport, and then hoped on the surprisingly smooth 55min ferry ride from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC. It was a great day out really nice weather and I felt like we were crossing a lake rather than an ocean. While on the ferry I met some very nice people that gave me tips about places around Victoria as well as recommended things to see etc. Once in Victoria I grabbed breakfast with a new friend and then headed to the bus tours where you can buy passes for this bus line called the “Gray Line” which is a hop on and off bus for the city. I did the 1.5 hour tour and Victoria is very very very pretty. The place is 33% retirees and there are unreal amounts of money clustered in this town, crappy homes away from the water are going for 550,000$! Crazy. Needless to say that I will not be moving to Victoria anytime soon. Anyway the city is really pretty and I walked around for quite a while drinking coffee and tea, eating gelato, and hopping on and off the bus. There are also many vendors there selling some really great stuff. Made some friends that were working for Unicef and then took the ferry back at 545 in the evening. It was a long day. As for the hypothermia story, the ferry back was in all ways the complete and utter opposite of the ride there. The sky was cloudy and the waves were coming at us from the sides, rocking the little ferry so much people were falling over one another. The spray from the front of the boat crashing over the waves was going over the height of the 40 foot boat and everyone, including myself, that was standing on the top deck were soaked from head to toe. There was a small handful of people that did not immediately run to escape the waves and only about ten of us stayed uptown the entire time because there was a small part of the top deck that was covered for the captain and crew. I stood statuesque for the rest of the trip my one side being overheated by the engine exhaust and the other becoming hypothermic from the spray of the ocean and the wind. I also stood in four to five inches of seawater for about and hour. Needless to say that the trip was definitely not a boat ride I would want to take again, and good thing my Father did not come or he would most likely be comatose today.

Other than that the day was good and I’ll put up another blog tonight about today’s activities.

Peace.

Day 4: Olympic National Park, Washington

Today was a day of scenic places. Basically I slept in, lazily got up, dressed and then Pops and I got ready to go see some amazing scenery at Olympic National Park. If you have not heard or Olympic NP you need to educate yourself HERE. The place is really amazing and there are about 5 or 6 different ways to enter the park. We entered going down from north to south out of Port Angeles and I must tell you that The White Shadow had to work its fine butt hard to get up to the peak (not that the Shadow can't handle that kind of thing, haha he shows no weakness, but I'm just saying). You have to check out the pictures that are on Facebook, they are gorgeous.

For anyone that does not have Facebook I have been making slideshows each day of the pictures I do put on Facebook along with a little tunage so you can relax while viewing them hahaha. Those can be found on my YouTube channel HERE or by looking on the YouTube link on my blog page on the right hand side, you will see the video bar.

Okay well that is really all we did today, enjoy nature and that kinda stuff. Tomorrow I am off to another country, literally I am going to Canada haha on a ferry, sweetness!

Goodnight and Peace.

Day 3: Astoria OR to Port Angeles WA

Current Location: Port Angeles, WA

Hookay sooo..... today I was woken by my father using my computer to listen to youtube videos at 73o in the morning, all I have for that is why? lol I got to sleep in for a little bit before I slowly woke up and got ready haha I sorta like how I can take as long as I want to do something because I have no strict schedule! Speaking of schedules Pops and I are actually ahead of schedule (yes ahead of the schedule I don't have) for some reason, probably because of our extreme awesomeness, lol jk.

This morning we woke up and walked around downtown Astoria looking for some coffee, which was not hard to find, the Rusty Cup was our final choice and I got an always delicious Mexican Mocha, super good. We then drove across the bridge to WA (Aunt Betsy, you would have not made it over this bridge). Drove all along the Washington coast and Pops talked on him HAM radio, always exciting, hahah sorta. Then we arrived at the start of Olympic National Forest (and Park)! Our first stop, OF COURSE, was the world's largest spruce tree, which obviously we had to pull over and see. The only other people that apparently wanted to see the spruce were a group of asian tourists (who want to see everything in america) and a woman who wore no shoes, most likely because she wanted more contact with the earth, but it could be anything. After the epic tree we headed to Forks, WA, yes the place of Twilight haha. Pops and I bought some lotto tickets so we could win it big and even inside the grocery store was an entire separate area for Twilight paraphernalia hahahaha... O gosh. The Forks downtown also has like eight different stores selling the stuff, all like the exact same stuff, but whatever. Anyway we drove out to La Push beach which is where "Jacob" is from hahaha and checked out the gorgeous coastline. After that we moseyed our way up to Port Angeles, checked into our hotel and went to this Bar to get some more bar food, strangely the same type of meal as last night, FISH & CHIPS and a BURGER!!! both were really good. I am all about this coastal fish and chips. However if I stay here eating fish and chips for too long I may need the fisherman to carry me away using their whale carriers.

Aiight well goodnight. Tomorrow is Olympic NP.

Peace

Day 2: Bandon, OR to Astoria, OR

Current Location: Astoria, OR

Today was bueno. Pops and I got up and strolled the beaches of Bandon. The Oregon coast has a lot of nice beaches with huge rocks just sticking up out of no where. It is very beautiful. We later packed up and checked out getting on the road around 1130 haha. Heading up toward Astoria is I believe around two something hundred miles which brought the total so far to around 720.

While driving two things became very very very clear to me. 1) I never want to move to Oregon and 2) I love all the coffee here. Firstly, I don't want to live in Oregon because there are far too many pine trees, hills, and rainy days. I do not like the rain except for once in a while when I get to be inside curled up with a book and some soy hot chocolate by the fire. Which cannot happen in Oregon because it rains like every single second of life there. Haha okay so I guess this is an exaggeration but the thing is that it just rains to much all in this entire pacific northwest area, which I might add is why there are such high suicide rates here, because it is so gloomy! Sad :( ... and Secondly, there is some trend here for drive thru coffee shops. I am not really sure what it is but in every little town on all the different corners there are Dutch Bros., The Yellow Dog, the Espresso Mill (my fav), the Naked Squirrel, the Kettle Koffee (note: some of these names are from my imagination, but I am sure they exist somewhere). Anyway the point is these little espresso coffee places are everywhere and they have all been amazing, really cute, nice, friendly, delicious, and Espresso Mill and Bakery was really cheap. We got two egg bagel breakfast sandwiches and a muffin and a coffee for eight dollars. I love you Uptown Espresso but I can barely get half a muffin and a carmello for eight dollars at Uptown ahaha. BUT I STILL LOVE YOU UPTOWN!!! Anyway my theory is that coffee makes people warm and happy so in an effort to combat the rainy depression coffee shops are popping up everywhere.

Nothing extremely excited occurred today other that Dad annoying me by moving things in my car without telling me haha. Uh... also there are lots of bridges to cross over all the rivers and bays, which I love because I love bridges. Anyway I am really tired so peace out. O yeah we went to dinner and a really great cute nice old, well used Tavern. Awesome place :) Night.

Peace

Day 1: Sacramento CA to Bandon OR

Current Location: Bandon, OR

So today Pops and I woke up and finished packing the car then left just in time to catch morning rush hour in downtown Sacramento, haha. We drove forever through Nothingsville CA which is basically any part of California north of Sacramento because there is essentially nothing there. After you get out of the valley at Shasta things get pretty woody, with pine trees aka CONIFERS, everywhere. The pass gets up to 4000ft and then you come down in Ashland, OR. Like a real idiot I was not paying attention and missed taking a picture of the sign that says, "Welcome to Oregon" but I am gonna say no one is gonna miss it, it is easily imagined anyway. In Medford, OR we decided to get Starbucks (for the second time today lol), and using the GPS system named "Jack" we successfully got lost in downtown Medford which btw has about eight different highways, freeways, and interstates running through it. Soooo not our fault. Finally found Starbucks and meandered our way over to the coast. Pictured it up, ate seafood, and called it a night. The weather is very different already, it rained driving up on and off and the coast is cold! Well actually it is just like any August, almost September day, on the coast but my Father is a wimp and I am becoming a close second. Haha that is about it... Best Western Rewards is building up tonight and we are in the Shadow again tomorrow.

Peace

Hola!!!

Just a reminder that I leave Monday for my trip. Once I am underway I am gonna try and write, post pictures and/or videos everyday (so you can all live vicariously through me hahaha jk) but yeah. As the trip gets closer I am super excited but I am also super sad that I am going to be away from the people I have been hanging out with all summer and my roommate at school :(... but I'll be back before I know it, I'm sure. As of now I am planning to return to San Luis by November 11, which happens to be an academic holiday lol. No word yet on any new plans, as you may have notice I changed a little bit of the route a while ago to go through Nashville where my great friend Cassidy is working now (plug for you Cassidy!! www.mochaclub.org). Other than that I am no longer going to Miami because the person I was going with got a job, congrats Brooke! So besides the people that already have scheduled set dates with me around the country the rest of the plan and trip is still on a plus or minus 3-5 days schedule depending on how much I am enjoying myself somewhere! Anyway that is the plan. Can't wait!

Peace

Update on scheduling for anyone that cares... lol

Okay so again I say that this trip was planned on a very lose scheduling foundation... haha so that is why everyday it seems to change just a little bit. As of now though with exactly 11 days and 7 hours until my departure this is what it is looking like....

August

30-Sacramento

Sept

5-Seattle

8-Glacier National Park

13-Rapid City/Mt Rushmore

15-Marshalltown

18-Chicago

25-Dayton

October

1-Buffalo/Niagra Falls

5-Boston

7-New Haven

8-New York

10-Philly

14-DC

19-Nashville

24-Atlanta

26-New Orleans

29-Dallas

November

3-Austin

4-San Antonio

7-Phoenix

10-San Luis Obispo

So that is the plan so far.... yup yup :)

Peace

Countdown Continues

So officially I depart in 18 days!

Since the departure is getting closer and closer my dates and mates (wow that was lame, but whatever) are becoming increasingly more accurate. Sooooo just in case anyone is still thinking "OMG I need to accompany Spenser on part of her trip because of her epic awesomeness and overall people skills" then there is still a chance. Btw I kid about being awesome, I am just me. BUT that is not the point. So below is a list of the places that currently do not have anyone with me or that I am visiting or whatever so yessss.... check it out

Seattle to Rapid City(aka Mt. Rushmore)

Ohio to Buffalo(aka Niagra Falls)

Buffalo to Boston

Weekend in New York City

Atlanta to New Orleans

and that is about it, get in where you fit in people, time is closing in haha... not really but yeah just let me know if you want to join, I would love to have you!!!!

Peace

Countdown & Family Reunions

The official countdown until my departure is 31 days! I am very excited. Right now however I am anxious over a couple other things. One, being I get to go to my 2nd professional baseball game this Sunday, Giants Vs. Dodgers! Two, next week is the Official Johnson Family Reunion! Like the Olympics my mother's side of the family have a family reunion every four years and this year Oceanside is the choice. I will be kayaking, surfing, SeaWorlding, playing basketball, tanning, swimming, BBQing, and visiting family for an entire week. Not bad at all if I do say so myself :) So needless to say the weekend cannot come fast enough.

Peace

Happy Independence Day

The countdown to my take off is underway. I am currently working all summer so I can fund this endeavor of mine and I am still trying to figure out the schedules of everyone coming with me. I am hoping that I don't run out of money somewhere across the country and have to scrub toilets to get home haha, probably would be an interesting experience if I did, but not quite what I had in mind. Hopefully I will have budgeted and planned accordingly and will not need any drastic measures to finance my way back. ;)

Days Until Departure: 56

Schedule-ISH

So I have not written anything for a while because I have been super busy with many things but, during those many things I got a solid schedule done for my trip. So here it is and if you are in a city during that time, near a city during that time, want to be in or near that city at that time.... Call me and we can work something out!

Sweetness...

30Aug-Sacramento, CA

5Sept-Seattle, WA

13Sept-Rapid City, SD

16Sept-Marshalltown, IA

20Sept-Chicago, IL

26Sept-Dayton, OH

1Oct-Buffalo, NY

4Oct-Boston, MA

6Oct-New Haven, CT

9Oct-NYC

11Oct-Philly, PA

15Oct-D.C.

22Oct-Jacksonville, FL

24Oct-Atlanta, GA

27Oct-Miami, FL

31Oct-New Orleans, LA

5Nov-Dallas, TX

8Nov-Austin & San Antonio, TX

13Nov-Phoenix, AZ

17Nov-Los Angeles, CA

19Nov-San Luis Obispo, CA

24Nov-Sacramento, CA

That is the plan...

Peace

Update/Denver/Spring Quater

Yesterday officially marked the start of Spring Quater 2010 at Cal Poly (and yeah a whole bunch of other schools too). After a couple scheduling blunders on my part (aka signing up for a class taught in German, which I was not aware.... lol), my schedule is now pretty solid with the exception of still needing another class. Hopefully that will work itself out.

On another note Spring Break this year was exceptionally fun and interesting at the same time. I had the opportunity to do what I love most (traveling somewhere I had never been) and went to Denver and Boulder, CO with the CP Women's Lacrosse team.... fo freee! Yes, I scored major on getting to go with them and had a amazing time. Beat CU in a great game, had a lot of fun around town, and then had a blizzard from hell call us out on being from California. It was also my first time experiencing snow fall! If you don't believe the blizzard story you can check the weather reports (or check Facebook photos) I assure you I would not make this up. And while the blizzard was horrible to be in, after was so gorgeous. Fresh snow fall makes everything so picturesque and beautiful. So I guess it was worth it. In general I will most likely not be living in CO for any part of my life because the weather is much too confusing.

In perpetration for the Road Trip I am now starting research on Leg 2 and mapping routes and destinations. This quarter I hope to finish both Leg 2 and Leg 3 plans. I also got a job (holla holla) so I can start saving that gas money because Lord knows is it gonna be too much. Other than that Spring is sure to be beautiful so surfing, beaching (now a verb), and having fun are all on the to do list. Peace.

Today was the last day of finals for me (don't get too excited, I am talking just this quarter). It is amazing. No more studying or schoolwork until April. I finally get to go home and see the family, but first is a quick stop to somewhere that I have never been and won't be going on my road trip. Therefore, it is a perfect op. because I get to go somewhere I have never been (aka. my favorite activity EVAR!).

So here is the deal. I help out with the Cal Poly Women's Lacrosse team (that I used to play on) and because I am so wonderful (actually someone could not go and they had an extra ticket for me), I get to fly FO FREE out to Denver, then travel with them to Boulder and Ft. Collins. It is going to be so great to go on a mini-vacation with all my friends during spring break! So that should be awesome because I have only been to Colorado Springs, CO and have always wanted to see the rest of the state. Oh, and another bonus is that Amber's family lives there and we get to visit and see her home in Golden. Holla Holla!

Well that is all for now!

I love my life.

Peace

P.S. don't worry epic road trips plans are constantly underway!

Today is my Birthday!

Okay, so today is my Birthday, March 3rd! Today reminds me that each year I get a little older (obvious yes I know) and each year I have less and less time to accomplish all the things that I want to do in life (sorry, that is not meant to be depressing in any way). Anyway, so today I turn the ripe age of 22 which means that including Leap Year in 2013 (365*3+1) = 1096 days to complete the task of visiting/experiencing all 50 states before I turn 25, on March 3rd 2013. So the point of this post, besides the obvious task of procrastination over my CE homework assignment, is to recommend the setting of fun goals for yourself, also that today I was born, and to thanks Moms and Pops for my birth haha. Thanks parents!

Well as of today I have been to 22 of the states.

Hopefully by the time I write the date 3Mar2013 I will be able to say that number is 50!

Have a great day on my birthday everyone!

Peace

It is February!

Whats up? So as you can see from the title of this post (and if you are not a hermit/recluse from the world) it is February! I am very very excited that the quarter is half way over, meaning that my Road Trip is getting closer and closer! Unfortunately I still have to suffer through another quarter and a half of school (I am not really suffering don't worry). But this delay is okay because there are still so many things that I need to do before leaving.

Most importantly I still need to save up a ton of money, considering this is a completely self-sponsored nomadic vacation visiting gas stations around the country, it is going to be quite expensive. I am hoping to save a lot by eating cheap and staying with friends and family when I can, but that is only a small portion. Anyway I think after working over the summer I will be financially ready, solid. Another important aspect is a general route. While like I said there is no exact route or schedule I am making sure to do my research so that I don't miss anything I want to see. And doing some general history research because I am a nerd like that (and enjoy history) haha. Plus I want to be edjumacated lol.

So that is the plan so far. I am also really excited for my YouTube Channel that I named it's.where.i.live because I am going to be traveling around America (where I live) for 100 days and I'll be living out of my car lol. So yeah be sure to check that out! I am going to be making one video (Vlog) a day with kind of a short recap of what I did and basically just in video journey style format. Hopefully it will be good I am working on my video editing ability!

That's it for now.

Peace!

Cities Interviews

Although this road trip seems like one of those "after college specials" that recent graduates take in order to postpone the real world, I assure you, it is not. However, it is both a lifetime dream and a potential "city interview". By "city interview" I mean, a way our physically visiting all potential places for relocation after gradation.

Apart from knowing that I do not want to live in either Sacramento or San Luis Obispo (love both places, don't get me wrong) when I graduate, I am not exactly sure where I do want to live. I do have a general idea and some moderate criteria :) ...

- large city

- has professional sports (football and bball)

- public transportation (aka. don't need a car)

- FUN!

- somewhere I can get a job (duh)

Anyway so yeah that is really vague but seriously most everything is vague when it is more than a year away (so give me a break).

Current Top Contenders

- Washington DC

- Chicago, IL

- NYC

- San Diego, CA

Honestly, I just want to experience something new and I am not afraid to move anywhere to achieve what I want to. So if anyone has any ideas as to places that are good/bad/ugly or any type of description at all (or advice). Please let me know!

Peace

Uhh Thanksgiving or Christmas??

So thanks to the rain beating down on my window last night causing some mild insomnia I had some time to be ultra-productive and made a rough timeline of my trip with all the major stops and what nots of the entire plan.

Turns out my "leisure" ways are far more leisurely that I had originally thought. Apparently to do everything that I want to do (assuming leaving on 30Aug2010) I am going to be gone way longer than Thanksgiving (aka 25Nov2010). Uhh, so I am not really sure what to do with this tid-bit information yet, maybe extend the trip and have Thanksgiving on the road?, maybe cut the trip short (yeah right lol), but yeah so that is the current dilemma.

I am pretty sure I am just not going to dwell on it. If I make it back in time for some amazing home cooking from Moms then so be it, but I am really not too worried.

Just thought I would let everyone know that the original 84 days might be extended to something like 100. Haha, maybe that can be my thing "Around the Country in 100 days", ehh 80 would be better. Ill keep working on the catch phrase... Peace!

Legs & Destinations

So today I am mastering the art of procrastination, again. Instead I decided to write this post to give everyone some more information on places that I will be going on this trip as well as a more general outline of the route itself.

I have divided up the trip into 10 different "Legs" (aka parts, chapters, units, whatever you prefer). There really is not reason for this except because I like saying Leg 1 & Leg 2, and so that the trip has more structural integrity, lol.

So below are the different Legs! Check it out!

Leg 1: Sacramento, CA to Seattle, WA

Leg 2: Seattle, WA to Rapid City, SD

Leg 3: Rapid City, SD to Chicago, IL

Leg 4: Chicago, IL to Boston, MA

Leg 5: Boston, MA to Washington D.C.

Leg 6: Washington D.C. to Atlanta, GA (Miami included)

Leg 7: Atlanta, GA to New Orleans, LA

Leg 8: New Orleans, LA to Austin, TX

Leg 9: Austin, TX to Phoenix, AZ

Leg 10: Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, CA (Las Vegas included)

So those are the destinations and the order to which I am headed there! If you know places in between that I should stop, let me know. If you know people or you yourself live somewhere in or along these routes and want to let me stay with you, let me know. Or if you have any general comments or ideas about the routes, let me know. Thanks

Peace

Departure Date Set: 30Aug10

I have officially agreed on a departure date, 30 August 2010! This is a Monday and obviously very close to 1 September which was my original departure date. The reason I (a) moved the date back a couple days and (b) picked this particular Monday is because I want to arrive in Seattle in time to go to Bumbershoot! If you don't know what Bumbershoot is you have to look it up (educate yourselves). In essence Bumbershoot is a gigantic, eclectic music festival and expose that takes place every Labor Day weekend in Seattle. I have heard great things about it and decided that it would be the perfect way to start out my trip.

While I am going to have to incorporate a couple date, place,time,location, stops etc. into my journey. I really don't want to make this whole "setting a date" thing a trend, considering the whole point of this trip is to leave with no particular agenda. So other than places to go and maybe a couple restrictive dates (i.e. Bumbershoot) I won't really be introducing dates and/or time frames for most of my trip.

So yes, that is the date, 30 August 2010! Mark it on your calendars because this blog and my YouTube account are gonna jump off once I am underway!

Peace:)