24 states, 6,328 miles

Since NYC, I have been doing some much needed driving. I left the Northeast about a week ago and have since been through about 8 states. Ali, a Tampa favorite, met up with me in Cleveland and has been doing the trek ever since. Although I was ready for a little soul-searching-alone-time, it has been nice to have the company (and has made life MUCH more affordable) We did a 3-day stint in Chi Town, staying in the largest hostel I've seen yet. We saw all of the classic tourist attractions, and an old friend who's since relocated to the Windy City. At this point in the trip, my vote is for Chicago. The big city feel is downplayed by the overwhelming welcoming aura that everyone gives off. Although I'd seen the city before, I was far too young, and did get a true feel. After the visit, I think I will forever be a Cubs fan as well as cheering for da Bears!

After Chicago, we have spent a considerable amount of time in the car headed north, then west, then south, giggling like 3rd graders most of the way. We could just about alienate any company at this point, armed with as many inside-jokes as miles past. Along the way we stopped off in Madison, WI and toured the ultra-liberal college town's streets, then off to Minnesota. CONVENIENTLY (so not to offend anyone)(ohhh...feel the sarcasm) we had booked Minneapolis the same weekend that the RNC was scheduled to start. So while we got a feel for the city, can't say that it was truly honest. The streets were lined with 'tourist' (Republican) after 'tourist' the entire time. The city seemed a little stuffier than I suppose it would on any other given hot summer day.

Adios Minneapolis, on our way to Kansas City. On the way we stopped off in Des Moines, Iowa for an oil change, (the only entertainment we could find) and after a whole day of travelling all I have to report is-A homeless man with a sign reading "HOMELESS-ANYTHING HELPS" was to my left as I sat at a light. We have enough dry food at this point to feed the USS Indianapolis, so I proudly offer him a giant box of animal crackers (the really good ones). Response, "I'm good, but thanks"

NYC vs Epcot

Not long before leaving Tampa I spent a weekend at one of the most travelled destinations in the US, Disney's Epcot Center. This past weekend I spent roaming the streets of NYC, these are my observations...
Epcot boasts the elaborate adventures of "around the world travel". For a few hundred bucks, you and a friend can spend the day travelling from 'country' to 'country' 'experiencing' 'culture' after 'culture'. Tasting different supposed country favorites for the cost of several hours of minimum wage employment. The employees are dressed in traditional garb of their native countries and are of course armed with that Disney-Smile :). From country to country you can sip a native cocktail for somewhere around $10 a pop, and in the end you walk away penniless and feeling no more cultured than you were when you parked your American-made car for $25 in Orlando, Fl.
On the other hand, I'm pretty certain there are tons of cheap round-trip tickets flying in and out of LaGuardia airport daily. Between Soho, Times Square, and the Lower East side, more countries are represented than Walt ever dreamed of. Delicious cuisine from all over the globe is offered some times right on top of each other. Granted no one guarantees anyone in NYC to be decked out in their native land's attire, but if you don't see anyone, you're blind. The cheapest beer I saw being served was $6 (which is a little steep for a bud light, I will admit) and I definitely never saw anyone with flashing a Disney-Smile :),but let's get real-more bang for the buck?!?! The diversity within the city is profound and i don't think that it could be replicated anywhere else in the world.
The trip was phenomenal. A total of 3 trains hauled us from our front porch in Philly dumping us at Penn Station in the city. The first day was spent in cab after cab until we figured out navigating the much cheaper subway system. We saw the likes of Ground-Zero, Times Square at night, the MOMA (LOVED IT), a comedy show on Broadway, shopping in Soho...our days were packed. I'm not sure how long I could deal with the hustle and bustle of so many people in one area, but I have to admit, I fell in love with the city.
My only sour thought/ lesson-learned about the Big Apple, don't eat at the gangster bodega that's advertising Boars Head but somehow the meats are label less-even if it is just downstairs from your apt. and you are so hungover you can't possibly walk any further and you need food right that very minute OR ELSE...
I'll tell ya or else-its called girardia-WOW

From Back Country Beauty to the Big City Hustle

After spending some much needed time on the open road, driving through mountains and spending nights alone, I have been around more civilization than needed for the last week or so. I wasn't really concerned with using public transportation to make it from Philly to Baltimore for the weekend excursion with fellow Tampa-onians, but it turned into a giant fiasco. First I forgot the tickets to the much anticipated music festival and reason for the visit to Baltimore, causing me to miss the first bus. The second bus was boarding, when I realized I had lost my ticket in the 3 hours since purchasing. Then the train that was supposed to be leaving (4 hours after my original departure time) was cancelled. So finally, I made it-by car-5 hours later than expected, but I made it non-the-less.

Baltimore, the Virgin Mobile Music Festival, and the creepy haunted house on the hill, aka the b&b that housed us, were all remarkable. We all drank our fare share (and then some) of booze, ate like champions, and walked just about all over the city.

From Baltimore, Sarah and I headed for the South Jersey Shore. Prestigious Avalon was the destination. Staying with friends of a friend in a multi-million dollar home 5 houses off the water, was a little bit of a culture shock after hostel-hopping, but phenomenal. We couldn't have asked for better weather or a more perfect living arrangement for the "pretend-u-r-rich" get-away.

Then the pristine coastline of Avalon turned into the sleazy streets of Atlantic City for a quick stop including minimal gambolling. Conclusions Drawn; Atlantic City has the highest ratio of smokers/ (hooked to)oxygen tanks of any city in the world.

And with this, my journey through the northeast has almost come to an end. This weekend will be filled with touring the Big Apple and after a little R&R I'm on the road again, headed west. Although it's been nice, I'm ready to go, and have decided I will never reside in this part of the country.

I LOVE MY LIFE

After my brief run-ins with beauty just north of NY City, I decided that if I didn't do the rest of the North East (scenic route)now, it may not happen. So 36 hours ago, I set off for Maine. I could never put into words how important that decision was for my life. Essentially, in the last 36 hours I have driven almost 2,000 miles (with another 500-ish tomorrow) and there is not an ounce of bitterness in that statement. I left NY and headed towards the coast of New Hampshire/Maine, with LOBSTER on the brain! I decided for the first time since leaving Tampa, that Susan (GPS) wasn't even allowed on this trip. SOLO-MISSION! So I navigated my self in every 'perfect' direction (although not always efficient) to see New England as it should be seen. I am still trying to process the amount of absolutely beautiful scenery I encountered yesterday-RIDICULOUS. The rolling hills, myriad of sail boats, never-ending waters...heaven. Maine's coastline extended the drive by about 3-EVER-SO-WORTH-IT-HOURS and ends with such a new-found respect for much of life.

Don't let me fool anyone, the brilliant drive up the coast ended with the Lumber Jack Jills, the lumberjack olympics-if you will. WORTH EVERY $8.

So From Trenton, ME I travelled W, SW to the White Mountain Region. I was in the car for almost another full day, but the things I saw were divine. Clearly, the scenery is subject to change based upon time-of-year, but I think that this time of year is it. The depth of the clouds in relation to the towering mountains is something I could never give justice to via text. I have known that I am living a dream since the day that I left town, but the extent of the dream had never been defined. At least for now the dream has been given relative terms.

From the City of Brotherly Love to the City of My Lovely Brother

After a few days of doing downtown Philly for all of its historical signifigance, enormous roadside murals, and visits with a friend, I headed a little north to catch up with the brother in New Paltz, NY. The drive itself, although only 4 hours, seemed like the longest to date. First of all, the 'parking garage' way of working tolls simply didn't register in my head. The brief anxiety attack during the 49 lane changes in 50 feet turned out to be the least of my concerns. Driving and starving, or starving and driving, nevertheless, I was lured by a sign for $1 hot dogs to take an exit. Well, I took the wrong exit and unfortunately Susan (the gps) didn't have any clue how to help me. She and I both got spit onto turnpike after turnpike, freeway after freeway, with no hope of a u-turn...45 minutes (and about $5 in tolls) later, I was back on my way to NY. Then out of the blue came a nice little mid-day shower to cool things off-or so I thought. Instantly the New Jersey turnpike turned into complete chaos. I've never seen anything like it. The rain was minimal at best, and 65mph suddenly slowed to 25mph. The right hand shoulder was riddled with all of the quiters that just couldn't take it anymore, flashers and all, for at least 10 miles. Finally, after the long drawn out drive, it ended with the beautiful countryside lining the last 50 miles before i reached destination, Brother.

Visiting Nate (the bro) and his gf, Desi, was amazing of course. The tiny town they lead me around was simply beatiful. They took me on a little exercising journey, not only for the body, but for my mind as well. I was told to "wear tennis shoes there's a little scramble at the end"?! Although I had no clue what that entailed-it was a hike-I needed the exersice. After a little bit of an incline up some moderate terain, suddenly we got to these enormous rocks that were totally enticing. This looked like fun for all. Without even thinking, i followed Nate, one boulder after another. When I realized how out of breath I actually was, I turned around and LOOKED (OH MY GOD). Had anyone other than Nate led me up that little rock climbing excersion-I may have thrown them over the edge-thank God it was him. He kept my brain in tact, while keep such a watchful eye, & an extended arm all the way. The scene from the top was to die for (although I couldnt look down). Mountains for days, a storm coming just over the peaks-truly breathtaking/exhilerating/amazing. New Paltz, NY-never would've known it without them.