10,503 miles. 75 days. 35 states. 1 EPIC trip.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Driving Blind
The weather is still pretty craptastic today as I leave Cynthiana, IN. I was hoping it would get better as I headed East but no such luck. It not only rained my ENTIRE way but it was also super foggy. At some points I could barely see the road because the fog was so dense. But this didn't slow me down...I had a bridge to see!
As I was driving I was debating if I wanted to just drive through to NJ. It would be a 16hr drive but I felt like I was up for it. I really was not in the mood to do the whole "get to know you" thing at another couch surfing house. I got lost trying to find the bridge and finally pulled over to ask where I was. I was 20mi in the wrong direction :(
When I got to the bridge it was getting dark and the rain had picked up again but I was not going anywhere until I saw this bridge! I drove over it and wasn't super impressed...pretty boring. But I went to the visitors center and walked down the 172 stairs to see the view. I am really glad I did because the bridge from below was beautiful and well worth the drive!
At this point I was determined to drive home. I was tired and sick of the weather but I knew I wouldn't sleep much tonight anyway and I really just wanted to sleep in my own bed with my Louie. The GPS said I would be there by 11:47pm so I figured if I made it home by 12am I would be good.
The drive wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, despite the weather. I drove through the entire state of West Virginia and drove through Maryland and Pennsylvania. I was home by 12:04am! Good timing! Now I am exhausted but I wanted to do some things before I went to bed. My original idea was to wait until my mom got off of work at 3am but I don't think I am going to last that long!
It's good to be home!
As I was driving I was debating if I wanted to just drive through to NJ. It would be a 16hr drive but I felt like I was up for it. I really was not in the mood to do the whole "get to know you" thing at another couch surfing house. I got lost trying to find the bridge and finally pulled over to ask where I was. I was 20mi in the wrong direction :(
When I got to the bridge it was getting dark and the rain had picked up again but I was not going anywhere until I saw this bridge! I drove over it and wasn't super impressed...pretty boring. But I went to the visitors center and walked down the 172 stairs to see the view. I am really glad I did because the bridge from below was beautiful and well worth the drive!
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| New River Gorge Bridge, WV |
At this point I was determined to drive home. I was tired and sick of the weather but I knew I wouldn't sleep much tonight anyway and I really just wanted to sleep in my own bed with my Louie. The GPS said I would be there by 11:47pm so I figured if I made it home by 12am I would be good.
The drive wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, despite the weather. I drove through the entire state of West Virginia and drove through Maryland and Pennsylvania. I was home by 12:04am! Good timing! Now I am exhausted but I wanted to do some things before I went to bed. My original idea was to wait until my mom got off of work at 3am but I don't think I am going to last that long!
It's good to be home!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Rain won't stop us!
I have been very blessed with the weather on this trip. So far it has only rained 3 days out of 73 so I really can't complain about that. Jennifer and I got up and headed out early back to New Harmony. We went back to the spots we were at last night like the bridge, Indiana sign, the roof-less church, Harmony Labyrinth, and the outdoor gardens at the New Harmony Inn. It was such a cute town and the rain was very good to us; when we wanted to get out and get some pictures it stopped, and when we were driving it poured. It was pretty perfect.
After exploring New Harmony we drove out to Evansville for lunch and to see the Ohio River. Today I stood on the edge of Indiana and Illinois and Indiana and Kentucky (across the river). I am officially in the mid-West Tri-State area :) We were going to go to the art museum in Evansville but at this point it was raining and we both were ready to head home and watch a movie. Plus I have really been slacking on my photo book and my to-do list that never goes away (even on vacation!). I also wanted to start applying for some more jobs.
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| such a pretty park! |
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| Where it all started... |
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Full Circle
Well, I'm back in Indiana! I haven't been here since September! I have officially made a full circle!
Last night Trish and I went out to a pub for dinner called the Black Horse Pub and Brewery and walked around Clarksville a bit. They have some awesome architecture in the city and a few sculptures around so it was nice to walk around. Trish also knew a lot about the city so it was nice to hear all the background info on the city as well. We went down to the river and got to see a preview of the Christmas lights along the River Walk. I got to fee like a celebrity with her because any phone call she got she would say she was with her "couch surfer" and they all knew all about me already including my name!
Woke up to an early morning phone call which worked out well since I needed to get going anyway. Trish made breakfast and typically, I'm not a breakfast person but I could not resist the cream cheese danish she had popped in the oven! We chatted and enjoyed that danish before I had to head out. Trish had packed me some snacks and gave me a Christmas present before I left. I stayed with her, not the other way around yet she gave me a present!
Mammoth Caves was only 1.5hrs north so I was there by 10:30am and already looking to get on a tour. I took the 2hr New Entrance tour which was supposed to be the best for photo ops. The tour didn't start until noon so I went and wandered the gift shop and had lunch at the cafe on property. I also had to get my shoes cleaned and quarantined since I have been in other caves in the last 3 years due to the outbreak of White-Nose Syndrome in the Bats. The mortalities rate in over 90% in the first years after contracting the disease. And now the bats could face extinction within the next 15 years! No good!
The tour started with meeting our guides; Dominic and Lance and a bus ride out to the entrance and then we (a group of over 40ppl) started off. The cave system is over 392mi long (longest in the world) and we were going to do about a quarter mile of it. It was a total of about 500 stairs and I expected it to be like the caves we did in Missouri this summer but it was very different. The walkways were very narrow and not lit well at all. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic because you had to squeeze and bend through the pathways. There were three main rooms we stopped in to chat and turn off the lights to see how dark it truly was and lots of stairs and fun walkways. We didn't see any bats but we did find a snake and some cave crickets. I made some friends along the way and we swapped cameras throughout which worked out great for everyone!
I think that the Mammoth Cave Tour was one of the highlights of my trip. I just really enjoy things like this and hearing the history behind it and walking through this underground world. I am so glad I got the opportunity to stop! After the tour ended it was time to continue north to Cynthiana, Indiana to see Jennifer. This drive was only 3hrs and I made good time! Most of the drive was in KY and when I hit IN I only was about 25mi to Jennifer's house. Really glad I didn't do this in the beginning of my trip like I had originally planned...it would have been way out of my way! I was at her house by 5pm!
We went down to New Harmony for dinner and she showed me around that area. Today I crossed over from KY to IN but she showed me the bridge that connects IL and IN. We also happened to hit downtown on a good night because the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art was having an opening for a new show and we got to go in and look around. I really liked the artwork that was being shown so we spent a good amount of time walking around and seeing it. We both decided that tomorrow we are going to go back in the daylight and check the area out again. There were a ton of fun little features that I want to take pictures of!
Last night Trish and I went out to a pub for dinner called the Black Horse Pub and Brewery and walked around Clarksville a bit. They have some awesome architecture in the city and a few sculptures around so it was nice to walk around. Trish also knew a lot about the city so it was nice to hear all the background info on the city as well. We went down to the river and got to see a preview of the Christmas lights along the River Walk. I got to fee like a celebrity with her because any phone call she got she would say she was with her "couch surfer" and they all knew all about me already including my name!
Woke up to an early morning phone call which worked out well since I needed to get going anyway. Trish made breakfast and typically, I'm not a breakfast person but I could not resist the cream cheese danish she had popped in the oven! We chatted and enjoyed that danish before I had to head out. Trish had packed me some snacks and gave me a Christmas present before I left. I stayed with her, not the other way around yet she gave me a present!
Mammoth Caves was only 1.5hrs north so I was there by 10:30am and already looking to get on a tour. I took the 2hr New Entrance tour which was supposed to be the best for photo ops. The tour didn't start until noon so I went and wandered the gift shop and had lunch at the cafe on property. I also had to get my shoes cleaned and quarantined since I have been in other caves in the last 3 years due to the outbreak of White-Nose Syndrome in the Bats. The mortalities rate in over 90% in the first years after contracting the disease. And now the bats could face extinction within the next 15 years! No good!
The tour started with meeting our guides; Dominic and Lance and a bus ride out to the entrance and then we (a group of over 40ppl) started off. The cave system is over 392mi long (longest in the world) and we were going to do about a quarter mile of it. It was a total of about 500 stairs and I expected it to be like the caves we did in Missouri this summer but it was very different. The walkways were very narrow and not lit well at all. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic because you had to squeeze and bend through the pathways. There were three main rooms we stopped in to chat and turn off the lights to see how dark it truly was and lots of stairs and fun walkways. We didn't see any bats but we did find a snake and some cave crickets. I made some friends along the way and we swapped cameras throughout which worked out great for everyone!
I think that the Mammoth Cave Tour was one of the highlights of my trip. I just really enjoy things like this and hearing the history behind it and walking through this underground world. I am so glad I got the opportunity to stop! After the tour ended it was time to continue north to Cynthiana, Indiana to see Jennifer. This drive was only 3hrs and I made good time! Most of the drive was in KY and when I hit IN I only was about 25mi to Jennifer's house. Really glad I didn't do this in the beginning of my trip like I had originally planned...it would have been way out of my way! I was at her house by 5pm!
We went down to New Harmony for dinner and she showed me around that area. Today I crossed over from KY to IN but she showed me the bridge that connects IL and IN. We also happened to hit downtown on a good night because the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art was having an opening for a new show and we got to go in and look around. I really liked the artwork that was being shown so we spent a good amount of time walking around and seeing it. We both decided that tomorrow we are going to go back in the daylight and check the area out again. There were a ton of fun little features that I want to take pictures of!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Pink Cady
I slept like a rock last night. I think that an atomic bomb could have gone off and I would have missed it. I can't remember the last time I had an actual full nights sleep. Too bad I missed my alarm and woke up late. I initially panicked and then realized that it really wasn't that big of a deal. Brittany and Rob had already left for work so I locked up and headed out (my car started just fine). It was only a 3hr drive to Nashville and I was going right through another time zone. Hello Central Time! I missed you! (NOT).
I was on 75N most of the way but it was the oddest thing that I got into TN and missed the sign! I was bummed I missed it but kept driving. Then next thing you know I am seeing a sign saying "Welcome to Georgia!" WTF?! How did I get back into GA?! Now I had to try and figure out how I did this...I was paying attention sort of...I was blasting music and the GPS was on mute so it's entirely possible I made a wrong turn. But I didn't! (Now you're confused aren't you...?) This silly road snaked back and fourth over the state line! And it was perfect because I got another opportunity to get a picture of the "Welcome to Tennessee" sign! Love it!
I made it to Nashville which has a BEAUTIFUL skyline and made my way to Centennial Park and saw the Parthenon. It was a pretty area and the fall colors and weather were a definite plus. I really wasn't expecting GA and TN to be so cold! I better get ready for KY and IN tomorrow...I may actually get to use my winter coat on this trip after all!
I walked around the park and then found a playground with swings and spent some time there. I thought swings or another landmark?...swings won this mental battle hands down. Then it was off to the Grand Ole Opry! When I got there I had no idea it was actually located in the Gaylord Hotel. I drove around and around thinking I was lost and actually hung up on Lisa so I could figure it out when really I was just driving circles around it. I don't really know what I was expecting but this wasn't it. The hotel did have all of their holiday decorations out so I drove through them and decided not to pay the $18 to park and go in. Call me cheap but my budget is too small this late in the game to pay that parking fee. And besides my sister wants to come back so today was just me making some mental notes for when we come back. I will also have to do the Nash Trash Tour Rachel told me about...it's booked through December so if we do come back I will have to call in advance for that!
I don't have to be a Trish's house until 6pm so I took some time to hit Panera (I know, I know) and steal some Internet. I was supposed to be job hunting but I got distracted with Tj on the phone and Amelia on Facebook. It's only 3pm here now so I still have time to get back on track. The people at Panera are going to ask me for rent soon...I have switched tables three times now too just to change the scenery :)
I'm excited to see Trish again. Cindy and I met her in the hostel in Monterrey, CA so I'm not couch surfing officially tonight and it will be nice to see a face I already know. Now I can tell her how the rest of my trip is going and catch up a bit on her trip she was on when I met her. Tomorrow I am heading up to Monmouth Caves in Kentucky and then to see Jennifer in Indiana! I can't believe this trip is coming to such a rapid ending. 5 days left!
Trish just called and she wants me to come earlier so we can go to dinner downtown! Job hunting will have to wait until tomorrow becasuse I am off to Clarksville, TN!
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| Round 2! |
I made it to Nashville which has a BEAUTIFUL skyline and made my way to Centennial Park and saw the Parthenon. It was a pretty area and the fall colors and weather were a definite plus. I really wasn't expecting GA and TN to be so cold! I better get ready for KY and IN tomorrow...I may actually get to use my winter coat on this trip after all!
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| I waited for all the school groups to get out of the way :) |
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| Not only expected but TOTALLY acceptable in Nashville! |
I'm excited to see Trish again. Cindy and I met her in the hostel in Monterrey, CA so I'm not couch surfing officially tonight and it will be nice to see a face I already know. Now I can tell her how the rest of my trip is going and catch up a bit on her trip she was on when I met her. Tomorrow I am heading up to Monmouth Caves in Kentucky and then to see Jennifer in Indiana! I can't believe this trip is coming to such a rapid ending. 5 days left!
Trish just called and she wants me to come earlier so we can go to dinner downtown! Job hunting will have to wait until tomorrow becasuse I am off to Clarksville, TN!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wake Up Call
Today I am finally going to get back into the car and head to Atlanta. I have changed the date three times now because I just wasn't ready to leave Jacksonville. Tj had left for work without saying goodbye and I didn't know if that was because he was mad about last night or what. So I packed up and shot him a text saying bye to get a phone call saying he was on his way back to the house (thank god). Long story short I don't really know how I felt when I left. He seemed totally normal but the situation still felt off to me. But we said goodbye and he was gone. I left shortly after and got on the road.
The drive wasn't bad and I stopped right over the border in GA for gas and lunch. As I was getting lunch my car decided to die. I lost control of my pedals and I just coasted to a stop. I turned the car off knowing that may be a bad idea but what options did I really have?! It turned on and I got it into a parking spot. I turned it on and off three times with no issues. I had 2 missed calls from Tj (I play the music pretty loud)so I figured that it was time to ask some "car questions". I thought it was the battery but he said it may be the alternator. Not ok. But I pulled out my Mazda paperwork and they did a full inspection on the car and my battery was at 100%. So great...another car repair in my future? Luckily, I was able to finish the drive and get to Atlanta with no further issues.
I first headed to Lithia Springs to see Wolcott and catch up with her. She moved to Atlanta only a few months ago and is still fairly new to the area herself. I got to see her new place, play with the kitties and then we went through some of her photographs. We also went through old summer camp photos and videos from our Shamu submersion 2 summers ago. It was a great afternoon with an old friend especially after the day I had yesterday. I was with Jen for only a few hours before heading on to see Brittany and Rob on the other side of the city.
Atlanta traffic sucks. I should have been bothered by the 6-lane bumper to bumper traffic but for some reason I found it relaxing. I watched everyone else shutter around and jump lanes in a hurry while I just stayed in my lane and watched the show. Atlanta has a beautiful skyline so it was almost scenic to be sitting in the traffic.
I found the apartment no problem and immediately caught up and swapped stories. I really haven't talked to Britney since I graduated so it was just nice to catch up. She made dinner and dessert :) After dinner we watched Zoo Keeper and I was able to catch up on some photos from this past week. I am exhausted. Looking back I probably got about 5hrs of sleep the last two nights. I am forcing myself to stay up a while longer so I know I will get a good nights sleep because I head to Nashville.
*on a fun note I got to dodge cotton on the road today :)
The drive wasn't bad and I stopped right over the border in GA for gas and lunch. As I was getting lunch my car decided to die. I lost control of my pedals and I just coasted to a stop. I turned the car off knowing that may be a bad idea but what options did I really have?! It turned on and I got it into a parking spot. I turned it on and off three times with no issues. I had 2 missed calls from Tj (I play the music pretty loud)so I figured that it was time to ask some "car questions". I thought it was the battery but he said it may be the alternator. Not ok. But I pulled out my Mazda paperwork and they did a full inspection on the car and my battery was at 100%. So great...another car repair in my future? Luckily, I was able to finish the drive and get to Atlanta with no further issues.
I first headed to Lithia Springs to see Wolcott and catch up with her. She moved to Atlanta only a few months ago and is still fairly new to the area herself. I got to see her new place, play with the kitties and then we went through some of her photographs. We also went through old summer camp photos and videos from our Shamu submersion 2 summers ago. It was a great afternoon with an old friend especially after the day I had yesterday. I was with Jen for only a few hours before heading on to see Brittany and Rob on the other side of the city.
Atlanta traffic sucks. I should have been bothered by the 6-lane bumper to bumper traffic but for some reason I found it relaxing. I watched everyone else shutter around and jump lanes in a hurry while I just stayed in my lane and watched the show. Atlanta has a beautiful skyline so it was almost scenic to be sitting in the traffic.
I found the apartment no problem and immediately caught up and swapped stories. I really haven't talked to Britney since I graduated so it was just nice to catch up. She made dinner and dessert :) After dinner we watched Zoo Keeper and I was able to catch up on some photos from this past week. I am exhausted. Looking back I probably got about 5hrs of sleep the last two nights. I am forcing myself to stay up a while longer so I know I will get a good nights sleep because I head to Nashville.
*on a fun note I got to dodge cotton on the road today :)
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