About Me

If you look to the right side of this page, you will notice an "about me" section.
This is used to explain what the blog is about. It used to say something about observering life from my frequently traveled window seat.
With my job change, my job will be DC-centric. Any travels will be for fun, not really as much work (at least for now). Since the start, this was intended to be a travel log to share the stories I always tell. As with anything, life evolved and with it, this blog.
Although I am DC- based and no longer traveleing every few weeks, I am still an observerer and story-teller. And let's face it-- weird stuff happens to me! And I am now in a real city (sorry PHX and SE), but DC is for-real. (I am not really sure how else to explain it...). But a city is filled with random people and places. It is a treasure-trove of weird things waiting to happen. And thus waiting to be shared. And though I will no longer be in the window seat of an airplane, the metro has windows and I use them!
So, my 'About Me' changed and the context of this blog will adjust a tad, just like all things in my world. The move was/is an adjustment. Some of it, great. (museums, history, food!, the metro, proximity to family). Some of it bad (loads of work, TRAFFIC!, mosquitos). But like any place I have moved to, I will adjust and embrace even the bad to make it work for me. (Well, maybe not the mosquitos. Those I could do without!)
So, for now, enjoy my new view:

Grown-ups.

In college, I lived in a house with 6 girls (plus, a few bonus regulars!). We lived in a classic college campus dwelling. It was maybe 3 blocks from campus, on a great street with incredible access to the bars (note the proximity to campus was not mentioned as a a bonus though it really was). The house was green and white (Spartan colors). And the front door was Spartan Green with a gigantic "S" for State painted on the front door. The address was 504 Abbott. From the day we moved in, we were immediately known as the 504 Girls.
Living with 6 ladies is not always easy and we didn't always get along. But we loved eachother and became totally intertwined in the lives of one another. We became a weird, little family unit. Sisters. Fiercely loyal to one another. We might complain about eachother, but god help you if you were an outsider and did! We did not tolerate that at all!
We cried together, helped eachother through navigating growing up and becoming independent from our families. We laughed all the time. I mean, ALL the time.
We lived there for two years. We had more fun than I am 100% sure any of us can remember!  Then a few ladies graduated, so it was time to move on and get real jobs for some and finish classes for others. Time living at 504 Abbott was coming to an end. It was the end of a chapter.
During the first few years after college, many of us remained in a close-ish area, so we could get together regularly and have fun (our specialty!).
As everyone knows time goes by and people move away, get married, get busy with a job, have adventures and the length of time between visits gets bigger and bigger. It's life. It's not bad. It's just what it is. As with anything, you cherish the past but you move on with your future.
I am lucky enough to have had a job that takes me close to many of the ladies, so have been able to visit with them in pieces and see them in their new lives. It is so fun to meet their little people, hang out with their other halves, and just enjoy their company. Each time I am so pleased to discover that no matter how much time has passed between visits or conversations, we can just pick up where we left off. Like no time has passed at all. I believe it is the sign of a true friendship when you can do that.
Well, this weekend, one of the 504 Girls got married. She is one of the last to get married (me being the very last to not be married actually!). She is that rare person who will always count you as a dear friend, no matter how long it has been since she last spoke to/saw you. So, all the 504 Girls (and the bonus extras) were invited and most everyone was able to attend. Her wedding provided a super fun reason to get together. The wedding was lovely. The bride was gorgeous (she literally looked like a prettier version of Barbie). But the best part was being able to catch up all together. The wedding wasn't huge, so we were able to sit and visit and laugh and have a few cocktails (of course!).
As the night went on, all I kept thinking was what wonderful grown-ups these ladies have become. They are still the same people I knew and loved on the inside, but have continued to grow and flourish and become a better version of the selves I knew when we were young. Some have become mature, sophicated urban women. Many have become the mothers and wives they always wanted to be. But mainly I noted just how happy we all were. It was incredible. I mean, I know people hide the bad, but they all seemed so geniuinely happy with life. When talking about aspects of each of their lives, their eyes twinkled. (and no it was not the alcohol...it was a happy twinkle!)
It's been ten years since I left college (eeks!). It's been 11 years since we moved out of that infamous house. But there are still ties that bind us. No matter who else will reside at that house, our little group will always be known as the 504 Girls.

I am lucky to have had such incredible friends to help me grow up. And even luckier to still know them and love them.
Thanks, D for having a beautiful reason for all of us to get together. Oh, and congratulations on your marriage!
Ladies-- let's not make it so long before the next reunion, okay?



504 Girls- Then
(pictured L-R: Joanne, Yaara, Erika, Nikki, Jessica, Sara, Brooke & Megan)
 



504 Girls- Now
(pictured upper L & around to lower L: Dasha, Allison, Joanne, Erika, Nikki, Megan, Sara, & Jessica) 

 

(Note: I could not locate a photo with the exact same ladies...the "then" photo is the one I found with most of the same peeps....sorry you're missing, D & A)

 



Circa 1997.

So, this weekend I lived life circa 1997.
I left my phone in Maryland.
And was without access to phone calls, text messages, and instant facebook from Thursday afternoon through right this minute.
In part, it was awesome.
In part, it was terrible.
I missed being able to text a funny note or birthday message. I miss taking pictures (cause it was a weekend filled with fun times and good people).
I enjoyed being really off on my day off from work.
I missed being able to be connected without being chained to my computer though.
I did enjoy the freedom of not being completely available all of the time.
I missed being able to look something up and find it on a map.
But I did very much enjoy being able to use my mad mapping/directional skills.

All-in-all, not so bad.
But I am very much looking forward to being reconnected with my teachnology in a little while (well once I can finally get on a plane and get back to Maryland where I left it.)

Happy Birthday, Papa!

So, I am a day late to posting this, but what else is new these days?!
Yesterday,was my dad's birthday.
He turned 59 (I am sure he is fine with me posting that....fingers crossed).
In last year or so, we've had more than one conversation about "being old". In part because my brother and I have both turned 30 or have been for awhile, so the topic of age has come up.
In those conversations, my Papa has been known to call us "old", in hich case we turn to him and ask what that makes him. ;) Then the teasing and conversation goes from there.

I have said this before, but it should be said again (and always), my dad is one of my all-time favorites. He remains a steadfast guide in my life (even after I moved out and grown-up).
He is quiet, but wise.
He is fiercely loyal.
He is kind.
He is loving.
He (and my mom, too!) showed us how to love.
He is funny. I still think he is one of the funniest people I know.
He is a "steeltrap" (his words, not mine). But serisously he knows everything about everything. And that was proved to be true while driving across country a few months ago. (a trip by the way, where one could easily tire of a companion and I did not tire of him at all. And we talked a lot.)
He whistles when he is happy.
He is quiet when he is concerned.
He always seem to know the right words to say when there don't seem to be any.
He is happiest spending a day on water...
with my mom
and his dog.
(oh, and maybe with his children, too!)
He is obsessed with boats.
He is generous.
He is a hard-worker.

I don't know... he's just my Papa.
Other people see it too though.
He's special.
And I am so lucky to have spent 32 of his 59 years knowing him. (and fingers crossed another 32!).

Me with Papa at age 1. (which makes him maybe 27??)

Evidence of the silliness...

with his favorite person at another favorites wedding.

on the water in Vancouver, BC

whistling away through the UW campus.

again--more silly.

So, Happy 59th Birthday, Old Man! ;)

Mondays.

(from July 30)

It's been three weeks.
I've been  here for three weeks and each and every Monday since moving here has been TOUGH. I asked for a challenge and damn am I getting it!

If next monday sucks, I am going to start again and make Tuesdays the new Monday.
I can do that right?!

Ugh, come on Monday, play nicely please.

The last leg-- for real!

Well, we are here.
We made it.
Without much trouble or crabbiness, mom and I made the last trek of this journey from the mitten to the district. Well, almost.
Tonight we are staying with the favorites at their house.
C has completely taken to my mom (which is adorable). Tomorrow, we get the keys and permits.
Tuesday the movers come.
Wednesday, my mom will start to help me unpack.
I have a lot to do and I am grateful she is here with me. In all the years I have moved, I have never had a helper. It's kind of a good deal.

Let's crack this book! I am ready for the new chapter to begin!

My mavigator & all her reading material. Note the lack of a map. ;)

Happy Places!

For the last few days, I have been in my happy place(s). One is a place I have known is a happy place for years. It's my parent's cottage. I love it there. You walk in and it's instant vacation. For real. I was able to share it with a good pal this past weekend and we had such a good time.
The dude and dudette came up. We spent time on the boat and just relaxed.
We laughed. A lot.
We only had ice cream once.
We enjoyed delisious home-cooked food.
And just enjoyed the company of eachother. It was good to have a tiny time-out after the last month or so. I have been in perpetual motion since March when I made the decision to move.
I am tired.
And am ready for another vacation--no matter how mini!

Way back in February or even before then, E asked me if I would want to join their family for a few weeks in Leland, MI (the other newly rediscovered happy place). I thought about it for a few days and checked in with managers, and was able to work out that I could work from the beach and plan some strategic play time in the middle. Well, then I changed the plan and decided to move. I was still able to work out some time, though more has been filled with work than I care for.
But, we've had fun!
Aunt Mugsie brought us fun inflatables---

I was reminded of the magic of this place. The sunsets, the smells, the petosky stones, the legends, the memories we all share here. It is a place we have all come to as children, so it holds a special place in my heart. And to share it with so many of the people I shared it with as a kid is such a gift.

And I've gotten a glimpse of what it will be like to have these delightful favorites in my everyday world. In just a few short weeks, I will be their "neighbor". (Well, really I'll be 30-45 minutes away). I am so thrilled!

Tricky.

(from June 12)

So with all this new adventure, comes some sticky and tricky circumstances. I have to trade and hand-off some events that I have worked on and planned for a long time. In making this decision, I knew I would need to give these events to others and didn't think it would be this hard. It's hard to hand things off half-way. It's hard to give up control.
And it's really hard to just "rip off the band-aid". This week, I had planned to be on the beach in one of my happy places with some of my favorites, but instead need to be working and planning so I can hand-off an appropriate product.
I don't feel good about it. I know I could fix these things myself, but to had them to someone else when it's not in a pretty bow is really unpleasant for me.
What if someone messes it up?
What if I get thrown under a bus?
What if I haven't set them up for success?

I should be on a beach right now. Vacationing. But this new chapter changed the plans and thus the rules.
I am worried.
What if I disappoint someone?
Sigh.
All I want to do is be on the beach.

the last leg.

(from Monday, June 10)

Today was the last day of this section of the adventure. (There is more to come when I go from Michigan to DC).

This trip ended with us being welcomed by people we love.

And half-way trhough the day today, I got to visit with my old pal Gina and meet her new love-- her brand new baby Edward.

It was just another day for driving, but the break was amazing.

I have this before (I think someplace on this blog), seeing my dear friends become mothers is such a joy. I am so proud of each of them for the mothers they have become. It is a beautiful stage in life. and I hope they all know that a baby doesn't mean the friendship ends, it changes (because it must) but that doesn't mean in a bad way. I am privileged to see them share who they are with another "limb" of themselves. And I am lucky enough to witness the love in their eyes when they discuss the new baby. Or the light in the face when they start to talk about something that the baby/kiddo has started to do. It's such a beautiful thing.

Anyway, I had the joy of seeing my pal Gina as a mama. She was, as expected, as gracious and ladylike as ever. I anticipated nothing less, as she is the tru definition of the word lady (always has been, always will be). I got to hold the baby and feed him. So sweet.

It was such a great way to end cap the trip.

2800 miles.

That is the distance from Seattle, Wa to Westland, MI.

2800 miles.

That is the span of land that I newly discovered.

2800 miles.

is a lot of time to spend with your dad.

2800 miles.

is a lot of time to get to think.

2800 miles

is a lot of distance to solve the world's troubles.

2800 miles.

is a lot of time to potentially tire of someone, but I never did.

2800 miles

is a lot of miles to listen and learn from my papa.

2800 miles

is a lot of time to laugh.

2800 miles

is a lot of time to joke.

2800 miles.

What a damn good way to kick start this new adventure of my life.

I'll be in michigan for a few weeks--working and spending time with people I love. And then I will head to DC for the new chapter.

2800 miles is a long distance to try to close a chapter and start to open a new one.  

and we're over it.

(from Sunday, June 10)
Today we were up bright and early again. Ugh. I am tired and needed a slaeep-in day, but my buddy is completely on a mission. Today we were going to Algoma, WI. My dad was picking up his new truck. We were going to stay with good family friends. I was going to see people I have know (and loved) my entire life and haven't seen for years. We were out of there!

Basically, until we arrived at our destination this was just a day for driving. Nothing more. Nothing exciting or noteworthy. Just driving. (And we were getting crabby)

As were entered into Door County, the scene changed from concrete and ashpalt into pastures and rolling hills. The air got fresh and we both knew we were "almost there!". Since my car was purchased through Algoma Motors (in Algoma, WI), but actually came from Dallas, TX I joked that it was being called home. My dad agreed and thought it needed a wash before my uncle saw it. So, we popped to nearest car wash and washed 5 days of grim, bugs, and other creatures from the windshield.
we headed back to the house of our family friends and this was the view---

It might not be a snow-capped mountain, but dang this lake makes me happy! Although this is the "wrong" side (it's the west side of Lake Michigan), but sits almost directly across from Ludington (my happy place).

We arrived at the Rabas house. The Rabas's have been part of my life since the day I was born. And always in my life in some way, even though they lived across the lake. We vaactioned with their family over the years and had the kind of fun kids can have when they are on the water or in the woods or just with eachother. Jackie, is my age. She got married years ago and now has three kids. It's been since well before her wedding that we last saw eachother. I got to spend time with her and meet her kids.
We played all afternoon.

 And took tours of town in the convertible with ym Uncle Jeff (called circuits).

We had dinner at mo's- where literally everyone knew our names-- including my dad's! Once I was introduced as his daughter beers and scratchers were passed to me. I must be great, if I was with all these great people.
We were in small town America. The kind of town that you don't believe still exists. Well, it does and it's charming and quaint. And serves the best fried chicken (well broasted) you have ever had in your whole life. And I am most definately not a fried chicken person.
It was a fantastic way to end the trip! (or at least to just have one day remaining).
We started the trip with good people and ended it with great ones.
It solidfied for me that no matter what great adventures await you, you need good people to book-end those experiences to actually make them great.

 

South Dakota.

(from Saturday, June 9)

Today we woke up bright and early. (We were sharing a room, there was no way to avoid the early bird...)
I quickly stated that coffee was a MUST and papa figured out that the Motel 6, while they had comfy beds and appropriately friendly staff, they did not know how to brew a good cup of coffee. So, we found (by chance) the only Starbucks in all of Eastern Wyoming! We were both so pleased. :)

That kick started, what became my favorite day of the adventure.
I am not sure if it was lack of expectation or if South Dakota was just a wealth of random goodness. Maybe a combination of both.
We had two things on the agenda for this day--- Mt. Rushmore and the badlands.
Following our dissappointment with Old Faithful, we had minimal expectations over what to expect at either one of the next national parks.
Again, we took the scenic route (figuring this might be our last bought with mountains...):

Now, since I had had bad luck getting "Welcome" signs from the various state lines, Papa (my driver at this point, since I never drove!), made a U-turn so we could get shots of both signs! :) He's good like that. We laughed about the motorcycle guy we surprised and continued to Mt Rushmore, with much less excitement than it deserved.
On the drive, we spotted a "head" in the mountain and realized it was the Crazy horse monument--

It is huge and kind of random. We opted not to stop, deciding one mountain filled with heads would be enough for one day. ;)
As we got closer to Mt Rushmore, the scenery was beautiful--lush forest, huge rock formations. Quite pretty. And then Papa spotted the heads! It was so fun.
We paid the crazy high parking fee and went into the park.
It was so cool. Again, I'm not sure if it was the low expectations or what, but we loved it! The history is something interesting. And the thought that someone (a visionary) just thought this would be something that should be done is really something.

From there, we continued on the scenic route to continue on our way to the badlands. In some off-beat conversation, Emily mentioned that the Badlands at dawn was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Since Emily has been places and seen things, I decided right away that it must be added to the list. The intention was to go at dawn, but the timing of that didn't work out. And we mad other arrangements for the trip, so it was going to be afternoon. To be honest, I was a little bummed out at first, but then decided to get over it and just move on with the trip.
As it turns out, it was a good thing we went during the daylight hours! Had we gone in the earliest parts of day, we would have missed the Wal-Drug! Not something that is on people's lists (pr at least people I know), but it should be! It was wonderful wackiness!
Excuse me, I got a little ahead of myself...
So, as we looked at the map and made the plan to get to the badlands, using some scenic route (but not gravel roads), we popped onto the highway and immediately started to see those wacky signs we saw before the last scenic road tour. The signs were plywood and handpainted with random advertisements for coffe, ice cream, prescriptions, and basically anything under the sun. All at this place-- Wall- Drug. Papa asked what it was and I thought it was a chain drug store. but then we started to see all of the signs. There were signs every few miles, hundreds of miles away from this place. It was crazy!
Since we'd already had lunch, we decided we should stop for an ice cream (always a fan of that idea!!). So at the exit for the Badlands, we followed the signs to Wall Drug. And it was something...
The first thing we came upon was a group of ladies literally buried in bags filling up their SUV with their purchases. they were pumped up about "the deals". We had no idea of what to expect and this is what it was---

After we got out ice cream and got the "flovor" of the place and it's wackiness, we got the hell out of there!
Papa said it was like Chuck E. Cheese and was giving him a headache. (Now mind you this is a man who HATES anyplace like Chuck E. Cheese. As kids we could never have a party there due to his serious dislike of such places. Not that we really missed out, but that's how much he hates it).

From Wall Drug, we were off to the Badlands. Again, with no expectation except that Emily loved it here. It was a gold-star recommendation. Seriously, beautiful.
It was like being in Sedona, AZ with all the red rocks and beautiful scenery, but was surrounded by grasslands- green and swaying in rhythm to the breeze. It was a sight that made you have to believe there is something out there that created all of this.
It was breathtaking.
All that, and then you add in the buffalo and prarie dogs---magic, really.
The pictures do not do it justice, but here's a piece of the adventure---

We left the badlands and really had no other adventures on the books aside from the visit to Algoma the following night. Papa, now a mission, decided we should drive through to the other side of South Dakota. I agreed.

We were making good time and had crossed the the things I wanted to see off of the list.
Papa stated that he did not want to eat dinner at 8 or 9pm aagin, so my job as the navigator was to find a place to eat at around the 7pm mark. We decided we would stay in Sioux Falls that night, so I spotted Mitchell on the map. It was at about the right spot and then I noted something called 'the corn palace' was there, so we decided that yes, we should stop there for dinner.

As we were driving I relaized that my HLP had been in that area on a family roadtip many years ago and I vaguely recalled her telling me about that place. So I texted her and in her words she said that yes we should go as it is "a wonder to bejold". With that kind of endorsement, we HAD to go!
So we got to Mitchell and visited the HLP's childhood adventures (and laughed). And were surprised by how not corny it really was (excuse the pun). It was weird, but better than what we expected. And much less obnoxious than the Wall-Drug so Papa was pleased!

(Sidenote: You may have noticed that Papa is holding the Guam flag. The Guam flag, a very handy atlas, fun snacks and other roadtrip goodness came from the HLP in preparation for the trip. Since it was her place and on her suggestion, we figured the flag needed to make an appearance in the pics rather than just being our placeholder. Whythe Guam flag you ask...well that is a long and rather silly story involving another great adventure and roadtrip. I'll try to remember it and tell it another time. )
 After we checked out the Corn Palace, we scouted out a place for dinner. We ended up at a favorite local place, where everyone knew everyone. The owner seated us and made conversation (of course). And told us all about the area and what the Depot used to be, etc, etc. We had definately made it to the midwest!

By then, we knew we only had about 1.5 hours before we made it to Sioux Falls to sleep for the night. Well, as it turns out--there was no room at any inn for 100s of miles! :(
We ended up at some random hotel in some Minnesotan town. the beds were comfy, the coffee was good, but the check-in staff was overwhelmingly friendly. Annoyingly friendly. we just wanted a place to sleep, I didn't care about the 15 minutes later that the pool was open or care to know about every breakfast item offered. We needed two beds,a clean room and maybe some coffee in the am. That's all. But as we checked in, with our eyes glazed and patience waning, the check-in clerk droned on and on and on and on and on and on....seriously, I almost punched her.

But we got a room and ended a very good day of adventure.
The next day we had plans for a broasted chicken dinner in Algoma with my dad's BFF from college (and lifelong great pal). Our heads hit the pillow and we were both out...

Yellowstone.

(from  Friday, June 8)
Well, contrary to what my suspicions were, Papa did let me sleep a little late. (7am!).
He was, of course, up earlier but was able to take a little walk around town and scope out a good breakfast joint to start the day off right.
We got up, wrote a thank you to our hosts for such a warm welcome, changed the sheets (we know the rules from the cottage!), and left the keys and headed out the door.
We ended up at the Western Cafe (directly across the street from the condo):

And on the "local" theme, we scored high marks. Check out our fellow diners---

For real.
As we were finishing up, three grils came in with spurs on their boots and sporting cowboy hats. We were surrounded by real life cowboys (and girls!). It was awesome and quite delightful, if I do say. The food wasn't bad either. But it did make Bozeman all the more charming. And again, a place I definately would return to.
Well, there I go spending all that space talking about the breakfast we had when this day was all Yellowstone! I was so excited!
Before we left, I didn't have as much time as I would have wanted to make a plan, but I knew the skeleton plan and figured we'd fill things in as we went.
So, we took the tips from the experts and took the scenic route into the North entrance to the park.
Until we arrived, I had no idea that it was special---

As soon as we entered, we were excited. This is a place you could spend days in. We only had the day and knew we wanted to Old Faithful, a bison, a bear, and some other wildlife.
We stopped at the hot springs first and walked around a bit. It was a little stinky...
And reminded me of the glaciers in Juneau. not the temperature, of course, but the blue was the same mysterious blue. I was completely smitten---



We hadn't seen any wildlife, but we defianely saw the evidence of it around (buffalo poop!).

someone wasn't sure about that darn iPhone! ;)

From there, we drove the loop around the park with intentions to see Old Faithful. After a mini-freak out moment due to a bathroom urgency (Sorry, Papa!). So from there we went onto Old Faithful. Now I was super excited to see Old Faithful. It was on the list from the start. Well, I feel like this is bad to say, but I was a little let down. I mean, cool. But, I thought there were way cooler things around than that. Maybe if it had been the first thing we saw/did, I would have been more impressed. But frankly, the other planet-like hot springs and mud pots were so much cooler for me.

Me Old Faithful, and the old ladies.

And look what we found--

See! It's buffalo poop!

Though Old Faithful was not what we had built it up to be, we stayed long enough to dine in the cafeteria (maybe not the best choice, but we weren't sure where else we could go inside the park.)
After that, there was no plan---just drive around to the east entrance and head toward South Dakota.

We saw lots of gorgeous scenery, many buffalo, and some other random things.
Yellowstone Lake was, of course, Papa's favorite spot inside the park!

Since we weren't hiking around, we made good time through the park. Maybe not the best way to do it, but we were on the move, not vacation. So we got the taste and then continued on....

Wyoming, like Montana was spectacular. At every turn, we would comment about something so beautiful. And again, we took the scenic route (my favorite). Here's a few of my fav photos from that part of the journey---

As were drove, we made the decision to adjust the plan. Since we were so close to South Dakota, we opted to skip the "seeing the badlands at dawn" and just make it to the edge of Wyoming and go from there.
We ended up choosing Sheridan, WY.
Unbeknowst to me, in 1978 (before I was a twinkle in my parents' eyes), there was a potential for them to move west to this town. My dad shared the stories and whys and hows, etc. We thought it might be a good place to call "home" for the night.
After seeing all the buffalo and cattle all day, we thought it only appropriate to indulge in a good steak dinner, so we asked the girl at the front desk where the best place to go and she sent us to the Rib House and Chop. It was ridiculously good! And obviously, the best place in town to be because it was FULL!

Then, we got back to the Motel 6- where we hung our hats for the night under these beautiful bedspreads---

And slept well.
Day two- complete.
We checked Yellowstone and Wyoming right off the list!