Wherein shots of us taking shots are set to an appropriately themed Uncle Fungus song.
Link
Monday, August 27
Sunday, August 26
We're done
We're back in Arlington.
We arrived last night after an uneventful trip.
We ate diner at Shoney's where, I discovered, the salad bar is the buffet minus the meat. Super exciting.
We have a few more videos that we ran out of computer space to deal with, so those will go up soon, but aside from that, this adventure and this outlet of information is essentially closed.
See you in the real life.
We arrived last night after an uneventful trip.
We ate diner at Shoney's where, I discovered, the salad bar is the buffet minus the meat. Super exciting.
We have a few more videos that we ran out of computer space to deal with, so those will go up soon, but aside from that, this adventure and this outlet of information is essentially closed.
See you in the real life.
Saturday, August 25
Moms trump cowboys and indians
Jim's mom made us pancakes for breakfast this morning. Scrumptious! The quest is at an end.
Completing the loop
My parents gave us a fast guided tour of Nashville today. It was nice. We went to a used bookstore (Bookman and Bookwoman) which was so full of books that were slightly out of alphabetical order and double-shelved. This was followed by lunch at Fido, which was full of college students. We went from there to the Opryland Hotel which is huge and full of plants and absurd and worth seeing, and then to a cowboy bar. The bar was, I believe, called "the Stage" and we saw a couple bands play. They were both better than your average bar band. But then, we're in Nashville.
When we got hungry we moved on to the Station where we ate some pizza and saw a couple other bands. Opening there was a guy named Simon Bruce who wrote boring songs and was accompanied by a very good violinist. While he wasn't entertaining me I entertained myself by turning my plastic water cup into a plastic dog which later in the evening really impressed some girl. The real band was a group called the Greencards (mostly from Australia and England) made up of one violin, one mandolin, one bass, and one guitar. Everyone but the bassist had unbelievable chops and was insistent on proving it to you. The bassist was not bad, but was certainly less demonstrative. She did most of the singing, but they all had fine voices. They were a great band. I'm very glad we saw them.
We finished off the evening with pound cake and fruit and ice cream on the porch, because the weather finally broke, and then the power went out. It just came back on, so I'm throwing this up here and then to bed.
Tomorrow: the final drive.
When we got hungry we moved on to the Station where we ate some pizza and saw a couple other bands. Opening there was a guy named Simon Bruce who wrote boring songs and was accompanied by a very good violinist. While he wasn't entertaining me I entertained myself by turning my plastic water cup into a plastic dog which later in the evening really impressed some girl. The real band was a group called the Greencards (mostly from Australia and England) made up of one violin, one mandolin, one bass, and one guitar. Everyone but the bassist had unbelievable chops and was insistent on proving it to you. The bassist was not bad, but was certainly less demonstrative. She did most of the singing, but they all had fine voices. They were a great band. I'm very glad we saw them.
We finished off the evening with pound cake and fruit and ice cream on the porch, because the weather finally broke, and then the power went out. It just came back on, so I'm throwing this up here and then to bed.
Tomorrow: the final drive.
Friday, August 24
ICN: the difference between pickers and picnickers
Some things from some days (of recency):
Also, I regret that I must inform you all that Trefor has been badly injured.
He was driving when we got into a completely surreal accident:
Also, I regret that I must inform you all that Trefor has been badly injured.
He was driving when we got into a completely surreal accident:
Literary anecdote
I nearly forgot to mention a beautiful moment that happened the other day. As we entered Oklahoma I drove over a turtle that was crossing the road. Steinbeckian!
Thursday, August 23
Fugue in Jim sharp minor
Now I will also tell you of the events that have transpired since last I blogged.
Firstly, Jim got to post in Amarillo because the KOA had wifi. I did not because the wifi password that they gave us worked for only one computer and Jim got it punched in first. Lame. Then last night the motel we chose didn't have any internet. Also lame.
Jim failed to mention that Stewart gave me a piece of petrified wood, a note about petrified wood and a Stewart's postcard. But Jim got none of these things. Perhaps the only person to enter the store who did not receive these things. So all Jim's victories (mini golf, cows...) are as nothing compared to the favor shown to me by Stewart.
I actually liked my Iron Skillet breakfast. I got three biscuits covered in sausage gravy with two eggs on top. For less than five dollars!
While Jim was driving a pebble got kicked up somehow and put a small crack in my windshield. I am pretty bummed. My car has held up super well this entire trip and we were only about four days from home when it had to go and get cracked.
My boots are awesome.
Everyone that goes to Cadillac Ranch seems to tag the cars. Jim has been trying to get me to tag things for half the trip and yet I had to convince him that we should write our names. Also, he needs to call that girl from Wisconsin who left her number on a car.
I got in touch with my Uncle. Well, we played phone tag anyway. Apparently they are going to be out recording and Deana will be performing (I think) in Chicago when we were hoping to visit so it will have to be another time. Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing them and their place in Branson.
I blogged earlier that I thought we were on a never ending quest for Cowboy pancakes. Unfortunately we seem to be on a never ending quest for any sort of non chain restaurant pancakes. One of our stops in New Mexico (or Texas or Oklahoma, they are all starting to blur together) was at yet another of those kitschy Indian trading post gift shops. The reason for the stop at this one, however, was an advertised pancake house. We missed the exit but my desire for pancakes was so great that we took the next exit (8 miles away) turned around and made the stop. Imagine my disappointment when I found that it was closed. It looks as though I will not get Cowboy or Indian pancakes on this trip. Are there Cavalry pancakes somewhere in Tennessee? Please?
Now we are at Jim's parents' house where there is internet aplenty. They took us to the Loveless cafe for dinner. I had yummy bbq pork and Jim ate bunch of sides. Delicious biscuits as well.
Last little comment. The backs of trucks are sometimes interesting or entertaining and, on a roadtrip, we see a lot of them. There is a trucking company called Covenant that has stickers on the back that look identical to the "this vehicle makes wide right turn" stickers but instead say "It's not a choice. It is a child." Funnier to me was a truck that we saw yesterday that had a sticker that read "This vehicle makes ridiculously huge right turns." Awesome. We wished we knew the story behind that one.
Firstly, Jim got to post in Amarillo because the KOA had wifi. I did not because the wifi password that they gave us worked for only one computer and Jim got it punched in first. Lame. Then last night the motel we chose didn't have any internet. Also lame.
Jim failed to mention that Stewart gave me a piece of petrified wood, a note about petrified wood and a Stewart's postcard. But Jim got none of these things. Perhaps the only person to enter the store who did not receive these things. So all Jim's victories (mini golf, cows...) are as nothing compared to the favor shown to me by Stewart.
I actually liked my Iron Skillet breakfast. I got three biscuits covered in sausage gravy with two eggs on top. For less than five dollars!
While Jim was driving a pebble got kicked up somehow and put a small crack in my windshield. I am pretty bummed. My car has held up super well this entire trip and we were only about four days from home when it had to go and get cracked.
My boots are awesome.
Everyone that goes to Cadillac Ranch seems to tag the cars. Jim has been trying to get me to tag things for half the trip and yet I had to convince him that we should write our names. Also, he needs to call that girl from Wisconsin who left her number on a car.
I got in touch with my Uncle. Well, we played phone tag anyway. Apparently they are going to be out recording and Deana will be performing (I think) in Chicago when we were hoping to visit so it will have to be another time. Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing them and their place in Branson.
I blogged earlier that I thought we were on a never ending quest for Cowboy pancakes. Unfortunately we seem to be on a never ending quest for any sort of non chain restaurant pancakes. One of our stops in New Mexico (or Texas or Oklahoma, they are all starting to blur together) was at yet another of those kitschy Indian trading post gift shops. The reason for the stop at this one, however, was an advertised pancake house. We missed the exit but my desire for pancakes was so great that we took the next exit (8 miles away) turned around and made the stop. Imagine my disappointment when I found that it was closed. It looks as though I will not get Cowboy or Indian pancakes on this trip. Are there Cavalry pancakes somewhere in Tennessee? Please?
Now we are at Jim's parents' house where there is internet aplenty. They took us to the Loveless cafe for dinner. I had yummy bbq pork and Jim ate bunch of sides. Delicious biscuits as well.
Last little comment. The backs of trucks are sometimes interesting or entertaining and, on a roadtrip, we see a lot of them. There is a trucking company called Covenant that has stickers on the back that look identical to the "this vehicle makes wide right turn" stickers but instead say "It's not a choice. It is a child." Funnier to me was a truck that we saw yesterday that had a sticker that read "This vehicle makes ridiculously huge right turns." Awesome. We wished we knew the story behind that one.
Our winding down starts winding down
Trefor - Hey, I see a sign for the biggest cross in the Western Hemisphere. It's in three miles, you want to go look at it?
Jim - I am looking at it. [points]
Yesterday we did a few things. We started by going to the Iron Skillet for a mediocre breakfast that came highly recommended. Trefor then got pulled over (by Officer CRay) for going about ten over the limit and got a written warning. Moments later we saw CRay pulling over a semi, so perhaps he had a quota to fill. We stopped in a storefront so Trefor could get himself two pairs of boots and I could think about and eventually decide against buying a shirt (they had one I really liked but not in my size).
Our first premeditated stop was at the Cadillac Ranch, which is a patch of dirt out in the middle of a cow pasture where someone has half-buried several Cadillacs and many people have painted and written on them. It was incredibly windy. We looked at them for a while and then wrote our names and left. When we arrived a trucker was just leaving and when we left three groups of people were arriving (including a trio moving to Virginia). It seems to do well. And deserves to.
The only other thing we'd planned on seeing was the Route 66 Museum/Devil's Rope Museum which is a small room telling the history of Route 66 and a huge room dedicated to barbed wire. We learned all about how it's made and what different kinds of it are called and brands and fence-making. And I use "learned" loosely because it was a giant tightly-packed room and it had far more information than either of us could possibly absorb. We also each drank a bottle of Route Beer 66.
Our major unpremeditated stop was, as previously alluded to, the largest cross in the western hemisphere. There isn't much to say for it other than that it really is huge. Also that it's dedicated to unborn babies and the statue of crying Jesus with an unborn fetus is disgusting and unnecessary.
We've made a major departure from our schedule for the last leg of our trip. Our Branson stay has come undone, and so last night we drove as far towards Nashville as we could and we ended up sleeping in the most terrible motel I've ever stayed in somewhere in Arkansas (which is unimpressive as a state). Today we got up, ate at a Waffle House (which is grand) and booked it over here to my parents' house in Nashville. Along the way we hit the worst traffic we've seen all trip and got stuck for about three hours. It was slow enough that we could get out, walk to the side of the road, pee, and then walk back and find the car in nearly the same place we left it. But now we are here, and we will stay tomorrow and take off the next morning for Virginia where our trip will come to a close. A sweet and gentle ending, from my parents' house to Trefor's.
Jim - I am looking at it. [points]
Yesterday we did a few things. We started by going to the Iron Skillet for a mediocre breakfast that came highly recommended. Trefor then got pulled over (by Officer CRay) for going about ten over the limit and got a written warning. Moments later we saw CRay pulling over a semi, so perhaps he had a quota to fill. We stopped in a storefront so Trefor could get himself two pairs of boots and I could think about and eventually decide against buying a shirt (they had one I really liked but not in my size).
Our first premeditated stop was at the Cadillac Ranch, which is a patch of dirt out in the middle of a cow pasture where someone has half-buried several Cadillacs and many people have painted and written on them. It was incredibly windy. We looked at them for a while and then wrote our names and left. When we arrived a trucker was just leaving and when we left three groups of people were arriving (including a trio moving to Virginia). It seems to do well. And deserves to.
The only other thing we'd planned on seeing was the Route 66 Museum/Devil's Rope Museum which is a small room telling the history of Route 66 and a huge room dedicated to barbed wire. We learned all about how it's made and what different kinds of it are called and brands and fence-making. And I use "learned" loosely because it was a giant tightly-packed room and it had far more information than either of us could possibly absorb. We also each drank a bottle of Route Beer 66.
Our major unpremeditated stop was, as previously alluded to, the largest cross in the western hemisphere. There isn't much to say for it other than that it really is huge. Also that it's dedicated to unborn babies and the statue of crying Jesus with an unborn fetus is disgusting and unnecessary.
We've made a major departure from our schedule for the last leg of our trip. Our Branson stay has come undone, and so last night we drove as far towards Nashville as we could and we ended up sleeping in the most terrible motel I've ever stayed in somewhere in Arkansas (which is unimpressive as a state). Today we got up, ate at a Waffle House (which is grand) and booked it over here to my parents' house in Nashville. Along the way we hit the worst traffic we've seen all trip and got stuck for about three hours. It was slow enough that we could get out, walk to the side of the road, pee, and then walk back and find the car in nearly the same place we left it. But now we are here, and we will stay tomorrow and take off the next morning for Virginia where our trip will come to a close. A sweet and gentle ending, from my parents' house to Trefor's.
Wednesday, August 22
A toad just pooped two feet to my left
Today was a day of commute, primarily.
We got up late and hit the road as fast as possible. We drove for only a few miles before we had to stop at Stewart's Petrified Wood. Stewart's is sandwiched by two other petrified wood brokers, the Rock Factory and Painted Rock Indian Center, but it stands out because it is full of dinosaurs. Homemade dinosaurs. I believe that Charles Stewart is one of America's greatest entrepreneurs. Also at Stewarts is a flock (a herd?) of ostriches. You may feed them or purchase their eggs, with which Stewart will supply some free recipes.
Charles is getting on in the years, though, and today when we stopped by the store was being run by his son. He greeted everyone who walked through the door in this manner: "have you been to the petrified forests before?"
"no" comes the reply
"well, let me give you your free piece of petrified wood"
We looked around and asked some questions, and the man knows his rocks. I took a bunch of pictures and Trefor and I each purchased some desert glass. His is larger and beautifully colored and mine is small and looks like it has a blue Apatosaurus inside of it.
We got back on the road (historic Route 66) and drove until we saw some Indian Trading Posts. We looked in a couple. They have some nice jewelry and a lot of kitschy junk.
After a while of driving, I was starting to get hungry and I saw a sign on the side of the road that said "Buffet $7.99: two for one on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays". I immediately pulled off and into the Route 66 Casino where Trefor and I both joined the Players' Club (free) which entitled us to not only use the buffet, but we each got a card with five dollars worth of gambling money on it, and a hat. Beautiful. I suggested we just cash out the five dollars and get a free buffet but Trefor thought that we probably couldn't, so we each wasted our five in a slot machine then we ate at the buffet, which had many more vegetarian options than the one we hit in Las Vegas. Trefor dropped another five real dollars to show his support for the casino, and then we took off.
The rest of the drive was relatively uneventful, but it included our cruising across the entire state of New Mexico which is unbelievably gorgeous. Everything is pale red, blue, or green and the rocks are in absurd formations. It might be my favorite thing we've driven through so far.
Now we are in Amarillo, Texas in another campground which is on a street full of strip clubs. Las Vegas just won't leave us.
We got up late and hit the road as fast as possible. We drove for only a few miles before we had to stop at Stewart's Petrified Wood. Stewart's is sandwiched by two other petrified wood brokers, the Rock Factory and Painted Rock Indian Center, but it stands out because it is full of dinosaurs. Homemade dinosaurs. I believe that Charles Stewart is one of America's greatest entrepreneurs. Also at Stewarts is a flock (a herd?) of ostriches. You may feed them or purchase their eggs, with which Stewart will supply some free recipes.
Charles is getting on in the years, though, and today when we stopped by the store was being run by his son. He greeted everyone who walked through the door in this manner: "have you been to the petrified forests before?"
"no" comes the reply
"well, let me give you your free piece of petrified wood"
We looked around and asked some questions, and the man knows his rocks. I took a bunch of pictures and Trefor and I each purchased some desert glass. His is larger and beautifully colored and mine is small and looks like it has a blue Apatosaurus inside of it.
We got back on the road (historic Route 66) and drove until we saw some Indian Trading Posts. We looked in a couple. They have some nice jewelry and a lot of kitschy junk.
After a while of driving, I was starting to get hungry and I saw a sign on the side of the road that said "Buffet $7.99: two for one on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays". I immediately pulled off and into the Route 66 Casino where Trefor and I both joined the Players' Club (free) which entitled us to not only use the buffet, but we each got a card with five dollars worth of gambling money on it, and a hat. Beautiful. I suggested we just cash out the five dollars and get a free buffet but Trefor thought that we probably couldn't, so we each wasted our five in a slot machine then we ate at the buffet, which had many more vegetarian options than the one we hit in Las Vegas. Trefor dropped another five real dollars to show his support for the casino, and then we took off.
The rest of the drive was relatively uneventful, but it included our cruising across the entire state of New Mexico which is unbelievably gorgeous. Everything is pale red, blue, or green and the rocks are in absurd formations. It might be my favorite thing we've driven through so far.
Now we are in Amarillo, Texas in another campground which is on a street full of strip clubs. Las Vegas just won't leave us.
Tuesday, August 21
Post-Jason Wrap Up
Jim and Trefor left me at McCarran Airport more than 24 hours ago, but I still have some stuff to report on, so I am continuing to abuse my position as blog author and post from the safety of my home in NYC.
In no particular order:
JASON: Ok, I've got one.
JIM: (guesses) A giant rainforest ant carrying a tree trunk on its back?
TREFOR: (guesses) A fortune cookie with no fortune in it?
JASON: Hmm...well, this is a tough one. The thing I was thinking of was a pile of hair that a soldier, returning from two years of war, had just shaved off of his face after not shaving for the entire war, being released into a river. I think I have to give this one to Trefor. I was leaning towards Jim at the beginning because of the connection between an ant and a soldier. But I think the metaphorical angst of an empty fortune cookie is closer to the spirit of the thing.
I wish we had recorded the game because we had some really good arguments about some of them, but I can't remember them that well. Maybe Jim or Trefor can?
In no particular order:
- Las Vegas is the worst.
- Las Vegas may not actually be the worst. The worst may, in fact, be Bakersfield, California.
- Car Games are awesome.
- One player thinks of a thing. Anything. It can be a concrete object, an abstract concept, or anything in between. Just: Think of a thing.
- The other players take turns making one guess apiece as to what thing the first player is thinking of.
- The first player decides whose guess is the closest using whatever criteria for comparison that they want.
- House Rule: The players may then put forth an argument for why their guess was the closest. This is the most fun part, as the reasons and rationalizations become tortuously stretched.
JASON: Ok, I've got one.
JIM: (guesses) A giant rainforest ant carrying a tree trunk on its back?
TREFOR: (guesses) A fortune cookie with no fortune in it?
JASON: Hmm...well, this is a tough one. The thing I was thinking of was a pile of hair that a soldier, returning from two years of war, had just shaved off of his face after not shaving for the entire war, being released into a river. I think I have to give this one to Trefor. I was leaning towards Jim at the beginning because of the connection between an ant and a soldier. But I think the metaphorical angst of an empty fortune cookie is closer to the spirit of the thing.
I wish we had recorded the game because we had some really good arguments about some of them, but I can't remember them that well. Maybe Jim or Trefor can?
- Favorite State? Oregon.
- JetSet is amazing.
- I miss my boys already.
Road trip is one letter away from rad trip
I pause in my blitzing of Americana to blitz your eyeballs:
And by special request:
Rad trip is "pirt dar" backwards, which is spoonerized to "dirt par". Dirt par obviously is how many shots it would take to get a golf ball into the hole were all the grass removed, which is way higher than a normal par. If you take "a normal par" and shift the last word to the first and remove the spaces, you get "paranormal", which is the study of things outside of the ordinary. However, what we are doing on our road trip is a study of the very ordinary, the things that make peoples' day to day lives be what they are.
And by special request:
Rad trip is "pirt dar" backwards, which is spoonerized to "dirt par". Dirt par obviously is how many shots it would take to get a golf ball into the hole were all the grass removed, which is way higher than a normal par. If you take "a normal par" and shift the last word to the first and remove the spaces, you get "paranormal", which is the study of things outside of the ordinary. However, what we are doing on our road trip is a study of the very ordinary, the things that make peoples' day to day lives be what they are.
Nerdy comments for the day
I confessed to Jim that I always think of pi when I see 3.14 or slight variations thereon. Our most recent gas price was nearly $pi (it was 3.149).
The Nevada Arizona state line was the most fun to cross. We got to drive over the Hoover Dam and we changed time zones, but not time. Arizona follows Mountain time, but they do not observe daylight saving time so the hour forward is canceled by their lack of "Spring forward." Tomorrow, however, we lose two hours by the time we get to Amarillo.
The Nevada Arizona state line was the most fun to cross. We got to drive over the Hoover Dam and we changed time zones, but not time. Arizona follows Mountain time, but they do not observe daylight saving time so the hour forward is canceled by their lack of "Spring forward." Tomorrow, however, we lose two hours by the time we get to Amarillo.
Trefor chimes in...
So, some of you may have noticed that I haven't written in a while. Eh. I forget, I get tired, the other people on the trip tell of the day and I don't feel obliged to post anything. So here is just some random thoughts so that you can hear my words again for a bit.
Jim is the best dude ever. Jason and I stopped at the In-N-Out Burger for breakfast/lunch. Jason convinced me that it was a true piece of Americana and that it was comparable to Five Guys. It wasn't. But, more importantly to the story, the only things that Jim could have eaten from the menu were french fries and milkshakes. He didn't want either. The place was packed so there were very few tables, we could only find one with two chairs so, while Jason and I ate, Jim stood, looking somewhat uncomfortable, in the corner near the door. He also let me check in to a motel tonight even though it costs more money than a campsite somewhere.
For those of you following the itinerary I wanted to point out that we didn't end up spending the night in the desert.
It was tremendously awesome of Garrick to let us crash at his place in San Francisco for three nights. I was the one who left the pillow. My mind must have been too occupied with Guitar Hero to really take complete stock of everything.
I really enjoyed driving down CA-1 for a while. Very cool views of the Pacific to enjoy. Also cool that the mountains are right there on your other side.
I wouldn't want to spend any more time in Vegas, but I think I had a much better time than the other two so I thought I should mention that. Vegas is like costume jewelry, flashy, but without much substance.
We had a great time hanging out with Jason but Jim and I were noticing how weird the timing was. This past week, while Jason was here, we didn't cover that much ground (about 1200 miles or so compared to the 4500 the previous week). This upcoming week will be much more like the first week in pace and tone. So this past week was almost like a vacation from the roadtrip with Jason visiting. This thought is becoming more incoherent as I write more so I am stopping here in the hopes that you understand.
Carr's ginger lemon cremes are delicious.
Most valuable purchase at the Amoeba music shop was an album by a J-Pop group called the Oranges. It is really entertaining and cost only $2, making it a really high amount of enjoyment per dollar, hence most valuable.
Watching the scenery change from the California coast, to the Mojave, to outside the Hoover Dam, to outside Sedona/Flagstaff has been the most dramatic set of changes so far, in my opinion. Who knew there were thick forests in Arizona?
Jim is the best dude ever. Jason and I stopped at the In-N-Out Burger for breakfast/lunch. Jason convinced me that it was a true piece of Americana and that it was comparable to Five Guys. It wasn't. But, more importantly to the story, the only things that Jim could have eaten from the menu were french fries and milkshakes. He didn't want either. The place was packed so there were very few tables, we could only find one with two chairs so, while Jason and I ate, Jim stood, looking somewhat uncomfortable, in the corner near the door. He also let me check in to a motel tonight even though it costs more money than a campsite somewhere.
For those of you following the itinerary I wanted to point out that we didn't end up spending the night in the desert.
It was tremendously awesome of Garrick to let us crash at his place in San Francisco for three nights. I was the one who left the pillow. My mind must have been too occupied with Guitar Hero to really take complete stock of everything.
I really enjoyed driving down CA-1 for a while. Very cool views of the Pacific to enjoy. Also cool that the mountains are right there on your other side.
I wouldn't want to spend any more time in Vegas, but I think I had a much better time than the other two so I thought I should mention that. Vegas is like costume jewelry, flashy, but without much substance.
We had a great time hanging out with Jason but Jim and I were noticing how weird the timing was. This past week, while Jason was here, we didn't cover that much ground (about 1200 miles or so compared to the 4500 the previous week). This upcoming week will be much more like the first week in pace and tone. So this past week was almost like a vacation from the roadtrip with Jason visiting. This thought is becoming more incoherent as I write more so I am stopping here in the hopes that you understand.
Carr's ginger lemon cremes are delicious.
Most valuable purchase at the Amoeba music shop was an album by a J-Pop group called the Oranges. It is really entertaining and cost only $2, making it a really high amount of enjoyment per dollar, hence most valuable.
Watching the scenery change from the California coast, to the Mojave, to outside the Hoover Dam, to outside Sedona/Flagstaff has been the most dramatic set of changes so far, in my opinion. Who knew there were thick forests in Arizona?
Monday, August 20
I'm a little bit hungry, I'm a little bit rock 'n roll
We dropped Jason off at the airport this morning. It was a sad event.
Before we did that, however, we got food at an In-N-Out Burger (or rather, they did, there wasn't much for me) and picked up some tape so he could fix a busted duffel bag.
After Jason, Trefor and I drove to the Hoover Dam, which, much like Mount Rushmore, is a huge achievement that is incredible and awe inspiring, but not that much fun. We drove up to the parking area on the Nevada side and were asked for seven dollars, so we decided to just drive on, but when we got to the Arizona side parking was free, so we walked it and looked in the gift shops. There were tours but we had neither time, money, nor inspiration to take one.
We drove on and I fell asleep for an hour and a half. When I awoke I was hungry and we were near out of gas, so we jumped off the next time we saw a sign for gas and found ourselves face to face with the famous Road Kill Cafe and its neighbor, the less famous Last Chance Gas Station and Diner and Hardware Store (I don't know its actual name), which is a gas station, convenience store, diner and hardware store. As the Roadkill offered nothing I could eat, we got gas and food and played checkers at the Last Chance, which was delightful. We each got a burrito and a pineapple milkshake, and I also did something completely out of character for me and splurged on a thing in which I was not particularly interested in actually eating, I got an order of Freedom Fries. Just because why would they still call them that?
We also tried to stop along the way at a trading post with the world's largest map of Route 66 painted on the side of it, but it was closed. Now we are in Holbrook, staying at America's Best Value Inn and planning on stopping at Stewart's Petrified Wood in the morning and then moving on to Amarillo tomorrow.
Before we did that, however, we got food at an In-N-Out Burger (or rather, they did, there wasn't much for me) and picked up some tape so he could fix a busted duffel bag.
After Jason, Trefor and I drove to the Hoover Dam, which, much like Mount Rushmore, is a huge achievement that is incredible and awe inspiring, but not that much fun. We drove up to the parking area on the Nevada side and were asked for seven dollars, so we decided to just drive on, but when we got to the Arizona side parking was free, so we walked it and looked in the gift shops. There were tours but we had neither time, money, nor inspiration to take one.
We drove on and I fell asleep for an hour and a half. When I awoke I was hungry and we were near out of gas, so we jumped off the next time we saw a sign for gas and found ourselves face to face with the famous Road Kill Cafe and its neighbor, the less famous Last Chance Gas Station and Diner and Hardware Store (I don't know its actual name), which is a gas station, convenience store, diner and hardware store. As the Roadkill offered nothing I could eat, we got gas and food and played checkers at the Last Chance, which was delightful. We each got a burrito and a pineapple milkshake, and I also did something completely out of character for me and splurged on a thing in which I was not particularly interested in actually eating, I got an order of Freedom Fries. Just because why would they still call them that?
We also tried to stop along the way at a trading post with the world's largest map of Route 66 painted on the side of it, but it was closed. Now we are in Holbrook, staying at America's Best Value Inn and planning on stopping at Stewart's Petrified Wood in the morning and then moving on to Amarillo tomorrow.
Les Vargas is a dweeb
Unless you are looking to bolster your collection of business-card sized pictures of women with stars on their nipples, Las Vegas does not have much to offer in the way of cheap entertainment. There is plenty to do that will no doubt blow your mind for vast sums of money, however. We spent a deal of time regretting our inability to afford any of Cirque du Soleil's dozen or so currently running shows.
We did see everything we could. Some lions, some flamingos, and the Sirens of TI show put on by Treasure Island. Sirens made me really wish I could work in a situation like Las Vegas where a person can write, direct, and choreograph a work of complete absurdity made of childish double entendres and be given more production funding than could possibly be useful.
I spent all my time looking. Jason and Trefor gambled a bit, mostly if not exclusively on slot machines. Gambling confuses me. It certainly does not look very fun. The people doing it tend to seem bored and disappointed. The appeal eludes me.
We got up this morning and decided to backtrack ninety miles to see the desert, but when we got halfway we hit ridiculous traffic and the driving time proved itself not worthwhile, so we came back. Previous to that we had gone to IHOP for breakfast. Later than that I decided that chronological storytelling was for suckers. Between those events sometime we checked into the Tropicana and spent something like twelve hours wandering the strip.
Dining in Las Vegas is also less than ideal. Towards the end I was getting thirsty and I made everyone go to the one dollar frozen margarita place with me only to find out that the alcohol was premixed and I could not get a virgin. I got a cup of seltzer, but it cost two dollars. We did dinner at a buffet, the cheapest we could find (twenty dollars), and it was okay, but certainly not noteworthy. They had enormous mounds of seafood which Jason partook in to some degree. They also had an "international cheese section" which turned out to be brie, swiss, and cheddar. I suppose.
I am disappointed in Las Vegas on two major counts. One is that I was expecting more free shows. There're the Sirens and an unimpressive volcano somewhere and the fountains at the Bellagio, but I always figured there'd be a whole lot of place with things happening in front of them or even inside of them that were huge and for free to attract me in to gamble. I did try to see a dolphin tank and a shark exhibit but both cost money and closed around ten. This points to my other disappointment. Las Vegas shuts down early. Not the gambling. You can gamble anytime. But everything that is interesting to look at closes between ten and midnight. This should not be true. Las Vegas should be rocking all the time for free.
Internet in our hotel costs fifteen dollars per day, so I am writing this (at 4:30 in the morning) on my computer to post later. It may be a few days. These are our last moments with Jason. By the time you do read this we'll undoubtedly be rolling two deep again. It will be sad, but we'll do. Our trip has been in a lull for the last week, multiple days in a few places, so this next week will pick the pace back up. The time is passing fast. We'll be back with you soon.
We did see everything we could. Some lions, some flamingos, and the Sirens of TI show put on by Treasure Island. Sirens made me really wish I could work in a situation like Las Vegas where a person can write, direct, and choreograph a work of complete absurdity made of childish double entendres and be given more production funding than could possibly be useful.
I spent all my time looking. Jason and Trefor gambled a bit, mostly if not exclusively on slot machines. Gambling confuses me. It certainly does not look very fun. The people doing it tend to seem bored and disappointed. The appeal eludes me.
We got up this morning and decided to backtrack ninety miles to see the desert, but when we got halfway we hit ridiculous traffic and the driving time proved itself not worthwhile, so we came back. Previous to that we had gone to IHOP for breakfast. Later than that I decided that chronological storytelling was for suckers. Between those events sometime we checked into the Tropicana and spent something like twelve hours wandering the strip.
Dining in Las Vegas is also less than ideal. Towards the end I was getting thirsty and I made everyone go to the one dollar frozen margarita place with me only to find out that the alcohol was premixed and I could not get a virgin. I got a cup of seltzer, but it cost two dollars. We did dinner at a buffet, the cheapest we could find (twenty dollars), and it was okay, but certainly not noteworthy. They had enormous mounds of seafood which Jason partook in to some degree. They also had an "international cheese section" which turned out to be brie, swiss, and cheddar. I suppose.
I am disappointed in Las Vegas on two major counts. One is that I was expecting more free shows. There're the Sirens and an unimpressive volcano somewhere and the fountains at the Bellagio, but I always figured there'd be a whole lot of place with things happening in front of them or even inside of them that were huge and for free to attract me in to gamble. I did try to see a dolphin tank and a shark exhibit but both cost money and closed around ten. This points to my other disappointment. Las Vegas shuts down early. Not the gambling. You can gamble anytime. But everything that is interesting to look at closes between ten and midnight. This should not be true. Las Vegas should be rocking all the time for free.
Internet in our hotel costs fifteen dollars per day, so I am writing this (at 4:30 in the morning) on my computer to post later. It may be a few days. These are our last moments with Jason. By the time you do read this we'll undoubtedly be rolling two deep again. It will be sad, but we'll do. Our trip has been in a lull for the last week, multiple days in a few places, so this next week will pick the pace back up. The time is passing fast. We'll be back with you soon.
Sunday, August 19
We Can't Stop Here, This is Bat Country
The place of no note in which we stopped for dinner was Barstow, CA. You may remember it from the beginning of Hunter S. Thompson's FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS:
"We were just around Barstow, at the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold."
(That's if memory serves.)
There was a real estate agency in Barstow that we walked past on our way back from dinner. It was called "Exit Strategy Realty".
That sums up pretty much all you need to know about Barstow.
"We were just around Barstow, at the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold."
(That's if memory serves.)
There was a real estate agency in Barstow that we walked past on our way back from dinner. It was called "Exit Strategy Realty".
That sums up pretty much all you need to know about Barstow.
I lied to you before
I lied about having witnessed the Pacific. It was just the bay. But now I have. Now I have stepped into it with my feet. It's warmer than the Atlantic. At least the Gulf of Maine Atlantic.
We have diverged from our original plan today. It was too late by the time we arrived to get a map of the Mojave Desert, and it was too dark to find anything on our own, so we stopped for dinner somewhere unworthy of note and then pressed on deep into the night until we reached Las Vegas. It took about five tries to find a motel with rooms, but we did, and we're in it now. I'm currently scamming free internet off them (they wanted five dollars) so I can write to you lovelies.
Jason crashed when we arrived, but Trefor and I wanted to see the place all lit up. We just walked the strip and then wandered through Excalibur and Luxor. It's exactly what you think. It's extravagant and cheap and full of people who are mostly either scummy, sad, or foreign.
I believe that the plan is to sleep now, then get up in the afternoon, check out of this place, into our casino-hotel (the Tropicana), and roll around all evening and night absorbing whatever this place has to offer. I'm hoping for cheap buffets and free shows. Then the next morning Trefor and I are off to Arizona or something and Jason gets himself flown back to New York. We'll be sad to see him go.
Postscript: Nevada, like Illinois, did not have a welcome sign.
We have diverged from our original plan today. It was too late by the time we arrived to get a map of the Mojave Desert, and it was too dark to find anything on our own, so we stopped for dinner somewhere unworthy of note and then pressed on deep into the night until we reached Las Vegas. It took about five tries to find a motel with rooms, but we did, and we're in it now. I'm currently scamming free internet off them (they wanted five dollars) so I can write to you lovelies.
Jason crashed when we arrived, but Trefor and I wanted to see the place all lit up. We just walked the strip and then wandered through Excalibur and Luxor. It's exactly what you think. It's extravagant and cheap and full of people who are mostly either scummy, sad, or foreign.
I believe that the plan is to sleep now, then get up in the afternoon, check out of this place, into our casino-hotel (the Tropicana), and roll around all evening and night absorbing whatever this place has to offer. I'm hoping for cheap buffets and free shows. Then the next morning Trefor and I are off to Arizona or something and Jason gets himself flown back to New York. We'll be sad to see him go.
Postscript: Nevada, like Illinois, did not have a welcome sign.
Saturday, August 18
I am way behind on pictures.
It's tough to get pictures sorted and uploaded.
I'm working on it now.
I have to go to sleep now, actually.
But first, a few relatively arbitrary selections to make you wish you were with us:
I'm working on it now.
I have to go to sleep now, actually.
But first, a few relatively arbitrary selections to make you wish you were with us:
I have witnessed the Pacific
Today Jason and I slept late. We didn't leave the house until around one.
This was sad for me because I wanted to meet my friend Brenda for lunch. I will ave to meet up with her later, now.
We headed out to the Exploratorium which is probably the best museum. I have wanted to go there ever since I got the Explorabook (made by the Exploratorium and Klutz) when I was in maybe fourth grade. It's everything I could have hoped for. It's huge and in a gorgeous building that was made for a purpose I have forgotten. Inside it's essentially one giant room filled with a dizzying amount of mind-blowing stuff. It's a science museum made by artists. Everything is hands-on and everything is great. There wasn't a single let-down. Also the shop where all the pieces are made is in the same room, separated by gates and big windows, and you can watch the machinists at work, which is incredible.
Jason and I blazed through everything, getting a feel for the place and then going back and investigating a few things further. Trefor did everything all the way, and only made it about a third of the way through. We were there from about one thirty until they closed at five. When they closed we walked about three blocks to the Wave Organ, an art piece made of tubes that connect the depths of the Bay with some stone benches above it. When you sit near a tube you can hear vaguely pitched huffing and wheezing and splattering emerging from it. It's rather relaxing.
After the Wave Organ we headed back to the Exploratorium for the Tactile Dome, the one exhibit that stays open late, and one that costs an extra three dollars which is provides more than enough entertainment for. Essentially it is a moderately large geodesic dome with tunnels running through it and no light sources. You walk, climb, crawl, and slide your way through it and touch various surfaces and items. It's nice. Although, once I did get separated from Trefor and Jason and it was a little bit terrifying.
We then got dinner with Garrick who took us to a Chinese place which was exceptionally nice of him. Now we are back and sitting within a few feet of each other but not conversing because we're all absorbed in the internet.
It has been a nice day. Tomorrow: the desert.
This was sad for me because I wanted to meet my friend Brenda for lunch. I will ave to meet up with her later, now.
We headed out to the Exploratorium which is probably the best museum. I have wanted to go there ever since I got the Explorabook (made by the Exploratorium and Klutz) when I was in maybe fourth grade. It's everything I could have hoped for. It's huge and in a gorgeous building that was made for a purpose I have forgotten. Inside it's essentially one giant room filled with a dizzying amount of mind-blowing stuff. It's a science museum made by artists. Everything is hands-on and everything is great. There wasn't a single let-down. Also the shop where all the pieces are made is in the same room, separated by gates and big windows, and you can watch the machinists at work, which is incredible.
Jason and I blazed through everything, getting a feel for the place and then going back and investigating a few things further. Trefor did everything all the way, and only made it about a third of the way through. We were there from about one thirty until they closed at five. When they closed we walked about three blocks to the Wave Organ, an art piece made of tubes that connect the depths of the Bay with some stone benches above it. When you sit near a tube you can hear vaguely pitched huffing and wheezing and splattering emerging from it. It's rather relaxing.
After the Wave Organ we headed back to the Exploratorium for the Tactile Dome, the one exhibit that stays open late, and one that costs an extra three dollars which is provides more than enough entertainment for. Essentially it is a moderately large geodesic dome with tunnels running through it and no light sources. You walk, climb, crawl, and slide your way through it and touch various surfaces and items. It's nice. Although, once I did get separated from Trefor and Jason and it was a little bit terrifying.
We then got dinner with Garrick who took us to a Chinese place which was exceptionally nice of him. Now we are back and sitting within a few feet of each other but not conversing because we're all absorbed in the internet.
It has been a nice day. Tomorrow: the desert.
Friday, August 17
Spots of mystery: a discussion
I have just realized that we have been neglectful in our duties of talking about our most recent mystery experience.
Let me start by saying that there are a great many mystery spots in the U.S., but only a few are vortexes. Of this I have been assured. Our most recent, in Oregon, is the oldest and largest of these vortexes, and I believe that Cosmos was also one. I am also assured that this is meaningful and not just a word applied, but I'll let you visit and judge that yourselves. My purpose is merely to contrast. Possibly also compare.
Cosmos is a wacky experience. There are myriad jokes and little fun quirks. We were lucky in that our tour guide (Peter, look for him) excelled in them. We were also lucky to be in a small group made primarily of that most extroverted and secretly nerdy subset of the population: bikers. Our whole experience there was rowdy and fun. It was not, however, convincing.
The Oregon Vortex, on the other hand, was a relatively more sombre experience. It was peppered with scientific or pseudo-scientific theories. We were given dousing rods and there was a lot of measuring. Both spots use so many levels that the Carpenters doubt their vocation, but only Oregon also uses varied measuring implements. Our guide here, Alex, was on his last day. He had us, then two more tours, and then he was out of Oregon, presumably forever. He did not care. And yet he did a great job. He did reference other mystery spots quite frequently and seemed to be up on the mystery spot scene. He also was very tall, which he seemed amused to point out frequently on height-changing demonstrations. Our group was very quiet on this tour and mostly in some degree of awe. The explanations offered were... well, they were explanations of some kind. Which is nice for believers. Trefor and I feel that we have debunked everything but the dousing rods, but this is neither the place nor the place.
Final decision: both entertaining. I liked Oregon more.
Let me start by saying that there are a great many mystery spots in the U.S., but only a few are vortexes. Of this I have been assured. Our most recent, in Oregon, is the oldest and largest of these vortexes, and I believe that Cosmos was also one. I am also assured that this is meaningful and not just a word applied, but I'll let you visit and judge that yourselves. My purpose is merely to contrast. Possibly also compare.
Cosmos is a wacky experience. There are myriad jokes and little fun quirks. We were lucky in that our tour guide (Peter, look for him) excelled in them. We were also lucky to be in a small group made primarily of that most extroverted and secretly nerdy subset of the population: bikers. Our whole experience there was rowdy and fun. It was not, however, convincing.
The Oregon Vortex, on the other hand, was a relatively more sombre experience. It was peppered with scientific or pseudo-scientific theories. We were given dousing rods and there was a lot of measuring. Both spots use so many levels that the Carpenters doubt their vocation, but only Oregon also uses varied measuring implements. Our guide here, Alex, was on his last day. He had us, then two more tours, and then he was out of Oregon, presumably forever. He did not care. And yet he did a great job. He did reference other mystery spots quite frequently and seemed to be up on the mystery spot scene. He also was very tall, which he seemed amused to point out frequently on height-changing demonstrations. Our group was very quiet on this tour and mostly in some degree of awe. The explanations offered were... well, they were explanations of some kind. Which is nice for believers. Trefor and I feel that we have debunked everything but the dousing rods, but this is neither the place nor the place.
Final decision: both entertaining. I liked Oregon more.
Meet Sam Fredcisco
I tried to start writing this last night, but I was plied with beer, sake, and a movie away from the computer. The beer and sake were very good. The movie (Lucky Number Slevin) was very not. There were large sections that were awesome, but in such a way that I could not tell if the filmmakers understood why what they were doing was awesome. I believe they were trying to be clever, and were instead unintentionally ridiculous. And whenever the movie was not unintentionally ridiculous, it was merely stupid.
Anyway, here's what I started to write and then what I'm writing now. Bet you can't tell where one ends and the other begins!
Our first day in San Francisco went well, despite getting off to a mildly rocky start. Our plan was to head down to the Asian Art Museum, look around for a couple of hours, and then meet a friend of mine downtown. My friend is a native Franciscan and we were looking forward to getting the inside scoop. Just as we reached the museum, however, we received the bad news: my friend was called to an emergency meeting in Berkeley, and wouldn't be able to meet up with us at all. We were on our own.
After discovering that the Asian Art Museum was cheaper after 5 PM, we decided to ad-lib a trip around town as best we could. We made our way to Golden Gate Park, where we looked at but did not enter the Japanese Tea Garden. Then we walked through the park and exited at at the notorious Haight St., finding ourselves right next to Amoeba Records, which I'd been told not to miss. We each proceeded to spend way too much time and money in Amoeba Records, which was overwhelming in both its size and its attention to both good and alternative music (and movies). Leaving Amoeba Records we happened upon a test-drive booth for the Toyota Scion, so we took a test-drive. We were rewarded for our efforts with a $15 Gift Certificate...to Amoeba Records. So we went back in and bought more stuff. Good little consumers are we.
After Amoeba our wallets went into anemic shock and we decided to just walk for a long time. We headed down Haight St., crossing Ashbury, where Trefor and I had to explain to Jim the significance of Haight-Ashbury, because his high school history classes apparently ended with JFK's assassination. We decided to hoof it all the way back to the Asian Art Musuem, but crossing Divisadero I realized that we were only a block away from Comix Experience, a comic book store of great renown that I'd been wanting to visit for ages. So we went, and I bought a few comic books, and to thank Trefor and Jim for indulging me I bought them each a comic as well. Yay comics!
The Asian Art Museum had two special exhibits: one on the woodblock prints of 19th century artist Yoshitoshi, and the other on 20th century manga genius Osamu Tezuka. The Tezuka exhibit was very good, but my favorite by far was the Yoshitoshi, in which I had my breath taken away at least thrice by the stunning beauty of the compositions and the elegance of the colors (which have resisted fading very well over the last century or so). I lusted for the two books of prints the museum had, but they were around $100 apiece and I could not justify that expense. Oh, but I tried. I tried so hard. There was also an amazing Tezuka "Astro Boy" wallet design, but the wallet was poorly constructed, so I did not buy anything. Which is fine, because I buy too much stuff.
Dinner was on Trefor's brother, who took us for sushi, which was delicious. Then the aforementioned beer and sake and craptastic movie. And then sleeping, which I woke from to a phone call to say that my car's alternator has apparently died, and the car will not start. Which is a bummer, because Lucy and Laura were supposed to take it to the beach today. Sorry girls!
Off we go now, to a late start of another day in San-Fran. I'm going to try and let California soothe my worries about dealing with my stupid car when I get home. Maybe we'll go look at the Pacific Ocean.
Anyway, here's what I started to write and then what I'm writing now. Bet you can't tell where one ends and the other begins!
Our first day in San Francisco went well, despite getting off to a mildly rocky start. Our plan was to head down to the Asian Art Museum, look around for a couple of hours, and then meet a friend of mine downtown. My friend is a native Franciscan and we were looking forward to getting the inside scoop. Just as we reached the museum, however, we received the bad news: my friend was called to an emergency meeting in Berkeley, and wouldn't be able to meet up with us at all. We were on our own.
After discovering that the Asian Art Museum was cheaper after 5 PM, we decided to ad-lib a trip around town as best we could. We made our way to Golden Gate Park, where we looked at but did not enter the Japanese Tea Garden. Then we walked through the park and exited at at the notorious Haight St., finding ourselves right next to Amoeba Records, which I'd been told not to miss. We each proceeded to spend way too much time and money in Amoeba Records, which was overwhelming in both its size and its attention to both good and alternative music (and movies). Leaving Amoeba Records we happened upon a test-drive booth for the Toyota Scion, so we took a test-drive. We were rewarded for our efforts with a $15 Gift Certificate...to Amoeba Records. So we went back in and bought more stuff. Good little consumers are we.
After Amoeba our wallets went into anemic shock and we decided to just walk for a long time. We headed down Haight St., crossing Ashbury, where Trefor and I had to explain to Jim the significance of Haight-Ashbury, because his high school history classes apparently ended with JFK's assassination. We decided to hoof it all the way back to the Asian Art Musuem, but crossing Divisadero I realized that we were only a block away from Comix Experience, a comic book store of great renown that I'd been wanting to visit for ages. So we went, and I bought a few comic books, and to thank Trefor and Jim for indulging me I bought them each a comic as well. Yay comics!
The Asian Art Museum had two special exhibits: one on the woodblock prints of 19th century artist Yoshitoshi, and the other on 20th century manga genius Osamu Tezuka. The Tezuka exhibit was very good, but my favorite by far was the Yoshitoshi, in which I had my breath taken away at least thrice by the stunning beauty of the compositions and the elegance of the colors (which have resisted fading very well over the last century or so). I lusted for the two books of prints the museum had, but they were around $100 apiece and I could not justify that expense. Oh, but I tried. I tried so hard. There was also an amazing Tezuka "Astro Boy" wallet design, but the wallet was poorly constructed, so I did not buy anything. Which is fine, because I buy too much stuff.
Dinner was on Trefor's brother, who took us for sushi, which was delicious. Then the aforementioned beer and sake and craptastic movie. And then sleeping, which I woke from to a phone call to say that my car's alternator has apparently died, and the car will not start. Which is a bummer, because Lucy and Laura were supposed to take it to the beach today. Sorry girls!
Off we go now, to a late start of another day in San-Fran. I'm going to try and let California soothe my worries about dealing with my stupid car when I get home. Maybe we'll go look at the Pacific Ocean.
Trefor is not a guitar hero
We had a long day of walking unguided around San Francisco. It was good. We thought a guy was going to show us, but he got called away. It would have been nice, but we did okay. Jason keeps making us go to places where I will buy things which is unfortunate. The other day we went to a used book store and I got some books and today we went to a used record shop and I got some cds and a couple dvds. I need to be not spending extra money. However, we did get fifteen dollars apiece (in Amoeba Records gift certificates) for riding in a Scion for about six minutes and filling out a sheet of our opinions. Totally worthwhile.
We also looked at some really nice art at an Asian art gallery. They had a section on manga and a section of woodblock prints buy a guy named Yoshitoshi. There was also a lot more to the museum, which we totally ignored.
Garrick, Trefor's brother who is housing us right now, took us out for sushi, which was really nice of him, and now we're back at his house and Jason and I are doing computer things while Garrick plays Guitar Hero and Trefor tries to play Guitar Hero.
It's a nice leg of the trip here.
PS - I have not even tried Guitar Hero but I bet I'd be way worse at it than anyone.
We also looked at some really nice art at an Asian art gallery. They had a section on manga and a section of woodblock prints buy a guy named Yoshitoshi. There was also a lot more to the museum, which we totally ignored.
Garrick, Trefor's brother who is housing us right now, took us out for sushi, which was really nice of him, and now we're back at his house and Jason and I are doing computer things while Garrick plays Guitar Hero and Trefor tries to play Guitar Hero.
It's a nice leg of the trip here.
PS - I have not even tried Guitar Hero but I bet I'd be way worse at it than anyone.
Thursday, August 16
Imaginary conversation between myself and a lizard
Jim: Hey. I used to have pets just like you.
Lizard: Really? I'm just a guy around here.
Jim: Yeah, where I come from you can't survive so it's really exciting when I see you in the wild.
Lizard: The wild? Why there's nothing wild about this palm tree I'm chilling on.
Jim: I think it's pretty wild that it lives here. This is a place where a thing like that or you can grow and be. That's wild.
Lizard: You know what else is wild?
Jim: What?
Lizard: You're a nerd.
Jim: Ouch.
Lizard: Yeah.
Palm tree: Did someone say my name?
Lizard: Really? I'm just a guy around here.
Jim: Yeah, where I come from you can't survive so it's really exciting when I see you in the wild.
Lizard: The wild? Why there's nothing wild about this palm tree I'm chilling on.
Jim: I think it's pretty wild that it lives here. This is a place where a thing like that or you can grow and be. That's wild.
Lizard: You know what else is wild?
Jim: What?
Lizard: You're a nerd.
Jim: Ouch.
Lizard: Yeah.
Palm tree: Did someone say my name?
Lizards and Whackjobs (Quick Notes from the Road)
Crater Lake is just about the bluest lake I have ever seen.
Chipmunks are adorable.
Blueberry pie is delicious, especially with Ice Cream.
You know what sucks? When a dude in a huge black SUV is driving erratically, and then gets mad when you pass him and guns it around you on the right on a single-lane highway with no guardrail, and then hits his brakes and makes you stop behind him and then gets out of his car and you think "Uh-Oh." But then he's clearly a drunken hick who sees the line of cars behind you and gets back in his car and starts driving again only to pull over on the side of the road a minute later and try to get out of his car but this time you just zip right past him and so does another car so you have no trouble leaving him far behind and you'd really like to call the police and tell them to get this crazy drunken hick off the road but your cell phone is dead. Yeah, that.
Also, playing mini-golf, I saw a lizard!
Chipmunks are adorable.
Blueberry pie is delicious, especially with Ice Cream.
You know what sucks? When a dude in a huge black SUV is driving erratically, and then gets mad when you pass him and guns it around you on the right on a single-lane highway with no guardrail, and then hits his brakes and makes you stop behind him and then gets out of his car and you think "Uh-Oh." But then he's clearly a drunken hick who sees the line of cars behind you and gets back in his car and starts driving again only to pull over on the side of the road a minute later and try to get out of his car but this time you just zip right past him and so does another car so you have no trouble leaving him far behind and you'd really like to call the police and tell them to get this crazy drunken hick off the road but your cell phone is dead. Yeah, that.
Also, playing mini-golf, I saw a lizard!
Video Podcast Eight - Hell's Canyon Night One
Wherein Trefor monologues about the situation in which we awoke after our first night in Hell's Canyon.
Link
Link
Trefor forces fun down the throats of others
Today started with the Oregon Vortex and its famed House of Mystery. Heights changed, water ran uphill, brooms stood on end and Jason felt nauseous in the swirling energies.
Afterward I decided (admittedly after much hemming and hawing) to take the suggestion of the gregarious KOA campsite caretaker and go to Crater Lake. It was about three hours out of the way altogether, but I thought it would be nice to actually do something today so away we went.
We stopped at Beckie's for lunch and pie. Fresh peach pie with ice cream is delicious.
Crater Lake has the bluest water I have ever seen in real life. I have seen pictures of tropical beaches with water this blue but it was incredible to see for myself. And in a mountain no less.
Probably it was not actually worth the three hours extra that it added to the trip, but it was nice. Looked like it would be a good place to do some hiking if I ever go back...
Then we drove.
Entered California and drove more.
We stopped briefly in Redding, CA at the Oasis fun center. We played some wicked hard mini golf (Jim won again). Threw some ski ball then hopped back in the car.
Drove some more. Got to my brother's place here in San Francisco and now is the time when we sleep.
Explorating city tomorrow!
Afterward I decided (admittedly after much hemming and hawing) to take the suggestion of the gregarious KOA campsite caretaker and go to Crater Lake. It was about three hours out of the way altogether, but I thought it would be nice to actually do something today so away we went.
We stopped at Beckie's for lunch and pie. Fresh peach pie with ice cream is delicious.
Crater Lake has the bluest water I have ever seen in real life. I have seen pictures of tropical beaches with water this blue but it was incredible to see for myself. And in a mountain no less.
Probably it was not actually worth the three hours extra that it added to the trip, but it was nice. Looked like it would be a good place to do some hiking if I ever go back...
Then we drove.
Entered California and drove more.
We stopped briefly in Redding, CA at the Oasis fun center. We played some wicked hard mini golf (Jim won again). Threw some ski ball then hopped back in the car.
Drove some more. Got to my brother's place here in San Francisco and now is the time when we sleep.
Explorating city tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 15
Conversation between myself and a boy on a motorcycle shaped bicycle
Boy: Pizza guy!
Jim: What?
Boy: You're the pizza guy.
Jim: No, I wish I was. I wish I had some pizza.
Boy: Oh. I made a new friend.
Jim: Yeah? Who? The other kid on the bike?
Boy: No... you see him in the blue shirt?
Jim: Yeah.
Boy: He's my new friend.
Jim: Good. He seems really cool.
Jim: What?
Boy: You're the pizza guy.
Jim: No, I wish I was. I wish I had some pizza.
Boy: Oh. I made a new friend.
Jim: Yeah? Who? The other kid on the bike?
Boy: No... you see him in the blue shirt?
Jim: Yeah.
Boy: He's my new friend.
Jim: Good. He seems really cool.
Tuesday, August 14
Special Guest Star
(the dying light of Oregon fades behind the campsite of our heroes)
Oh my. I've always wanted to be part of a group-blog. I find the whole idea of them thrilling.
Hi everybody. I'm Jason, and I have joined up with the Americana Blitz for the west coast leg of their campaign. I got into Portland late last night (thank you JetBlue, for providing a cheap and painless flight), crashed in a cheap hotel room, and waited for our heroes to make their way from Cascade Locks. Then, armed only with an old tent, a new sleeping bag, and an eight-pack of some energy drink called JetSet, I set off to see one side of America with the intrepid Jim and Trefor.
Observations and anecdotes, in no particular order, shall follow:
Oregon is full of hills and dirt and trees and is quite lovely. In the flatter areas one could observe a phenomenon called a dust-devil, which looks like a miniature tornado and also looks awesome.
I flew to Portland, OR from NYC which is both cheating and missing most of the point of the Americana Blitz trip: to drive through and experience "flyover country" from the ground level. Instead I, well, flew over it. My apologies to the Dakotas.
I travelled fairly light, bringing only clothes, a tent (packed small) a couple of books and notebooks, my phone and a small camera. Once in Portland, I acquired a sleeping bag (the one I already owned was old and ragged and in no shape for proper use). I also acquired energy drinks - these are to be of paramount importance in the days to follow.
Campsites do not always have coffee, and even if they do have coffee it is not always drinkable. Neither Trefor nor Jim drinks coffee, and so they haven't brough a portable kettle or any such device to ensure coffee. I, however, average about three cups a day, and if a suitable caffeine alternative is not available, I will go into hideous withdrawal symptoms and kill Jim just by staring at him via the power of my headache. So into the grocery store we went, to locate canned energy drinks for the poor lily-livered city boy.
The only energy drink I could find on the shelves was something called "JetSet", which I'd never heard of before. It came in "Original", "Tonic", "Club Soda" and "Ginger Ale" flavors. I opted for "Club Soda", as it had no sugar in it. I would always buy sugar-free energy drinks, except that most energy drinks feel obligated to provide a flavor, and use aspartame or "Splenda" to compensate, and I can't stand either taste. "Club Soda" flavor is not obligated to taste like anything. I may end up scouring NYC looking for cans of this stuff once I get back. We'll see how the first can goes tomorrow.
We stopped at two eateries along the way south through Oregon. The first was the "Gay 90's Ice Cream and Deli". Trefor and Jim were confused and amused by the sign (which featured a man on an old-timey bicycle, the kind with the big front wheel), and I had to explain to them that the "Gay 90's" is a common (or at least used to be) way of referring to the 1890's. The ice cream was very good, made even better by Trefor's amazing discovery (which he's blogged about before) of putting apple-based hot sauce on the ice cream. The ice cream perfectly tempers the spice, so you get the pleasure without the pain, and the apple is not as sweet as a candy apple sauce would be. Excellent discovery.
After ice cream we went across the street and browsed Used Books. I didn't buy anything. Anyone who knows me well is now either doubting my word or worrying about me, but I really didn't find anything I was desperate to buy. So I left empty-handed. Which may be the first time I've ever left a non-Christian bookstore like that. I feel a little dirty. And a little scared.
We stopped for dinner at a place called "Heaven on Earth", because it's highway sign promised "free samples". We didn't know of what, but we knew they were free, which was enough of a deciding factor.
We also tried to stop at an amusement park called "The Enchanted Forest". Jim and Trefor's research had led them to believe that this was a handmade amusement park carved out of trees. This looked to be sort of the case. But it also looked really boring if you did not want to ride rides and were not under 10 years of age. And it also cost 9 dollars admission and then more if you wanted to do things. So we just held up the line for a little while deliberating and then shoved our way back to the parking lot and split. The parking lot was probably the best part anyway - it had a huge wooden painted castle face and blasted fakey-renaissance music from poor speakers. Also, the sign in front of the Enchanted Forest was clearly one of their old highway signs which they took down and put back up in front of the park itself, because at the bottom of the sign it read "NEXT EXIT" and had an arrow pointing away from the Enchanted Forest. It was very confusing and caused us to miss the entrance to the parking lot on the first try. The Enchanted Forest is basically stupid.
Heaven on Earth, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of stupid, which is GENIUS. The free samples turned out to be of their desserts, which were delicious. Pumpkin pudding, various cookies, and a marionberry jam (made from marion blackberries, but called marionberry, which of course just made Trefor and I ponder for a moment if it was named after the felonious and omnipresent former mayor of D.C.). There were also many, many other desserts that were not being sampled, such as cinnamon buns literally as big as my head. The food at Heaven on Earth was equally brilliant, mostly southern comfort food but with enough vegetarian options to make sure that Jim ate well. (He got the neverending tomato-vegetable soup in a sourdough breadbowl, Trefor and I each got a chicken-fried steak). To top it off, they brought us even more free dessert at the end of the meal. If you're ever headed through South Oregon on Interstate-5, Heaven on Earth is officially Highly Recommended.
Though the day was great from beginning to end, the best moment came early. Leaving the "Taste Tickler" in Portland (a hole in the wall eatery specializing in sub sandwiches and Japanese Bento boxes), we came face to face with this idling at the red light out front:
The picture is a little blurry, but that's a dog in a jean jacket in a bucket on the back of a motorcycle. Which is exactly the kind of omen I like to see at the beginning of a trip like this.
Ride, doggie. Ride.
Oh my. I've always wanted to be part of a group-blog. I find the whole idea of them thrilling.
Hi everybody. I'm Jason, and I have joined up with the Americana Blitz for the west coast leg of their campaign. I got into Portland late last night (thank you JetBlue, for providing a cheap and painless flight), crashed in a cheap hotel room, and waited for our heroes to make their way from Cascade Locks. Then, armed only with an old tent, a new sleeping bag, and an eight-pack of some energy drink called JetSet, I set off to see one side of America with the intrepid Jim and Trefor.
Observations and anecdotes, in no particular order, shall follow:
Oregon is full of hills and dirt and trees and is quite lovely. In the flatter areas one could observe a phenomenon called a dust-devil, which looks like a miniature tornado and also looks awesome.
I flew to Portland, OR from NYC which is both cheating and missing most of the point of the Americana Blitz trip: to drive through and experience "flyover country" from the ground level. Instead I, well, flew over it. My apologies to the Dakotas.
I travelled fairly light, bringing only clothes, a tent (packed small) a couple of books and notebooks, my phone and a small camera. Once in Portland, I acquired a sleeping bag (the one I already owned was old and ragged and in no shape for proper use). I also acquired energy drinks - these are to be of paramount importance in the days to follow.
Campsites do not always have coffee, and even if they do have coffee it is not always drinkable. Neither Trefor nor Jim drinks coffee, and so they haven't brough a portable kettle or any such device to ensure coffee. I, however, average about three cups a day, and if a suitable caffeine alternative is not available, I will go into hideous withdrawal symptoms and kill Jim just by staring at him via the power of my headache. So into the grocery store we went, to locate canned energy drinks for the poor lily-livered city boy.
The only energy drink I could find on the shelves was something called "JetSet", which I'd never heard of before. It came in "Original", "Tonic", "Club Soda" and "Ginger Ale" flavors. I opted for "Club Soda", as it had no sugar in it. I would always buy sugar-free energy drinks, except that most energy drinks feel obligated to provide a flavor, and use aspartame or "Splenda" to compensate, and I can't stand either taste. "Club Soda" flavor is not obligated to taste like anything. I may end up scouring NYC looking for cans of this stuff once I get back. We'll see how the first can goes tomorrow.
We stopped at two eateries along the way south through Oregon. The first was the "Gay 90's Ice Cream and Deli". Trefor and Jim were confused and amused by the sign (which featured a man on an old-timey bicycle, the kind with the big front wheel), and I had to explain to them that the "Gay 90's" is a common (or at least used to be) way of referring to the 1890's. The ice cream was very good, made even better by Trefor's amazing discovery (which he's blogged about before) of putting apple-based hot sauce on the ice cream. The ice cream perfectly tempers the spice, so you get the pleasure without the pain, and the apple is not as sweet as a candy apple sauce would be. Excellent discovery.
After ice cream we went across the street and browsed Used Books. I didn't buy anything. Anyone who knows me well is now either doubting my word or worrying about me, but I really didn't find anything I was desperate to buy. So I left empty-handed. Which may be the first time I've ever left a non-Christian bookstore like that. I feel a little dirty. And a little scared.
We stopped for dinner at a place called "Heaven on Earth", because it's highway sign promised "free samples". We didn't know of what, but we knew they were free, which was enough of a deciding factor.
We also tried to stop at an amusement park called "The Enchanted Forest". Jim and Trefor's research had led them to believe that this was a handmade amusement park carved out of trees. This looked to be sort of the case. But it also looked really boring if you did not want to ride rides and were not under 10 years of age. And it also cost 9 dollars admission and then more if you wanted to do things. So we just held up the line for a little while deliberating and then shoved our way back to the parking lot and split. The parking lot was probably the best part anyway - it had a huge wooden painted castle face and blasted fakey-renaissance music from poor speakers. Also, the sign in front of the Enchanted Forest was clearly one of their old highway signs which they took down and put back up in front of the park itself, because at the bottom of the sign it read "NEXT EXIT" and had an arrow pointing away from the Enchanted Forest. It was very confusing and caused us to miss the entrance to the parking lot on the first try. The Enchanted Forest is basically stupid.
Heaven on Earth, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of stupid, which is GENIUS. The free samples turned out to be of their desserts, which were delicious. Pumpkin pudding, various cookies, and a marionberry jam (made from marion blackberries, but called marionberry, which of course just made Trefor and I ponder for a moment if it was named after the felonious and omnipresent former mayor of D.C.). There were also many, many other desserts that were not being sampled, such as cinnamon buns literally as big as my head. The food at Heaven on Earth was equally brilliant, mostly southern comfort food but with enough vegetarian options to make sure that Jim ate well. (He got the neverending tomato-vegetable soup in a sourdough breadbowl, Trefor and I each got a chicken-fried steak). To top it off, they brought us even more free dessert at the end of the meal. If you're ever headed through South Oregon on Interstate-5, Heaven on Earth is officially Highly Recommended.
Though the day was great from beginning to end, the best moment came early. Leaving the "Taste Tickler" in Portland (a hole in the wall eatery specializing in sub sandwiches and Japanese Bento boxes), we came face to face with this idling at the red light out front:
The picture is a little blurry, but that's a dog in a jean jacket in a bucket on the back of a motorcycle. Which is exactly the kind of omen I like to see at the beginning of a trip like this.Ride, doggie. Ride.
Themes on the trip
Noah's Ark
Hot girl sightings
"This is how I look"
Pieces of a mysterious cyclotron we think must be enormous and being constructed in the middle of the country
Jim spills food on himself almost every meal
Hot girl sightings
"This is how I look"
Pieces of a mysterious cyclotron we think must be enormous and being constructed in the middle of the country
Jim spills food on himself almost every meal
Tensions that have arisen between Trefor and myself so far on the trip
Trefor won't let me call Radio Disney.
Sometimes one of us is slow to point out a real hot girl and the other one doesn't see her.
Trefor likes to look at scenery instead of paying attention to driving while driving on tiny mountain roads.
I refuse to listen to anything but childrens' music for extended periods of time.
Sometimes one of us is slow to point out a real hot girl and the other one doesn't see her.
Trefor likes to look at scenery instead of paying attention to driving while driving on tiny mountain roads.
I refuse to listen to anything but childrens' music for extended periods of time.
The package has arrived
We breezed through Portland today and picked up our mutual friend Jason today. He will be joining us for about a week of our tour.
This is exciting news for everyone.
This is exciting news for everyone.
The Howling Trainyards of Cascade Locks
So remember when I mentioned that there had already been two extremely loud trains in our first ten minutes here? Well, they kept coming. I was woken up by roosters crowing at dawn and then kept up by trains that came through every twenty minutes or so.
Also, the internet died last night just before Jim could get his pictures uploaded. And the guy at the desk would not reset the router. Lame.
Also, the internet died last night just before Jim could get his pictures uploaded. And the guy at the desk would not reset the router. Lame.
Monday, August 13
In my defense
Standing on the edge of a cliff is kind of terrifying.
Also Trefor didn't pee off it, he peed onto it.
Also Trefor didn't pee off it, he peed onto it.
My favorite moments from the trip so far that were under ten seconds in duration
Moments after we entered Montana a tumbleweed blew across the road.
Once I kicked a dry leaf and it sounded like a rattlesnake and freaked Trefor out. Even though I am far more terrified of rattlesnakes than he is. Also bears. And rattlebears.
An ant we were watching fell off its leaf and it was both amusing and sad.
We found a tree that, backlit in the night, looked like Pa Berenstain.
In Wall Drug I spent nearly thirty seconds puzzling over what a "sale knife" was for before realizing that they were knives that were on sale. On our way out of that part of the store the clerk teasingly slapped me on the back and pointed out where the door was.
Once I kicked a dry leaf and it sounded like a rattlesnake and freaked Trefor out. Even though I am far more terrified of rattlesnakes than he is. Also bears. And rattlebears.
An ant we were watching fell off its leaf and it was both amusing and sad.
We found a tree that, backlit in the night, looked like Pa Berenstain.
In Wall Drug I spent nearly thirty seconds puzzling over what a "sale knife" was for before realizing that they were knives that were on sale. On our way out of that part of the store the clerk teasingly slapped me on the back and pointed out where the door was.
Pacab Hells Canon
Before we entered the Canyon we stopped at the visitor's center in Lewiston (right near Clarkston, no joke). There have been about 70 wildfires this season so there were places in the park that were still closed to the public.
We ended up driving for a good five or six hours looking for a spot. Finally we decided to try to reach a point that one of the visitor's center ladies had suggested. However, we weren't sure where it was. So we were driving along the Snake river at about midnight (though I am not sure because we kept going in and out of Pacific time) and Jim stopped in the middle of the road so that we could look at the map. A dude, his wife, and their young daughter pulled up next to us in their pickup and asked if they could help. They gave us directions to Big Bar (where we were headed) and drove off.
I love that we have just stumbled onto random awesomeness and great people throughout this trip.
On our way to Big Bar we puled off to the side of the road and set up the tent. In the dark. Not so bad with the help of the headlights on the car. But it did make it that much more awesome when we woke up the next morning. Hopefully Jim will post that video podcast soon.
That morning we drove up to the Hells Canyon Dam (and visitor's center). Took a short mile hike along the Snake River then chilled for a bit in the visitor's center.
At four we went down to the dock below the visitor's center to catch the tour boat. By the time we got there the boat had been purchased in its entirety by a German-American couple because they wanted to take their dogs along. We paid them and got to come along. By an interesting twist of fate the only other couple on board was from Germany. We toured the river for a couple of hours, saw a lot of the canyon, some good rapids (though we stopped before going down the class four rapids), saw some bald eagles, saw some early American pictographs, and Jim and I wet our feet in the water. Overall a very enjoyable time.
Drove the next couple of hours up some very winding dirt roads. We traveled through a town called Cuprum (science geeks will understand this because there used to be copper mining in the area). Jim snapped a shot of its sign because the sign was awesome. Also, they have a registered population of 12.
Made it to Sheep Rock late that night so we set up in the dark again. Again it was amazing to wake up to, though I don't think I shot anything there. We were 6800 feet above sea level and could see all over the place. There was a half mile loop out to a scenic overlook (that was amazing, Jim should have pics). I thought that Jim had started the loop so I walked the other direction figuring we would meet up at the overlook. He hadn't, so I ended up walking the loop alone. Oops. We went back after I got back but Jim was bummed I had gone without him. Oops.
Drove to a couple of other overlooks on the way out. At Horse mountain there was a fire watch tower manned by a fellow named Derrick. He invited us up to look around the tower, chatted with us for a bit and showed us how he did what he did. Very neat. Apparently he works there in the summers and then travels around for the rest of the year. I think Jim is trying to figure out how he too can do this.
Drove back down the mountain and went to the Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon. We thought it was less exciting than the overlooks on the Idaho side, like Sheep Rock. But it was pleasant. I peed off the side of a cliff, while Jim became too scared to urinate. He claims that he peed off the cliff later, but I don't know.
Found a spot to camp while it was still light out this time. It was in the woods by a creek (read crick because that is how they say it here). There was another guy camping out there last night. Possibly drunk. He had a campfire going, though I was convinced that that was illegal as the fire warning level was "extreme." We didn't mention it to him though in case he was a serial murderer. We put up our tent on a dusty field that was full of holes. Jim tried to convince me that they were breathing holes for an underground rattlebear, the infamous cross between rattlesnake and bear.
We watched the Perseid meteor shower for a bit and then went to bed. Now we are here. The end.
We ended up driving for a good five or six hours looking for a spot. Finally we decided to try to reach a point that one of the visitor's center ladies had suggested. However, we weren't sure where it was. So we were driving along the Snake river at about midnight (though I am not sure because we kept going in and out of Pacific time) and Jim stopped in the middle of the road so that we could look at the map. A dude, his wife, and their young daughter pulled up next to us in their pickup and asked if they could help. They gave us directions to Big Bar (where we were headed) and drove off.
I love that we have just stumbled onto random awesomeness and great people throughout this trip.
On our way to Big Bar we puled off to the side of the road and set up the tent. In the dark. Not so bad with the help of the headlights on the car. But it did make it that much more awesome when we woke up the next morning. Hopefully Jim will post that video podcast soon.
That morning we drove up to the Hells Canyon Dam (and visitor's center). Took a short mile hike along the Snake River then chilled for a bit in the visitor's center.
At four we went down to the dock below the visitor's center to catch the tour boat. By the time we got there the boat had been purchased in its entirety by a German-American couple because they wanted to take their dogs along. We paid them and got to come along. By an interesting twist of fate the only other couple on board was from Germany. We toured the river for a couple of hours, saw a lot of the canyon, some good rapids (though we stopped before going down the class four rapids), saw some bald eagles, saw some early American pictographs, and Jim and I wet our feet in the water. Overall a very enjoyable time.
Drove the next couple of hours up some very winding dirt roads. We traveled through a town called Cuprum (science geeks will understand this because there used to be copper mining in the area). Jim snapped a shot of its sign because the sign was awesome. Also, they have a registered population of 12.
Made it to Sheep Rock late that night so we set up in the dark again. Again it was amazing to wake up to, though I don't think I shot anything there. We were 6800 feet above sea level and could see all over the place. There was a half mile loop out to a scenic overlook (that was amazing, Jim should have pics). I thought that Jim had started the loop so I walked the other direction figuring we would meet up at the overlook. He hadn't, so I ended up walking the loop alone. Oops. We went back after I got back but Jim was bummed I had gone without him. Oops.
Drove to a couple of other overlooks on the way out. At Horse mountain there was a fire watch tower manned by a fellow named Derrick. He invited us up to look around the tower, chatted with us for a bit and showed us how he did what he did. Very neat. Apparently he works there in the summers and then travels around for the rest of the year. I think Jim is trying to figure out how he too can do this.
Drove back down the mountain and went to the Hells Canyon Overlook in Oregon. We thought it was less exciting than the overlooks on the Idaho side, like Sheep Rock. But it was pleasant. I peed off the side of a cliff, while Jim became too scared to urinate. He claims that he peed off the cliff later, but I don't know.
Found a spot to camp while it was still light out this time. It was in the woods by a creek (read crick because that is how they say it here). There was another guy camping out there last night. Possibly drunk. He had a campfire going, though I was convinced that that was illegal as the fire warning level was "extreme." We didn't mention it to him though in case he was a serial murderer. We put up our tent on a dusty field that was full of holes. Jim tried to convince me that they were breathing holes for an underground rattlebear, the infamous cross between rattlesnake and bear.
We watched the Perseid meteor shower for a bit and then went to bed. Now we are here. The end.
Video Podcast Seven - Jim Entertains Himself
Wherein Jim and Trefor spend several hours in a park in Hell's Canyon which Trefor spends reading and Jim spends on a quest to amuse himself during which he realizes that he can record video on his computer's built in camera.
Link
Link
Entering Hell(s Canyon)
On the way into Hells Canyon Jim broke the inverter. And my car. Apparently he used too much power thus blowing a fuse in the car. Now we have to scavenge electricity wherever we can.
We tried to buy a fuse at a gas station but it was the wrong size. We drove by a Chrysler dealership and bout three at a whopping 75 cents apiece. We blew two of the replacements before we realized that the inverter was history. At least we get to keep the radio.
We tried to buy a fuse at a gas station but it was the wrong size. We drove by a Chrysler dealership and bout three at a whopping 75 cents apiece. We blew two of the replacements before we realized that the inverter was history. At least we get to keep the radio.
Priority number three
We are out of the woods.
I have showered and washed my clothes.
Now I am writing for you guys.
You guys are priority number three.
The people who love me.
We have a whole lot of video to edit and pictures to upload. We also need to eat some food and get a few supplies.
I'll give you more later.
I have showered and washed my clothes.
Now I am writing for you guys.
You guys are priority number three.
The people who love me.
We have a whole lot of video to edit and pictures to upload. We also need to eat some food and get a few supplies.
I'll give you more later.
And...we're back
We just rolled into Cascade Locks, Oregon. It is, apparently, on top of the railroad. We have been here about 10 minutes and two trains (both blowing their horns for extended periods of time) have already passed. We don't really have any plans for today so we are going to try to catch up on laundry, podcasts, and self-cleanliness. Expect to hear a lot from us. Soon.
Friday, August 10
The last of the last for a couple of days
A few photos from the last few days to tide your desires until we return to civilization.
We'll be gone for a few days, but if you don't hear from us in over a week you should organize a search party because we've probably gone feral in Hell's Canyon.
We'll be gone for a few days, but if you don't hear from us in over a week you should organize a search party because we've probably gone feral in Hell's Canyon.
Two thoughts, one result
Trefor goes to bed at a reasonable time.
I tend to stay up a few hours later.
Generally I use this time to work on projects I'm trying to get done, or sometimes to get a little exercise.
Tonight I took the opportunity to walk around downtown Deer Lodge. It is a sad little town on the outskirts of what looks (from here) to be a sad little city.
This is what this trip is about. We write about the things we've seen and the people we've spoken to, but so much of what is happening is impossible to relate. The feel of the terrain, the different climates we're passing through. The world around us goes through amazing phases. We're spending hours on end in the car, but you'd be surprised how many of those hours are spent being in awe of the beauties of the lands we're driving through.
Walking through this little town in the middle of the night and feeling what a place like this in the midwest feels like. That's what this whole thing is for.
I tend to stay up a few hours later.
Generally I use this time to work on projects I'm trying to get done, or sometimes to get a little exercise.
Tonight I took the opportunity to walk around downtown Deer Lodge. It is a sad little town on the outskirts of what looks (from here) to be a sad little city.
This is what this trip is about. We write about the things we've seen and the people we've spoken to, but so much of what is happening is impossible to relate. The feel of the terrain, the different climates we're passing through. The world around us goes through amazing phases. We're spending hours on end in the car, but you'd be surprised how many of those hours are spent being in awe of the beauties of the lands we're driving through.
Walking through this little town in the middle of the night and feeling what a place like this in the midwest feels like. That's what this whole thing is for.
Farewell to Sid Meier
Just a heads up. We will probably be out of contact for a couple days while we enjoy Hell's Canyon. Knowing Jim he will probably post a couple more things tonight before he retires but after that you probably won't hear from us for a couple of days.
Maybe we'll find a wifi hotspot in the canyon. Maybe.
Maybe we'll find a wifi hotspot in the canyon. Maybe.
Because you don't hear enough from me
Jim seems to have covered everything that happened in the really long day and a half en route to and in Deadwood. Since I don't contribute much, here are some random pieces of the day.
South Dakota has a hall of fame sitting on I-90 right near where it crosses the Missouri river. We had to stop for gas anyway so we checked it out. Eh.
I got tired while driving today. The sky started to look like ice cream. I don't even know what that means now that I am awake. I pulled over and let Jim drive after that.
We crossed the continental divide today. It was marked on an overpass. That's all.
We also hit 3000 miles on the trip odometer today. That was kind of neat. 1000 was at the Par-King minigolf place, 2000 was in the middle of nowhere, and 3000 was about 10 miles from tonight's campsite.
Oh and you should shut up. Not me, you. You know who you are.
South Dakota has a hall of fame sitting on I-90 right near where it crosses the Missouri river. We had to stop for gas anyway so we checked it out. Eh.
I got tired while driving today. The sky started to look like ice cream. I don't even know what that means now that I am awake. I pulled over and let Jim drive after that.
We crossed the continental divide today. It was marked on an overpass. That's all.
We also hit 3000 miles on the trip odometer today. That was kind of neat. 1000 was at the Par-King minigolf place, 2000 was in the middle of nowhere, and 3000 was about 10 miles from tonight's campsite.
Oh and you should shut up. Not me, you. You know who you are.
Cow Tally Addendum
Took today off because it was less fun in actual cow country.
Also, why is that all of the cows along I-90W, regardless of state, are on the right?
Also, why is that all of the cows along I-90W, regardless of state, are on the right?
Conversation between myself and a cop with a drug-sniffing dog
Cop: Do you have any drugs in the car tonight?
Dog: [starts running around in the backseat]
Jim: Not to the extent of my knowledge.
Cop: When was the last time you took drugs?
Dog: [begins to bark]
Jim: I don't do drugs.
Cop: You haven't even experimented with recreational drugs?
Dog: [runs and barks wildly]
Jim: No... Is your dog getting worked up because it hears you saying, "drugs"?
Cop: No. I wish it were that easy. All of his commands are in Dutch or German. He doesn't speak much English.
Dog: [starts running around in the backseat]
Jim: Not to the extent of my knowledge.
Cop: When was the last time you took drugs?
Dog: [begins to bark]
Jim: I don't do drugs.
Cop: You haven't even experimented with recreational drugs?
Dog: [runs and barks wildly]
Jim: No... Is your dog getting worked up because it hears you saying, "drugs"?
Cop: No. I wish it were that easy. All of his commands are in Dutch or German. He doesn't speak much English.
Conversation between myself and a kid with a bmx bike
BMX Kid: Why are you taking pictures for the newspaper?
Jim: I'm not.
BMX Kid: You're not taking pictures?
Jim: No, I am. But not for the newspaper.
BMX Kid: Then why are you here?
Jim: I'm getting gas next door.
BMX Kid: You don't work for the newspaper?
Jim: No. I wish I took pictures for a newspaper.
BMX Kid: Oh.
Jim: How long have you been involved with bmx biking?
BMX Kid: Three and a half months. This bike cost three hundred dollars.
Jim: Wow.
Jim: I'm not.
BMX Kid: You're not taking pictures?
Jim: No, I am. But not for the newspaper.
BMX Kid: Then why are you here?
Jim: I'm getting gas next door.
BMX Kid: You don't work for the newspaper?
Jim: No. I wish I took pictures for a newspaper.
BMX Kid: Oh.
Jim: How long have you been involved with bmx biking?
BMX Kid: Three and a half months. This bike cost three hundred dollars.
Jim: Wow.
A blog to prove to my mom that I shouldn't be a professional writer
Story:
Motels make it easy to sleep late, so we do. Once we're up we feel it's necessary to move quickly. The Deadwood area has a lot to offer and we're supposed to be there already. Fortunately deadlines don't mean much to also. Also fortunately, Mitchell, the town in which we arose, is home to the Corn Palace. We dawdle there for a while, then decide that breakfast is necessary. Less than a block away is Jitters, where Trefor gets a breakfast burrito and I get pancakes with eggs and bacon (which Trefor eats). We scurry past Uncle Zeke's Jewelry and the Doll Museum to get out, after which we drive for Deadwood with all of our hearts. A few hours out we have passed thousands of billboards and we are intrigued by the ones for a petrified wood garden, so when it comes up, we get off. Trefor picks up a couple rocks for to show his students. We keep going and a few miles more down the road I just have to see the six ton prairie dogg and the prairie dogg farm, so we stop to check them out. Luckily for us, they on the road that leads into the badlands. We cruise the badlands, we get sunburned, we get our hearts broken, and we follow the highway out straight into Wall Drug. Trefor gets a hat. We roll back out with intent to make it to Mt. Rushmore in our brains, but soon stop for gas and are distracted by kids riding bmx bikes. We have to go through Rapid City to get to Rushmore, and Rapid City contains Dinosaur Park, which we are clearly obligated to stop at. It takes longer than we anticipate to get to Rushmore, and we arrive after dark. We both get hats. On the way we noticed an indoor black-light mini-golf course, so we play a round. Trefor wins. Sturgis Bike Rally is on, so we decide it's on, and we go. I get a hat, Trefor gets a shirt. On the way out I get pulled over for crossing the median on the way out of a stop sign. We sleep in the car. In the morning we wake up, freezing cold. We head to Presidents Park, which isn't open yet, so we hang out in Deadwood for a while, then head back and take pictures of all the presidents. We noticed a sign the previous night for "99¢ all you can eat cowboy pancakes". We go to where it pointed us. We arrive fifteen minutes after they stopped serving. We make snacks in the parking lot of the Cosmos Mystery Spot. Then we enjoy the mystery. Currently we are in the car moving toward Montana. We're currently crossing the Wyoming state line.
Glossary:
corn palace: The Corn Palace is cute. They cover a building in corn every year. It serves as the recreational center for the town as well as being a tourist attraction. They started it to prove a point.
jitters: Jitters is a coffee shop and diner. Mostly a coffee shop. The woman who owns it cooked for us, and she made my meal into a big face on my plate. She made the fluffiest pancake I've ever been privileged enough to wrap my maw around. Trefor seemed to enjoy his food also. The owner and her cashier girl were both stupendously friendly and congenial.
petrified wood garden: The man who let us in was very grum. A bunch of things glowed in the dark. It was more interesting than I imagined it would be, and the sheer amount of petrified wood available was impressive.
prairie doggs - The six-ton prairie dogg isn't made of prairie dogg, it's actually made of concrete, so don't let it excite you too much. The actual prairie doggs are wicked cute, and free to look at. We spent a while taking pictures and video. We didn't go inside the store. I bet that made someone sad.
badlands: The badlands are both huge and amazing. We stopped at the first couple places that were set out for us, but maybe we should have paced ourselves. There are a lot of places to stop and get out and look. The heat was unreal. Also there were ostensibly rattle snakes, but we saw none. Everything there is beautiful. We had a brief discussion of taking over a small plateau and declaring independence from the US. There were also two really cute girls in a car that was obviously packed for a road trip, and it seemed for a moment that they were headed in the same direction as us, but when we left the badlands and turned west, they left the badlands and turned east.
wall drug: Convenient that the badlands place you right on top of Wall, because we intended to go here anyway. Wall Drug is a little smaller than I imagined, but still rather large. It sells things. That's mostly it. We got lunch there. Trefor got a buffalo hot dog and I got a grilled cheese and a chocolate milkshake. We both got homemade doughnuts. We picked up a couple supplies. It is worth noting that Wall Drug has bought a few houses in the area and converted them into dormitories, and they bring in people from all over the world to work there for the summer and they put them up in their housing.
bmx kids: There was a tiny open bmx park right next to our gas station. While Trefor was filling up I wandered over and took a few pictures. I talked to one kid, then turned to look at the car and it was gone. I ran towards the gas station in a panic, and Trefor called me from behind, where he was videotaping the kids. It was cute. They were really bad. One of them was riding a little kid bike instead of a bmx bike.
dinosaur park: Dinosaur Park is full of giant, goofy-looking dinosaurs and kids who play on them.
rushmore: Mount Rushmore is awe-inspiring for a few minutes. We got there in the dark and they were doing a service with a lot of talking and a lot of video and it was long and we were afraid that we would have to come back in daylight, but eventually they lit it up and it was really huge. That, I think, it the biggest thing it has going for it, is that it is the biggest thing.
putz 'n glo: Trefor may have beaten me, but I'm still up two to one on mini-golf games.
sturgis: It sure is a bike rally. Lots of bars and places selling Sturgis shirts. In fact, in Wyoming we're still passing places that sell Sturgis shirts. Everyone looks distinctly like a biker. I have serious questions about the biker's sense of style.
get pulled over: I drifted slightly over the median after a stop sign leaving Sturgis where the cops are out in full force. The cop had me come back and sit in the front seat of his car, which was a new experience. Also he asked for my license but not registration or insurance proof. When we got to the car he talked to me for a while about his drug-sniffing dog and asked if we had any drugs in the car and when the last time I used drugs was. Then he wrote me a warning and sent me on my way.
sleep in car: Due to my confidence that there would be biker shanty towns in the area we didn't plan any lodgings in Deadwood. I ended up driving around looking for a place until around two, and then I found a place to pull off out in the woods where everything was so dark and the trees were so tall and the sky was so gorgeous. The car is comfortable to ride in, but not so comfortable to sleep in. Also we left the sunroof open for airflow and it got to be forty degrees, so we were pretty freezing. Not the best sleep I've had, but it wasn't a total failure.
deadwood: Deadwood is totally lame.
presidents park: Presidents Park is a beautiful companion to Rushmore. It's certainly less awe-inspiring, but there are twenty-foot-tall busts of every president, along with boards telling highlights from each's life and career. Of note: the first twenty or so First Ladies got real raw deals.
fail to get pancakes (ft. hays): I'm sad that we didn't make it in time. Unlimited cowboy pancakes for a dollar is possibly the best deal ever. They offered us lunch for four dollars, but it was either a buffalo hot dog or a barbecue sandwich. I don't eat either and Trefor was too sad to.
cosmos: We've been looking forward to hitting some Mystery Spots the whole trip. This was our first. It was grand. Water flowed uphill and balls rolled all over the place and sober bikers pretended to be drunk. There were a few things that we have not yet been able to reason out. Also our tour guide was named Peter and he looked like our friend Jeremy Stamas and he had our sense of humor (hostage! HA!) and he was clearly the best tour guide they had to offer. He says he's only been working there for three and a half months, so probably it's a summer job, but if anyone ever gets to go there they should ask to be in his group. Tell him we sent you.
Motels make it easy to sleep late, so we do. Once we're up we feel it's necessary to move quickly. The Deadwood area has a lot to offer and we're supposed to be there already. Fortunately deadlines don't mean much to also. Also fortunately, Mitchell, the town in which we arose, is home to the Corn Palace. We dawdle there for a while, then decide that breakfast is necessary. Less than a block away is Jitters, where Trefor gets a breakfast burrito and I get pancakes with eggs and bacon (which Trefor eats). We scurry past Uncle Zeke's Jewelry and the Doll Museum to get out, after which we drive for Deadwood with all of our hearts. A few hours out we have passed thousands of billboards and we are intrigued by the ones for a petrified wood garden, so when it comes up, we get off. Trefor picks up a couple rocks for to show his students. We keep going and a few miles more down the road I just have to see the six ton prairie dogg and the prairie dogg farm, so we stop to check them out. Luckily for us, they on the road that leads into the badlands. We cruise the badlands, we get sunburned, we get our hearts broken, and we follow the highway out straight into Wall Drug. Trefor gets a hat. We roll back out with intent to make it to Mt. Rushmore in our brains, but soon stop for gas and are distracted by kids riding bmx bikes. We have to go through Rapid City to get to Rushmore, and Rapid City contains Dinosaur Park, which we are clearly obligated to stop at. It takes longer than we anticipate to get to Rushmore, and we arrive after dark. We both get hats. On the way we noticed an indoor black-light mini-golf course, so we play a round. Trefor wins. Sturgis Bike Rally is on, so we decide it's on, and we go. I get a hat, Trefor gets a shirt. On the way out I get pulled over for crossing the median on the way out of a stop sign. We sleep in the car. In the morning we wake up, freezing cold. We head to Presidents Park, which isn't open yet, so we hang out in Deadwood for a while, then head back and take pictures of all the presidents. We noticed a sign the previous night for "99¢ all you can eat cowboy pancakes". We go to where it pointed us. We arrive fifteen minutes after they stopped serving. We make snacks in the parking lot of the Cosmos Mystery Spot. Then we enjoy the mystery. Currently we are in the car moving toward Montana. We're currently crossing the Wyoming state line.
Glossary:
corn palace: The Corn Palace is cute. They cover a building in corn every year. It serves as the recreational center for the town as well as being a tourist attraction. They started it to prove a point.
jitters: Jitters is a coffee shop and diner. Mostly a coffee shop. The woman who owns it cooked for us, and she made my meal into a big face on my plate. She made the fluffiest pancake I've ever been privileged enough to wrap my maw around. Trefor seemed to enjoy his food also. The owner and her cashier girl were both stupendously friendly and congenial.
petrified wood garden: The man who let us in was very grum. A bunch of things glowed in the dark. It was more interesting than I imagined it would be, and the sheer amount of petrified wood available was impressive.
prairie doggs - The six-ton prairie dogg isn't made of prairie dogg, it's actually made of concrete, so don't let it excite you too much. The actual prairie doggs are wicked cute, and free to look at. We spent a while taking pictures and video. We didn't go inside the store. I bet that made someone sad.
badlands: The badlands are both huge and amazing. We stopped at the first couple places that were set out for us, but maybe we should have paced ourselves. There are a lot of places to stop and get out and look. The heat was unreal. Also there were ostensibly rattle snakes, but we saw none. Everything there is beautiful. We had a brief discussion of taking over a small plateau and declaring independence from the US. There were also two really cute girls in a car that was obviously packed for a road trip, and it seemed for a moment that they were headed in the same direction as us, but when we left the badlands and turned west, they left the badlands and turned east.
wall drug: Convenient that the badlands place you right on top of Wall, because we intended to go here anyway. Wall Drug is a little smaller than I imagined, but still rather large. It sells things. That's mostly it. We got lunch there. Trefor got a buffalo hot dog and I got a grilled cheese and a chocolate milkshake. We both got homemade doughnuts. We picked up a couple supplies. It is worth noting that Wall Drug has bought a few houses in the area and converted them into dormitories, and they bring in people from all over the world to work there for the summer and they put them up in their housing.
bmx kids: There was a tiny open bmx park right next to our gas station. While Trefor was filling up I wandered over and took a few pictures. I talked to one kid, then turned to look at the car and it was gone. I ran towards the gas station in a panic, and Trefor called me from behind, where he was videotaping the kids. It was cute. They were really bad. One of them was riding a little kid bike instead of a bmx bike.
dinosaur park: Dinosaur Park is full of giant, goofy-looking dinosaurs and kids who play on them.
rushmore: Mount Rushmore is awe-inspiring for a few minutes. We got there in the dark and they were doing a service with a lot of talking and a lot of video and it was long and we were afraid that we would have to come back in daylight, but eventually they lit it up and it was really huge. That, I think, it the biggest thing it has going for it, is that it is the biggest thing.
putz 'n glo: Trefor may have beaten me, but I'm still up two to one on mini-golf games.
sturgis: It sure is a bike rally. Lots of bars and places selling Sturgis shirts. In fact, in Wyoming we're still passing places that sell Sturgis shirts. Everyone looks distinctly like a biker. I have serious questions about the biker's sense of style.
get pulled over: I drifted slightly over the median after a stop sign leaving Sturgis where the cops are out in full force. The cop had me come back and sit in the front seat of his car, which was a new experience. Also he asked for my license but not registration or insurance proof. When we got to the car he talked to me for a while about his drug-sniffing dog and asked if we had any drugs in the car and when the last time I used drugs was. Then he wrote me a warning and sent me on my way.
sleep in car: Due to my confidence that there would be biker shanty towns in the area we didn't plan any lodgings in Deadwood. I ended up driving around looking for a place until around two, and then I found a place to pull off out in the woods where everything was so dark and the trees were so tall and the sky was so gorgeous. The car is comfortable to ride in, but not so comfortable to sleep in. Also we left the sunroof open for airflow and it got to be forty degrees, so we were pretty freezing. Not the best sleep I've had, but it wasn't a total failure.
deadwood: Deadwood is totally lame.
presidents park: Presidents Park is a beautiful companion to Rushmore. It's certainly less awe-inspiring, but there are twenty-foot-tall busts of every president, along with boards telling highlights from each's life and career. Of note: the first twenty or so First Ladies got real raw deals.
fail to get pancakes (ft. hays): I'm sad that we didn't make it in time. Unlimited cowboy pancakes for a dollar is possibly the best deal ever. They offered us lunch for four dollars, but it was either a buffalo hot dog or a barbecue sandwich. I don't eat either and Trefor was too sad to.
cosmos: We've been looking forward to hitting some Mystery Spots the whole trip. This was our first. It was grand. Water flowed uphill and balls rolled all over the place and sober bikers pretended to be drunk. There were a few things that we have not yet been able to reason out. Also our tour guide was named Peter and he looked like our friend Jeremy Stamas and he had our sense of humor (hostage! HA!) and he was clearly the best tour guide they had to offer. He says he's only been working there for three and a half months, so probably it's a summer job, but if anyone ever gets to go there they should ask to be in his group. Tell him we sent you.
Wednesday, August 8
Video Podcast Five - Science, Industry
Wherein I learn how to do a video podcast, and bring you glimpses of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Link
Link
Halfway to Deadwood
The Anthony Motel.
Down the street is the County Fair Grocery Store, which is open all night.
We have wifi and hbo, the new and the old standard in attracting guests.
The rates are raised because of Sturgis, but they're fine.
Mitchell is the town. Home of the Corn Palace.
We spent the morning and early afternoon with my friend Lara. It was great to see her. It was nice to see a little of St. Paul. There was a woman who sold bean bag chairs. She talked to us for a long time. Her product was great: giant bean bags that, when unzipped, unleashed a rather comfortable bed unto the world. We hung out for a while on them, and then we talked with her for a long time about all of our current situations and near-future plans, and she told us about vacation disasters she's had. It was all very nice.
Then we drove a bunch.
Down the street is the County Fair Grocery Store, which is open all night.
We have wifi and hbo, the new and the old standard in attracting guests.
The rates are raised because of Sturgis, but they're fine.
Mitchell is the town. Home of the Corn Palace.
We spent the morning and early afternoon with my friend Lara. It was great to see her. It was nice to see a little of St. Paul. There was a woman who sold bean bag chairs. She talked to us for a long time. Her product was great: giant bean bags that, when unzipped, unleashed a rather comfortable bed unto the world. We hung out for a while on them, and then we talked with her for a long time about all of our current situations and near-future plans, and she told us about vacation disasters she's had. It was all very nice.
Then we drove a bunch.
Casual... on the go
Tired.
That means that I am sleeping soon so this is Trefor's day to be abrupt and lacking in detail.
Late-ish start to the day. I couldn't figure out how to make Lara's shower actually shower. I nearly broke the handle off while trying to figure it out.
Went to the Mall of America for a walk-around. Almost got some shoes, but didn't.
Grabbed some lunch at an all you can eat Chinese buffet. My fortune from my cookie told me to "fight for it" and I would win. Also, it taught me how to say "still single" in Chinese.
Used book store after lunch. Always good. Always. Got a copy of "The Rule of Four" and a stereoscopic book on bugs. For a dollar each!
Stopped for gas in a town in Minnesota called Welcome. Couple of pictures of signs later we got back on the road.
Long drive out of Minnesota. Nothing eventful. Nice looking country but we didn't stop for anything. Made it into South Dakota right at sunset so maybe I got the welcome sign.
Sunset lasted about three hours and was incredible the whole time. Jim came up with some new slang for cool but neither of us can actually remember it right now, some maybe it isn't going to catch on.
We ended up in Mitchell South Dakota for the night. Found a motel called Anthony Motel. It is perfect for what we wanted, though it looks a little like the Bates motel. DQ burger for dinner for me and a frozen pizza for Jim.
Watching Little Miss Sunshine on our free HBO then bed.
That means that I am sleeping soon so this is Trefor's day to be abrupt and lacking in detail.
Late-ish start to the day. I couldn't figure out how to make Lara's shower actually shower. I nearly broke the handle off while trying to figure it out.
Went to the Mall of America for a walk-around. Almost got some shoes, but didn't.
Grabbed some lunch at an all you can eat Chinese buffet. My fortune from my cookie told me to "fight for it" and I would win. Also, it taught me how to say "still single" in Chinese.
Used book store after lunch. Always good. Always. Got a copy of "The Rule of Four" and a stereoscopic book on bugs. For a dollar each!
Stopped for gas in a town in Minnesota called Welcome. Couple of pictures of signs later we got back on the road.
Long drive out of Minnesota. Nothing eventful. Nice looking country but we didn't stop for anything. Made it into South Dakota right at sunset so maybe I got the welcome sign.
Sunset lasted about three hours and was incredible the whole time. Jim came up with some new slang for cool but neither of us can actually remember it right now, some maybe it isn't going to catch on.
We ended up in Mitchell South Dakota for the night. Found a motel called Anthony Motel. It is perfect for what we wanted, though it looks a little like the Bates motel. DQ burger for dinner for me and a frozen pizza for Jim.
Watching Little Miss Sunshine on our free HBO then bed.
Imaginary conversation between myself and a child with a pegleg
Jim: Hi there.
Pegleg child: Hello.
Jim: That's a nice bracelet you have on.
Pegleg child: It's green.
Jim: So I see. What's your name?
Pegleg child: Peggy.
Jim: Oh... is that because of... your leg?
Pegleg child: No. It's because my name is Margaret. Peggy's just a nickname.
Jim: Of course.
Pegleg child: Hello.
Jim: That's a nice bracelet you have on.
Pegleg child: It's green.
Jim: So I see. What's your name?
Pegleg child: Peggy.
Jim: Oh... is that because of... your leg?
Pegleg child: No. It's because my name is Margaret. Peggy's just a nickname.
Jim: Of course.
Tuesday, August 7
In which I leave out all the details
Today, my lovelies, was intense. It was an awe-inspiring blend of good and bad.
We played some amazing mini-golf (I won two out of two games, thank you), then ate at a place that was wicked expensive but also delicious. We then headed to the House on the Rock which I've wanted to see for a long time and which we decided was more important than the rest of what Wisconsin has to offer. And Wisconsin, as it turns out, has a lot to offer in the way of absurd things to look at. We got there and they essentially shut the door in our faces, however, and it was not a nice thing.
We we both very grumpy for a while. Then we got lost a lot. Then we found an amazing fast food place filled with cheery helpful people where Trefor got a burger and I got a salad and we split an order of deep fried cheese curds and then later we got vanilla frozen custard and we put our apple hot sauce on it. It was very nice. They gave us directions to the Wisconsin Dells where we paused on the way to my friend Lara's house, where we are right now.
The Dells are absurd. That's all I have to say. I wanted to take pictures but it was too much. Also it was raining.
We ended up here much later than we wanted to be. I was hoping to hang out with Lara, but it will have to wait. It is bedtime.
I edited a video podcast from the museum of Science and Industry in the car and it was really long and I got frustrated with it and I think I need to back off the visual aides for a while. I'm backed up on podcasts and pictures and everything and I feel bad about it, but I'm going to stop doing that because really, this trip is for me, not for people to see things from me. However, there will still be some stuff some times. I just make no promises.
We played some amazing mini-golf (I won two out of two games, thank you), then ate at a place that was wicked expensive but also delicious. We then headed to the House on the Rock which I've wanted to see for a long time and which we decided was more important than the rest of what Wisconsin has to offer. And Wisconsin, as it turns out, has a lot to offer in the way of absurd things to look at. We got there and they essentially shut the door in our faces, however, and it was not a nice thing.
We we both very grumpy for a while. Then we got lost a lot. Then we found an amazing fast food place filled with cheery helpful people where Trefor got a burger and I got a salad and we split an order of deep fried cheese curds and then later we got vanilla frozen custard and we put our apple hot sauce on it. It was very nice. They gave us directions to the Wisconsin Dells where we paused on the way to my friend Lara's house, where we are right now.
The Dells are absurd. That's all I have to say. I wanted to take pictures but it was too much. Also it was raining.
We ended up here much later than we wanted to be. I was hoping to hang out with Lara, but it will have to wait. It is bedtime.
I edited a video podcast from the museum of Science and Industry in the car and it was really long and I got frustrated with it and I think I need to back off the visual aides for a while. I'm backed up on podcasts and pictures and everything and I feel bad about it, but I'm going to stop doing that because really, this trip is for me, not for people to see things from me. However, there will still be some stuff some times. I just make no promises.
Epic Highs and Devastating Lows
Today was wildly up and down.
Our first stop today was a miniature golf place outside of Chicago called Par-King. It was amazing. There were two courses, a black and a red, and some excellent holes on each. We actually videotaped ourselves on the black side so there may be a video podcast of that a bit later. This minigolf place had all the classic stuff and more: rotating holes, loop-de-loops, creepy clown statues, water traps, etc. Amazing.
We had lunch nearby at a Big Bowl because I thought mom had mentioned that the one near us had been a fairly cheap, yet delicious place to eat. It was tasty, but it took a while and it wasn't cheap. I was pleased with my meal (mmm, homemade ginger ale!) but Jim was a little disappointed by the vegetarian options. And, as I said, we kind of took a while.
Back on the road we continued to be harassed by the Illinois toll system. It is really a very frustrating system for people from out of town. Poorly labeled toll amounts and oddly situated toll plazas. On the whole it was just another mark against Illinois. We were real pleased with the stuff that we did do there and the KOA folks were real nice, but Illinois on the whole was sort of disappointing.
When we finally got into Wisconsin it was amazing. Hopefully Jim got the welcome sign because it was the best one yet. Wisconsin is an awesome place for a roadtrip like the one that we are on so wee got pretty excited driving past all sorts of awesome sounding things. Jim had told me about a place called the House on the Rock and we decided that it sounded amazing enough to go the hour and a half or so out of the way to get there. They close at 7pm. That is, they kick everyone out at 7pm, the last tickets are available for purchase at 6pm. We called around 5 to make sure they were still open and get some other details. At 5:55pm we were about 4 miles from the House and Jim called to see if they could get us in if we were a little late. They not only told him no but that they were really strict about the close time. We barreled along anyway. I blasted through the driveway, dropped Jim as close to the enttrance as possible and went to park the car. No luck. I think we got there ata 6pm. Maybe 6:01. We could see people working at the desk in the visitor center. They were laughing. Man, we were depressed. The place looks awesome from the outside and I can only imagine that it is even more amazing inside. I don't think the information counter women were laughing at us but no one in the vicinity should have been at all jovial after the blow we had just received. Angry and bummed we left the grounds.
Trying to find my way back to the main highway I somehow got off on a completely wrong road. We pulled in to a Culver's to ask directions. Well, that and they advertised butterburgers and frozen custard. I didn't know what a butterburger was but I wanted to find out. I ordered one for dinner, Jim had a salad (one of only two vegetarian options in the place), and we split an order of deep fried cheese curds (the other vegetarian option). It was delicious. Well, the burger was anyway. A butterburger is a burger on a bum that has been toasted and then buttered. Awesome.
We ordered plain vanilla custards in waffle bowls for dessert. We took them outside, ran back to the car and got the green apple hotsauce purchased back at the hot sauce festival in Ohio and applied the delicious. It was excellent. It was the perfect meal to help us on our way after the devestation of missing the House on the Rock by seconds. Also, the staff at the Culver's were extremely friendly and helpful. They even gave us directions to the next place we were going.
The next place we were going was Wisconsin Dells. Imagine the biggest boardwalk you have been to. Now build a boardwalk around that and then, tucked away in the background, enough of a town to run the thing. That is Wisconsin Dells. There were water parks and museums and weird museums (something called Top Secret caught Jim's eye, it was the White House but upside down, we still don't know anything about it...). There was a thing called Wizard Quest that was a 90 minute long game were you have to answer trivia questions and riddles that looked amazing (we didn't go because we were short on time). Overall it looked like a place you could easily spend several days. Did I mention that Pirate show and the magic show and Noah's Ark (the largest water park in the country)? Because those were all there too. Only disappointment? Not enough time there to actually do anything. It was maybe 9pm when we got there and we still had about four hours of driving to get up to St Paul.
I had Jim drive the rest of the way up. As we left the Dells there was an incredible rainstorm with huge arcs of lightning. But after that I just conked out. We got in at like 1.30 or so. So thanks again to our gracious hosts. Well, enough blog, to bed.
Our first stop today was a miniature golf place outside of Chicago called Par-King. It was amazing. There were two courses, a black and a red, and some excellent holes on each. We actually videotaped ourselves on the black side so there may be a video podcast of that a bit later. This minigolf place had all the classic stuff and more: rotating holes, loop-de-loops, creepy clown statues, water traps, etc. Amazing.
We had lunch nearby at a Big Bowl because I thought mom had mentioned that the one near us had been a fairly cheap, yet delicious place to eat. It was tasty, but it took a while and it wasn't cheap. I was pleased with my meal (mmm, homemade ginger ale!) but Jim was a little disappointed by the vegetarian options. And, as I said, we kind of took a while.
Back on the road we continued to be harassed by the Illinois toll system. It is really a very frustrating system for people from out of town. Poorly labeled toll amounts and oddly situated toll plazas. On the whole it was just another mark against Illinois. We were real pleased with the stuff that we did do there and the KOA folks were real nice, but Illinois on the whole was sort of disappointing.
When we finally got into Wisconsin it was amazing. Hopefully Jim got the welcome sign because it was the best one yet. Wisconsin is an awesome place for a roadtrip like the one that we are on so wee got pretty excited driving past all sorts of awesome sounding things. Jim had told me about a place called the House on the Rock and we decided that it sounded amazing enough to go the hour and a half or so out of the way to get there. They close at 7pm. That is, they kick everyone out at 7pm, the last tickets are available for purchase at 6pm. We called around 5 to make sure they were still open and get some other details. At 5:55pm we were about 4 miles from the House and Jim called to see if they could get us in if we were a little late. They not only told him no but that they were really strict about the close time. We barreled along anyway. I blasted through the driveway, dropped Jim as close to the enttrance as possible and went to park the car. No luck. I think we got there ata 6pm. Maybe 6:01. We could see people working at the desk in the visitor center. They were laughing. Man, we were depressed. The place looks awesome from the outside and I can only imagine that it is even more amazing inside. I don't think the information counter women were laughing at us but no one in the vicinity should have been at all jovial after the blow we had just received. Angry and bummed we left the grounds.
Trying to find my way back to the main highway I somehow got off on a completely wrong road. We pulled in to a Culver's to ask directions. Well, that and they advertised butterburgers and frozen custard. I didn't know what a butterburger was but I wanted to find out. I ordered one for dinner, Jim had a salad (one of only two vegetarian options in the place), and we split an order of deep fried cheese curds (the other vegetarian option). It was delicious. Well, the burger was anyway. A butterburger is a burger on a bum that has been toasted and then buttered. Awesome.
We ordered plain vanilla custards in waffle bowls for dessert. We took them outside, ran back to the car and got the green apple hotsauce purchased back at the hot sauce festival in Ohio and applied the delicious. It was excellent. It was the perfect meal to help us on our way after the devestation of missing the House on the Rock by seconds. Also, the staff at the Culver's were extremely friendly and helpful. They even gave us directions to the next place we were going.
The next place we were going was Wisconsin Dells. Imagine the biggest boardwalk you have been to. Now build a boardwalk around that and then, tucked away in the background, enough of a town to run the thing. That is Wisconsin Dells. There were water parks and museums and weird museums (something called Top Secret caught Jim's eye, it was the White House but upside down, we still don't know anything about it...). There was a thing called Wizard Quest that was a 90 minute long game were you have to answer trivia questions and riddles that looked amazing (we didn't go because we were short on time). Overall it looked like a place you could easily spend several days. Did I mention that Pirate show and the magic show and Noah's Ark (the largest water park in the country)? Because those were all there too. Only disappointment? Not enough time there to actually do anything. It was maybe 9pm when we got there and we still had about four hours of driving to get up to St Paul.
I had Jim drive the rest of the way up. As we left the Dells there was an incredible rainstorm with huge arcs of lightning. But after that I just conked out. We got in at like 1.30 or so. So thanks again to our gracious hosts. Well, enough blog, to bed.
Monday, August 6
Conversation between myself and a little boy with a rubber snake
Jim: Hey!
Boy: Hello.
Jim: Is that a snake?
Boy: It's not real.
Jim: It's still pretty cool, though.
Boy: It's not real.
Boy: Hello.
Jim: Is that a snake?
Boy: It's not real.
Jim: It's still pretty cool, though.
Boy: It's not real.
We expel to process
I am being eaten by bugs.
My computer's battery died so I have to sit outside the main building of our campground to get power. There is no protection. There is also nobody to stop me from swimming in the closed but not closed off pool. That may be step number next.
Youtube is nice because I can use it to listen to music that I don't have on my computer, even if I don't want to watch a video of a college guy impersonating a dance that a twelve year old kid did in a different youtube video.
Tomorrow is mini-golf and then St. Paul. We move fast, Trefor and I.
I think I'm starting to get comfortable with this blog thing. Just starting. I hope we're not generating too much material for anyone to pay attention to. I think we're running that side of enough. This is because we have so much information coming in right now that we need an outlet or we'll rupture somehow.
Lollapalooza was this weekend in Chicago. he woman who works at our campsite who gave us directions to get into the city pointed that out to us three times. She thought we should check it out. We bussed past it, and saw a few people in shirts exclaiming that they were there. I think that's as close as we needed to be. We also spent probably twenty minutes on the train making puns on it. That was before the math.
We saw the Creation Museum yesterday and the Museum of Science and Industry today. A nice contrast. The latter has a single backlit panel, maybe three by four feet, which offhandedly dismisses everything the former took great care to tell us. An interesting thing to note, however, is that both museums had dragons available for sale in the gift shops, but they didn't make an appearance anywhere else in either museum.
Chicago also has the most confusing public transportation I've ever used. Their subway blew my mind. I wish I could offer more detail, but I really have no idea what happened. Trains seemed to make up their own colors (pink? brown?) and change destinations while between stations and run both ways on the same track. It was like a fantasy land for mass transportation.
My computer's battery died so I have to sit outside the main building of our campground to get power. There is no protection. There is also nobody to stop me from swimming in the closed but not closed off pool. That may be step number next.
Youtube is nice because I can use it to listen to music that I don't have on my computer, even if I don't want to watch a video of a college guy impersonating a dance that a twelve year old kid did in a different youtube video.
Tomorrow is mini-golf and then St. Paul. We move fast, Trefor and I.
I think I'm starting to get comfortable with this blog thing. Just starting. I hope we're not generating too much material for anyone to pay attention to. I think we're running that side of enough. This is because we have so much information coming in right now that we need an outlet or we'll rupture somehow.
Lollapalooza was this weekend in Chicago. he woman who works at our campsite who gave us directions to get into the city pointed that out to us three times. She thought we should check it out. We bussed past it, and saw a few people in shirts exclaiming that they were there. I think that's as close as we needed to be. We also spent probably twenty minutes on the train making puns on it. That was before the math.
We saw the Creation Museum yesterday and the Museum of Science and Industry today. A nice contrast. The latter has a single backlit panel, maybe three by four feet, which offhandedly dismisses everything the former took great care to tell us. An interesting thing to note, however, is that both museums had dragons available for sale in the gift shops, but they didn't make an appearance anywhere else in either museum.
Chicago also has the most confusing public transportation I've ever used. Their subway blew my mind. I wish I could offer more detail, but I really have no idea what happened. Trains seemed to make up their own colors (pink? brown?) and change destinations while between stations and run both ways on the same track. It was like a fantasy land for mass transportation.
Sunday, August 5
Chi-ca-gone
Our campground is about sixty miles outside of Chicago so we left the car here for the day and took the Metra commuter train in to town (roundtrip only $5 on the weekend!) We wandered for a bit, saw some of the city.
Millennium park not incredible but nice. The big shiny bean sculpture (not actually called the Bean, but it should be) was actually really cool. Met a man on stilts who chatted with us for a bit. I asked why he was there and he told us that Mayor Daley was not happy with the lack of crowds at Millennium park so he sponsored a whole bunch of activities and crowd pleaser type things. Apparently "stilt walking juggler" is now a government job.
We then caught the number ten bus down to the Museum of Science and Industry. This place is cool. There were a couple of rooms that reminded me of the new Air and Space museum (whole planes dwarfed by the sheer size of the room). Actually this museum kind of reminded me of every science museum I have ever been to. It had some boring text heavy sciency stuff in one place, but then they had many interactive rooms and awesome ideas for exhibits. In the submarine room there were periscopes that looked outside; there was an amazing exhibit on old toy robots; and there was a model of Chicago that took up a huge amount of space. We spent about two and a half hours there and it was not enough. Not by a long shot.
We caught the ten bus back, then hopped onto the subway (I got to ride the El!). We tried to stop for dinner at about 7pm only to realize that that is when Chicago (at least where we were) shuts down on a Sunday. Even the restaurants. We found food eventually at a sports bar. Eh. Pretty American, I guess.
There were a lot of cute girls in Chicago. Props to the city. Not sure why there seemed to be so many, but we appreciated it.
On the train ride back we entertained ourselves for at least 45 minutes on math. We first spent a chunk of time figuring out what time after 9 o'clock the minute and hour hand made a perfect line, then we figured out the formula for the general solution. Then I showed Jim how to figure out the next perfect square given the one before it and number you want squared. We may be nerds, but we were definitely the most entertained people in our age group on board that train.
Millennium park not incredible but nice. The big shiny bean sculpture (not actually called the Bean, but it should be) was actually really cool. Met a man on stilts who chatted with us for a bit. I asked why he was there and he told us that Mayor Daley was not happy with the lack of crowds at Millennium park so he sponsored a whole bunch of activities and crowd pleaser type things. Apparently "stilt walking juggler" is now a government job.
We then caught the number ten bus down to the Museum of Science and Industry. This place is cool. There were a couple of rooms that reminded me of the new Air and Space museum (whole planes dwarfed by the sheer size of the room). Actually this museum kind of reminded me of every science museum I have ever been to. It had some boring text heavy sciency stuff in one place, but then they had many interactive rooms and awesome ideas for exhibits. In the submarine room there were periscopes that looked outside; there was an amazing exhibit on old toy robots; and there was a model of Chicago that took up a huge amount of space. We spent about two and a half hours there and it was not enough. Not by a long shot.
We caught the ten bus back, then hopped onto the subway (I got to ride the El!). We tried to stop for dinner at about 7pm only to realize that that is when Chicago (at least where we were) shuts down on a Sunday. Even the restaurants. We found food eventually at a sports bar. Eh. Pretty American, I guess.
There were a lot of cute girls in Chicago. Props to the city. Not sure why there seemed to be so many, but we appreciated it.
On the train ride back we entertained ourselves for at least 45 minutes on math. We first spent a chunk of time figuring out what time after 9 o'clock the minute and hour hand made a perfect line, then we figured out the formula for the general solution. Then I showed Jim how to figure out the next perfect square given the one before it and number you want squared. We may be nerds, but we were definitely the most entertained people in our age group on board that train.
Sleeping like a dewed-upon baby
KOA Kampgrounds are not for what I would consider camping. However, they are perfect for what we're doing. Cheaper than a motel and located near everything. The people who own this particular KOA are sweethearts, as well. I am into it.
Also there was a monstrous rainstorm last night. Lightning all up in our grills.
Also there was a monstrous rainstorm last night. Lightning all up in our grills.
Saturday, August 4
Video Podcast Four - Creation Museum
Wherein I edit together a mix of slow-paced video and brief glimpses of pictures from the Creation Museum with no regard to your sensibilities (into a rather large file).
Link
Link
An Aside
The Creation Museum (I can't stop thinking about it) was ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED with dinosaurs. I can't really blame it. It's only a few years old. I was absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs until I was maybe twelve (maybe I still am a little), maybe it'll grow out of it soon.
One of the exciting things about going there, however, was learning about how dinosaurs and people lived together. They were all about it. There were more dinosaurs than in anything even vaguely religious ever before. Maybe to appeal to children, but more likely because dinosaurs are vital to their concepts. Right? No. Not really. We thought we'd learn all about the dynamics of the people-dinosaurs relationship, but mostly what they did was just show biblical scenes with dinosaurs lurking around near them. Also there were cave-people in the lobby, but they got no mention anywhere in the actual museum.
What we did learn about dinosaur-man coexistence were the simple basic facts: dinosaurs were all vegetarians until Adam sinned, at which point they got mad and ate people. They survived the Great Flood aboard the ark (except the ones who died, they made fossils), and somehow died out shortly thereafter. Presumably because they were bad sinners. They ate people. That's greed and gluttony and wrath. And it was probably spawned of pride and envy.
One of the exciting things about going there, however, was learning about how dinosaurs and people lived together. They were all about it. There were more dinosaurs than in anything even vaguely religious ever before. Maybe to appeal to children, but more likely because dinosaurs are vital to their concepts. Right? No. Not really. We thought we'd learn all about the dynamics of the people-dinosaurs relationship, but mostly what they did was just show biblical scenes with dinosaurs lurking around near them. Also there were cave-people in the lobby, but they got no mention anywhere in the actual museum.
What we did learn about dinosaur-man coexistence were the simple basic facts: dinosaurs were all vegetarians until Adam sinned, at which point they got mad and ate people. They survived the Great Flood aboard the ark (except the ones who died, they made fossils), and somehow died out shortly thereafter. Presumably because they were bad sinners. They ate people. That's greed and gluttony and wrath. And it was probably spawned of pride and envy.
Other Minutia
Jimbo has taken on the task of photographing all the "Welcome to (Insert Your State Here)" signs (as you may have noticed from his earlier post). Today we got a bonus and a let down.
The bonus was that the unexpected venture to the Creation museum took us into the very northernmost tip of Kentucky so we got an extra sign.
The disappointment was that we never got welcomed into Illinois. There was a "Welcome to Chicago" sign that Jim refused to snap (on principle, I think) but the state of Illinois never welcomed us. I believe that you can hear us complaining about briefly on the audio podcast that Jim is putting up.
I have put Jim in charge of the media postings so don't expect any pictures, movies, or audio from me. I'll be contributing (most of the video will probably be me) but he'll do the editing and posting. Today we felt really technologically superior to almost everyone else on the road because, as I was driving, Jim was busily working on editing the new audio and video podcasts (expect them soon, if he hasn't posted them already).
Last thing that we wanted to mention was the strange things that we are overhearing as we sit here in the tent working on our laptops. There is a family two tents over and the kid, Kevin, is real loud and excitable. Not long ago we also hear weird moaning sounds and thought maybe that one of the kids was crying. Shortly thereafter we realized that the noises were actually coming from the tent next door and that they were not noises of displeasure coming from a child. There is clearly a couple next door having a grand old time.
Ah, the joys of camping.
The bonus was that the unexpected venture to the Creation museum took us into the very northernmost tip of Kentucky so we got an extra sign.
The disappointment was that we never got welcomed into Illinois. There was a "Welcome to Chicago" sign that Jim refused to snap (on principle, I think) but the state of Illinois never welcomed us. I believe that you can hear us complaining about briefly on the audio podcast that Jim is putting up.
I have put Jim in charge of the media postings so don't expect any pictures, movies, or audio from me. I'll be contributing (most of the video will probably be me) but he'll do the editing and posting. Today we felt really technologically superior to almost everyone else on the road because, as I was driving, Jim was busily working on editing the new audio and video podcasts (expect them soon, if he hasn't posted them already).
Last thing that we wanted to mention was the strange things that we are overhearing as we sit here in the tent working on our laptops. There is a family two tents over and the kid, Kevin, is real loud and excitable. Not long ago we also hear weird moaning sounds and thought maybe that one of the kids was crying. Shortly thereafter we realized that the noises were actually coming from the tent next door and that they were not noises of displeasure coming from a child. There is clearly a couple next door having a grand old time.
Ah, the joys of camping.
Podcast Three - Baroque Chicago
Wherein Trefor and I have a noisy and ill-recorded dialogue pertaining to the baroque music we listened to last night, sandwiched by said music.
Link
Link
Sign From God
Just wanted to point out a couple of details that I thought were important about the trip to the Creation museum.
We saw the sign for the Creation museum on the road and had not originally planned to go there (unlike the incredible hot sauce festival). I think this makes it the first truly roadside piece of our trip. An important milestone I think.
Also, Jim did not convey in his post how worried I was about not making it to our campsite on time. We found out while we were at the hot sauce festival that the check-in here at Chicago Northwest KOA is 9pm. We were cutting it kind of close because the Creation museum was about a half hour away from the festival and then we had the five and half/six hour drive up to Chicago. At about 8.30 (according to the clock in the cruiser) I flipped open my phone to make a quick call and I was about to have Jim call the campsite but I noticed that the phone read 7.30. We had plenty of time to reach the campsite! We had changed timezones when we crossed into the northwest piece of Indiana (I just checked the timezone map, weird breakdown).
We like to think that God actually changed time by an hour for us. As a reward for laying down $36 for His museum. Thanks God.
We saw the sign for the Creation museum on the road and had not originally planned to go there (unlike the incredible hot sauce festival). I think this makes it the first truly roadside piece of our trip. An important milestone I think.
Also, Jim did not convey in his post how worried I was about not making it to our campsite on time. We found out while we were at the hot sauce festival that the check-in here at Chicago Northwest KOA is 9pm. We were cutting it kind of close because the Creation museum was about a half hour away from the festival and then we had the five and half/six hour drive up to Chicago. At about 8.30 (according to the clock in the cruiser) I flipped open my phone to make a quick call and I was about to have Jim call the campsite but I noticed that the phone read 7.30. We had plenty of time to reach the campsite! We had changed timezones when we crossed into the northwest piece of Indiana (I just checked the timezone map, weird breakdown).
We like to think that God actually changed time by an hour for us. As a reward for laying down $36 for His museum. Thanks God.
Day number amazing
Wow. Awesome.
You should be jealous.
We had a day.
Boy-diggity.
Our morning was brief but nice. Breakfast at Karen's: eggs and fresh vegetables and juice and toast. She then gave us some homemade pesto and fresh tomatoes and sent us on our way. Our way was out to a hot sauce festival in a place called Jungle Jim's, which is the most extravagantly absurd grocery store I've ever seen. They have sections for various countries and a huge cheese selection and singing animatronics, including a band made of General Mills cereal pushers.
The festival was wonderful. We tried a great many sauces. Several of which were uncomfortably hot. Trefor definitely got the worst of the intense heat, and therefore the best bragging rights, with an innocently labeled bottle that took him down for quite some time. There were many chilis and salsas and sauces and two crafty teenage girls selling lemonade. We each took home two bottles of Flavor Before Fire sauce (two for five, hot and atomic), and Trefor also got something called (I believe) Lucifer's Blood. We split a bottle of apple hot sauce which was not too hot but delicious. We intend to throw some on ice cream at a later time in the trip.
Leaving the festival we decided to run over to the Creation Museum, which we had seen a billboard for driving into Cincinnati. We weren't sure if we'd have enough time to get there, see it, and make it to our Chicago campsite in time to check in. But we decided to do it anyway. Worth the risk. So we headed over. It was incredible. And I mean that in the most literal sense. It was eighteen dollars apiece (with discount for filling out a form telling them where we live) to get in, followed by an enormous line of people. It seems that the Creation Museum can't handle its own popularity. There were a bunch of families and dozens of church groups and Trefor and I. They had some great displays. Animatronics and live finches and a chameleon. The first half of the museum (which is essentially a long twisting hallway) was totally packed. In the middle was a video ("The Sixth Day": an absurdly dramatic reading of the beginning of Genesis), and after that it was a thick but manageable crowd. We split up, mostly unintentionally, and I got pretty far ahead of Trefor, but I got some nice pictures and he shot a bunch of great video. It was an enlightening experience. For instance: fossils? Made by Noah's flood.
We then drove to (and through) Chicago, and made it to our campsite shortly before they shut down. We set up the tent and had a dinner of pesto and tomato sandwiches (delicious, thank you) and we are now sitting in the tent using the internet. Because that is camping now. We're maybe ten feet from the next tent and twenty from a playground and there are fireworks going off outside. It's wonderful. All day has been wonderful. Incidentally, the tent we are in is made for two people, but the two people it was made for are more intimate than Trefor and I are. It's amusing to see our tiny tent beside the behemoth one lot over.
I'm going to go sit on the swings and maybe take some pictures of the campgrounds. Also maybe eventually sleep.
You should be jealous.
We had a day.
Boy-diggity.
Our morning was brief but nice. Breakfast at Karen's: eggs and fresh vegetables and juice and toast. She then gave us some homemade pesto and fresh tomatoes and sent us on our way. Our way was out to a hot sauce festival in a place called Jungle Jim's, which is the most extravagantly absurd grocery store I've ever seen. They have sections for various countries and a huge cheese selection and singing animatronics, including a band made of General Mills cereal pushers.
The festival was wonderful. We tried a great many sauces. Several of which were uncomfortably hot. Trefor definitely got the worst of the intense heat, and therefore the best bragging rights, with an innocently labeled bottle that took him down for quite some time. There were many chilis and salsas and sauces and two crafty teenage girls selling lemonade. We each took home two bottles of Flavor Before Fire sauce (two for five, hot and atomic), and Trefor also got something called (I believe) Lucifer's Blood. We split a bottle of apple hot sauce which was not too hot but delicious. We intend to throw some on ice cream at a later time in the trip.
Leaving the festival we decided to run over to the Creation Museum, which we had seen a billboard for driving into Cincinnati. We weren't sure if we'd have enough time to get there, see it, and make it to our Chicago campsite in time to check in. But we decided to do it anyway. Worth the risk. So we headed over. It was incredible. And I mean that in the most literal sense. It was eighteen dollars apiece (with discount for filling out a form telling them where we live) to get in, followed by an enormous line of people. It seems that the Creation Museum can't handle its own popularity. There were a bunch of families and dozens of church groups and Trefor and I. They had some great displays. Animatronics and live finches and a chameleon. The first half of the museum (which is essentially a long twisting hallway) was totally packed. In the middle was a video ("The Sixth Day": an absurdly dramatic reading of the beginning of Genesis), and after that it was a thick but manageable crowd. We split up, mostly unintentionally, and I got pretty far ahead of Trefor, but I got some nice pictures and he shot a bunch of great video. It was an enlightening experience. For instance: fossils? Made by Noah's flood.
We then drove to (and through) Chicago, and made it to our campsite shortly before they shut down. We set up the tent and had a dinner of pesto and tomato sandwiches (delicious, thank you) and we are now sitting in the tent using the internet. Because that is camping now. We're maybe ten feet from the next tent and twenty from a playground and there are fireworks going off outside. It's wonderful. All day has been wonderful. Incidentally, the tent we are in is made for two people, but the two people it was made for are more intimate than Trefor and I are. It's amusing to see our tiny tent beside the behemoth one lot over.
I'm going to go sit on the swings and maybe take some pictures of the campgrounds. Also maybe eventually sleep.
A day in pictures
Can I even do this?
I am giving up all sleep to bring you pictures.
We had a great day today. And we haven't even gotten to the exciting stuff yet. Trefor has already given you a rundown and told me I can't podcast until tomorrow, so all that's left is some photos for you. Here we go:
Us with the car, prepared to leave DC:
A rundown of states we drove through today:
Sideling Hill, home of the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center:
We pulled off the highway into a shopping plaza for lunch and gas, and I noticed that the shopping cart corral sign in front of us wasn't an image of a shopping cart at all, but actually a really cute upside-down frog:
Karen, who we are staying with, is wonderful. She brought us out to her baroque music ensemble and they were great. I took a couple pictures, but nothing too interesting in the interest of not being intrusive. I'll have a sample of music for you later. This is Karen and a couple of the other women. The one in the back with the viol was super-feisty and a gem to talk to:
Karen also has a great house:
And beautiful gardens:
And the cutest dog (who really wanted to get in the blog):
I'm uploading all the pictures in higher quality to flickr, so if you want to see them larger, or see the couple others I'm ignoring, feel free to look there.
I am giving up all sleep to bring you pictures.
We had a great day today. And we haven't even gotten to the exciting stuff yet. Trefor has already given you a rundown and told me I can't podcast until tomorrow, so all that's left is some photos for you. Here we go:
Us with the car, prepared to leave DC:
A rundown of states we drove through today:
Sideling Hill, home of the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center:
We pulled off the highway into a shopping plaza for lunch and gas, and I noticed that the shopping cart corral sign in front of us wasn't an image of a shopping cart at all, but actually a really cute upside-down frog:
Karen, who we are staying with, is wonderful. She brought us out to her baroque music ensemble and they were great. I took a couple pictures, but nothing too interesting in the interest of not being intrusive. I'll have a sample of music for you later. This is Karen and a couple of the other women. The one in the back with the viol was super-feisty and a gem to talk to:
Karen also has a great house:
And beautiful gardens:
And the cutest dog (who really wanted to get in the blog):
I'm uploading all the pictures in higher quality to flickr, so if you want to see them larger, or see the couple others I'm ignoring, feel free to look there.
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