D.C.

A few days ago I returned from a trip to Washington, DC.
This is the last of my "must see" places in the US.

The first day I pretty much spent most of my time saying, "Omigod!  I'm in DC"!

Washington Monument

White House

Orangutan Crossing (National Zoo)

Panda (National Zoo)

National Cathedral

Ford Theater where Lincoln was assassinated.

Mary Lincoln's gown

Lincoln's hat he was wearing when he was assansinated.

Iwo Jima

Tomb of the Unknowns

Vietnam Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Waiting to ride an elevator to the top of Washington Monument.

Spirit of St. Louis

The United States Capital

There was so much to see and do in DC.  To list everything we saw and did would make the list quite long but it would include:

The Hope Diamond
Archie Bunker's Chai
All the inauguration gowns of the First Ladies
The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution,  Emancipation Proclamation
The Exorcist stairway in Georgetown
The flag that inspired the writing of the song "Star Spangled Banner"
Library of Congress
John Kennedy's resting place and eternal flame.
Tomb of the Unknowns changing of the guard
Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial
Union Station

And so much more.  To see it all with my own eyes; original documents that are hundreds of years old, artifacts that founding fathers wore or used or held...  It's unforgettable.

The Adirondacks - Upstate New York

I've been back form my trip to the Adirondacks for a week now.

It wasn't one of my usual trips.  It was much slower paced but we still did a lot and saw a lot.  It was hot and muggy and I think I only peed twice a day because of how much I was sweating.

The first night there we rode into town on a buggy.  I'm not sure how fun it was because I was so concerned with the horses (Harley) ability to take us down the hills.  It's a lot of work for the lil' buggers.

The first night I was introduced to Stewarts ice cream and I became a mild addict.  The little stores sell them by the cone and they're everywhere!  There was no going wrong with all the flavors.  I had plenty of Adirondack Bear Paw, Death by Chocolate and Chocolate Raspberry Ripple

We went on a couple small hikes that were in the "backyard".  Both lead to pretty great views.

One day we met up with my brother's ex whom we were all pretty close to.  I loved seeing her and it just reminded me how much I love her and miss her.  She's doing really well and I'm really happy for her.

My dad and I went to tour Fort Ticonderoga which I'm embarrassed to say I knew nothing about but was a huge part of US history.  I loved going there and having my dad to myself.  We ate at the Hot Biscuit Diner on the way home and he had a "pretty good" hamburger for only the second time since his heart attack in December... he followed that up with another hamburger three days later.

One evening we enjoyed strolling through the Essex County Fair.  Very small.  Great people watching.  Limited food selection but the there is a riding lawn mower pulling competition.

There was some trick the the leaning that made them go a little further.

We climbed to the top of Mount Jo one day.  I was quite a hike and the view was incredible.  As was the view from the top of Whiteface Mountain (missing the $18/ea gondola ride to the top we paid $22 for all of us to drive to the top and take an elevator up to the summit that is inside the mountain).  I couldn't stop looking at the view of Lake Placid.

Zelda's a mountain climber too.  12 yrs old and practically ran up the whole thing!

My dad bestowed unto me his 40 year old bandanna

And in the end, I got on a horse and rode it bareback around the pen thingy (I believe that is the correct term but don't quote me).  I have been terrified of horses since I was about nine.  Although I'm hating that I look like a blob of fat sitting on a horse, I was quite impressed with myself for doing it and not crapping my pants in the process.

My dad entertained himself while I rode.  He may or may not be singing.

On the way to the airport home we stopped and had lunch at Betty Beaver's Truck Stop and when I got home I reactivated my gym membership.

Trying to let go and let it be

I have my trip for this year planned - going to the Adirondacks.  Well, I can't completely say I have it planned.

I am going on vacation with no idea of what to expect.  I have done little research of the area.  I don't know what there is to do.  I don't know what to expect.

I'm actually okay with this.

Those who know me know I research the hell out of a trip.  I find all there is to do, how much it costs, what day we will go to what places and even the time of day we will go.

Yeah, obsessive.  But I see all I want to see, do and eat.  It's never hectic and I enjoy every minute of it.

This time I bought my ticket and this was the only decision I had to make.  My vacation is in others' hands.

This will also be my first vacation with my dad since I was about 10 years old when we would go camping for a week at a time in Northern Minnesota.  This is my first vacation with step mom #2.  I will be flying and they and my sister will be driving.  This is my first vacation with my sister.

Vacation in the works - New York!

Exciting news.  I've been invited to go along on a trip to the Adirondacks this summer!
My dad and step mom #2 go just about every year to visit a friend.
I've never been to New York and while it's not NYC, it's still NY.  Plans are still in the works, the when and for how long.  But it's going to work out and be fairly inexpensive.  Airfare and spending money only.
This will be a very different trip than what I'm used to.  I usually go for places with a lot of sightseeing, activities, history, etc.  I'm on the go from early morning to late evening.  I want to see everything and do everything.
This trip will force me to relax (good?) and do things like hike, fish and dare I say horseback riding? (terrified of horses)
I will not be able to research this trip to death and make the plans.  I will follow someone else's itinerary.  This is a test of how I do letting go of control!  Eeep!
This will also be my first vacation with my dad since I was about nine years old.  I'm looking forward to the quality time with him.

Heading out again

Tomorrow morning I'm taking off for San Antonio, TX. A long weekend with a girlfriend in the hot sun. I'm really looking forward to this trip. It's another place I've never been. We only have a tentative itinerary that includes the Alamo and some other missions, shopping and in general walking around and seeing the sites. There will also be margaritas and food! I'm thinking since it is Fiesta there now, they have barrels full of margaritas that you walk by and dip your glass in. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Her six year old daughter asked if I would teach her to "talk Texas" when I got back since I taught her how to "talk Boston" last year. Finally, a willing participant.

Florida

Finally some pictures from Florida.

Daytona Beach

My nephew and I climed 203 steps to the top of the Ponce de Leon Inlet lighthouse. There was a great view from the top. This is looking down the spiral staircase before we started going back down.

The best ride at Universal Studios. It was fast and there was fire and it was fun. So much fun that we waited in line for one hour to ride it a second time.



Kennedy Space Center. It was raining part of the day but a lot of what we did was inside. This is the day that I was reminded why I avoid vacations with my step-dad - he was crabby.

St. Augustine

I keep thinking about St. Augustine. I really would love to go back again and spend some more time walking around. All the little shops and the way it was set up. I just love being there. Plus it was probably the most perfect day weather wise. This is the enterance to the old part of St. Augustine. All the walls are made out of this sand/shell mixture.

I drank from the Fountain of Youth. So far nothing... There were some gorgeous peacocks on the property.

A bit about Florida

I have completely managed to update my blog. I have had a horrible time uploading my pictures for whatever reason. I will have to post those at another time.
Florida was perfect. The weather was in the 70's and sunny. St. Augustine was my favorite. All the unique shops and history. Plus I got to meet a long time internet friend. We had lunch. We've talked about meeting since about 2002.
Universal Studios was fun and crowded but worth it. The Kennedy Space Center was worth seeing once. Minus the old lady who sat in front of us in the IMAX theatre. My mom was talking quietly during the opening credits and the lady turned around and said, "Excuse me. Could you shut up?" and turned back around. Apparently the film on living in space in 3-D is a serious one. She certainly didn't stand up and tell the little 2 year old that was crying to shut up. She didn't tell the audience to shut up when the gasped and ooo'd and aahhh'd at the 3-D. Needless to say, my witty combacks I told her in my mind distracted me from the movie.
Daytona Beach was fun. Boogie boarding was so much fun and my nephew and I dug castles with moats in various places on the beach.
It was hard to leave but it's good to be home too. Now I have plans for San Antonio in a couple weekends. I figure I better do some traveling now because once I (hopefully) get a job who knows when I'll get some vacation time!

Going on a jet plane

I'm so excited to have booked my trip to go to Daytona Beach in March. I've got plans to see Universal Studios, Kennedy Space Center and a trip to St. Augustine. I'm flying down with my 11 year old nephew who has never flown. I hope he gets a window seat!
I have been to Florida twice. Once in 4th grade and once in 11th. I still have so many memories of the things we did and saw and ate.
I can distinctly remember the way the air smelled and felt on my skin. I remember the warmth from the sun, the warm breeze. I remember the salt from the ocean water drying on my skin making it tight. I remember the scent of aloe from the lotion I wore after spending the day in the sun. I remember being so relaxed and completely in the moment enjoying my surroundings, enjoying my vacation.
I remember the sand and crushed shells in Clearwater Beach. I remember it rained when we were in Disney the first time. I remember the smell of coffee in the hotel restaurant. I remember swimming in the ocean. There were jellyfish I avoided.
I'm excited to go, to experience new things and make new memories.

NOLA (New Orleans Louisiana)

A year ago this week I was in New Orleans. Thinking back on that trip I have a longing for Louisiana. I wouldn't live there but I would visit again.

We stayed in the French Quarter just a couple blocks from Canal Street. We walked everywhere or took public transportation. The day we visited the plantations and the swamp was part of a day tour and a shuttle drove us to our destinations. We learned a ton from our driver. She took us through some residential areas that were still abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. She was staying in a FEMA trailer herself.

The way of life is so different and the historical way of life is so different. I learned so much about the land and the reasons of the South's way of life. Living in the Midwest, I've grown up learning about life on the prairie so the trip to NOLA was a learning experience.

Here are some pictures.

FRENCH QUARTER

^Jackson Square

^French Quarter balcony

^Beignets and cafe latte at Cafe Du Monde

^Voodoo Museum

SWAMP TOUR

^Spanish Moss

^Alligator sunning on a log

^Me holding a snapping turtle

LAYFAYETTE CEMETARY

PLANTATIONS

^San Fransisco Plantation

^Laura Plantation

^Slave Cabin at Laura

^Destraun Plantation (used in "Interview With a Vampire")

^Oak Alley Plantation

^St. Joseph Plantation

^Houmas House

^Nottoway Plantation