MI to CHI

I got back to Michigan about 3 AM, Wednesday the 24th. I drove straight through, which may not have been the best idea, as I was on the 3 hours of sleep I got on the first plane ride. But I really just wanted to be done driving and get 'home'. But it is funny - I don't have a home. I'm living out of the bags in my car with no idea even of where I will set up temporarily to start looking for a job. I guess this is one piece of clarity that I didn't find on the trail. :)

I really have no idea of what I'm going to do, or what I want to do. My grandparents are taking a roadtrip across the country and I wanted to do that with them, but that isn't for another two months. Do I find something temporary until then? I found a few opportunities to go to other countries and teach English that seem like a good deal for a one year contract. I'm putting my paperwork in for a passport now, a requirement to apply for that - but who knows, that might be something I have to wait a while for too. I could start looking for 'the real job' now and start getting settled too. So, here I am tossing ideas around and hoping that I figure something out in the next week.

Which brings me to the current! In Michigan, I visited with some friends that I didn't really have the opportunity to see last month when I stopped in for a few days. But again, I was eager to get going on my road trip and only stayed a few days. I called my sister for her to ask my mother if it would be okay for NoThai to stay at the house and try to finalize if we would in fact be able to go to South Dakota or if something shorter was the only option. She had said earlier that we would talk about the details when I came, but I needed to know so I could let NoThai know. That is when the bomb was dropped! Oh, my sister actually starts summer school on July 1st and can't do any vacation until the end of July. I don't know if there was some sort of massive communication issue, but needless to say...I'm a bit more than disappointed about this. I could have stayed in the south to keep hiking along the trail, but I cut it short to come back up north early. I found this all out while I was in Michigan, so I don't really feel like driving the 13 hours back south. Honestly, I would have just canceled the whole trip to Chicago, I was so upset, except the whole family is coming to my mom's house Sunday for a BBQ since I was in town. I also already talked to my Grandma and Grandpa in Wisconsin about us all coming up for a visit along the way to SD. I was looking forward to that too.

So, here I am at my friend Chris' house visiting him and his girlfriend, going to my mom's house tomorrow and driving by myself to Wisconsin to visit. Not quite the way I thought things would go, but maybe with the alone time I'll figure out what I want to do.

LAS VEGAS!

Bluto dropped me off at the airport before heading to work on Wednesday (17th) for my 9:40 am flight to Las Vegas! I had a small layover in Atlanta then a very uncomfortable flight to Vegas, as I was the middle seat smashed between two quite large individuals. When I got to the airport I was pleasantly surprised by John tapping me on the shoulder - their flight had been a bit delayed so they got in about an hour before me and waited for me! We took the shuttle bus to our hotels (which turned out to be right next to each other). We got some food and hung out on Freemont Street for the night and turned in a bit early for the local hour. Vegas is three hours behind our time, so turning in early sort of became a common theme for us (plenty of jokes about us all being old too).

Thursday morning we had breakfast at the Golden Nugget buffet and then hung out at the pool until it was time to start getting ready for the wedding. We ran to the liquor store and got three bottles of champagne and I also got a bottle of Boone’s Farm fuzzy navel (make fun of me if you like, but that stuff is rather good actually). John and Alison both looked absolutely wonderful. We got picked up by the limo and drove out to the Seven Sisters area in the Valley of Fire national park. I thought the red rocks in Colorado were impressive. This area is amazingly beautiful. I took tons of pictures. The ceremony took place at sunset and was gorgeous. There were tears a plenty for all of us - and then BAM - John and Alison are married!!! The photographer made them tromp through the dessert for a while and took tons of pictures with his magic camera that made everything look like magical. That being said, I was allowed to take pictures too since he had a magic camera and I didn’t, he wasn’t worried about my competition. We drank the rest of the champagne on the hour drive back and hung out for a bit more on Freemont Street. They had a stage with live music and of course the big overhead display to entertain us. People watching became more interesting as we consumed the huge sugary sweet drink concoctions.

Friday was more of the same, minus the wedding! We hung at the pool during the day then took to the streets for drinking, people watching and letting loose. We stayed out a bit late on Friday and explored everything on Freemont Street. Saturday was a super laid back day at the pool, followed by dinner and back to the hotel to get some good sleep since we did it up pretty well the night before. Sunday we decided to go to the strip. I called Neil to wish him a happy fathers day - and guess what! He was here in VEGAS! We all got together that night at Diablo’s, a great texmex bar and then headed down the strip to catch the shows. I found a fun game, collecting as many ‘booby’ cards as I could and plan on giving them to friends as souvenirs!

I had a great time in Vegas and am so glad I was able to go to John and Alison’s wedding. I spent WAY too much money, but had a great time. I’m back in North Carolina with my car and ready to drive back to north to take my sister on a road trip.

Blacksburg, VA

I drove out Friday to visit with my long time friend, Logan who moved to Virginia a while ago. This spontaneous visit elicited my going along with his weekend plans of gaming, which I actually miss quite a bit. I got turned onto a new show (Lie to Me), some new music, and survivalist dude named Ray Mears' book. It was a great time, including a visit to the local Dixie Caverns. I don't remember if I've ever been in underground caverns before or not (maybe when I was little), but it was really neat.

I'm heading back to Bluto's house where I'm leaving my car for the weekend while I'm off to Vegas for John and Alison's wedding. Very Excite!

Carver's Gap

I cleaned/closed up Grandma and Grandpa's house and left Florida by 2ish and started driving. In Georgia I stopped for dinner at The GA Pig, a restaurant in my Roadfood book. I don't even like BBQ pulled pork, but this sandwich was the best I've ever had.
I'm gonna need to watch money more closely now because gas and food is going to add up a lot quicker. I think a stop at Walmart is needed for going back on the oatmeal breakfast plan.
I stopped at a rest stop to sleep instead the first day and then made it to Carver's Gap the next day.
I conquered Roan Mountain going south bound. It's pretty funny actually, where I stopped, I was only .8 miles from the top. At Greasy Creek Friendly, Connie had mentioned that when I was the top it was worth doing some side trails. When she was telling me this I thought there was no way I'd do them because I'd be thru hiking and adding extra miles onto those days just wouldn't happen, but since I'm here...I did, and today was maybe my favorite day yet. Not only was Roan Mountain one of my favorite sections, the gardens and high bluff lookout trails were wonderful too. Maybe it was different because I just took the day and did what I wanted with it. It felt like vacation, it felt wonderful.
The next day I went north from Carver's Gap a bit and explored the grassy balds. This was a very nice section as well and I got great views. I got a very early start so I was back in my car on the road again by noon. I drove around a bit more and then decided to drive to Bluto's house in North Carolina. I had started to not feel very good yesterday and today I feel like I've got a head cold. The drive was really great, I sort of went the long way and really enjoyed the drive through the mountains and lakes.

Clearwater Beach

It has been raining here off and on for the past few days, so I've been lounging around, going to the pool when its nice and going to the clubhouse for wireless when it isn't. Despite these rain showers, I decided today that I was going to the beach, for better or worse. I wanted to see the sunset before I left. I drove through downtown Safety Harbor on my way and stopped by the Whimsey house, as Queen Becky suggested. It is great! Nobody was home unfortunately, but I still got some excellent pictures of the fantastic art house. That is the kind of house I can see living in. I wonder what the inside is like. By the time I got to Clearwater beach the sun was back out and the rain dismissed for the rest of the day-perfect!

I went to Frenchies for shecrab soup and crab cakes; I guess I was feelin' crabby! :) It is pretty windy, but that is better than feeling like your melting in the sun with no wind. Being here with someone would be more fun, but then again, I've done a lot of fun things with friends and being here by myself is nice in a different way. I'm thinking again - oh noes! Be prepared, in the last two months I was actually walking and didn't have a notebook in hand ready to record random thoughts...now I do!

I was thinking about 'cash only' and how its funny what an outrage this can cause, on both sides. I thought about this for a while, and I could expand on the point, but really that either customer or merchant becomes angry at the other is silly. It should be noted that I'm not sure why I was thinking about this or why it is important.

Secondly, I was thinking of a friend of mine who was desperate to get married and did so at 27 because as he said, "I'm not getting any younger and she feels the same." He also had expressed displeasure in doing things alone and wanted someone to share those moments with. I'm enjoying this time in my life, and I think I'm afforded it because I'm alone. I've also sort of learned over the last 2 months that there is a natural beauty and certain way things right themselves and work out.

The Return of Roan Mountain

As I begin my searching, I keep being directed back to Roan Mountain. I think this is funny and I’m looking forward to seeing my nemesis again (haha). Really though, apparently it is a beautiful stretch from Roan to US19 (13 miles) and I just stopped about 2 miles short of the awesomeness. I have this article from Backpacker magazine that lists the top spots, and wouldn’t you believe - Roan effing Mountain. Okay, it’s on!

On another related note, you might think that I would have been looking forward to relaxing after hiking. I’m actually sort of restless and eager to do ‘something’, even if it means just getting out of the house. That being said, I have booked my flight to Las Vegas for the 17th through the 22nd and will be heading north from Florida shortly to continue on with my hiking adventure. I was given a book as a gift a while ago, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and I had bought Roadfood last year when I was thinking about driving across the country. Armed with these two books I am ready to keep on keepin’ on! In the meantime, any tips on cheap stuff to do in Vegas? My hotel is on Freemont street.

It was great to relax in Florida. I'm starting to feel a bit guilty now about lack of exercise, which is just adding to my restlessness. I even went to the fitness center here and worked out a few times. I feel great from hiking but I'll start putting the 15 lbs (?) back on soon if I don't change it up.

Florida Arrival

I arrived in Florida today and am at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Safety Harbor. It was great to be home (in Michigan) for a second and see some friends. I was disappointed not to be able to see everyone, but I also didn’t want to make a big deal of my being home when I’m still not really home for good. I didn't want to make it 'official' that I was home. It was also hard not having a vehicle and reliable internet. It was weird, I’ll be honest. I was very happy and peaceful before and I was feeling a bit irritable and depressed back in Michigan. I’m still exploring the reasons but don’t feel like dwelling on it right now. My adventure continues....I’m looking at my atlas and state guidebooks to plan out some Florida adventure maybe before heading back (and are there places I should I stop and see along the way to Virginia?). Or what about a side trip to Las Vegas for a friends wedding I didn’t think I’d be able to go to? And a road trip with my sister has recently come up as an option, which I’m totally psyched about! So many options...whatever shall I do?!

It is still the small things. When I got here, after turning on the power and water, I drove to the grocery store and bought salad fixin’s. I have been craving a gigantic salad for weeks that restaurants haven’t been able to satisfy. When I got back, I picked 4 lemons from my grandma’s tree and made some lemonade. These two things made me incredibly happy and pretty much got rid of the negative feelings I’d been hanging with the last couple of days. Salad and lemonade, my new cure all. In the meantime of planning the next few weeks, swimming in the pool and a beach visit is in order.

All pictures are uploaded - and my online albums are almost full - so download any pictures you want from the first album before I take them offline! Videos are coming soon!