Good Day Sunshine...

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine

I need to laugh, and when the sun is out,
I've got something I can laugh about.

***

We have been in Cape May for the last 5 days and loving the beach and the warm weather. Spent a couple of days at the beach and one by the pool as the weather started to deteriorate with Hurricane Earl nearing ever closer.

Also, for the last few nights I didn't have internet which is why I haven't updated the blog as much as I had hoped. Not to worry, it was a true holiday from all outside communication and the internet and the moblie remained silent.

We are now in DC for the next 4 nights... more warm weather... and lots of walking and doing all stuff touristy! So much to see and do here. Don't worry, I'll be taking some time out for blogging too!

Priceless...

Calls to Spirit Air in search of missing luggage, that were never answered or retuned? 33
Cost of one night at dodgiest hotel in Atlantic City - $200+
New grey hairs due to stress in last 24 hours - 94
Tissues required for tears of frustration and exhaustion due to lack of sleep - 3

Cost of taxi to (and from) airport to enquire if bag had shown up (due to them NOT answering calls or responding to messages) - $62

The relief at having been reunited with Mum's luggage?

PRICELESS!

(now we are off to the beach - also priceless!)
Thank you so much to my USA blogging friend LG who offered her assistance in case we needed it. You are without doubt a shining star (and also priceless!)

Bed bugs! Bed bugs! Bed bugs! There, now just try not to itch, I dare you!

Seriously, up until now we have been having a dream run. The weather has been good, we have been catching up with old friends and hanging out doing the touristy things... we've been having a great time. Sure we have had blips along the way... where we haven't been able to work out a bus timetable, or internet hasn't been available, or people have been snappy... (Oh actually, that would probably be me!) but boo hoo! Really we have been travelling along very nicely thank you very much.

Until today, that is.

It started with Mum's luggage going missing in action. Maybe it got homesick and decided a side trip back to Australia was in order. Maybe it is vacationing in the Bahamas, or maybe it's just decided to stay in Detroit (beats me why, I for one couldn't wait to get outta there!)

And if it is stolen? Then screw the effers who took it, because, quite frankly, it's really messed with our plans dammit! And I hope you are happy with your old ladies knickers!

But the luggage going missing is just the half of it... or at least the catalyst for the miserable parts of our day in any case.
Let me have a whinge, get it all off my chest and then I can begin to like America again. Because right now, the love affair is over.* Right now I am sitting in some dingy little hotel room, somewhere in no-mans land between two casino precincts in Atlantic City, with the door locked, too afraid to turn on the TV in fear of electrocution, having just eaten bad takeaway pizza for dinner so that we could get back to our hotel in the relative safety of daylight.*

Right now, Mum is trying to decide which of my t-shirts she can wear in the morning. And I have just finished checking my bed for bugs.* And for most of the day, we have been waiting for someone/anyyyyyone to call us to let us know if they have managed to track down Mum's bag. To even answer the help number we have been calling for the last 4 hours would be nice.

We hadn't even decided whether to stay here or head down the coast, but once we realised Mum's luggage had not appeared, we were out of options. We had to stay and hope that the bag was returned, and we had to find accommodation... in a City that thrives on the tourist dollar... on a Saturday night... in peak season... And so we called the number given to us at the airport and arranged it all over the phone.

Big mistake... Paying over the phone, was big mistake number 2. Staying in a hotel called Super 8? Not so lucky!

Apparently it is a busy weekend. Apparently there are few spare beds in the entire city of Atlantic City. And accordingly, rates rise becuase of it... and so we have ended up paying WELL over what we have paid for ANY of the accommodation we have had so far, for a hotel that is FAR WORSE than anywhere we have stayed thus far. In fact 'slumming it'* would be a fair description.

Think gunge, think stripper bar next door*, think sirens and noisy neighbours (and it's only 8pm) and you are on the right track so far... We can't wait to leave in the morning. And rest assured we will be leaving in the morning, WITH OR WITHOUT Mum's bag!

*Don't panic, I am prone to exageration.
Canada update and photos on the way, just had to get this off my chest!

Niagara Falls... This is a time to look before you leap... or better yet, look & don't leap...

WOW.

Niagara Falls.
What can I say?

There were lots of tourists, though probably not as many as had it been sunny & warm! Yes, it rained. And the sun didn't make an appearance all day.
And, it was touristy (what do you expect, this place draws nearly 30 million visitors each year, of course it was touristy!)

But you know what? Despite these minor things, it didn't matter.
We had a great day.

We were awestruck what we saw...
From our very first view at the top of the falls, the energy was incredible. It was here we got our first impression about just how much water was going over the falls and the strength of the flow.

Catching the ferry "Maid of the Mist" was a highlight without doubt. It took us right to the base of the falls where we bobbed about in the swirling waters and felt the full force of the wind and spray generated by the millions of litres that cascade 60 meters over the falls every minute. We managed to get prime position on the top front part of the boat and had the best view and also the most drenching of showers!

The falls were totally amazing. From above, from behind and from below... it was... wow... incredible.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was a great day.

Thanks so much to Sharon & Marie for taking us!

Finding lost friends the old fashioned way...

When my Mum and I first booked our trip to the States, we talked of tracking down Canadian friends that we had lost touch with over 30 years ago. Mum sounded doubtful, I was eager but not too hopeful (I had been searching facebook for them with no luck) and Dad didn't offer much help or advice.

Weeks went by and our departure date loomed, and then, just a week before we left... (seemingly) out of the blue, we get an email from Canada! From the very people we were hoping to see!

Seems technology was not the answer, it was good old fashioned snail mail that came to the rescue... sent by silent Dave (my Dad). Without us knowing, he had penned a letter and sent it away to our last point of contact, with a request that whoever lived at the address (if it wasn't them), that the letter be forwarded to our friends! And so it was... by strangers, by friends, by family, and finally into the hands of our friends.

And the letter was scanned and sent on to children (now adults), friends were reconnected and emails and facebook finally caught up with traditional means of keeping in touch! Who would have thought!

And so. For the last few weeks, Mum and I have been trying to co-ordinate a trip to Canada. Three days ago, it was all getting a little bit crazy. Flights connecting from Boston to Toronto saw us havinbg to fly via Florida!!! Thankfully Sharon came to the rescue with some local advice and we are on the way...

And tomorrow we will be sitting with old friends and sharing a cup of tea over 30 years of memories. Not sure how it will be, but have no doubts there will be lots of laughter and probably a few tears too!

Good one Dad , you are awesome!
And full of surprises!  xx

The photo is from a trip we did together over 30 years ago. I'll update that sometime in the next couple of days!

4 hours to Boston with a singing bus driver...

We arrived in Boston on Tuesday, having sadly farewelled Jim and Cindy and Tanglewood and journeyed 4 hours south with a singing busdriver as entertainment...

Now you may think this sounds horrendous, but really he was pretty cool... He showed amazing patience when one of the passengers realised she had left her purse behind and he turned around and went back, he laughed and chatted to passengers at each new stop as the bus continued to fill to capacity, and he sang a song over the intercom between the movies! I know! Crazy huh?

But do you wanna know what sealed the award for best bus driver in the world? When a passenger asked if they had time to have a cigarette at one of the stops? He said, no... that none of us wanted her stinking out the bus!!! No messin, straight down the line - no.

So anyway, for 4 hours on a bus, it wasn't all that bad, and as I said, we arrived on Tuesday and it's now Friday and this is my first Boston post (tut tut!)

But, before you complain, I have gotta tell you, it's been go go go since we got here... My Mum has turned into the tourist terrorist. What can I say, the teacher in her (and her love for histroy in particular) has come out big time!

She has collected brochures, researched the highlights and the hidden gems and we have attacked Boston with no less enthusiasm than that of a military campaign!

We have walked the Freedom Trail, and been introduced to tales of scandal and rebellion, we have travelled to Salem and mixed it up with the witches, we have visited the MFA (the Museum of Fine Arts), we have trolleyed around the town via Cambridge and Fenway Park (home of the Red Sox!), we have crossed Boston Common in all directions, and watched squirrels, children and baseballers play. We have braved the "T" (Boston's train and subway system) and survived (it's actually very easy) and when we have been lost, or looking confused, others have come to our rescue! People have been friendly and patient.

... we have shopped, and eaten well, and gone to the theatre, and we have crashed every night into crisp sheets in room 515 at The Park Plaza (very nice hotel, thanks very much wotif).

And I am exhausted!

But seriously, life on vacation continues to be a bowl (or should I say, a big handfull) of cherries!* The sun shines brightly, and the breeze is warm. And all goes well.

*Cherries $2.99 per lb... mmm mmm mmmmm (sorry Mum, I just ate the last one!)

Lobster ice-cream really does exist... Taste Test USA #3

And let me tell you (through hard cold experience)... it IS NOT a good combination!

And the smile on the lobster's face? Revenge dear readers, no doubt about it.

Sweet lobster revenge.

It's a dodgy mix of sweet vanilla ice-cream with frozen chunks of lobster... and was always going to be a baaaad taste sensation, but I had to give it try regardless of the risk - just to give it a go, and to say I did!


Not surprisingly, it left a decidedly awful taste in the mouth...
(Thankfully nothing that a serve of oreo cookie ice-cream couldn't fix!)

Rating:
Cinta: 0/10
Shirl (Mum): 0/10
Buy again? Never, unless of course I am buying it for some other sucker to give it a go and so I can see the look on their face! This little treat can definitely stay in the Northern hemisphere!

Enjoying Acadia National Park, pop-overs and more glorious sunshine

I've gotta tell you, Maine is turning on the most amazing weather. Today has been another perfect day full of sunshine and bright blue skies. And we have been out all day enjoying it!



We are now on Mt Desert Island (pronounced 'dessert', as in sweets, by most people here) and home to Acadia National Park. It's Mid Coast Maine at it's finest. Lots of little inlets and seaside villages, boats in deep blue waters, craggy coast lines with the woods right down to the coastline and stark white homes peeping through at the waters edge... and of course lots and lots of tourists.

We arrived in darkness late last night and wandered into the centre of the town of Bar Harbor for breakfast this morning... sitting in the sun overlooking the village square. There were quite a few people around, and it seems everyone is enjoying such a beautiful place to be out and about.

There are free mini shuttle buses around much of the island, encouraging visitors to leave their cars at their hotels or off the island all together, and they service many of the local sights and walking trails. Cyclists seem to love the place too and despite the numbers of people, the pace is still very mellow.

We ventured along the coast jumping on and off the buses where we pleased, walked along beachside trails dipping our feet in the ocean (yikes that was cold) and being introduced to the delights of pop-overs at the cafe on the edge of Jordan Pond.

For those of you that have not had the pleasure, a pop-over is not unlike a yorkshire pudding. Quite large and puffy and slightly crispy on the outside and soft and spongy on the inside.

It seems they have them with anything from lobster stew or clam chowder to a sweet option with butter and jam. Both Mum and I opted for the sweet and balanced it with a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade, which came with a small jug of sugar water on the side (which it needed!)





Afterwards we walked around Jordan Pond, a total of just over 3 miles, which was really lovely (and hopefully walked off much of the pop-overs!), and then around the village of Northeast Harbor before heading back to Bar Harbor.

We are hoping to stay until Monday when the weather is forecast to change, and then start heading south to Boston.

Taste Test USA #2 - Peanut Butter m&m's

More m&m's...

This time, Peanut Butter m&m's.

Seems that Americans really love their peanut butter and their chocolate, and more often than not, they have them both at the same time...





And so, I guess, it made sense that m&m's should come in a peanut butter version in the USA. And naturally, (being the thorough investigator that I am!) I had to try them too!

The actual candy (notice my USA terminology there) looked much like a normal m&m. Except, these little sweeties had been into the steroids and had really buffed up. Almost muscular in appearance!

As for taste, there was no mistaking it. Definitely peanut butter. Even to the extent that they were just a bit claggy and sticky on the top of the mouth. I liked them, but I can't say I luuurved them... and my Mum (who hates peanut butter) thought they were palatable.

Rating:
Cinta: 5/10
Shirl (Mum): 3/10 (for the chocolate, not the peanut butter!)
Buy again? Probably not (though I would if I was chocolate desperate!)

Driving on the right side (which for me is the wrong side!)

It's a weird thing navigating a world where cars are on the right side of the road. It's especially weird when there are just SO MANY CARS, and the road rules are different too. To be perfectly honest, I would be quite ok relying on public transport, and in the cities we will. But here on the outskirts of Lincolnville (pop. 2000) public transport doesn't really exist. And so car it is!

Yesterday Jim and Cindy loaned us their car and we set off to local town Camden. I kept telling myself, at every intersection, at every traffic light... drive on the right hand side... stay right... look in ALL directions... double check... Watch the speed limit... stay alert... stay right...

Despite knowing that the gears were on the right hand side, I was continually trying to change gears with my door handle - good reason to keep that locked!! Thankfully the foot pedals are the same and the gears are not reveresed, or I would have been in real strife!

It was quite nerve racking and I can't say I really enjoyed the driving side of it, but it did allow us the freedom to go where we liked and have a bit of a look around without having to disturb other peoples plans.

So, off we went to the pretty town of Camden, where the sun shone brightly for another day and tourists wandered in and out of shops and (you guessed it) more eateries! We met up with Cindy (there for a meeting) and sat by the water overlooking the busy harbour and later lunched in the park at the top of town and watched the harbour from a higher vantage point.

After that we took a short drive to Beech Hill, where we climbed through blueberry fields to a small cottage at the top and were treated to vast views across the entire region. With stunning views and a soft breeze, it was the perfect place to cool down and sit a while.











Later, when we were home, Jim took us out to grab some lobsters from a local lobsterman and we had a meal of fresh lobster for dinner. Messy, but very very nice. The price is incredible. A dozen cost just under $70. That's just over $5 each. Thanks guys - what a treat!

No, we didn't eat them all, we had one each and the rest will be used over the coming days and sent down south to Jim and Cindy's son Silas with Tyler, (their oldest son) who is visiting.

Lincolnville beach, Lobster sandwiches and lots of sunshine... can't beat it!

Yesterday was a day for rest and relaxation for us here. We did a pretty good walk down to the local town and back and soaked up the sun! There was never much at Lincolnville beach twenty years ago that I remember, though it has changed a little since then. The pebbly beach remains as always (of course), lots of stones and only sand when the tide goes out, there is a ferry that goes to the nearby island of Islesboro, a few new shops and about 4 eateries, all offering lobster in all forms from salad and sandwiches to lobster dinners.

Given that Maine is the "lobster state of the USA" it had to be done.

Lobster sandwiches with slaw (coleslaw) and fries was really nice, especially as we ate with a view across the water and sun on our backs. We followed with a trip to Islesboro on the ferry, a drink and ice-cream in the sun sitting with waterside outlook (on those old style beach chairs), a trip back on the ferry, and a pint of soda at the local pub (also new) before the hike back up to home. It was a good day. And don't worry, we worked it all off with the walk back up the hill!

Stepping back 20 years...

Twenty years ago I was in the USA for the first time.
I was in traveling mode then, 22 years old and seeing the world with a backpack on my back. When I applied to go to Summer Camp in the USA through an organisation called Bunac, I filled out the application, sat an interview and left the rest in the hands of fate.





Tanglewood was where I was introduced to the summer camp way of life. And I loved it. Atfer one week of training and team building, the kids arrived. Some enthusiatic and full of bravado, others not so keen and needing more encouragement. Where nowadays they are stripped of their mobile phones and ipods, way back then they were not permitted to bring walkmans!

I remember the first meal, where the noise rose as counsellors settled their kids into the routine and they started to talk, squeal, yell and laugh with each other with mouths full and stories to tell...

And where kids sang before and after meals and all my dreams of summer camp USA came to life. It was like living in a movie!




There were leeches in the river where we swam, no electricity in the cabins, woodpeckers in the birch trees and porcupines in the field. And always an incredible meal waiting (much of it accompanied by maple syrup!!)

Six one week sessions and a two week session in the middle, a new batch of kids arrived every week and we were always on our toes. Of course when the kids weren't there, the counsellors had time to themsleves and lifelong friendships were built. For years now, Tanglewood has been calling me back. I have dreamed of coming here often and when I decided to return to the States, this was top of my destination list.

Camp directors Jim and Cindy have welcomed me and my Mum warmly into their home (not far from camp) and yesterday we had a tour of camp and across the weekend a small reunion of friends from the time.

And whilst there have been a few changes, a few more grey hairs, a few less hairs (in the case of the guys) and the addition of kids and partners, really we are not that changed at all. The way we laugh is the same, our smiles, our voices and our manner is all totally recognisable.

And we all remembered Tanglewood with fondness and light. It has been fantastic to visit and reconnect again.



Later in the week we hope to have lunch there with the kids which should be fun.

*Mum and I are the two in red. Love the fact that we all have big smiles on our faces!

Taste Test USA #1 - Pretzel m & m's

It occured to me yesterday, as each day seems to bring a new food to sample or a new slant on something we have in Aus, that I might add in a new theme to some of my posts whilst here, where I'd share my food tasting adventures along the way, in honour of all that is crazy or new in food here in the USA.

Welcome to Taste Test USA number 1.



You can only imagine my delight when I went into a drug store yesterday and saw a range of m&ms not available to us in Aus. I love m&ms. Crispy, plain, Peanut, mmmm, they are hard to resist. And here the temptaion is going to be even greater, because the range is far more extensive and enticing!

The ones that first captured my attention? Pretzel m&ms! Seriously.
Crunchy, Salty, Sweet. An odd combination, but I HAD to try them.
(Let's face it there's everything in one little pack)
And I have to tell you, they got the thumbs up from me.
They are about the size of a peanut m&m and not at all like a pretzel in appearance.
Quite crispy, definitely still chocolately, but also with a hint of salt.
mmmmmmmm
Take a good look at the pack - the orange m&m has an xray of his stomach, and there is a curved pretzel inside. Cute AND tasty.

Rating:
Cinta: 8/10
Shirl (Mum): 8/10
Buy again? You bet!

Pretty Portland...

Even though we were rather frazzled after such a long time on and off planes and crossing time zones, we ventured into Portland downtown area yesterday afternoon to have a look around.

Everything is new and different.

Houses up to the footpaths and people sitting out front watching the world go by, traffic lights that seem to take an age to allow for pedestrians, which everyone seems to ignore (except us in fear for our lives!), bagels for lunch with so many options for fillings and spreads we don't know what to choose, money that all looks the same and tiny coins.

It's that jetlag phase where everything seems slightly off balance and decisions take longer than normal.


Portland is pretty. We walked into town and found ourselves in downtown Portland precinct in about 20 minutes. It's what I would expect from a New England town, lots of weatherboard buildings and lots of tourists. Also, it's quite arty. So many galleries and little specialty shops. Very cool.

Found a gorgeous paper shop that was hard to resist, and had to walk past the Museum of Art, with plans to return today with more energy and clearer heads. Wandered down past lots of shops to the waters edge. Where seagulls squalked, tourists checked the deals for whale watching and evening cruises, and waterfront diners ate lobster sandwiches.

What can I say, it's a good place to be.

And now it's Friday morning and we have both had 11 hours of solid sleep, we are ready to head out again and get to it... once it's light that is (it's just on 5am, so probably a bit early yet!)

Oh yes, I did get that swim in the hotel pool. We hoped it would wake us up so we could last another few hours... we lasted about 20 more minutes. But the swim was just perfect.

We've arrested your Mum and sent her back to Australia...

So it was a long flight. Really long. 14 hours which seemed to stretch to days. By the time we arrived in Los Angeles we were both already feeling pretty wiped out (I had worked the day I left and we left at 8.45 pm so with little sleep, we both felt as if we had been on the move for hours)

Anyway.

We arrive at LA, where we have to go through immigration and passport checks. Mum and I queue and go to separate desks to be processed. I get through first and Mum is still being checked and looking a little confused.

There is something wrong with her passport and visa. They don't match.

No probs, I say, I'll go and get the luggage and meet you back here once they have it all sorted out. And off I go.

Thing is, I start getting a little anxious when I am the last to collect my luggage and not only has Mum not appeared, she has disappeared. I can't find her where I last saw her. She is NOWHERE to be seen!

So I find the official who had been dealing with her, and after he was finished with his current group, I asked him if he knew where my Mum had gone.

He looked me straight in the eye and said: "We have arrested her and sent her back to Australia".

Now, I have always been told these guys are not ones to joke around and so, I was thinking something was definitely wrong. And that very possibly Mum was hyperventilating somewhere at the prospect of a 14 hour return trip to Australia without as much as a taste of a NYC hotdog!

What do you mean? Are you serious? Arrested?

The look on my face must have made his day and he seemed to respond accordingly, with smiles, laughter and reassurance that he was "only joking"!!!

Who said these guys didn't have a sense of humour???
He was an absolute cracker!
Aye aye aye!

No need to worry, my Mum was eventually processed and let into the country and we went on our merry way.

We have just arrived in Portland Maine, about 30 hours after leaving Melbourne. It's midday and as we need to keep moving so that we don't crash too early. The weather is warm and the pool is beckoning...

Making a list and checking it twice...

Passport - check.

Tickets - check.

Money/credit cards - check.

Flat cleaned, paperwork sorted, bills paid.

Check, check, check.

Washing done - check.

House sitter organised - check.

Late minute catch ups with friends - check.

Work replacement organised - check.

Lift to airport booked - check.

Tim tams, cherry ripes, caramello koalas packed?

Check check check.

Ready to go?

check!

Two...

Peace.

(just 2 sleeps peeps)

Come fly with me, come fly, come fly away...

Feel free to join me on my journey.

Just as a warning though, I think any spare space in my suitcase is already taken!

As an alternative, you can come fly with me on my journey just by sitting down at your computer! I have just bought a little 10 inch netbook, and whilst I am struggling with working a pc and not a mac, it is a little beauty! And I know I bitch and moan about technology when it all goes wrong (when my eyes glaze and I whine until someone comes to my technological rescue), but this is very very cool.

It means I will be in touch throughout the trip (as long as I have internet access of course). It uploads photos direct from my camera memory card, I can log onto the internet wherever there is WiFi and I can make video calls via Skype! I even have a twitter account!*

And of course I WILL be blogging.

So drop by when you can and I'll try to keep you well traveled, all from the comfort of your own home.

* My username is onelittleacorn, though I have yet to use it and I have absolutely no idea how, so I make no promises on this one at all!

1 week today...

This time next week, I will be at the airport about to jump on a plane to the States.

Am I organised?
Well, I think so. Sort of.
Mostly. Given that there is still a week to go...
I do have my tickets and my passport and visa sorted.

Am I packed? 
No.
I don't even have a bag yet!
... maybe I'm not so organised afterall.

Am I getting nervous?
Ahhh, yeh, a bit.
Not really a fan of flying.
Just want to get there as smoothly as possible.
And want it to all go well.
And not too fast!

What are my plans?
People keep asking me, and this is my standard answer...
First stop Maine.
Then, maybe...
up to Canada, Nova Scotia, Toronto?
Niagara Falls? Boston? Nantucket? Cape Cod?
Definitely Maine, DC and NYC for sure.
Apart from that... Hmmmm, not totally sure right now, but that's ok, right?

What's the first thing I am going to do?
Sit in the sun and go for a swim in the hotel pool.
I have been told that exposure to sunshine helps the body adjust to the shift in time-zones and helps you recover from the effects of jetlag, so that's high on my priority list. And believe me, I can't wait to soak up some summer sunshine.
Of course, I will have to be careful not to scare the other guests with my untanned skin!

What are you interested in seeing (apart from friends)?
Again, open to pretty much anything, but here are a few things high on the list...
A baseball game (hopefully in NYC)
Central Park, NYC.
Tanglewood 4H Camp, Maine.
Galleries.
The Statue of Liberty from a ferry.
Niagara Falls.
New England coast.
The Northern Lights.
A show on Broadway.
Times Square.
The White House.
Wildlife (of the animal kind)
A chipmunk.
A moose.
A woodpecker... do you know I didn't actually realise they existed until I saw them last time - I actually thought it was just a cartoon character. Seriously. Next I'll be hearing that roadrunners exist too right? They don't exist, do they?

What are you hoping for?
Good weather.
Friends - new and old.
Relaxation.
Laughter.
Inspiration.
Time out.
A good book.
Clarity.
Easy decisions.
Beauty.
A nice beach.
Adventure.
Good company.
The Northern Lights.
Friendship.
Fun.
Space.

Lobster... mmm.

Good food.

A sunny place to sit and be still.

Am I excited?
You bet I am.
(like you couldn't tell!)

Great traveling companions...

Did I tell you I am traveling to the States with my Mum?

For ages I had been talking of escape and adventure and taking a break from the world. Thing is, I wanted to escape everything and everyone, and this was the reason (in part at least) that I took so long to decide what to do and where to go... Because (and here comes the confusing bit) although I wanted to escape, I didn't really want to spend the entire 6 weeks on my own - I also wanted to have company at times too. I really didn't know what I wanted. Apart from everything of course!!!

And so, when I told my Mum I was going to the States, I asked if she wanted to come along too. And of course the answer was yes! There are many great things about this. Amongst them... I get along well with my Mum and we travel well together. We are interested in many of the same things... art, beauty, nature, people watching, relaxing, good food and fun. On top of that, she is like traveling with my own history book as she was bought up in the days when history was a strong part of a child's education and she remembers so much of it!

Also, she understands that I like my own space and we are not so precious that either of us will take it personally if one of us wants to do something different for a day or two.

Originally we agreed that out of 6 weeks away, we would spend 4 weeks together and 2 weeks apart (this I admit, was at my suggestion). I saw it as a good balance without either of us feeling too crowded and not being isolated either. I had plans to head to the Virgin Islands for a beach break and Mum was heading to Nova Scotia to soak up some Canadian goodness.

I was both excited (for me) and a little jealous (of her) at the same time. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that Mum had the right idea... I reaslised that traveling to the Northern parts of the States, just to escape it for two weeks by traveling South for 7+ hours, was just a little bit crazy. I had come all that way, why not make the most of the area while there?

And so, I changed my plans. We have now decided that we will probably hang out together for most of the time... mostly because we want to do most of the same things anyway and it will be more fun with company. And if we decide to go our own way for a day or two at any stage, that's cool too.

Seems finding a rich Texan millionaire (and potential husband) is probably not likely to happen while hanging out with my Mum, and I won't be skinny dipping in the Carribean any time soon, and I'm pretty sure I can say we will not be bungy jumping, paragliding or climbing any glaciers, but that's ok. Because even if I miss out on these few things, we are going to have a great time together regardless.

Just ten sleeps to go!

Back in 'my day' it wasn't this complicated... was it?

I traveled extensively in my 20s. India (briefly) and Africa at the innocent age of 21, followed by countries across 3 continents. I look back and wonder at my bravery. I had a few close calls... and a lot of luck along the way. I certainly never considered myself brave, and truth be told, it was probably more naivete that got me through (and may well have been my salvation)!



And whilst things were not always easier, all in all, they were more simple times.

In those days there were none of the complications of todays techno travel...

I said my farewells at the departures gate, not knowing when I would next speak to my family. 

I had a passport pre-stamped to allow my entry into foreign countries. 

I used a backpack and carried it like a turtle carries it's home - on my back. 

I carried a money belt packed with my airline tickets, travelers cheques, some local currency...

and a swiss army knife!!!

I had a list of post offices where I would collect post... a service referred to as poste restante.

I had a camera and a spare battery.

16 rolls of film in a lead lined bag to protect it from the xray machines.

A dog-eared Lonely Planet filled with circled cheap deals and places to stay.

Adventure waited around every corner.

There was no internet.

No email.

No mobile phones.

No quick way to call for help if the going got tough, or book a hotel from the train before arriving in unfamiliar territory.

Luggage did not come with built in wheels.

As I said, they were simpler times.

This time around, it feels like an exercise in technological warfare.
Passport with electronic chip inserted.

Electronic visa.

Home printed tickets with barcode for electronic check-in.

Mobile phone.

Charger.

Camera.

Charger.

Memory cards.

Netbook.

Charger.

Cords.

Cables.

Converters.

Adaptors.

Credit cards.

Pin numbers.

Cash passport with US currency.

Pin numbers.

ATM card/s.

More pin numbers.

Surely our simple, more advanced life, is actually more complicated than ever? My luggage is going to be chock a block full of cables and electronic goods. And I haven't even started packing yet. And I am definitely suffering from a major case of pin number fatigue.

Top class used to be a private room with a shared bathroom...

Now, I know in my last post I said that I wasn't going to plan any more of my trip, and I am not... however, I did want to mention Lonely Planet travel guides (of course I refer to the USA guide because it's the only one I am reading right now)...

My original travel bible, Lonely Planet used to exemplify the adventurer's spirit... I used them to simplify my travel and allow me to get a feel for what to expect of my destination, without taking away the excitement. It gave me a backpackers view, having been written by backpackers for backpackers. It was perfect for the budget traveler.

Twenty years later, I am still a budget traveler (hey, 5 star would be grand if I could afford it!) and so this time LP was my first port of call. And as I have grown older, it seems LP has too.



Like me, Lonely Planet seems to have changed over the years, but (unlike me!) LP has not necessarily changed for the better. It seems to me the Lonely Planet guides have drifted from the backpacker market and are now concentrating on travelers whose wallets are thicker than ever.

I know it's been 20 years since I traveled, but hotels were never the mainstay of Lonely Planet readers 'back in my day'. Since when has the budget travel cheap range been US$80-$120? Surely there are cheaper options, or at least other options to consider...

Top class used to be a private room with a shared bathroom in a cheap pensione in Austria. Dorm rooms shared with snoring room-mates were a median priced option (and great way of meeting fellow trippers). Cheap was sleeping on the roof of a hostel in Israel, or pitching a tent in a Welsh farm where sheep had been wandering the day before. Is nothing sacred?

None of these options are even considered in the latest volume that I have seen. And whilst I know (and expect) NYC to be reasonably expensive, and I don't expect to pitch my tent in Central Park NYC, it would be nice to have options other than hotels listed in other places...

So, what's the deal LP?

*oh yeh - 13 sleeps to go

Winging it in the USA and holding onto adventure...

I have been meaning to add an update post to my blog for ages, but because my plans have been changing (and more countdown posts were getting a little bit boring), it was hard to know where to start. And on top of all that, I have been super busy.

All the planning (tickets/itinerary/accommodation/contacting friends)

The paper work (passport/money/visa)

Organising my life and home in my absence (house sitter/bills to be paid/work replacement)
Making decisions (where to go/what to do/where to stay)

Google has become my best computer buddy, taking over temporarily from my bff - blogging. Any free time I have had, has been spent researching, planning, changing plans and thinking about other plans.

As if procrastination isn't bad enough, add in indecision (a slightly different affliction) and a touch of nervousness and the plans have been rotating and changing on a daily basis.

The internet, in some ways makes it all a little too accessible, too easy to plan everything before even boarding the plane. Down to an itinerary for each and every day, each moment accounted for, each meal, tour and destination planned. But where is the adventure in that?

So, instead of over planning, I have decided to wing it a little.

I had plans. Lots of them.

Maybe too many.

Some have changed.

Some remain the same.

Many more will no doubt change along the way...

And so, as far as telling you my plans, I can't tell you that much at all.
What I do know of my six weeks in the USA is this...
I be staying in Maine for the first week and renewing my love for beautiful New England.
I am staying with old friends and we will be having a small reunion with a few others too.
I am spending ten nights in NYC, and at least three in Washington DC.

I am meeting up with some blogging friends.

And the rest?
There are many options of course, but right now, I am trying to hold on a little to the adventure of not knowing what might happen... being open to all the possibilities, embracing the freedom, relaxing... and remembering to breathe. At least three of the six weeks are a mystery at this stage, and that is how it's going to stay for now.

Maybe it's a little bit crazy, but it's pretty exciting too!

And so you know, it's just over two weeks to go...

28 days

Parliament is in...

Aren't these little cuties?


I saw them ages ago in a catalogue and called the store, only to find they hadn't even got the stock in yet. So they took my name and number, and I figured I would never hear from them again.

That was maybe 2 months ago now and just a couple of weeks ago, I got the call and they put them aside for me, and held them until I managed to pick them up on Sunday. Let me just say at this point, I didn't get there as early as planned and when I called to ask them to hold them a few days longer they happily obliged, thanking me for the call.

When I got there, Fred remembered my name, got them out of storage and we discussed which ones to buy and a few ways to set them up. He was really lovely and so helpful. (thanks Fred!)

There are 4 different options/sizes and they are all under $10ea.

Pretty cute hey? If you like them (and you want them too) just go to Domayne in QV Melbourne. There were quite a few in stock when I was there, though I don't expect they will last for long - they're a real hoot!*

*sorry - I just had to!

Selling up to go traveling...

I chose this image because (as you know) it's just 37 sleeps to the USA, but also because this is my car - well it's the same version as my car - a 40th anniversary edition to commemorate when the Mini won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.

Mine doesn't have the checkered roof or details, but it has a number 37 on the side (the number of the car that won the race).

I love it, though recently I have been considering selling it and going traveling for a year. What do you think?

Any buyers?

* I just wanted to say a very big thank you to everyone for your comments and suggestions re travel to the USA and apologise for not getting around to many blogs lately (and those I do visit I haven't been leaving many comments). Planning for the big trip has been keeping me busy, but I am still here and lurking about. And I will return!

42

You guessed it.
42 Sleeps to USA.
(Not that I'm counting!)

Coming soon - Project USA.

There are days when I really want a drink...

I don't really drink alcohol.
Mostly it's because I don't like the taste.


It would be nice to sit with friends and share a bottle of wine, to enjoy a social gathering over a few drinks at the end of the week or a hot summer's day. But to this day I have never managed to find a wine or beer that I especially like. So I figure, why bother?


But there are days...
when I am over the slog
when my patience is wearing thin
when all I want to do is scream bloody murder...
when I think that having a few bevies to calm the turmoil inside my head, might come in handy.
That drinking myself into oblivion might soak away the voices and frustrations. Where my sorrows will be drowned and silenced.

Somedays I believe that waking up with a hangover, might just be preferable to waking up with the head-hurting knowledge that groundhog day is waiting for me to get out of bed to start all over again.

Actually, it's 48 sleeps from today... (oopsie)

Oopsie.
Slight miscalculation.
I have 48 sleeps from TODAY before I leave for the states.
(Not that it really matters, but I just wanted you to know).
Not to worry.
The countdown has begun.

48 Sleeps

On this day in 7 weeks I will be getting on a plane to NYC, USA.


I will be away for a total of 6 and a half weeks. I can barely believe it is happening! It seems like an age since I have had a holiday and I really do need the break, and 6.5 weeks is bliss.

My Mum (Mom) and I will be traveling together. We have agreed to spend 4 weeks together and 2 weeks 'doing our own thing', so that I can get the escape from 'my world' that I have been craving, and we can hang out together for the rest of it. Thankfully we are good travel companions, so it will be a great combination.

There has been some planning (though this weekend will see more when Mum and I get together) and this is where it stands at this stage...

Arrive NYC, August 5th.
Head straight to Maine for the first week or two. We will hang out with friends and visit Camp Tanglewood where I worked as a summer camp counsellor 20 years ago. I would love to rent a house (or better still be invited to house sit or stay with friends) on the Maine coast.

Picture all those New England postcards you may have seen of little seaside towns with stark white homes and tiny shops huddled around a small bay and that's where we'll be. With luck we will see the Northern Lights.

For those first one to two weeks, my ideal would be relaxing in the summer sun and soaking up good old USA hospitality. No pressure to do anything but grab a book, write a journal, do some drawing, take a walk, sit in a cafe and watch the world go by.

Be still. And breathe. Deeply.

From there it's largely unplanned. At this stage we are going to stay in the northern states as I traveled to California and other southern states 20 years ago.

What I do know... There will be a trip to Niagara Falls. Maybe a few days in Boston. Two weeks of mystery adventures. And then, across the last two weeks I will be in Washington DC for the long weekend in September (where I hope to meet a lovely blogging friend), traveling south to Southern Maryland to visit another friend (due to have twins in the next few weeks) and then ten nights in NYC.

It already sounds busy, but I don't want to over plan as I want to leave some of it to chance. Though I am keen to organise accommodation in NYC so that we can head there and not have to worry about where we will be staying.

I'm expecting there may be some readers who are a little envious (I know this because I know the jealousy I have experienced when reading posts about other blogger's travels) and maybe wish you could be doing the same trip... that right now you are thinking of all the things you would do if you were in the USA for 6 weeks!

I would love to hear your thoughts.

If you had 6 weeks in the USA where would you go and what would you do?
Is there anything you just wouldn't want to miss?
Have you been to NYC? Would you recommend anywhere to stay?
Are there markets you would like to visit? Stores? Galleries?
Hidden treasures you'd like to share.
Workshops you would like to take?
I would love some specifics. Or just general comments are fine too.