August 30, 2011 In Honda, Photos, Virginia

colorful preparations

There’s more to do besides work on my laptop for 10 hours a day in my lake side office to prep for this trip. Like making sure my toes are Blue Lollipop Road blue of course:

Blue toes on the dock

Last summer before driving to Alaska I painted my fingernails “Ogre The Top Blue” a Shrek inspired color:

Thumbs up for BLROAD

(Thumbs up for that!) Maybe next year I’ll paint my face?

For this trip I chose “Sexy In The City” blue for my toes. (Who comes up with these names anyway?) Can I just say how fun it is to have an accidental flip-flop tan from walking around Chicago so much? Who knew living in a city would give me my first ever flip-flop tan.

On other trip prep news:

The suggestions have poured in and I have places from New York City, to Portland, South Carolina to New Hampshire. Baltimore to Philly, and Boston love has just come in too. Yeah! I’ve been advised on more noshing suggestions than sights or events so far. (Clearly road food is everyone’s favorite, and I don’t blame them.) Keep sending thoughts, opinions and ideas! I have quite a running tally. If only I could split myself in two…

There will be real-time voting happening throughout the trip along with some possible tag-along adventures and more surprises. If you are in the Northeast and think a house guest would be fun or would like to be a local tour guide- drop me a line. (Post a comment here, or shoot me an email; diane (@) bluelollipoproad.com) Everything is possible and there is oh so much fun to be had!

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August 30, 2011 In Honda, New York, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

sunset over seneca

The BLR-Mobile and I shared quite a view on Sunday night. It was a tad windy and more or less rainy and cloudy with residuals from Hurricane Irene all day until…

Sunset over Seneca Lake

…right until the sun was setting.

Just when you think a sunset couldn’t possibly become any more beautiful:

Sunset over Seneca Lake

…it does. (And this is from my cheapie 3 year old Nikkon Coolpix camera with no edits!)

Thank you my little car, for bringing me to all these places. Thank you quiet moments in nature, for making me feel like anything is possible. Thank you continuous lessons, for always reminding me the best things in life are free.

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August 29, 2011 In Articles, Honda, News & Updates, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Vermont

welcome to adventure kick-off week

Here we are. 4 days from today I will be picking up my loaned 2012 Honda Hybrid Civic and hitting the road! I have anticipated this trip for a long time, worked very hard to make it all come together and I can’t wait for it all to begin!

I wanted to start this post by talking about Hurricane Irene. Where I have been staying since leaving Chicago a couple weeks ago there is no TV, so all news and weather reports come from laptops and cell phones. During a storm like Irene that just ripped up the east coast it’s an odd feeling to 1.) Not be able to watch and see what’s going on as easily as you’re used to 2.) Be in a place that’s gorgeous, sunny, and unscathed while the 3 states you spent your first 32 years in that are loaded with most all your friends and family get pummeled. I am happy to report all my friends and family are Ok and safe. (Phew.) I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who have contacted me from around the country asking about my family in VT. Even though you’ve known I am safe in Western NY, you’ve checked on about the people I love the most and I am beyond grateful for that. I’ve been watching countless You Tube videos and reading news articles about Southern Vermont where I grew up and I’m baffled. I experienced a lot of big snow storms growing up there, but never saw anything close to the flooding and damage that’s happened there over this past weekend.

During the planning for this trip there have been buckets of ideas on where to go and what to do. There are a few surprises I had planned (and still have) but I was going to wait to announce until Friday’s kick-off. Considering the weather and events of the past few days I will announce early now, that the trip kick-off will be in my hometowns area of Shaftsbury/Bennington VT!  I decided some weeks ago that it was important for me to share with you all a few very special people, places and things that are huge contributing factors in how and why Blue Lollipop Road originated. I will head to VT after the car pick up at the end of this week. I hope when I get there everyone is still safe, sound and starting to dry out. This storm is yet another reminder that all that really matters are the people we love and the time we have together.

Here’s to supporting your neighbors, holding on tight to people you love, finding something awesome in your day when things don’t feel so awesome, and knowing that “stuff” is replaceable.

Flooded and drenched or not, I LOVE YOU VERMONT! The Blue Lollipop Road has lead me back to you, so I’m coming to show the world how beautiful you are!

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