September 5, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

dank u

(That’s thank you in Dutch.)

The endless round of thank you’s to those awesome peeps who help keep me fed, give me a place to sleep and provide good entertainment or new friendships and other good stuff on the road:

*Alex~ You are sweet and generous. I am always humbled by service people and your selflessness. Thank you.
*Judy~ The Love Shack was a great little home and resting spot. Here’s to meeting new friends in my 50th state!
*Katie and Alison~ What can I say? To new fun and sassy gal pals in Portland at such last minute randomness? Love it.
*Greg~ To the different planets we live on, but somehow the same head and heart place and not drowning in whitewater.

I’ve had the good fortune of meeting, spending time with, being fed, housed and supported by countless people on this trip. I’ve even been treated to whitewater rafting. So fun. One of the best things I have been able to do on this trip is tour someone around with me that has barely been out of his own state let alone comfort zone. I’m talking someone who has never eaten gelato or Dairy Queen. The simple things. The sights, sounds and flavors to him are like exposing a kid to a candy store and telling them; Go on in kiddies- it’s allll free! A pretty amazing way for me to be able to pay it forward. The world is perhaps more his oyster now, the way it became mine 16 years ago. Now there’s no going back.

I have officially realized to the nth degree that we live in a country that affords any and all of us the possibility of doing and being whatever we darn well want.

Can you believe it?!

So I’ve decided I’m going to keep on doing just that and I hope you all do too.

Here’s to oysters, candy stores and freedom of choice.

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September 4, 2010 In Oregon

stinky armpits and smiles

Off for a whitewater rafting treat. I am one lucky gal. If you haven’t been to the Northwest in the summer, run- don’t walk, to your nearest travel agent or calendar to book some time to come out here next summer. What am I saying? What I really mean is if you have never been on a road trip in the United state during summer- you must. There is nothing like it. Nothing.

Another night of car camping last night after walking around a small town Oregon First Fridays Art Walk and talking with locals, waking up at 6am mangled in my front seat, grabbing a coffee and heading out for a gorgeous day outside, I feel like pinching myself once again. I keep thinking- am I really doing all this? I’m smelly, broke, unshowered and uncertain, and I’ve never been happier in my life. I feel like I am LIVING. Like really, really LIVING. This is amazing.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Hope everyone is getting out in some kind of sunshine.

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September 4, 2010 In Uncategorized

open spaces

Touring a friend around the Northwest.

There’s been a battle in my head and heart whether to stay a bit in San Fran or NYC.

After yet another day with the vibe, love, chatter, way of the west, I think this girl might end up schlepping grapes in Napa for harvest this fall. I don’t have any $ to get back to the East Coast anyway. Talk about some stories to come if I busted my ass picking grapes 14 hours a day for a buncha weeks. I’m thinking I’d like it and perhaps that’s what the next phase of BLR is supposed to be.

Stayed tuned.

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September 2, 2010 In Alaska, Photos

i heart cameras

Now that I’ve made the enormous investment of $25 (hey that’s like 2 weeks food budget for me on the road!) to Flickr for unlimited photo and video storage space, I’m going to use every bit of unlimited I can. get ready for a picture-fest! (If you have the desire to see a slew of my photos, visit here and search Blue Lollipop Road. There’s a bunch!)

Who needs a jacket when you can wear a furry bikini to keep you warm in Alaska? On sale for only $89.95, I’m thinking I might have missed out on a deal. Hotness.

Bikini in Juneau

As if throwing the “gy” on dog, it makes for a cuter sign to tell people not to let their dogs crap there. (Ok, so it is kind of funny.)

Sign in Sitka

Ahhh…capturing a moment. Oh the joy.

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