June 19, 2010 In Uncategorized

Sipping Up Saturday Morning

Coffee in hand, rereading some books this morning…
I have written about these guys Mike and Nathan before (A long time ago, I shared that any time I emailed Author, Mike Marriner, he would email back personally. There was a quote in one of his emails that I think about a lot; “You just have to find something to give a shit about.”
In prepping for my x-country adventure and fielding plenty of “What’s the point of you doing this Diane?”- questions, I wanted to share a line in Roadtrip Nation I just reread:
We’ve discovered that one of the best ways to explore the world is to simply ask others how they got where they are.

That’s one of the many things my trip to Alaska will offer me; To keep educating myself about people. To continue to learn about how others live, what makes them tick and how they got to where they are. I’m looking forward to taking this information and sharing it with you.
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June 14, 2010 In Uncategorized

Heading down the Blue Lollipop Road

Dear Readers~

In a few weeks I will be leaving the East Coast to drive to Alaska. 
This August marks the 16 year anniversary of the death of two friends of mine. (As you know, they were the inspiration for this website.) I’ll be driving to Alaska in honor of 16 years of their death and celebration of 16 years of their life. My goal for this trip is to make it to my 50th state to keep a promise I made to them in 1994. 
During my trek, If opportunity pops up along the way to work- I will take it. I’ll also be accepting donations and sponsorships. (I’ve already gotten a couple!) Any money I raise in donations and sponsorships will help pay for my food, gas, and some travel accommodations.10% of all funds raised will be gifted to someone else at the end of my trip. (Stay tuned for details on this. I will be “paying it forward”. Very excited about this.)
In the next couple weeks I will be launching a new website, with details of my travel plan, route, how I will be “paying it forward” and things, people and places I will be exploring. Please keep checking back here while this site is under construction. I hope you will follow me on my journey and continue sharing yours with me. 
I have never been happier in my life or more excited to reach a goal. This is the big kahuna for me. I’m so proud to be going in honor my friends and to follow the dreams they’ve inspired in me. After many years of thinking about a promise I have wanted to fulfill, the timing is just right. 
Thank you for continuing to follow, read and comment here.
Here’s to following whatever the Blue Lollipop Road means to you.
Carpe Diem! 
Diane 🙂

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June 9, 2010 In Uncategorized

Go Julie!

My friend Julie is running the Chicago Marathon October 10th in honor of Grace Oughton and to raise money for Neuroblastoma research at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Julie’s husband was among many of the firefighters and other public safety guys and gals who helped start and manage the Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation a few years ago to raise money and awareness for this form of childhood cancer. It has been beyond inspiring to see people come together over the past few years in so many efforts to save young lives. 

Hats off to Julie and the thousands of others who have donated and participated in events and more over the years in the name of Grace. Please visit Julie’s website and donate. Help her reach her goal of $2,000 for the marathon.
We love and support you for every mile Jules!
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