Just a random Chicago store window walk by.
I’m thinking I’d get along swell with whomever wrote this board!
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Yes, that many places in one day and then some. This is where I will ask you to get out a map to follow this story.
No really, go grab a NC map- you are going to need it!
During yesterday, day 13 around OBX and after hearing there were going to be issues with getting to Cape Hatteras with road closures, rearranged ferry’s and ferry schedules, I started asking and calling and calling and asking. Yep, the 800 numbers, locals, staff at various business and visitors centers, even police officers- you name it, I asked and tried and tried and asked, determined to make it to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. As you will hear in the following videos and see in the photos- I didn’t make it, but I did meet some southern sweeties and had quite the drive through the back roads of NC.
I was told/given several stories before I began my attempt to make it on a ferry. Everyone had good intention and really thought they were giving me the right information, but turns out no one really knew what was going on and I didn’t find out the actual deal until I went allllll the way to the end of the line to learn Cape Hatteras was not in my cards this go around. What a wild good chase!
(Ok, now unfold that NC map.)
I left from Nags Head and drove through Manns Harbor to Stumpy Point Bay to catch the ferry I’d been advised to try. (For all of you who are not familiar, normal practice to get to Hatteras is to simply drive from Nags Head on route 12. That route is currently closed, so the reason this fun debacle began.) I was met by a police officer in Stumpy Point Bay next to a “road closed” sign. The officer broke the news that only locals and supplies could be sent on that ferry. He advised me to go to Swan Quarter, so back up the road I went to Manns Harbor, then to Columbia. I headed south from Columbia, through the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge to Fairfield:
…then into Swan Quarter:
…where I pulled over to park and learn after all that calling, asking, and driving, my plan was not going to work:
The good thing is, met and ended up spending the next 2 hours with incredibly warm and funny Swan Quarter Ferry staff:
Mitchell, Wayne, and Glenda fed me coffee, encouraged me to sit and stay as long as I wanted, gave me a desk so I could charge my camera battery (no WIFI at that little building) and treated me like I was part of the family. From my videos it’s plain to see that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these fine folks. Here I am with Ferry Station Manager Mitchell:
What a trip it was to hang out with these people, what a run around, and what a bummer in the end that I wasn’t able to make it to Cape Hatteras. Then again, it’s the journey- not the destination, right?
A huge thanks to All the staff at Swan Quarter Ferry. I am so coming back to see you all!
North I headed, deciding to take back roads on my way to I-95. (Why not keep going with the theme of the day right?) I passed cotton fields:
…and roads that really felt like they just my stop at the end of the earth, so I thought it was funny that I passed this sign:
By the time I reached VA, I needed a big ol’ shower and sleep and that’s just what I did.
Now? Off to Philly with my gifted tickets to the Honda Civic Tour concert this weekend (Thanks Honda!)- and to wrap up the last couple days of this trip.
Making it to all three of the top voted spots from the Honda Facebook page? Sigh. Well, I made it to Kitty Hawk, tried very hard but obviously didn’t quite make it to Cape Hatteras, but I’m determined to make it to the top-voted Statue of Liberty before returning my awesome loaned Civic Hybrid on Monday, so stay tuned!
Here’s to being reminded we it’s impossible to compete with Mother Natures plan, expecting the unexpected, and getting a big fat “E” for effort!
***Total miles driven today, day 14: 244
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 2,329
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 21
I had to start day #13 at the place where I wrote my first blog post ever; Front Porch Cafe’ in Kill Devil Hills nearly 3 years ago to the day:
It was cool to revisit the Front Porch Cafe’ and see the same chair (broken or not) that I sat in long ago, dreaming of what would become of this new idea I had for a thing called Blue Lollipop Road. To think of all the incredible things that have happened since these chairs:
After I got some laptop work time, I had to check out a reader suggestion; Duck Donuts:
For some reason, recently I have become a huge fan of fresh cinnamon and sugar doughnuts. (I am usually chocolate obsessed only when it comes to treats, so I’m still trying to figure out where this new craving has come from!) Add one more to the list of spots that get my yummy stamp of approval on the doughnut front:
It was hot off the press, melt in my mouth:
Mmmm…thanks for the suggestion reader Ginny!
Off to the Wright Brother’s National Memorial I went:
…where I met Darius:
I rolled up to the window to pay the entrance fee and Darius asked: “Do you sell lollipops?!” I laughed and told him no, (then gave him one of course.) Darius and I, two grown-ups having a moment of fun over a special blue lollipop. You’ve gotta love the never fail smiles these little candy sticks bring. Darius and I chatted for a few minutes. I asked him about details on transport, etc. to get to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as I had just been informed there would be some issues because of road closures after the hurricane. (I would later find out that Darius was the first of many people who gave their best efforts to help me get there…)
Great to meet you Darius, and thanks for all your help!
I explored the grounds and was schooled in all things flight:
Inside the Visitor Center:
Outside near the actual flight path:
I took a drive around the loop:
…and a walk to the top of the hill. It was a beautiful day to be outside:
I am so thankful the readers from the Honda Facebook poll sent me to Kitty Hawk! To walk around this property (especially as a traveler) and see first hand how flight was born was very cool. I overheard conversations and watched groups of older men (clearly pilots and flight junkies) walking the flight path, calculating and analyzing how it was all done, and discussing details with each other with an overtone of nostalgia that was adorable. It always makes me smile when I see people truly enjoying their passions and hobbies.
The day was hot and I needed to get my daily dose of movement in (to work off all those doughnuts!) Off I went for a long run on the beach. (Running barefoot on the beach is such a bonus way for me to get some miles in.) The best way to end a hot and sweaty beach run is to take a dip in the salty warm ocean of course! Â I took a moment to stretch rest as the sun started to set:
I saw Jennette’s Pier to my right so decided to go there to catch the full sunset:
Who did I meet there? More nice people of course! Meet Ron and Rita: Husband and wife from Pittsburg:
Ron played videographer for me so I could say hi in my full glory of beach after run grubby. I have to admit I love this end of day chill and dirty, sandy, salty summer kid feeling.
Ron, Rita and I talked and talked until it got dark. We shared travel stories, talked about our favorite cities, and they told me about their son and grandson. Once again, sweet people- complete strangers I could have spent several more hours with. If there were only more hours in a day to meet, talk to, and learn from all the interesting people out there…
Thanks for your video help Ron and Rita! It was nice to meet you.
Next up is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!
***Total miles driven today, day 13: 125
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 2,085
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 21
Announcements all around! Guess where I am headed?!
Surprise! I know that the winner by a landslide on the Honda Facebook poll page is the Statue of Liberty (so I will round out the trip and go there on my last day- next Monday) but I also thought; How fun would it be to go to all three voted on spots?! This is how I roll on my road trips. Why not?
So I made my way through Virginia today, snapping photos of random stuff, and mostly on back country roads:
I love how there are always chairs outside convenient stores in the country so regulars can sit and shoot the sh*t. Nightcrawlers for sale inside too. Score!
I found the Center of the Universe; Ashland, VA:
…and was reminded that Virginia is for Lovers:
I have love, Virginia has love, I love Honda, I’m loving life- it was a love-fest around the state today. Tomorrow it’s off to hit the beach. Coastal Carolina here I come!
***Total miles driven today, day 11: 142
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 1,745
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 20
My last day around the Portland area today was a fantastic one. To kick it off in a most lovely scene:
By now you all know that wandering and stopping at random roadside spots to talk to strangers or nosh on something delicious is one of my favorite hobbies. So how excited was I when fabulous local (Shay) took me to meet a Lobsterman who lives right next to her house in Scarborough:
Exactly what you’d picture but even nicer, meet the man who catches the delicious fresh dinner so many love:
I had absolutely no idea the amount of work, training, certification, waiting, etc. that went into Lobstering. This is why I love doing what I do. I’m alway learning there is an art, a patience, and mad skill to everything- and I’m constantly meeting such interesting and driven people! Eric prepping piles of buoys as we chatted:
A photo of his boat from inside the shack:
The tank full and ready for purchase:
Up close for you lobster lovers!
Apparently Eric cooks the lobster for guests too and gets everything table ready so you just sit down and eat! Right next to the shack is his vegetable garden as well. This guy does it all and he couldn’t have been nicer or more welcoming. To top it off there was a big ol’ sweet brown dog named Sam who was lingering around to make the whole scene picture perfect:
A friendly and hard-working Lobsterman in an LL Bean t-shirt, a shack with rocking chairs outside with a trap as a side table, a happy dog, and a beautiful Maine afternoon; Awesome. Thanks for the tour and time Eric!
After lobster time, my tour guide Shay whisked me off to Dean’s Sweets; A chocolate shop. (Go figure!):
We walked in and chatted with a nice woman inside (Dean’s wife) who fed us some delicious samples:
Dark chocolate salt caramels. (Jackpot!) Just when we were about to leave, in walked Dean himself. I told him I loved his chocolates and in conversation, I mentioned that Honda had loaned me a car to go on an adventure and that’s what had brought me in his store. His face lit up and he told me he drove a Honda. I looked out the window and there it was; A very loved, very well-used and appreciated Honda Accord Wagon. Naturally that got me excited so we had to go out and see:
Thanks for letting me squeeze in a video of you and your car for Blue Lollipop Road Dean! Even more, thanks for being a fellow chocolate and Honda lover! It’s a good life eh?
After I totally geeked out about that serendipitous meeting, we crossed the street to Duckfat for some of their famous fries:
…with a side of truffle ketchup:
I know right? Truffle ketchup?! Yeah- it was that good. (Thanks to reader Eliza for the suggestion! Yum!) I had to of course have a cold Allagash White, to pair with the fries. Allagash is brewed in Portland:
I thought Duckfat’s sandwich board sign was funny:
The noshing afternoon continued on to Caiola’s which has an incredible outside back patio, complete with table around giant tree in the middle of it:
The must-have at Caiola’s? Polenta fries I was told:
That is polenta fries with smoked paprika, cheddar cheese and a tomato and Red Pepper relish. Holy motherload. I know I have talked about a lot of food, and I rave and rave about lots of de-lish things, but I am telling you this dish is one of the top 5 things I have ever eaten when it comes to restaurant appetizers. Maybe it’s because sharp, sharp white cheddar is my absolute favorite cheese, maybe it’s because red peppers are one of my favorite veggies. I don’t know. Either way those polenta fries were so smack-yo-mamma good I had quite a moment eating them. If you live in, are going to, or might ever go to Portland Maine- run, don’t walk to Caiola’s for this plate of heaven.
Stuffed and happy with fries and chocolate, we headed to catch the sunset at the Black Point Inn. This was the view as we relaxed in big white chairs from the lawn:
I just sat there thinking to myself how beautiful the scene was, and how we all probably could use to stop and watch the sunsets a little more. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe sights like this are free. Quite a scenic way to wrap up yet another fun and interesting day on the road.
Thanks for being such a fabulous tour guide Shay!
Tomorrow? Oh yeah- you know it! I am off to meet the one and only Million Mile Joe. I’ve been looking forward to this for months and can’t wait to share stories, photos and video here.
***Total miles driven today, day 8: 75
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 868
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 12
Who takes pictures of toilets? ME!
…and trashcans:
I would usually cringe too, (photos in a bathroom?!) but the toilet seat had candy pieces in it. I had to take a couple. A candy filled toilet seat is just the beginning of how they roll at The Friendly Toast.
As you saw in my shaky and loud video above, the food at this quirky joint is enormous, and so is the personality. They call the bread a “slabs” of toast on the menu, and there are so many tchotchkes, it makes your head spin.
Why not have a naked doll in funny-looking helicopter hanging in the corner?
To leave no detail un-funkified, our coffees even came in these tall plastic vintage cups:
For eats we had a piece of the drunkards french toast (with grand marnier and raspberry sauce) to share:
…and for my breakfast I had grilled toast with a fried egg inside:
A delicious carb-fest it was. Before we left we had to visit the moving stuffed leopard in the back of the restaurant:
…which was totally entertaining for my friend and I as we were taking these photos, not to mention when I uploaded them tonight and we saw them on my computer screen. They look so ridiculous and creepy we just rolled on the floor for 10 minutes laughing. Usually these photos would go in the trash as unusable, but they are so odd and we laughed so hard looking at them- there was no way they weren’t going to be included here:
Seriously people: The Friendly Toast. Like no other. A must see. Thank you so much to reader Abby for the recommendation! I would have never known about this place without your input and that would have been a complete bummer. I love reader input!
After breakfast we walked around the perfectly quaint and picturesque town of Portsmouth.(Talk about two different world in one town!)
Historic and storybook New England towns, you charm me every time with all your character and beauty:
After a while wandering, we stopped for a cold beer in the sun by the water:
(It’s been very warm and humid since my arrival in the Northeast. it feels like North Carolina in August. So not September weather for here but perfect timing for me- I love it!) The spot we chose was where the locals hang out; Harpoon Willy’s. All the patios were packed because of the gorgeous weather and last day of the holiday weekend. We chatted and relaxed for a couple hours next to this oar sticking out over the water with information about tartar sauce:
We wondered the rhyme or reason, but never asked. Some of these completely random things I just snap photos of, let go, and giggle later like I am now enjoying the fact that I will never in my lifetime be bored or not have fun things to look at.
All that chatting and relaxing got us hungry for a treat, (I know you are so surprised) so we were off to the Portsmouth Baking Company for a cupcake:
…where we met Owner and Head Artisan Baker, the friendly and welcoming Harvey:
Harvey told us he went to pastry school in NYC and had worked there for years. He just opened up PBC with his partner about 3 months ago. What a fantastic place! Clean, sleek, just overall beautifully designed. I loved the giant communal table in the middle of the room with the glass display stands:
…and there’s a train track along the ceiling that carries out loaves of bread from the back when they are done baking!
So many good things to eat, but we were on a mission for the cupcakes. Oh the choices so perfectly displayed:
You know me, I’d usually opt for the double chocolate, but I have been on this chocolate peanut butter kick lately, so that was my choice:
Can we talk about the scene of 2 grown women (that would be my friend and I) in dresses, looking like appropriate touring adults walking around town, but each shoving giant cupcakes in our faces as if we were 5 year-olds who couldn’t wait? Yeah- that was us. Lets just say there was lots of laughing. The joy and entertainment for a few bucks. Little moments like those make me so happy. Thanks for the treat Kim!
After the cupcake scene, there was only one thing to do: Go for a late afternoon run. (Now that’s what I call balance!) Sure it as a little slower moving than usual, but as always, felt great to get out and pound the pavement making room for the next round of treats. After my run I took a ride to Rye Beach. Of course I passed by fish markets with lobster rolls and chowder:
…and there were plenty of places to pull over and listen to waves crash:
The sea air at the ocean in the Northeast smells like no other. Salty, salty, salty and heaven.
Getting cleaned up for dinner and dessert back down by the water was the last part of the full, fun day. Yet again I’m going to bed stuffed and smiling, thinking I should have had more fruits and veggies, but really being Ok with the fact that I didn’t. I’ve only got a couple weeks to blow this all out, so I am going to take advantage of all the amazing road food I can!
This is where I have to give a shout out and huge thanks to my host for the past 2 nights, and again all the other near perfect strangers who have hosted me over the years during my travels. I continually meet generous people, who open their homes and lives to me, share their friends and family, and often have have either met me once or never before. I am very appreciative always, and could never say thank you enough. The best part of being let into the home and life of someone you barely know when you travel, is there seems to be an instant bond that happens (you do dive straight into their life after all.) The one when you know even though you just met, you will see each other again, and probably stay in touch for many years to come. Thanks again Kim! What luck meeting that one time because of two guys two years ago eh? Until our next cupcake date…
Tomorrow I will go just over the bridge to Maine for some exploring in York, then back to NH to see an old friend and original blue lollipop crew member. It’s been 14 years so I am looking forward to us seeing each other again and reminiscing. This week I’ll be meeting and hanging with whoopie pie goddess Marcia and fellow Honda lover Million Mile Joe. Yeah! Stay tuned, thanks for following and keep voting and sending ideas on places for me to check out!
***Total miles driven today, day 4: 14
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 577
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 5
***(I am averaging 43 mpg with this car currently, and have just now finally had to put gas in it after all the above miles since the kick-off of this trip. Whoop whoop! That means I can spend more money on cupcakes…:)
It’s just not a trip to Vermont if you don’t make it to Sonny’s Blue Benn Diner for breakfast:
If you have followed here for any bit of time, you have definitely heard about this place before. I am a serious repeat offender. The Blue Benn has long been written up and praised in publications like the New York Times, countless magazines and a bunch of road food books, but even with all that mega-popularity, I love that it’s always stayed the same:
(Yikes. I’m also a bad hair day and outfit repeat offender! After watching this video I am thinking my no shopping and same haircut for about 5 years habit might need to be broken…)
I digress…back to the good stuff:
I asked Jeannie, one of the always friendly Blue Benn Waitresses if I could ask her a few questions before our breakfast came out:
…as we nibbled on a fresh made cinnamon sugar doughnut for an appetizer:
Finally, scrambled eggs, perfectly seasoned red potato hash browns, and homemade sourdough toast:
Of course I had to snap a photo of this sign that made me laugh:
Blue Benn breakfast builds strong bones and big muscles!
With a full belly, it was off to NH on a much different route than I would usually take. Detours a plenty because of Hurricane Irene which added a bunch of miles and time to my destination, but I am more than Ok with that. Detours and new roads mean new things to see and new people to meet. Like this super cool truck I spotted:
Unfortunately in this detour case, there was some damage to be seen:
A couple miles from the above sad scene, I spotted this lighthearted display on the side of the road:
…and once again had to whip out the video camera. (Boy, I am really digging having a video camera along with me this go- around!):
I saw a few people across the street, so had to ask them if they knew what the deal was with the above. Turns out, one of the women was the creator of the fun scene. Meet Kim:
We agreed making good out of a not so good situation helped keep spirits up and was needed for worker morale. Kim also talked about how her quirky set up had brought the neighbors together; They had started coming over and asking if they could add more to her project. (Yay! Neighbors banding together!) I wonder what the display will look like in another week! (Kim if you are reading this, thank you for the chat. I’d love for you to send me any photos in the coming days/weeks of the additions. I will post them here of course!)
I kept on my way, and was giddy to pass a lemonade stand with a bunch of adorable kids around it. I was a lemonade stand entrepreneur myself when I was a little girl, so I make sure always to support my peers in business (even the ones that are 25 years younger.) Meet Aeden, Anika, Ella, and Gwen
Would you believe I did not stage this? I mean, not only is this the most perfect looking lemonade stand structure, but these 4 girls were like the poster children for cute, and they were raising money for Hurricane Irene victims. (And did you notice that hat on Ella? Just precious.) The best part of all of this was that they were really working well together like a perfect team, and they were smart and organized.
There were a bunch of adults milling around (that I asked permission to take this photo) as there was a bbq happening and a wine and cheese shop open on the property. I spoke with several friendly women who turned out to be the girls Mother’s, Grandma, and Aunts. They asked if I was a reporter and were curious about my car and website name on the side of it. As I was chatting with this sweet group of kids and adults, it dawned on me; The blue lollipops! I have a couple boxes in tow, have had them for a few months now. I’ve never once given what I protect as the most special lollipops ever made- out to a single “stranger” yet in my travels. (I have racked my brain as to how best to gift these out to the special people I meet and spend time with. These blue lollipop are so much more than piece of candy to me.) So, as I was standing in the sun, sipping my .50 cent lemonade on this sunny and warm Sunday, I felt like the world went silent for a moment. Â This was the time to gift the first special lollies. A butterfly fluttered in my stomach, and I excitedly grabbed them to give the girls each one. (After asking mom of course.) They immediately ripped the wrappers off and in no time were sticking out their blue tongues to each other, not even being coached by me to do so. To you few women out there who will read this, and fully understand the overwhelming feeling of joy and memory I had watching this scene- hello! Remember these times? 🙂
As I look at this photo, all I can do is smile. (Really? Can I not get through this portion of the post without tearing up?)Â Such the perfect moment of pure fun and friendship.
I drove away grinning ear to ear as the girls yelled after me: “Come back soon, come back soon!!!” I am still grinning now, 8 hours later. Thank you girls. Driving past your lemonade stand on my detour today was serendipitous, and you gave me a precious gift I won’t forget.
After near 5 hours in the car, I rolled into Portsmouth to be whisked away immediately by a gracious host to a dinner bbq at an absolutely gorgeous Rye Beach house. I left my cameras in my purse as I was busy meeting new friends and having good food and conversation. A very late 2am night again now getting all the days photos, videos and stories uploaded and here to share and make sure I fit it all in. I have a feeling this will be my normal routine over the next couple weeks; full days and staying up much to late to post here, finally hitting the pillow fully exhausted falling asleep like a baby with a big fat smile on my face. Now that’s what I call a good day.
Up tomorrow: Exploring around the gorgeous NH coast!
***(Side note here to say I have been having a blast finally doing video posts starting a few days ago! I am clearly a rookie and don’t have a team of media peeps along in this particular ride, so thanks for being patient with my shaky hands and sporadic snippets. Next go around I am so bringing a videographer along! Ohh- that gives me a few ideas. If anyone out there is interested in talking about some Blue Lollipop Road video stuff, drop me a line!)
***Total miles driven today, day 3: 223
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 563
It’s been a while since I went frolicking in the woods and wading through streams and waterfalls, so our plans for yesterday afternoon turned out to be even more fun than I anticipated. I immediately started climbing trees pretending I was in the circus (or dreaming about being 8 years old again) before we were in the woods for 5 minutes:
The weather couldn’t have been better and sun streaming in through the trees made for a beautiful walk:
Gasp! Do I spy a rope swing?! Yessss!!!
The water was chilly and I had not planned on swimming, but I had to at least pretend I was Tarazan a few times while my friend took photos:
You should see the other photos of me flopping and flailing! Holy embarrassment Batman. I had to suck up and post at least one here because they were too funny.
***This is where I practice not being an insecure girl. Lets face it, no female I know likes midriff bearing photos of themselves. (Ok, maybe Brooklyn Decker does.) Especially unplanned ones that are of us unshowered and wearing ratty old shorts and sports bras. Reality is though; What’s the biggie? I’ve got one go-around on this life dance, I work out in some form or fashion every day, but I like chocolate waaaaay too much to probably ever have 6-pack abs, and poking fun at myself letting it all hang out here on Blue Lollipop Road somehow makes me feel happy and empowered so I’m just going to keep rolling with it. I’ve also decided to finally debut regular video posts starting with my upcoming Honda Adventure, so this is very good practice. I should’ve been making videos all along, but have been too much of a chicken until now with absurd obsessions of having to look perfect if I am going to be live and uncut or something. I know right?!- I think that’s foolish too. It’s now or never. Time to live on the edge of glory. (Yes, I was just channeling a little Lady Gaga right there.)
Now back to nature…
On the way back down I noticed this wall of rocks that people had scraped things like their names and other varies notes on:
…and lots of pretty, slightly imperfect green things:
Playing in the woods is fun and sure makes you thirsty for some sips of wine! Where better to visit than one of my annual favorites: The superbly quirky, crazy and never fail fun Rasta Ranch Vineyards:
(Ohmigosh they don’t even have their own website. They know they’re cool enough they don’t even need one. That in itself should give you a good idea of what’s about to come.)
How does Rasta Ranch roll? With a tasting room in a barn of course:
A peace dude, relaxed, and welcoming vibe that makes you very excited to be there. It’s like there’s an unspoken memo you get as you walk in; Everyone is welcome and lets enjoy, so don’t even think of bringing your pish-posh attitude, or easily-offended self in here. If you do we will promptly throw you out on your ass. Kapeesh? (How could you not love that?)
There are things filling every square inch of space. No frills or fancy, just impeccably crammed and entertaining:
Tie-dye tees and peace scarves for sale:
Funny signs covering the walls:
…and I’m sure no surprise to see Janis Joplin Ave:
…near wines in jugs named Piece of My Heart:
…and Purple Haze:
We were so busy chatting with Jessie (The Owners daughter/Partner? Jessie- are you out there to confirm?:) who we’ve met in years past that I forgot to get a photo of her. Next year I guess.
Thanks Rasta Ranch! You never disappoint. I always find something new to look at, and walk out of your doors smiling thinking indeed there should be more peace in the world. You are ridiculously fun.
Walks in the woods: Free
Tastings at Rasta Ranch Vineyards: $2.00
Fully embracing your true colors and putting it all out there whether you’re a person writing a blog or a no b.s winery: Priceless
Last week after a 2nd annual chocolate feast with friends at Max Brenner in NYC, we walked out to the packed Union Square.
***(Omigosh! Check this out. Just found it when Googling Union Square to find a link to post here. So cool; The Say Something Nice videos. LOVE this. The podium was in the same spot that Mike above was giving away free hugs. Talk about a few feet of land with some seriously good mojo! My favorite part of the video is around minute 2.5 when the little boy screams “To infinity and beyond!” with Buzz Lightyear in tow while being hoisted up by his mother, and the group of ladies after that singing together inspiring the random guy walking behind them to clap along. This video gives me about 54 ideas for BLR projects I’d like to create, and reminds me why I fight to keep up with posting here every day; In a world that often seems crazy, sad, too busy for fun, stressed out, and unconscious- I continue to find a plethora of happy, inspiring and hopeful people, places and things like these that totally energize and motivate me to want to do more good.)
Ok, now back to Mike and free hugs…
Stuffed from our chocolate chunks pizza:
(Double chocolate melting chunks, with hazelnut bits, bananas, peanut butter and roasted marshmallows. Can you imagine the smile on my face? It makes me all giddy just typing those indulgent words!)
…we planned to walk our feast off for a while, but just a few steps in is where we ran into the Free Hugs crew. Just like we indulged in chocolate, we felt compelled to indulge in a hug too. My friend embracing away:
…and me too:
…plus photo of course!
Is it weird hugging a random hippie kid stranger who’s been on the streets of New York touching hundreds of people and sweating all day? Nah. I say life is short. When your feeling it- live in the moment. Hug hard and mean it.
I totally bought a t-shirt from Mike too. I never do that. I mean ever, but in that moment I felt the need for my very own “Free Hugs” tee. The money supposedly goes to a bunch of nonprofits the huggers raise money for. Who know where my 10 bucks will actually end up and who cares. All I know is I intend to have lots of fun wearing that shirt for years to come.
Thanks for the hug Mike!
Here’s to hugging it out and saying something nice too.
Oh small town America how I love you. I love the characters who live in you, the quiet streets you have that I go for long runs on, and the seeming ease and overall relaxation way of life. I love the businesses that have bells on the doors to let the shopkeepers know I’m there there, and friendly “Hello!” greetings. I love hand written receipts covered in greasy fingerprints from those carbon-copy spiral-bound notebooks that your auto shop hands me after changing the BLR-Mobile oil. I love that restaurants are called Mr. Chicken:
…that have picnic tables, and painted signs with slightly creepy looking beach bum guys on them, making sure to let everyone know you have good eats:
I love that your volunteer ambulance garage has a sign outside that’s missing a letter:
(on both sides) but no one really wants to speak up and tell you because it’s the thought/thanks that counts anyway, not the spelling.
My intention yesterday was simple: Drive “into town” for an hour or so, get an oil change, go for a run and pick something up from the store. Regular ol’ get things done business-day chores turned into once again being presented with the lesson that if I keep my eyes and ears open, stay curious about my surroundings, engage with new people, and keep appreciating the simple, small things- whether I’m “there” for an hour or a year, and whether it’s a teeny town or big city, I will always have soul-filled days and great adventure.
Not bad for a Monday.