Honda

September 16, 2011 In Funny signs, Honda, North Carolina, People, Photos, Restaurants, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos

day 13: kitty hawk, kill devil hills, and nags head, nc

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 manyÂ 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 PierÂ 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

September 16, 2011 In Honda, Pennsylvania, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

what are you doing on saturday night?

This is what I am doing!

Yippee!

Thanks to Honda, it’s about to be Philly or bust for me and a guest to hit the Honda Civic Tour with Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. I can’t wait to rock out to the good music! (I’ll be that girl in the front jumping around and dancing all night 🙂

Hope I’ll see ya there…

Thank you Honda!

September 14, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Honda, North Carolina, People, Photos, Restaurants, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos

day 12: virginia to obx, nc

BEACH OR BUST!

As I mentioned in my last post, it was clear a few days ago that the Honda Facebook poll and all of you readers here had voted in the winning place for me to visit by a landslide (Statue of Liberty.) I looked at the two runners up (Kitty Hawk, NC and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) and thought- why not go to all three? So North Carolina or bust!

Just rolling in, I am one Happy girl:

(Great face I have right where YouTube froze me in this video, right? If you can’t laugh at yourself…)

Kitty Hawk welcomes me and the loaned BLR-Mobile!

(Have I mentioned how much I love this Hybrid Civic and the fact I am getting on average 42.9 mpg? You know I love saving $ on gas and being thrifty in general. This car rules on saving me and helping me afford this trip! I can’t believe I only have 5 days left on the road. Tear…)

I went straight to Jockey’s Ridge State Park:

…to hang out on the sand dunes for a while:

The endless dunes don’t even look like they could be real! From the top you can see the ocean and the sound- which feels surreal:

See those long skinny white things on the bottom-left of the photo? Yep, those are forÂ hang gliding lessons that are available to take on the dunes. How cool and fun does that sound?

I sat and stared at the ocean and the sound for a while just taking it all in. The sun started to set:

…and got more and more pink:

Jockey’s Ridge is a must do and the sunset in person is so much better than any photo or video could be! Next time you plan a beach vacation put OBX, NC on your list of to-go-to’s if you haven’t been here before. This undoubtedly my favorite beach area in USA. There’s something to be said for how clean it is, the fact that it hasn’t been taken over by a million neon lights, and that there’s mile after magnificent mile of uninterrupted sandy space for relaxing and playing. I heart OBX forever!

After sunset, I finished my day at the Outer Banks Brewing Station:

…with a pint of their Olsch:

…and a fresh veggie press sandwich on homemade bread. (Oops! I gobbled it up and forgot to take a photo. I guess you’ll just have to trust me that is was delicious. So delicious that I forgot about my camera.)

WIFI, microbrew, and eats recommended by a local was the perfect night office Â I needed so I could get some of my work done. (Thanks Steph!)

Tomorrow it’s more beach exploring: Kitty hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and making my way to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The weather is supposed to be even more warm and sunny than usual in September here so perfect timing…

Thanks for all the votes to send me here!

***Total miles driven today, day 12: 215

***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 1,960

***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 20

September 13, 2011 In Funny signs, Honda, People, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos, Virginia

day 11: around virginia

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

September 13, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Honda, People, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos, Virginia

day 10: chantilly, va to reston, va

To the Great Grapes, Wine, Art, and Food Festival I went today. Always interested in how people make a living and how new products are born, this giant sandwich busÂ The Yellow Submarine Sandwich Corp.Â caught my eye:

…so of course I asked Owner Clay if I could video tape him and ask a few questions:

I love his hat. What a total character Admiral Clay was. So genuine, that in itself made me want to buy sandwiches from him. (Which we did and they were fresh and delicious!) My favorite thing Clay said after the camera stopped rolling was that when people asked him why in the world he wanted to do what he does, he answers: “Where else can you look out and see five or six thousand smiling face?”

Amen to that and thanks Clay! It was nice to meet you and I will indeed look your daughter up in Chicago.

How fun would it be to have an old school bus as a food “truck”?

Meet Michael (left) and Max (right), the sandwich makers:

…of course fully Beatles branded to complete the Yellow Submarine package:

I continued to wander with the festival crowd:

…had a sip of apple dessert wine:

…and some rose’:

Erik (above left) was wandering and offered me a glass so I accepted. This was after I was already talking to Ken (left) about his fancy shirt he had on. (Robert Graham I learned.) Why not bring two strangers together with me to take a picture?Â (They happened to know common people by the way because turns out they were both Army guys) Good times with random strangers once again.

I met these friendly sisters of Ms. Lillian’s Original Sauce too:

Debbie, Mary and Pat have been in business about a year, making the secret recipe bbq sauce their Mom (Ms. Lillian of course) used to make:

These sisters were sweet and I could tell love working together. It made me miss my sister!

Who else was at this festival? The Whoopsies ladies! Meet Partners Berkeley and Marcia:

These two are the definition of sassy and fun, and oh what delicious whoopie pies. (The three of us might have an exciting announcement soon- so stay tuned for the love of chocolate!)

I enjoyed my time at the festival, but also had other things on my mind all day being it was September 11, so I wanted to wrap the day with an important message here:

Here’s to living the life you want to live and never being afraid to say I love you because you just never know…

***Total miles driven today, day 10: 41

***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 1,603

***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 16

September 13, 2011 In Honda, Maine, Million Mile Joe, News & Updates, People, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos

day 9: scarborough, me to norway, me to chantilly, va

After months of looking forward to meeting the fellow-Honda loving Million Mile Joe- today was the day!

Joe and I made no absolutely no schedule or plans other than to meet at a local coffee shop and go from there. I got there early and anxiously awaited his arrival:

Joe came and we chatted for a long while. Even though it was a first time meeting, we talked and talked and laughed like old friends. We then decided to go explore a bit and check out each others cars, so we were off:

Joe turned out to be quite the tour guide! The first place he wanted to show me was Lake Pennesseewasee. (Called Lake Norway by locals.):

A gorgeous back drop for where older meets new Honda:

Joe’s quite the jokester. He pretends his car needs a push:

After the lake stop, it was a must to go to this well-known sign with all the countries (towns) in Maine:

Off we went to Joe’s house. Check out this fun sign Sharon (Joe’s wife) made to welcome me:

How sweet was that? (Thanks Sharon!)

I had to get a photo of Joe’s bumper, twin to mine with his URL:

…and one of the man and the car; uninterrupted:

Does that look like one happy guy or what?

First thing was first. A gift exchange!

Hours flew by as we shared stories and information about our lives in Honda. I jumped in Joe’s rig to give a thumbs up:

…and then thought I was funny to pretend I was cooly cruising down the road:

(Yes, I was in full geek-out mode!) I zoomed in on that odometer that’s so close to a million:

…and of course added a the blue lollipop:

I was very excited to see that Joe uses paper maps too:

Joe showed me the engine and parts that keep on trucking’:

…and showed me a few of the parts and pieces he’s used over the years:

Who’s Powered by Honda?

Joe is! There’s that famous hat. Who else is Powered by Honda?

I am! Yep- Joe let me borrow his hat for a few minutes. I need to get myself one of those…

After a whole bunch of car talk, Joe suggested we go explore a couple of local spots, so in the car we went buzzing down the back roads of Maine:

I like the sight of this; The special blue lollipop right in the mix of Joe’s console collection:

First stop what we though was going to be a Deer Farm that actually turned out to be an Elk Farm:

(This was a blast and as you heard in the video extra special for me in that I love when I visit people and it turns into an excuse for them to do something in their own town they haven’t done yet!)

After the Elk Farm, Joe took me to Snow Falls:

Here we are together!

…and the falls were that green New England nature that’s so nice and relaxing to breathe in:

Back to Joe’s house we went so he could show me his log books of all the miles he’s driven:

Quite the collection.

It was time for some last words for the day and bits of advice from the Pro Joe:

Do you love that Joe’s favorite are Snow Caps? Joe and I already got along famously, but when I learned his vice was chocolate just like me, our bond was certainly kicked up 100 notches! (Great minds think alike:)

Perhaps my favorite photo of the day, I had to get one with Joe and the blue Lollipop:

This picture really makes me smile.

What a blast of a day! So many great unexpected surprises for me. Joe and I spent way more hours together than I thought we would (and I was happy about that!) We had to practically force ourselves to step away because we could have talked forever, but I needed to get on the road to knock out some serious mileage. Like the sweet Dad he is (Joe has daughters my age)- he was sort of shooing me to go so I wouldn’t be driving too late. (My Parents will appreciate reading that. Thanks from my Mom before she even reads this Joe.)

I collected so much from the day, it’d take me forever to list here. The biggest thoughts from the day though, are that Joe and I might look different, but we are very much the same. We love our families, we’re regular people, hard workers, we have have cars that have been our partners in crime, that transportation that’s been reliable everyday that we never worry about, and we find joy in small things in life. No matter where I am on the road, I continue to meet people like Joe that I connect with that I never might expect to. This is always a welcomed surprise and one of the reasons I stay excited about getting up in the morning. Did I ever think I’d connect with a complete stranger in Maine because of the love I have for my Honda’s that’ve taken me to so many amazing places over the years? No. Am I happy that I have, and do I think I probably have a new friend for a very long to come that “gets” me in my quirky Honda loyalty because he has the same? Absolutely. That is awesome.

Even though I rolled out of Joe’s driveway much later than expected and was facing a long 10 hour drive, I felt like I was on a high as if I’d just finished a marathon. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It’s always a such a treat for me to be able to spend time with someone I can laugh with and that shares a similar passion to mine. I am quite confident Joe and I will see each other again, and I am looking forward to it!

Thank you so much for a great day Joe. I appreciate you letting me jump into your world and being able to share some of mine too. Let’s get together for some Snow Caps and whoopie pies soon? Until then, here’s to never giving up on a dream, and hitting that million miles. You deserve all the best and I can’t wait to watch you reach your big goal!

I am now that good exhausted after such a fantastic day and a drive until 4am all the way from Central Maine to Virginia. I’ve been invited to the Great Grapes, Wine, Art & Food Festival tomorrow, so off I go…

***Total miles driven today, day 9: 694

***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 1,562

***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 13

September 12, 2011 In Honda, Maine, Million Mile Joe, News & Updates, People, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos

off to meet the man behind all the miles

September 12, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Funny signs, Honda, Live the life you want to live, Maine, Million Mile Joe, People, Photos, Restaurants, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

day 8: around portland, me

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:

E.A.T Lobster, Scarborough Maine

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

September 9, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Honda, Maine, Million Mile Joe, People, Photos, Restaurants, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Virginia

day 7: cape elizabeth, me to freeport, me to portland, me

I started my day in Cape Elizabeth:

…and then was off to Freeport for a dessert breakfast. (Hey, custard has milk in it, right? I think that’s a completely acceptable way to start the day!)

Off to Mainely Custard I went to take a peek behind the scenes of what keeps Owner Deb and her staff busy, and what keeps customers coming back for more. Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! I was one happy camper getting schooled:

I had a run at making a waffle cone and found out very quickly that I shouldn’t quit my day job. I am SO much better at eating the cones, rather than making them:

…so that’s just what I did, after I had it filled with chocolate malt custard and topped with my favorite of all time krunch kote:

(That’s Marcia Wiggins and I. She’s my new friend and whoopie pie extraordinaire. Talk about crack each other up! We have had way too much fun together these past two days. I think we may have been separated at birth.)

Thanks to “Super Scoopers” Katie and Hope, and Owner Deb for schooling me and being part of the Blue Lollipop Road Adventure!

The day turned sunny and gorgeous, a perfect backdrop for a trip back to the lighthouse I went for a run by this morning. Portland Head Light:

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I know right- is that fake? Unbelievably gorgeous! That blue sky, the water crashing and the sound of the fog horn- I had to make a video:

(That’s F-R-E-E. I really can spell:)

I cannot say enough that if you have never been to New England in the summer or fall it is a must do for a road trip. Hop in the car and go live in that that brochure life for a week or two. (Yes, it really is all that charming and quaint.) Stop at the roadside farm stands. (Sweet corn, apples and honor boxes!) Talk to the local sitting next to you on that stool in the diner. (He’s lived at least 88 years and has some hilarious and intriguing stories!) Wander into that Mom-and Pop shop. (Handmade/homemade/fresh-made gifts rock!) Go for a bike ride down a country dirt road. (Relax without your crackberry for a few hours!) Take a hike in the woods.(Maybe even lay in a field for a few minutes!) Sound good? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Tomorrow is another day wandering about The Vacationland. Million Mile Joe and I will be hanging in a little over 24 hours. I’ve taken it easy on my fabulous loaned Civic thus far in the miles department (at only near 800 after 7 days, that is very low for me) so after I meet Joe, I might have to let you in on a little secret about how I am going to rack up some serious mileage before the end of this current journey. (Now is the time right? I have an uber economical hybrid!)

Hint: Stripes.

***Total miles driven today, day 7: 68

***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 793

***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 12

September 8, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Honda, Maine, Million Mile Joe, People, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure, Videos

day 6: epsom, nh to cape elizabeth, me

Whoa nelly was today a fun day! One of those days where I just think as I sit here to type this at 1am- somebody pinch me! Life is oh so good. I wake up after a great visit with a childhood friend, get to drive this fantastic car that Honda has loaned me, I step behind the scenes of a delicious treat of a company and help make whoopie pies, and get to meet another truly amazing person who I’ve laughed and enjoyed every second with. (And there’s still so much more to come!)Â For anyone who thinks life can’t be exactly what you want it to be, I am here to tell you to think again! Go out and get it. It’s all out there for the taking.

On that note, today I was all about taking in desserts! More specifically Whoopsies Gourmet Whoopie Pies.Â How many did I eat today while helping in the kitchen? (Um, lost track.)

As soon as I walked in the door, I mean as in- like the minute I walked in the door, Owner Marcia plated up and served me a pumpkin whoopie pie with amaretto cream cheese nutmeg filling. I wasn’t shy:

After my snack we had to get to work! I put my chef coat on and started scooping:

The last bit in the bowl before washing it? I couldn’t let that go to waste!

It was a sampling party:

…complete with too much laughing, and jokes about saucy whoopie pie names:

This was round 1 of fun, with more to come tomorrow. I get to make caramel again! This was my masterpiece from today:

Mmmm…

Everyone loves a whoopie pie- Even Million Mile Joe, (so I found out today!) 2 days till I get to meet the man behind the miles. Perhaps I will have to bring him a treat after all my hard work in the kitchen as a taste tester!

In ever changing exciting trip news, I’ve been invited to go behind the scenes of another treat shop tomorrow in between Whoopsie time. I am digging adventures in desserts! More video fun of me noshing. I wish you all were with me so I could share! What else is coming up after that? Oh- you know, more lighthouses, sugar, lots of miles on the car to surprise places, and of course- the Honda Civic Tour. YEAH!

***Total miles driven today, day 6: 80

***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 725

***TotalÂ blue lollipopsÂ gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 9