So I am free to live the life I want to live of course.
Like today for instance:
Wake up late after being on my feet running around working 12 hours yesterday, walk out of my fantastic apartment in a fantastic city, to get a coffee outside my back door because I live in a fantastic neighborhood, then sip that coffee as I walk around my fantastic neighborhood checking out menus to scope food I might eat later after I meet up with my friend who is visiting from California. Then back up to my fantastic apartment with all the windows open and sit on the couch to relax for a few. Jump in the shower, play a little bit of cheesy dance party music including Young MC; Bust a Move (Oh yeah- I claimed that. You know you love it)- and off to farmers market out my front door. Today; Eats, drinks, being merry, exploring and enjoying time with fantastic people, then falling asleep dreaming of all the other fun times I will have doing the above again because I can.
Sure makes every time I ask “How do you want that burger cooked sir?” a little more palatable.
Here’s to wanting something, getting up everyday, busting your ass to earn every last bit of it, then relishing in it all.
It’s all out there for the taking. What are you waiting for?
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
(I’ve been sitting here sipping my coffee for 30 minutes now, letting my thoughts wander- trying to figure out how I want to start this post. Guess it’s time to just start typing…)
Each year this day is an odd one for me with thoughts off loss, and celebration, sadness and elation. So very bittersweet. I think about where I was last year honoring my lost friends and reaching a lifelong goal and it almost doesn’t seem possible yet another year has come and gone. I am so thankful to be here, still typing away on this Blue Lollipop Road. I think about all the people I’ve met on my journey, all the incredible moments I’ve had along with the tough ones, and I feel proud that I still make the choice to focus on the good and possibility rather than the opposite. I was fortunate enough to learn that art of appreciation and joy for the little things from my friends who aren’t here anymore. I never want to lose that. Especially on days like today, I’ll always be in awe of these two girls who lived their short lives so fearlessly, authentically, and completely wide open.
Here’s to never taking days for granted, loving hard, laughing way too loud, and living fearlessly.
Scene; Sitting at Starbucks in Wisconsin this morning typing away on the patio with my coffee. Gentleman walks up to me:
“Sorry to bother you, but I’ve gotta ask you- What’s Blue Lollipop Road? I drove in behind you.”
A conversation ensues and in a few short minutes I share that Blue Lollipop Road is my blog, that I have traveled for years, and actually today was the day 1 year ago I crossed the Alaska border, hitting my 50th state in Skagway. He has been too. He grew up in Maine, and right near one of the towns I will hopefully be going to, so I can meet up a very interesting guy on my Honda Adventure in September. (Working on a few things, still TBA.) I share where I am from in Vermont, he has been there as well, and is now currently living in the Midwest like me too. Our conversation quickly wraps as he apologizes for bothering me again (which clearly he is not) and I go back to my head down typing away.
Moments like the one that just happened are fairly regular for me and I absolutely love them. Small worlds, unexpected and welcomed interactions with people I would have never otherwise met. I’m sure I could have talked to that gentleman for hours. Blue Lollipop Road has offered me such a great platform to open conversation on all subjects, and to prove that everyone has a story and something in common.
I can’t wait for my next random stranger interruption.
Even though I am jumping out of my skin excited for my annual Finger Lakes trip/big Honda Adventure and all the opportunities my next several weeks will bring, I will miss the incredible energy and love this city has offered me these past months until I can come back. Chicago started out as; How fast can you get here to start work? (I assumed/intended on it to be temporary only)- and has turned into; How in the heck have I never lived here before?! I love this place and every last thing about it.
I’ve been a nomad for years, I’ve found and lived in some fabulous places, and had a lot of love for several of these spots. For whatever reason, Chicago has captivated me during this time, wholly- heart and soul, and I have simply never had this overwhelming feeling of overall goodness and clarity. As much as I believe we can all make a “home” anywhere, I think there is something to be said for a place you just feel like yourself, like you belong, like it just works. (I feel like I need a t-shirt that says “I found myself and my mojo in Chicago!”) Whether this feeling only lasts for a few months, a few years, or the rest of my life- I doesn’t matter. For a girl who’s searched, run, explored, and looked, the feeling I have now is one that is a first in almost 33 years and I am relishing in every second of it.
Here’s to plugging away, working, working, working and following what feels right even if it seems like it’s taking forever to find your little spot to nuzzle into in the world. Life really does get better with age.
Because of all the traveling I have done, people ask me regularly what my favorite city or state is. My response has always been: “There’s too much to love! It depends on what you’re talking about; Food, people, fun stuff going on, weather, etc?”
Well kids, I’m finally able to give a straight answer:
Chicago is officially my favorite summer city! Anyone who likes food, music, endless events/festivals, patios to hang on, cold brews, sports, parks, shows, parades, going to lakes, water sports, walking for hours exploring free stuff, every kind of neighborhood imaginable, friendly strangers who invite you in, more food, more drink, the best overall vibe and mojo ever, and just when you think it’s over- the weekend arrives and it becomes double time goodness of all the previous listed. Chicago is quite literally 7 days a week of food, folks and fun. I am just absolutely loving life right now. For me to say I don’t want to leave a place is monumental and something I have never said or felt before. It is sensational.
Every Chicagoan I have met has told me “This is why we push through the brutal winters. For all this stuff!” – I can’t completely see why. (I know, I know- talk to me in January during a blizzard right?) All I know is that moving to The Windy City for the time I have been here- even with some bumps in the road, has been a fantastic experience for me and I would highly recommend a stay here for anyone.
Dear Chicago~
Thank you for every bit of you. I hope my readers forgive me for being occasionally absent from computer and blog posting time because I am so busy participating in all your recreation! Who needs sleep anyway?
I’ve written about Sean and Ian, the One Week Job guys several times now. I’ve been following along with their journey and work regularly, especially after they hosted me for a stay last summer in the amazing city of Vancouver. They do great work, have a brilliant message, are two of the nicest guys you could meet, and they are fun. I suppose you could say I am a super fan 🙂
Sean posted this article today on Facebook and I immediately wanted to share it here. The last line struck an extra chord with me: “You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won’t.”
***Enter lots of people reading this now rolling eyes, and thinking “It’s not that easy”, “That’s not practical or realistic”, “Easy for you to say” etc. Bah-humbug to that.
I’ve participated in daily conversation since starting Blue Lollipop Road on the subject of “I want to’s.” I love these conversations. I don’t ever seem to have to solicit them because people know I write here about choosing a life doing what I want to. I suppose I feel like a “safe” person for others to confide in about their “crazy/unpractical want-to’s.” In addition to having a now nearly 17 year old lesson in best friend loss, a solid foundation of incredible friends, family, and mentors who love and support me, the other wholly true thing that continues to fuel me to live the life I want to live, is plain and simple; I am the driver of my own life. No one else moves a single body part of mine to do anything but me.
It’s the same for all of us.
Am I suggesting anyone to run out and quit their job today, give their kids away, leave the house to the neighbors and run to Vegas to whoop it up? No. I am however, like the article, encouraging that if anyone out there has a burning desire to change or quit anything in life because it’s not fueling you towards your “want-to’s” or passion- do it. I bet if  you asked the most intelligent, happiest, most successful people you know, what they thought being “practical” and “realistic” meant, they’d tell you that it means using your knowledge, experience, and influence to add up to something. Adding up to something begins by taking that “one day” thought, and making it start today if it hasn’t already.
In going through a couple boxes this morning, I came across this journal my Mother gave me in 2000:
Over the years I have written secret “Dear Diary” pages here and there, put it away, come across the book again, laughed at myself for what was written previously, then done it all over again. (Rinse and repeat;Â I ripped a page out just now, giggling and shaking my head about what I had written in May of 2009.) Â There are few blank sheets left. Even when there are none, I will keep it because of the picture of Mom and I inside and the words she wrote me on the first page:
Diane, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12/25/00
You are an amazing daughter. I am always so proud of you. I admire you, adore you, love you more than words can say…
The words on the front of this journal I believe were written for you:
“Color outside the lines”
“Remember your passion”
“Do what you love”
You are the best!
Love always- Mom
I thanked her at the time of gifting of course, but I would like to send another thank you today:
Mom, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7/9/11
You are an amazing mother. Because of your constant and unconditional love and support I have colored outside those lines, remembered my passions, and done what I love and I won’t ever stop. Even though we both know it hasn’t been an easy road- it’s been totally worth it. Can you believe what’s happening now because of all that persistence?! I did it, I did it!
Thank you for making me fearless, being my #1 cheerleader and showing me what it takes to wholly believe in someone. If every kid was as lucky as me…
I love you.
DianeÂ
To Everyone else,
You know what this means?! The official announcement for the fall BLR Adventure project will be announced this Tuesday, 7/12. Mark your calendars and get ready for another fun ride!
Another week of exploring, work, soccer, zumba, delicious feasts of dinner, and meeting interesting people around Chicago. The most exciting part of the week; talks and plans about the next BLR big road trip!
As I run off for another very busy Friday, I wanted to drop a quick post to say thank you to all of you who have followed here. Hard work really does pay off. If you keep at something you love long enough, with true passion, and others hop onboard to support, that something gets stronger and stronger and eventually flies. That’s what has happened here and for me. Things are flying!
