I’m heading to get some last northern green space love in my favorite place ever in the summer : Upstate, NY. Adirondacks- here I come! I’ve got a pile of books packed and lots of BLR homework to-do’s. A perfect writing and work place to be inspired, especially on mornings with coffee overlooking a scene like this:
(This one is from my July visit there.)
A few days back in the north to celebrate the last of summer fresh country air will be icing on the cake to my most fantastic, odd, growing, and clarity filled summer yet.
I’m starting to wrap up a full week off the grid around Upstate New York in the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes. My trip has been far more glorious, freeing, and fun than I ever expected it would be. There are many thoughts and things that I’d love to share here now, but in an effort to fully take in my last day of not-so-connected, I will just say thank you to everyone I have spent time with during my adventures all of these years. Thank you for the constant lessons, the laughter, and the unexpected surprises that I will never forget.
Here’s to staying hopeful and enjoying the moment.
The word “epic” has become very trendy and overused these days to describe anything and everything big time and cool. I’ll have to jump on the epic bandwagon here like everybody else, because I’m quite sure my August is going to be epic and them some. Here’s what this month has in store for Blue Lollipop Road and I:
*Major road trip action~ Chicago to Wisconsin to Vermont to Upstate, NY Finger Lakes to Toronto to Washington DC to Virginia
I always end up doing some kind of fun adventure each year this month because It’s summertime and my birthday time.. This August though, I’m by far more thrilled about and anticipating than any other. It might be something about a bunch of great road trip time, feeling happier healthier, and more balanced as I get older, and hosting an event that means everything in the world to me. Yeah…that.
Here’s to august 2012 and living life like you mean it!
This was morning coffee today. Talk about a great view to get a bunch of work done on our lake retreat!
I’m happy to share that we are getting a big ol’ face lift as part of the transition that’s happening here so watch your screen over the next few weeks for our makeover! I’ve already begun a few little changes you can see at the top page tabs.
Until more exciting announcements about our growth…
Time for a BLR work retreat and meeting of the minds. We have mountains to move and things are rolling!
Eastbound I go, where I will have one of my favorite people greet me, and more to join. There will be music made (surprise on that soon,) fresh food eaten, wine for sipping, hills to run, a dock for sitting, and mornings to wake up and be utterly inspired to get things done.
No better place to have kick off to the new life of Blue Lollipop Road than here:
Today was my last day on what has been a most incredible trip. There couldn’t have been a more perfect way to celebrate hope, freedom and possibility (what Blue Lollipop Road is all about) than taking a trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I can’t thank everyone enough for the votes that ended up sending me there! An absolute best grand finale for this 18 days on the road in my loaned Honda.
It was a beautiful day for an early morning drive out of the city to Liberty State Park in NJ to catch my ferry:
…where I walked up to enter the building and was met by “tough” S.W.A.T Policemen Gerry and Malichi:
Yeah, they were big softies and having fun, but as soon as I started rolling the video camera they put their straight faces on. Just wait- there’s more coming with these guys later…
It was time for me to explore and learn about the millions of people who had been on Ellis Island arriving in America for a new life. I have to say I was completely in awe of the stories, facts and images I saw inside that building. It was almost as if I could feel the souls of those who had been there. I was completely captivated by what I saw and read. I overheard other visitors around me from all over the world speaking different languages (some I’d never heard before) looking for traces of their lineage. This was one of those times that I was reminded again that behind every single human, there is a interesting story. A pretty powerful feeling for a Monday morning for sure. I was so intrigued by my surroundings I spend hours just wandering and taking it all in.
A few photos from things I saw. Luggage used by the travelers:
…items found during the restoration of the building:
…The Registry Room:
My favorite story from The Registry Room of course being that of the kissing post.
Other signs and quotes that caught my eye:
…and one image of a little boy that I could not stop staring at:
Have you ever had one of those times when you get what seems like an adrenaline rush and feeling of I want more, more, more more!? That feeling when you know you have a true passion for something? That’s how I felt today at Ellis Island. Learning about people, their lives and culture has always been my favorite thing about traveling. Standing in the history of where millions of people from around the world once were there made me want to jump back in time and just be among all of them learning everything I possibly could. (And surprise, surprise- has given me an idea for a project.)
Thank you Ellis Island. You are now among my favorite spots in my travels.
On the way out, it was back to my not so “tough” new S.W.A.T pals Malichi and Gerry. I had fun sassing them and they gave it right back to me. (Boy do I love that.)
Meet smiley Gerry:
…and Malichi:
Yeah, I pretty much told him his muscles had nothing on mine:
Gerry and Malichi- Considering you have already left a comment here, I know you are reading this. I also know you are laughing. Good times right? Good thing I didn’t blow your tough cover. (Malichi, I can’t believe you managed a straight face in every picture! If only the people knew…)
Thanks for being such good sports!
Goodbye’s were said and off to the Statue of Liberty I went, back on the ferry:
…and time to walk up the steps to the pedestal:
…where I met National Park Service Employee, Walter. Friendly teasing and heckling about about the amount of steps to climb:
Oh the characters I meet and all the people like Walter I wish I could sit with for hours. I bet that man has put thousands of smiles on faces over his 20 years there.
So nice to meet you Walter! Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
After my walk up, I had time for one final video to give a thumbs up:
…and back to my afternoon car drop off time:
What’s next? Well, an immediate 850 mile drive back to Chicago to work at job #2 in 24 hours, lot’s of wrap up from this trip, a big time announcement about something very exciting I’ll be doing in a month and maybe…a nap?
These 18 days may have just ended, but the Blue Lollipop Road does not. Just one adventure ending, in time for another one to start…
THANK YOU HONDA!!!
***Total miles driven today, day 18: 44
***Total miles driven on trip: 2,822
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind: 27
(A side note for Big Apple travelers: CityPASS offers discounted admission to the Statue of Liberty, as well has 5 other top attractions in New York City for $109. This is a 40% discount, compared to the combined regular box office prices. I love a good deal- so check this one out if you’re planning a trip!)
It’s my last full day before the car return. (Boo!)
I wanted to give a little tour of this amazing 2012 Honda Hybrid Civic that’s been so good to me over the past couple weeks:
It’s a good thing I love this car so much because I sure have spent a lot of time in it stuck in traffic the past few days!
I thought I’d have a bunch of wander time in the Big Apple tonight, but by the time we spent all afternoon on the Jersey Turnpike and actually getting in to the city, there was only time for dinner and bed. (I have a very early rise time to catch the ferry in the morning to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.) I had to squeeze in at least one NYC landmark food spot, so as suggested by a friend;Â Lombardi’s Pizza it was. (America’s first pizzeria!)
Tomato, basil and the freshest, most delicious mozzarella you could eat on a pie. Mmmm…
All in all most of today was spent in transit, but even a few hours in NYC is a thrill and energy feed that I will take any day. (Not to mention the pizza treat!)
In the morning I go to the top voted spot Honda Fans picked from the Honda Facebook poll and I am thrilled! What a perfect way to end this incredible trip. Thank you again to everyone who voted!
***Total miles driven today, day 17: 117
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 2,778
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 26
…getting all organized for my transfer to the loaner Civic. Ahhh…the shiny and beautiful hybrid:
It was a bonus to meet the STI crew I’ve been talking to for a while now, and find out they were even nicer and more accommodating in person! They all helped me get the vinyl on the car and looking perfect:
They all cheered and got excited with me?! How cool is that?
Meet Vern, Paul, Daniel, Badri, and Gary:
No surprise I wanted to geek out about the car a little bit, so Paul was up for being my videographer too:
Thanks guys! You really made start to this trip fantastic. I appreciate all your help!
I was off to the races in this gorgeous car. Traffic wasn’t bad at all even though I made my way through the NYC area close to rush hour time. I decided to still have my traffic-jam dance party anyway. Spoiled with a gazillion XM Radio stations- are you kidding me? I’ll take some hip-hop and 90’s jams every day of the week please. I couldn’t resist making a video of my solo dance party too, when my total fav, Young MC; Bust a Move came on. I’ll save that video for someone else to find someday and blackmail me with. One can only geek out and post videos showing it all so many times in one day!
I made it to Albany, NY in perfect time for dinner at the highly-recommended Van’s Vietnamese:
Van’s doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food was de-lish, and the service fabulous. I was stuffed silly for my last hour of driving to VT . Here I am! It’s actually 4:41am as I am typing right now so I am technically into day 2. I better get to bed because I have an early morning run calling my name again. Eat, run, eat, run.
After I run in the morning I’ll be heading to the oldest farmers market in the state of Vermont for my first time ever. (Unfortunately the location has changed because the hurricane wiped out the commons it’s usually on.) I’m looking forward to meeting the participating farmers and artists. (Apparently there’s a place near the market I need to get chocolate cake too. Yes, I know- maybe I should up my running mileage!) The second stop for tomorrow will be the Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival. Yeah!
Maybe after that stop, my stinky breath and I will sneak in a nap…
As I am sure you all are very aware of, the Northeast- particularly the Southern parts of Vermont where I have planned to head to to kick off this Honda Adventure has been severely damaged by Hurricane Irene. This means a lot of things, one being there are several road closures, detours and spots that are simply off limits as the enormous clean up is underway. Considering my pre-planned route and meetings go from NJ, through NY and into VT then through NH into ME, I will essentially be attempting to go through the thick of it all. I have been a less planning, more doing kind of girl during my travels over the years, just rolling with what happens on the road, so It’s ironic that I pre-planned some things for this trip, and one of the worst floods in Vermont’s history happens right before I plan to be there.
This is all to say that as I set off on my trip north on Friday, I have no idea the random roads I will end up on, what detours I will have to take, which festivals and events will still be on or cancelled, or in general what to expect. I do know there will still be meetings with people like Million Mile Joe and Marcia, the maker of Whoopsies Gourmet Whoopie Pies, along with some other interesting characters yet TBA, which I am very excited about.
Thanks to you all for fantastic suggestions, participating in my plans, and rolling with the adventure as it is ever changing. Here’s to expecting the unexpected!
