Photos

March 9, 2011 In Alaska, Photos

no gps needed here

Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I am all about trying something new and getting others to hop on board with me. You could call me a cheerleader of adventure. I keep the excitement and curiosity of kid and constantly want to explore as if I’m still 8 years old. I hope that never changes.

Last May I quit my job, got rid of my apartments and sold everything I owned then drove from Virginia to Alaska with no plan. (If you have read here for a while, you know the story: Alaska was my 50th state, it was a lifelong goal, and I ended up on the road for 5 months with the trip being a wild success.) I didn’t use a GPS and I still don’t use one. On the trip I didn’t even stop at a AAA office or look at a map until I got to Madison Wisconsin. I didn’t know Alaska Highway was “world famous” until I got to it:

Alaska Highway, BC Canada

The great part about trying new things is that you never know what kind of surprise will be around the corner. I personally think it’s better not to plan out/know what route you are going to take somewhere until day of. Can you imagine driving along and happening on something like this out of nowhere?

Hostoric Mile 635

(See Pablito, Juan and Juanita hanging out?:)

Historic Mile 635

Historic Mile 635

I spent a long time wandering around the rows and rows of signs and plaques people had left from all over the world. This spot was a complete surprise to me and wouldn’t have been nearly as cool if I had known it was coming.

There were countless new things I saw and tried on my journey to and through Alaska. Here’s a fun first of me crabbing for the first time:

Crabbing- er starfish catching

So, Ok- instead of scoring a bunch of crab, I caught a couple of creepy giant gelatinous starfish. I’m not going to be a pro fisherwoman anytime soon, but this wasn’t too bad for a first try. I was thrilled to catch anything (as if you can’t tell by the look on my face.)

I will always love to travel, because travel makes me to try new things. I connect with people I’d not otherwise meet, I’m more flexible, open and less judgemental. All those things help keep me being the person I want to be.

Here’s to switching it up and trying it all. What new things have you tried lately?

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March 8, 2011 In Photos, Vermont

run for the border

I woke up in Florida with the balcony door to my hotel room wide open this morning and rolled over to see a text from my sister. She wasn’t able to get to the gym for her boot camp class because the snow drifts where she currently lives had buried her car. After I responded: “Boo! Better you than me!”- she emailed these photos:

Church Street Burlington blizzard

Church Street Burlington blizzard

Nuts.

This is Church Street in Burlington, Vermont. (Usually hustling and bustling any day of the year.) If you’ve ever been to Vermont, you know that even during the frigid winter months, people are out, about, driving, shopping- you name it, snow doesn’t stop them. Well, today was obviously a different story. Even the interstate was closed! (My sister sent me a photo of snow drifts halfway up the sliding glass door at her house too but I can’t find that one now…)

I think I’d rather be hung by my toenails upside down for a week than to live in these kind of conditions. This means I am one whimpy Vermonter and have been gone long enough to think that 70 degrees is cold. Hats off to you Green Mountain Staters that can hack it in this stuff. I be you’ll be happy when (if) spring comes.

If you live there, send me you address and I’ll send you some hot cocoa!

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March 4, 2011 In Photos, South Carolina, Videos

fill your trunk with pedros junk!

It’s South of the Border fun! If you have ever driven I95 you know it’s impossible to pass this place without stopping. Pedro welcomes you. How could you not stop at “America’s favorite highway oasis”?

South of the Border with BLR-Mobile

During my stop, I discovered once again that:
1.) I am the worlds worst videographer.
2.) I am the epitome of classy; I managed to use the words “crotch” and “pee” within 2 minutes of video. (Mom is so proud.)
3.) It takes very little to entertain me.

During my visit, I learned that Pedro could work on his bathrooms a bit:

Pedros clean- ahem- bathrooms

…and poor Pedros Ice Cream Fiesta looked more like a no-show Pedro party than a well- attended shindig:

Pedros ice cream fiesta

A few of the best parts of my South of the Border stop this go around:

1.) Posting real time photos on Twitter and Facebook and hearing responses and suggestions as to what to buy. (Man, people love this place!)
2.) Adding another crazy spot to the BLR-Mobile passport. In less than 6 months, my auto bff and I have driven through half of the country of Canada, all around Alaska, among the grapevines in Napa, 4 feet of snow in Vermont, South of the Border, just to name a few and there are more spots coming. Did I mention not one brake job, break down, or issue? Honda, I love you. If it weren’t for you my life would not be nearly as fun. That is no lie.
3.) Finding out once again, that not much beats a road trip. People do really love cheesy roadside entertainment and the hope of meeting an interesting character.

I’m glad you have now met Pedro in case you have never been to S.O.B before. (Hee hee…S.O.B.) I told you I was going to start posting regular BLR “People.” I never promised whether they’d be human or not 🙂

Off to search for more characters and the world largest jar of Nutella…

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March 3, 2011 In Photos

v pizza

Perhaps I am overly aware of state shapes because I have been to all 50? Here’s a previous post about Virginia cheese. The v cheese was just as random as this Vermont pizza I had last night. I started cutting and all the sudden:

Vermont pizza

(Not the best photo ever…I had to quick snap so I could gobble it up before it got cold.) It even has Lake Champlain crust on the top left side! Vermont image here.

(DP and LP~ You laughing yet?)

I really don’t look for states in my food. It just happens. If you know me, you know food doesn’t stick around long enough for me or anyone for that matter- to look for shapes in it.

Yummy states of pizza at Belly Timber!

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February 27, 2011 In Photos, Videos, Virginia

it’s official

As you all know, I had promised a surprise Blue Lollipop Road announcement/next project about a month ago. It was bit delayed because of a few good unplanned opportunities, and now we are ready.

BLUE LOLLIPOP ROAD ADVENTURES IS BORN!

After 16 years of my own adventure travels (50 states, several countries, delectable foods, interesting people, and thousands of miles and stories), it’s time to pass on the laundry list of resources and information I have, to all of you out there: I put together a plan that includes anything from a small local quick outing to a far off extensive journey, add a fantastic food and drink element, and there you have the perfect storm for fun, meeting like minded people, and getting out of your everyday grind.

Sounds pretty great right? I use my buckets of experience and do the “dirty” work. (Planning and figuring out all details.) You show up and have a blast. It’s so easy!

The 1st ever BLR Adventure happened yesterday. A group of incredibly fun and diverse people dove in to be my “test” case. (Thanks again guys!) We had a most fantastic 9 hours of road tripping, exploring, food and drink. No one from the group knew each other. (You know I love to watch worlds collide!) I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, heard “I haven’t had this much fun in forever!”, “When is the next one?!” and ended the day with a big fat smile on my face. As I drove home last night, I had a euphoric feeling, just as I had hoped I would. Nothing makes me happier than exploring outside of the regularly scheduled program, and encouraging other people to hop on the train to share that time. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

I truly believe that an adventure a day keeps the doctor away. That simply means doing anything that makes you feel alive and excited.

Yesterday, we were all very much alive and excited. A road trip to Virginia’s Wine Country with our first stop at Veritas Winery. We toasted to the launch of BLR Adventures:

…ordered a cheese plate snack:

Cheese plate at Veritas

… and had a glass of each of our favorite vino outside while enjoying the sunshine:

Wine in the sunshine

Here’s some of the happy crew:

Patio at Veritas Winery

After Veritas, we drove to our next winery reservation, but we had lounged at Veritas in the sun for so long we were too late. That ended up being perfect because the next portion of the adventure I had planned was to go to Mas Tapas in the Belmont Neighborhood in Charlotesville. There is always a wait at Mas. This place is slam-packed jam-packed every second it’s open and they don’t take reservations. We managed to score a table in no time because of our early arrival. Before we sat we met and chatted with a sweet and interesting couple. (Transplants from New Jersey to Charlottesville.) They were on a “date” for their 21st wedding anniversary, so cute. Talking to strangers fit in with the theme of our day.

The food was so delicious, I didn’t even have time to take any photos before our table was empty!

Feast and done at Mas Tapas

Clean plates = happy people.

Some of what we ordered:
*Pequeno Plato de Queso – sliced, aged raw-milk Manchego, local apples, on a slice of hearth-baked bread
*Queso cocido con alcachofa – warm artichoke and goat cheese spread w/ brick-oven bread
*CocaMAS – wood-fired flatbread w/ smoked tomatoes, Caromont Farm’s Chevre, Manchego, Basil on hand-crafted dough
*Carne asada – marinated hanging tenderloin -grilled rare w/ smoked tomato alioli
*Chuletillas de cordero – tender, young lamb chops w/ grilled flatbread and a mint-mojo sauce

Drooling yet? So, so delish.

Cafe’ con leche to end an amazing meal:

Cafe Con Leche at Mas Tapas

We are big fans of Mas, especially these funny tees the chefs were wearing:

Mas Tapas staff t-shirt

The first BLR Adventure was a wild success!

I will announce yet another surprise this coming week. The big kahuna is the complete overhaul of this site. We will launch in the next few weeks. Thrilled isn’t a big enough word for how I’m feeling about a new full-on website to go with the next big phase of Blue Lollipop Road. The new site will have complete information on BLR Adventures and other projects we are working on so stay tuned.

To my test crew from yesterday~

Thank you for your support and participation! I can’t wait for our next one.

Here’s to exploring, eating, drinking and being merry!

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February 24, 2011 In North Carolina, Photos

february beach time is just as good

Somehow even if it is winter cold and cloudy, the beach is always be gorgeous and peaceful. In my 1,050 miles in the reliable BLR-Mobile this weekend, we stopped off to face the ocean and listen to the wind and waves for a few minutes at Wrightsville Beach.

BLR- Mobile at Wrightsville Beach, NC

(Yes I saw the sign. Don’t worry- we didn’t park there for very long. Occasionally I do follow the rules:)

Sand and salt water; Another example of a free and simple pleasure.

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