Blue Lollipop Road

September 1, 2010 In Alaska, Photos, Videos

look mom- it’s a glacier!

When people say things like ” You can hike a/to a glacier” you take it with sort of a grain of salt, thinking oh sure- that sounds awesome. Then you get to the glacier, stand in front of it and your jaw hits the ground. You keep blinking your eyes because you don’t think what you’re looking at could possibly be real:

It’s real! (Yes, that’s ice in the water close, near my feet that had broken off and floated the way to the sand I was standing on!)

Welcome to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska.

When talking with other travelers who were reveling in the gorgeousness like me, someone said that these glaciers looked like giant frozen tidal waves. I think that’s a pretty perfect description. It’s one thing to see these glaciers in photo books or on a typical chilly overcast day in Alaska, but if you’re lucky enough to have a sunny warm day with blue skies to experience something like this in person?! The brilliance is beyond explanation or that in which my poor little Nikon camera could ever capture. I hiked the east loop that day. Near the trail head got this photo. 200-plus years to travel 13.5 miles? Now that’s some slow and steady moving:

I regularly comment what I have said here before about the trees, green and general lushness. It’s like living in some fairy tale. I mean, Shrek almost popped his head out to say hi here:

Here’s a funky fungi of some kind; I enjoy the randomness of shots like these:

Video from mid-way up:

Broken off floating parts and pieces:

A view from near the top looking away from the glacier:

And one more from my way down that gives sort of a close up look. See? Doesn’t it look like a slightly dirty frozen tidal wave? Incredible:

I have a plethora of photos, I look forward to sitting with some of you to share more. Nature at it’s finest to say the least. This was a once in a lifetime hike for me, or at least that first time you see something like this the wow factor is simply mind boggling. I’m not usually a quiet person, but I spent so much speechless in awe time while in Alaska it was fantastic. Sometimes it’s a welcomed surprise to not be able to say a thing and just look. This day was one of those for me.

August 31, 2010 In Uncategorized

i spy

Reader and friend Gabi sent me this from a Florida airport she was in while traveling. She sent it with a note saying “Look what I saw and thought of you!” I am loving that people out there have mojo on the mind.

Thanks Gabi! Strong Mojo forever:

August 31, 2010 In Photos, Washington

Skagway to Sequim

I often feel like a broken record talking about meeting fabulous strangers and all the feasting and great conversation I have had on the road, but well- that’s what’s best about traveling for me so I guess my redundant stories shall continue. I am staying with Judy tonight. Judy is the woman I met in Skagway Alaska.( I wrote and posted photos of she and her brother Allen from Montana a few weeks back.) When we’d said our goodbye’s back Alaska she insisted I call her when I got to Washington state and here I sit in her guest cottage now typing this. She just made me a most delicious meal for dinner topped off with fresh peaches over vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. She toured me around her neighborhood tonight before our dinner where we saw beautiful views of the water, mountains and about 30 deer. Total nature and gorgeous green here in a tiny town outside Seattle.

I had taken some time to relax out of the city, driving and my usual go, go, go today. I ended up “going into town” on a sweet and slow wander to the store this afternoon where I snapped these photos I thought were fun in celebration of a farm b-day:

Oh the excellent photos, food, and places. So few 100 years of life to eat it all up.

I’m going to need a job in food, wine and travel very soon. I can see my life heading in that direction like a freight train time and time again. I’ll also be needing to add more than running to my work out sessions as all this feasting is making me bust at the seams. That and when I go in for my check-up with my dentist soon, Dr. T is going to have a bone to pick with me. I feel a cavity coming on. (Tear…I brush, floss and rinse, but this is no battle for Voodoo doughnuts and road food. Ack!) I’ll try to brush those few little issues under my head rug so I can take in my last bit of time to be thankful on this incredible journey of new landscapes, friends and foods. Perhaps I will decided on some far-out health or no salt/sugar challenge to post here next to hold myself accountable. I mean, that’s how this whole Alaska thing got started anyway. I wrote that day back a few moths ago that I was going to go, then thought oh shit, then well- I have to now and I did it! (Nothing like a little world wide web pressure to keep you getting up early and staying up late to make sure you reach a goal.)

Here’s again to the many feasts and people from the road that add to all the stories and smiles in my adventure. Thanks Judy!

August 30, 2010 In Alaska, Photos

signs on a ferry

Apparently the Upper Deck is actually down and the Forward Lounge is right or left.

I took these on one of my many ferry rides in Alaska. Good thing I wasn’t drinking and trying to find my way around at the time.

August 29, 2010 In De-lish, Oregon, Photos

the magic is in the hole

Last night was another successful night car camping. So it was cold, I woke up at least once an hour shivering and didn’t get the best sleep ever-but it was fine. It always makes me happy to save $ and that’s exactly what I thought about a bunch while tossing and turning (as much as you can in the front seat of a car) last night. I’d so much rather be uncomfortable for a night or few in between my house stays and save $ on accommodations so I can spend that $ I save on things that mean the most to me; Food and time with people.

I came into Portland yesterday on a sunny and average chilly 65 degree summer day for this area. (Brrr…where I’ve been living for years, August is typically 95-100 and lots of humidity.) As usual, no plans, not knowing anyone, but always having a few notes about food and someone who knows someone who might live there. I really don’t even look at the paper maps I have (I don’t have any detailed ones anyway), you all know I don’t have a GPS. I swear every time I enter a city unplanned like I did yesterday, I just follow where the roads lead, where are tall buildings are, or where something looks interesting, and I always end up exactly where I need to be. I rolled into Portland, pulled my car over to park for a minute and look at notes in my book and turned out I was exactly where I’d wanted to go. The rest of the day worked out perfectly. I stood in line for 45 minutes with the usual lines of patient, excited, treat-lovin’ crowds at Voodoo Doughnuts:

I met a funny and sweet mom and daughter from Florida, we all took lots of photos and laughed about all the flavors. A guy walked out right before we got in the door with bacon on top of his doughnuts. Yes, bacon:

I got a Captain Crunch and an Old Dirty Bastard. (Chocolate frosted with OREO and peanut butter drizzle.):

With thoughts of having just a few bites or half of each, I then proceeded to hose them both. Sooo yummy. I felt high as a kite and happy for an hour or so, then definitely was moaning later. That was a bit much, even for me. (As I sit here and write this now, I am a glutton for punishment and thinking about going back for more after breakfast today…)

I drove, wandered, toured a bit more after that and through the amazing speed and power of social networking, I found myself having a beer, salad and sharing a huge plate of tater tots with a stranger Katie a couple hours later. (Try to follow this one and be as amazed as we were how it all worked out; I post something on Facebook that I was going to be in Portland. A friend of mine Temple who lives in Virginia, whom I haven’t seen in about 2 years and barely spoken with as life has kept busy for both of us, sends me a message back about Portland, then a message to Katie- who she knew from work in Boston like 10 years ago. Katie just happened to be in Portland for one night, for work training, and only a few blocks from when I was parked on the side of the road in my car no less where I have just sent the message from my laptop to Temple. My phone rings; “Hey Diane! It’s Temples friend Katie. I’m in Portland tonight and we should totally grab a beer!” Me; “Great! I was just about to go check out Rogue, want to meet there? See you in ten? And then there we sat chatting away at the bar having a grand old time for the next 3 hours like we’d been friends for life.) So, so fun. I love those random connections. (Thanks Temple!) Here’s my choice pint of a camomile infused brew. That was one delish beer:

I’ll trade a bed for some fun company, a couple of yummy doughnuts, and a delish beer any day. I couldn’t have had a better day if I’d planned it all out. I met interesting and fun strangers, toured the city, ended up spending barely any money but had good food, and I fell asleep happy. What a great day in downtown Portland.

I think I’m off for another doughnut…

August 28, 2010 In Photos

the blr mobile hits 140k like magic…

…and keeps running like a dream!

August 28, 2010 In Uncategorized

prepping

I’m bopping around the the Northwest now, scoping out a few spots with thoughts of where I might want to park if I’m going to look to get an apartment or place of whatever kind in the next few months. It’s looking like I’ll be heading down the coast a bit and into Cali. I know a few folks to stay there, and have a cousin to visit I haven’t seen in a few years. I’ll be able to scope out the bay area too. As of now it looks like I’m going to be able to make it to 2 weddings (both good pals in VA) in September and October (yay!) and have a small bit of work for a week or so in NC. New York City is still calling my name everyday. Oh the possibilities. Lots of work and planning to do.

Besides the huge Alaska/Anniversary part of this journey, I knew it was something I wanted to do to give myself time and space to get some perspective getting out of my everyday comfort zones of where I’d been living for the last 13 years. I’ve certainly gotten what I was looking for and then some. I’m happy for all I’ve learned and excited about what I’m working on for the next phase of BLR. Having you all on this journey with me is a blast and I’m hoping you will continue to share your stories with me and be interested in reading mine.

In the next couple days I will be putting in some more organizing and logistical time so I just wanted to write again and say hello and please hold tight and be patient with me. See you back here soon with more!

August 27, 2010 In Uncategorized

photo storage?

Grrr!

I’m bummed my posts have been photo free the past few days and I haven’t been able to share the stories I want. I have reached my limit for free photo storage for Flickr and trying to find another resource that will let me store photos and take the html I need to embed here. Picassaweb and Snapfish are giving me trouble. Anyone have ideas so I can get more photos and fun stories cranking here?! I cannot afford to pay and even if I had $ to pay for photo storage I’ve got to believe there are more Flickr like resources out there for free. Hmmm…

I’m chomping at the bit to share stuff here. Boo for road blocks!

Thoughts anyone?

August 27, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

danke

More thank you’s because there are so many helpful, generous and wonderful people out there!

*Kelly- I have carb-loaded and run around the hills of Seattle a ton the past few days.
*Mike and Eng-Shien- I’ll be posting photos from our “crabbing” here- thanks for the boat ride and hike.
*Andrew- Hope your leave and time home are relaxing. Thank you for your generosity and selflessness. Keep writing.
*Bobby- Got your notification yesterday. Gas tank is full! I still owe you funny photos from cheese curd country.
*Sean and Ian- So fun to hang with you and your peeps. Thanks for letting me show up out of nowhere and crash.
*Jess and Armen- Thanks for the feasts and hospitality. That bed is soooo comfy.
*Julie- What a yummy dinner and fun chat last night. Here’s to a soul sister!
*Ben- Love the random VA connection, downtown tour and blue hair.

Days continue to be interesting, fun and full of all the friends of friends and complete strangers who I’m connecting with. I’m learning something new every day and understanding myself and the world more. I’m consistently excited, motivated and feeling healthier and more balanced than I ever have. Because of all of you and so many giving people I’m becoming the best person I can be. It means everything to me that I’m getting to live my dream. This also means I will be the best I can to pay it forward to others and that’s what this is all about, so thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

August 26, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

the pay it forward recipient

…is the one and only Ms. Erin Peacock! (That’d be little my sis.)

I had posted before that no one wrote in stories about a trip/travel/dream/new hobby they wanted to try/do for the “Pay it forward” challenge. After that still no one wrote me. Not ONE person wrote in before I left Alaska, so it’s official the cashola goes to her! (I will post a photo of her with the check once it gets to her in the mail and she can take one.)

I know you all out there have hopes, dreams, goals, wants, desires. I also understand it’s difficult for some people to share those things with strangers. I have also learned that it scares the sh*t out of most people to actually take a moment for themselves to think about just and only what they want. Sort of like whoa nelly! Well, I couldn’t possibly actually think about who I am or what I want for me! That would “rock the boat” too much and then I might have to start rocking! (I can tell you once you start rocking you never go back. In a good way. I am now smiling with that Mwah-ahhh-ahhh…tune running through my head.) My sister is a prime example of this. She had never been out of the country, my brother took her to Ecuador in January, she went in blind, but open- then she saw, did, ate, experienced things she never had before and didn’t even know were out there and was a changed person within days. That trip rocked her boat (she surrendered to the rocking) and gave her a vision for the next thing she wants to do with her life. She came back to the U.S and immediately started applying for the Peace Corps. I’m proud to gift 10% of the Alaska or bust BLR donations and sponsorships to her. She’s spent tonsa bucks completing these applications, so this loot will help her. (She could be going to Africa in February! How cool is that?!)

So? Cheers to you kid! You have a check coming in the mail. If you get in and go to Africa, you know I’ll do my best to visit!

I have mentioned before, I have a bank account that is named after my deceased friends who are the inspiration for this blog and a lot of what I do. This will always remain open. From here until eternity as long. As Blue Lollipop Road lives, 10% of any $/sponsorship/donations that are contributed will continue to go into that account. That money will be gifted as a pay it forward just like this initial one. I am working now with Sarah (the bestest intern ever) on new info./ideas for the donate page, next pay it forward challenge, etc. Lots of updates to come.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH to all who have donated. Congratulations to Erin for being the first gifted recipient. You, undoubtedly embody the heart, smile and soul that Maria and Brandy did. They’d be happy to know the 10% is going to someone like you!

Who’s next guys?

Start daydreaming and get your pens and paper ready.