Check this NY Times article out about girls competing against boys in the state championship wrestling tournament this weekend. Is it cool to geek out because my high school in tiny Bennington, Vermont made the NY Times? Especially because the article is about girls kicking ass and taking names in sport?
Folks, my Monday was just made.
Mount Anthony Union High School, where this girl made wresting history this weekend is where Blue Lollipop Road originated! I guess all that strong mojo that lived among us other MAU lady athletes back in the 90’s has stuck around. I’m happy to see it’s still a force to be reckoned with. (Ladies from my old team, are you smiling as much as I am? This wrestling champ is a soccer player as well. Gotta love it.)
Watch out boys and watch out world- here comes Rachel Hale! Congrats Rachel. What an amazing accomplishment. Glad to have you as a MAU soccer soul sister too!
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:
… and had a glass of each of our favorite vino outside while enjoying the sunshine:
Here’s some of the happy crew:
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!
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:
We are big fans of Mas, especially these funny tees the chefs were wearing:
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!
Time for chocolate ice cream, twizzlers, and camping out in front of the TV for a ludacris amount of hours for pre, actual, and post shows. Red carpets, dresses, jewels and speeches- this is one of my favorite days of the year. (I was a fashion designer in a former life.)
Regardless of who wins tonight, I will be a watching winner.
What a great surprise I got from a new reader today. She passed by the BLR-mobile today and left a comment on my earlier TTAA post. These kinds of things make me very, very excited.
TTAA from new reader Gayle:
*Finding an interesting writer because her license plate was parked in front of my house, and blue lollipops are my pediatricians favorite in the DumDums bag *Celebrating the human connection that pen pals can bring *Children *Kittens *Joy
Thanks so much for sharing Gayle! Those blue lollipops certainly do have a special mojo.
Early morning coffee with friends. Zumba class. The Oscars on Sunday night. BLR at over 900 posts. The first BLR Adventure on Saturday. Egg and white cheddar cheese bagel sandwiches. Balconies on apartments. Jimmy Fallon. Surprise emails from someone you haven’t talked to in 7 years. Friday night happy hours. Tattoos of blue lollipops. Cookie dough. Fried pickles. Fleece blankets. Old t-shirts. Christmas gifts that come in February. Attending the wedding of my 2nd grade boyfriend. Moleskin notebooks.
Anyone? Please feel free to comment and add below!
So many people are out there doing good for their communities and working on interesting projects. I can’t keep up. I could write 24/7 posting links and information. This is a good problem to have. Reading about what guys like Robert and Aaron have done at Bikeloc help continually inspire me to do what I love and believe in.
It’s pretty swell that my days include reading and research, so I can bring stories and resources here. It’s like a BlR learning and connecting with cool people fest. You know I like that.
Robert and Aaron~
Looks like an amazing journey you had. I know this doesn’t classify as a fresh, local potluck, but I hope you noshed on an extra sugary and well deserved Voo Doo doughnut when you finally reached Portland. They are a once in a lifetime treat not to be passed up, especially if you have worked (out) so hard.
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.
(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.
Maybe it’s a bit ridiculous that I’ve written about this shake 3 times in 3 years, but it is that good. My mother and I took a little road trip to Wilmington, NC this weekend and naturally I told her she had to try it. We practically licked the cup.
I love you Port City Java, for making the single best espresso chocolate milkshake I have ever had.
