Gallo Pinto, Lost Luggage, and Ivy Green

My favorite way to start to the day is waking up on my own accord and cooking Gallo Pinto with friends who appreciate it the way I do.

The day started perfect, but I left Atlanta feeling rushed. Which is silly. I wanted to make it to Ivy Green before it closed so I passed on a cool waterfall a scenic road in the Little Canyon National Preserve. The entire drive I felt like I should turn back. When is the next time I will be in Northern Alabama? But, I’m young. So I can always come back. I digress.

I then passed the Alabama Fan Club and Museum. It wasn’t until a few minute later it was in reference to the band. I do like Alabama, but it looked closed (only one car in sight and dark), and I was still worried about time.

I made it to the Unclaimed Baggage Center and was very excited. I had been looking forward to this since I began researching the states back in April of 2010. They have a great website so check it out for more information. I knew in my mind I wouldn’t buy anything and be a little weirded out, yet I loved it. However, I still can’t warp my brain around how people loose or don’t claim this stuff. My favorite was the BCD. Word of advice. Do not go on a Saturday and get there early.

It was time to head to Ivy Green the birthplace of Helen Keller and it was a race against the clock. Halfway there I saw a light bulb. The time change had happened. All that rushing for nothing.

So, no more rushing or skipping stuff. I try to live with no regrets.

Ivy Green was alright. I am glad I went but for some reason wanted to leave Tuscumbia. I felt very strange up there. It is a large town but with small town mentality and I wasn’t in the mood to find the few big city people.

Things are definitely slower paced in Alabama and outside of the cities.

Atlanta is the first place I saw on ramps to the highway controlled by stoplights.

I could see the poverty in Alabama and the architecture reminded me of Fulton, MO.

I think I understand why people travel in the summer besides that they have vacation. Everything is green. Right now so far the south is brown, minus one crop that I do not know.

There are lots of Flea Markets out here.

It’s cool you can see all the NASA Space and Rocket stuff from the highway. You can’t in FL.

Who knew Alabama had so many lakes and rivers? There were so many boats and fisherpeople out today.

I passed this once place that had over thirty dead birds on the highway. Couldn’t figure that one out. Poison? Truck filled with birds flipped? Truck ran through a resting group? Teenagers being stupid? …

Driving makes me think.

Today was leaf burning day in the south.

Learning

I’ve learned I like one lazy day a week. I think it’s nice. After gogogo it’s good to have a morning of nothing. So after the most indecisive few hours of my life, and changing my mind a few times, I was finally in the car to leave Atlanta. Then decided to stay.

I made my way around the city, enjoyed the beautiful day, and headed back to Kayla’s place. There I got caught up online and spoke to friends in Costa Rica.

Once Kayla and Emily returned home from work we made our roundabout way to DeKalb Framers Market. This place was HUGE. I wish I hadn’t stocked up at Trader Joes before the road trip because this place has great stuff! Worth the special car ride and staying an extra day in Atlanta.

We finished the night watching Inception. It’s a thought provoker.

Captains Log Number 1007257885. The Funk

World of Coke, Underground, Varsity’s, Variety Theater

I made my way to downtown Atlanta, found a five dollar place to park and headed to the World of Coke. Once inside I looked over all the memorabilia (there was a freaking ton), and enjoyed some exhibits. The welcome lady was great, intro video strange, 4-D ride fun, and the commercials throughout time enjoyable. However, the hands down best part was the tasting room. The gift shop is HUGE but who really wants all that coke stuff?

After all the caffeine I decided to turn Atlanta into a walking city. I took a picture of CNN but did not go in, enjoyed Centennial Park, made my way to Underground Atlanta (which reminds me of Union Station in ST. Louis), and then walked all the way to The Varsity through the campus of Georgia Tech.

Although the grease from my few onion rings made me nauseous this place is a must see. Yes it’s the world’s biggest drive on and been around forever but it screams United States. I loved it!

I headed back to Kayla’s where I got to rest a bit and get ready. Marcus met up with us and we then headed to the Variety Theater in Little Five Points. WE got there just as Los Amigos Invicibles were finishing up but were treated to the amazing performance by Shorty Trombone. These guys were great! They had a fun group dynamic, Shorty had a wonderful personality you could see from stage, and the talent was inspiring. Words cannot describe the amazingness of this jazz funk group.

We ended the night, which had was well into the morning, at R Thomas for some 24 hour organic food. I felt like I was in an exotic hippie land and loved it. Except that I felt bad for the birds.

Good times in Atlanta. What a great city. Like all cities it has its sad areas and weaknesses which I got to see on my walk. Overall, I am a fan.

Atlanta: MLK Freedom Center, MLK NP Visitor Center, MLK birthplace and home, Piedmont Park, Little Five points, Lake Clear, Virginia Highlands, Atkins Park

I took my time getting ready this morning while my friends went to work. I then made my way to the area where Martin Luther King JR spent his childhood and life when he wasn’t traveling. I spent a few hours touring, walking around, and seeing the historic sites of the area. I am so glad I chose to visit this area and all it encompasses as well as its crazy connection to history.

I left the MLK district area to meet Stephanie and her sister. We walked around Piedmont Park and I saw the biggest dog park ever! With a separate park for small dogs. I like parks.

I then joined Stephanie and Cat for the rest of the afternoon. I got to see different parts of Atlanta like Little Five Points, Lake Clear, and we had dinner at Atkins Park in Virginia Highlands. I also was fortunate enough to meet their aunt, uncle, and baby cousin!

After dinner we headed home, I spoke to a friend in Costa Rica who is coming to CT to visit, caught up with Kayla, and had a chill night. Good times!

Hike Hike Hike

Hike in Helen, Athens, Atlanta

I enjoyed relaxing in the morning then decided to take a beautiful 5mile hike to Raven Cliff Falls outside of Helen. It was a gorgeous sunny day and almost the entire hike was along a river. I got to see three beautiful waterfalls and one is considered to be the most unique in the Appalachian Mountains.

I then made my way along the back roads to Athens. I drove through Gainesville and briefly walked around Athens. Besides the nice campus of University of GA I wasn’t too impressed. College towns are great for bars and music, but for a town of 80,000 60,000 of which are students, I expected more. It was nice to see so many people walking or biking instead of driving.

I made my way into Atlanta and was blown away by the traffic. Seven lanes going one way! Luckily I made it to my friends with little traffic problems, it was all going north and I was headed south.

Tuesday the 22nd was National Margarita Day. To celebrate we walked down the gorgeous 26th street to a Mexican restaurant and had a yummy dinner. I love Mexican food!

I ended the night catching up with friends from Peace Corps and making a new friend in their roommate.

Germany

Cleveland and Helen Georgia

I sadly left my new home in Cary and headed South.

I think I am going to save cities for long weekends in the future. With that being said I passed on Charlotte.

I saw the coolest water tower in South Carolina. It was a big beautifully painted peach.

I drove through the “Historic” town of Cowpens but blinked so I missed the advertised shops and antique places.

The sign on the Baptist Church said: “Wives Love Your Husbands.” I think someone in that town cheated.

I saw gas for $2.89. TWO EIGHT NINE!

There was an old man driving a new car with the license plate IMPOPOP. Cute

I went to Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia where the Cabbage Patch Children are born. It was beautiful and a little creepy at the same time. You could witness a birth and meet with a nurse to discuss the care of your new baby before its release from the hospital.

I then walked around the very German town of Helen. It’s off season so not much is open but it’s a very cool unique place. All the buildings are German architecture. I love different types of architecture.

Raincheck

We had a yummy poached egg breakfast made by Mr. Jarmon and then headed to Brueggers to hang out with Sara’s friends. It’s so nice to be in the sun and with nice people.

We then went shopping at Harris Teeter aka Harry Tweeter. They were out of the buy one get one Colby Jack cheese so the deli man reminded Sara to get a raincheck. Yes, raincheck. This awesome store wrote out on a piece of paper that looked like a gift certificate an official raincheck for when they had more cheese. I could not get over this nor could I stop smiling. It restored my faith in companies, and made me smile.

Because it was Sunday we then watched a movie. I heard good things about The Town with Ben Affleck and people were right.

After the movie Jonathon took me on beautiful tour of Cary and I got to see HOLY COWS!

We all hung out for awhile and had an amazing home cooked meal. Yum. Thank you Jarmons!

Sarita in Cary

After a gorgeous walk to the grocery store we prepared a delicious breakfast and then I was on my way. It was beautiful day to drive route 85 in Virginia. I enjoyed the Carytown area of Richmond, saw the Byrd Theater, and then continued on to meet Sarita in Cary, NC.

Once in Cary I got to relax and catch up with Sara while meeting with her family and baby. I then got to meet the famous Andy in Holly Springs. The Jarmon’s treated me to a delicious dinner from Los Tres Mugueyes and we ended the night playing a game. Another awesome night with friends.

Back on the Road!

New Castle, DE and DC

I cannot make decisions when I have a cold. I may have written that before but cannot remember. Because of this I passed on a few stops in Delaware. I walked around the adorable historic town of New Castle and headed to DC.

Although not part of my plan and a little last minute Alicia most graciously hosted me in DC once again. We met at this little bar with a great happy hour called Bottom Line then headed to a friend’s house. I called it a night and got caught up on life with Alicia.

I would love to live in a historic town like New Castle, DE or Lexington, VA or Portsmouth, NH. Cobblestone and old houses make me happy.

You can find beautiful people and beautiful places anywhere.

The Plan

My car is safe from the snow and ready for the road!



After a lovely few nights in NYV it was time to return home to CT before another big storm hit. I love snow. I can see how people who have to work or don’t like the physical aspect of shoveling disagree, but for me, the snow is beautiful.

With all the shoveling down I decided to use my snow day to inform everyone what I will be doing for the next few months. I also like to have things written out neatly for my own benefit. I might as well share the information with you all and everyone wins!

I do not want to give everything away yet, or bore you with town names so I will keep it brief. Here is the rough plan:

Leave West Hartford and head to Delaware and Maryland where I will stop in Wilmington, Delaware City, Chevy Chase, and Port Tobacco. Fenwick Island will have to wait for a later trip when I head down the Coast once again to visit the Outer Banks.

Upon leaving Maryland I will head to Virginia to make three or four stops at historical battlegrounds and other landmarks in Richmond, Petersburg, and Hardy.

After a stop in North Carolina I’ll head to Atlanta. For the next week I’ll be jumping between Georgia, Alabama, Florida and back to Georgia. I know where I’m going but don’t want ruin the surprise.

Once I leave Florida I will have one more stop in Alabama before I head to Mississippi to enjoy small towns and the Gulf Coast on my way to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

After Mardi Gras, a reunion with some Peace Corps friends, and exploring the area I’ll head to the large state of Texas. Who knows how long I will be in Texas, but once I leave I’ll head to New Mexico. From there Arizona, followed by Nevada, then on to California.

Once happily with my family in California I will map out and calculate the rest of the trip through Oregon, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan. Eventually making my way back to CT in late June or July therefore completing my trek of the United States! Si Dios Quiere.