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Soaked to the bone on Day 46

Posted in Country, Home, Planning, Road trip on October 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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Yes, you’re right. Some of you remembered that one of my original milestones was to be in San Diego by today so that I could see the Patriots play the Chargers. I’m afraid I didn’t make it. I revised my itinerary a couple of weeks ago when I realized it just wasn’t realistic. I didn’t want to rush down the California coast and miss out on so many things, especially since I can see the Patriots play back home. (Albeit in the snow by the time I get there.)

Well, instead I’m in very rainy San Francisco. I’m rather disappointed as I love this city so much and I’d like to be off exploring, but it’s good too because it gave me time to simply sit and catch up with friends. And that’s exactly what I did. In the late morning I met Joy and her family at their home in San Francisco (I was supposed to meet them earlier for dim sum, but surprise, surprise, yours truly was running late).  Then in the late afternoon I visited another high school friend, Lauren, and her family at their home in Oakland. The funny thing is, neither of them knew the other was out here. It’s amazing how people spread out around the country, and the world. Some for school, some for jobs, some for love, some simply to escape. Many love it in their adopted homes, but it’s also interesting how many end up back home again – at least eventually.

Between visits I popped over to see the Golden Gate Bridge, since I wasn’t sure if I’d have a chance tomorrow or not. While hunting for a good viewing point I found another National Historic Site – Fort Point. The Civil War fort is right on the water, just underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. I braved the elements – and nearly sacrificed my camera – to get photos of the bridge, waves (which I was afraid for a bit would wash away my poor car) and the fort.

Over dinner with Luke and Laura we came to the consensus that, since the weather is clearing, I must spend a few hours in the city tomorrow before heading south on route 1 (just like home). So I’ll play tourist for a few hours in the morning (well, I guess playing tourist is my full-time job right now, so nothing new there) and see if I still love the city like I used to. What I know, though, is it’s time to hit the road because if I stay here any longer, I’ll put on 20 pounds! After another wonderful dinner, Luke, Laura and I headed straight for another little gelato shop. Yummmm… At least we walked a bit after, and then went on another brief road tour before heading home. It’s going to be hard to leave – it always is when your hosts are family and make you feel so at home!

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Eureka! Arriving in California on Day 44

Posted in Country, Planning, Road trip on October 23, 2010| 4 Comments »

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Day 44 was another day of driving – this is when planning and thinking ahead a bit more would come in handy, but oh well. You see, even though people told me it is a lot farther than I think from Washington to California, I didn’t really pay attention (sorry guys). So when I punched my friend Todd’s address in Aidan and found it was about nine hours and nearly 600 miles, and we were supposed to be meeting for dinner, I knew I wouldn’t be there right on time. I also knew I couldn’t lengthen it any more by taking the scenic route – I’d get back to that from San Fran to LA. So I think Day 44 was the most driving in one stretch yet. Funny enough, I didn’t get sick of the drive or tired, but simply wished I had  more time!

For the first time, I was tempted to actually pick up hitchhikers. They reminded me of the people who started Lonely Planet – I read in their memoir about how they started and a good part of it was hitchhiking. Anyway, these were both guys (Lonely Planet creators were a guy and a girl – a couple, now married) with long hair, very hippy-like, smiling and happy, sitting on the side of I-5 with a big sign that said “Australia – Mexico.” How cool would it be to help them on the final leg of their journey? But then the practical side of me chimed in and so I didn’t stop. Hope someone else did.

I soon approached the California border – so very excited to actually be in the state! I’ve been promising Duffy and Jay that I’d visit them for 15 years and I’m finally, really going to do it! I was thrilled to see there was actually a lookout point just before the Oregon/Cali border, so was able to stop and get some photos. (It also looked like there was a giant cloud hanging over the state, and it wasn’t long before I drove into the rain.)

I was surprised to find that they stop you at the California border. At first I thought it was a toll to enter the state (wouldn’t be surprised if, of all states, Cali did that), but no, it was to check for any fresh fruit or plants. It was almost like it’s a separate country and doesn’t want anything from the other places to contaminate it. Ah, California.

I arrived at Todd’s about 9 pm – just as Aidan predicted. I had thought about him along the way – it’s been 16 years since I last saw him at our graduation from Dean. What I remembered most was how genuine and warm he is. How he has the gentlest soul and always looked at you so intently when talking that you felt like the only person on earth and how what you were saying actually mattered. I was instant friends with Todd in school, and was so glad to find when I arrived that he hadn’t changed at all in the ways that mattered. He’s really just more found himself and what makes him peaceful and happy – devoting himself to making beautiful music. Like my friend with the horse farm, it makes me so happy to see that Todd spends his days and supports himself by fulfilling his dream of making music and sharing it with others. It is a unique, soothing sound that he creates using acoustic world instruments. Listen for yourself here: http://www.toddboston.com/.

We had a fabulous, relaxing evening catching up on the last sixteen years of each other’s lives and discussing the next leg of my trip. He filled me in on some must-see places that I know I’m going to love. I’ll be updating the itinerary soon – probably when I have some down time in LA toward the end of the week. So much more to see – just never enough time anywhere!

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Blazing my own Oregon Trail on Day 43

Posted in Country, Home, London, Planning, Road trip on October 22, 2010| 2 Comments »

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With Jason’s list in hand, I set off into the fog on Day 43, intent on seeing as much as possible. I knew, though, that I couldn’t do everything if I wanted to take my coastal route south and still make it to San Francisco by Friday night. Mother Nature actually helped me strike a few things from the list, as Jason and Amy had pointed out a couple that are only worth it on a clear day. Next time.

The sun did make it through the haze enough for me to appreciate the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge – and to see the sign for the Maryhill Winery. No, it wasn’t the wine I was going for – I remembered Jason saying that Stonehenge is right near there. And it was! No, not the real one that I visited multiple times in England, but a replica created as a war memorial. Not exactly the same, but made me smile.

The Bridge of the Gods mural was next, then Multnomah Falls – a really long waterfall that’s literally right off the highway. Those both deserved more time but were two-minute stops for me as I wanted a bit of time in Portland. I did follow some of the Oregon Trail, though, at least according to the road signs. And I went the path of Lewis and Clark, although the couple of times I attempted to pull off to see some of their sites, they seemed to far off the highway for me to pursue within my time limits…

Well, the vast majority of my time was spent at Powell’s Books – my, oh my, Jason, I will love you forever for that suggestion! You were so right. I loved it and didn’t want to leave, I could’ve spent hours in there! They have both new and used books on every subject imaginable. And I took advantage of their cafe and enjoyed a cuban sandwich for lunch – it was so good! (My friend John said his aunt works there – I’m jealous!) Luckily, they have a web site so I guess that will have to do until I can visit again. A friend called, and so not to disturb the other patrons, I took it as a sign to leave and walk around at least a little of the city while talking, before the parking meter ran out (trying to avoid tickets on this trip). I probably didn’t walk to the right parts of the city, but can’t say I loved Portland any more than Seattle. I actually like Seattle quite a bit more (if only it had Powell’s).

Then I got in the car and went somewhere I love as much as book stores (please don’t ever make me choose just one): the coast. I spent the rest of the day, into the evening, driving down the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. (Believe it or not, I’m actually giving Aidan a rest and just following the coastal route south. It’s longer than the routes he wants me to take, but so much prettier.) The weather turned windy and rainy but it didn’t stop me from getting out of my car at many beaches to capture a few moments on film. (Can you still say that even though it’s digital?) I also stopped at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse just before dark, and then went through some historic tunnel/bridge. It was pretty cool.

It is so funny, the things you learn about yourself on the road, mainly by talking to people who often ask you the same questions in different ways. My responses sometimes surprise me. During dinner the other night Amy and Jason asked me similar questions to ones Matt asked over lunch, and they all made me realize that maybe I’m not quite the city girl I claim to be. When I really think about what I love so far on this trip, it’s the coastal and more rural places, not the cities. The country/coastal ones are where I’ve most enjoyed and want to spend more time. I love London and Boston. Those are my cities. (Edinburgh, too, but that gets too cold.) And I haven’t found another city in my travels that compares. Of course, San Francisco has always been at the top of my list, but it’s been so many years it will be interesting to see how I feel after this weekend.

While it’s etched in my heart, I know London isn’t the place for me – at least for now. It’s killing me that I’m not home in Massachusetts for my oldest Goddaughter’s thirteenth birthday Saturday. (Happy birthday Allegra! You CAN’T be a teenager!?!?) The biggest reason I moved back to the US was to be closer to my family and friends – I hated missing out on so much when I was in London. Had I been able to move all of them to London, I would’ve been happy to stay there forever. So this road trip has helped me know I need to be back there – or be a short drive from there, or have a job where I travel and could fly back often. Now what exactly constitutes a short drive in my mind has expanded a bit, but not as far as the west coast! So maybe not Massachusetts, although if I stick with my bed and breakfast idea, which is quickly growing in my mind, that’s where I’d want it to be. And it’s a great combination of city and country. There’s Boston (and all the best sports teams), of course, to fulfill my city needs and then places like Tara’s wildlife sanctuaries for the country pull. Wish I was home now for all the fall events like Saturday’s Spooktacular (from 6-9pm at Attleboro Springs Wildlife Sanctuary at La Salette.) If you’re in Mass and interested, go for me – and take pictures!

The sun is peaking through the windows. Time to go start Day 44 and see if I can make it to my destination by nightfall – depends how many stops beckon me…

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