Hot Hot Hot

Indeed. It is soooo very hot here in the Carolina States. And as I've already mentioned in the previous Blog, the temperatures of the mountains are dearly missed here. I even dare say that we've become quite attached to the AC. Which is a big thing (if you've read my first Blog). So, the nicely tempered mountains have been left and new roads lead us down to the coast: to Charleston. There we've marveled at the most beautiful and gracious Mansions, took a Carriage Ride to at least get a little breeze at the go and made a stop at Boone Hall Plantation. An estate just miles North of Charleston, where parts of the movie "The Notebook" (yes, I've been "notebooked" and I do love this movie) have been filmed. And stories of the past are being told. On the way along the Carolina Coast we passed Wilmington (I already miss this place,it has grown really strong to my heart). And I've had my first swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Carolina Beach YAY! :) (already looking forward to the one in the Pacific). From there we headed up further North to our next destination: the Carolina Outer Banks. A 2 h ferry ride away from the mainland. Accompanied by some very (food) attached sea gulls :) The Outer Banks are a fragile chain of sand, separated from the shore by the Intercoastal Waterway, but connected by bridges and ferries. Going up North for 100 miles. Out of the 3 lighthouses we've climbed but one. 248 steps up to enjoy the view from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. We've made stops at secluded beaches - secluded only from humans. But populated by mosquitoes. Those nasty little suckers only attacked me, cause obviously I have the sweeter blood. Now isn't that sweet ... So after that attack (I'm so itchy right now) I was quite ready to leave the coast and head back inland (good-bye Atlantic Ocean, I'll see you again by the end of summer). To a small town called Chapel Hill. A very dozy one indeed. But a town where the oldest state-run University of the US is located. Another quiet little town is Winston-Salem. Or let me just say Salem. Old Salem. Which ist the historc district of Winston-Salem. The district showcases the culture of the Moravian settlement in North Carolina during the 18th and 19th centuries, re-creating shops, churches and houses. I might add at this point that Liane enjoyed the stay there very much. Really peaceful it has been and a good end to this part of my trip :)

Now, 2000! Miles and only 9 days later we're back in Charlotte, NC. Tomorrow I am leaving for the Big Apple to start "The Southern Sun" with 14 strangers. 3 weeks from now, those strangers won't be so strange anymore and my backpack will be packed with new memories. But as this is mainly a camping trek I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog that much during those 3 weeks. But I'll give my best to at least write something at the 4 hotel stays inbetween. Meanwhile, go have a look at the pictures of my first 2 weeks (seems like I have been here a lot longer) on those Traveling Roads.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157620558398019

Carriage Ride in Charleston, SC

First Swim at Kure Beach, NC

Shells along the Coast

enjoying the view up at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Bodie Island Lighthouse - Outer Banks, NC

Picture Talking in the Mountains

We've had some fun times up in the mountains and are already missing the cool air here on the South Coast (Charleston and Wilmington - again) But apart from that not much more to say for now. Just have a look at the pics. They sometimes tell more than words can ... I'll make sure to put up some more of those on my Flickr page as soon as I get the time to do so ... which should be the case when I hit LA ground - the latest *lol* Hopefully just kidding. I'll try my best though while being on the road.

CYA :)

misty times at Blue Ridge Parkway (Mount Mitchell)

blue blue roads - Blue Ridge Parkway

Tired after walking for hours :) - Appalachian Trail - Smoky Mtns

Smoky Mountains

Cable Mill - Smoky Mountains

Grotto Falls - Smoky Mountains

No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.
~ unknown ~

Along with the crazy bit... ehm, bunch

After having been stuffed with all kinds of food (peaches included, of course) in Meansville, Georgia (such a small place, even the guy at customs didn't know of it), it was already time to hit the road to Wilmington, North Carolina. A long drive East, and Becca and me already anxious to meet up with six other SoGoPro supporters. But no need for that really. It seemed like mostly everyone clicked at the first second and became friends by the end of the trip.
We've spent quite a few awesome days - and nights - in this beautiful town just along the Carolina Shores (if anyone should ever come along there, please make sure to make a stop). Great concert (Bibis, you were a blast!). Many visits to the beaches. The possibility to visit the locations and studio where "One Tree Hill" is filmed (thank you so much for that Kelly!). Again, loads of food (I think I've seen the shapes of Chicken Burgers, thanks to Chick fil A, for a while :)). The beautiful sights in town. The very hot outsides of it. The awfully cold insides (man, do I hate those AC's). Nights out and about until the very early hours of the morning (I have such a lack of sleep). And never in my life have I been at a beach at 3 AM, watching filming going on and seeing actors almost get naked. But that's what you get when spending days with 7 crazy girls :)

To sum this up and really get the impression of those days in Wilmington you def have to take a look at the video (great job, Becca!!). Showing the time of our life. Us being Megan from Minnesota, Jac from Canada, Becca and Andrea from Georgia, Kim from Arkansas, Liz from Virginia, Lauren from North Carolina and finally me, the only sane one in this group :)

It's time for me to hit the road again and see what else there is to discover in the Carolina States. Until then.
All the best from Charlotte, NC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmp_-W7AXEw

Stuffed in Georgia

Just a short note to say that I have arrived safely here in the US. The flight was ok. But the customs very horrid. Controls backward and forward. I'm glad this is over with. But I am in now. With chocolate, Swiss Army Knife and everything else too :)
Still getting used again though to the differences once again. Everything's just way bigger (way better, hmmm?) and way colder at times (the AC's on like all the time). And the food, well don't make be get started 0n this. I think I am gaining weight just by talking about it.

After a long road trip East I'm now spending a few days in Wilmington, NC. Updates on how that is going later on.

CYA!

Let the journey begin ...

Indeed. Sunday is the day when I start my journey . Can't believe it's so close now. After months of planning this, it's just right ahead. The bag is ready and packed. With hopefully everything in it that I'll be needing for 3 months. And how hard was that to do. But America is not a secluded place, right? So, the most important thing is my camera. The rest, I can always buy if needed.

I'm excited to leave. And I am more excited to arrive. But I am also a bit sad to leave. Leaving always carries this small bit of regret and sadness with it. Leaving things, people, feelings, familiarity behind. But I am also going to meet new people, experience new feelings, see new things and bring back a bag full of memories to keep. Pebbles to store. Treasures to cherish.

Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things.

~ Pierce Harris ~

East Coast Traveling

Every trip ends sometime. Every journey comes to an end at some point. Every road doesn't lead any further after having walked on it for a while ... and words coming to my mind ... "every song ends. But is that any reason not to enjoy the music?" No, it absolutely isn't. And I am going to enjoy this song to the fullest and until the very end.

So, still, this is the moment of my voyage when we're getting pretty close to the end of the song. But hey, we won't have regret or sadness overcome us yet. There's still a few weeks left to travel and experience the East. And this is also the time where Karin and Christoph will join in the song. My last company joining in. I have to add at this point, it has been kinda difficult to get a good (well, in my opinion good, and I am really picky when it comes to this) picture of those too. But I think that I can confidently say, that after having been on vacation with ME, they'll have plenty of pictures to choose from afterwards :)

But back to the traveling part... now that we do have some other perspective from high above, having been on "the tallest free-standing structure on land in the world" (the CN tower in Toronto, according to Wiki) and having taken impressed gazes at the thundering water of Niagara Falls, I think it is time to move on. Leave the city and get some fresh air in Algonquin Provincial Park. Plus, I really do hope that I will get to see Madison Violet on our way up there. The best folk, pop, country band of Eastern Canada. Just my humble opinion :)

From there, the plan is to head further East and cover Montréal and Québec (still need to practice my French a bit for that occasion), Maine (oh how I do love those lighthouses) and down along the coast (isn't that how I started weeks ago :)), over Boston to New York (we'll see what else might cross us on the way there). First time for me in New York ... "These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray. Right through the very heart of it ... I wanna wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep. And find Im king of the hill - top of the heap ... If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere. Its up to you - New York, New York ..." So, it really is up to you, New York :) Probably those 3 days won't be enough to conquer the whole city. But hopefully enough to at least see the musts (do I actually know those? hmmmm, I might not, so anyone who does, give me the hints and the insider tips). And of course we've already got ticks to see "Guys and Dolls" on Broadway. Can't wait to see Lauren there.

So now, after having taken along with me those evening gowns (just right next to my camping gear) almost all the way around America, the time has finally come to show them off. Boarding Queen Elizabeth II for a Transatlantic Passage back to Europe (New York - Southampton). Leisurely enjoying the joy of doing absolutely nothing (la dolce vita) but eat, read, take some sunbath (maybe even a swim in the pool if it's still warm enough), do a pedicure and eat. Did I mention that part already *lol* Well, it is a VERY important part on a cruise ship :)

I'm absolutely positive that I will enjoy myself on QM II. A gentle way of ending my 3 months trip.

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~