Falls First Glances

Can a car look differently? Feel differently? Smell differently? Have a completely different spirit? I believe it does. At least our Ford Flex does. After Melanie left over a week ago, 2 new – and yes, different – people joined my adventure. Karin and Christoph are along for the "Eastern Adventure". Where not even the people are different, but the Country Roads have vanished almost completely. Where did the Country Radio Stations go so suddenly? And the dusty and seemingly endless roads gave way to, hmmm, how do I express myself, lets say different roads and landscapes ;) Even the language has changed with entering into Quebéc. And I thought I could at least understand some French. But this here … oh my gosh! Sounds like something completely different. Yes, different is my word for now. And yes, we have to live with change. Change is good. Change is the only constant.

And with constant joy and the excitement to travel some new roads we are driving East. Passing Niagra Falls (too many rainbows at times to count). Exploring Algonquin Park on – and luckily never in – one of over 2000 lakes. Spending a few hours in Canadas Capitol. Passing Montréal on the way to Québec. Unfortunately Celine didn’t have the time to invite us in for lunch *lol* :)
And Québec’s the city we are at now. It was awfully cold and windy and really ghastly at the beginning. But the sun showed up today and we are loving the city a whole lot. It’s charming here. It’s a little bit French here. The people speak funny here. The streets are very picturesque. Music’s embracing the city from around every corner. You can stroll around here and enjoy and relax. It’s a place you must go see when traveling the East of Canada. Je me souviens de toi, Québec!
But time to hit the road again tomorrow. Heading back over the boarder to the US . Yes, I said I’d be back. Can’t wait to travel the Coastline of Maine, see some lighthouses. And also another charming city surrounding my spirits: Boston, I’m only Miles away.

Yes, change is a constant. It’s a certainty, that after summer there’s fall to come. It’s the fact of life. The days are starting to get shorter with each passing day now. The temperatures of Texas are long long gone. And I have begun to stow away my Shorts, Tank Tops and Flip Flops deep down in my bag and dig out the Fleece Jacket and trainers (plus of course my Cowboy Boots :)). Yeah, I guess I have to face reality … and change. It seems, summer is saying Good-Bye more sooner than later. And fall is showing it’s first glances.

Looking down into the Falls

Nature's Beauty - Niagra Falls

Relaxing on Canoe Lake - Algonquin Park

A Day's End in Huntsville

Strolling Around in Ottawa

Taking A Ride on St. Lawrence River - Québec

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
as I have seen in one autumnal face.

Autumn quote by John Donne

Reflections

I'm alone in Toronto for 4 days. Exploring the city on my own - obviously :) But not getting drunk here (or anywhere else for that matter) as some people on facebook might have interpreted my last status "... got drunk in Toronto". I mean, it is a writers freedom to leave some things open to interpretation. Right? Doesn't that make things a little bit more interesting? And can't you get drunk in more ways than one? Like maybe "drunk with impressions"? No idea if that expression exists though. But for right now I'd like to think it does. Cause that's what I meant by saying it.

Anyways. I think it's time to do a little thinking. Some reflections on the past weeks. It seems like forever since I boarded that plane to Atlanta on June 14th. In fact, it's "only" been 10 weeks since. Onto date. At home 10 weeks pass quite fast. Might be the everyday life. Here, it seems that weeks are passing fast too. But on the other hand it seems like things, places, experiences, people are passing me by so quickly. One day I'm at the California Beaches. The other day I'm marveling at those giant trees in Yosemite NP. And even though there are just a few days inbetween those places, one just seems so far in the past already. Like it's been weeks since. Do you get what I mean?
I've traveled so many roads this summer (can't even tell you how many Miles it's been. A few thousand, I'm sure). I've done so many things. Spent time with so many different people. Seen mountains, no mountains *LOL*, beaches, deserts, lakes. I've crossed the country from East to West. I've danced Two Steps in my Texas Cowboy Boots. I've been to Nowherelands, Citylands, Flatlands, Drunkenlands (just observing ;)), Waterlands, Movielands, Disneylands and even Badlands. I've been "kissded" so many times (how can I ever forget that :)). I've traveled through 22 States (yet there are more to come). And I've crossed the boarder to Canada just recently.

Yeah, I'm in Toronto now. No more small villages out in Nowhereland. No more Country Roads (oh how I miss that American Ride). This is a big city. This is a different country. People are friendly here (especially if you don't have the money to pay your meal :)). People like to honk here a whole lot too (I'm so glad I'm a pedestrian in Toronto). Street Cars have sand on the floor here. What's with that? Didn't I leave the beach behind weeks ago ;) There are Starbucks around every corner in this city. More than I've ever seen in any other. Not even in Seattle. I finally eat healthy food here. I have to actually ask for the check here (and not having it served right after my last bite). People are selling you diet Frappuccino and say that it doesn't come with whipped cream when I ask for it. Duh! Obviously it doesn't. Would it make sense to order diet and then add whipped cream?! Well, I never ordered diet anyway. Do I look like I need it?!

But enough with that. I guess I'm done reflecting for now. I'm getting ready for the next part of my adventure. Some new traveling roads. I hope you string along a little bit longer too.

Oh yeah, I've seen the first Halloween Decorations today. Does that mean summer is over??

... and a little thing to add at the very end ... you people out there in this huge void. I have no idea who you are. Who's reading my "Traveling Roads"? Please leave a message if you feel like it. And even if you don't ;) It would mean a lot!! So, don't be shy :)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

~ anonymous ~

Towns to Buy - Lands That Make You Bad – And Many Wonders

I almost bought a town. Yes, you read that correct. It seems, in America, almost everything’s possible. Driving innocently through Wyoming. Taking a detour cause we wanted to take pictures of those State Signs. Crossing into South Dakota, we passed this town (can you even call it that?) called Aladdin. Population: 15. Elevation: 3740. After going through the Antiques (quite some interesting stuff they had there. Even found that Texas License Plate I was looking for) in the Store I stepped out. And there it was. A sign saying "This Town’s for Sale. 25 Acres. Post Office. Store. Trailer Park. Barn. Gas Station. House." And all of this (wonder if half of it still works, for example the gas station, hmmm) for "only" $ 1 400 000. Quite a bargain that is. Don’t you think? Wonder if those 15 people are included in the price though *lol*. It took me some time to decide whether or not to buy it. But in the end I decided against it. Guess, a stable was missing *lol* :))
So, that was our „Town-Buying-Or-Not“ experience in Aladdin, WY. Heading on to Mount Rushmoore. Maybe that’s for sale too?? Hmmm. We didn’t ask. Just marveled at the mountain. The 4 presidents. Took a picture with me as the 5th president no one ever knew of :)) and enjoyed quite the lovely evening in Rapid City close by. If you’re ever there, don’t miss out on walking through "Art Alley".

The roads are taking us further and further East. We’ve crossed the Badlands – a place where "Lord oft he Rings" could have been filmed -, acted quite bad (and mad and silly) there. Had lunch in Mickey’s Dining Car in St. Paul, Minnesota. Went shopping in the largest Mall of America. And crossed State Boarders again into Wisconsin. That’s where we are right now. Sturgeon Bay. Just next to all those BIGGGGG lakes (might take a swim in there at some point). And very close to Canada. Heading there tomorrow. But only after having traveled some more roads in Michigan. Still, it is time to say Good-Bye … Bye Bye America. Bye Bye Country Roads. Hello Canada. I think I’m gonna cry. Bye Bye love Good Bye. I’ll be back soon. Watch out LOL :)

… oh yeah, wondering that too. Where did the sun go. We are missing you dearly! :)

Aladdin - Wyoming

@ Art Alley - Rapid City

All coloured @ Art Alley

The Badlands - South Dakota

And acting just a little bad there :)

Diversity Northbound

Indeed, it has been very diverse since we've left Lake Tahoe . For one we've crossed into several States. Like Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. And of course we've had to take pictures each time when we entered a new State. Unfortunately those signs were mostly located at places where stopping was not allowed at any time. You guess it right, we did it anyways :)
Then, the landscapes changed from one second to the other. Or maybe from one State to the other? Well, not that fast actually. Cause we're not in little Switzy here. So, we've had to drive quite some Miles to get any further. In brackets, I think we've driven about 2500 Miles since leaving LA! But back to the diversity. After having crossed (and jumped) the Salt Lake Desert on the way to Salt Lake City (just a stopover though) we headed further up North to Montana. Mainly cause I wanted to visit the people I have met a few years ago on Horse Prairie Ranch. Unfortunately the Ranch is not in business anymore (anyone interested in buying an Authentic Working Cattle and Guest Ranch? :)). So, still, we've made a short visit there. Meeting up with the Schmidlins. Me, dwelling in memories of some great times at one of the last best places on earth ...
Too soon enough it was time to head further. Our intention: to get as fast as possible to Yellowstone. And we really would have made it there quite fast, if, well if there hadn't been this place called Nevada City. You have to see it to believe it. It's a time traveling back to yesteryears. A place somehow still stuck in times when Steam Locomotives were running from one place to the other. Where log building stand in little villages. Where you can somehow still smell and see how it must have been there years and years ago. So, if you ever get the chance, make a stop there.

I'm in Yellowstone now. Two days have passed since we've arrived here. And it's been amazing! For one, we've had more time than in other places to get around and see the beauty and incredibilty of it all. Geysers (like famous Old Faithful) exploding at any time. Muds bubbling. Steam coming up, surrounding us. Colours too incredible to describe. And smells, woahhh, don't get me started on that one. I think I'm kinda high by now. Sniffing all that sulfur for two days :)
Oh, and yeah, after all those burgers (well, one or two at least) we just had to do some hiking. So, that's what we did today. Just a 2 hour (easy) hike. Though we had to hike through "Bear Territory" Oh dear, oh my, did I feel queasy at first. So I did what they tell you to do, I did some noise. Clapping my way through the forest. You think that's funny? Well, I guess Melanie thought the same way too. But at least we have not been nibbled on by some bears. And who's to thank for that? :) Yep, that would be me :)So, you see, clapping's just the way to do it *lol* :)

After all this diversity I'm kinda tired now. Time to hit Dreamland. Cause tomorrow is just another day on my Traveling Roads...

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

Jumping up and down in the Salt Lake Desert

Meeting Up With the Schmidlins in Montana

Traveling Back In Time in Nevada City, Montana

Waiting for Old Faithful to Errupt - Yellowstone NP

Enjoying the View at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs - Yellowstone NP

Incredible Colours at Black Pool - Yellowstone NP

Fast Roads

You know, sometimes I really hate being on the fast path. Like right now. We've stayed in this very cute and charming B & B called "Yosemite Rose". Located in a nice area (obviously in Yosemite :)). Amazing Mansion. Pretty rooms. Lovely hosts. A porch that invites you to stay there, a book in hands. A breakfast that fills you for the rest of the day :) But, unfortunately, I really have to say this now, we're back on the road again. Out of Yosemite NP. Heading further up North. Next destination: Big Sky Country Montana.

But lets start where I've left off in my last Blog ... Dani California is in the past. I have new company joining me Northbound till Toronto: Melanie. We're also accompanied by a few winding roads, loads of curves and even more fantasmic (kinda got hooked to that word from a Show in Disneyland) views up the Highway No 1. Famous Highway No 1. And it really keeps every promise that it is known for! I've had such a hard time capturing all the beauty I've seen along the way (and I still do). And at the end of this way another beauty awaited us: San Francisco. We've enjoyed the view over the city up at Twin Peaks (still cloudy then). Gosh! It was windy and cold up there (me dressed in quite the appropriate clothes - Shorts, very short Shorts). We've put up some more paint on those "Painted Ladies". Walked the Bridge (the Golden One) twice (by then, the sun had finally appeared). Me in Flip Flops, I might add. Never doing that again! For obvious reasons you might guess ;) We've done some fishing at Fisherman's Wharf. Waited hours to ride that Cable Car (ha! in fact it "only" took like one hour). And finished the day having Vietnamese Food in Chinatown. Which we barely could hold after a day in San Francisco. I mean, come on. All those streets up and down, and up and down. At some point, this just gets to your stomach *lol* Just kidding of course (the throwing up part I mean).
So, those flowers (which we had worn in our hair) had started to wilt. Time to move on. To a winery in Sonoma Valley. Tasting wine at 10 AM. What a start :) And on we go in a very light mood to Yosemite NP. Spending a day there. Mostly admiring those giant trees. The Sequoias. Majestic. How they stand there. Reaching high into the sky. Me, staring at them in wonder. Those strong ones. But still weak at times ...

There's still more to come that we can stare at in wonder. Of that I am sure! And I am looking forward to it all.

If you wanna see more pics, you know the drill. Just go to Flickr. The ones of Cali are on now. Some more will come up soon. Enjoy traveling my roads with me! :)

Along Highway No 1

The Queen of San Fran

Mariposa Grove - Yosemite NP

Mighty High and Very Small - Yosemite NP

Freakin' Cold at Lake Tahoe

I never saw a discontented tree.

They grip the ground as though they liked it,

and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do.

They go wandering forth in all directions

with every wind, going and coming like ourselves,

traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day,

and through space heaven knows how fast and far!

~ John Muir ~