Country Roads, take me home ...

… to the place, I belong. Or rather, it’s the roads over the Atlantic which are taking me back home. A relaxing 6 days on the Queen Mary 2. Reading. Eating :) Watching movies. Seeing Shows. But also going to the Gym. And of course reflecting on the past 3 months. My summer 2011 …

Seems like a lifetime ago when I took the train from Basel to London on June 1st. And so much has happened since then. What I remember are the two pigeons that joined Queen Mary 2 on it’s Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York (still wondering if they ever made it back home to England). An excellent visit to the Musical "Memphis" in NY. The Professor on the train ride to Chicago and his stories about the romantic history of trains. A way less hectic city (Chicago) welcoming me after that train ride. The floods in North Dakota that caused an 8 h delay for the Empire Builder (train from Chicago to Seattle) while I was making my way to Montana. A perfect week at McGinnis Meadows Ranch (the lovely people, my horse Buttermilk and the cosy Log Cabin I spent my nights in). The drive from Montana to Seattle with Jaclyne and her friend. The human toe Shot in Dawson City, Canada (still, YUK!!). The Grizzly that passed us very closely while we were touring Denali NP in the bus. A flight around Mount Mc Kinley on a perfectly sunny day. All the Glaciers. The primitive Campgrounds. And of course the pit toilets :) A Justin Bieber BDay Party for my favourite 6 year old in Cali. The Southern heat and it’s wonderful music. A storm warning 30 Min before Wilmington, NC (and we were joking about the sounds coming from the radio being Aliens). The impressive and still scary Waterspout at Kure Beach. Visits to the local Film Studio Screen Gems in Wilmington (thank you again Kelly and Ali for taking the time!!). A rainy drive up to NY and a deluxe night at the Best Western there. The news about Hurricane Irene that accompany us now on our crossing back to England (And us being just a little bit relieved that we’re not there anymore!).

What I will also remember are all the people I have met throughout this trip. And some of them I will hopefully see again. The many French Toasts I have eaten on train rides(whether the French really know of them or not). The Caramel Frappuccinos at Starbucks (I’m guessing I haven’t had as many throughout my whole life).

Those are the memories I will keep of my summer 2011. Till it is time for some more "Travelling Roads".

Be safe on yours!!

The Heat Within the Music

From New Orleans to New York. Two so completely different cities. And two cities that built the beginning and the end of my last part of this summer’s trip. And inbetween? Well, inbetween there was a lot more …

What accompanied us from beginning to end was the heat. I can tell you, I barely remember the times when I was freezing in Alaska. Seems like another lifetime ago. So many Miles away. And such another world over here in the Southern East. Once we got to New Orleans, the music was there too. And it stayed with us until we left Nashville. Jazz, Blues and Country was on the agenda of our daily schedule. You could barely escape it if you wanted to. But of course we didn’t. Hey, that’s why we were there for. Among other things. Bourbon Street, some Cajun Food and Jazz tunes escaping from the near by Bar builded the start. Then, a 6 hour drive up North, Elvis was around every corner in Memphis. In any size and every colour. Even the Chinese guy from next door was trying his luck in a contest at the Hard Rock Cafe. Once in Nashville we were two steppin' our way up and down Broadway. Just heaven for myself. I do love some good Country. And finally I could wear my Cowboy Boots :) Must really look into a Line Dance Class once I get back home.

Then we left the music behind (of course there was still some Country playing in our car, which, btw, we named, Cori. It’s a Toyota Corolla), made our way tot he Coast and stepped into Plantation and Garden Land. You can’t imagine how many Plantations there are in the Carolinas. Luckily we’ve had some recommendation, or else I really would not have known which to choose. So, on the drive along the Coast up to North Carolina we jumped out at Drayton Hall and Brookgreen Gardens. Very good choices! Thank you Ali and Becca :) Oh, and before I forget, and how could I forget those delicious Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Georgia. Hmmmmm. Don’t miss those when you’re in the area. Or like us, are driving by there. It’s always nice to make a stop there, meet up with friends.

Like coming home, that’s what it felt like in Wilmington, North Carolina. I’ve really been looking forward to going back there all along the way. Just a place you feel home at. 5 days of (mostly, yeah, Barbara, I can’t help but being the organizer ;)) not so much scheduled and relaxing things to do. More Gardens, beaches plain, beaches at 6 AM to watch the sunrise (def worth it!!). Tours at the local Film Studio Screen Gems. Watching filming of One Tree Hill in Downtown Wilmington and netting Paul Johansson :) Strolling along the Riverwalk. Trying to basket ball at the Rivercourt. Delicious Tiramisu at Caffe Phoenix (I can still taste it). And now we even know what a "waterspout" is. That was very impressive and scary at the same time!

We’re back in the "Crazy Apple" now. Back to where I’ve arrived 2.5 months ago (gee, has it only been that long?! Seems like forever). The last 2 weeks have been hot, humid, sticky, friendly (with all those honeys, sweeties and sugars *LOL*), flowery, musical, delicious. Barbara has still some reminders of all those mosquito bites she got. Luckily they preferred her over me (which is kinda unusual, normally I’m the sweet one in the crowd). I still haven’t managed to answer more than like 10 % of Barbaras questions (as like, how do I know why Piers were built, or how much electricity is used on Times Square. Just to name a few) Our tacho showed a good 2‘400 Miles. And now we are ready for 6 days on QM 2. Slowly coming back home. Maybe loose some pounds on the way :) You’ll hear about our crossing soon.

Till then. Stay on the safe tracks!!

@ New Orleans


@ the Mississippi in Memphis

@ Brookgreen Gardens - North Carolina

@ Wrightsville Beach, NC

When you lose yourself you find the key to paradise.

- Zac Brown Band -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n5G0qFBsHM

Dani California - the sequel

The Sunset Limited is taking me one step further on my roads. It is also the last train ride (in the US) on this trip. Los Angeles to New Orleans. Once I get to New Orleans I’ll be meeting up with a friend from back home. And with a rented car we’ll be exploring through the heat of the South East. I can’t tell you how many miles I’ve done by train already. But after 4 long distance train rides I sure do know the on board menu by heart :) And I must have told my trip route about a hundred times already – or close to it anyway. Cause when you travel alone you get to talk to people easily. During breakfast or lunch. Or most likely with your seat neighbour. That is if you are traveling coach. Which I have done 4 times. And I’m good with not having to go on a 5th train ride :)

But let’s look back on the last 11 days .. After some cold but wonderful days up in the North I really was looking warward to some sunny and warm days in California. I barely could wait to get there. Not just because of the weather. No, I was really looking forward to seeing the Del Rosarios again. At first though I spent 4 days in Redondo Beach. Getting stuff ready to ship back home (my bags were getting way too heavy). Just relaxing on the beach. Dwelling in memories of when I used to live there 11 years ago. Realizing that some things change. Like bakeries that I used to go to not being there anymore. But that’s life. And the only constant is change as someone once said. And it’s true. During those days in the South of LA I also got to meet up with Liz. A friend I’ve met through Southern Gothic Productions and that I had met 2 years ago. Luckily she’s now living in the LA area. So we met up, went to Venice Beach and after a delicious dinner (Ahi Tuna), of course, we ended up going to the movies.

The time at the Del Rosario Mansion :) started pretty good. Pedicure and Manicure with Teresa and Liana (how much I have longed for this after a good 3 weeks of camping). And then it just went on.Partying into Liana’s 6th birthday. Visits to the beach and experiencing the California Grunion Spawning at midnight. Having fun at Knott’s Berry Farm and in San Diego Zoo. And a girls night out (just the adults) to Eva Longoria’s restaurant Beso in Hollywood.

All in all, I’ve had – once again – a great time being "Dani California". Thank you once more to Teresa, Derek, Teri, Liana and of course Kiwi (Teri’s dog, the newest member of the family). I’ve really enjoyed my Cali days. I already miss you all! But I’ll be seeing you guys in 2 years in Europe. So you better start planning now ;)

More adventures in New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville and so on coming up … so stay with me on the road.

Safe travels to you all!!

Hear the Silence

My days up North are numbered. I’m on the ferry back to Seattle on the Inside Passage from Skagway. And after 3 weeks of camping I gave myself the luxary of taking a cabin instead of staying in the Solarium on the upper desk with about 50 other people :) I’ve made some great memories up North. But what I won’t miss are those darn little buggers called mosquitos, which are not called the "State’s Bird" without a reason. Nor the pit toilets whom we’ve seen a few and smelled a few of. I also will surely not miss the primitive campgrounds :) Nor the crampy Van and the AC in there (I mean, really?! Do we need AC inside the car when it’s like 10 C outside!). Or the timed showers that allow you 4 mins of time. And surely not the rainy days and the wet tent.

What I will miss is the beautiful landscapes. The people who’ve made this Trip a fun one. The encounters with all kinds of Wildlife. The silence you can hear when you listen closely.

I will remember walking in the snow with Trekking Sandals and barefoot in Whistler. "Being hyderized" in Hyder, Alaska (once and never again). The flight over Denali NP on a sunny day (didn’t have those too much there lately). Seeing a Grizzly from way up close (he passed us while we were in the bus). Getting stuck on a sandback with our canoe on McLaren River and having to get out in the cold water to get out of there. Kate Bowen’s (one great voice amongst us) singing. 2 flat tires and one broken van. And especially those 24 hours of daylight.

And what am I looking forward to? Some sunny California days. A little girl called Liana, who will be turning 6 pretty soon, and her family. Relaxing days. A Pedi -and Manicure (oh man, my feet are craving it!). Meeting up with friends. Going to the movies. Wearing open shoes and finally feel the summer sun on my skin. Cause summer has only just begun for me and I’m only just a little more than halfway through the Trip. Stay with me for the next part.

During your travels it’s always important to keep something in mind.
When one thing ends, something else begins.

Klondike

Alaska is definitely not Texas. And the "Southern Sun" (name of Trek from 2 years ago) is, as the name says, most definitely in the South. Still, the North is beautiful. Even though it's cold and even though we’ve done quite some driving up till now. But the nature that accompanies us is stunning!

10 days have passed since 11 strangers and one Tour Leader have left Seattle. Followed by Vancouver. Now, a few hundred miles further up North we’re not so much strangers anymore. And those "big" towns the only ones we’ll be seing on this Trip. The rest is Nature. Sometimes a small town (like Hyder, the most friendliest Ghost Town of Alaska – where we did get "hyderized"). A deer, a fox, even bears (yes, we’ve seen 10 until now, but only from the car along the road – thank god! :)). Many rivers and lakes. Glaciers. And there is much more to come …

Right now we’re enjoying a relaxing day at Dawson City. A town full of history if you think back to the times of the Gold Rush. Hard to imagine that there have been like 40‘000 people living here during that time. Now it’s about 2‘000. And what you can also do in Dawson City is have a shot with a human toe in it(http://www.canadacool.com/COOLFACTS/YUKON/DawsonSourToe.html). Yuck! I’ve been "hyderized" already. And that was by far enough :)

The Road of the Klondike Trek (the Klondike is actually the Yukon River) goes on and on. Heading back into the US tomorrow. More Alaska is calling. And the "Big One" awaits: Denali NP.

Hoping you’re still on for more Trails to take.

„May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

Edward Abbey -

Working Vacation

That’s what Montana was for me: An incredibly beautiful landscape. Big skies. Blue Skies (yes, summer has finally arrived in Montana). Lovely hosts and guest and Wranglers. Even lovelier horses. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S food. A cosy Log Cabin, which I would take home with me instantly. Long and early nights (meaning, the days were pretty long, much daylight, but we went to bed quite early). Even earlier (but magical) mornings. Jingling (getting the horses in in the morning). Laughing. Cows Cows Cows. Moving them. Sorting them. Horsemanship. Peace. Quiet. Sore butts – and other body parts :) Mosquito bites. Fun. Buttermilk (my horse). Intensity. The sounds of Nature.

It was awesome at McGinnis Meadows Cattle & Guest Ranch. I’m sure I’ll come back someday.
A Ranch Life Adventure is ending. But new adventures lie ahead. Heading up North to Alaska, crossing through Canada. Not sure how well connected I’ll be there. Just sayin‘, it’s a camping trip (man, I gotta stop doing that :)) So you’ll read more whenever possible.

Happy trails ya all!

"No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle."

- Winston Churchill -

Different Worlds

As Professor Arthur Murphy said (he was sitting next to me on the train ride from NY to Chicago), travelling by train is so much better than taking a plane. It’s much more relaxing. You have the time to do things you normally don’t find the time for. Time for yourself. You can just sit and watch the passing landscape. Why for once just do nothing in this stressful life of ours?! I spent the last train ride listening to Professor Murphy’s stories of the "old days", the romantic history of trains and much more. Now I am back in the train. On the way to the "Big Sky Country". Crossing through Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. Having the time to write this Blog :) And having left the cities behind …

I can tell you, once in NY, the feeling of being relaxed from 6 days on QM 2 had passed quite quickly. This city is just crazy to me. The craziest Apple as I wrote in one of my Blogs once. Crazy but a place you just have to experience at least once in your life. For me it was already the second time. After having met up with Liz (whom I’d met 2 years ago on a Cross Country Trip) we spent the weekend with things like going to a Musical (Memphis, have to go see that one next time you’re in NY). Watching some Movie Shooting for X-Men (yay, I saw Will Smith *lol* :)). Having lunch at Serendipity 3 (for those who know the movie "Serendipity"). Admiring the gift from France on Liberty Island and listening to the stories of those many immigrants who set foot there so many years ago. Climbing, or just taking the elevator, up to Rockefeller Center to enjoy a magnificent view (I always have to go up some place in a city just to really take in the immensity of it all). Getting annoyed at 5th Avenue during a Puerto Rican Parade which wouldn’t allow us to cross into Central Park to find some quiet moments. And ending the NY days up at Rooftop Gardens on 230 5th Avenue. Again, what a view!

Once I arrived in Chicago in the morning after an 18 hours train ride I knew immediately that something was different there. Also a big city. Also by the water. But, much more relaxed. Well, that‘s how I experienced Chicago. Might have been because it wasn’t the weekend. But it seemed way calmer and way less hectic than NY. I knew at the instant that I entered the streets of Chicago that I would love this city. Unfortunately the time there was way too short (as it always is when you’re travelling). But I’m sure I’ll go back there once. If only for the world famous deep-dish Pizza that I had just before leaving :)

Having been in the US many times already I always have to get used to some differences over and over again. Like, how come small drinks still look big to me? Why does the AC have to be turned on like everywhere inside? I know that people don’t really wanna know how I’m doing when they ask, but do they like have to ask that at every occasion? I'm sure as time passes on these summers travels I'll get used to all these things once again.

Two big cities lie behind. I truly enjoyed them. But I feel like I am ready for some peace and quiet. And I’ll most certainly find that at McGinnis Meadows Ranch in Libby, Montana. A completely different world from the one I have just left. Stories of my life at the Ranche coming up soon.

Till then, be safe and keep travelling with me.

... and just one add to this Blog, cause I was writing it while the train ride just started in Chicago (meanwhile I have arrived in Whitefish, MT, waiting to be picked up to go on the Ranch). I was arriving here at 5 AM. After an 8 h delay. You'll find the reason for that on my picture of the day on Flickr. But I can tell you, I'm not that sad that I won't have to take another train until 5 weeks. Despite of Professor Arthur Murphy's words .. :)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157625722382508

Life on the Ocean Wave

Time’s a tricky thing when you’re traveling. Same old story every time. Today it’s one week since I started my trip. Though it seems I’ve been on the road for much longer. My short visit to London is miles and miles away (nautical miles, that is). Theoretically and emotianally speaking. We are only 1 day and 720 nautical miles away from NY now. Having left Southampton through the English Channel, along Bishop Rock (which marks the traditional start of the Transatlantic Passage), through the Celtic Sea, the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and into the Gulf of Maine. What a passage!

Today this Transatlantic Passage is a way for people to either skip flying because, let’s says, they prefer other ways of transport (like me). Maybe it’s also a way to start or end your vacation in a more relaxing way. Or maybe it’s just wanting to experience crossing the Atlantic on the ocean wave. Like so many other people before have done. Though I imagine, years and years ago, the reasons were slightly different. In times when thousands and thousands left Europe, dreaming of a new life, a better life with much more opportunities in this land of the free. And how must it have been when after days on sea, finally the skyscrapers of New York appeared on the horizon. A new, a brighter future in sight. I can only imagine how this must have felt.

The ride on Queen Mary from Southampton to NY only takes 6 days and 7 nights these days. Some must think you will get easily bored. But there is so much you can do on here. Apart from eating :) and dressing up nicely I am using this time to read a lot. See shows at night (like Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing"). Have a Manicure and Pedicure. Listen to music on my Ipod. Or just watch the waves.

Still, I am quite ready to hit land again. One day and we’ll be arriving in the Big Apple. Can’t wait to meet up with a friend to spend a few days in the Big Apple. And from there I’m only a train ride away from the "Windy City" (Chicago).

I’ll keep you up to date how my "City Adventures" have been :)


When the sea is everywhere from horizon to horizon …
When the salt and blue fill a circle of horizons I swear again how I know …
The sea is older than anything else and the sea younger than anything else
The sea gives all, and yet the sea keeps something back.

North Atlantic – by Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967)

The Adventure has started

Today I kinda felt like an Asian Tourist. Or at least that's what I imagine it must be like: Europe in 5 days or something like that. Well, in my case it was Europe in 1 day. Breakfast in Switzerland. Lunch (with a Croque Monsieur of course = a must when I come to Paris) in France. And dinner in the UK :)

But let's start from the beginning. And that's what today was: the beginning of my Summer Adventure 2011. A very relaxing train ride to London (with a change of train in Paris). Everything went smoothly. All the trains were on time. And what I mainly and positivly noticed today was, that the people were extremely helpful! I was already getting annoyed by the train stations in Paris and why the Metro doesn't have more escalators for people with more than one luggage. And every time there was a helpful person coming to my rescue. Not that I can remember (and I've been in Paris a lot lately) people being so helpful. So that's that about the helpful Parisians :) We'll see how the Britain and the Americans will do.

Here I am now, in the big city of London. Have already been in the city centre for a while. Getting some healthy food (a Vegetarian Swiss Restaurant called Tibits, and no, I'm not homesick yet). That will change tomorrow. As I have a date in the Hard Rock Cafe. What can I say, I have to get used to American food :) And for sure I'll get enough food during the next week on Queen Mary 2 (if you remember my Blog from the last Transatlantic NY - Southampton you'll know what I mean). Relaxing times are ahead before arriving in the Big Apple. I'll take you along the Traveling Waterway Road. Hope you'll join me. Even those who can't swim :)

If you care to see pictures of my summer journey, please go to my Photo 365 Project. One picture a day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157625722382508

I'll keep you posted from somewhere along the road.
Be safe and take care!

My Ride

"Life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning." I remember writing those words down almost 2 years ago. On a ship crossing the Atlantic back home. And here I am again. Only 2 weeks away from crossing over - again. This time just the other way round. Southampton – New York. The start of yet another adventure of 3 months away from home. 3 months on the road. 3 months full of new adventures, meeting people. 3 months of memories that I’ll be able to look back on. If not in my memory then for sure on thousands and thousands of pictures. That’s a promise :) What can I say, as a friend just recently told me, I am a "photoholic".

It’s been quite a while since I last wrote in my Blog. But this summer’s Trip coming up is just reason enough to get it back to life. Don’t ya think :) A diary for me to keep and a way of letting everyone else know where I am and what I am doing. A way to let you all take part in my Traveling Roads. Roads that will lead me from the most craziest Big Apple there is to Chicago. To a Ranch in "The Big Sky Country" (Montana). To an adventurous trip up to Alaska. To dear friends in Cali (how have I missed being "Dani California"). To a train ride from LA to New Orleans. To a place in the US that couldn’t be more country (Nashville). To the beautiful East Coast of North Carolina. And to a little town called Wilmington that will always draw me back and where I will always feel like coming home!

Life’s indeed a circle. And I am happy to being able to start all over again. Hoping you’re with me on "My Ride".

In the circle of life. It's the wheel of fortune.
It's the leap of faith. It's the band of hope.
Till we find our place. On the path unwinding.
In the circle, the circle of life.