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!!