Traveling Roads

Country Roads, take me home ...

2011-08-28T02:16:00.003+02:00

… 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

2011-08-22T05:49:00.010+02:00

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

2011-08-07T23:09:00.003+02:00

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

2011-07-21T01:15:00.002+02:00

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

2011-07-03T21:41:00.011+02:00

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

2011-06-24T04:30:00.005+02:00

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

2011-06-19T14:26:00.004+02:00

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

2011-06-08T20:29:00.003+02:00

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

2011-06-02T00:17:00.002+02:00

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

2011-05-17T11:45:00.005+02:00

"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.

Traveling With History

2009-10-08T07:18:00.018+02:00

I feel quite young right now. Well, I am still young, right? RIGHT?? :) But traveling with a group of people where the majority is 60 and over does make me even younger. Quite the difference, when I think back to the "Southern Sun" with Trek America where a huge bunch of the people were in their early twenties. There I was definitely one of the older ones. But, in any case, I am enjoying very good company here touring the South of Spain.

We have left Málaga and with it the Atlantic Coast behind. Headed towards the mountains of Andalucia, visiting one of the "pueblos blancos" (the white villages): Ronda. We’ve had some insight on corridas there. Thought about the pros and cons of it. Is it cruelty to animals or High Art? Guess that’s a topic where it’s hard to find an answer to. I did not eat a bull’s stew there. In case you might think I’d do that now, after having had Alligator in New Orleans. But instead enjoyed a Gazpacho and a Spanish Tortilla. We’ve tested the sherry in the city of Jerez. I marvelled at the beautiful Andalusian Horses oft he Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Which definitely is a High Art. No discussion about that needed. Such grace and beauty. Amazing! We’ve explored the many historic sights Seville hast o offer (feel like I just can’t take in any more, there is soooo much). And saw another form of Spanish Art: the Flamenco. An art in it’s most passionate form.

Yes, I am stuffed on my travels through Andalusia. With art and history and culture and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of food too. But you see, this all makes great sense. And feels so very right. At moments as tonight. Strolling through the picturesque streets of Seville. The hectic day has been left behind and changed into a quiet night. The city is dressed in lights. A single guitar sounds through the streets. The sweet smell of jasmine embraces the evening. The sweet smell of summer days.
Another day just started. Another day filled with history, culture, art, and of course food in beautiful Andalusia.

Málaga as seen from the Gibralfaro

Andalusian Colours

un pueblo blanco: Ronda

people of Ronda

Plaza de Toros - Ronda

un Calle en Jerez

the Southern Feeling

Plaza de España - Seville

El Sevillano

Casa de Pilatos - Seville

Pasión pura

Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.

~ Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel ~

A Train Ride Down South

2009-10-03T21:38:00.007+02:00

It feels like I did not leave home. Sitting in a restaurant in the old town of Málaga, just next to the church, I can hear more Swiss German than Spanish. But my physical condition definitely tells me that I have been on the road for a while. Taking the train yesterday evening at 8 PM in Basle. Changing in Lausanne. Then trying to sleep, with the emphasis on trying (Gosh! Are teenage kids really that inconsiderate these days?!), for a train ride of almost 10 hours down to Girona, Spain. Another change there to get the train to Barcelona (just a short ride of an hour). And then one last change, hopping on my last connection to the final destination of today: Málaga. So, you might wonder (completely eligible), what makes one go on a train ride of 20!! hours when you can do the same distance in just 2 hours. Hmmm, well, those of you who kow me, do know that I am not a passionate flyer. Let's just say, I'd rather stick to the ground if I can. And a small note in brackets ... I did the whole America / Canada Trip of 3 months with only taking a plane once. The rest was either by bus, train, car or boat. Well, sometimes I did some hiking :)

So, I guess my bones are telling me to just get into that nice and comfy bed (don't we just appreciate the small things if for once we have to miss out on them?). And, of course, I DO listen to what my body tells me to do :) Especially as there's loads of new roads to be traveled on during the next few days. It is one more day of exploring Málaga tomorrow. Then I'll meet up with yet some other group of strangers in the evenig. Spending the next 9 days traveling through Andalucia. The forecast - at least for the weather - looks splendid. We already have now a temperature of 33 degrees C. And this in October. Can anyone believe that?! Gettin' on my Shorts and Shirts again and living some more summer days - which I thought I'd had left behind already. Enjoy things while they last ...

First Glimpses: The Old Town of Málaga

Soaked in the evening light: Cathedral

That's the plan: Andalucia in 9 Days

Inbetween Travels

2009-09-27T19:28:00.002+02:00

Somehow my enthusiasm for writing seems to have vanished. Disappeared. Gone with my summer travels. Guess that happens at times. But I am hoping for the words to be back soon. Together with the start of my 3 weeks in Spain. And please don't say "What?! Another vacation? AGAIN?!?" I've heard that a lot already. But hey, what can I say. I really need some rest from this traveling during the summer. Don't I? :) I mean, that was REALLY exhausting *lol*.
You see, with me talking about travels, the words seem to come back. Only a few more days and I hit those roads again. Hope ya all string along for the Spanish Ride.

Hasta Luego en España :)

Stuffed on Queen Mary 2

2009-09-12T15:04:00.006+02:00

Life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning. That sounds very philosophical. And in a way it is. But if you look at it from a different angle it can be quite funny too. Remember my very first Blog from this trip? Well, if you do remember, then you do know where I am heading with this. Cause there’s quite a similarity in the title of my first Blog and this Blog – my last Blog of these Traveling Roads. "Stuffed in Georgia". That was the title. And I am being stuffed again. Not in Georgia this time (will never forget those first 24 hours Becca ;)). But stuffed nonetheless. On the Queen Mary 2. It’s like you can eat here for 24 hours straight. And I am not kidding! Have a late Breakfast. Have an early lunch. Continue with some tea (maybe coffee) and sweets. Then go straight over (after some change in dresses) for a 5 course dinner meal. And if you like, after one drink or maybe two, you can have a late night snack before heading over to do some dancing, chatting, piano music listening or simply retreating back to your room and sleep – and maybe dream of next days meals *lol*. There you go. Almost 24 hours straight eating :) Simply go visit the Milby’s in Meansville, Georgia or book a Transatlantic Cruise on the Queen Mary 2. But apart from eating there’s other things you can or could do here. Like, what I am doing right now, observing the waves passing by. Reading a book. Unfortunatley not on a warm and sunny deck. Having a massage, if you are willing to pay a fortune. Go see movies or a theatre play like Romeo and Juliet (how tragic, once again). Do Line Dancing. Walk on deck, if you can fight against the Atlantic winds. Spending money and buying hotels and houses while playing Monopoly. Simply sleep (great possibilty, I must say). Having a picture – or none – taken by some elderly, a little tipsy men who cannot find the button to push *lol* Enjoying the drink oft he day, listening to Jazz Music. Or end the day and start a new one in G32 (disco). Lots of possibilities on the way over the Atlantic.

This is the last but one day on the Queen Mary 2. We are nearing Southampton, England on a steady path. Arriving there on Monday, early morning. I will spend the day in London. Meeting up with a new, old friend: Sophie, who I have met on the Southern Sun from New York to Los Angeles. We are planning on going to Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s Restaurant. Joy :) The day after I’ll be taking the train from London to Paris, and then back home. Any volunteers to help me get that luggage from one train station to the other? :) So, as sad as it is on one side that this trip is ending, I am really looking forward on the other side to get back home. Seeing family and friends again. Sleeping in my own bed :). Listening to my favourite radio station on a regular basis again. Just the small things that I have come to miss while being away. This road is coming to an end. But in my head there are already new traveling roads forming. And as we know, life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning ...

Leaving New York

Kissing Time while leaving the Big Apple

the Bond Girls of Queen Mary 2

Charming

Beeing formally dressed

Ending the day with a drink or two

Travelling by boat has this wonderful, timeless, romantic aspect.

The Atlantic just rocked me peacefully to sleep each night.
~ Kimberly Ennico ~

Lighthouses, Lobsters and Big Apples

2009-09-07T03:42:00.012+02:00

I fell in love. I really did! The subject of my admiration is tall, well, mostly tall. Very slender indeed. And it’s attention goes out to everyone who’s nearing it. Even from far far away. You curious? :) I bet you are. But at some point I guess I have to disappoint you. It’s not a human being my love goes out to. It’s a building. Well, a few buildings. It is the lighthouses of Maine. Actually, I fell in love with the whole State. A reason good enough to go back one day and explore it some more. But for now I am left heartbroken…

… time to being distracted. And there’s lots here to distract me. Like the charming big (have to say small now that I have arrived in NY) city of Boston. A place to mingle and linger. Sip some coffee (tea for me) in a picturesque coffee shop (or maybe just a Starbuck *lol*). Take the ferry out to the Islands. Eat Lobster in the oldest restaurant Americas. And get your spirits ready for the bigger things to come. Like some fruit maybe. Maybe an apple. A Big Apple. YES! I have hit the Big Apple. And I have taken a few bites oft hat apple already. It's tasty. It's REALLY big. It's busy. It's loud. It's beautiful. It's shiny. It's glamorous. And it's VERY VERY crazy. But, nonetheless, and despite of all this, I'm lovin' it a lot! So much to do and see and once again not enough time to do so. But still, I've already taken some hearty bites here. Like climbing the Empire State Building. Or just taking that elevator to floor 102 and enjoying an amazing view. Walking 5th Avenue up and down and up and down :) Even eating up on top of the world on 230 5th Avenue. Taking the Staten Island Fery. A free ride - yes, some things still come free in this world, even in NY City. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge. And meeting up with some new old friends. Liz and Cari, I am missing you already :(

My trip is nearing it's end pretty soon. So, besides being a little heartbroken I am also quite sentimental. A mess, you could say? No, not that bad ;) The trip isn't quite over yet. I am still going to cross that Atlantic. Boarding the Queen Mary 2 on September 8th. New York - Southampton. My evening dresses are ready to being worn. My mind is ready to get some memories of these past 3 months lived through again. Lying on that deck of ship. Reading a book. Thoughts drifting away. To all those Traveling Roads of the past 3 months ...

Portland Head Lighthouse - Maine

Tiny Lighthouse

Cape Neddick Lighthouse - Maine

Life in Boston

on top of Empire State Building

nice views - Empire State Building

Cari and Liz - Brooklyn Bridge

Havin' Fun on top of the World :)

A nice View as seen from 230 5th Avenue

Take the back roads instead of the highways.

~ Minnie Pearl ~

Falls First Glances

2009-08-31T04:01:00.009+02:00

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

2009-08-24T02:49:00.003+02:00

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

2009-08-17T04:56:00.009+02:00

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

2009-08-12T04:40:00.013+02:00

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

2009-08-07T04:49:00.008+02:00

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 ~

How to Spend A Week in LA

2009-07-29T05:35:00.013+02:00

It seems like the "Southern Sun" is so far away already. That it's been ages since we've left New York on July 1st. Well, true, it is like 8000 Miles away (still can't believe that I've crossed the whole country). But still. It also seems just like yesterday that we've said our Good-Byes. But really, it's only one week since. But I guess that's how it goes when you spend time away and experience and see so much.

I'm in Cali for one week now and again, it seems like it's been forever. We've done so much. Been to like almost every Amusement Park there is (Universal Studios, Sea World, Disneyland). Hit the Beach several times. I even biked there. Yes, while eating all this American food (just remembering Georgia now, huh, Becca ;)), I just HAVE to do some exercise, don't I :) I'm actually having the whole "Beach-Experience" here. Meeting Hot Dogs there (how weird is America *lol*), just strolling along, not lasting too long, cause I was hungry :) Imagine, a Hot Dog walking at the beach. Now, did ayone of you ever experience that? I guess not. But that's what you get here in Cali. And so much more ... Boogie Boarding (my first but prob not my last try). Getting Face Paintings plus Tattooes (you 'll figure out for yourselves if it's a real one or not ;)). Being pampered with a Pedi-and a Mancure. Eating Dippin Dots. Shopping a whole whole lot (kinda fell in love with Hollister). Being "kissded" soooo many times. And dancing the nights away with my Texan Cowboy Boots. I really have to start with Line Dance Lessons when I get back home.

So you see. One never gets bored during a week of "Dani California". Thank you soooooooo very much for everything, Teresa, Derek, Teri and Liana (I'm gonna miss those kisses, actually :)) So very grateful for ever and always! Thanks!!! But it's time now to get on the road again. Move on. Next destination: San Francisco. And those flowers are ready to being worn.

The pics of the "Southern Sun" are up now. Just go to ...

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

Playing Cool @ Disneyland

Huntington State Beach

Again, at the beach

Playing Hunchback up at Griffith Observatory

The Del Rosario Bunch

On the road again.
Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again.
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

~ Willie Nelson ~

Tales of Canyons, Heat and Dancing Shoes

2009-07-19T03:26:00.017+02:00

Before I get into the Texan heat and the amazing wonders of Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon ... I completely forgot to tell what I have been eating in New Orleans. Yeah, I do admit, I did have Alligator. Just as an appetizer though. Really doesn't taste any different from chicken. There you go, this is my confession of the day. But doesn't really mean I'm going to eat everything that crawls and is alive from now on :)

Back to the State of Texas (Yehaw! :)). After being swamped in Louisiana we headed straight into "The Lonestar State". Which took us like four days to cross (as it is the 2nd biggest state, behind Alaska). Four days of heat (I'm really not exaggerating, it's getting hotter and hotter here), dust, dancing in my new Cowboy Boots to Country Music (yep, I got them and lovin' them as much as to wear them day and night :)), a drive-in cinema which left us hangover as a preparation for Vegas, Bowling (I'm such a loser in this game), plus some chilling in the Schlitterbahn (a Water Park). It got even chillier when we crossed boarders to New Mexico. Those Carlsbad Caverns were a real nice treat after days of heat and sweat. New Mexico came and passed, us already anxious to see some of the most amazing monuments nature has to offer: Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon. You can't really try to put into words what you are feeling when you stand there in awe. A magnificent splendor. Nature at it's best. And you can barely grasp the beauty of it all. Especially not in a picture. Well, I've tried my best. But I guess Ive failed at some point. Best, you go there yourself.
Monument Valley has been traveled by Jeep. Followed by a Navajo Dinner (Navajo Tacos) and a drive back while the monuments were glowing in the most beautiful evening light. With this behind us, the next wonder was just very close ahead. The Grand Canyon. Flying over that hole in the ground with a helicopter and hiking it the next day. Shame on me. But I really didn't make it that far down. Though, I hiked it. Dragged myself. Complained. Nearly passed out and barely made it out of the Canyon. Those are about the adequate words for my Grand Canyon Hiking Experience :))

We're now at Zion National Park. Done some more hiking here (that's about it for me, I can tell ya *lol*). And making our way to Vegas tomorrow. Vegas Baby, here we come! And how do you say ... "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Let's see what's going to happen there :) Just sayin'. I hear Wedding Bells already ...

Cowgirls in San Antonio - Texas

Carlsbad - New Mexico

Monument Valley

Amazing Grand Canyon

Riverwalking in Zion NP

When your spirit cries for peace, come to a world of canyons deep in an old land,

feel the exultation of high plateaus, the strength of moving waters,

the simplicitiy of sand and grass, the silence of growth.

~ August Frugé ~

Heading West

2009-07-09T07:25:00.006+02:00

The Jazz Music of New Orleans fell silent. The craziness of Bourbon Street is still going on (even though we've left :)). The Appalachian Mountains have been passed (but not really seen). The capitol of the US seems so far away already (but actually it's only one week since we've been there). I haven't really been a part of New York yet (just reciting the great Louis Armstrong). More states than I can count (at least six) have already been traveled through. The mosquitos are still v-e-r-y much present (arghhhh!!!). The heat is just unbearable at times. Storms have been driven through. And just all of this happening in only one week of traveling the "Southern Sun". After a tour in the swamps of Louisiana we've now arrived in "Cowboy Territory". Howdy Texas :) My intention for the next 4 days while traveling the big state of Texas is to get some Cowboy Boots. I'll let you know by next time if I've succeeded.

Till then. Safe travels wherever you are!

in front of Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

Live Jazz Band in New Orleans

Being swamped in Louisiana

The Swamp - Louisiana

Hot Hot Hot

2009-06-30T04:45:00.010+02:00

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

2009-06-25T12:57:00.013+02:00

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

2009-06-22T05:44:00.005+02:00

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

2009-06-17T03:23:00.003+02:00

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 ...

2009-06-12T15:25:00.013+02:00

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

2009-06-06T18:13:00.005+02:00

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 ~

Time to Say Good-Bye

2009-05-28T20:35:00.006+02:00

Today's Blog was going to be about the last part of my trip. But something came inbetween. Like things sometimes do. And I now feel like I have to write a few lines about it.

After 13 years of working at the same company I had my almost last day there today (still going to clean up a few things tomorrow morning). And I did a farewell aperitif for everyone I wanted to say good-bye and thank you to. It was great. I guess everyone enjoyed it lots. But when driving home some kind of sadness and maybe regret overcame me. Well, I don't regret about having taken that step. It wasn't easy though. But I've made my decision and I went through with it. At that time it felt like there was still loads of time left until I'd finally leave. But that day has come already. Today. And I just feel sad about leaving. I know it's a good thing to move on (and I really have to). But sometimes leaving sucks. Change too. But it is necessary at some point. I just have to get through these feelings I have right now. Look forward to my trip. Be away for a while. I'm just going to miss the people there. And it's not even like we're not going to see each other at all again. We are. Just not the same way as it has been. I'm going to miss the familiar things. Maybe even just the small things. But the small things are the big things sometimes. We just don't always see them as being that big.

So, I'm in a melancholic mood right now. Sad to. It really made me cry when coming home and looking at the presents I'd gotten from everyone. Especially the basket full of tea. It even has notes written on them. Around 20 or something. I am going to enjoy them when I come home. Colours changing (yes, change is a good thing ... sometimes). Leaves falling down outside. Yet another moment of having to say good-bye. To summer. Winter being just ahead. Me probably dwelling in memories of my 3 months trip to the US.

Nothing endures but change.

~ Heraclitus ~

Northbound

2009-05-17T15:06:00.007+02:00

What roads are left to travel on after having been on those in the East, South and West already? Right. We're heading straight up North. Leaving the Southern heat and sunny beaches behind.

In anticipation on what's coming next we're maybe going to hit Highway No. 1 by bike - and by this I mean a BIG bike :) ... we're taking stops in San Fran, making sure to wear some flowers in our hair ... we're joining in at Horse Prairie Ranch in Dillon, Montana, to be of some help during hay season ... or maybe just hop on that horse and move some cattle ... we're going to marvel at the beauty of Yellowstone National Park and not make sure to take a bath there :) ... we're hitting the dirt roads of Montana, exploring everything possible in this "Big Sky Country" ...

... and while we're heading further East, we're going to stand awestruck in front of those mighty four men ... get food at some Diner or other that I was told of absolutely having to go visit in Minnesota ... and then ... we're going to cross boarders into Canada, heading for the vibrancy of Toronto ... and by WE, I mean Melanie and me. My buddy in matters of going those lengths in the water and exploring Country Music. Thank you for joining me Northbound! :)

And what comes next?? I don't know. So you just check back soon :)

Oh, and yeah, any further hints on what to do and experience on our Northern Way, please let me know. It would be highly appreciated!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

Dani California

2009-04-27T18:14:00.009+02:00

Have you ever been in the situation when something happened that changed your plans around? And in that exact moment you think that this is unfair, and why did it have to happen? And after a few moments of anger you calm yourself down and start to think more closely about the Why's and that maybe there was a reason for this to happen, as maybe you aren't meant to do it the way it was planned, but doing it differently and taking another path?

Well, this kinda happened with the next part of my trip. I was meant to meet my cousin in LA and we'd planned to head up North to Vancouver. But things changed and my cousin had to cancel on me. So, I was there, thinking, "And now what?" How am I going to handle this situation? I have more than one week inbetween arriving in LA and actually having to be in Vancouver. And I'm never going to find someone who will join me on such short notice. May I add that it has been quite difficult already to get all these people who are joining me together.

So, inbetween all this trying to find alternatives I was in contact with someone I knew while having lived 9 months in LA.. We'd planned to meet up for diner or such. Not more I guess. As I hadn't planned on staying in LA for more than 3 days. So me, still very upset about the change of my plans - telling like everyone I know about this - I also told her ... and what did she say ... "Why don't you just stay with us? We have a spare room. I could take some days off and we could tour around locally."

In an instant, everything can change for the better. I now can stay with Teresa and her husband Derek and their daughters Teri and Liana. And I am truly grateful and happy that I get to do that. I am really looking forward to meet you guys again :) Thank you for your hospitality!!

And really spontaneously decided, I'll also be heading down to San Diego for 2 days with a girl from Ireland, Claire. She's on the "Southern Sun" trip with Trek America too. Unexpected things happening now :)

So, there you have it. The reason why things changed. I do believe now that it had to happen this way. That I needed to have this week off. For once not traveling around on a very tight schedule.
We may not always seem to understand why things happen the way they do. But maybe the next time something like this happens to you, you'll think back to my story and you'll reflect on this and remember that the paths you had planned on taking are not always the paths you need to go.

Southern Sun

2009-04-25T22:11:00.005+02:00

What was it again that Forrest Gump said ... "Life's like a box of chocolate, you never know what you get." ... Or another picture coming up in my head ... a jar full of sweets, different kinds of colours and sizes and shapes, you grabbing in, not knowing yet what you'll get, in anticipation and wonder about what to expect ...

But enough metaphors for now. What I am actually talking about is the next part of my trip, called "Southern Sun", leading a group full of strangers from New York to Los Angeles. A group mixed up with people from all over the world, like the UK, Ireland, Korea, Switzerland :) and the United States. A road taking all of them from one coast to the other - crossing countries.

I am already wondering and waiting in anticipatioin to actually see what's in the jar. To see who I am going to spend these 3 weeks with. Enjoying and experiencing the Southern Sun!

The Carolinas

2009-04-23T09:25:00.001+02:00

Oh man! Now that was some real hard work to get that woman to join me for any part on my trip. *lol* But after loads of convincing from my part - and everyone who knows me, knows too, that I can be very, VERY, insistent and persuasive :) - she's made up her mind and is now joining me for "The Carolinas". Thanks a bunch Liane ;)

We're going to meet up in Charlotte, NC, then heading to the Smoky Mountains, paying a short visit to Winston Salem on our way there. Then, after having crossed all that smoke we're heading straight to where the water is. Down South to Charleston, SC. From there up the coast, passing beautiful Wilm - again :) - and off to The Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our round trip shall be closed after having passed Raleigh and Chapell Hill, heading back to Charlotte again.

Then it will be Good-Bye Liane, and Hello Trek America :) Wanna know more? Check back soon!

Wilmington, here we come!

2009-04-21T17:04:00.000+02:00

How lucky am I to have found someone who's going to join me for a few days to the most lovely place on the North Carolina Coast: Wilmington.

So, thank you Becca from Meansville, Georgia, to be open enough and taking that trip with me! A complete (or maybe not so complete) stranger that I am to you. But I am most positive that we are going to have a great time. Seeing that we at least have one topic that we can talk about the whole time: Southern Gothic Productions :) *lol*

I am already looking forward to be strolling along the lovely beaches, the picturesque streets, sitting in a café and just enjoying the fact of Being! Breathing! Living! And I havent' forgotten the beautiful Airlie Gardens, Becca ;) We're going to go there too, for sure!

So, what else is there to say, except, that we are really excited for this to happen. And maybe, just maybe, some more SoGoers might cross our paths in beautiful Wilm :)

How to define ...

2009-04-13T21:35:00.001+02:00

Today's Blog is going to be rather dry. But I was curious to know what Wikipedia had to say about the meaning of roads and travels. And I find it quite interesting to see where some words originate from.

In the next Blogs I will start gettin' more detailed about the different parts (and roads) I'll be taking ... starting with The Carolinas :) So, check back soon.

Meanwhile, happy trails to everyone!

Für alle, die's lieber Deutsch mögen, heute endlich auch mal einige Worte auf Deutsch. Ein paar Definitionen zu den Begriffen "Strasse" und "Reise". Interessant zu erfahren, woher einige Begriffe eigentlich kommen

In den nächsten Blogs werde ich etwas detaillierter auf meine einzelnen Reisetappen eingehen. Angefangen bei den beiden Carolina Staaten im Südosten.

Also, schaut doch bald wieder mal rein.

Road

A road is an identifiable route, way or path between places. Roads are typically smoothed, paved, or otherwise prepared to allow easy travel; though they need not be, and historically many roads were simply recognizable routes without any formal construction or maintenance.

Travel

Travel is the change in location of people on a trip through the means of transport from one location to another. Travel is most commonly for recreation (as part of tourism or to visit friends and family), for business or for commuting; but may be for numerous other reasons, such as migration, fleeing war, etc. Travel may occur by walking or human-powered mode, or through mechanical vehicles, either as private or public transport.
Travel may be local, regional, national or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa.

The word originates from the Middle English word travailen ("to toil"), which comes from the Anglo-French word travailler ("travail"). A person who travels is called a traveler (US) or traveller (UK).

Strasse

Eine Straße (von lat. [via] strata „gepflasterter Weg”) ist ein Verkehrsbauwerk, welches als Grundlage für radgebundene Fahrzeuge vorwiegend dem Transport derer Nutzlasten von einem Ort zum anderen dient. Daher ist die Verbindung zwischen den zwei Orten idealerweise direkt. Praktischerweise folgt der Straßenverlauf aber einer Hierarchie (Straßennetz) und wird zudem von der Geländeform beeinflusst. Die Straße erstreckt sich hauptsächlich und zweckgemäß in einer Dimension (Länge) und nähert sich überwiegend dem natürlichen Verlauf des Geländes an, sofern die entsprechend der vorgesehenen maximalen Fahrzeuggröße und -geschwindigkeit angemessenen Krümmungsradien der Straße einen oberflächennahen Verlauf zulassen. Ansonsten wird sie über Tunnels oder Brücken geführt. In Breite und Tiefe (Fundament) ist sie ebenfalls an Menge (Verkehrsaufkommen) bzw. Vernetzungsgrad und Gewicht der vorgesehenen Fahrzeuge angepasst. Verwaltungstechnisch ist eine Straße ein Landverkehrsweg

Reise

Der Begriff Reise (v. althochdeutsch: risan = aufstehen, sich erheben) bedeutet im Sinne der Verkehrswirtschaft die Fortbewegung einer oder mehrerer Personen über eine längere Zeit zu Fuß oder mit öffentlichen bzw. nicht öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln außerhalb des Wirtschaftsverkehrs, um ein Reiseziel zu erreichen oder mehrere Orte bis zur Beendigung der Reise am Ausgangsort kennenzulernen (Rundreise). Im fremdenverkehrswirtschaftlichen Sinne umfasst die Bezeichnung Reise die Summe der beiden Phasen „Ortsveränderung“ und Aufenthalt. Die verwendeten Verkehrsmittel bilden hierbei eine Gesamtheit: Die Reisekette (Beispiel: Bus– Flugzeug– Straßenbahn– Taxi).

Approximativity

2009-04-03T16:14:00.001+02:00

Finally I managed to put up a map here that show's the approximate route I am planing to take. Though, this is still subject to change. As we all know, life can't either be planed out completely. And this makes it all even better and more beautiful I think. To cross paths with the unknown. Experiencing the small and surprising little things that cross our ways. I am looking forward to those :)

I'll put up some detailed maps of the different stages soon.
Danielle

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.
I travel for travel's sake.
The great affair is to move.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~

Crossroads

2009-03-28T09:17:00.000+01:00

Obviously no need for me to explain why this song has found it’s way on my blog. And I’m not even going to throw around with big words right now (is that even correct English, hmmmm *lol*).

The lyrics say it all. So, just go and listen …

Crossroads by Calvin Russell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yngIMszdK8

I'm standing at the crossroads
There are many roads to take
But I stand here so silently
For fear of a mistake
One path leads to paradise
One path leads to pain
One path leads to freedom
They all look the same.

I've travelled many roads
And not all of them where good
The foolish ones taught more to me
Than the wise ones ever could
One path lead to sacrifise
One path lead to shame
One path lead to freedom
But they all look the same.

There were roads I never travelled
There were turns I did not take
There were mysteries I could not unravel
But leaving you was my only mistake.

So I'm standing at the crossroads
Imprisoned by this doubt
As if by doing nothing
I might find my way out

One path leads to paradise
One path leads to pain
One path leads to freedom
But they all look the same

Just A Note

2009-03-25T20:49:00.000+01:00

Today, as I was doing some prints in the darkroom, just standing there alone (what can I say, not the whole world has gone digital *lol*), waiting for the pictures to appear, there were some thoughts coming to my head ... and of course they are thoughts about roads :-). Now, I don't know if these words have been said by anyone famous, or not that famous for that matter, but for right now, they are my words, and I claim them to be my own ...

"Life is a road that's meant to be traveled on."

What does this mean?
I for myself think, that in order to get somewhere you have to move. So that's what you do when you're on a road, a path, a street or anything like it. You walk and you move forward. I can imagine that it might be comfy and nice to just stay in places we know and which are familiar to us. But, you tend to stay there for too long. There are so many things ahead of that road, waiting just around the bend for us to explore. But if we don't walk, if we don't move forward, we'll never get to experience just what might lie ahead ...

So, I say, take those steps, even though difficult sometimes, move forward and travel the road!

And a footnote to finish with ... completely off topic though (or maybe not), but here it goes ...
Also happened this evening at photography class. Someone commented on the clothes that I was wearing. "All in black today, huh?". And I said: "Well, yes", correcting him though, that my dress was however anthracite and not black. haha ;).
Then, when getting ready to leave I put on my coat (which is white), and he walked by and said: "Ahhh, black AND white it is." And I replied: "Yeah, and many more shades of gray inbetween."

Just one of life's little and sometimes unnoticed stories I wanted to share.

Roads Not Taken ...

2009-03-24T19:11:00.000+01:00

Second Blog, here you go :)

I actually wanted to post a map of the approximate route I’m thinking of taking. But firstly, I haven’t found the right map yet, and second, Jac from Southern Gothic just came up with the idea of sending out a Message in a Bottle (read more about that on her Blog…

http://jaclynejaye.blogspot.com/2009/03/message-in-bottle.html).

So I thought this is the right Blog for today :) And as my message - which is a poem - that I am going to send out to Jac in Canada has something to do with roads, I thought I’d post it here for everyone to see…

Danielle – hoping to take as many roads as possible

The Road not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost ~

A Beginning

2009-03-22T16:10:00.000+01:00

Ok, so wow!! This is my first Blog ever *lol* And it kinda got me started cause of all the lovely Bloggers on Southern Gothic Productions :) So thank you out there, you know who you are :)

The reason for this Blog coming alive is actually my 3-months trip through the US and Canada, starting this summer (sometime around June, not really fixed date yet) and ending mid September. So I thought, this Blog might be a great idea to keep my friends and family and everyone else interested in my travels up to date on what I'll be doing, where I'm headed, and all the hopefully great experiences I'll be having. After some challenges in the beginning, I think, I now finally know where this Road Trip is headed and who I'm going to enjoy it with.

So, this is it for now, everyone interested in the details of where the roads going to take me this summer (can't plan everything yet, you'll have to leave some things to chance, right), please check back here soon :)

Danielle

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine~