Well, it's a few days later than promised in coming, but this is it: my final blog post of the summer (at least for the travel blog...there may be another "My Life at Harvard" version in the near future, so stay tuned...).
I am generally horrible at fully wrapping something up before jumping into the next thing--I somehow found the discipline to push through assignments in the professional and academic arenas, but many phases of my life have thus far seen me jump from one thing right into the next without sufficiently wrapping up what came before.
I don't know why this is. Perhaps it's the love of a new situation, setting or circumstance. Perhaps it's inattention to detail. Perhaps it's excitement over what's to come. Perhaps it's obstinacy. Perhaps it's sheer laziness. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because I don't actually want to fully close the book on what came before.
As far as this particular trip is concerned, I'm fairly certain that it's the latter.
This is all a very long-winded way of saying that I wasn't quite ready to write this last blog entry, so I didn't. It's been a week since I "landed" in Cambridge, MA, my apartment is as close to being to "set-up" as it can get at the moment, and I've ruminated (or, more likely, procrastinated) long enough.
Before I dig too much into my thoughts, I first want to issue a few thank you's.
First and foremost, thank you to all of the folks who tolerated my presence and hosted me along the way. Your kindness and willingness to open your home to me--who, in some cases, was a complete stranger--are both heart-warming and very much appreciated. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity.
Second, thank you to those who have followed my banter in this space over the course of the last two months. Knowing that there were folks out there who cared about me and were interested in my travels (or at least were looking for good pictures) helped to keep me going in times both happy and sad. I hope that my banter has been entertaining, and I hope you've enjoyed the pictures.
Third, thanks to all of those folks who I met along the way (if you're actually reading this...). It was wonderful to meet you, and I appreciate all of the insights, advice and stories you shared along the way.
To conclude the trip, I thought I would address the most frequently asked question, then devote a few lines to some broad reflections about the trip. I will warn you now...this is a lot of rambling, but I can't think of a better way to organize it...
Perhaps the most frequently asked--and most difficult to answer--question along the way this: "Wait--you're by yourself? Don't you get lonely?"
Well, as with most things in life, the answer was and is complicated.
First, I was rarely "physically alone" (aside from portions of West Texas, Wyoming and South Dakota...). Wherever I went, I was surrounded by folks from around the world, many of whom were on similar treks and had wonderful stories to tell. To those who know me, I am a bit of an extrovert, and had little difficulty making friends and conversation along the way. I have shared some of the stories I heard from folks along the way, but there are countless more. Grab a beer with me the next time you see me and I'll relive some of them for you.
Though I was rarely physically alone, the solitude of the road and my "mission" was ever present. Don't get me wrong--some days were great. There are definitely times when I like to be alone with my thoughts, and I had plenty of satisfying days spent just thinking, listening to music, reading and talking to myself. It was great to be able to clear my head, to separate myself from the experiences I've had over the last few years and really reflect on what I've done and learned along the way.
Other days, particularly long drive days through areas with limited cell coverage, the quiet solitude was deafening. These days were tough because I had either thought about something too much and twisted my brain in knots, or because I literally couldn't move past a certain issue or topic. Sometimes they were deeply personal issues; other times, it was second guessing decisions I've made or agonizing over decisions which are far into the future.
There were also days in new cities where it seemed I couldn't break the surface; that no matter how hard I tried, no one was interested in chatting with me, and I couldn't push through the superficial to get to the true essence of a place. These were most definitely frustrating times, particularly given my personality. These were probably the times when I felt the most alone.
That being said, these experiences were worthwhile, meaningful, and ultimately good. The long, solo thought sessions allowed me to fully flesh out some key issues and explore all different sides. The time walking or eating or exploring a new place by myself provided a forum to test my determination and self-reliance. Discovering these facts was in many ways empowering. Thankfully, I came to see the inherent good in these things even as I was logging miles across the U.S.
So yes, knowing that I was on my own engendered a ton of self-confidence. But it also forced an acute awareness of circumstances and my own personal limitations. This last part was definitely not the easiest for me. I'm still a young guy, a former athlete (the "former" part has been made very clear to me numerous times), and I feel like I can do pretty much anything I put my mind to. Throughout the trip, however, I was faced with a number of circumstances where discretion was the better part of valor, and I had to apply the brakes. This required me to be honest with myself, which is not exactly easy to do. After doing it every day for two months, tackling a wide variety of challenges, including hiking down and up Grand Canyon, biking the hills of San Francisco, and even exploring Las Vegas, however, it's comes a bit more naturally than it did when I started the trip.
In general, I would say that I was able to work through the loneliness, and find a way to embrace it. That, more than anything, brought a sense of serenity that carried me through times both good and bad.
On to more random ramblings....
There definitely seemed to be themes that presented themselves along the way...early on, it was definitely live music. Later, it was sports. While I always love a good live music show, and by now you should know how I feel about football and baseball, I wouldn't say I planned it that way. It's just funny how those things worked themselves out.
Writing was something that I wanted to be a bigger part of my trip than it actually was. I didn't write as much on my own as I had hoped. That being said, I found different avenues through which to express and record my thoughts, including this space. Conversations--both with myself and others--also helped. Had I to do it over, I most certainly would have been more diligent about keeping records of my thoughts and feelings along the way.
My car held up extremely well throughout the trip. I had it serviced once in California, but otherwise it required minimal attention. The only foul up was elevation-related in Colorado, as apparently it takes a bit more thrust than normal for the fuel injectors to sufficiently gas up the engine at a higher elevation. Thankfully this was only a minor snafu, quickly addressed by my "more mechanically inclined" younger brother and a guy at a CarQuest. Once I was back down at normal elevations, everything was fine.
While it held up great, I didn't exactly do a great job of keeping my car organized. Don't get me wrong--it was clean and operated as smoothly as ever. But the backseat and my trunk quickly devolved from an organized "closet" of sorts to something more like my college dorm room. Again, this is something I would have been much more diligent about had I to do the trip again.
It presented some challenges along the way, but camping was actually a pretty cool and inexpensive way to spend a decent chunk of nights on the trip. I wouldn't label myself an avid outdoorsman, though I enjoy hiking, fishing (when I can find the time), and other outdoor activities. Camping in a variety of locals was pretty cool, and the folks I met along the way in the campgrounds were among the most interesting by far. So many stories...and so many foreigners--I was a bit surprised by how many foreign languages I heard in campgrounds at all kinds of sites, from tourist havens like Grand Canyon to small, off-the-beaten-path haunts outside of Portland, OR. Pretty cool, though.
I am a political junkie. Always have been. However, I did the best I could to steer away from the election coverage during the trip. I did find myself in some overtly political discussions (no surprise there), and most people with whom I spoke generally boiled it down to this: they don't really feel like they know Mitt Romney; what they do know, they're not sure they like; the President has missed several opportunities during his first-term; health care was probably a mistake, if not the policy, most definitely the politics; and things seem to be slowly getting better, albeit perhaps too slow to matter for President Obama's re-election chances.
I will withhold my own thoughts on the two candidates and whom I plan to support until later, at least until after the first debate.
Moving to concluding thoughts...
When I started this trip, I had a variety of goals in mind: to see the country (check); meet new people (check); go exciting new places (check); take a ton of pictures (double-check); find myself (jury is out); etc. I definitely succeeded in meeting many of them. I saw a ton, had a lot of cool experiences, and met some wonderful and amazing people. That being said, there were some things I would've done differently.
I would've planned a bit better, particularly when it came to seeing major tourist attractions. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what to do in a location when I was already there, instead of in the weeks/months prior to my arrival.
I would've been more conscious about food along the way. On many days, I subsisted on Clif bars and fruit. Yes, there were some wonderful meals at some excellent restaurants along the way, but I think better preparation on this front would've saved some time and money.
I honestly think I would've camped more. I was in the tent about 25% of the nights, and honestly could have done a bit more. I also should have been a bit more "camping-oriented," building more fires and spending more time around the campsite.
So yes, there are some things I would've done differently. As I look back, though, I have no regrets whatsoever. I'm very pleased that I was able to make the journey and see everything that I did. It was the trip of a lifetime, and there are countless memories (and tons of photos) which I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
And while I wouldn't say I found myself, I would say that I found a certain comfort in my own skin that maybe didn't exist before.
Again, thank you to everyone reading this for your moral and emotional support along the way. Even if we never actually spoke, knowing that folks were out there reading about my travels made it easier to keep pushing forward.
Take care, and let's get that beer soon.
DRB
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Superlatives
Greetings folks. I'm writing from my new home, Cambridge, MA. It took me quite a while to get here, by way of America, but I did in fact actually make it. Needless to say, there's a lot of work ahead of me, from unpacking and setting up a new apartment to familiarizing myself with a new area. Oh, and there's that whole dual master's degree program. So, I'm a bit anxious, but in general excited to get started.
Before I do that, I need to put a lid on the past two months. A "capstone" project, if you will (c'mon, I'm trying to get back into academic mode). So to do so, I'll devote a few paragraphs today to what I'll call my "Superlatives" from the trip. Later tonight (or, more likely tomorrow) I'll spend a bit more time reflecting on some key things I tried to figure out along the way (jury is still out as to whether I made any real progress...).
Favorite Drive:
It's a close race here, but I would say the drive through Big Sur on my way from Los Angeles to San Francisco was probably my favorite. The scenery was unbelievable along the coast, particularly given the gorgeous sunset. It took me WAY longer than it should have, partly due to the windy roads, but primarily because I literally stopped at EVERY pull-off to take pictures and gawk at the beautiful coastline. Absolutely gorgeous.
Favorite Location:
Grand Canyon. It was the most anticipated portion of the trip, and man did it deliver. The host of beautiful colors, the breathtaking views of the incredibly diverse geologic formations, and sheer vastness of the landscape all exceeded my fairly high expectations. I still cannot begin to fathom what the first explorers thought when they happened across it in the sixteenth century. The sunset from Desert View is still probably my favorite one from the trip.
Favorite City:
This was a tough one. There are three that I really loved more than others--San Francisco, CA; Austin, TX; and San Diego, CA. Of those, I would probably put San Francisco on top because I could most easily see myself living there. The plethora of things to do, the diversity of neighborhoods, the beauty of both man-made and natural scenery, and the fairly temperate (although ever-changing) climate were all big factors in my choice. I really enjoyed Austin, and thought it was a really cool city, but the heat might have been a bit much. San Diego was absolutely gorgeous, but I honestly see that more as a vacation spot than a "live here" place. Again, very close choice, but it goes to San Francisco.
Least Favorite Location:
This one was pretty easy. San Antonio, TX didn't seem to have much to offer. I had a good time there--mostly because I was with my cousin who I had not seen in a while--but the Alamo was a bit underwhelming, and the Riverwalk disappointed. Had I spent another day walking around and taking in the sights, I might feel differently. But I didn't, so I don't.
Favorite Meal:
There was a sushi restaurant in San Diego called Taka that was absolutely delicious. I sat at the sushi bar and spoke with the sushi chef for most of the meal, and he dished out some of the best sushi I have ever had. A close second was Corky's in Memphis, where the dry rub ribs and pulled pork were good enough to be a "last supper." Third place probably goes to the Indian restaurant Aroma in Toronto. I'm a sucker for good chicken tikka masala, and Aroma's was delicious.
Place to Which I Would Like to Return First:
I'll break this one up into two sub-categories (because I can). Natural scenery -- Grand Canyon, for all of the reasons detailed above. City-scape -- San Diego, for the relaxation, fantastic climate, and beautiful oceanfront scenery. It would be awesome to spend a summer out there, for sure.
Best Book:
It's most definitely cliche, but On the Road, by Jack Kerouac. I sped through it, and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Now, I would say that my trip was not even close to the one detailed in Kerouac's timeless tale. No hitchhiking or time as a hired hand...or many other shenanigans that happened. But I definitely had my fair share of good times, and in many ways felt like I could relate to significant portions of the story.
Best Hotel:
Over the course of the trip, I spent about 20 nights in hotels ranging from Five Star destinations to No Star sh*t holes. This choice is not even close. Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Again, thanks to Maggee for that one. Definitely classier than I deserve. In a different category, I would put the Larkspur Hotel, a boutique hotel in the Union Square area of San Francisco, second. Delightful little place in a fantastic location. Also, I just want to say how great Priceline was on the trip. Their cancellation policy (or lack thereof) is VERY tough on someone who likes to change plans (like me), but once I got that through my thick skull they delivered with some great rates on pretty good places. Don't get me wrong, there were some sure misses, but overall this was a pretty useful tool along the way.
Best Campground:
Over the course of nearly 60 days, I camped 15 nights at campgrounds in Asheville; Santa Fe; Portland, OR; Grand Canyon; Bozeman, MT; Yellowstone; Rock Springs, WY; and Mt. Rushmore. My favorite place was by far Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone. For $14 a night, I had an outstanding tentsite under the stars in the middle of a beautiful glen. It was a great place to spend a couple of nights. Second would probably be the campsite outside of Portland in Oregon, which backed up to a stream. The sound of water was a great source of white noise.
Favorite Experience:
Again, a close one. Biking across the Golden Gate in San Francisco was pretty unbelievable. Taking a boat to the edge of Niagara Falls was outstanding. Hiking Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone was a thrill. Hiking down into Grand Canyon was very memorable (and exhausting!). Visiting the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination was moving. Climbing portions of Mt. Rainier was really cool. Hiking up to the Hanging Lakes with my little brother was definitely fun. Listening to random bands with a new friend in Austin was really cool. Watching the Bears practice made me feel like a little kid again. Exploring the endless shelves at Powell's City of Books in Portland appealed to my inner nerd. Listening to stories around the blackjack tables in Las Vegas was fascinating.
And meeting and chatting with hundreds (if not thousands; let's be honest, I can talk to a wall) of fascinating folks along the way was beyond great. Hearing their stories, and sharing my own, was a big part of the trek, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones along the way.
There are so many wonderful memories...I don't know that I can choose just one experience. All I know is that I will carry these experiences with me for the rest of my days, and for that, I am thankful.
More to come later...
DRB
Before I do that, I need to put a lid on the past two months. A "capstone" project, if you will (c'mon, I'm trying to get back into academic mode). So to do so, I'll devote a few paragraphs today to what I'll call my "Superlatives" from the trip. Later tonight (or, more likely tomorrow) I'll spend a bit more time reflecting on some key things I tried to figure out along the way (jury is still out as to whether I made any real progress...).
Favorite Drive:
It's a close race here, but I would say the drive through Big Sur on my way from Los Angeles to San Francisco was probably my favorite. The scenery was unbelievable along the coast, particularly given the gorgeous sunset. It took me WAY longer than it should have, partly due to the windy roads, but primarily because I literally stopped at EVERY pull-off to take pictures and gawk at the beautiful coastline. Absolutely gorgeous.
Favorite Location:
Grand Canyon. It was the most anticipated portion of the trip, and man did it deliver. The host of beautiful colors, the breathtaking views of the incredibly diverse geologic formations, and sheer vastness of the landscape all exceeded my fairly high expectations. I still cannot begin to fathom what the first explorers thought when they happened across it in the sixteenth century. The sunset from Desert View is still probably my favorite one from the trip.
Favorite City:
This was a tough one. There are three that I really loved more than others--San Francisco, CA; Austin, TX; and San Diego, CA. Of those, I would probably put San Francisco on top because I could most easily see myself living there. The plethora of things to do, the diversity of neighborhoods, the beauty of both man-made and natural scenery, and the fairly temperate (although ever-changing) climate were all big factors in my choice. I really enjoyed Austin, and thought it was a really cool city, but the heat might have been a bit much. San Diego was absolutely gorgeous, but I honestly see that more as a vacation spot than a "live here" place. Again, very close choice, but it goes to San Francisco.
Least Favorite Location:
This one was pretty easy. San Antonio, TX didn't seem to have much to offer. I had a good time there--mostly because I was with my cousin who I had not seen in a while--but the Alamo was a bit underwhelming, and the Riverwalk disappointed. Had I spent another day walking around and taking in the sights, I might feel differently. But I didn't, so I don't.
Favorite Meal:
There was a sushi restaurant in San Diego called Taka that was absolutely delicious. I sat at the sushi bar and spoke with the sushi chef for most of the meal, and he dished out some of the best sushi I have ever had. A close second was Corky's in Memphis, where the dry rub ribs and pulled pork were good enough to be a "last supper." Third place probably goes to the Indian restaurant Aroma in Toronto. I'm a sucker for good chicken tikka masala, and Aroma's was delicious.
Place to Which I Would Like to Return First:
I'll break this one up into two sub-categories (because I can). Natural scenery -- Grand Canyon, for all of the reasons detailed above. City-scape -- San Diego, for the relaxation, fantastic climate, and beautiful oceanfront scenery. It would be awesome to spend a summer out there, for sure.
Best Book:
It's most definitely cliche, but On the Road, by Jack Kerouac. I sped through it, and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Now, I would say that my trip was not even close to the one detailed in Kerouac's timeless tale. No hitchhiking or time as a hired hand...or many other shenanigans that happened. But I definitely had my fair share of good times, and in many ways felt like I could relate to significant portions of the story.
Best Hotel:
Over the course of the trip, I spent about 20 nights in hotels ranging from Five Star destinations to No Star sh*t holes. This choice is not even close. Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Again, thanks to Maggee for that one. Definitely classier than I deserve. In a different category, I would put the Larkspur Hotel, a boutique hotel in the Union Square area of San Francisco, second. Delightful little place in a fantastic location. Also, I just want to say how great Priceline was on the trip. Their cancellation policy (or lack thereof) is VERY tough on someone who likes to change plans (like me), but once I got that through my thick skull they delivered with some great rates on pretty good places. Don't get me wrong, there were some sure misses, but overall this was a pretty useful tool along the way.
Best Campground:
Over the course of nearly 60 days, I camped 15 nights at campgrounds in Asheville; Santa Fe; Portland, OR; Grand Canyon; Bozeman, MT; Yellowstone; Rock Springs, WY; and Mt. Rushmore. My favorite place was by far Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone. For $14 a night, I had an outstanding tentsite under the stars in the middle of a beautiful glen. It was a great place to spend a couple of nights. Second would probably be the campsite outside of Portland in Oregon, which backed up to a stream. The sound of water was a great source of white noise.
Favorite Experience:
Again, a close one. Biking across the Golden Gate in San Francisco was pretty unbelievable. Taking a boat to the edge of Niagara Falls was outstanding. Hiking Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone was a thrill. Hiking down into Grand Canyon was very memorable (and exhausting!). Visiting the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination was moving. Climbing portions of Mt. Rainier was really cool. Hiking up to the Hanging Lakes with my little brother was definitely fun. Listening to random bands with a new friend in Austin was really cool. Watching the Bears practice made me feel like a little kid again. Exploring the endless shelves at Powell's City of Books in Portland appealed to my inner nerd. Listening to stories around the blackjack tables in Las Vegas was fascinating.
And meeting and chatting with hundreds (if not thousands; let's be honest, I can talk to a wall) of fascinating folks along the way was beyond great. Hearing their stories, and sharing my own, was a big part of the trek, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones along the way.
There are so many wonderful memories...I don't know that I can choose just one experience. All I know is that I will carry these experiences with me for the rest of my days, and for that, I am thankful.
More to come later...
DRB
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Hey folks...I'm writing from outside of Albany, NY, which is effectively my last stop on this two month tour of North America. It is most definitely bittersweet to be nearly finished: one one hand, I am most definitely ready for a more "traditional" routine as well as a familiar place to lay my head every night; on the other hand, I feel like there is so much still left to see! Either way, I will pull into Cambridge sometime around mid-day tomorrow (Monday) and begin preparing to move in to my new apartment and get settled in my new "hometown."
All of this talk about "wrapping up" has definitely put me in a reflective mood. However, I am not quite ready to write the final entry with concluding thoughts. Besides, I logged a long week trekking eastward--I started in Denver Monday morning and will turn out the lights tonight more than 2,300 miles away (by the way I drive, not the crow flies). It was a week full of new cities and a lot of sports, namely football and baseball.
I covered Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding area in a previous post, so I'll pick up with the Badlands, then discuss the greater Chicago area, the road north from Bourbonnais, IL (there's a story, don't worry) to Toronto, Ontario in Canada, my time north of the border, and then Niagara Falls on my way back into the good ole' US of A.
Needless to say, this is what we call a "catch-all" post.
Badlands, SD:
I visited Badlands National Park at the suggestion of a few friends, and boy am I glad I didn't ignore them (sorry to those whose advice I've ignored along the way...there's only so many hours in a day!). Moving on...the geology here was similar to what I saw around parts of Grand Canyon--desert-like in many respects, with beautiful bands of a wide variety of color across various mesas and canyons. The geologic formations, in general, were stunning, not only in their diversity--some were just a few feet high, while others towered over the landscape--but also in the dramatic manner in which they ascended from the depths of some of the deepest canyons in the region. This was another one of those "pictures don't do it justice" places, but I'll give it a shot anyways...
Chicago, IL:
After a lengthy drive over the better part of two days, I found my way to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon in time to take in a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. I had seen a game here before, though that was through a work function. This experience was decidedly different; my "cheap seats" (I personally don't think $25 is cheap for a Wednesday afternoon baseball game, but oh well) had what I will call an "expansive" view of the field, and **thankfully** were shaded. It was around 100* at game time, and the heat index must have been higher than that.
Anyways, the game was pretty cool, though the stadiums in Seattle and Toronto (more to come) were much better, in my opinion. The White Sox ended up winning, and I found some cold beer and ice cream to keep cool...yea, yea, the workouts are coming. I know...
From here, I bounced around the Magnificent Mile and Grant Park areas of downtown. Grant Park was hosting a classical music series every afternoon, and I was able to catch a bit of the performance by Chicago's symphony orchestra. I didn't catch the specific symphony they were playing, but the portion I was able to listen to was beautiful.
From there, I sampled a famous Chicago deep dish pizza at one of the original Lou Malnati's near downtown. The pie was delicious. I then met up with a friend who lives in the city and able to catch up over a couple of beers. It was great to see a familiar face and chat with someone with whom I haven't spoken in too long (there's a pattern forming here...to those I haven't spoken to lately, don't be surprised by a call!). I crashed on his couch, and rolled a bit south the next day to...
Bourbonnais, IL:
Why, you say, would I ever go to Bourbonnais, IL? Three words. NFL Training Camp! It is that time of year...while baseball is in full swing with a bunch of teams in the race to the World Series, my first love has come calling...loudly. I am most definitely in a football mood these days (call it withdrawal after almost 6 months since the Super Bowl), as illustrated by this and the next two stops on my voyage.
To start, I don't have a particular affinity for the Chicago Bears. I wouldn't say I don't like them; it's more that I'm indifferent about the fate of the team in general. However, the opportunity to catch an NFL team this early in training camp, with a bloated roster (80+ players, which will be trimmed to 53 by the end of the summer) of uber-talented players, was simply too good to pass up.
I showed up early and was able to watch several "big name" players warm up and handle their drills with ease. Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs, Matt Forte...they were all there and in top condition. Suffice it to say I was like a little kid again.
South Bend, IN:
After leaving Bears camp, I headed north to what I believe is "sacred ground" in college football--the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. For reasons I can't quite seem to pinpoint--and get called out on regularly--I have been a Notre Dame fan for as long as I can remember. I think it all started with Joe Montana, who was nothing short of my idol growing up. He went to Notre Dame (the fact that it was long before I was born is of little significance to me...he was my favorite!), so I think I just stuck with it for that reason. Regardless, I fell in love with the program's strong tradition at an early age, and have only come to have a greater appreciation for it in the years since. Touchdown Jesus. Notre Dame Stadium. The Grotto. Rudy. Knute Rockne. Lou Holtz. The list goes on and on and on. All of them hold serious meaning for me, and yes, I am one of the few crazy ones who actually believe that we're going to win another National Championship in the near future. When? Who knows. But soon. I hope!
Given that their first game is still more than one month away, the NCAA rules prohibit practicing this early. So the campus was fairly quiet by the time I made it there. But I was able to head into the bookstore for some all-important pre-season purchases (had to get the "Gameday" t-shirt!) and walked around campus. It was not my first time on campus, but it is always pretty cool to walk around and think about the legends that have previously strolled the grounds. Here are a few shots of "hallowed ground."
Ann Arbor, MI:
From South Bend, I headed north to that other bastion of college football tradition, Ann Arbor, MI. I've never been a big Michigan fan--mostly because of the natural rivalry with Notre Dame. Either way, I was still hoping to check out the "Big House," Michigan Stadium, which is the largest stadium in college football as measured by capacity (~110,000, I believe).
There are tours of the stadium...however, my aversion to planning once again bit me in the ass, and I was well beyond the two week waiting period to schedule tours. So my views were limited to the outside of the stadium, which was still fairly impressive. I was able to catch parts of the turf through "portals" in the stadium's architecture, but it was nothing close to what I'm sure it's like inside.
Toronto, ON, Canada:
After crashing in Ann Arbor on Thursday night, I drove north of the border to Canada. While I had initially intended for this trip to remain within the U.S. border, I decided to add Toronto for a number of reasons. First, I had never been there, and had heard very good things about the city. Second, the sister of a friend and former colleague works for a really nice hotel in the city, and she was able to help me out with a great rate on a room that was far too nice for the likes of me. Third, the Blue Jays were in town, and I wanted to keep the sports theme going.
First and foremost, I want to thank Maggee for "hosting" me in Toronto. I had a blast, and enjoyed my time in a great hotel right in center city (or centre city, for any Canadians reading out there).
In general, I thought Toronto was a really cool city. We bounced around Queen Street West on Friday evening, hit what I'll call an eclectic mix of bars, ranging from the typical to an Asian restaurant with a raucous group upstairs (complete with singing "Must be the Money" and other 90s jams) to a jazz bar with some intense jazz players, including a mellophone--yes, a mellophone, otherwise known as a marching french horn.
Saturday, I walked around the Queen Street and King Street areas, hit Kensington Market, which had numerous cool stores and outdoor market areas, and then headed to see the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The game was great--the Jays are actually good this year; who know?--and the fans were great. From there, I tried to scale the CN Tower--well, in an elevator--but was rebuffed by the two-hour plus wait times...that evening, I had some really tasty Indian food, then headed back to Queen Street West to hear some live music, which was a bit of an improvement on Friday night's jazz ensemble.
Overall, I thought Toronto had a really cool feel to it. The city was beautiful; while there are several tall towers, the architecture is much more varied and interesting than what you'll see in many American cities. In addition, the eclectic and diverse crowd yields some really unique bars, restaurants and shops. All in all, I had a good time in Toronto. I was definitely suffering a bit of travel fatigue, but I would--and plan to--return to this city.
Niagara Falls, ON, Canada:
Stunning. Beautiful. Breathtaking. These are the words that come to mind when I think back to my visit to Niagara Falls earlier today. From the Canadian side, which is MUCH more impressive than the U.S. side.
There's not a whole lot I can say about this natural wonder that pictures won't be much better able to tell. While there, I did the "Behind the Falls" tour, which takes you to tunnels that offer portals that look "through" the Falls and a balcony that overlooks the Canadian Horsehoe Falls. I also rode the "Maid of the Mist" tour boat, which takes you within 100 feet or so of the Falls themselves. This is exilerating. And I was soaked; there were definitely times when it seemed we were standing in the middle of a torrential downpour. Very worth it--and highly recommended.
Alright folks. That's enough for tonight. Thanks for indulging me. There will likely be more than one "Concluding Thoughts" postings, so stay tuned!
DRB
All of this talk about "wrapping up" has definitely put me in a reflective mood. However, I am not quite ready to write the final entry with concluding thoughts. Besides, I logged a long week trekking eastward--I started in Denver Monday morning and will turn out the lights tonight more than 2,300 miles away (by the way I drive, not the crow flies). It was a week full of new cities and a lot of sports, namely football and baseball.
I covered Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding area in a previous post, so I'll pick up with the Badlands, then discuss the greater Chicago area, the road north from Bourbonnais, IL (there's a story, don't worry) to Toronto, Ontario in Canada, my time north of the border, and then Niagara Falls on my way back into the good ole' US of A.
Needless to say, this is what we call a "catch-all" post.
Badlands, SD:
I visited Badlands National Park at the suggestion of a few friends, and boy am I glad I didn't ignore them (sorry to those whose advice I've ignored along the way...there's only so many hours in a day!). Moving on...the geology here was similar to what I saw around parts of Grand Canyon--desert-like in many respects, with beautiful bands of a wide variety of color across various mesas and canyons. The geologic formations, in general, were stunning, not only in their diversity--some were just a few feet high, while others towered over the landscape--but also in the dramatic manner in which they ascended from the depths of some of the deepest canyons in the region. This was another one of those "pictures don't do it justice" places, but I'll give it a shot anyways...
Chicago, IL:
After a lengthy drive over the better part of two days, I found my way to Chicago on Wednesday afternoon in time to take in a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. I had seen a game here before, though that was through a work function. This experience was decidedly different; my "cheap seats" (I personally don't think $25 is cheap for a Wednesday afternoon baseball game, but oh well) had what I will call an "expansive" view of the field, and **thankfully** were shaded. It was around 100* at game time, and the heat index must have been higher than that.
Anyways, the game was pretty cool, though the stadiums in Seattle and Toronto (more to come) were much better, in my opinion. The White Sox ended up winning, and I found some cold beer and ice cream to keep cool...yea, yea, the workouts are coming. I know...
From here, I bounced around the Magnificent Mile and Grant Park areas of downtown. Grant Park was hosting a classical music series every afternoon, and I was able to catch a bit of the performance by Chicago's symphony orchestra. I didn't catch the specific symphony they were playing, but the portion I was able to listen to was beautiful.
From there, I sampled a famous Chicago deep dish pizza at one of the original Lou Malnati's near downtown. The pie was delicious. I then met up with a friend who lives in the city and able to catch up over a couple of beers. It was great to see a familiar face and chat with someone with whom I haven't spoken in too long (there's a pattern forming here...to those I haven't spoken to lately, don't be surprised by a call!). I crashed on his couch, and rolled a bit south the next day to...
Bourbonnais, IL:
Why, you say, would I ever go to Bourbonnais, IL? Three words. NFL Training Camp! It is that time of year...while baseball is in full swing with a bunch of teams in the race to the World Series, my first love has come calling...loudly. I am most definitely in a football mood these days (call it withdrawal after almost 6 months since the Super Bowl), as illustrated by this and the next two stops on my voyage.
To start, I don't have a particular affinity for the Chicago Bears. I wouldn't say I don't like them; it's more that I'm indifferent about the fate of the team in general. However, the opportunity to catch an NFL team this early in training camp, with a bloated roster (80+ players, which will be trimmed to 53 by the end of the summer) of uber-talented players, was simply too good to pass up.
I showed up early and was able to watch several "big name" players warm up and handle their drills with ease. Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs, Matt Forte...they were all there and in top condition. Suffice it to say I was like a little kid again.
South Bend, IN:
After leaving Bears camp, I headed north to what I believe is "sacred ground" in college football--the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. For reasons I can't quite seem to pinpoint--and get called out on regularly--I have been a Notre Dame fan for as long as I can remember. I think it all started with Joe Montana, who was nothing short of my idol growing up. He went to Notre Dame (the fact that it was long before I was born is of little significance to me...he was my favorite!), so I think I just stuck with it for that reason. Regardless, I fell in love with the program's strong tradition at an early age, and have only come to have a greater appreciation for it in the years since. Touchdown Jesus. Notre Dame Stadium. The Grotto. Rudy. Knute Rockne. Lou Holtz. The list goes on and on and on. All of them hold serious meaning for me, and yes, I am one of the few crazy ones who actually believe that we're going to win another National Championship in the near future. When? Who knows. But soon. I hope!
Given that their first game is still more than one month away, the NCAA rules prohibit practicing this early. So the campus was fairly quiet by the time I made it there. But I was able to head into the bookstore for some all-important pre-season purchases (had to get the "Gameday" t-shirt!) and walked around campus. It was not my first time on campus, but it is always pretty cool to walk around and think about the legends that have previously strolled the grounds. Here are a few shots of "hallowed ground."
Ann Arbor, MI:
From South Bend, I headed north to that other bastion of college football tradition, Ann Arbor, MI. I've never been a big Michigan fan--mostly because of the natural rivalry with Notre Dame. Either way, I was still hoping to check out the "Big House," Michigan Stadium, which is the largest stadium in college football as measured by capacity (~110,000, I believe).
There are tours of the stadium...however, my aversion to planning once again bit me in the ass, and I was well beyond the two week waiting period to schedule tours. So my views were limited to the outside of the stadium, which was still fairly impressive. I was able to catch parts of the turf through "portals" in the stadium's architecture, but it was nothing close to what I'm sure it's like inside.
Toronto, ON, Canada:
After crashing in Ann Arbor on Thursday night, I drove north of the border to Canada. While I had initially intended for this trip to remain within the U.S. border, I decided to add Toronto for a number of reasons. First, I had never been there, and had heard very good things about the city. Second, the sister of a friend and former colleague works for a really nice hotel in the city, and she was able to help me out with a great rate on a room that was far too nice for the likes of me. Third, the Blue Jays were in town, and I wanted to keep the sports theme going.
First and foremost, I want to thank Maggee for "hosting" me in Toronto. I had a blast, and enjoyed my time in a great hotel right in center city (or centre city, for any Canadians reading out there).
In general, I thought Toronto was a really cool city. We bounced around Queen Street West on Friday evening, hit what I'll call an eclectic mix of bars, ranging from the typical to an Asian restaurant with a raucous group upstairs (complete with singing "Must be the Money" and other 90s jams) to a jazz bar with some intense jazz players, including a mellophone--yes, a mellophone, otherwise known as a marching french horn.
Saturday, I walked around the Queen Street and King Street areas, hit Kensington Market, which had numerous cool stores and outdoor market areas, and then headed to see the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The game was great--the Jays are actually good this year; who know?--and the fans were great. From there, I tried to scale the CN Tower--well, in an elevator--but was rebuffed by the two-hour plus wait times...that evening, I had some really tasty Indian food, then headed back to Queen Street West to hear some live music, which was a bit of an improvement on Friday night's jazz ensemble.
Overall, I thought Toronto had a really cool feel to it. The city was beautiful; while there are several tall towers, the architecture is much more varied and interesting than what you'll see in many American cities. In addition, the eclectic and diverse crowd yields some really unique bars, restaurants and shops. All in all, I had a good time in Toronto. I was definitely suffering a bit of travel fatigue, but I would--and plan to--return to this city.
Niagara Falls, ON, Canada:
Stunning. Beautiful. Breathtaking. These are the words that come to mind when I think back to my visit to Niagara Falls earlier today. From the Canadian side, which is MUCH more impressive than the U.S. side.
There's not a whole lot I can say about this natural wonder that pictures won't be much better able to tell. While there, I did the "Behind the Falls" tour, which takes you to tunnels that offer portals that look "through" the Falls and a balcony that overlooks the Canadian Horsehoe Falls. I also rode the "Maid of the Mist" tour boat, which takes you within 100 feet or so of the Falls themselves. This is exilerating. And I was soaked; there were definitely times when it seemed we were standing in the middle of a torrential downpour. Very worth it--and highly recommended.
 |
| Sweet poncho! |
Alright folks. That's enough for tonight. Thanks for indulging me. There will likely be more than one "Concluding Thoughts" postings, so stay tuned!
DRB
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Colorado and Mt. Rushmore
Greetings from Rapid City, SD, where I spent yesterday checking out both Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills. I will touch on these in a bit, but first wanted to recap the last few days in Colorado.
As I noted in my earlier post, I arrived Wednesday night and spent Thursday and Friday in Dillon, CO with my little brother. It was great to spend time together and catch up; given that he's out here and I've spent most of my time working on the east coast, we don't often get to see each other. Thursday was a pretty low key day. I needed to rest and get caught up on some housekeeping items (bills, etc.), and the weather wasn't exactly cooperative.
This did, however, give us a great opportunity to hang out with Josh's buddy, a 100 lb Rottweiler named Bella. A gentle giant for sure, playing with the dog was definitely one of the many highlights during my time in Dillon.
Friday was a much better day, however, and we ventured up to the Hanging Lakes about an hour and a half west of Dillon. The hike was about an hour long, during which time we ascended more than 1,000 feet to a beautiful scene atop the hills. Pictures below.
One more quick thought on the Aurora shootings, particularly as it regards the discussion we need to have in this country about gun control. This was clearly the act of a deranged and disturbed individual; James Holmes, if guilty, deserves the very worst punishment that can be handed down in this case. His senseless actions not only killed a dozen people; he forever altered the lives of the surviving victims, their victims, and the residents of Aurora, CO.
I am a strong defender of gun rights under the Constitution--to a point. Owning handguns, rifles, and shotguns for hunting, sport, and self defense is completely justifiable and this right should be protected. However, we need to ban assault rifles and institute much tighter regulation around the sale of all guns. Just because the Constitution says you can own a gun doesn't mean that you should be able to buy any gun anywhere, anytime. Logic and reason have to play a role in the distribution of these products which can pose serious threats to our freedom and safety. As for assault weapons, I see no purpose for them that outweighs the very real costs to public safety that they pose.
Above all, we need a much more objective and civil discussion about this issue in the political arena. This whole gun issue has gone beyond ridiculous. Members of Congress, many of whom are in the pocket of the NRA, just cannot seem to find common sense on this issue.
Okay, officially stepping down from the soapbox...
After a couple of days in Dillon, CO, Josh and I headed into Denver to meet up with two buddies from DC and other new friends who were in town for a variety of reasons. We spent much of Saturday in Washington Park, then Saturday night in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) District of Denver. It was great to see these guys, and we had an awesome time.
I also wanted to take a quick moment to thank the Osborne family for opening their home to me on Sunday evening. After a "fun-filled" Saturday, I was not interested in making the long drive to Mt. Rushmore, and ended up spending time with my DC friend Mike (who is originally from outside of Denver) and his family. I had an awesome time hanging out with them.
One quick reflection on Denver. I obviously didn't spend a ton of time there, but what I saw I liked. The city is very clean with lots of outdoor areas. Washington Park, in particular, was an awesome attraction within the city, and was crowded all weekend with impromptu volleyball games, runners, bikers, dogs and loads of other folks participating in a variety of summertime activities. It definitely seemed like the kind of place that doesn't take itself too seriously and puts significant value on experiencing the great outdoors. I do think I'll be figuring out a way to go back soon.
From Denver, I ventured northeast towards Mt. Rushmore. A few quick thoughts here, then I'll share some broader thoughts on the next seven days, which are to be my last on the road (for this summer, anyway).
--Mt. Rushmore might be one of the more patriotic places I've been; and I say that having just spent the last three years in the nation's capital. The ceremony held at night, during which they show a video, sing "America the Beautiful" and the "National Anthem," honor veterans in the crowd, and turn on the spotlight featuring the monument itself was truly moving and appropriately got one thinking about the fundamental tenets of our democratic republic.
--The engineering feat of putting those four great faces up on the mountain was (is?) very impressive. It took 14 years and nearly $1 million (in the 1930s, no less) to complete the project, and required the service of countless engineers, blast-men, and drillers.
--The mountain was appropriately chosen, as it stands out from many others in the area.
--There is another monument nearby, that of Crazy Horse, which remains very much in progress (photo below). This privately funded monument was begun in 1948 and, when completed, will serve as a monument and educational center for all Native American tribes. The site itself today is very cool, with lots of educational information and Native American crafts and artwork. The monument is massive--according to the informational video, you could fit 8 Mt. Rushmores in Crazy Horse's face alone. I'm not sure we'll see the completion in my lifetime, but it was very cool to see the work in progress.
I have exactly one week left on the road. When I started this trek, I had several goals in mind--everything from seeing new parts of the U.S. and learning about new cities to identifying places I'd be interested in either living or returning to at future points in my life. I also wanted to take a long time to reflect upon the last few years of my life and prepare myself for the years to come. The trip has afforded me the opportunity to do all of these things and more, and there are very few things, if any, that I would change. There are several more long drives ahead, particularly as I work my way through the Great Lakes region to the northeast, and rest assured the period of reflection and contemplation will continue.
From where I sit right now, I plan to drive eastward through the Badlads to Minnesota, then through the Great Lakes region (still not sure if I'll take the northern or southern route around Lake Michigan), briefly into Canada, then Niagara Falls and upstate New York on my way to my final stop, Boston, MA.
More to come in subsequent days...
DRB
As I noted in my earlier post, I arrived Wednesday night and spent Thursday and Friday in Dillon, CO with my little brother. It was great to spend time together and catch up; given that he's out here and I've spent most of my time working on the east coast, we don't often get to see each other. Thursday was a pretty low key day. I needed to rest and get caught up on some housekeeping items (bills, etc.), and the weather wasn't exactly cooperative.
This did, however, give us a great opportunity to hang out with Josh's buddy, a 100 lb Rottweiler named Bella. A gentle giant for sure, playing with the dog was definitely one of the many highlights during my time in Dillon.
Friday was a much better day, however, and we ventured up to the Hanging Lakes about an hour and a half west of Dillon. The hike was about an hour long, during which time we ascended more than 1,000 feet to a beautiful scene atop the hills. Pictures below.
 |
| Hanging with little brother, Josh. No resemblance, whatsoever... |
One more quick thought on the Aurora shootings, particularly as it regards the discussion we need to have in this country about gun control. This was clearly the act of a deranged and disturbed individual; James Holmes, if guilty, deserves the very worst punishment that can be handed down in this case. His senseless actions not only killed a dozen people; he forever altered the lives of the surviving victims, their victims, and the residents of Aurora, CO.
I am a strong defender of gun rights under the Constitution--to a point. Owning handguns, rifles, and shotguns for hunting, sport, and self defense is completely justifiable and this right should be protected. However, we need to ban assault rifles and institute much tighter regulation around the sale of all guns. Just because the Constitution says you can own a gun doesn't mean that you should be able to buy any gun anywhere, anytime. Logic and reason have to play a role in the distribution of these products which can pose serious threats to our freedom and safety. As for assault weapons, I see no purpose for them that outweighs the very real costs to public safety that they pose.
Above all, we need a much more objective and civil discussion about this issue in the political arena. This whole gun issue has gone beyond ridiculous. Members of Congress, many of whom are in the pocket of the NRA, just cannot seem to find common sense on this issue.
Okay, officially stepping down from the soapbox...
After a couple of days in Dillon, CO, Josh and I headed into Denver to meet up with two buddies from DC and other new friends who were in town for a variety of reasons. We spent much of Saturday in Washington Park, then Saturday night in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) District of Denver. It was great to see these guys, and we had an awesome time.
I also wanted to take a quick moment to thank the Osborne family for opening their home to me on Sunday evening. After a "fun-filled" Saturday, I was not interested in making the long drive to Mt. Rushmore, and ended up spending time with my DC friend Mike (who is originally from outside of Denver) and his family. I had an awesome time hanging out with them.
One quick reflection on Denver. I obviously didn't spend a ton of time there, but what I saw I liked. The city is very clean with lots of outdoor areas. Washington Park, in particular, was an awesome attraction within the city, and was crowded all weekend with impromptu volleyball games, runners, bikers, dogs and loads of other folks participating in a variety of summertime activities. It definitely seemed like the kind of place that doesn't take itself too seriously and puts significant value on experiencing the great outdoors. I do think I'll be figuring out a way to go back soon.
From Denver, I ventured northeast towards Mt. Rushmore. A few quick thoughts here, then I'll share some broader thoughts on the next seven days, which are to be my last on the road (for this summer, anyway).
--Mt. Rushmore might be one of the more patriotic places I've been; and I say that having just spent the last three years in the nation's capital. The ceremony held at night, during which they show a video, sing "America the Beautiful" and the "National Anthem," honor veterans in the crowd, and turn on the spotlight featuring the monument itself was truly moving and appropriately got one thinking about the fundamental tenets of our democratic republic.
--The engineering feat of putting those four great faces up on the mountain was (is?) very impressive. It took 14 years and nearly $1 million (in the 1930s, no less) to complete the project, and required the service of countless engineers, blast-men, and drillers.
--The mountain was appropriately chosen, as it stands out from many others in the area.
--There is another monument nearby, that of Crazy Horse, which remains very much in progress (photo below). This privately funded monument was begun in 1948 and, when completed, will serve as a monument and educational center for all Native American tribes. The site itself today is very cool, with lots of educational information and Native American crafts and artwork. The monument is massive--according to the informational video, you could fit 8 Mt. Rushmores in Crazy Horse's face alone. I'm not sure we'll see the completion in my lifetime, but it was very cool to see the work in progress.
 |
| This photo was taken from a mile away...that's how big this monument is. |
I have exactly one week left on the road. When I started this trek, I had several goals in mind--everything from seeing new parts of the U.S. and learning about new cities to identifying places I'd be interested in either living or returning to at future points in my life. I also wanted to take a long time to reflect upon the last few years of my life and prepare myself for the years to come. The trip has afforded me the opportunity to do all of these things and more, and there are very few things, if any, that I would change. There are several more long drives ahead, particularly as I work my way through the Great Lakes region to the northeast, and rest assured the period of reflection and contemplation will continue.
From where I sit right now, I plan to drive eastward through the Badlads to Minnesota, then through the Great Lakes region (still not sure if I'll take the northern or southern route around Lake Michigan), briefly into Canada, then Niagara Falls and upstate New York on my way to my final stop, Boston, MA.
More to come in subsequent days...
DRB
Friday, July 20, 2012
Greetings from Silverthorne, CO, where I'm spending a few days with my little brother. He lives and works out here for one of the ski resorts. It's beautiful country out here, and it's nice to spend some time with a guy I don't see enough.
Before I begin, I first want to say that my heart goes out to all of those affected by what can only be described as a massacre in Aurora, Colorado. Sheer senselessness. As more details emerge, I'm even more disgusted by what this terrible person did to so many innocent men, women and children. Reports out here--as I'm sure they are everywhere--are pretty startling, and folks in the area are understandably shaken. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and I hope that the gunman is brought to swift justice.
Moving on...
It's been a while since I last posted, but I spent most of the last week out of reliable service range in eastern Washington, Montana and Wyoming. In that time I was in Seattle for a bit, then made the turn eastward towards Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. From there, it was a long trek across Wyoming to get down to Colorado on Wednesday, made worse by a stomach bug that knocked me for a loop. All in all, I'm regaining my strength, and the week was pretty awesome.
I'll share some quick thoughts on Washington (Mt. Rainier and Seattle), then elaborate a bit more on the Parks (with lots of pictures, don't worry). This post will be mostly pictures, as I'm still chewing on a few thoughts from the long drives. Perhaps more to come later.
Mt. Rainier / Seattle, WA
I departed Portland on Thursday morning heading north towards Seattle. Before I headed for the Space Needle and Starbucks, though, I wanted to check out Mt. Rainier. The scenery was gorgeous driving up the mountain, which is one of the highest points in the continental U.S. I got out and hiked around a bit, taking in the sights. Here's some of what I saw:
From there, I drove further north to Seattle, arriving late that evening (despite the general proximity, it is not a short drive from Mt. Rainier to the city).
All in all, I thought Seattle was a pretty cool city, with definitely some interesting spots to check out. I particularly liked the Market area (where they famously throw fish) and spent a bunch of time wandering through there checking out little vendors and taking in the scenery.
I did find my way to the Space Needle, which was fairly impressive, and made my way to the top. However, once up there I was a bit underwhelmed by the skyline to be honest...it's somewhat ironic--the one defining feature of the Seattle skyline--the Seattle skyline--isn't actually visible when you're standing in it...
On Friday night I took in a Mariners baseball game at Safeco Park, which was pretty awesome. It's a relatively new park, and fairly modern. The team isn't great, and the stands were far from full (there's no way there were 23,000+ there, despite what the announcers said), but the experience overall was pretty cool. I'd been wanting for a while to take in a baseball game on the road, and thus far the various "home" teams were always either off or away.
Yellowstone National Park:
From Seattle, I made the turn eastward towards Montana. After camping just off the highway in the middle of nowhere Montana Saturday night, I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the Park, taking in the wide variety of sights from Old Faithful to Mt. Washburn.
The vastness and diversity of the Park was truly remarkable. A few brief thoughts below.
First, there is absolutely no way to see even 5% of the park in 3 days. I'm convinced that you'd need a month to check out a good sampling of the hundreds of trails the Park has to offer. And that, as a Camp Ranger told me, would only show you the "front country." The word huge really doesn't do the Park justice.
Second, I saw a bunch of different wildlife, though not many close enough to get a great photo. Marmots, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, otters, beavers, and other smaller animals galore. The larger animals--moose, elk, bison, bear, etc.--generally tended to make themselves a bit less visible. Well, with the exception of elk and bison...let's just say I was close enough to make a few new friends while in the park.
Third, the campground facilities at the Park were awesome. For $14 per night, I had a great spot in a comfortable campground with everything I needed and nothing I didn't. The staff was super pleasant and made the experience just great all around.
Fourth, the diverse nature of what you see in the Park was really cool. There were mountainous areas with lots of interesting "above tree line" sights; there were wide open meadows with beautiful wildflowers and swift-moving streams; there were rocky areas chock full of bighorn rams; there were woodland areas with all sorts of trees; and there were areas with geysers and other primordial soups which appeared no different than when the earth was forming. The Park was full with enough variety within those categories to keep you busy for days on end. And it was all super fascinating...took me back to science class for sure.
Here are some of my favorites...many more to be posted on Picasa and Facebook soon.
Grand Teton National Park:
I must start by saying that I only did a quick tour of Grand Teton on Tuesday after leaving my campsite in Yellowstone. A couple-hour drive through this Park, which is due south of Yellowstone and ends in Jackson Hole, WY, yielded some beautiful views, which I'm sure were only made better on the many hiking trails throughout. I'll leave you with some photos of the beautiful, snow-capped peaks over Lake Jackson.
That's all for now...more to follow in the coming days. From here, it's on to Denver tomorrow to meet up with some buddies, then Mt. Rushmore on Sunday/Monday, then on to the Great Lakes for the last leg of the trip!
DRB
Before I begin, I first want to say that my heart goes out to all of those affected by what can only be described as a massacre in Aurora, Colorado. Sheer senselessness. As more details emerge, I'm even more disgusted by what this terrible person did to so many innocent men, women and children. Reports out here--as I'm sure they are everywhere--are pretty startling, and folks in the area are understandably shaken. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and I hope that the gunman is brought to swift justice.
Moving on...
It's been a while since I last posted, but I spent most of the last week out of reliable service range in eastern Washington, Montana and Wyoming. In that time I was in Seattle for a bit, then made the turn eastward towards Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. From there, it was a long trek across Wyoming to get down to Colorado on Wednesday, made worse by a stomach bug that knocked me for a loop. All in all, I'm regaining my strength, and the week was pretty awesome.
I'll share some quick thoughts on Washington (Mt. Rainier and Seattle), then elaborate a bit more on the Parks (with lots of pictures, don't worry). This post will be mostly pictures, as I'm still chewing on a few thoughts from the long drives. Perhaps more to come later.
Mt. Rainier / Seattle, WA
I departed Portland on Thursday morning heading north towards Seattle. Before I headed for the Space Needle and Starbucks, though, I wanted to check out Mt. Rainier. The scenery was gorgeous driving up the mountain, which is one of the highest points in the continental U.S. I got out and hiked around a bit, taking in the sights. Here's some of what I saw:
 |
| Well, when you put it that way, I guess the choice is easy... |
From there, I drove further north to Seattle, arriving late that evening (despite the general proximity, it is not a short drive from Mt. Rainier to the city).
All in all, I thought Seattle was a pretty cool city, with definitely some interesting spots to check out. I particularly liked the Market area (where they famously throw fish) and spent a bunch of time wandering through there checking out little vendors and taking in the scenery.
I did find my way to the Space Needle, which was fairly impressive, and made my way to the top. However, once up there I was a bit underwhelmed by the skyline to be honest...it's somewhat ironic--the one defining feature of the Seattle skyline--the Seattle skyline--isn't actually visible when you're standing in it...
On Friday night I took in a Mariners baseball game at Safeco Park, which was pretty awesome. It's a relatively new park, and fairly modern. The team isn't great, and the stands were far from full (there's no way there were 23,000+ there, despite what the announcers said), but the experience overall was pretty cool. I'd been wanting for a while to take in a baseball game on the road, and thus far the various "home" teams were always either off or away.
 |
| Just one of many beautiful--and fascinating--pieces of art at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum in Seattle Center. |
 |
| Cool view of Safeco Field, where I saw a Mariners-Rangers game. |
Yellowstone National Park:
From Seattle, I made the turn eastward towards Montana. After camping just off the highway in the middle of nowhere Montana Saturday night, I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the Park, taking in the wide variety of sights from Old Faithful to Mt. Washburn.
The vastness and diversity of the Park was truly remarkable. A few brief thoughts below.
First, there is absolutely no way to see even 5% of the park in 3 days. I'm convinced that you'd need a month to check out a good sampling of the hundreds of trails the Park has to offer. And that, as a Camp Ranger told me, would only show you the "front country." The word huge really doesn't do the Park justice.
Second, I saw a bunch of different wildlife, though not many close enough to get a great photo. Marmots, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, otters, beavers, and other smaller animals galore. The larger animals--moose, elk, bison, bear, etc.--generally tended to make themselves a bit less visible. Well, with the exception of elk and bison...let's just say I was close enough to make a few new friends while in the park.
 |
| I think his name was Gus... |
Third, the campground facilities at the Park were awesome. For $14 per night, I had a great spot in a comfortable campground with everything I needed and nothing I didn't. The staff was super pleasant and made the experience just great all around.
 |
| Pretty awesome spot...even better under the stars... |
Fourth, the diverse nature of what you see in the Park was really cool. There were mountainous areas with lots of interesting "above tree line" sights; there were wide open meadows with beautiful wildflowers and swift-moving streams; there were rocky areas chock full of bighorn rams; there were woodland areas with all sorts of trees; and there were areas with geysers and other primordial soups which appeared no different than when the earth was forming. The Park was full with enough variety within those categories to keep you busy for days on end. And it was all super fascinating...took me back to science class for sure.
Here are some of my favorites...many more to be posted on Picasa and Facebook soon.
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| Might be one of my top 5 favorite shots of the entire trip... |
Grand Teton National Park:
I must start by saying that I only did a quick tour of Grand Teton on Tuesday after leaving my campsite in Yellowstone. A couple-hour drive through this Park, which is due south of Yellowstone and ends in Jackson Hole, WY, yielded some beautiful views, which I'm sure were only made better on the many hiking trails throughout. I'll leave you with some photos of the beautiful, snow-capped peaks over Lake Jackson.
That's all for now...more to follow in the coming days. From here, it's on to Denver tomorrow to meet up with some buddies, then Mt. Rushmore on Sunday/Monday, then on to the Great Lakes for the last leg of the trip!
DRB
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