tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79906950274796483052024-03-06T00:23:19.751-08:00Road Trip 2011We finishedTommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875827080275102169noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-7342080081363276682015-07-12T15:50:00.002-07:002015-07-12T15:59:02.074-07:00We are everywhere man....Hello faithful blog readers,<br />
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We haven't updated the blog in like 4 years but I wanted to give an update in case you were curious. All of our road trippers are scattered like the wind across the world.<br />
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Paul and Kate are... still... traveling. They are in Argentina and loving it. Before that they lived in DC and Portland. So great to see them still exploring the world. Here is their new blog: <a href="https://dosvagabundos.wordpress.com/">https://dosvagabundos.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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Tommy is doing his thing. Him and Wilson who we linked up with on the trip started their own alcoholic beverage company. Their signature brew Snakebite (half beer half cider for the n00bs) is a huge success in SF and they are spreading across the nation. I have to say, its delicious and refreshing as hell. Learn more here: <a href="http://www.twpitchers.com/">http://www.twpitchers.com/</a><br />
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Swells aka Sarah aka the one who left us but we still love her has been in the Middle East loving life last I heard. She was also in San Fransisco. She was in Jordan? I don't even know. I saw her a few years back when she was a baker in Portland and living in a closet. Basically I think she's doing fine. Paul said she is doing a farming apprenticeship in Southern Oregon. That sounds cool. I'm gonna call her actually after I write this. If you want to friend her on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarah.wells.338863">this is the link to her profile.</a><br />
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You also might remember Annie Graeter? She joined us for an epic stint. Annie is also doing well. Just so all of our readers know, after the trip Annie sent us all personalized backpacking spice packs. Because she is nicest person ever and everyone should try to be friends with her. She is now still working in the wilderness. She did NOLS for a while and now works for a national park as a ranger I think. So cool!<br />
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And then there's me, Ben. Its been a hell of a ride since the road trip for me. Continued to live in a tent for a stretch near the White House for a few months. Then started organizing fast food workers all over the country for the Fight for $15. If you don't know, ask somebody. <a href="http://fightfor15.org/">fightfor15.org</a> You can usually find me in New Orleans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzqyUD-h-r4ZZVy0JK3qeNwJYtsfYw6DW6gJqLsNwsmQA7Nalu-INNOzpg7v3ZNvamfUsHmhQDSI6ilgQNgWIa6QbI75HWR6jPEbSIIg441jFc_azQJsrFNLfskc6MSKWBmOxcncifyI/s1600/main+jam+sesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzqyUD-h-r4ZZVy0JK3qeNwJYtsfYw6DW6gJqLsNwsmQA7Nalu-INNOzpg7v3ZNvamfUsHmhQDSI6ilgQNgWIa6QbI75HWR6jPEbSIIg441jFc_azQJsrFNLfskc6MSKWBmOxcncifyI/s320/main+jam+sesh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful Road Trip photo by Swells from a Jam Sesh in Maine.<br />
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<br />BZurkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296087547422818165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-3279253746000772762013-03-15T15:25:00.000-07:002013-03-15T15:25:53.614-07:00HomeIn true roadtripping2011.blogspot.com fashion, we've made you wait quite a while for this last post. <br /><br />We left New Orleans, nearly out of money, and headed due north, camping in Mississippi before finding our way into magnificent Memphis, TN. We crashed a night with a old friend of Tommy's, Matt Frank. Great food, some playoff baseball, and a tour of Beal Street kept us busy and thoroughly entertained. From Memphis, we drove clear across Tennessee to Nashville to meet up with another CC alum and ultimate frisbee extraordinaire, Nicky Spiva. Nicky gave us an awesome tour of the Vanderbilt campus, and we got some delicious local brews before heading out to the famous Station Inn for some live bluegrass music. A packed crowd and multiple banjos made for a regular barn-burner.<br /><br />But alas, we had to keep moving, as our funds dwindled even further. We made our way southeast and in the same day hit the Jack Daniels Distillery and the Unclaimed Baggage Center. That's right, whiskey and thrift shopping. We arrived in the Great Smokey Mountains just before sunset and set up camp in a gorgeous mix of orange, red, and yellow leaves. <br /><br />The next day, we set off on our final backpacking trip into the Smokies. We hiked miles on the Appalachian trail before arriving at an awesomely maintained back-country shelter. Believe it or not, after all our experience as back-country chefs, our last supper was the worst meal of the entire trip. Back in the crowded parking lot, we had at least two dozen people inquire about our sticker-covered top carrier, or ask us if we had done the entire trail.<br /><br />We drove through Asheville, NC (stopped to people watch and grab a cup of coffee) on our way to Chapel Hill, NC. We stayed with Mr. David Daddio, and met up with Ms. Kat Mclaughlin. Interestingly, we had seen both of these people previously on the trip, in Boston and Maine, respectively. Daddio is finishing up grad school at UNC while Kat is trying to regain her health after a string of unlucky injuries. <br /><br />We left Chapel Hill, with Daddio (also from the area), and headed home. We arrived in our beloved nation's capital just in time to sit in rush hour traffic. How sweet it is to be home. <br /><br />We would like to thank everyone who followed up with our blog. But also we want to thank all of you who we got to hang out with, dine with, visit with, and stay with. You guys are the ones that made our trip amazing and unforgettable. And, in the thanksgiving spirit, I'm thankful that we made it around the country and back without being pulled over once, and without any major car problems! So if you're in the D.C. area, hit us up....'cause we're unemployed.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-25536106441683328312011-10-16T21:25:00.000-07:002011-10-16T21:26:10.552-07:00Down South - Long drives and good eats<div style="text-align: left;">Pulling into Denver in early October, we had generally left the mountains and wilderness behind and moved on to the major cities of the southwest, Texas, and now the swampy bayou of the gulf coast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We spent our final day in Denver sampling some of Colorado's finest brews and then feasted on <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/10/unflinchingly-good-things/">chili-lime acorn squash</a>, baked brie, and white chocolate dipped strawberries made by our hostess with the mostess, Denali Johnson. YUMMMM. Ben missed out on this delicious meal, but apparently had a grand ol' time with his camp buddy, Ryan Schillinberg, in Fort Collins. We met up later with CC homie Laura Turner and a William's alum, Trey "treybombs" Pendeary.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Four to five hours of sleep later... we headed west *for possibly the last time* for our last hurrah in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Several hours and three thousand feet later we had summited our first 14ers of the trip (and Tommy's 1st ever!) Grays and Torreys Peaks. For those tuning in from outside of Colorado... fourteener is the term used for a mountain exceeding 14,000 feet above sea level. Major thanks to the enthusiastic man who gave us a lift up the road to the trailhead and snapped these photos of us. Somehow in our 6am delirium we forgot to bring the camera, but thankfully he posted them on 14ers.com!</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3616txXGfOG14EFW3wEsfnMy4pjscyuadkJ2ZJ46D0XOdkA3FaY-yR3AuwPyHee3KvrlVE9JpBDdIShIwwfj9FCNd0hg36mzwN4XnrZveYmV_4kKdiZuuhi1on2imtoEniUldsT0RxuJ4/s1600/14er2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3616txXGfOG14EFW3wEsfnMy4pjscyuadkJ2ZJ46D0XOdkA3FaY-yR3AuwPyHee3KvrlVE9JpBDdIShIwwfj9FCNd0hg36mzwN4XnrZveYmV_4kKdiZuuhi1on2imtoEniUldsT0RxuJ4/s400/14er2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663864340632367026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grays Peak - 14,278 ft.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On our way south to Colorado Springs, we stopped at the CC ski bum favorite, Dorothys, for buffalo tamales with red chili in true southwest fashion. Arriving at the CC campus, Paul's fabulous former boss and best friend, Lynnette, treated us to yummy sandwiches - Thanks! Fully wiped from our busy day, we ventured to the dollar theater for a good laugh at Horrible Bosses and then met some friends at Front Range Barbecue for bluegrass and local brews.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next few days at Colorado College were spent making scrumptious tortilla soup at Lily McCoy's humble abode, thrifting at the ARC, visiting with old friends, and frequenting our favorite spots in Colorado Springs. Luckily Ben made it down to the Springs in time to join Kate and Annie for the Manitou Springs <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/sports/olympics/02incline.html">Incline</a> - the strenuous 3/4 of a mile hike that extends 2000 ft. up the base of Pike's Peak.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdpxQQYphyaT3YWysYpaL5LV8n48wqUhahB5w4A3dyieeXGFuc3QxYoH6ntpjwUGtUIy-PaAC0tmCnFfUxXFvnjAgcEFYZqCPliyS_E-SUn-1xqbxSSjArC3cxvNvSsg88n_GJBHHjsU/s1600/incline.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdpxQQYphyaT3YWysYpaL5LV8n48wqUhahB5w4A3dyieeXGFuc3QxYoH6ntpjwUGtUIy-PaAC0tmCnFfUxXFvnjAgcEFYZqCPliyS_E-SUn-1xqbxSSjArC3cxvNvSsg88n_GJBHHjsU/s320/incline.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664235246209914114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be weary of the false summit...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But alas, the college fun had to end as the road trip continued south down I-25. As it was Yom Kippur, Ben found a temple in New Mexico to observe Yom Kippur and the rest of the gang flocked to the Jemez Hot Springs outside Santa Fe for a good soak. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-hLDDFsce1A5e-FZK13RNtw_W_G-mT-wB8p-QUAtjORt2yZz99NYWDWuKrs6LglH7qWvPCHsOXVp5w-jL2_s00qqujqvdM_lMeH8mA_TF6AjcX3BJ_BhNGy3MngvcndNMRonHqp0be0/s1600/DSCN3449.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-hLDDFsce1A5e-FZK13RNtw_W_G-mT-wB8p-QUAtjORt2yZz99NYWDWuKrs6LglH7qWvPCHsOXVp5w-jL2_s00qqujqvdM_lMeH8mA_TF6AjcX3BJ_BhNGy3MngvcndNMRonHqp0be0/s320/DSCN3449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664237270072902306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Cold Beers, Hot Springs</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">That night we met up with Silver Spring's finest - Tina Termini - who's getting her PhD in Albuquerque. Exhausted, we all kicked it at home and reminisced of the "good 'ol days." Trying to pack everything in, we woke up at five to find a sweet perch on top of the town to get a view of the Balloon Festival at dawn. As you can imagine, it was magical.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpOdUSdMSdNBA5AHHV2cGTkRthx889tL9dmdN_0VJqAeKTJulqbuzjmy6Nnpifx_ntvmh7ttc8Sxbi5Dj6_2dslip0KkrXpFchEuyCZJXPxi2BSe-TfQ3UwCo3kT8epkWTgZDjF1_zCE/s1600/DSCN3477.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpOdUSdMSdNBA5AHHV2cGTkRthx889tL9dmdN_0VJqAeKTJulqbuzjmy6Nnpifx_ntvmh7ttc8Sxbi5Dj6_2dslip0KkrXpFchEuyCZJXPxi2BSe-TfQ3UwCo3kT8epkWTgZDjF1_zCE/s320/DSCN3477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664238844782511906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the 1400 balloons...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uX19nBALf5dGi05XDig47qZQESOu9UP1tcKz7wt_ze5d_bzGrj-ET7v8EC8zyTmhT5WHTEsofT-NcqrmTGfBw9zlhXAo7LnQx3rKu1RnURIk9m2dSbyP27-FWdNo3ZPGxVblLbjRg3U/s320/DSCN3459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664238849608990962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Intimidated by our 11 hour drive to Dallas, the gang hit the road. We stopped at eccentric America's Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo, Tx and finally made use of the spray-paint can we had been lugging around the country. For the night we crashed at Copper Breaks State Park and cooked steak pad thai for dinner! The next day we finished our drive to Dallas and arrived to a delicious Tex-Mex dinner with Paul's cousin, Amy Goins, her husband Nate, and awesome kids Baylor, Rinner, and Parke. We were all pumped for what tomorrow had to bring - The Texas State Fair. We can't even begin to convey how many amazing things come together at the Cotton Bowl.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEGLioByM5SKggDZLacKEmQm0VwyuGrD_6pq7SJAjkFhFbqEv-IZ36o-u1Lo__A5Rvn_NSOkhZ3TWGZANJpdOKqfdG3qCqLnznbFORP_gNaie6vZnBCHz-Oj2LuIZ6FNsSkWBquVk-dI/s1600/DSCN3617.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEGLioByM5SKggDZLacKEmQm0VwyuGrD_6pq7SJAjkFhFbqEv-IZ36o-u1Lo__A5Rvn_NSOkhZ3TWGZANJpdOKqfdG3qCqLnznbFORP_gNaie6vZnBCHz-Oj2LuIZ6FNsSkWBquVk-dI/s320/DSCN3617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664229158224468994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div>Fried Snickers</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Deep-fried EVERYTHING (snickers, pumpkin pie, frito pies, bread pudding, etc...), friends, family, rides (yes Rinner, rides!), smiles, laughs, and cheap beers made this day a highlight of our trip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gHzedkOvGlL5Ff0UhM4_0cV5Il9ptgQlGMOSDC4DB54zLXjYgJK-oR0sEuwEcqEWILgvRvoDAQMV74UZrR_jrWaA7s1lqK0s3eKOVu3uFvkisPZWOmk59r7tRm13sYsHbD_EWuuiEA4/s1600/DSCN3623.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gHzedkOvGlL5Ff0UhM4_0cV5Il9ptgQlGMOSDC4DB54zLXjYgJK-oR0sEuwEcqEWILgvRvoDAQMV74UZrR_jrWaA7s1lqK0s3eKOVu3uFvkisPZWOmk59r7tRm13sYsHbD_EWuuiEA4/s320/DSCN3623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664229472560215922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>Brotastic!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64-TF80k4a-WWx7TosrR7f43m-HkIQ5qoLT71IOAB75fea92i3IjjsRGHott6U4bJvn2bvvKLYyUIB0Yeos9GJM6AV-z9xKMMNnJBurISAAOFMLP5uy3kbupxhBcagLTTcwazovYmHrU/s1600/DSCN3544.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64-TF80k4a-WWx7TosrR7f43m-HkIQ5qoLT71IOAB75fea92i3IjjsRGHott6U4bJvn2bvvKLYyUIB0Yeos9GJM6AV-z9xKMMNnJBurISAAOFMLP5uy3kbupxhBcagLTTcwazovYmHrU/s320/DSCN3544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664229950315662098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>Thanks for showing us around Amy!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We hit the road after the fair to see more of the Goins family in Austin, Tx. Paul's aunt Sandy and uncle Jon welcomed us in and even grilled us burgers at 10:30 (way past our bed-time). The next morning, we woke up ready to tour Austin. With stomachs full of Austin's customary breakfast tacos, we hit the town with lots of recommendations. We caught Mr. Cam Savage on his lunch break from work, who sent us down to Barton Springs. Its three bucks and an awesome place to spend an afternoon. They've dammed up a natural spring into a huge swimming pool equipped with a diving board and hidden underwater caves! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After soaking up some sun, we hit the Whole Foods headquarters for about 3.5 laps of free samples. We walked the hip strip of South Congress Street before heading over to Lake Austin to spend the night with Cam, on his 23rd birthday (don't worry, he's still accepting belated gifts). Ben, Paul, and Tommy all got wakeboarding lessons before Cam got up and literally did laps, circles, flips, and spins around us. We finally (after being in Texas a few days now) got some kick-ass BARBECUE at the County Line restaurant. Being Cam's birthday and all, we had a couple drinks, fraternized and all participated in some mischief before a late night crash landing into the pillow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We all woke feeling just dandy (especially Tommy)! While we saw Texas in all its glory at the fair, this day was a pretty close second. We were headed to the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Tx (Yes, thats where they make the Box of Bocks). Paul and Ben did the tasting for the group, as a few of us (Tommy) weren't up for anymore Shiner. After Paul and Ben's share of malted water with hops, we hit the road for Blue Bell Creameries (because we all scream for ice cream).</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vBXzqdUYPSq2dPNFUmihaVPGhNvu8YLm8jmlWBYtdfVyz2Xl3OZld9jnKJpaqBYQWrkVQmoZag8-NFSXHaJbCWi85UApV9Ippd4ZxEtBtilXUexXc_Z0Kf7BKe17cQ_XLd48L72yBy4/s1600/DSCN3769.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vBXzqdUYPSq2dPNFUmihaVPGhNvu8YLm8jmlWBYtdfVyz2Xl3OZld9jnKJpaqBYQWrkVQmoZag8-NFSXHaJbCWi85UApV9Ippd4ZxEtBtilXUexXc_Z0Kf7BKe17cQ_XLd48L72yBy4/s320/DSCN3769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664228413101792194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Graeters > Blue Bell?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><div>Heiress Graeter came out swingin' with some stumper questions, but for the most part, we crushed their delicious ice cream and enjoyed the scene. Upon entering Houston, Tommy demanded we pay a visit to his part-time lover, Boris the school bus. (If you haven't heard him talk about Boris, you're probably the only one. Feel free to ask Mr. Hester yourself.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvv9P9AegVuOZhGS-mB2-0p3P0vMjpT3UAPGNGsColrwD0AKoruzr_IgeZM-cGlg43E3D2WS_f72S_F3fz7wX5130HhARPb54Dd-LOZeTmMOZTNQyKy2Ep_i2KY_EsyFLdwIz6FEFx7c/s320/DSCN3784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664240280444687282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Boris - in all her camouflage glory</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After consuming only beer and ice cream all day, we gladly arrived for dinner at the third Goins stop in Houston. Paul's cousin Eric, his wife Becca, and kids Cooper and Zoe dined us out by their pool and Cooper gave us a high-octane tour of their beautiful house. That night we went out to a bar, AvantGarden, to meet up with Patrick Moreno-Covington, a 2011 CC Grad, and Ben's friend from Tulane and Houston native, Zoe.</div><div><br /></div><div>We woke up the next morning to Sesame street and got a great idea for <a href="http://www.itsjust4me.com/prodimages/Elmo.gif">Tommy's Halloween costume</a>. But, with some more driving ahead of us, we hit the road to New Orleans. Upon arrival, Annie met up with her boo, heart-throb Rob Glassman for dinner. The three of us headed to Tulane underage favorite, The Boot for 3 for 1 Happy hour drinks. We were met by CC alums Lauren Sinnott and Jimmy Singer before making it to Paul's favorite spot in New Orleans, Frenchman St for those who love live music. Big New Orleans shout out to Hank "Henry the" Mann for driving us around town and hooking us up at his pizza joint with a house pie and a couple comp. beers. New Orleans has been good to us. The Spotted Cat, BMC, the Palms, the Boot, Saturn Bar, FandM's, La Nuit, Snake and Jakes, Kingpin. We've hit some bars. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're ever in Nola, take a break from drinking, grab a po-boy, and head to Audubon ("the fly", specifically) for a scenic view of the Mississippi. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3c-fdelLD122ex-TCIEW9fPG-sERHNdYQMaVgImy0JOAiVyus3zm2YRJ996b8gNxNNHi9LiYt2WJgNU3LR-ClkSuSz81JrdMw7pFBuB-6RDsaoA20DTVOm0COPPPNgiV97DluIBUcqg/s320/DSCN3785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664242782968682898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Also, don't miss the tree of many names - tree of life, dylan tree, giving tree, etc - right around the corner. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd42NEPONF5xy8-gg3RfdRggXwHZ0l3uhnhkBjwL-mT1BLrCCYNbukx0_nVYeClWDHSCEDIn1hYiRo_6YKRAfrQ7HjbssGF-VXn1_DeiaDaJV0mBjMulo4vhruFlyy5ANGhmp36hyphenhyphenU9Hk/s320/DSCN3795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664242783464445490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Oh yeah, we couldn't rob you guys of this one......</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNiU-XXpg562RwfmfQcutaVMqblxzxP5DBIgd9rvnrD_A54pR0sY_g-YtmZtAJdSx3fuJ4-YigLwiPxNc2IGPzxVcjKguBdQOXEjrk8mGe55jWF1UUraDJQbmdsYzX4LbYNFzSOATqsA/s1600/photo5b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNiU-XXpg562RwfmfQcutaVMqblxzxP5DBIgd9rvnrD_A54pR0sY_g-YtmZtAJdSx3fuJ4-YigLwiPxNc2IGPzxVcjKguBdQOXEjrk8mGe55jWF1UUraDJQbmdsYzX4LbYNFzSOATqsA/s320/photo5b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664257952141407234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-77810407120029876632011-10-16T17:06:00.002-07:002011-10-16T18:04:33.338-07:00Ben Sleeps<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan2IjcqkCA9eS7iyCNp8H5OIAAHNfO0CiC3xqb9-7n72HuHLnqt6xIVNrPKX156yPvNFyZWnZu9l-9BjXYQ9GjOh_MkGhJz3cT2a8XK_kQp8YNTZSeji59OKmGENhtsOBm0VlHtdevf0/s1600/sleep.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan2IjcqkCA9eS7iyCNp8H5OIAAHNfO0CiC3xqb9-7n72HuHLnqt6xIVNrPKX156yPvNFyZWnZu9l-9BjXYQ9GjOh_MkGhJz3cT2a8XK_kQp8YNTZSeji59OKmGENhtsOBm0VlHtdevf0/s320/sleep.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664247288601746594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 155px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljwUWGhiXUNEyUo9VM6MVtvWiPcQitXuLk51YwuK8Co89ojjoTjqS-7_7n_AODDs_br1KVAWM4mEjVKQWwvkBIru9_SW9mwfnV4yqxbC1QFvKO09JIgTbUAt9wkq-QAsopye-1D9EQBM/s1600/DSCN2283.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljwUWGhiXUNEyUo9VM6MVtvWiPcQitXuLk51YwuK8Co89ojjoTjqS-7_7n_AODDs_br1KVAWM4mEjVKQWwvkBIru9_SW9mwfnV4yqxbC1QFvKO09JIgTbUAt9wkq-QAsopye-1D9EQBM/s320/DSCN2283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664249517117109538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ONGeALJBhxSfiLU4eQKF2-4rjOrps5dvbkaLB724YnXBPNB4VpnQFm0PcgdnTTZA97lhAvTDxMsCtpdy-OI7e2rmt2qDMnLoKl0jrnlYotnbdxPSfVuhjpmaDquwp-aV7XT1c2tvm0/s1600/DSCN3380.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ONGeALJBhxSfiLU4eQKF2-4rjOrps5dvbkaLB724YnXBPNB4VpnQFm0PcgdnTTZA97lhAvTDxMsCtpdy-OI7e2rmt2qDMnLoKl0jrnlYotnbdxPSfVuhjpmaDquwp-aV7XT1c2tvm0/s320/DSCN3380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664252386665976994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vwxfId90V289yhcNJSWsbEW0bqBo7z3seBPeOAqD3jBTco-03iKc42FcAQl0n4humlA9SzOQAHalBds05IKjC87cyLdyhmTR3joHmet9Uq_8HyMDexLxrn1IIJn_RxkA2s3-ZC6dlaY/s1600/DSCN3195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vwxfId90V289yhcNJSWsbEW0bqBo7z3seBPeOAqD3jBTco-03iKc42FcAQl0n4humlA9SzOQAHalBds05IKjC87cyLdyhmTR3joHmet9Uq_8HyMDexLxrn1IIJn_RxkA2s3-ZC6dlaY/s320/DSCN3195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664252051304385250" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aYdwqRHADQtgFIqZ-1E7GoJrtRudMrM0215sOCubd_ftHT_QoSfNUOdx8eoStuPAIfvaZ2VjKqNQw_d-LT6F6snFV5C4i70TS3YYlS1gMzo8s_i0n65Dsks3FVNDk1ggMP45O_lsHko/s1600/DSCN2051.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aYdwqRHADQtgFIqZ-1E7GoJrtRudMrM0215sOCubd_ftHT_QoSfNUOdx8eoStuPAIfvaZ2VjKqNQw_d-LT6F6snFV5C4i70TS3YYlS1gMzo8s_i0n65Dsks3FVNDk1ggMP45O_lsHko/s320/DSCN2051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664248955606843090" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpDl8xGXmP8i0NEeaz7PCOAao_Tvtc2EH7FnBWePIOJccM6PbSe3KIOpTK0hstt7dZX1LX6Yrs9ZjHjMpgtn8roaGy5weqzSZmolQgbHYSpzI3CghJMT4-TQRaf9Ax8zVHv3KlQ8Cn90/s1600/Photo+on+2011-10-07+at+21.45.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpDl8xGXmP8i0NEeaz7PCOAao_Tvtc2EH7FnBWePIOJccM6PbSe3KIOpTK0hstt7dZX1LX6Yrs9ZjHjMpgtn8roaGy5weqzSZmolQgbHYSpzI3CghJMT4-TQRaf9Ax8zVHv3KlQ8Cn90/s320/Photo+on+2011-10-07+at+21.45.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664252691635844850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESPLVqCskX7rga4O6XKdlR8HhRLp6HxLRAbtHonNhWaKvYTD5_JJsr-DB7i0zdLYfb7lagDWBDJGSe6c9-6TClJvfIr3QO6c2D8gm-I8PrxpbY1x2z2or-lW1TFJnZKVUXlsuaRu1xA0/s1600/sleep1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESPLVqCskX7rga4O6XKdlR8HhRLp6HxLRAbtHonNhWaKvYTD5_JJsr-DB7i0zdLYfb7lagDWBDJGSe6c9-6TClJvfIr3QO6c2D8gm-I8PrxpbY1x2z2or-lW1TFJnZKVUXlsuaRu1xA0/s320/sleep1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664260572957903602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq7fWgApiczSoqjiRF51chYjTyziM6dmFczf9QHvdvhgP3new85tRabALt36xodW0Oi0nreCRG8GFEQCLx8l_C2dW0txHlCv1kW3CFFZ0WTtCO8fkWEEuck6fPxjK6u4U31v1TGf1Fgo/s1600/DSCN3447.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq7fWgApiczSoqjiRF51chYjTyziM6dmFczf9QHvdvhgP3new85tRabALt36xodW0Oi0nreCRG8GFEQCLx8l_C2dW0txHlCv1kW3CFFZ0WTtCO8fkWEEuck6fPxjK6u4U31v1TGf1Fgo/s320/DSCN3447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664246280821331522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Last but not least.......</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CtaFTfUJMdc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></div></div></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-18230006486543175562011-10-04T09:01:00.000-07:002011-10-04T13:41:47.739-07:00Returning to the Mile High<div style="text-align: left;">While we continue to promise “more posts,” we’re realizing that we really can’t live up to that. <span></span>Our internet access is truly few and far between and (as you may have read about) we do awesome shit all day long and don’t want to slow down to sit on the internet.<span> </span>But alas, we’ve arrived at Ben’s Aunt Laurie and Uncle Gar’s wonderful abode in Littleton, <a href="http://cdn-www.trails.com/imagecache/articles/295x195/kids-activities-near-littleton-colorado-295x195.png">Colorado</a> (and you guessed it, they got them interwebs).<span> </span>So I get to catch all you loyal (and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymKLymvwD2U">demanding</a>) readers up on the events of weeks past.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiu4ktlKiRXSOn-zO5wbFP5dZ51CrmwrOR5Af9SAhDPmynI6yDh5BVRb6yvhM-Y66-LXD2W3Ye3Y7hiaMs8tu0yXUHHjFjlmbkvpKCUf-Mw42nPTpD3Qva9C6W5QL30i6SPvrOybqQeM/s1600/DSCN2957.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiu4ktlKiRXSOn-zO5wbFP5dZ51CrmwrOR5Af9SAhDPmynI6yDh5BVRb6yvhM-Y66-LXD2W3Ye3Y7hiaMs8tu0yXUHHjFjlmbkvpKCUf-Mw42nPTpD3Qva9C6W5QL30i6SPvrOybqQeM/s320/DSCN2957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659725243769796578" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First off, we must apologize for foolishly leaving out one of our most dedicated readers - Mr. Arnold Wihtol of Palo Alto, CA. On our drive back to the Bay Area from Big Sur, Kate's grandpa welcomed us into his home with open arms, fresh cherries, cold beverages, Latvian vocab lessons, and a grizzly beard rivaling Ben and Tommy's. We only wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks for everything!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8RRm873zER4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">After leaving San Diego, we arrived in Joshua Tree with Sir Daniel "Sneezebird" of Cohen and set out for a one night out-and-back trip to MARS! Joshua Tree is truly specatcular and if you haven't been, I highly recommend it. We did an awesome loop hike called the Panorama Loop, so as you can imagine, the views were simply divine. The silhouettes of the wacky <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_brevifolia">Joshua Trees</a> (not actually trees mind you, they're closely related to the yucca cactus) at sunrise and sunset were a personal favorite. But the weekend ended (a little too quickly) and Danny had to head back to LA to get his grown man on.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHy1RvV2VUK3Lqewk0DIMEFAnmnDANwLepgfIF5ZfwyHIGgM0Z5sjS6B5r4jRkYg8RL-FE1jixEsYRNQW5JXN0Rp6ol6xLDqvQc7VPuHDCvOD7CwGchGW4O2AtayDFJ0twdC_9jZQ-L8/s320/DSCN3140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659704609253438514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><div>Fortunately, we're all <a href="http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2010/ted_20100903.htm">still unemployed</a> and got to head out to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw">VEGAS</a> on Monday instead of to a desk job (I'm takin shots at you Danny mostly cause your job sounds sweet). But Vegas, now that's a town, man. We paid, I repeat, paid for a room on the strip at the <a href="http://www.planet99.com/pix/7686_1.jpg">Imperial Palace</a>. It was momentous for us, as that was our first, only, and last time paying for lodging on the trip. So we showered and proceded to acquaint ourselves with 1.75L of Black Velvet whiskey. Unfortunately, Kate hit it off with Mr. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Velvet_Canadian_Whisky.jpg">Velvet</a> and he snatched her away from Paul for the evening. Kate decided to stay in for the night, but the Bros were set on the free drinks at the blackjack tables. We all took out too much money from the ATM and hit the tables.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnTUyVTrlaR_svsOy-W5ZEZl1r1foIK5t-IkCTRPMhdMEIM6pPH-NAmhrYwnj7rCsDiu6EBLyGeDlj4uh8aBd7o-kIL3PmCvf-BS7agUG2j8e_Q_a6kP6fSMfDjTvBxkASrtmEf_7QsQ/s320/DSCN3191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659703291803018018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><div>Ben was off to a quick start and got to ride out his fuzzy night with stacks of chips in front of him. That is, until he started picking up his cards (I think because he had trouble reading them, this is a serious faux pas) and <a href="http://mystuffspace.com/graphic/oops-sorry.gif">spilled</a> a drink on the table. If you're wondering, that's a quick way to get red flagged. Ben quietly took his chips and cashed out, up about <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0r60hADJo46NdLJ7WFOdjXdBQkWIlG-TkP3cGVZgl65txmpWb8-nLMO4tiDo_G4tUft1_7fPk9N7Urzt8xJlmJryH18dQl3s_PsrHnvSgOeXj_WHFAf-rBtvDcH5q-d4M5D2m2e5Vbgy/s1600/ohsnap.jpg">100 dollars</a>, and on top of the world. Tommy also had some good luck, by way of hitting Black Jack two or three successive times and came out with about 40 dollars he had never seen before! But, we can't all win. Towards the end of the evening Paul was down nearly $80 until Mr. Velvet and his friend Free Drink convinced Paul to put down $25 dollars on the last hand. With a King-Four (terrible) the dealer gave Paul advice to Stay. And with tears of fear (and momentarily joy), the dealer busted and Paul scraped back up to a manageable loss on the evening.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3csi_iiCaFPc48ivuq3XJrxJQVP7ewbWIVcAP_YiqN7nL3zPACQVY3VXkJ2j8RSN2fcFzbOyqsqi_muMB1hkNgayf6GacrWtzC7gsVni1eYXVTpeKcaTVEH95HgEPMjRg-JkRDNcbsI/s1600/DSCN3211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3csi_iiCaFPc48ivuq3XJrxJQVP7ewbWIVcAP_YiqN7nL3zPACQVY3VXkJ2j8RSN2fcFzbOyqsqi_muMB1hkNgayf6GacrWtzC7gsVni1eYXVTpeKcaTVEH95HgEPMjRg-JkRDNcbsI/s320/DSCN3211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659703952759617938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next day was our <a href="http://gordonandthewhale.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/the-hangover.jpg">slowest</a> of the trip. But, slow is relative for us. We headed back west, ("But I thought you guys were headed east now?") to check out DEATH VALLEY. Now, we headed west because we did really want to see this crazy geological valley and hit the lowest spot in the United States, but we also had a piece of great news that we're about to share with you readers. A fifth person had agreed to fly into Las Vegas the following day to join our road trip and D.E.A.R.T. (drop everything and road trip). As much fun as we had in Vegas, we couldn't spend another full day there. We kicked it in the scalding-hot Death Valley before the arrival of our new roommate, companion, chef extraordinaire, fellow CC grad, and best friend, Miss Andrea Christine Graeter!! You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfeLE-1fEyQmj-I78jWcSoBDuLTQxr00iCXUhTKwk9Mcn6pVwU9COhxkH-TV_hL7zOSRmPH7jr_9-72z2JSXtt7b_2av58IfKH-akJmfvbTYYL7XeVBaCwrIFaxvTtBdxcF7NT4TPOcs/s320/annie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659706262706550370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><div>We left Death Valley, picked up Annie in Vegas, and promptly left the scene before Paul could lose any more money. We spent the night in Dixie National Forest and began a backpacking trip into Zion Canyon National Park. If you're ever there, forget the crowded Angel's Landing, and hit up <a href="http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-cable-mountain.htm">Cable Mountain</a>. This place had the best view of the canyon and some great history to it. After getting nice and dirty on our trip, we got lucky and realized that it was the Zion Canyon Music Festival that night, catered by Zion Canyon Brewing and some sweet bluegrass music. Ben killed it with the grassy Zion ladies, and with a little more time would have no doubt, sealed. the. deal. But alas, we had to find a place to lay our tarp and spend the night.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgpDIeYL03u1S2wKwyED4JNJE-5opbn3yopfr6RyFHp11soPS50AdCaTuuApX1aOg0THrdF_1jgZ7yHWFWFi6UmgMqmYVpkpj6D5jynC52i-30OnO1syWqVgzG89K9lhJJDAp7NLjBDw/s320/DSCN3281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659706743836687410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>The next day we drove over to another canyon, (the theme of the week) Bryce Canyon National Park. We hiked around the rim of the canyon before descending into the ridiculous hoodoos and seeing <a href="http://www.enlightphoto.com/webpages/landport/bryc-1117a.jpg">Thor's Hammer</a>. That place is truly another planet. If you're an aspiring astronaut, go there. We drove late that evening to let Paul play tour guide of Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument. (Paul spent last spring break in Escalante with Sneezebird, Lyle, and Kraus). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpKEk99VSm0qVOThgjfJ7Jaomgx1U8682xJ36EDlLWzs_o-ZDA2stGV7Iacmwn_ySNqGH8Wq8wlCulDln4iZF-JRfBuqR8Ci6MzG3ZihwH3-_Rh0p1XQbXHx7anvhRDySyoj7MQaLLdc/s320/DSCN3309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659707380468687410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>The goal was to complete the elusive slot canyon EGYPT 3, a four mile winding <a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2010/10/28/1288280753187/127-hours-james-franco-006.jpg">127 Hours-esque</a> slot. With no rain in the forecast, we twisted, turned, squeezed, slid around and got really, really dirty. But I'm pretty sure we'd all agree it was worth it, even though Kate, Annie, and Ben all took some silly spills into some pretty stagnant mud/water pools.</div><div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EdzV9COAXO4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /></div><div>The next day, we trekked to the grandest of all canyons. You guessed it, (and I kinda gave it away) The Grand Canyon. We were determined not to leave without making it all the way down to the Colorado River and seeing the floor of the Grand Canyon. But, I guess a lot of people are interested in doing so. We had to wait around a few days, (I know, it was just terrible) to get the backcountry permit to camp down in the canyon. But 14 miles and about 6,000 feet later, we made it to the bottom, celebrated <a href="http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/high-holiday-workbook-2">Rosh Hashanah</a>, and climbed out.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEGHtvLndt1Yg_YxuVfEmCCOcoeAeyfJES5aU3x7pwxnLLTsEG3A9PFJiY2qd9V7Rf0I7Kr3xnQcLR8C9nWd1_t427xbQGvz5tUGAd6pMvCzBISk-31HTU1ZLU3cwDo-ti0Hjjw1_mhE/s320/DSCN3386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659709700856536562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><div>In the same day, we attempted the 8+ hour drive to Moab, but clearly didn't make it. Fortunately we found some National Forest to spend the night. As fate would have it, we realized we were about 5 miles from Natural Bridges National Monument. And so we check out the Bridges before hitting Moab to see Arches National Park. We saw the window arches, hiked to Delicate Arch at sunset, grabbed some beers at Moab Brewing Co and camped at Gold Bar, the "CC entrance to Utah".</div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cP26uTTjLBM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">After a wild, wonderful, and Police Free (a feat for <a href="http://www.12ozprophet.com/images/uploads/drive_slow.jpg">travelers</a> with out-of-state liscence plates) time in Utah we headed to Colorful Colorado. After a quick pitstop for burritos at Los Jilbertos in Grand Junction, we made it to Aspen to see the changing colors at the Maroon Bells. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1dfgS1aFmEEUVuI5Z1Fri8RbD-vAEM1bL8UUOvgwOLkS0-u_Z4Ks_cxkgvrqm7rTC3VwlOquCA-t4euGSeFLkFa4bNoqN8A-vnG9qEPwxq_2J7VhpytjayjL4Pkx5DURo5Z1yVXKYh8/s1600/DSCN3417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1dfgS1aFmEEUVuI5Z1Fri8RbD-vAEM1bL8UUOvgwOLkS0-u_Z4Ks_cxkgvrqm7rTC3VwlOquCA-t4euGSeFLkFa4bNoqN8A-vnG9qEPwxq_2J7VhpytjayjL4Pkx5DURo5Z1yVXKYh8/s320/DSCN3417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659714416919178642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">We had planned on doing arguably the best hike in Colorado, the Four Pass Loop, but with rain in the forecast for the next five days, we reluctantly moved on. We stopped in Leadville, the highest town in the U.S. at 10,152 ft and went to some awesome thrift stores and the one of a kind Melanzana outdoor store where Paul and Kate each bought highly coveted hoodies. After another brief stop in Idaho Springs to get some hot-sauce at Two Brothers Deli, we made it to Littleton where Aunt Laurie greeted us with open arms (not really, she hosed us off outside). </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKljTUF40UqTkUddRTiM3yPVx-Oihui2DF8KQyyx-67VuCnmU6azCCO_NdGqW9XTv9QwW1x-tigOzfXl3TozyJKnTU_Msehb9Bdef-DylrMadXsOmgAJjopQ_E8EaUVnutgvjeZFAHqdY/s320/2011-10-039513.57.20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659719958459921906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><div>We were pointed towards the showers and laundry before delicious appetizers, beers, and upon request, a wonderful chicken recipe that had left our mouths watering from months before when we met up with Aunt Laurie for the first time at the lake house in Minnesota. We have a special award given to Laurie, as she is the first person on the road trip that we have seen twice, about a month in and with about a month to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcagot_kK2SIIFkrq6jW5Y4jLSET90r3yHv6qHDL35EeFJphdktbsEU90yOElZ4ZmJ6kdBooYtz2bkjz5ZQhfTvTccahRa_vBuTw9XxvDLKVWlzvJoAG43LSZe3h4JJHqd7iE-bccrM80/s320/Photo+on+2011-10-04+at+13.45.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659739830362176114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>After dinner we headed uptown Denver to meet with a gaggle of CC graduates. Shout out Denali Johnson, (who got 36 freaking points from the Baltimore defense to beat Paulito in fantasy football this week to put him at a gentleman's 0-12 on the year), Britt Landis, Joe Wood (CFAB), Aaron Bandler, and Lizzy Stephan (who comes in at a close second to Aunt Laurie, seeing us in both Brooklyn and Denver.) It was weird seeing two different people, for the second time, both on the same day! The jazz club we hit up was sweet, equipped with buck fity PBRs.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4E29Ya5MFLKEE3-CRhCExI4VMlNNfK97ui8yCvhsMgChYG0TNCt4dKNDcikkBG6FC6r5T16OD6_6aCpASXOW1OPW1OM0-zMWHvEq9hRK6ZHT7myEne6g8kA2e7LbrwUK47_pqWS2gQQ/s1600/DSCN3446.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4E29Ya5MFLKEE3-CRhCExI4VMlNNfK97ui8yCvhsMgChYG0TNCt4dKNDcikkBG6FC6r5T16OD6_6aCpASXOW1OPW1OM0-zMWHvEq9hRK6ZHT7myEne6g8kA2e7LbrwUK47_pqWS2gQQ/s320/DSCN3446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659711149311238386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today we're headed up to Longmont, Boulder, and Fort Collins to hit an assortment of Oskar Blues, Left Hand, Boulder, and Odell's Breweries. We'll let ya know. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-35312771702543890512011-09-06T23:14:00.000-07:002011-09-16T13:36:00.021-07:00California... Knows How to Party... Californuhuh... Knows How to Partayay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrh1QMPDTkBzVe95unj8RnFV-mU9b7LArGbOj-UYJvESiPg3-0j2kJZJKdg6dwUV4BfzhZS7nnk5Mb01-m08LWfSpMACLbxQni6w02cohFcGvSjEJzFUfno0zrcsMoL9hGg_2audWr04/s1600/DSCN2999.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">We left Berkeley with an ipod full of new podcasts and high expectations for Monterrey, the scenic coastal views from highway 1, and the nearby wilderness of the Big Sur area. How could anything possibly go wrong? Well, we realized that something was in fact quite wrong when passing cars waved us down while pointing to our sticker-laden top carrier. Aptly named Odysseus, the top carrier plays a critical role in shlepping our camping gear, guitar, and other miscellaneous road trip items. Unfortunately for us, the poor guy seemed to have enough after three months, having blown out one of his hinges. Luckily, we were able to make a quick duct tape fix and move on towards the coast.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Yj5TiX1RP9p0tRa3AFn9VhzYOUZ0KB4ZUbOdarAfEB8VQf4aaJ6-QoqsFnL7Cjn8bIry3OBisCJdF1DZqGl3K-rXAmp11WFifej2Owgqss5-quGM-yJ6NhOs44_j79FdKYFI9IFxYGM/s1600/DSCN2902.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9Yj5TiX1RP9p0tRa3AFn9VhzYOUZ0KB4ZUbOdarAfEB8VQf4aaJ6-QoqsFnL7Cjn8bIry3OBisCJdF1DZqGl3K-rXAmp11WFifej2Owgqss5-quGM-yJ6NhOs44_j79FdKYFI9IFxYGM/s320/DSCN2902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649855061047337410" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Visibly shaken from the near demise of our dear friend Odysseus, we continued on to Paul's aunt and uncle's house in Pebble Beach. From the moment we got there, Pebble Beach and neighboring Monterrey were simply a gas. Gary, Terri, and Marcy welcomed us to their home with open arms, and we were able to see the world-renowned Pebble Beach golf course and the strikingly beautiful Point Lobos. Also, if you are ever in the area, make sure you hit up the clam chowder at Fisherman's Warf for the price of on the house. Seriously. Dudes are just standing outside restaurants slinging out clam chowder to passerbys like its there job (because it actually is their job).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MTsovmFhfuCKtoQ6yGi2lIfekeGwKBKrl9OXbtBXDkB6d4lDT5Z6m_Igi0oC4TpZS1eWGaKYWN2gzey8bu-JR1girIEb0T7Tm3fS9jGxmWFT97pBUEyxBnUjeKifQH1OFYRN_If5e8M/s320/DSCN2932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653006352550852930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>The next stop on our tour of California brought us further down the coast to Big Sur for a two-night backpacking trip. Oh what a trip it was. The views from on top of these mountains were simply divine, the pine cones were the largest any of us have ever seen and the camp sites in the Los Padres National Forest were top notch. The only complaint that we could muster upon arriving back at the car was that the trails were a bit overgrown at times. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEOONQA4i59xSGytVsPrNl2vFeySDXzghbS8QS0HSRLjvXmLtOyXXRneylXH2a-XHtu2IMwei61ENvzeRyQP2JKI8m4_FQKhgYv1eZ4u-mR_q6f_Qxbt9Zlk25fY422YJ1p6qp7MT3ms/s320/DSCN2942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653006699498527122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Little did we know, a few of our merry travelers had been POISONED! (gasp)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrh1QMPDTkBzVe95unj8RnFV-mU9b7LArGbOj-UYJvESiPg3-0j2kJZJKdg6dwUV4BfzhZS7nnk5Mb01-m08LWfSpMACLbxQni6w02cohFcGvSjEJzFUfno0zrcsMoL9hGg_2audWr04/s1600/DSCN2999.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrh1QMPDTkBzVe95unj8RnFV-mU9b7LArGbOj-UYJvESiPg3-0j2kJZJKdg6dwUV4BfzhZS7nnk5Mb01-m08LWfSpMACLbxQni6w02cohFcGvSjEJzFUfno0zrcsMoL9hGg_2audWr04/s320/DSCN2999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653050072761661858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Yes, poisoned. A poison most foul. Poisoned by a poisonous oak plant (after all we've been through with you oaks and other trees and plants, this is how you repay us?). Ben and Kate took the brunt of this hellacious attack from Mother Nature, with Paul and Tommy luckily coming out unscathed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fab 4 hit the road north on beautiful sunny coastal highway 1, took a quick (albeit necessary stop) back at Gary and Terry's for some grub and a shower and then continued north back to Berkeley for a Labor Day BBQ at Grace's pad. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were met at the BBQ by our wayward fifth companion, Sarah. After the good times were over at Grace's, Paul, Kate, Tommy, and Ben, sleeping bags in hand, marched on over to Sarah's boyfriend's apartment for the night. It was then that Sarah dropped the bomb that she would not be continuing on the road trip with us. The four of us were deeply saddened by this news, but after some talking, we respected her decision. The now-not-quite-as-fab four will keep on keeping on, and we all wish Sarah the best with whatever the real world throws her way.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we headed out with heavy hearts but our heads held high to enjoy San Francisco's vibrant downtown for the day. First stop, Chinatown. Ben has not shut up about how awesome the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-nanking-san-francisco">House of Nanking</a> is for the entire trip, so he and Tommy had to chow down on their Sesame Chicken, delish. Paul and Kate went for Dim Sum, meh.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0ccMgX6AzOaWzU1W2IdJGKOOsTRnT55jlS6ORWmRzj70I784hTuIsHW_yU8kd_AjYNKT0VzX2cGbqDOFOEIpO1LoAfP6QppE_mlCK1BrNzx7y2FD8JwaiRaJMEJENRMtJSZxSn3lJH4/s320/DSCN2964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653008530940166322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>The squad then went and explored Golden Gate park for the rest of the day and enjoyed the drum circles, flowers and very pleasant weather for the afternoon. The remaining squad left San Francisco and met back with Wilson who treated us to some amazing Pong Pong Chicken (Paul now has to name his dog Wilson) before we got to Sacramento to kick it with our looooong time friend Matthew Cameron Wambsgans. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj5J-MH50PoPAz0_HN-t4YGokQ4EJx2zuKKloW3qOFtnGVcRMZE8f8SJI0Itsg9zP5BUEuDVNj-MjOLOBlfHfkNRDXk23DAINyaGEOC_GFv1FoeCac6MUR-t-0liw34k7rWBSb6hzvtA/s320/DSCN2968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653009355112657090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Classic Lombart Street pic, a touristy moment for Chief</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt, his wonderful girlfriend June, and his equally fantastic roommates treated us to 2 days of pool, darts, smiles, and amazing meals. Matt drove us north of Sacramento to the Yuba River, which is such a chill spot. We brought Matt's dog Yoko and kicked it by the river with a couple dozen naked hippies. Par for the course in California apparently. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYc30QT45mmf2mQ25Syb2qC_6feIR8UCQhoTgA6noiDWQ1wt28emJVFtmutmdBPKTe0ZLrBoU7ZO1qLoP_6uy2pEpU5lZhzH6jkyqQ5yDfQO4Jd_jRDcmYdJeCeeLg7ZVy5eIUzz-Z5Y/s320/DSCN2985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653010249739782482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>We waved goodbye to Matt and packed back in to <a href="http://www.digstation.com/FTPFiles/ALB000066037/ART%20FILES/large.jpg">Chief</a> and headed to what we thought was going to be another spectacular backpacking trip, this time in Yosemite National Park. We headed into the wilderness two hours up a dirt logging road with our food in bear boxes and joy in our hearts. We tied up our boots and walked about a mile before it started raining. We put on our rain coats and trudged on. Then the thunder got really loud and the lightening appeared to be very close. <i>Still</i>, we persevered. Then there was a hail storm pelting us with ice balls the size of marbles. At that point we decided to bounce and went back to the car to wait out the storm. The Sierra National Forest was cool and all, but we were trying to do a sweet backpacking loop in Yosemite. Oh well. We hit the Grizzly Giant tree (very cool) in the Mariposa Grove and trekked south to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Now, at this point on the road trip we have seen our fair share of trees, so it was only right that we went on a pilgrimage in Sequoia National Park to see the widest (General Grant) and biggest (General Sherman) trees in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB4CGrHhy1i2AVc7B5fRL16Q-LMQnftjsPimS-Uakk1wsz8OnbubtVO_16RG1EdryBFlcusFPWPKUel365L6S4z0NXZCKMXP0-OrFOAUkPqkRD1aScfLRzPlYJmGAwLS3v8BgF7uxf9I/s320/DSCN3013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653045796977909202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">While all of the giant sequoias in these groves were stunning, in an anonymous poll of the fab four, it was unanimous that the redwoods were the cream of the crop tree wise, beating out giant sequoias, dogwoods, birch trees, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ5a0LYF_BXQ8Dt5GcfTfjMGiGqWzoreKGmyK-RTp4Mlrm4_ifRIhKMY6oFzx6M11yFoxZ1-loHezmfLAUd9e7V71GRZtm4rdyFMwnO9RWnMP5_0G7GypMk4N68HMnKOPUJGzWEGqPYw/s320/DSCN3019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653046916957098274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this trip from the get go has been billed as a tour of America to get the 411 on all things associated with our beautiful country. And as any true American knows, Sundays are associated with two words: football season. Because of this it was our duty to go experience this cultural phenomenon by speeding out of King's Canyon to make it to a dive bar to catch the end of the Redskins game. As I'm sure you all know, it was a resounding victory for the skins (hail), something that we certainly had to celebrate the only way we knew how; with a trip to some free hot springs. After a little research, we found exactly what we were looking for in the southern reach of the Sequoia National Forest.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosMBy4tNc6dKRWxdBScDEeoqbeZyVJYYooXeR4nMx6UPH5KOXTS5ghHDMhSmsaOK2UVVZrrf5CfbkOhdco7kPnNy2zPxumKDr_DPLleqpEYsgGVBqy7OuNm76BxDKpQjVD8N071S3x9Q/s320/DSCN3000.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653047918554232946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>We found a great campsite in the area next to a raging river and all went to sleep with dreams of 104 degree pools floating through our heads. The next day, our dreams became reality at the Remington Hot Spring. Located about two miles west of the Hobo Campground on Kern Canyon Road, which is off of highway 178 a little south of Lake Isabella (theres a parking lot on your right you can't miss it), the Remington Hot Spring is sort of like heaven on earth with three tubs of hot water right off of a river with a rope swing only a short float away. Additionally, at the hot spring there is a massive river eddy, which you can ride upriver only to ride the faster main current back down to the hot tubs. If any of you faithful readers are ever in the area or are looking for something to do in SoCal, we could not recommend this highly enough. (if you dont like seeing naked hippie butt then dont look to the right of this next picture)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9QSz0VJyoWKbtR5_D0st_0v2szsELq0vvH_CAY9iauq5ydVygJmrz0hYZJrylIbGyoFCoLa6BEWcDZ8AxbUX9ZeozbG4jCN1IsnZulfxBKmcHQAVH8qa07v8SgvxkdwH-9jSYE2qOAI/s320/DSCN3105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653049153482463522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>After our relaxing hot springs, it was off to LA for some good times with some old friends. We stayed with Paul, Kate, and Tommy's friend Danny Cohen (sorry Ben) in Venice and had wonderful times going out to get beers and even some tacos with Tommy's amigo Isaac Nicholson and Ben's chum Joe Lennarz.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Nx16B-HUo7mX0Mb8GsBhyphenhyphenZsqE89bKXfa0Xr2OHJPtBM-FWl-rpitXSHJoDVP59aiyyGZnTE_WVaWFqhVIsQ6g9g5PKW6SUm5_HX4XodFmzpPdK79s24JbtV7qmuZCm9y9C-901GAuAw/s320/Photo+on+2011-09-13+at+20.12+%25233.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653043374921388738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>Once we had our fair share of the Hollywood lifestyle, we headed even further south to La Jolla to stay with Tommy's extended family, grabbing some frozen bananas on Balboa Island along the way (there's always money in the banana stand). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOsuM-WcHGeM_5tQmpVAximTlol1la7Bv9ybEn2hfjxY4tcR-17wTnai396cvqyRzaqnpSAgkMABL22KsBZnGoj0qRyHImGIyqaEKl8Y8VqZr5bhvX-ZXx7o5lmLvotz2NSlEPVLH90s/s320/DSCN3127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653045508476794082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Although Uncle Kurt and Alex were both away from home and missing from the Eve clan, Aunt JJ and Kevin certainly picked up the slack, showing us an unbelievable amount of hospitality during our stay. Aunt JJ even rented us boards so we could attempt to go surfing (key word being attempt). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6L09C1NSM8leXOqX6SXNuaY0J8Eqx8id_GNvsr5QS4Gc5wR64RyVyRfaG_VZlbaXgV270tAKTTWiCr76Ufx5tm4XjjohTBAsATkFn82iRn3FOHELEtjhCxTJWcXKXFd2BKUEgG5Lexc/s320/DSCN3130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653044032546165442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Today we are packing up and heading out to Joshua Tree National Park with Danny for the weekend and then VEGAS on Sunday. Should be a good time. California has been spectacular but its time to head east. </div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06074460387573700108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-87851950011390812082011-08-28T18:21:00.000-07:002011-09-02T22:32:46.298-07:00Stage 4 - the BROad TripAfter arriving in Portland, Ben jetted off to Taos for a family vacation and Tommy finally joined us again after galavanting in Turkey for the past two weeks. Since Kate and Sarah hail from the grand ol' Rose City, we were able to use it as a home base of sorts and take a brief respite from the road. Many thanks to both of our families for your hospitality, food, and good times! Highlights of our Portland excursions include a hike in the Columbia Gorge, sample tasting at the Portland Farmer's Market, an afternoon at the Sauvie Island beaches, bike tours of the Portland's east side, collecting eggs straight from the coop with Tommy's friend, Abby Conyers, a day of swimming and cliff jumping at Three Pools, and touring the Deschutes, Rogue and Bridgeport ale houses.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2GMxlPLOSVTYdd31-YXThpcBSjiHfMFEDYNiXuyEpIvIEtCNJlszSjYlYKY2B2C_u2twvdOMBeQRzti7JvXWvnoGmyy9sOga95clIbd_3Xn0-xMrZja7Z6DAUQg1_7y-jWWknteY0s3P/s1600/DSCN2739.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2GMxlPLOSVTYdd31-YXThpcBSjiHfMFEDYNiXuyEpIvIEtCNJlszSjYlYKY2B2C_u2twvdOMBeQRzti7JvXWvnoGmyy9sOga95clIbd_3Xn0-xMrZja7Z6DAUQg1_7y-jWWknteY0s3P/s320/DSCN2739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647251842354034530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>
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<br />Sarah is making the journey south with her boyfriend, so until we meet up in San Francisco it is just Kate and the dudes. The four of us left Portland on the 25th and headed to Oregon's lone National Park, Crater Lake. We made it just in time to hike up to the fire watch outlook point for an incredible view of the lake, Wizard Island, and the surrounding mountains.<div>
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<br /></div><div>The following day we headed southwest towards the famed highway 101, stopping for a quick dip at a little known swimming hole. If you're ever on highway 62 between Medford and Crater Lake, definitely take the turn onto Crowfoot Rd. between mileposts 29 and 30!
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<br />Next stop: the Redwoods! After an incredible drive on the Redwood Highway, we backpacked into the "Tall Trees Grove" in Redwood National Park near Orick, CA. This is probably the closest we've all come to feeling like ants among these giant trees, the tallest of which is 370 feet tall! </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdhimvyNMB0">Redwoods</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The entire experience went very smoothly, until we got back to the car the next day and realized we had left our pots and pans at the campground. Whammy! Three points to Kate for running back to get them.
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<br />Then we headed to Santa Rosa to tour the Lagunitas Brewery and visit Paul's Aunt Laurie for a scrumptious dinner. Afterward we headed to the local Russian River watering hole, home of two of the top-ranked beers en el mundo. Luckily the day's journey was over since Tommy's good friend Wilson lives just over the hill in Napa Valley. He graciously showed us around the vineyard laden hills for the next few days.</div><div>
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<br />On Monday we headed into the city with Wilson and his friends for the Giant's game that night, making sure to stop for In n' Out on our way. Sadly the giants lost 7-0 to the Cubs despite our fervent enthusiasm for Tim Lincecum. Beer and baseball: this is what happens when the road trip goes 4/5 bro.
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<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOgBLnApZQZCYfdSKcDUy_feXuwEUEDikDDdm03ftglJtC1NH2mNw-dTENk8o5BQX1YQj7bz1G_PcCfM6cve0XHjrvd-glggSRl8B3ugzpZL14tj3uZha6GTmiyKaxXwsNRiHuXXJDy2/s1600/DSCN2883.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOgBLnApZQZCYfdSKcDUy_feXuwEUEDikDDdm03ftglJtC1NH2mNw-dTENk8o5BQX1YQj7bz1G_PcCfM6cve0XHjrvd-glggSRl8B3ugzpZL14tj3uZha6GTmiyKaxXwsNRiHuXXJDy2/s320/DSCN2883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647498934341342866" /></a></div><div><div></div></div><div>
<br />For the past few days we've been staying with Silver Spring's finest, Grace Reinhalter, across the bay in Berkeley. We've been showered with hospitality from all of our Bay Area friends and family. We dined on a sailboat with Ben's family friend Annie, toured the Cal campus with Paul's cousin, Carly, and chatted over lunch with the Rosen clan of Paul's family, Mark, Fonda, and their daughter Sasha. We also enjoyed exploring Tilden regional park and sampling world class beers at <a href="http://www.toronado.com/">Toronados</a>. Today we're heading south to Monterrey and Big Sur, so stay posted for more fun times in the golden state. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06074460387573700108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-41782019732146335222011-08-18T15:45:00.000-07:002011-08-19T15:11:36.810-07:00The Fab Four Goes Coastal
<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The San Juan Islands were seriously prime. Weather check, family check, lodging check, food check, killer whales check. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLFi5DwGeIg">Killer fucking WHALES ya heard!?!?!</a>) Sorry for the french, but it was tight and I just want to make sure you all understand the magnitude of how sweet Cory's spot is and how much we enjoyed ourselves. Paul's parents, Bobby and Bill, were visiting Cory at the same time, so we all coat-tailed the family hospitality and home-cooked meals, while enjoying the familiar faces. After spending our days exploring the sculpture garden, the British camp from <a href="http://www.nps.gov/sajh/historyculture/the-pig-war.htm">San Juan Island's historic Pig War</a>, hiking tiny mountains, eating delicious regional Dungeon (or maybe it was Prison) Crabs, seeing three pods of orcas on a free whale watch tour, sunbathing, and checking out local happy hours, we had exhausted all that San Juan Island had to offer.
<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQTvoMsjk5F947fSnALXZOaLQAAIW9KbDd3Li-HdoC8BE7WNklk66ShK4Zv5a8k-CfSeTBrYd5NS473hYgg1TkjC_YmsDVoI-VpZMDhZZLyyEeJPPUT-HVQvRlHFOUGL8yMbqJeIDdwo/s320/DSCN2547.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642650030425009330" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h2KKPkV_NB87-eG2rPzgKfPs1kIlUxMim5B-WMwInOAYwnX0GzS16yJlsS6NWwulrJ0g8f3To847hp3q1ZZ8idkTYUwKcYXSzAU_TRGmuZzgG1_4B9UtCwYjGq9hDNnOhqRQfCOVKTw/s320/DSCN2600.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642652042056386786" /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>Fortunately, the inter-island ferry is $free.99, so we hopped on with all of our stuff to check out Orcas Island for a day. We arrived on Orcas by nine in the morning and befriended some local store owners to leave all of our gear with while we explored. On the islands, hitch-hiking is actually the preferred method of travel because it is legal!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvw_yvwHuL8-4f8c9uIhDZwjWpOl5YBfDWrws-ZfRMZ7NGlTgyp6kOq4kiBREkakGrsuDua1URgsWc-JHDgVsVbN-EWg9wWBWfHq3wNhNmzjso7mtWtf5613o7AGFcjf4PLcAUr8kGUw/s1600/DSCN2601.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvw_yvwHuL8-4f8c9uIhDZwjWpOl5YBfDWrws-ZfRMZ7NGlTgyp6kOq4kiBREkakGrsuDua1URgsWc-JHDgVsVbN-EWg9wWBWfHq3wNhNmzjso7mtWtf5613o7AGFcjf4PLcAUr8kGUw/s320/DSCN2601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642649002862425122" /></a>We hit the curb for a short fifteen minutes and caught a ride towards Moran State Park. After a brief transfer to a more personable chauffeur, we made it to an awesome lagoon with bridge jumping and sun bathing to boot. After a relaxing day, we hitched our way back to the ferry, thanks to a man from Wheaton, MD. (Shout out Pollo Rico!) <div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We hit the ferry back to our car and set off to Port Townsend, WA to meet another awesome CC graduate, Sarah Delaney. She is staying with another generous CC family for the summer during her internship and was able to adequately house us all for the night. In what's becoming typical roadtrip fashion, we threw a delicious PIZZA PARTY and enjoyed a local watering hole for a delicious pitcher of Port Townsend's Scotch Ale. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6qvzGfdoYziHCoEZgjLX6AUPgwLQl4aRUvgyBk0VbJnfR2R-xrj_JnsLH7oHiMgncs2DrF0DJhW0VXkkFnDyDOts_Uim6h1ud7Q1kVjeLvqb76_ZPUInN2lGmUargkQVl5q5AwP_prs/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6qvzGfdoYziHCoEZgjLX6AUPgwLQl4aRUvgyBk0VbJnfR2R-xrj_JnsLH7oHiMgncs2DrF0DJhW0VXkkFnDyDOts_Uim6h1ud7Q1kVjeLvqb76_ZPUInN2lGmUargkQVl5q5AwP_prs/s320/DSCN2647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642653995857643906" /></a>
<br /></div><div>We hit the road again the next day, now with two Sarahs, for Olympic National Park. With a hot spring plan firmly in mind, we arrived only to have our dreams of a natural hot spring soak shattered by road construction. But alas, we're pretty good by now at rolling with punches, and found a day hike with incredible views up Hurricane Hill before "backpacking" into PJ's Lake to spend a quiet night.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1X6anPrqYq0oCSJoIjlvWjBHXKBHIs0ecJOfLczOqqCq6eyRZRcKpfWY6miphVUkMUVy9ZgBL2jJE3681b-Q0dQMGdj-1tw42mdKcYJJ22KJPZIYZN65i8A3v6gIW3kocyZrNVbwYiE/s1600/DSCN2664.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1X6anPrqYq0oCSJoIjlvWjBHXKBHIs0ecJOfLczOqqCq6eyRZRcKpfWY6miphVUkMUVy9ZgBL2jJE3681b-Q0dQMGdj-1tw42mdKcYJJ22KJPZIYZN65i8A3v6gIW3kocyZrNVbwYiE/s320/DSCN2664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642654770134228018" /></a>
<br />Since the backpack was only one mile, Ben decided to bring in the guitar. Shortly thereafter we realized that the hike was straight down (and straight back up the next day.) Fun was had by all and we dropped off Sarah Delaney at home and used her showers before heading to Vashon Island for a wedding!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>And so it was that Amanda Heffernan married Joshua Mattson in a gorgeous field laced with sanskrit chants and alternative garb, cherry-wood smoked salmon, and hundreds of dancing, smiling friends and family members. (Amanda is essentially Paul's cousin for those out of the loop.) We camped at the site and tried to help as much as possible to show our gratitude for the invite. We were fortunate enough to cross paths with Paul's parents again and spent many an hour fraternizing at their lovely rented cottages.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYccTdLAuQ7k1lS-T3dfkM7KqMWt3cDHxqPFuAb4U9U8zgOZGe703zGXZhyphenhyphenwRBuzhYXE3AMH5m9gZA2uUd-xWtyRv6o9cJRnRdGJiKFy5fC-kB0LQZFSj7bCIpHAu53xW4huBC7yHYyc/s1600/paul.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYccTdLAuQ7k1lS-T3dfkM7KqMWt3cDHxqPFuAb4U9U8zgOZGe703zGXZhyphenhyphenwRBuzhYXE3AMH5m9gZA2uUd-xWtyRv6o9cJRnRdGJiKFy5fC-kB0LQZFSj7bCIpHAu53xW4huBC7yHYyc/s320/paul.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642657356623416562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Take a good look, this is as pretty as we get.</div></div><div>
<br />We left the morning after the wedding to head south to Oysterville to meet up with Sarah's and Kate's old friend Nicole Freshley. And guess what we made for dinner?!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoui_IEAT2dJr2CYEM22bTyK7cmRKuDVfYf_6Zh4dVmlwdaqo3c9LVcBu1y1-CbvnEIdPNnyJCA2FTXk1hjie5Sq7HvA3MFcHuKQUPYbbKAD4g-iSS26ZPgcj3ZptWZIxmuZE_dhKHxs/s1600/DSCN2697.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoui_IEAT2dJr2CYEM22bTyK7cmRKuDVfYf_6Zh4dVmlwdaqo3c9LVcBu1y1-CbvnEIdPNnyJCA2FTXk1hjie5Sq7HvA3MFcHuKQUPYbbKAD4g-iSS26ZPgcj3ZptWZIxmuZE_dhKHxs/s320/DSCN2697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642646043106996290" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Hand made dough and sauce from organic heirloom tomatoes!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>We took an amazing walk along the bay to see the full moon and drank beers and wine by the fire. But the two Portland girls were anxious to get home after being within a stones throw for over a week now. We hit the road to the 5-0-3 and don't plan on leaving for at least a week, especially not after our hilarious first night here. We wandered into bar after receiving good advice from Kate's sister Sarah in time to catch the last round of BINGO of the night! (A little ironic to play our first game of bingo without Tommy and his beloved hat...) But the game went smoothly, and suspense built as our very own Benji drew close to victory. At at shocking turn of events, Ben and another less handsome man both cried Bingo after hearing O - 69 announced! After verifying that neither had cheated, the hostess declared that it was to be determined by a danceoff! (which we got on video) </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPCtmFE580s">Ben is awesome, other guy sucks.</a>
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<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>And to add to the hilarity, the grand prize was one large purple rabbit vibrating dildo, complete with 4 AA batteries!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4qdnvesq7b4lj6qzqyAnDQRfbuzL01KKd4XB4GlboGXzNQZn02gMefOTl89_s7oknbRQA8JfrpppQbip8v6tSOOG0-p3EWeGhyNr5ywwMJujME7glKHrWykcgdtEs1GqkGpoeaMyDjs/s1600/DSCN2708.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4qdnvesq7b4lj6qzqyAnDQRfbuzL01KKd4XB4GlboGXzNQZn02gMefOTl89_s7oknbRQA8JfrpppQbip8v6tSOOG0-p3EWeGhyNr5ywwMJujME7glKHrWykcgdtEs1GqkGpoeaMyDjs/s320/DSCN2708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642687685988486002" /></a>
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<br /></div><div>So if you're looking for a good time..... and you're here in Portland hit us up, because we'd love to see you!</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-33297579681296107052011-08-18T15:15:00.000-07:002011-08-18T15:42:33.554-07:00Support Cool Tunes<div style="text-align: center;">We're all about cool tunes here on the road, Live, Local and all that Jazz (pun intended). And we've really been meaning to switch up the blog. (A little less formulaic, you know.) It's nice and all to tell you guys we did this, and then that, BUT we're going for a little more flavor in the future. Be on the look out for recipes, a list of places we've spent the night, trivia, (and yeah, we're overdue on an update too).</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the vein of sweet new stuff, a good friend of ours Elijah Balbed is (and has been) killin it on the DC jazz scene. Trying to raise money can be tough though. Hit the link to help a brother out on his DEBUT CD.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gIoMBf6CRylZJUsj4UqWUUFMBLEbCpQguQQYuTdMw-MjLPieLkUJ5QkjdzEJ5GZ3NZAd0j5t1rAOCxcTBAeZPgHLkUFRAkYLK7Y_sEl7I4dZRAQWmButUQSXVmCJH2LNiTVSrVU5rpg/s320/elijah-sax.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642324594749619490" /><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215520993/elijah-jamal-balbeds-debut-cd-checking-in">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215520993/elijah-jamal-balbeds-debut-cd-checking-in</a><div>
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<br /></div><div>"Finding a balance between tradition and modernism is critical to finding your voice, and can be a life long journey for many. 21-year old Elijah Jamal Balbed is a modern saxophonist with a strong root in tradition, his sound and approach uniquely displays a tasteful blend of old school and new school. A native of Washington, DC, Elijah has established himself as rising star on the saxophone, having been named the Best New Jazz Musician of 2010 by the Washington City Paper, as well as being the Bohemian Caverns Artist in Residence for the month of June, 2011. Elijah currently performs with Funk Ark, Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, and Chuck Brown." (Chuck Brown, man!)
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<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcuOO5HP-t0">Elijah Beast Mode</a>, so what?
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<br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-34444395730447381132011-08-07T17:14:00.000-07:002011-08-07T19:23:58.242-07:00Five Scholars rock fresh, North by Northwest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And it's still no rest 'cause we're not finished yet</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Greetings from West (and arguably the best) Coast! (well, at least top 2)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving Bozeman, we forged onward to the wild bear country of Glacier National Park. In light of recent mauling incidents around the world, we debated the necessity of bear spray but a park ranger said we would be alright and sent us off after watching an overly cheesy safety video. Our two night backpacking loop in the southern corner of the park was surprisingly tame and wildlife free, except for a brief encounter with a baby black bear. We also managed to hike two miles on the wrong trail, turning a five mile hike into nine.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZF7DTOIQ1x8SjzCazq3yZU4Cl6ODTrrfJLty8PT0b9gSIQL4MF5AZ4eOioH0TjW5bO_8r7NUSE1kFsY0tTMF-Bh6Cyt_0fATll-45ciKsJawH0vwhD-p2uQuWkcDKSW1uzMtyX7dB0E/s1600/DSCN2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZF7DTOIQ1x8SjzCazq3yZU4Cl6ODTrrfJLty8PT0b9gSIQL4MF5AZ4eOioH0TjW5bO_8r7NUSE1kFsY0tTMF-Bh6Cyt_0fATll-45ciKsJawH0vwhD-p2uQuWkcDKSW1uzMtyX7dB0E/s320/DSCN2324.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Uhh, did we walk for an hour in the wrong way?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once we got back to the trailhead, we hightailed to the river for a quick bath and then proceeded to the famed Going to the Sun Road. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKi4V41jHG8xSDnNQIcv6a4lT2GaAaiia_WRCwR3ZAmbVh7GBDFOMtzPUfxKifXQ85GKVD1JPmwAKN-cGqgsNw8XfkUCdAKFL-Vql3lIOaUB2lMSEz05IGMenqTJApY2KgoJt74ejed0/s1600/DSCN2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKi4V41jHG8xSDnNQIcv6a4lT2GaAaiia_WRCwR3ZAmbVh7GBDFOMtzPUfxKifXQ85GKVD1JPmwAKN-cGqgsNw8XfkUCdAKFL-Vql3lIOaUB2lMSEz05IGMenqTJApY2KgoJt74ejed0/s320/DSCN2353.JPG" width="290" /></span></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Awwwww</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The curvy, narrow road had fantastic views of the park, including a few mountain goats munching grass on the shoulder. We continued towards the border, but the Canadian customs folk weren't so inclined to let five dirty, unemployed 20-somethings into their northern lands. With nothing to declare but handle of whiskey and a jam-packed car, we were certainly a suspicious looking bunch, but happily made it through after the minor holdup.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5vlG2A6Fj2PcJJUcfXT26lp8x45qaKG3uosRO0wUDjUh1qMMfVgtxBOnEFp-TuXSq-L8BFtP7ol66_ldNxpZP0Bu2tjkhLQ5uRqxrW-lEGKk-MTIcfUTX5YFVIYogo3SQxo9c2H9NsU/s1600/DSCN2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5vlG2A6Fj2PcJJUcfXT26lp8x45qaKG3uosRO0wUDjUh1qMMfVgtxBOnEFp-TuXSq-L8BFtP7ol66_ldNxpZP0Bu2tjkhLQ5uRqxrW-lEGKk-MTIcfUTX5YFVIYogo3SQxo9c2H9NsU/s320/DSCN2355.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We spent two nights in the Ghost River Wilderness, Canada's equivalent to our national forests and BLM land -- aka Free Camping! Ben and Tommy were gracious enough to host a housewarming party, featuring their favorite meal: frank & beans and each of our favorite types of candy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next day's meals of blueberry pancakes and pita pizzas were also major hits. Little did we know, the area is also a haven for off-road vehicles so we quickly made friends with our ATV and dirt bike riding neighbors.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsf6rhLdagnOJSo4-lo2BnL4YXygR6cUwSPv5tJ4kq-JBb_vjXxSMlWaJKcOzGNYgg9hmjErtq46fkUvFZaQ6N8UMiZZs3ZI9wkIHoeDnqFgE3TTyZYbboTBf86murB_If_3vvdJhk38/s1600/DSCN2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsf6rhLdagnOJSo4-lo2BnL4YXygR6cUwSPv5tJ4kq-JBb_vjXxSMlWaJKcOzGNYgg9hmjErtq46fkUvFZaQ6N8UMiZZs3ZI9wkIHoeDnqFgE3TTyZYbboTBf86murB_If_3vvdJhk38/s320/DSCN2397.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyHicZb3osu58HJvP4a-f_KEbtzaeBU6nixtKRXqkOihEMs0uZAHNfXhnAWTR_u5Z8HOiRUcnYh1w2Bixm4GjYyi2EkA0T8_u4whum4RaRFYPT49_gPwXtoIluv49sv20V2oNOY9-Ib0/s1600/DSCN2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyHicZb3osu58HJvP4a-f_KEbtzaeBU6nixtKRXqkOihEMs0uZAHNfXhnAWTR_u5Z8HOiRUcnYh1w2Bixm4GjYyi2EkA0T8_u4whum4RaRFYPT49_gPwXtoIluv49sv20V2oNOY9-Ib0/s320/DSCN2403.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After two days of extreme relaxation, reading, and card playing, we finally ventured to Banff National Park. Sadly the steep price of $10 per night per person for a backcountry permit was beyond our measly budget, so we settled for standard car camping and woke up bright 'n early to hike Healy Pass.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGsQzEcusg_L2O6itWq0CC4ycZMDCuvrNpBM1OuCaC4TzvmXx5WDdDV03bA9MMfAklqKK7JYxak1wY9gXiFtow3D1EumwkJ6vObe7riaKR8uUrZud8h6Tb8Qhfr96BItjVXmsVAzpExM/s1600/DSCN2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGsQzEcusg_L2O6itWq0CC4ycZMDCuvrNpBM1OuCaC4TzvmXx5WDdDV03bA9MMfAklqKK7JYxak1wY9gXiFtow3D1EumwkJ6vObe7riaKR8uUrZud8h6Tb8Qhfr96BItjVXmsVAzpExM/s320/DSCN2454.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for the hats Jackie!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We got to the trailhead before sunrise and made it to the pass in time to see the wildflowers, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and snowy peaks all by ourselves.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6rkYMtDMl3CzPZtDqBjFI6gy2iCWqYxzrEOWr2F88QaX7JCiqHWJvFAq0h98ToWgCB28JhkcLI-K_PjrKDzdB9XA8v-e7QAvHcsa117ReP8RxL7x9bFmAQSMUqkewa-cSMte7iFDtEw/s1600/DSCN2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6rkYMtDMl3CzPZtDqBjFI6gy2iCWqYxzrEOWr2F88QaX7JCiqHWJvFAq0h98ToWgCB28JhkcLI-K_PjrKDzdB9XA8v-e7QAvHcsa117ReP8RxL7x9bFmAQSMUqkewa-cSMte7iFDtEw/s320/DSCN2456.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On August 2nd we dropped Tommy at the Calgary Airport and jumped with joy as the Quad came back into action!! (Mr. Hester visits his girlfriend Smitty in SoCal and jets off to Turkey for family vacay.) Without Tmoney's shady figure, we crossed the border like Easy Mac and made our way west on I-90. Careful to partake in as many regional foods as possible, we picked up a sack of Idaho potatoes and baked them in our campfire in the national forest outside of Seattle. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">That night crossing road trippers Nick and Tamara kicked it with us in the Snoqualmie forests, shared their avocados, and crashed on our tarp with us. </span></span><br />
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Next stop, Seattle. We were probably the least showered we will be of the whole trip. I'm serious, really stinky. Then we got real clean and went over to the Hunts for dinner. Pat, Bryan, Grandpa and the whole squad threw down an awesome BBQ party. Perfect way to get back into</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> civilization: brauts and grilled meat and great company. </span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Then we scooted back over to Paul and Kate's homegirl from CC, Ally. Such a wonderful host. We kicked it in her hottub, we cruised around Seattle and Pike's Place Market, cooked an amazing dinner and went out on the town. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvExSxfBx6-4rWuRyDFVjhkXT5XAh8rHL99RIRqOu65vUVQxbiBuPj0n_qRryvNfcIUpyTLJ2V5evaBpj2lNbtOrbfz7U7OfZSWxta8r4UVk8ycJrJrOiURAQ04Z3Q1lnS4Yefr3eCA0/s1600/Photo+on+2011-08-05+at+19.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvExSxfBx6-4rWuRyDFVjhkXT5XAh8rHL99RIRqOu65vUVQxbiBuPj0n_qRryvNfcIUpyTLJ2V5evaBpj2lNbtOrbfz7U7OfZSWxta8r4UVk8ycJrJrOiURAQ04Z3Q1lnS4Yefr3eCA0/s320/Photo+on+2011-08-05+at+19.24.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">We went to this sick taphouse, Brouwers, where we had the best beers of the trip. This amazing watering hole had like 50+ beers on tap. Ben loved the <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1397/39796" style="color: #5c4520;" target="_blank">Scuttlebutt tripel 7 Belgian</a>, ya heard me?</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">We crawled out of bed and hit the road to make it to the Phish show where thousands of Phish fanatics were enjoying the beauty of the Gorge at an epic stop on Phish's summer tour. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
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</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amazing show, first set was the bomb, everyone needs to go see Phish soon. Shakedown street was wild. The scene in the Phish lot is pretty great, wish we could see another show. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXITWREp1SzLwbD2-kjkZG_OL894MO9Xd09TSoYgS2ycvIPTYpgyBlvqUIuHromqbJ6q21o1T7kkU_P5fQxhwVt-iw0XRQUGTpgD8zDBWtDYQiM5-s6JyMkpOmcOp7xrtilOI70Y-PAI/s1600/DSCN2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXITWREp1SzLwbD2-kjkZG_OL894MO9Xd09TSoYgS2ycvIPTYpgyBlvqUIuHromqbJ6q21o1T7kkU_P5fQxhwVt-iw0XRQUGTpgD8zDBWtDYQiM5-s6JyMkpOmcOp7xrtilOI70Y-PAI/s320/DSCN2522.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Yes, we got perfectly photo-bombed by this bro in the red hat.)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Now we are chillin back in Seattle for the night till we make it out the San Juans to kick it with Cory, Alex, Bobby and Bill. Can't wait.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Peace.</span></span></div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06074460387573700108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-79697646288946877722011-07-26T10:22:00.000-07:002011-08-04T13:03:27.350-07:00Westward ExpansionLoyal Readers -<br /><br />We apologize again for the long wait. We know you’re all sitting by your computers for the next post, or (for the lucky few) sitting by your phone for a brief call. We’ve been on the road again after our residency at the Lake House in Nisswa, MN. Its been over a week since we left the lake house and traveled into the beautiful Twin Cities to meet up with Kate’s friend from studying abroad in Bolivia, Tressa. We had a wonderful afternoon swim, a delicious outdoor barbeque, and an evening bike ride complete with our own Tommy and Ben sharing a tandem bike! The next day we went to The Tap to watch the Women’s World Cup heart breaking loss. But, our day was salvaged as Paul unexpectedly ran into another study abroad friend, Leah, from Costa Rica. After the penalty kicks and reconnecting chats, we hit the road to Badlands National Park in South Dakota (emphasis on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUXAEzaC3Q">bad</a>).<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDowaQL2bJM9iL0BoF90_XzWQBf3yqeRSv_sMfLVGvD8TNL6r1x5gDfOYmMp7VKJgLH8szxgcxV80156cKDKbmlHbTVrWRjVQEB3xFqsDaHYI3PClQe1POP7dMpGo7LajkfACyrsxlMo4/s320/DSCN2123.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633721253912819554" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We had an 21 mile backpacking loop planned in the Badlands, but struggled to find the appropriate backcountry map (with no help from the Park Service. boo). Fortunately, Paul had printed two miserable, yet passable copies of our loop. The five of us geared up and headed out into Badlands with close to 90lbs of water to brave the 110 degree heat. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANPAUnudsQNCWGD-7SfYKVEAzh7LgPdx5DtHX4pmpbRyzqb6GfIokC9j_NYH8qzDQm3ut7lKt6CaDIk3vzQ3DMiQWhvfjRIZxzjJm3fA9PcBacky8wBYPIvSZVmiEIqpTs2gfx1uZOOg/s320/DSCN2090.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633721886503476242" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Despite good planning, the heat, lack of a good map, and shrinking water supplies forced us to turn back after just one night in the back country. Fortunately, we all lived to tell the tale of those bad, bad lands (even after our run-in with a baby rattler).<br /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2z1WtXS9b8zXbBRHBwpgjyi-HEWK7Q9-sry9pHzZi0a0mYKKjxLciB4ensiciHtWywVUE3X7PIOzhxMlpesNWlxUZJsnqH5xszG81P8G55ZvX6e6ttBM0dvPTNtQkFQmk2shHscGtZY/s320/DSCN2106.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633722426438775218" border="0" /></div><div><br />After leaving the Badlands, we desperately needed to clean ourselves, so, of course, we stopped by the Wall, South Dakota fire department for a little hose down. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTRx3AkBUle522sE_dZjwN1ZnxHjE5XTVvUO2aIJb-EenwxvK7ozwhefZhQIgmWRHyIS3KDiDS2KO1Qm7ZD4BPgnMS82oeFSNrfIv88guaKXfvJDJixelPVozTK-hPxnYt5YMURkhkyE/s1600/DSCN2124.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTRx3AkBUle522sE_dZjwN1ZnxHjE5XTVvUO2aIJb-EenwxvK7ozwhefZhQIgmWRHyIS3KDiDS2KO1Qm7ZD4BPgnMS82oeFSNrfIv88guaKXfvJDJixelPVozTK-hPxnYt5YMURkhkyE/s320/DSCN2124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633723973521726290" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, and we hit Rushmore (without paying the $11 to park for the 11 minutes that we were there, shhh don't tell).</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyN14WUlwcoFVpA-ZauYRXfcDwnauadUFeiu5b48gwmDECkPfp2L21QSQg83GX4jGhZVjJ83SnBhtImpy-89MRXdpEZvL9y1GY0LzM6FAC9SNyfIJ_oiUX2UJPQk8Ufj2TdTOiWxbiL4/s1600/DSCN2126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyN14WUlwcoFVpA-ZauYRXfcDwnauadUFeiu5b48gwmDECkPfp2L21QSQg83GX4jGhZVjJ83SnBhtImpy-89MRXdpEZvL9y1GY0LzM6FAC9SNyfIJ_oiUX2UJPQk8Ufj2TdTOiWxbiL4/s320/DSCN2126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633724776887559746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Our next stop was to cross the beautiful state of Wyoming on our way to see a Williams alum, Will aka An aka Gill Pettingill. Halfway through Wyoming, we stopped in the dead of night to sleep off of an old Forest Service road in the Big Horn Mountains. When we awoke, we were greeted with the most gorgeous view of a few snow-capped peaks. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nM5AUo4t_ic8EVq_6GwDz2Xq8PdSTJlDiV7FkrBLT27b8j2JLgaahpXA1AI5rmz-fjvpQnSCIRejc7o79iaXkSfZTrepD2ryRAhtEUTLikhoWLiiIghGhFznv3F8UWRLSQfkaayx-w0/s1600/DSCN2142.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nM5AUo4t_ic8EVq_6GwDz2Xq8PdSTJlDiV7FkrBLT27b8j2JLgaahpXA1AI5rmz-fjvpQnSCIRejc7o79iaXkSfZTrepD2ryRAhtEUTLikhoWLiiIghGhFznv3F8UWRLSQfkaayx-w0/s320/DSCN2142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633725593880424802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the amazing view, we had a date with this “An” fellow, and made our way to Victor, ID. In Victor, we checked out the Grand Teton Brewing Company, and the best small town event in the U.S., Music on the Main! The town of Victor throws down every Thursday night, and everyone comes out for some good funky music, sweet vendors, and craft beers. Unfortunately, we had to leave Victor the following day to get all up in those Grand Tetons. The loop we had planned was too snowy and required ice picks, so we decided to take some friendly advice and check out Phelps Lake and hike into Death Canyon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIeHO_jQEGdrCJNiPyqU6D7vaCcMihwJFOqQNKEXdUf1JORtnNldl7wL6EcI-mUoSlhAO3W6nKSY2-GdJbL1WkbZISdfStO-3BtfDQomQa1r20r2y-WEPPqXsmr33g2uZLMhDWRqOI4U/s1600/DSCN2170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIeHO_jQEGdrCJNiPyqU6D7vaCcMihwJFOqQNKEXdUf1JORtnNldl7wL6EcI-mUoSlhAO3W6nKSY2-GdJbL1WkbZISdfStO-3BtfDQomQa1r20r2y-WEPPqXsmr33g2uZLMhDWRqOI4U/s320/DSCN2170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633727096349351746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Despite how trecherous Death Canyon sounds, the hike into our campsite was very enjoyable. We hiked all day along a raging river of snow melt and arrived exhausted at our home for the night. After an awesome dinner of veggies and cous cous (the food so nice they named it twice), we hit the tent for some sweet card playing and bed. While we slept we were visited by some mysterious intruders. I could type you this story, but I would rather have Tommy sing it to you. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy9bk0fPBsU">Take it away.</a><br /><br />We spent another night in Death Canyon, now more aware of the salt hungry wildlife. However, the next morning we had some welcome visitors in our campsite, a Momma Moose and its child. On the way out we also saw a red fox and a coyote bear its teeth at Ben. Road Trip Wildlife Day continued as we drove north through Yellowstone and saw many more moose, elk, and bison. Old Faithful was a BLAST (zing), and we even got some ice cream and a bumpersticker. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkw0n_UQxLZEtux1h5F-VHaLCoBIkNT1HfAPEwnbK3SATsfJL8Hqc_K6m2rLMrGgH_b7UqLk_hY2GvqySoY0kegftS9VegFlYBvxFgaguEhrKeOCmO67hqa6ZlV4jHsOPLQUnqCQ1qAA/s1600/DSCN2242.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkw0n_UQxLZEtux1h5F-VHaLCoBIkNT1HfAPEwnbK3SATsfJL8Hqc_K6m2rLMrGgH_b7UqLk_hY2GvqySoY0kegftS9VegFlYBvxFgaguEhrKeOCmO67hqa6ZlV4jHsOPLQUnqCQ1qAA/s320/DSCN2242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633728217367802498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We drove just out of the park to enjoy some camping for the price of free.99 rather than paying an arm and a leg to be corralled in with the riff raff. The next day we took the plunge 328 steps down to check out the glorious Yellowstone Falls, which beat out our buddy Niagra by a mile to be crowned the best waterfall of the trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWtgT9UZE0w706PPMPfYJcQAOb8Ao7JJDai02qdNEdt3eLm7QYuK4iHiFQLo8UKCDYzlVAwIt345b8sAk0vPtZ8Obmy9_i6-tCUzTKkg0Hle_2GrfHR5wjVSGP4ExzxSlQK97lv4NUeU/s1600/DSCN2289.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWtgT9UZE0w706PPMPfYJcQAOb8Ao7JJDai02qdNEdt3eLm7QYuK4iHiFQLo8UKCDYzlVAwIt345b8sAk0vPtZ8Obmy9_i6-tCUzTKkg0Hle_2GrfHR5wjVSGP4ExzxSlQK97lv4NUeU/s320/DSCN2289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633727685747445986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We left gysertown, USA to head towards Bozeman and prepare for the big day of the 26th of July, a day that will go down in history. Our very own Thomas Channing Hester was invited by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzgOS8dbF64">John Harwood</a> to be on the NPR show On Point to talk about the loss of our dear friend Brendan Ogg. The show went swimmingly with help from our friends Deb and Gil at the world class <a href="http://www.peakrecording.net/">Peak Recording</a> studio (we even got freshly baked cookies, hot coffee, and a sweet bluegrass CD for the road. best. studio. ever). Check the audio at <a href="http://bit.ly/o2Jnzm">http://bit.ly/o2Jnzm</a>. We are currently in the Bozeman library basking in Tommy’s newfound fame and glory and planning to hit up Costco for some free samples. Wish us luck. Until next time (which might be a little while because we are off to Glacier, Banff, and Jasper), take it easy America (and all of our international friends).</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-24801587800744964122011-07-13T15:43:00.000-07:002011-07-15T16:31:08.245-07:00Brats For DaysHello again everybody,<br /><br />We are reporting to you live from the Porter/Davidson/Van Fossen Lake House in Nisswa, MN. But first, we should regale you our adventures in the beautiful state of Wisconsin. After leaving Chicago, we drove a few hours north to see Carol and Ken Jaeck (Paul's aunt and uncle). They live on a gorgeous nine acres with a bountiful garden with more fruits and vegetables than you can imagine. We also spent a few hours playing in the barn with Squeaks the cat and her four six-week old kittens.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupgiKyo-8pPQJF1ST28rAThh6hP5ov05o1wSCwx7lWpuTkjOhoB2jlqhmGMB44HQdXF1Oehyphenhyphenm3VRdAYwpt122tzCzHswnlka3HVhbA8yL0CzPb0j7zVpBcLhE-0rr__v0-2oWd4VvTJFD/s1600/DSCN1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupgiKyo-8pPQJF1ST28rAThh6hP5ov05o1wSCwx7lWpuTkjOhoB2jlqhmGMB44HQdXF1Oehyphenhyphenm3VRdAYwpt122tzCzHswnlka3HVhbA8yL0CzPb0j7zVpBcLhE-0rr__v0-2oWd4VvTJFD/s320/DSCN1915.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />We had a few delicious Wisconsin microbrews before a feast of Wisconsin Brats and sauerkraut, greek salad, coleslaw, and more. Tommy was nice enough to give Ben a ride to Madison after dinner to meet up with a (lady) friend, Keavy McFadden. We woke up late the next day to an awesome breakfast with homemade jams and sausage links, and hung out in the garden before heading to a traditional Wisconsin Friday Fish Fry.<br /><br />After lunch, we hit the road again, luckily we were only headed about a half an hour down the road to the humble abode of another CC friend, Lily McKoy. Being the lovely host that she is, Lily took us straight down to Oconomowoc (Oh-kahn-a-ma-walk) Lake for an afternoon of waterskiing. Sadly Sarah wasn't feeling up for the adventure, but the rest of us had a grand old time -- with plenty of hysterical wipe outs to go around.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyj_VTCzDEyVGttM22DqMUuTFOiUkWYD3ZgpQWN8-bib6ZqW5aNenB0VQTWRbAQ18cudjTNPj2CEmfcEOaS0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />After a quick dinner stop at the Kiltie drive-in diner for burgers and custard, we headed to Miller Park for our first professional sports event of the trip. The Milwaukee Brewers faced the Cincinnati Reds and we root root rooted for the home team. An in-the-park home run, stolen first base, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=16775903&query=game_pk%3D288234">come-from-behind win in the bottom of the ninth inning</a>, and the famous sausage race kept us more than entertained. The Brewers won it 8-7.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcoBEFSepDbRWVqEcVN8sdlYeAPM0klyJTUOTvh1cpx3DcfierS8eLi8kqeW5sgzsPKQsIFosWJ9qAbioiYk6RGGKxiZbrs6IDy_cJTAKLlhjOI14j-_Jll5enVkeK84uF78d9CEcvRSZ/s1600/DSCN1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcoBEFSepDbRWVqEcVN8sdlYeAPM0klyJTUOTvh1cpx3DcfierS8eLi8kqeW5sgzsPKQsIFosWJ9qAbioiYk6RGGKxiZbrs6IDy_cJTAKLlhjOI14j-_Jll5enVkeK84uF78d9CEcvRSZ/s320/DSCN1956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />We left Oconomowoc early next morning and stopped in Green Lake, WI to see Brian Borah, Tommy's buddy from Williams who was kind enough to pull away from his MCAT studies to chat with us. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast, visited with the whole Borah clan (the place is crawling with them), and hit the road again for the North Woods.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MprjY42cE1hyPJ1dAEkOn54MUWcvEvLwV4u4_006Xzgv7B9C8997_j8yOGx3H2398dBxadb3KKs5RTjS7fnZrZCpjsjHzo2t4tJ5sIoGfd5NMUNsn4iLsfRE2juHrCoDbDchrUeLNHMa/s1600/DSCN1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MprjY42cE1hyPJ1dAEkOn54MUWcvEvLwV4u4_006Xzgv7B9C8997_j8yOGx3H2398dBxadb3KKs5RTjS7fnZrZCpjsjHzo2t4tJ5sIoGfd5NMUNsn4iLsfRE2juHrCoDbDchrUeLNHMa/s320/DSCN1968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />We arrived to Nisswa in time to see Ben's mom and brother (Sam) before they took off the following morning. Immediately upon our arrival, we were instructed to hop directly into the lake for a glorious welcome dip. Our dinner that evening was a traditional North Woods fried <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6v5VRuoxIevyk21QV3OY58WjcDOfO4pS__H-Z5syQd6YGvcxfD-s_JofuO1x285_hJ3UG8E0G_RlCK21EBHfLTvqpBINzj3ZGOAzqkEEwegYE0jcaDlJP_jv2WwrW4Jw73subWK6Et4/s400/columbia_river_walleye_77dd.jpg">Walleye</a> with wild rice, aspagus, and scalloped tomoatoes. The best meal we had had in quite some time. The next day we all spent working on our water skiing and trying not to embarass ourselves in front of (all while trying to assimilate into) the family. Fortunately, we passed the West Twin Lake Ski School exam with flying colors thanks to the help from our fabulous instructors.<br /><br />During our stay here, we have been helping out as much as possible by clearing the jungle of a picnic area, cleaning dishes, and tidying up whenever possible in exchange for the best food you could ever imagine (Tommy says "180 lbs here I come!"). Unfortunately, Sarah was the next victim of our ongoing illness and had to be taken to the urgent care facility only to find that she has a sinus infection. Despite this setback, we believe that laughter is the best medicine, so morale is still sky high. In fact, today, the rest of the gang went to bean hole day, during which the town of Pequot Lakes cooks enormous amounts of baked beans in the town square and gives them out for free. Yum.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNzSKHIBOKoKG_z5iZfsUDsOgkRIRo_7kSroOK-ADOAIzGeQRZ_5A-j5bxBfqh0hLCgKkAOQ8BQq44mz-LRHwYcV3v3sJ0LdKXCo9SbzkDnLm6Q8ABYNXnbvbiytBDf37z3Tl1GNuqKS7/s1600/DSCN1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNzSKHIBOKoKG_z5iZfsUDsOgkRIRo_7kSroOK-ADOAIzGeQRZ_5A-j5bxBfqh0hLCgKkAOQ8BQq44mz-LRHwYcV3v3sJ0LdKXCo9SbzkDnLm6Q8ABYNXnbvbiytBDf37z3Tl1GNuqKS7/s320/DSCN1972.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />After bean hole day, the three boys used their bean-fueled energy to swim across the West Twin Lake (a half mile). In the next few days, we're also planning on trying to make our very own <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_bucket">Gut Bucket</a> so we can form a true North Woods country bumpkin band. We'll keep you posted on how it goes. Personally, I smell a Billboard hit.Tommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875827080275102169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-50502249487238700832011-07-05T22:36:00.000-07:002011-07-06T15:21:09.469-07:00The Quad (Life on the Road without T$)Since Tommy left, everything has gone smoother, been more enjoyable, and we've even started making money. I just hope he never comes back from Bermuda. Really, four people in the car instead of five....well, don't get me started.<br /><br />After dropping Tommy in Manchester, the Quad drove to Burlington, VT to meet up with our good friend from Albert Einstein High School, Colin Riggs. This spot was an awesome commune with maybe 25 people living in an enormous house with an abundance of bikes, vegetable gardens, chickens and fun to go around. We spent two nights exploring Burlington, checking out the Tim-Burton-Style Magic Hat Brewery, touring the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream factory, seeing parks, and boogying to live soul music.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhTokje2lODzDjcLRpPJxM6YXE2i3tq_0t2ArRfBy72LKasHaVwyBcfzsU5YsSAg7ntDg9DWWTqQh8d8-I9VmNWlmjIBIbIMzaoG732oR6rXYOeDCNTyVI2MdA8p-iJX1ggP7XU1AzNQ/s1600/paul" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhTokje2lODzDjcLRpPJxM6YXE2i3tq_0t2ArRfBy72LKasHaVwyBcfzsU5YsSAg7ntDg9DWWTqQh8d8-I9VmNWlmjIBIbIMzaoG732oR6rXYOeDCNTyVI2MdA8p-iJX1ggP7XU1AzNQ/s320/paul" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626282494906258530" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfS46EJmNum1kIaJpg0HU42_e67-palQ5_AN2jQa3wzRY0KjTsDp4KFPUk2Zy3zzcNpALnXmjt1tIRluKGOraJ-ea5zGXj9MWlstOpvNkUtsL-XR140WRaiDTF1AKAgUAkpXwn5QV_M/s1600/DSCN1799.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYfS46EJmNum1kIaJpg0HU42_e67-palQ5_AN2jQa3wzRY0KjTsDp4KFPUk2Zy3zzcNpALnXmjt1tIRluKGOraJ-ea5zGXj9MWlstOpvNkUtsL-XR140WRaiDTF1AKAgUAkpXwn5QV_M/s320/DSCN1799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626359508970230578" /></a><br />Colin was a fantastic host, as we all crashed on the floor of his wonderful abode. Burlington and the rest of Vermont are really spectacular -- the billboard free highways and rolling wooded hills made it one of the most <a href="http://forcechange.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/welcome-to-vermont-road-sign.jpg">beautiful states</a> to drive through.<br /><br />After leaving Burlington, the Quad ventured north, sailing smoothly through the Canadian border to Montreal, Quebec to visit Ms. Emily Doyle. We spent time biking all around the city, checking out the <a href="http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx">Montreal Jazz Festival</a> (even though, unfortunately, The Roots tickets were sold out...), exploring some sweet neighborhoods, and reaching the summit of <a href="http://arkadien.org/pictures/mont-royal_vue_1.jpg">Mont-Royal</a>. It was our first time in Canada, both individually and collectively, and for some the first time being in a place dominated by the French language. We had an amazing dinner of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajine">tagine</a> made by Sarah's Moroccan homestay sister, Ranya, one of the most friendly and beautiful people you will ever meet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRT78tbgY27mlLO3A1AyRCR5Ey7X5GjiDFLl-sy7nCiIJq795FhQJPK9L6wGz5hXEtVP6qn13arHhd7prhoPpCFds78PWHmqBKGpOCa4HYyEosB9Bc6X6cRhlVkNd6NIphI8PJZXzucE/s1600/DSCN1826.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRT78tbgY27mlLO3A1AyRCR5Ey7X5GjiDFLl-sy7nCiIJq795FhQJPK9L6wGz5hXEtVP6qn13arHhd7prhoPpCFds78PWHmqBKGpOCa4HYyEosB9Bc6X6cRhlVkNd6NIphI8PJZXzucE/s320/DSCN1826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626360573790346274" /></a><br />After our fill of delicious cheese, wine, baguettes, and a few cigarettes, we headed west, through Toronto, before reaching the glorious (and tourist infested) <a href="http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Niagara_Falls_Webcam.htm">Niagara Falls</a>. We only spent a few hours here because of the crowds, and because we were all anxious to meet our good buddy Adam Yalowitz in Chicago for America's birthday, July 4th!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WCSdt1wTfHn1Yl-FhLowgn7BrE7EQe84jHOu_a17__xobznnrwzML2KO6DMRA_egTayQJgij-2oYj20R55Lifc_j3TBIfG2-QKSofm4oASiDVthZ-rUl6ULpzfZQSnkESIdfMr4-CSI/s1600/DSCN1833.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WCSdt1wTfHn1Yl-FhLowgn7BrE7EQe84jHOu_a17__xobznnrwzML2KO6DMRA_egTayQJgij-2oYj20R55Lifc_j3TBIfG2-QKSofm4oASiDVthZ-rUl6ULpzfZQSnkESIdfMr4-CSI/s320/DSCN1833.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626363610350196274" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Montreal,+QC,+Canada&daddr=44.12587,-77.59822+to:Niagara+Falls,+Ontario,+Canada+to:42.98331,-82.47524+to:42.96761,-83.78168+to:Chicago,+IL&hl=en&sll=43.4162,-80.599435&sspn=7.94702,18.413086&geocode=FRlptgIdCaed-ykNt2QcVBrJTDHv7x8hODFOZQ%3BFa5OoQId9PFf-ymJ2WWyWhbWiTErmxUZBrZ28Q%3BFZaYkQId1fpJ-ym3M-Yp6mPTiTGzqsW55FqXYQ%3BFY7fjwIdGIcV-yklLvkzH5wliDHME2WryBJaDA%3BFTqijwId0JcB-ynB6QXfnXcjiDGHPYJAdadmyg%3BFWICfwIdGuDG-inty_TQPCwOiDEAwMAJrabgrw&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=6&via=1,3,4&t=h&z=6">The drive</a> from Montreal to Niagara to Chicago was our longest yet (950 miles in one day) but we were blessed with a glorious sunset, endless fireflies and a sky dazzling with July 3rd fireworks at every exit as we drove across Michigan. We were pretty thankful for the extra room in the backseat without Thomas' long legs.<br /><br />While some of the Quad celebrated the fourth in the emergency room dealing with prolonged illness, the rest of us had a wonderfully beer, burger, and dog filled fourth before reuniting downtown in Millenium Park to witness some high quality Chicago fireworks. We spent the next day checking out the (free)Lincoln Park Zoo, cruising by the beach, and hanging out with old friends (my dude Collin Davis and Mary Clarke in the house!). I think the group has come to the conclusion that the Chicago skyline has to be the best we've seen thus far (Sorry NYC).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPNh18oOSYWuBW-YIhMC0nAXE8O1JhdUMOX3UMA8tVzC3c4d9OOsulhnTwnyIbJTpFLl1LRlGOmCtHeLZyph-YThhr6RHpuyjSsHuQWEeRm616m59QDETuFEvBRj16lHX7gHzZ00i2U/s1600/DSCN1857.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPNh18oOSYWuBW-YIhMC0nAXE8O1JhdUMOX3UMA8tVzC3c4d9OOsulhnTwnyIbJTpFLl1LRlGOmCtHeLZyph-YThhr6RHpuyjSsHuQWEeRm616m59QDETuFEvBRj16lHX7gHzZ00i2U/s320/DSCN1857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626362918801122754" /></a>Next the group (including Sir. Thomas Channing Hester) will head up to Wisconsin to stay with Paul's family, before an extended stay Ben's family's cabin near Nisswa, MN. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen, and keep in classy.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div>(keep scrolling down to see the last post now with photos!)</div></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-22189288773572748102011-07-01T22:22:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:46:29.840-07:00Better Late Than NeverHello Loyal Blog Readers,<br /><br />As you all know, about two and a half weeks ago, we set off on our adventure to see all of the sights of the United States of America. With twinkles in our respective eyes and nothing but a few dollars and a few dreams, we set off, thinking that we would meticulously write down our adventures in this blog so our friends and family could vicariously live through us while they worked real person jobs. Unfortunately, things have not gone exactly according to plan, something that has become a bit of a theme for our blog. We're not going to name names, but someone whose name starts with a B and ends with an enjamin Zucker left his computer in Boston, rendering us unable to record all of the events of this past week or so. We are so sorry about this predicament, and we hope it is not <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSM3w1v-A_Y">too late to apologize</a>. So here it is, the events of a week and some change of road tripping condensed into a few epic paragraphs (unfortunately these are mostly picture-less paragraphs at the moment because they're on Ben's computer, but we will rectify the blandness of this post as soon as possible):<br /><br />When we left you last, we were perusing around Brooklyn for one last day with our friends from Ravenous. In our last day in New York, Paul, Kate and Tommy had a wonderful day at Prospect Park slanging around the frisbee and watching mediocre Little League baseball while Ben went to a Mets game with his dad (a Mets' win) and Sarah went on a bike ride with her friend Leo Walker.<br /><br />The next day, we decided we had had enough of boring small town living in the so called Big Apple and booked it up to the bright lights of Williamstown. Our first stop in the Purple Valley was to meet up with Kate's grandpa Red Gordon for a wonderful dinner, after which our very own guide Tommy gave the group a tour of the Williams College grounds. That night, we decided it was probably for the best to not indulge in the bustling nightlife of Willytown on a Sunday night, and, instead, we had a quiet night of engaging conversation with the large but lovable Chance Rueger.<br /><br />The next day, we waved goodbye to Williams College and said hello to Cape Cod, where we stayed two nights with Nick Reynolds from CC. We spent the large majority of this time on the beach, straying only to see Eph Harry Marino pitch a gem of an inning for the Chatham A's. Whenever we were off the beach and back at Nick's house, we were met with hospitality from Nick's mom Kathy, shown below cheesing with Kate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI0PjiAWC_0unFrXk0ZB0LoMZd2O6LgUv-9oByQio-aJMe0vaCeshVGT8BGEskS1GhJH4G35ChrNrcRcIUVks4BPoiX2k2eo-cMn7KN8fvMV0dj8W-mqsr9LdMMydY_8qqeUj4ksIgPy-/s1600/256034_1899504367095_1226220176_31926592_480903_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI0PjiAWC_0unFrXk0ZB0LoMZd2O6LgUv-9oByQio-aJMe0vaCeshVGT8BGEskS1GhJH4G35ChrNrcRcIUVks4BPoiX2k2eo-cMn7KN8fvMV0dj8W-mqsr9LdMMydY_8qqeUj4ksIgPy-/s320/256034_1899504367095_1226220176_31926592_480903_o.jpg" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Whenever we were hungry or needed some motherly attention, Kathy, or Mothra as she is lovingly called, was always there, and we are extremely grateful for her kindness, even though she hustled us in every card or board game we played. Also, if we were every bored at the house, we played with one of their two hilarious dogs Max and Molly, the second of which loved water more than any dog has ever loved anything ever. If you don't believe me, just watch for yourself: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1899488686703&comments">Molly Loves Water</a>.<br /><br />After two wonderful sunny days in the Cape, we headed off to Boston. It was here that we ran into our first and so far only bought of inclement weather (knock on wood), as it rained for pretty much two days straight. Despite the weather outside, we had a wonderful first night staying with Carl Larue, Max Dudley, and Maxwell Crocker and cooking a feast of epic proportions at their house (it could have fed a small army). The next night, we switched venues to stay with our very own Tyler Paul Ferris, not before seeing the man in action cooking up a storm as the best damn pizza chef the city of Boston has ever seen.<div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnqiZ09cq9IXGNb3g-MVFHG4LUfI0v-Pbg8DrYsXApx_FR6JTfJsAkFFvbjs9yfzXN96dIZ5T2ua2DzWuUT7M_HprDtl9uwMCFhBQvoQz2gPGBBoovjE68n1diCUlZLEev3zuCCe_PDw/s1600/DSCN1697.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnqiZ09cq9IXGNb3g-MVFHG4LUfI0v-Pbg8DrYsXApx_FR6JTfJsAkFFvbjs9yfzXN96dIZ5T2ua2DzWuUT7M_HprDtl9uwMCFhBQvoQz2gPGBBoovjE68n1diCUlZLEev3zuCCe_PDw/s320/DSCN1697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626355916790591506" /></a><br />It was bittersweet when we packed up our things and left our good friends in Boston the next day, but we had plans. We had to go conquer Acadia, our first national park of the trip. Unfortunately, in many ways, Acadia bested us, with about half of the squad falling ill with a mystery sickness and overcast weather masking what we can only assume are normally beautiful views from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Nonetheless, we made the best of our situation and had a great time checking out the island and walking around the rocky coast. On our second night camping out, we even cooked up our own Maine lobster. Larry, as he was affectionately known before his untimely passing, was absolutely delicious, making even our resident shellfish hater Ben exclaim "Oy vey!" as he broke kosher for the second time on the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSkq9jLapL7PBr_sv8JZMBc75pVMLIG1TAaob5vKQJQmWSBhgySCU9EbGNptaFuifWgOu5DeJ0w2qK0qg9-ehL56Zd4foYB1NkhWf4fUYe8lBij-t2qrOC7CWszoYhqJ0ahnh9HqQ5fw/s1600/DSCN1741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSkq9jLapL7PBr_sv8JZMBc75pVMLIG1TAaob5vKQJQmWSBhgySCU9EbGNptaFuifWgOu5DeJ0w2qK0qg9-ehL56Zd4foYB1NkhWf4fUYe8lBij-t2qrOC7CWszoYhqJ0ahnh9HqQ5fw/s320/DSCN1741.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626356669892735074" /></a><br /><br />After two soggy nights of camping at Acadia, the group traveled back down to stay at Kate's roommate Sarah Delaney's house in Falmouth. Even though Sarah was actually gone working in Seattle, her parents Anne and Geoff showed us a great time. Between boat rides around Casco Bay, a tour of Portland, a wonderful seafood dinner, and a stay on our own private beach, it is an understatement to say that the entirety of the fearsome fivesome had a phenomenal time with Anne and Geoff, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to them for everything they did for us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eCUNk4Mp1c3lWL03MPEJqpSTSi443hDOd34Hu_Q-PNR4coUlNNKJRjELNDwEyGiolm8eI0R1A9d-Udw7aVH3RNJUQcHC3eXqlrbclFyEKBcqSmiAKSYI4HdhmOy9IwLo7FBDq-48-Rw/s1600/DSCN1767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eCUNk4Mp1c3lWL03MPEJqpSTSi443hDOd34Hu_Q-PNR4coUlNNKJRjELNDwEyGiolm8eI0R1A9d-Udw7aVH3RNJUQcHC3eXqlrbclFyEKBcqSmiAKSYI4HdhmOy9IwLo7FBDq-48-Rw/s320/DSCN1767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626357871795782306" /></a><br /><br />After our stay in Falmouth, we made the long drive over to Cape Elizabeth to the house of another CC alum, Rusty Leonard. Following that 30 minute haul, we really needed to relax, and Rusty obliged by taking us out for a great afternoon of kayaking, which was followed by a delicious dinner prepared by the whole Leonard clan.<br /><br />The next day, we took to the road again and headed out to <a href="http://www.netopsummercamp.com/">Camp Netop</a>. We got to camp in the afternoon, just in time to perform a rousing acoustic rendition of the Backstreet Boys' classic "I Want It That Way" during dinner. For the next 24 hours, we all ran around participating in activities like we were campers and having a ton of fun with all of the sports equipment available at our fingertips. All in all, we had an awesome time at camp thanks to all of the campers and staff, especially Steve "Hollywood" Hallowell, who really let us have free reign over the place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwkh9hryeDLRc2eQgVlNhCFwb3kprgr67EH8SgT0mTVf6JqAgrC9VO9R3sUMUWxIv7hvu67paOKejDgpMn_hDHz9iQnjwfaT7ZAcGCcZZA96G6jlAtwwmG6CslaL8w-DEvTQaVe83rpc/s1600/DSCN1788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwkh9hryeDLRc2eQgVlNhCFwb3kprgr67EH8SgT0mTVf6JqAgrC9VO9R3sUMUWxIv7hvu67paOKejDgpMn_hDHz9iQnjwfaT7ZAcGCcZZA96G6jlAtwwmG6CslaL8w-DEvTQaVe83rpc/s320/DSCN1788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626357278380534978" /></a><br /><br />Following Netop, Tommy was dropped off at the Manchester Airport so he could fly out to a family reunion. Without their fearless leader for a week, the now not-as-fantastic foursome continued on to Vermont. Unfortunately, the writer of this post is said fearless leader at said family reunion, so this is where the post ends.<br /><br />In conclusion, here is the song of the day and a promise that this blog will not stop, no matter how many times we lose our computer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM">Queen- Don't Stop Me Know</a></div>Tommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875827080275102169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-35788046101965029752011-06-17T10:06:00.000-07:002011-06-18T08:40:23.424-07:00Waterfalls + The Kraus/Ravenous Spot NYAfter our fantastic stay in and around Illadeplhia, we hit the road for a little rural retreat. Rickett's Glen State Park offered us two nights cheap camping and a 5 mile loop hike that toured 21 different waterfalls. With our swim suits and picnic packed, we set out to see the falls, each one progressively more stunning. Be on the lookout for a new viral youtube video, as we made a little song and dance to accompany the many waterfalls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRjPst6BqUuLiVDCLC09kQ9TiMAfq0s0dn8e7lzTARSfoCkPAUdIgM7F-KavDfIrkugkz_nR7aVEi7_1Mq-8SWZkhBvd-kx1tijtKOappNAdDxsfaJVnQPD2sQM8-38i81qbhPk7qvrA/s1600/DSCN1615.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRjPst6BqUuLiVDCLC09kQ9TiMAfq0s0dn8e7lzTARSfoCkPAUdIgM7F-KavDfIrkugkz_nR7aVEi7_1Mq-8SWZkhBvd-kx1tijtKOappNAdDxsfaJVnQPD2sQM8-38i81qbhPk7qvrA/s320/DSCN1615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619584282728445698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />On Thursday we re-packed our bags to brave the heart of Brooklyn, New York and ran into quite the character on the train into the city.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0mmedt0QvOU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><br />With Michael Jackson still ringing in our ears, we arrived to meet our friend Nick Kraus, a fellow Colorado College graduate, who was gracious enough to let us crash on his hardwood floor. Being the good little road-trippers that we are, we had planned ahead to spend the Thursday and Friday nights with <a href="http://ifuckswithravenous.tumblr.com/">Ravenous</a> (Matt Ogg, Taylor Bragg, Mr. Benjamin Field-Pickering, and kindergarden Coach Alex Becker), who also live in Brooklyn. Fortunately for us, these two spots happened to be a mere 6 blocks from each other! The horde of us had a few happy hour drinks together before parting ways for two different shows later that evening. The six of us (Nick included) headed out on the L train to the Brooklyn Bowl for a DJ set hosted by the one and only DJ ?uestlove of the Roots spinning the hottest vinyl cuts from his personal collection. We chatted up both Captain Kirk (guitar), who Sarah danced with for quite some time, and Knuckles (percussion) of the Roots. We had an uneventful, smooth, and flawless train ride back to Nick's spot where we all immediately hit the pillow.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday we each did our own thing... visiting long lost friends, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, witnessing high fashion at the MET, getting caught in an extreme thunderstorm, eating delish pizza & bagels (not to be confused with pizza bagels) and getting dunked on at Rucker Park. We've got one more day in the big apple and then off to sunny Williamstown and then the Cape Cod and Boston areas. Until next time, you stay classy world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shout out to our hosts in the song of the day: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B19Ar6ejkHA">Ravenous- Saltwater Taffy (The Dock)</a></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18378866838259351785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-30698760354259463682011-06-12T20:14:00.000-07:002011-06-13T11:20:10.247-07:00It Begins...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpL-cjFO3LWTXNv3y13T_XQmFdWNkVxkYdqxE89O1GomQzJkYM5DkWFiA5HoNtY-vSIFNENlZz4FRqY_6WcRiSayvdjPlKv_kmabVDRPWql3yAcBud4Y651UwOp-ifzlevX_x5KJ-Eo/s1600/leaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjpL-cjFO3LWTXNv3y13T_XQmFdWNkVxkYdqxE89O1GomQzJkYM5DkWFiA5HoNtY-vSIFNENlZz4FRqY_6WcRiSayvdjPlKv_kmabVDRPWql3yAcBud4Y651UwOp-ifzlevX_x5KJ-Eo/s320/leaving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes, the rumors you have been hearing are true. The road trip to end all road trips has officially started. And oh what a start it was. We said sayonara to Silver Spring, MD around 5pm, and drove promptly through to Pat's in South Illadelph to find some delicious cheesesteaks. However, when we got there, what we found instead was the craziest line EVER! (See below)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pAMZsCzJZWzfjEDQYJaBsY90xUL0yZJ0q6noFmbJQf1YXY-WR9q5jHfKQIKFoW-V5BfQmw3urPARzbRn0eFzAvLhugNvnxfetc0EDv5UKMCHxG7_VAByuN39dsLYeFMKnszYpvp6kU0/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pAMZsCzJZWzfjEDQYJaBsY90xUL0yZJ0q6noFmbJQf1YXY-WR9q5jHfKQIKFoW-V5BfQmw3urPARzbRn0eFzAvLhugNvnxfetc0EDv5UKMCHxG7_VAByuN39dsLYeFMKnszYpvp6kU0/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As we filed in to this line pouring out into the street, cars were passing us left and right, some more upset than others about the traffic jam we were creating. Eventually, the cops even had to come and move the line to the sidewalk because no cars could get through. Despite the fact that we stood in this line mingling with some of the worst people in the world (Phillies fans), it was definitely worth the wait when we got our food. It was also a momentous occasion because Kate and Sarah had their first cheesesteaks ever and our own Benjamin Porter Zucker even broke kosher!<br />
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After wolfing down our meal, we got back on the road to Haverford College, to meet Mr. Joeseph "Woody" Carpenter, of Portland OR, track and cross-country extraordinaire. Dude threw a party just for us! But not actually (we crashed his going away party). I believe Kate put it best, "You Haverford people are sloppy. And Wonderful."<br />
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We woke up this morning on a beer stained floor of an apartment a little bit hung over but mostly just ready to roll, especially when Woody made us all pancakes before taking us on a tour of the college. After our stroll around lovely Haverford College (phenomenal stone buildings says our budding architect Paul), we said goodbye to our new runner friends and made our way to see Grandpa Jack and Louise (Ben's grandparents. Holla back Porter family) for some lunch. After the post-lunch tour of their zone and the clubhouse, which was an unemployed college graduate's paradise full of games and fun, we decided we have to return (tomorrow night) for some mischief.<br />
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Our wonderful lunch in the rearview mirror, literally and figuratively (getting punny), we drove back into the city to meet Kate's brother and his hilarious dog Hugo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GklYzkDEJaSLCZ7yNTm7kFQouDTkiddz82s5NiFezDxQSviMMCN6G0YhZyNT17C1F9A7N4mgjlJgjcdZuOQZ33hKEcj-K81tcovdcRatIvRqjNTYcVr_ZxAwzgwOP8UOlbWIcrVsCgE/s1600/Photo+on+2011-06-12+at+21.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GklYzkDEJaSLCZ7yNTm7kFQouDTkiddz82s5NiFezDxQSviMMCN6G0YhZyNT17C1F9A7N4mgjlJgjcdZuOQZ33hKEcj-K81tcovdcRatIvRqjNTYcVr_ZxAwzgwOP8UOlbWIcrVsCgE/s320/Photo+on+2011-06-12+at+21.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hugo and Ben proceeded to take us on a tour of downtown, during which we did a little bit of slack-lining (tons of fun). Hugo got a little bit tired from the walk, but us humans would not let the heat get us down, and we had a little workout session in the afternoon. Well, Ben has just prepared us a fantastic dinner, so we've got to run, but thanks for reading and keeping up with us whoever you are. Here is the song of the day because it is oddly specific to our road trip: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jC8JTSsVp0">Wyclef Jean- Gone Til November</a>BZurkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296087547422818165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-13769467198439849272011-06-10T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-10T10:46:50.080-07:00Even The Best Laid Plans Can Go AwryHello Everyone,<br />
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As you know, today was supposed to be the official sendoff day for our little trip. However, in a shocking twist, getting ready for a 6 month road trip is a lot of work. As a result of the laundry list of things that we still have to do, we are changing our plans and hitting the road tomorrow with our first stop being the Philadelphia area. So, if you are in Philly and would like to see any of the furious five (nicknames for our group are a work in progress and suggestions are welcome) then please let any or all of us know. In the meantime, we will continue packing and making the car into a road warrior.<br />
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Also, in between making hurried trips to REI and Target to get more and more gear, our very own driving expert Paul has been teaching the rest of the gang to drive stick. At this point, Paul and maybe Kate are probably the only people allowed to drive on big boy roads. All I have to say in response to this is shotty.<br />
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Finally, we would like to give a big thank you to everyone who has filled out the survey so far (105 people and counting!), and, if you have not yet filled it out, please take a minute and do so if you are interested in meeting up with the fab five en route (I can think of at least five migrants who will be eternally grateful if you do).<br />
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In conclusion, here is the song of the day for obvious reasons: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I">Ray Charles- Hit The Road Jack</a>.Tommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07875827080275102169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990695027479648305.post-67834313480350548892011-06-01T08:12:00.000-07:002011-06-01T08:12:22.591-07:00<iframe src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dEhlajRmdjZYX2haYjJjRTU2cXJCb0E6MQ" width="550" height="1940" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe>BZurkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296087547422818165noreply@blogger.com0