Waterfalls + The Kraus/Ravenous Spot NY

After 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.

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.

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 Ravenous (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.

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.

Shout out to our hosts in the song of the day: Ravenous- Saltwater Taffy (The Dock)

It Begins...

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)

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!

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."

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.

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.

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: Wyclef Jean- Gone Til November

Even The Best Laid Plans Can Go Awry

Hello Everyone,

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.

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.


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).

In conclusion, here is the song of the day for obvious reasons: Ray Charles- Hit The Road Jack.