My post-apocalyptic quest towards the light
Just as New York City is the City for me, Mt. Rainier is the Mountain. Actually, if you happen to live in the greater Seattle/Tacoma metropolitan area, or really anywhere in the southern half of Western Washington, this is what you call it too. It's such a prominent feature on the horizon that people say... Continue Reading →
When I look out the windows as darkness falls, I’m searching for fireflies that aren’t going to appear. It’s odd since I’ve lived most of my life without their happy little glow lighting up my summer evenings. But, I’m waiting for them anyway. And, whenever I think of fireflies, I’m reminded of an evening visiting... Continue Reading →
On what is supposed to be our second to last morning, I decide I’m done. No more hotels. No more road food. No more trip. We are driving through all the way to my parents’ house. It’s 11 hours of drive time, which I’ve done on plenty of other trips, but not with so many... Continue Reading →
I am out of windshield washer fluid. I’ve run completely dry due to the massive cover-up I’ve been running to try to hide the fact that I’ve slaughtered an extreme number of innocent bugs while driving across the United States. Obviously, I’ve crossed state lines so I’m looking at a Federal crime of epic proportions.... Continue Reading →
One of the most well known battlefields in U.S. history sits just off I-90 in Montana. For us it was a fitting stop on our journey west because two of our favorite destinations on this trip were named for key leaders from opposing sides of the fight, Crazy Horse and Lt. Colonel George A. Custer.... Continue Reading →
On this trip, I’ve checked four new states off my list. That was supposed to be it, but the other night I discovered that with a 3 ½ hour straight shot north we could drive from Sturgis to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, one of my missing states. What’s not to love about... Continue Reading →
Shortly after we moved to NY, our new neighbor told us that there was a neighborhood bear. For five years, I hoped to see it. On my very last morning as a New Yorker, I had to slow down for a bear running across the road. Funny how these things often happen when you’ve stopped... Continue Reading →
When we were last here, six years ago, we had just visited Yellowstone and had a fantastic time. But, when it came to wildlife, on that trip, Custer State Park put Yellowstone to shame. I now realize that this is purely luck. It depends on the exact moment of your visit. You may see hundreds... Continue Reading →
Mr. C wants to visit a cave. We keep seeing billboards everywhere we go in the Black Hills for one cave or another. Some of the billboards and tourist flyers look better than others. But, how do you know which one to choose? I know I should check out some online reviews of different caves... Continue Reading →
Remember how I mentioned that I’m always worried about the possibility of disappointment when visiting a place I’ve long wanted to see? Well, six years ago, on our last cross-country adventure, I worried about Mount Rushmore. Now, as we approach it for the second time, I have no worries at all. I know it will... Continue Reading →
Today, I do my last load of cross-country-laundry! This is good because it means I won’t have to visit a Laundromat again for, well, a long time. It’s complicated for me to plan on doing laundry at specific times. I realize some of you do this naturally, even if you own a washer and dryer,... Continue Reading →
I love old cemeteries. First there are the names. Some names like John or Sarah could easily come right out of the White Pages today. That is if anyone still uses the White Pages. Then there are the names like Almeria or Delbert that really have the ability to take you back in time. Last... Continue Reading →
We’re staying in Sturgis, South Dakota. Yep, that Sturgis. The one known for it’s gargantuan motorcycle rally. We will not be here then. Nope, no, definitely not. I understand the draw of riding a motorcycle through this part of the country. It has no helmet law, has flat high plains, winding mountain roads, absolutely massive... Continue Reading →
Unity. Independence. Two of the things I like best about my country. On the surface you might think they don’t really go hand in hand. You’d be wrong. I’m not saying that we’re always unified. Far from it. You don’t have to look any further than our current presidential election to see how diverse our... Continue Reading →
Last summer, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary. Way to go, Mom and Dad! Not only did you manage to raise two kids who turned into responsible, respectable adults, but you also managed to put up with each other for a really long time. If you put my two marriages together I come up with... Continue Reading →
Mr. C has a lot of cousins and all but one are girls. Somehow, the one boy just happens to be almost the same age as he is. This sounds perfect, right? Well, it would be except that Mr. C never gets to see these cousins. His dad travels a lot for work, so whenever... Continue Reading →
Until the other day, it hadn't occurred to me that Louisville and St. Louis both have Louis in their names. Thinking about weird connections is one of the many things you have time to ponder if you are driving cross country. Anyway, we made it to both of them in one full day of driving.... Continue Reading →
I like to think of myself as a friendly, if somewhat reserved, person. When a complete stranger initiates a conversation with me I’m happy to talk. From time to time I’ll even be the one to talk first. I almost always smile or nod as I pass someone on the street, but most of the... Continue Reading →
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