A Little Diddy

This past Friday night I got home from work, ate some dinner, put the PJ's and was about to dedicate my night to reading.  Sounded like a perfect way to spend my Friday evening after a long week.

I don't even remember how it happened but I was just moving a few things on my computer and for some reason I brought up iMovie.  I haven't made a movie on iMovie since I got my very own Mac computer.  The program opened and something caught my eye.  I thought, why not play with it a little.  This little video should have only taken about 30 minutes but I didn't exactly know what I was doing.  It took about 2 hours but I learn alot. 

The video is so fast that having captions was pointless.  I want to post the video because I am geeky proud about it and to caption it.

1. - Video in the tunnel - that was on the trip I took with Tiffani.  We were driving from Richmond, VA to Salt Lake City, UT.  I believe that tunnel was in PA.  It was the longest tunnel I have ever been in.

2. - Video panning from Sunset to Mt Rushmore - the same cross country trip with Tiffani.  Obviously we were in South Dakota at Mt Rushmore National Park.

3. - Video of the clouds - That was my flight from Richmond, VA to San Diego, CA for Britni's Wedding.  The clouds were beautiful and the lightening was just amazing.  There were tons of flight delays that day and I was just so happy I was in the air. 

4. - Video of golf carts - This was from the Nicholas Sparks Charity Weekend in New Bern, NC.  There was a golf tournament and a few of the boys from One Tree Hill were playing around more then playing golf.  At that moment they were tossing their golf ball back and forth as they were driving up the green.

5. - Picture of the Mountain - This is the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  After Britni's Graduation in Rexburg, ID we drove to Denver, Colorado.  This was one of our stops.

6. - Video of the street drummers - This was outside the Kentucky Derby with Autumn and Liz.  They were very good!

7. - Picture of NYC skyline - Duh, this is in New York City.  This was part of me and Britni's quick trip to NYC.  This is one of the sides of Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

8. - Video of the guy juggling - This is a street performer in Boston, MA.  This was part of my trip with Jessica and Kami.  That trip that consisted of 6 states.

9. - Picture of a Playbill - This is the Playbill for How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  This was the reason for our quick trip to NYC.  We saw it the night before closing.

10. - Video of the sledding crash - This I have already shared but it needed to be included.  This was from our last trip sledding down the mountain in West Virginia.  The one where we crashed into the bumper and we ended up inside of it.  Ah the whiplash from WVA.

11. - Picture of me - This was from the cross country trip with Tiffani.  The Peep was from the Peep Store in the Mall of America.  I was using it as a pillow.

12. - Picture of Claire, Katie and Stephanie - I didn't have picture of just the 3 of them so I use the picture with the guys after the Golf Tournament in New Bern, NC.

13. - Picture of Liz and Autumn - This was from the Kentucky Oaks which is the day before the Kentucky Derby.

14. - Picture of Jessica - This was across the street from Harvard in Boston, MA.  She was showing off her new bag purchase from the Harvard Bookstore.

15. - Picture of Britni - This was after her graduation.  We later traveled to Colorado.

16. - Picture of Tiffani - This was in the Skyride at Lagoon Park outside of Salt Lake City, UT.  This was right after we arrived in Salt Lake and was my last night before I flew back home.

17. - Picture of boys - This was a shot of the One Tree Hill boys golfing in New Bern, NC.

18. - Picture of Chicago Skyline - That is as close as I got to visiting the visit of Chicago, IL.  This was part of the cross country drive with Tiffani.

19. - Horse Race - This was the Kentucky Oaks race with Liz and Autumn.

20. - Picture of the driver side mirror of the Cop car - This was in Mass. when I got pulled over for speeding.  We were on our way to New Hampshire/Maine border.  It was actually my first time being pulled for speeding, ever.  It was right in front of the tolls so Jessica thought I pulled over to get toll money.  That was pretty funny.  He let me go with a warning. 

I wish I could do videos instead of scrapbooking - I think that would be more fun!
 

Trips Trailer 2012 from GP on Vimeo.

My Apologies

I just combined my travel blog with this one.  If your feed just filled up with my post, I'm sorry!  It does post them in date order so if you want to go back and read those post it goes back about 2 years and mixes in with this blog posts.

Well, Well...

I have completed my states for the year.  I have one last trip to NYC next month but that isn't anything new.

I have 8 left until I reach my goal. I just had to update my US map showing all the states visited.

Stay tuned for North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota...

September

Well it is now September and the year has flown by like some serious craziness.  I am completely in a fog and so detached from what is happening around me and with the people I love.  Unfortunately that is probably going to continue for the rest of the year.  Even right now I don't have too much to say but I know that it has been a while.  I have also been trying to catch up on others posts along with other social media. 

Last night I made an executive decision to watch TV all night (empty the DVR) and catch up on things on my iPad.  I accomplished it.   

A 2012 retrospect is in order but I don't have that in order yet and there are 4 months left.  Although there is only one trip left for the year (I can't afford anymore) it is going to be one that I will surely talk about in October. 

I hope that blogging about things will help me bring myself out of the fog and can gain some ground back in reality.

I Like Maps

I was floating around Pinterest and saw this map.

I am kinda a nerd for maps.  I even like transit maps.  I don't really have any paper maps anymore (I don't like clutter) but I can spend hours on Google Maps.

This map is not accurate but I thought it was a clever idea on transit maps and National Parks.

Source: Uploaded by user via G on Pinterest

Adventures In Traveling

Just recently I had to fly to San Diego for my sisters wedding.  Here is how that went...

• Arrived at the Richmond Airport and Checked In
• I got notice that the flight was slightly delayed and I might miss my connection
• Got in the baggage drop line
• Waited not very long - maybe 10 minutes
• Ticket agent told me to put my bag up on scale and she walked away
• I stood there for 20 minutes and she never came back.  Note - This was the only agent doing the baggage drop line
• Once the agent beside me finished I got her attention to ask where the agent helping me was
• She looked at me and said that she went to lunch.
• I then told her that she told me to put my bag on the scale
• Now the agent has this look of shock and bewilderment
• She jumped over to take a look at my ticket.  She then told me that I will have to reschedule my flight because I will miss my connection.  Some people behind me overheard and the line began to rumble
• At that point my original ticket agent (the one that went to lunch) returned and then they announced that anyone flying through the same connection airport has to get out of line and rebook
• I quickly took my bag off the scale while saying sarcastically "Let me just get out of your way".
• A nice man handed me the number to call Delta so I didn't have to get in the other line 
• I then got on the phone with customer service
• The customer service woman was extremely helpful and apologetic.  She was even having technical difficulties and got someone to help her get my new flights booked 
• Once she told me my new flights she realized that I would only have 20 minutes before my first plane left.  I told her that I wasn't worried because Richmond had a short security line and most everyone was still waiting in line to get tickets and baggage checked 
• She stayed on the phone with me until I had finished going back to the kiosks and had my new tickets in hand
• I then proceeded to cut in front of the baggage drop line (I did ask the man that was up next) and the agent that left me waiting took my baggage
• Now off to the races.  The security line was the shortest ever!  4 people in front of me.
• I booked it to the end of the terminal and saw that everyone was in line to be helped by agents not boarding. 
• At this point I am tired (running on 3 hrs of sleep), hungry and shaky.  I just get in line to see what is going on.
• Turns out this flight had been delayed between the kiosk and me arriving at the gate.  The ticket agent told me I may or may not make my connection.  She went ahead and left me on the connection flight but gave me a ticket for first thing in the morning just in case.  That flight was actually sold out so she put me in first class.  Yes, please!
• I had about 15 minutes to find some food before we boarded. 
• I get on the plane and I am in the back of a very large plane.  The flight attendant however let me know immediately that the flight wasn't full and I could change seats once everyone boarded.
• Turns out the plane wasn't even half full.  I don't understand that because all day flights were cancelled and delayed out of Richmond.  This plan was going to Atlanta which is the biggest airport in the universe.
• Right before we left she remembered me and came and got me to move.  About 15 of us were all in the same situation.  Most of us being on the same original flight.  We all got to sit right behind first class.  That means close to getting off the flight and more leg room!!!
• A few of us where actually making the same connection to San Diego. 
• Everyone was helping each other out. 
• Even one man had purchased WI-FI on the plane to keep track of every one's connections.
• We landed and right before the seatbelt sign turned off they made an announcement for people to stay seated if this was their destination or had a longer layover. 
• I have been on a plane where they requested for people to do this but this plane was pretty insistent.
• Luckily our flight had been delayed and then even delayed 10 minutes more.  We made our connection and I got to sit in propriety seating again!
• I ended up leaving (Richmond) and arriving (San Diego) about the same time as I was planned for.  Just rebooked a few times, different connecting city, possible missing connection, missing dinner and possible mental breakdown.
• Considering the weather delays and the ticket agent that was hungry, the experience was not bad.  Delta could have really lost a customer (again, yes again) but everyone else was amazing!  I also made a friend on the plane and saw some amazing views.

FYI - The flights home were smooth with no problems!

In True Fashion...

In true fashion an opportunity has presented itself.  An opportunity to help my sister but also accomplish something for myself.  That is what family is for!

Long winded story short - Tiffani is coming home for a little school break and she needs to drive back.  Well it just so happens that I have some time off and some states to kill.  Here I thought I was going to have to request to rollover some vacation days to next year.

It actually works out great because one state I wanted my sister to go with.

First stop is Pittsburgh, PA because we have to sleep.  Seriously that is it.  We are just stopping at the hotel to sleep.

The real first stop is Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Actually right outside of Minneapolis in Bloomington.  What is there?  Well none other than The Mall of America.  Tiffani has been wanting to go there since as long as I can remember.  When I told her that was our first stop, she was very excited!

I am excited too.  Gonna hit up the theme park inside.  I haven't been to one in about a year and I have to give my massage therapist something to work on.  Except for the whiplash from WVA that keeps coming back and this phantom ankle injury from my Idaho/Colorado trip.

After some fun at the MOA we will drive straight to Bismarck, North Dakota. 

I am kinda hoping that this state will surprise me.  None of my friends and family could find me something to do in this state or even a certain city/town that might be fun.  There is an LDS Temple in Bismarck which is my planned activity.  I am a wee lil obsessed with taking pictures of these beautiful buildings.  In fact, when I google search Bismarck, alot of the pictures that came up were of the LDS Temple.  That is extremely rare in a google image search.

Next up (actually the last major stop) is Rapid City, South Dakota.  AKA - Mount Rushmore.

I'll be searching for the less seen "behind" the mountain view.

I saw that picture and had to include it.  It's pretty darn funny to me and everyone that knows me.

Technically the last stop is Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have been there before so it really isn't part of the adventure.  It is where I part with my sister; she drives to Idaho and I fly home.

It will be a fly by the seat of our pants trip (which is what I typically do nowadays).  As long as the driving stays in our favor then we should have enough time to soak up what we want and sleep.  My sleep being a very important part of my sisters survival.  My sleep is actually part of the agreement of me driving back with her.  In fact, I have more demands then her.  Sleep in a bed at night, go my route and let me fly back from SLC (cheaper flights).  Her demand was really - "make it cheap".  Cheap - I can do!

This totally unexpected trip will mark off three hard to reach states. 

1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. South Dakota

That will take my total up to 42 states.  Leaving 8 left.

May 2014 will be Alaska for the 50th State. 

2013 will be 43rd-49th.  I can do that in 4 trips.

Washington
Oregon
New Mexico
Arkansas
Kansas
Nebraska
Missouri

Anyone want to go next year?

Jeeze Reverse

So on June 13, I posted about not being able to finish any books.  Well since then I have finished 2 and started and finished 5 more.  That would be 7 books.  I guess I am over that hump.  All within a week!

M I Crooked Letter Crooked Letter I Crooked Letter Crooked Letter I Humpback Humback I

I would like to thank elementary school for engraved certain songs into my brain.  Unfortunately, I am having a hard time remembering what happens after Montpelier, Vermont.  I remember how to sing Mississippi and Hawaii but I can't put it back together in song form.  If you don't know what I am referring too - I am sad for you.  In fact, since I couldn't find it online, I would love it if someone recorded them singing it and send it to me.

Moving along - Last night I was laying on the couch.  Rice pack on my neck and face (yes my face, try it) with allergy meds and headaches meds pumping through my body.  Hoping to make the headache go away (which it didn't), I thought of something.

Randomly in my life the song of the states and their capitals in order of statehood runs through my mind.  It's a happy song because it was always fun to sing.  Last night I thought that maybe I should blog about it.  It relates to the purpose of this blog and I have nothing else to write about. 

Below is the list of states, in order of statehood and whether I have visited yet.

1. Delaware - Yes
2. Pennsylvania - Yes
3. New Jersey - Yes
4. Georgia - Yes
5. Connecticut - Yes
6. Massachusetts - Yes
7. Maryland - Yes
8. South Carolina - Yes
9. New Hampshire - Yes
10. Virginia - Yes
11. New York - Yes
12. North Carolina - Yes
13. Rhode Island - Yes
14. Vermont - Yes
15. Kentucky - Yes
16. Tennessee - Yes
17. Ohio - Yes
18. Louisiana - Yes
19. Indiana - Yes
20. Mississippi - Yes
21. Illinois - Yes
22. Alabama - Yes
23. Maine - Yes
24. Missouri
25. Arkansas
26. Michigan - Yes
27. Florida - Yes
28. Texas - Yes
29. Iowa - Yes
30. Wisconsin - Yes
31. California - Yes
32. Minnesota
33. Oregon
34. Kansas
35. West Virginia - Yes
36. Nevada - Yes
37. Nebraska
38. Colorado - Yes
39. North Dakota
40. South Dakota
41. Montana - Yes
42. Washington
43. Idaho - Yes
44. Wyoming - Yes
45. Utah - Yes
46. Oklahoma - Yes
47. New Mexico
48. Arizona - Yes
49. Alaska
50. Hawaii - Yes

Clearly the ones that are highlighted have not been visited.

I am saving Alaska for 2014 but trying to figure out the best way to get the other 10 done.  I plan to combine Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska into one trip.  Thanks to Kansas City, I can rock Kansas and Missouri pretty much at the same time.  Omaha, Nebraska is just straight up the highway from there.  I can also do Oregon and Washington together.  Seattle not being too far from Portland.  I could do North Dakota and Minnesota together.  However I want to go to Minneapolis which is on the complete other side of Minnesota.

Actually now that I look at it - Could fly into Rapid City, SD (see Mt Rushmore) for a couple days.  Drive (5hr 30min) to Bismarck, ND and stay overnight.  Drive (7hrs) to Minneapolis, MN and stay a couple days.

That would just leave Arkansas and New Mexico as their own trips.

Let me ponder.

Jeeze

Why can't I finish a book?

I blame.....Apple, Netflix and my sweet 4-color Sharp TV.

I have been traveling all over the country the past 5 months, so that is something!

Crap, I am backlogged on scrapbooking.

I'm gonna, go read now.

Half Way Through 2012...

It's almost, but not just yet, halfway through the year.

Travel has slowed down and there are no new states on the schedule for the rest of the year. 

What does this mean? - It means I dip into a moody mood mood that I haven't figured out how to get out of.  There are good moments but all in all I am just in a funk.  Adjusting back to a normal schedule sucks and is wicked boring!

It's crazy, right?  I am going to North Carolina next week, California next month, North Carolina (again) over Labor Day, and NYC in late October.  I mean really, that is a lot!  I may be a junkie!?!

Then again knowing me, which I do, I'll come up with some other state to jam in before the year is over.  I mean come on - I am at 39 states - Isn't 40 so much better?

I already have planned to visit Alaska as the big 5-0 in May 2014. (Apparently May is the best time for an Alaskan cruise)  That means that I have all of 2013 to get the other states finished up.  Which reminds me, WHAT DO YOU DO IN NORTH DAKOTA?

Also I have more time off I need to take.  I need to double check but I was informed that we can't roll over vacation days.  Seeing that I have never had any to rollover, I didn't care.  Now that I have some left I need to know if I am going to lose them.  I can't waste a perfectly good vacation day on just rolling around town.  Plus, I'll end up sleeping, napping, watching TV and if I really push it, I will go to the theater to see a movie.

It is crazy that with all the states I have visited in the last 6 months, including repeats, I have only used 11 days of vacation.  Technically, I have only used 8 but I have 3 scheduled off for California.  For this achievement, I would like to thank, weekends and federal holidays.  Also the men and woman at McDonald's for making those wonderful egg mcmuffins, without which, I might never be tardy.

I think I am going to go read and go to bed - LAME!!!

State #39 - Massachusetts

Spelling this state hurts my head!

Boston is where we visited and out of the whole New England trip this is where we were the longest.  I did that on purpose because I knew there was alot in Boston.  We actually fly in and out of Boston for our trip, so we just made a big circle.

I love this propeller, energy, fan thingies.  I don't care if they work or not.  I just think they look cool.  I have never seen one right in a city.  This is actually the view from our hotel room.

I do not suggest driving in Boston.  The roads are confusing and there are alot of bridges and tunnels.  Never have I been in and out of so many tunnels. 

Take the train, take the train, take the train.  In NYC it is the Subway, in DC it is the Metro, in Boston it is the T or the train.  It is the best subway system I have been on.  It was pretty fast, easy to navigate and super super clean!!  One of the best, if not the best thing in Boston, for me.

The Freedom Trail is one of the coolest things in the city.  You literally follow the red line or red bricks on the road to stay on the trail through the city.  It looked like it would take a long time but it really didn't.  Of course if you spend alot of time at each landmark then it will take longer.  They also offer free tours just start at one of the visitors centers and pick up the tour.  You can always leave if you aren't feeling it and keep following the trail.  

This is the Old North Church - it's kinda famous - check it out.

Just slighting off the trail is Mike's Pastry which has super yummy cannoli's.  They have cupcakes and maybe a few other things but I wasn't paying attention to that.  They are always super busy and are cash only.  There is limited seating so you can just take your treat and hop back on the freedom trail one block down.  ***The chocolate chip cannoli was AMAZEBALLS.

To continue on the Ivy League visits and if you have time stop in the Cambridge area and visit Harvard.  There are also alot of shops and food around that area.  It is an easy stop to get to on the train.  It is the Harvard stop.  Brilliant name choice, don't you think?

It is very tourist/visitor friendly.  They have an information area and tour guides that will answer your questions, give you a map, tips and if you want you can follow them through the campus.

Near the bay in Boston - off from the main part of the city is the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.  There is access to this museum from the train so it isn't so bad.  Again take the train - do not drive!!

The museum is well thought out, and has amazing views, not to mention I learned alot about JFK.  The museum stays away from the assassination and concentrates on his life.  If you want to learn about the assassination then hop a plane to Dallas.  Visit here and try not to feel the heaviness of the grounds on the street below.

I about fell over when I walked around the corner of the museum and saw this foyer as the entrance to his Presidency.  I almost felt like I couldn't walk over there because I would be walking into The White House and would be tackled by Secret Service.  Talk about making a statement for the rest of the museum!

If you would like a view of the city from up high make a stop at the Prudential Building.  Also the name of its train stop.

It is actually a city block of office buildings and condos a shopping mall connecting them all.  Just find the entrance at the corner and there is a map inside showing you how to get to that particular building.  They also have an information desk that you can ask.

Here is our little insider tip that we received - don't pay for the floor with the view go to the restaurant instead.  You will spend less going to the restaurant and get the same view.  The food wasn't all that amazing but it was a nice, quiet, cool place to relax, eat and get a great view.  That was actually our last stop before we took the train back to the airport.

You can see Fenway Park in the picture below.

This leads me to Fenway Park.  This actually started our visit to Boston and was my other favorite, if not my favorite thing about Boston.  Absolutely see a game but you really want to take the tour of the ballpark.  I suggest the first tour of the day and on game day.  You will see them prepping the ballpark and you won't have other tour groups in your pictures if you are the first group.  You really learn alot and you get to sit atop the Green Monster.  I knew about the Green Monster but never really understood it's greatest until I sat in those seats.

I have been to a few Major League Baseball games in my life and I actually want to come back to this ballpark.  Sure the Atlanta Braves have a nice view of the 1996 Olympic Square and the Cincinnati Reds have a beautiful view of the water and Kentucky but I don't need to go back.  I want, in fact need to go back and see a game there and on that Green Monster.  They truly are the best seats in baseball.  You have to sit up there to really understand that.

With that being said, I am sad to report that Boston didn't blow me away.  If it wasn't for Fenway Park and the train system I would have no desire to go back.  Not even to see the July 4th - Pops Goes the Fourth - which I have been wanting to see for years.  PBS people, look it up or better yet watch it. Support your local public broadcasting system.  Love the Boston Pops and their conductor!

Here is the reason why I think it didn't impress me.  I am born and raised in Richmond, have been to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Battlefields etc etc.  Virginia is loaded with history and connected to the history in Boston as well.  I have seen Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, George Washington and all those other great men all my life.  We are talking impersonators people - I'm not crazy!  I have even been to some of their houses.  While the things I have listed above would be amazing to others, even people from Richmond, it is just stuff I am use to.  Even the JFK Museum is like visiting DC for me.  I feel like I have been experiencing Boston my whole life.

Should you visit Boston?  Yes, absolutely.  It is a cool city with alot of different things to offer.  Am I going back?  Only if it is for a game and/or to see the Boston Pops and I'll be taking the train the whole time.

State #38 - Maine

Lobster and Lighthouse

All I really wanted to do in Maine was eat a Lobster and I did.  We stayed right outside of Portsmouth, New Hampshire which is right across the water from Kittery, Maine.  There are a number of lighthouses right in that area, as well as a Navy Shipyard, Historic Parks, food and of course water.

All water cruises/tours leave from New Hampshire which is great because you can cover two states in one.  You actually cross over into Maine on the water and water views are always better!  We used Portsmouth Harbor Cruises.  Just a view pictures from our wonderful boat ride.

Let's get down to the Lobster.  I searched all of the internet for top places to get Lobster and Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier.  It was a great little place.  They have limited parking so lot of people are parked on the street.  However they do have a few nice fellows helping people park and pull out (because it is onto the street).  In fact all the people at this place were super nice and helpful.  They do sell more then Lobster but it is by the water and there is loads of lobster around so it does have a fishy smell (to be expected).  You actually bring your own drinks, in fact if you don't your only option for drinks is a vending machine.  It was fun to see one table that had a six pack of coke, then next had a cooler and next had a bottle of wine on ice.

The Lobster was good but the Clam Chowder was the best I have ever had.  I have had it in a number of places around the country and this was the best!

I wouldn't mind going back to Kittery and staying in one of the cute little houses near the water, having some clam chowder and playing on the water.

State #37 - New Hampshire

Welcome to New Hampshire but first you are going to get pull over for driving too fast.

I have to say, that was the most pleasant experience being pulled over.  Not only was he nice but he let me know that it was going to be a warning before he even walked away to call me in.  In my defense - I was going the speed of everyone else.  I believe I was just the Memorial Day pullover to remind everyone else to slow down.

Back to my visit.

We stayed on the border in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  It is a cute little town on the water.  We opted to take one of the many harbor cruises offered in that area.  We used Portsmouth Harbor Cruises.  We opted for the evening tour so we didn't have to rush there.  The earlier day cruises are more narrated but I thought ours was still pretty narrated.  It was a lovely day and a perfect time on the water.  They sell out fast so I would buy them online in advance.

View of Portsmouth.

Beautiful Lighthouses.

While you are waiting for the cruise or after the cruise or before and after the cruise stop at Annabelle's Ice Cream.  It is right up the alley from the dock where a bunch of restaurants and shops are.  It has the best sorbet I have ever had.  I often opt for sorbet over ice cream.  This is not always the yummiest option and normally has alot of extra sugar.  This sorbet was heavenly!  The ice cream was good too - so I was told.  FYI - really small and cash only.  SO WORTH IT! 

Yahoo even likes it.  Seriously, I would visit just to eat that again!

I Was Very Happy To Be Wrong

I like to drive.  It clears my head.  I can solve problems, come up with new ideas or daydream when driving.  I can also get in some good singing time.  When I have a short commute to work I start to miss my longer drives.  Of course sometimes I wish I didn't spend over an hour a day driving to and from work.

However, I do have some limitations.  Driving can woo me to sleepy sleep. 

This is when traveling by car can be a problem.  Depending on how I am feeling that day - sleepy, bored or excited - I have a max driving time.  2-3 hours I can do because I have done it often.  I can get it up to 4-5 hours but that has only been to Wilmington, NC.  I am always excited to visit there and I always have a car full of even more excited friends.  I believe I have gone a little further on occasion but that was by the grace of God. ***I am only talking about a continuous drive.  I can drive alot longer if it is broken up.

I also can't get very far at night.  Darkness + wooing car = tiredness.  I am not gifted like my sister, Dad, and brother who can drive all night long.  I just can't.  Which is a good thing, in general, but my family has strange talents in life so we think we can all do them.  I can't do it even if I slept all day.  I will pull over and sleep.

I do have a point to this word vomit.  This past trip there was a day with alot of long driving.  We left the hotel and drove about an hour to Manchester, Vermont.  That wasn't a problem.  However the next drive was going to be the longest of the whole trip 3-3 1/2 hours and that was after our hour drive.  I was feeling good, feeling fine and about 45 minutes in I was starting to feel the wooing. 

Now, I like to listen to my music on my ipod but I am flexible.  JD was rocking her ipod which was pretty entertaining, especially when a song from High School Musical came on.  It was funny because I knew she had gotten that song from my music library and hadn't realized and deleted it yet.  It wasn't even one of the good High School Musical songs.  Not the point but it was funny.

I believe it was right after we had our little stop at the Country Store that my newest discovery happened.  Her ipod switched to a track from one of Bill Engvall's comedy CD's.  I knew who it was right away.  He is one of my favorite comedians.  JD went to change it but I told her to turn it back.  I wanted a good laugh.  Well, I'll tell you what...that woke me up.  I have refused to listen to any talking on the radio, book on tape etc because I thought it would make be even more tired.  Wooing x 2 = certain death.  Boy was I wrong! 

Luckily, she had a couple CD's and I asked her to play all his stuff.  It totally worked!!  I had no problem driving for the rest of the way.  Who knew that comedy CD's would keep me awake while driving.  This might be a "duh" moment for other people, but this was a heaven's are opening moment for me. 

I am going to have to stock up on comedy CD's!!! 

Long story short - Comedy CD's are a good way to make a long car trip better for the driver!

Now that I think about it - I might already have some in my music library and don't realize it.

State #36 - Vermont

This was the state I wasn't really excited to see.  I was just trying to find an activity to do in the state just to get it done.  Out of all the New England states this was my favorite.

Here are some reasons why:

1. It is beautiful landscape!  Rolling hills and loads of trees.  I am a born and raised Virginian so I am use to lots of trees and forests.  This was even more.
2. Less people = Less traffic - I was driving through Vermont on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and never hit any traffic.  It was glorious!!  Also the roads were nice and wide.  When you are going through some curvy, mountains road this is a great things to have.
3. It is a little backwoods country but in a good and charming way.  It is really a good state to just get away from everything. 

States like Vermont are known for their covered wooden bridges.  I saw a few off in the distance but we didn't have time to seek those out.  We did however get to stop and see this one.  We had seen this country store on the road towards our destination and we almost didn't stop.  I am so glad we did.

It is the Vermont Country Store (Rockingham Location) and it is worth the stop!  There was everything from household items, locally made food and vintage toys.  I had to hurry and pay before I spent more money.  Did I mention free food samples?

We drove through a number of really small towns that I could have easily stopped in but I would like to make a longer visit to Manchester, Vermont which is where we were headed.  It's a nice little town but it does have some money in it.  You don't normally see a Kate Spade store in small towns.  However you don't get that feeling that the people are snobbish, so you are good.  

If you are interested in learning on how to fly fish - this is the town for you.  They give lessons and even have the Fly Fishing Museum.  We drove passed the lessons and I wanted to stop and actually take a lesson.  

Our destination was Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home.  The original plan was to actually tour the house and grounds but we didn't end up doing that.  We went into the gift shop first and were in there for a while and actually heard the little video that begins the tour.  I have visited a number of Presidential Houses and they start to look alike except the view and the grounds.  Well we saw the view from the parking lot and we actually saw the outside of the house.  Here is a little tip - there are two entrances to the house.  One is paved and the other is not.  You want the one that is not paved.  It actually takes you in where you have a great view of the house.

The road isn't paved but it is pretty compacted so any car can drive on it.  Plus it isn't very long.

See - why pay for a shot of the house when you can just see it for free?  Sorry Hildene, but in all fairness, I spent a lot at the gift shop.

On your way out of town stop at the Hound Dog in the Hallmark Parking lot.  Super yummy!!

I will be visiting Vermont again and hopefully during the Fall when all those beautiful trees are different colors.

State #35 - Connecticut

How can you not visit a state that has the Pez Factory?

It is $5.00 to get into the Visitors Center which is pretty cheap.  You also get a coupon for $2.00 for the store which is the price of a Pez Dispenser.  You can see the factory and the workers working while you look at the history and old Pez Dispensers.  You can even play a game on your knowledge of Pez and get a certificate.  Who doesn't love a certificate?  For $5.00 you can buy a small bucket and pick and choose your Pez flavors of choice to fill it up.  If you are anywhere near New Haven, CT stop by.  It gives you warm fuzzies inside.

Go Bulldogs Go!  Yale University in New Haven, CT.  The buildings are amazing.  Even the new ones are built to look like the old ones.  It is right in the heart of the city so it is pretty busy around the campus.  Do take a little time and walk through some of the courtyards to get away from the city aspect of the campus.  Bea-u-ti-ful!!

State #34 - Rhode Island

I do not have a lot to say about Rhode Island because I was not there very long. 

We drove straight to Narragansett Beach which is the Beach that The Weather Channel talked about being so beautiful during the big Hurricane last year.

Our specific destination was The Towers which is right on the beach.  It was cool looking but that is all I got. It was a rainy and cloudy day as you can tell by the picture below.

I have a feeling that this beach/town would be much prettier if it wasn't slightly cold and rainy.  However there is not much around so it is really a place to get away. 

I was hoping for more out of Rhode Island and was bummed that there wasn't much more to do.