Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
J is for Jean
The J in my name is for Jean. People always ask that. People think I'm being pretentious including a middle initial. Jean is my grandma's name. She died of colon cancer when I was 3. She was my mom's best friend. And I never knew her. I don't remember her except the stories I've been told or the pictures I've seen. I wish I could have known her. So that's what the J is for. I'm not trying to do anything by including it in my name...other than remembering her.
My mom is such an amazing woman. She's always worked so hard to make sure me and my sister had everything we could ever need. She still does. She's always put us first. And she loves us so much. I'm sure she is the woman she is today because of her mom, Jean. I wish I could have known her. I wish she could have seen me grow up. I wish she could meet Matt. Seen how happy we are. I wish she could see the woman I've become. And all the things I've accomplished. I wish she could have come out to dinner last week with my mom & I. We had such an amazing time. I wish she could have been there.
I wish she could she see me now. Training six days a week. Running, biking, swimming in the rain. Raising $10,000 so that hopefully every grandparent can see their grandchild grow up. I know she'd be so proud of me. I wish she could be at Coraline for a Cure next Tuesday. I wish she could have been at one opening night of the many I've had in the past two years. I wish I could just have one conversation with her. Just one. Or a hug. Just one.
I hope someday I can be a wonderful mother like my mom is to me. Like her mom was to her. I hope someday I can be a wonderful grandmother. I hope I get to see my grandchildren grow up. I hope I can spoil them with love. And support them. At whatever they do.
I wish I could remember my Grandma Jean. I wish I could have known her. I wish she could still be here.
So, Grandma Jean -- I know you're up there watching down on me. I hope you're proud of me because I'm doing all of this for you. I love you!
For Grandma Jean!
xoxoxo
My mom is such an amazing woman. She's always worked so hard to make sure me and my sister had everything we could ever need. She still does. She's always put us first. And she loves us so much. I'm sure she is the woman she is today because of her mom, Jean. I wish I could have known her. I wish she could have seen me grow up. I wish she could meet Matt. Seen how happy we are. I wish she could see the woman I've become. And all the things I've accomplished. I wish she could have come out to dinner last week with my mom & I. We had such an amazing time. I wish she could have been there.
I wish she could she see me now. Training six days a week. Running, biking, swimming in the rain. Raising $10,000 so that hopefully every grandparent can see their grandchild grow up. I know she'd be so proud of me. I wish she could be at Coraline for a Cure next Tuesday. I wish she could have been at one opening night of the many I've had in the past two years. I wish I could just have one conversation with her. Just one. Or a hug. Just one.
I hope someday I can be a wonderful mother like my mom is to me. Like her mom was to her. I hope someday I can be a wonderful grandmother. I hope I get to see my grandchildren grow up. I hope I can spoil them with love. And support them. At whatever they do.
I wish I could remember my Grandma Jean. I wish I could have known her. I wish she could still be here.
So, Grandma Jean -- I know you're up there watching down on me. I hope you're proud of me because I'm doing all of this for you. I love you!
For Grandma Jean!
xoxoxo
17:43
Last weekend, I ran 17 minutes and 43 seconds. Without Stopping. After I had just swam 1+ miles.
17 minutes 43 seconds
It may not seem like that long. But this is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I don't think I've ever ran 17 minutes straight without stopping. Ever. I don't think I've ever ran 15 minutes without stopping. Maybe not even 10 minutes straight. But last week, I ran 17:43.
Last year, I couldn't even walk 20 minutes without my back or feet or knees hurting me. And last week, I ran 17:43.
I'm so proud of myself. I know I can do this!
17 minutes 43 seconds
It may not seem like that long. But this is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I don't think I've ever ran 17 minutes straight without stopping. Ever. I don't think I've ever ran 15 minutes without stopping. Maybe not even 10 minutes straight. But last week, I ran 17:43.
Last year, I couldn't even walk 20 minutes without my back or feet or knees hurting me. And last week, I ran 17:43.
I'm so proud of myself. I know I can do this!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The 8th Floor -- For Mark
Just got back from a good swim. I checked the mail before the swim and we got a $100 check from a donor which brings our donation total to $1,000! WOOHOO...That means we're 10% of the way to our goal of $10,000. That's amazing, but we've still got a long way to go and we won't be able to make it without your help!!
I'd also like to go on the record by saying that we won't stop at $10,000. If we reach $10,000 before our race we'll keep asking, keep trying and keep believing. We'll be doing everything we can this winter to CURE CANCER. And won't stop until it happens!
So, yes, good swim. I'm hitting the pool again tomorrow since I'm a little behind on the swim workouts. But to continue on from this afternoon. Here is Mark's story:
Mark was in England for business on his 30th birthday. Let me clarify: rural small town England. He wasn't feeling too well so he went to bed pretty early. Not exactly a great way to celebrate a birthday. He recalled to us waking up in the middle of the night, feeling horrible and heading to the bathroom. I noticed my figure...I could see every single one of my ribs and muscles in my chest. I looked like a skeleton. Then I noticed my face. Kind of ironic -- I notice my face second. But I had grown a second chin. Within hours I had turned from a normal man to a skeleton with a double chin.
Something was obviously wrong. He went to the ER in rural England. They said it was the measles. Or the mumps. They said go home. He went back to the hotel. The pain got worse. A third chin grew. He went back to the ER. They said it was the measles. Or the mumps. They said go home. He went back to the hotel. His pain grew. His pain was excruciating. His coworkers began worrying. They took him back to hospital. They demanded tests. Answers. Doctors did the tests. Mark was in pain. Excruciating pain. Thought he would die. Then he got an answer:
Go home. Get some sleep. Come back tomorrow at 10am and go to the 8th floor, Turner Ward.
He admitted to us that at that moment his spirits immediately raised because:
1. He would live long enough to come back tomorrow at 10am
2. Someone knew what was wrong with him. And he would find out tomorrow. And something could be done.
So he arrived the next day at 10a and went to the 8th floor. Then looked around...there was no Turner Ward. Had they lied to him? Was this a joke? No he was sure he was going to die. But then he took a look at the signs.
Geriatrics. Well I'm definitely not THAT old.
Pediatrics. Well I'm definitely not THAT young.
ONCOLOGY.
At that moment, he told us, his heart immediately sank to the floor and he started crying. He knew he had cancer.
I forgot to mention that Mark was at the peak of his health when this happened. He had ran multiple marathons, always ate healthy. He did everything right. And there he was on the floor of some English hospital crying because he had cancer.
The diagnosis was Hairy Cell Leukemia. And once he got back to the States he went through a few weeks of mild chemotherapy. Didn't lose his hair. Never threw up. Now, he has been in remission for 5 years. Mark thanked us for raising money for LLS because that money that funded research that created the drug he was treated with saved his life. And will continue to save others like him.
Yesterday, I went to Kaiser in SF. My doctor is on floor 7. In the packed elevator, I was standing right in front of the directory. I noticed an elevator mate choose floor 8. As the elevator cleared, I read the directory. Floor 8 -- Oncology.
I never want to find myself on Floor 8. I never want anyone I ever love to go to Floor 8. I never want any friend, acquaintance or enemy to push Floor 8 on that elevator or elevators like it across the country. I don't want there to be any Floor 8's in any hospital, anywhere.
Mark's story wasn't the first I've heard like this. I've heard a handful of honorees tell me that that was how they found out they had cancer. They were told to go to a certain floor. And when the elevator doors opened they were confronted with the words "ONCOLOGY" and their lives changed forever.
Though I hope someday no one ever has to find their way to Floor 8 just to have their life shattered, I know for the short term that is wishful thinking.
Here is a more realistic, achievable goal: That every person whose life is halted by a visit to the 8th floor find hope when the elevator doors open. That there is a treatment for everyone. That everyone has the chance to fight and a better chance to live.
The money we're raising will do this. In the short term, it will save lives. It will make the road bumps shorter and easier to bare. It will even cure some.
And as time moves on. As we keep raising money. Raising Awareness. We will find a cure.
Here's to ending 8th floor visits.
xoxo
Erin
I'd also like to go on the record by saying that we won't stop at $10,000. If we reach $10,000 before our race we'll keep asking, keep trying and keep believing. We'll be doing everything we can this winter to CURE CANCER. And won't stop until it happens!
So, yes, good swim. I'm hitting the pool again tomorrow since I'm a little behind on the swim workouts. But to continue on from this afternoon. Here is Mark's story:
Mark was in England for business on his 30th birthday. Let me clarify: rural small town England. He wasn't feeling too well so he went to bed pretty early. Not exactly a great way to celebrate a birthday. He recalled to us waking up in the middle of the night, feeling horrible and heading to the bathroom. I noticed my figure...I could see every single one of my ribs and muscles in my chest. I looked like a skeleton. Then I noticed my face. Kind of ironic -- I notice my face second. But I had grown a second chin. Within hours I had turned from a normal man to a skeleton with a double chin.
Something was obviously wrong. He went to the ER in rural England. They said it was the measles. Or the mumps. They said go home. He went back to the hotel. The pain got worse. A third chin grew. He went back to the ER. They said it was the measles. Or the mumps. They said go home. He went back to the hotel. His pain grew. His pain was excruciating. His coworkers began worrying. They took him back to hospital. They demanded tests. Answers. Doctors did the tests. Mark was in pain. Excruciating pain. Thought he would die. Then he got an answer:
Go home. Get some sleep. Come back tomorrow at 10am and go to the 8th floor, Turner Ward.
He admitted to us that at that moment his spirits immediately raised because:
1. He would live long enough to come back tomorrow at 10am
2. Someone knew what was wrong with him. And he would find out tomorrow. And something could be done.
So he arrived the next day at 10a and went to the 8th floor. Then looked around...there was no Turner Ward. Had they lied to him? Was this a joke? No he was sure he was going to die. But then he took a look at the signs.
Geriatrics. Well I'm definitely not THAT old.
Pediatrics. Well I'm definitely not THAT young.
ONCOLOGY.
At that moment, he told us, his heart immediately sank to the floor and he started crying. He knew he had cancer.
I forgot to mention that Mark was at the peak of his health when this happened. He had ran multiple marathons, always ate healthy. He did everything right. And there he was on the floor of some English hospital crying because he had cancer.
The diagnosis was Hairy Cell Leukemia. And once he got back to the States he went through a few weeks of mild chemotherapy. Didn't lose his hair. Never threw up. Now, he has been in remission for 5 years. Mark thanked us for raising money for LLS because that money that funded research that created the drug he was treated with saved his life. And will continue to save others like him.
Yesterday, I went to Kaiser in SF. My doctor is on floor 7. In the packed elevator, I was standing right in front of the directory. I noticed an elevator mate choose floor 8. As the elevator cleared, I read the directory. Floor 8 -- Oncology.
I never want to find myself on Floor 8. I never want anyone I ever love to go to Floor 8. I never want any friend, acquaintance or enemy to push Floor 8 on that elevator or elevators like it across the country. I don't want there to be any Floor 8's in any hospital, anywhere.
Mark's story wasn't the first I've heard like this. I've heard a handful of honorees tell me that that was how they found out they had cancer. They were told to go to a certain floor. And when the elevator doors opened they were confronted with the words "ONCOLOGY" and their lives changed forever.
Though I hope someday no one ever has to find their way to Floor 8 just to have their life shattered, I know for the short term that is wishful thinking.
Here is a more realistic, achievable goal: That every person whose life is halted by a visit to the 8th floor find hope when the elevator doors open. That there is a treatment for everyone. That everyone has the chance to fight and a better chance to live.
The money we're raising will do this. In the short term, it will save lives. It will make the road bumps shorter and easier to bare. It will even cure some.
And as time moves on. As we keep raising money. Raising Awareness. We will find a cure.
Here's to ending 8th floor visits.
xoxo
Erin
For Laura
Phew! I've been mentally writing this blog post in my head since Sunday. I'm glad I finally have a moment to breath in between the endless emails, phone calls (to secure donations for Coraline for a Cure) and all the training. But, here it is (hope it's good, since it's 5 days in the making)...
Sunday's Team training was amazing. I started with a short 6 mile bike ride along a bike path in Marin. It was a little nerveracking...lots of kids, dogs and big groups of riders. But I didn't fall! And did pretty good. I was near the back of the pack which gets frustrating sometimes but I just gotta keep telling myself I'm learning and the back is fine. Everyone who clips in has a mechanical advantage over me so I think that's one reason they kept flying by me. I'm still deathly afraid of clipping in but I could use the help on my rides so....My first goal of the new year: CLIP IN! For those of you who haven't been following along...clipping in means that your bike has special peddles that work specifically with clips on your bike shoes which attach your shoes to your bike. Wish me luck with that, I'll need it!
Then we hit the pool. I haven't been swimming as much as I should be which kinda hit me Sunday. And now we're about a month away from my FIRST OPEN WATER SWIM. I'm getting pretty excited for swimming in the Bay in the dead of January (sense the sarcasm in my voice?) =) I'll be hitting the pool hard over the holiday. In fact, I'm off for a swim after I post it!
Following the swim was, in my opinion, the most amazing part of the day: The Honoree Luncheon.
Honorees are team members who either have or have had a blood cancer. Some of them are training for the triathlon alongside us. Others are training for different events, like Laura who is training for the snow show hike in Yosemite. Others are currently undergoing treatment and therefore can't train but serve as the inspiration for us to keep training.
Two of our honorees, Mark & Laura, shared their stories. I was moved to tears by both of them. Here are their stories. Here is WHY I keep pestering YOU to donate, to buy tickets for Coraline for a Cure, to support us. Here is why I'm training 6 days a week, in the rain, in the freezing weather, in the early morning. Here is why waking up at 7a both weekend days is a walk in the park. Here is why running up & down the Kezar (yep did that last night) and running lap after lap is bearable and sometimes enjoyable. Here is why I'm asking you to spend $60 on a ticket for a theatre show. Here is my reason, inspiration and motivation to keep training and never giving up:
Raise your hand if you're under the age of 32.
^ That's what Laura Warren, age 49, asked the team as she began talking to us on Sunday. I raised my hand. So did Matt. So did probably half the team. Laura has been dealing with cancer and effects of it for longer than everyone who was raising there hand had been alive.
Laura was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease when she was a senior in high school. Luckily, at that time the survival rate for Hodgkins was 90% with the current treatment plan. She had a choice: go through intense chemotherapy for 1 year+ or die within 6 months. She candidly told us that some choices are so obvious they aren't really choices at all -- so I did the chemotherapy.
She was ultimately cured of Hodgkins disease. 20 years later, Laura found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she found out that female patients that underwent treatment for Hodgkins disease during the time she did were something like 60% more likely to develop breast cancer than an average woman. So there she was, years after battling Hodgkins dealing with it's aftermath. She peacefully admitted that she couldn't be angry at her doctors from years ago. They did what they had to do so that I could live. And I got years added to my life where there would have only been months had I not been treated. I couldn't be upset; I had to fight.
And she did fight. The cancer went into remission. 4 years and 11 months went by. She drew that number specifically to our attention because in the cancer world: 5 years without a relapse and you're considered cured. So, after 4 years and 11 months the cancer was back. And she had to keep fighting.
Might I mention that she ran a full marathon a week after her first chemotherapy session for the breast cancer. If Laura could do that, I can do ANYTHING.
For the past few months she's been undergoing many tests (PET scans, CT scans, blood tests, etc). The test results had been slightly ambiguous and the doctors weren't sure what exactly they meant. Before Thanksgiving we were all praying that the ambiguity meant that the cancer wasn't back and that Laura could take a break from fighting a disease that has occupied her life for over half of it.
But, the fight continues. Laura was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer which means that with current technology and treatment she can never been cured. Yes, she will live for months. Yes, she will live for years. Hopefully she will live for years and years. But years and years isn't the same as decades and decades. She is the reason we need to keep training and keep raising. The $500,000 my team raises this season. The $10,000+ Matt & I raise this winter. It will go towards research that could help extend her life. It isn't too late for her which is why raising this money is so important for her and thousands like her across the country.
We have the power to save Laura's life.
Fun fact: Laura did scenic painting & lighting for theater when she was in high school. We hope she can make it to Coraline for a Cure so you can all meet her and understand truly how inspiring she is!
SO, yes, I know it's the holidays. Yes, I know you don't have any extra money. Yes, I know $60 is a lot to spend on a ticket to a show. But, don't think of it, as $60 for a show. Think of it as $60 so that Laura can live. So that no mother has to lose their child. So that no one needs to spend their Christmas in the hospital. Yes, I know there are a billion other excuses, reasons, stories to say no. But, how amazing will it be, if all of our friends, family and loved ones join together with a resounding YES! Yes -- we will buy a ticket to Coraline for a Cure. Yes -- we will donate to LLS (even if only $5)! Yes -- we will save Laura's life. Yes -- we will make a positive difference in this world.
Yes -- we will cure cancer.
This is for you, Laura.
xoxo
Erin
Sunday's Team training was amazing. I started with a short 6 mile bike ride along a bike path in Marin. It was a little nerveracking...lots of kids, dogs and big groups of riders. But I didn't fall! And did pretty good. I was near the back of the pack which gets frustrating sometimes but I just gotta keep telling myself I'm learning and the back is fine. Everyone who clips in has a mechanical advantage over me so I think that's one reason they kept flying by me. I'm still deathly afraid of clipping in but I could use the help on my rides so....My first goal of the new year: CLIP IN! For those of you who haven't been following along...clipping in means that your bike has special peddles that work specifically with clips on your bike shoes which attach your shoes to your bike. Wish me luck with that, I'll need it!
Then we hit the pool. I haven't been swimming as much as I should be which kinda hit me Sunday. And now we're about a month away from my FIRST OPEN WATER SWIM. I'm getting pretty excited for swimming in the Bay in the dead of January (sense the sarcasm in my voice?) =) I'll be hitting the pool hard over the holiday. In fact, I'm off for a swim after I post it!
Following the swim was, in my opinion, the most amazing part of the day: The Honoree Luncheon.
Honorees are team members who either have or have had a blood cancer. Some of them are training for the triathlon alongside us. Others are training for different events, like Laura who is training for the snow show hike in Yosemite. Others are currently undergoing treatment and therefore can't train but serve as the inspiration for us to keep training.
Two of our honorees, Mark & Laura, shared their stories. I was moved to tears by both of them. Here are their stories. Here is WHY I keep pestering YOU to donate, to buy tickets for Coraline for a Cure, to support us. Here is why I'm training 6 days a week, in the rain, in the freezing weather, in the early morning. Here is why waking up at 7a both weekend days is a walk in the park. Here is why running up & down the Kezar (yep did that last night) and running lap after lap is bearable and sometimes enjoyable. Here is why I'm asking you to spend $60 on a ticket for a theatre show. Here is my reason, inspiration and motivation to keep training and never giving up:
Raise your hand if you're under the age of 32.
^ That's what Laura Warren, age 49, asked the team as she began talking to us on Sunday. I raised my hand. So did Matt. So did probably half the team. Laura has been dealing with cancer and effects of it for longer than everyone who was raising there hand had been alive.
Laura was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease when she was a senior in high school. Luckily, at that time the survival rate for Hodgkins was 90% with the current treatment plan. She had a choice: go through intense chemotherapy for 1 year+ or die within 6 months. She candidly told us that some choices are so obvious they aren't really choices at all -- so I did the chemotherapy.
She was ultimately cured of Hodgkins disease. 20 years later, Laura found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she found out that female patients that underwent treatment for Hodgkins disease during the time she did were something like 60% more likely to develop breast cancer than an average woman. So there she was, years after battling Hodgkins dealing with it's aftermath. She peacefully admitted that she couldn't be angry at her doctors from years ago. They did what they had to do so that I could live. And I got years added to my life where there would have only been months had I not been treated. I couldn't be upset; I had to fight.
And she did fight. The cancer went into remission. 4 years and 11 months went by. She drew that number specifically to our attention because in the cancer world: 5 years without a relapse and you're considered cured. So, after 4 years and 11 months the cancer was back. And she had to keep fighting.
Might I mention that she ran a full marathon a week after her first chemotherapy session for the breast cancer. If Laura could do that, I can do ANYTHING.
For the past few months she's been undergoing many tests (PET scans, CT scans, blood tests, etc). The test results had been slightly ambiguous and the doctors weren't sure what exactly they meant. Before Thanksgiving we were all praying that the ambiguity meant that the cancer wasn't back and that Laura could take a break from fighting a disease that has occupied her life for over half of it.
But, the fight continues. Laura was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer which means that with current technology and treatment she can never been cured. Yes, she will live for months. Yes, she will live for years. Hopefully she will live for years and years. But years and years isn't the same as decades and decades. She is the reason we need to keep training and keep raising. The $500,000 my team raises this season. The $10,000+ Matt & I raise this winter. It will go towards research that could help extend her life. It isn't too late for her which is why raising this money is so important for her and thousands like her across the country.
We have the power to save Laura's life.
Fun fact: Laura did scenic painting & lighting for theater when she was in high school. We hope she can make it to Coraline for a Cure so you can all meet her and understand truly how inspiring she is!
SO, yes, I know it's the holidays. Yes, I know you don't have any extra money. Yes, I know $60 is a lot to spend on a ticket to a show. But, don't think of it, as $60 for a show. Think of it as $60 so that Laura can live. So that no mother has to lose their child. So that no one needs to spend their Christmas in the hospital. Yes, I know there are a billion other excuses, reasons, stories to say no. But, how amazing will it be, if all of our friends, family and loved ones join together with a resounding YES! Yes -- we will buy a ticket to Coraline for a Cure. Yes -- we will donate to LLS (even if only $5)! Yes -- we will save Laura's life. Yes -- we will make a positive difference in this world.
Yes -- we will cure cancer.
This is for you, Laura.
xoxo
Erin
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Talk about Busy, No One Said Curing Cancer Would be Easy
It's been a while since out last update. It's because, well, on top of being full time students and and working part time jobs....
We've been...TRAINING
Gearing up; Running; Soaking Wet after a Run; Swimming; Hopping into a Cold Pool on a Rainy Day; Biking; Peddling through the thick SF Fog; Changing Gears; Remembering how to change gears; Trying not to fall; Trying to take my hands off the handle bars; Trying to get my water bottle while I'm riding...and not fall; Eating Healthy; Fueling; Hydrating; Freezing; Stretching; Strengthening; Drilling; Squatting; Overcoming Fears; Striving; Improving; Breathing; Thriving; Succeeding; Pushing Ourselves Beyond Our Limits; Trying New Things; Overcoming Boundaries; Encouraging Team Members; Encouraging Ourselves; Recovering; Resting...
We've been...FUNDRAISING
Writing Letters, Emails & Thank You Notes; Mailing letters; Sending Emails; Asking You to Give us Money, to Support us & to Believe in us; Trying to Sell Tickets to Coraline for a Cure; Asking for Donations; Sending Emails; Writing Letters; Making Phone Calls; Asking for Donations; Writing Thank You Notes; Asking YOU to Give LLS Money; Asking YOU to help us cure cancer; Asking for YOUR help; Printing letters; Sealing Envelopes; Buying Stamps; Sending Emails; Facebook Updating; Tweeting; Promoting; Organizing; Designing letters; Printing Postcards; Hanging up signs; Telling YOU to Buy Tickets to Coraline for a Cure; Telling YOU that your money makes a difference; Sending more emails; Going to more Stores and Asking for Donations; Requesting Donations Online...
It's been hard but we do it because we're INSPIRED BY:
All the Cancer Survivors who keep on Surviving; All the Patients who Fight for their Lives Everyday; Every person who has ever lost their fight -- so that no one will have to lose ever again...
Gearing up; Running; Soaking Wet after a Run; Swimming; Hopping into a Cold Pool on a Rainy Day; Biking; Peddling through the thick SF Fog; Changing Gears; Remembering how to change gears; Trying not to fall; Trying to take my hands off the handle bars; Trying to get my water bottle while I'm riding...and not fall; Eating Healthy; Fueling; Hydrating; Freezing; Stretching; Strengthening; Drilling; Squatting; Overcoming Fears; Striving; Improving; Breathing; Thriving; Succeeding; Pushing Ourselves Beyond Our Limits; Trying New Things; Overcoming Boundaries; Encouraging Team Members; Encouraging Ourselves; Recovering; Resting...
We've been...FUNDRAISING
Writing Letters, Emails & Thank You Notes; Mailing letters; Sending Emails; Asking You to Give us Money, to Support us & to Believe in us; Trying to Sell Tickets to Coraline for a Cure; Asking for Donations; Sending Emails; Writing Letters; Making Phone Calls; Asking for Donations; Writing Thank You Notes; Asking YOU to Give LLS Money; Asking YOU to help us cure cancer; Asking for YOUR help; Printing letters; Sealing Envelopes; Buying Stamps; Sending Emails; Facebook Updating; Tweeting; Promoting; Organizing; Designing letters; Printing Postcards; Hanging up signs; Telling YOU to Buy Tickets to Coraline for a Cure; Telling YOU that your money makes a difference; Sending more emails; Going to more Stores and Asking for Donations; Requesting Donations Online...
It's been hard but we do it because we're INSPIRED BY:
All the Cancer Survivors who keep on Surviving; All the Patients who Fight for their Lives Everyday; Every person who has ever lost their fight -- so that no one will have to lose ever again...
Stay tuned for more updates about our connections to the cause.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Starbucks Christmas Blend
The first FOUR people to donate $25 or more to LLS & Team Searfuolo before Sunday December 5 will receive a free 1/2 pound of Starbuck's Christmas Blend.
It's a win-win. You get to help cure cancer AND you get some awesome coffee to share with your family over the holiday seasons.
All you have to do is go to:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri11/SearFuolo
Type in your credit or debit card info and choose a donation amount $25 or more.
P.S. If you donate $55 or more, I'll send you a FULL pound!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
What I'm Thankful For...
Got back from NY yesterday. Went for a 9 mile bike (still deathly terrified of the bike riding thing...but am hoping my determination will assuage that fear) yesterday and a 2.5 mile run today. Training wise -- I'm feeling good!
I'm so thankful that I am healthy enough to be able to train. To be able to physically sit on a bike to ride it and throw on some running shoes to jog. And for those of you who know me, you know it hasn't always been that easy for me. These past two days I've been dealing with some health issues. My spine and pelvis were misalligned causing me constant back, hip and knee pain. I've sprained my ankles many times. I have major feet problems -- plantar fasciitis (a strain on the connective tissues of my arch). That caused heel spurs (think shooting nerve pain up the heel). This time last year, I couldn't walk more than 100 feet without severe pain in my feet. All these things combined basically kept me in constant pain. Thankfully with help from a chiropractor, podiatrist and physical therapist and lots of time I'm now pain free probably 75% of the time. So, yes, I'm beyond thankful that at this point in my life I'm healthy enough to exercise. To train 6 days a week. To ride a bike. To run miles. To swim laps. Exercise seems so basic and simple and people often criticize those who don't work out, but the truth is sometimes it's impossible to do it because your body won't let you. For me, I was just hoping to make my way around the city on public transit without my feet causing me excruciating pain. Exercising wasn't an option for me. I'm thankful that now it is. I'm thankful for my health.
I'm thankful that my close friends and family are healthy. I'm thankful that Matt & I were able to sit around the Thanksgiving table with our families, and everyone with us was healthy. I'm thankful we were all able to eat, drink and play games. I'm thankful that we were able to have a worry free holiday. I'm thankful I was able to escape the fast pace of life for a few days. I put my phone away, didn't respond to emails, and kept off of Facebook. To me, holidays mean stopping life for a little bit. Ignoring everything around us and putting it aside to deal with later. Holidays are about bonding with family and spending time together, nothing else matters.
It is heart breaking to me that some families don't have to ignore everything. That they don't get a break for the holidays. While I was at my table on Thanksgiving, other families were spending it in hospitals with their loved ones. Others were saying grace and praying that they would find a blood marrow donor for their daughter, aunt, dad or grandma who was running out of time. Others were recovering from giving a kidney to their sibling who needed it to survive. Others were preparing to give bone marrow or blood to a complete stranger. Others were solemnly sitting at their Thanksgiving table with one less than usual wondering why their son, brother, nephew, grandson had to lose his fight. Hoping that someday there will be a cure.
Cancer doesn't go away during the holiday season. People don't stop getting diagnosed. They don't stop dying.
In the time it took for us to prepare, eat and clean up from Thanksgiving dinner (12 hours, 8a - 8p):
- 180 people got diagnosed with a blood cancer
- 72 people died from a blood cancer
So while I know everyone's short on money. I know times are rough and even worse around the holidays, but it's now it's more important than ever to donate to help find a cure. These families and people need our help. So, no, I won't stop asking every person I know for money so that together we can find a cure. Sure, you could spend 20 bucks on a present or coffee or a hat OR you could donate it to LLS and make a difference.
Save someone's life. Someone's son, daughter, mother, father, grandparent.
Every dollar counts. Go Team!!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri11/SearFuolo
I'm so thankful that I am healthy enough to be able to train. To be able to physically sit on a bike to ride it and throw on some running shoes to jog. And for those of you who know me, you know it hasn't always been that easy for me. These past two days I've been dealing with some health issues. My spine and pelvis were misalligned causing me constant back, hip and knee pain. I've sprained my ankles many times. I have major feet problems -- plantar fasciitis (a strain on the connective tissues of my arch). That caused heel spurs (think shooting nerve pain up the heel). This time last year, I couldn't walk more than 100 feet without severe pain in my feet. All these things combined basically kept me in constant pain. Thankfully with help from a chiropractor, podiatrist and physical therapist and lots of time I'm now pain free probably 75% of the time. So, yes, I'm beyond thankful that at this point in my life I'm healthy enough to exercise. To train 6 days a week. To ride a bike. To run miles. To swim laps. Exercise seems so basic and simple and people often criticize those who don't work out, but the truth is sometimes it's impossible to do it because your body won't let you. For me, I was just hoping to make my way around the city on public transit without my feet causing me excruciating pain. Exercising wasn't an option for me. I'm thankful that now it is. I'm thankful for my health.
I'm thankful that my close friends and family are healthy. I'm thankful that Matt & I were able to sit around the Thanksgiving table with our families, and everyone with us was healthy. I'm thankful we were all able to eat, drink and play games. I'm thankful that we were able to have a worry free holiday. I'm thankful I was able to escape the fast pace of life for a few days. I put my phone away, didn't respond to emails, and kept off of Facebook. To me, holidays mean stopping life for a little bit. Ignoring everything around us and putting it aside to deal with later. Holidays are about bonding with family and spending time together, nothing else matters.
It is heart breaking to me that some families don't have to ignore everything. That they don't get a break for the holidays. While I was at my table on Thanksgiving, other families were spending it in hospitals with their loved ones. Others were saying grace and praying that they would find a blood marrow donor for their daughter, aunt, dad or grandma who was running out of time. Others were recovering from giving a kidney to their sibling who needed it to survive. Others were preparing to give bone marrow or blood to a complete stranger. Others were solemnly sitting at their Thanksgiving table with one less than usual wondering why their son, brother, nephew, grandson had to lose his fight. Hoping that someday there will be a cure.
Cancer doesn't go away during the holiday season. People don't stop getting diagnosed. They don't stop dying.
In the time it took for us to prepare, eat and clean up from Thanksgiving dinner (12 hours, 8a - 8p):
- 180 people got diagnosed with a blood cancer
- 72 people died from a blood cancer
So while I know everyone's short on money. I know times are rough and even worse around the holidays, but it's now it's more important than ever to donate to help find a cure. These families and people need our help. So, no, I won't stop asking every person I know for money so that together we can find a cure. Sure, you could spend 20 bucks on a present or coffee or a hat OR you could donate it to LLS and make a difference.
Save someone's life. Someone's son, daughter, mother, father, grandparent.
Every dollar counts. Go Team!!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri11/SearFuolo
Sunday, November 21, 2010
As Easy as Riding a Bike...
You've probably heard that phrase a hundred times. I know I have. And maybe you're one of the people who have heard me say over the years that I didn't know how to ride a bike. Maybe you were shocked. Most people were.
Let me clarify something. Yes, at one point I did learn how to ride a bike. And it wasn't just any bike. It was a bike my dad & I painted. Base coat was purple with bright yellow, orange and pink polka dots. I loved it, and I loved riding with the training wheels. I rocked that. Then the training wheels came off. I don't know how long it was before I fell but it couldn't have been more than a few days. Because then I fell and bled and cried. Then I was the kid who never got back on. I bought a razor scooter and some roller blades and I was good and didn't need to ride my bike. Don't know how old I was when I fell probably 7 or 8? But I didn't get back on a bike until I was 20.
So in that time gap between 7 and 19, I was convinced I didn't know how to ride a bike. Yes, subconsciously, I'm sure I knew I could ride a bike if I tried. But I was too scared nor did I have a reason to.
Last April, after Matt's triathlon I decided that I wanted to train for a triathlon as well which would require me to face my fear of the bicycle and get back on the saddle after 10+ years. I spent several weeks bike shopping and testing different bikes. I got a crash course in road bikes. Because these bicycles are nothing like the ones when we are kids. There are shifters, deraillers, chains, brakes, saddles, clipless pedals. Your bike needs to fit you. You can't just pull one off the rack and say "I'll take it." After looking at about every bike in my price range out there, I settled on a Specialized Dolce Elite.
Now, I'm training. Today was my first coached swim followed by a bike skills clinic. Swim was great (and FREEZING). But, I'm talking about the bike.
I'm still basically scared to death of doing just about anything and everything on a bike. Riding with traffic terrifies me. Starting, stopping and shifting intimidates me. Taking one of my hands off the handles to do one of many necessary things to do during riding like drinking from a water bottle and signaling to stop or turn.
The skills clinic helped me today. We focused a lot on my trouble areas (which is about everything). The coaches are great. Coach Joe (they call him Iron Joe) is great. He's realized that I'm so new to the bike and still trying to get comfortable and has been great at coaching me. He was one the water bottle drinking while riding station today. I told him I was so scared. He suggested first just reaching down and touching the bottle. I did that about 8 times then he said to just try to grab it. And I got it. Couldn't put it back in the holder before I had to make the turn so I put it away on the next straight away. I did that successfully a few times until I dropped my bottle proceeding to roll over it. Haha. Joe picked it up and passed it off to me and I successfully grabbed it and put it back away.
By the end of the clinic today, I could take a hand off the bike to signal and to grab a water bottle, things that scared me more than anything this morning. I'm glad I'm getting more comfortable on the bike since eventually I'll have to be riding for 25 miles at one time.
There is one thing that terrifies me more than anything: clipless pedals. Most of you probably don't know what those are...(I didn't either). Well, it basically means that your bike shoes have a cleat that literally clip in and attach to special pedals so that you are attached to your bike. It makes power transfer and basically everything easier.
But I'm terrified. Seriously, people, I'm afraid of just riding the bike. I'm afraid of falling when I start or stop. And everyone wants me to get pedals that attach me to the bike? I think they're crazy even though I know they're right. I hope to get up the courage to switch out the pedals by the end of 2010.
So, yes I'm scared out of my mind to ride my bike which just solidifies that this will NOT be easy for me. Training and racing in this triathlon will be the hardest thing I have ever done which is why I need everyone's help and support.
A team mate talked today about her personal honoree who lost his battle with Leukemia on Tuesday. She reminded us that though there are so many happy stories with happy endings because of the research funded by LLS, there are still victims of this disease. People are still dying. The economic recession hasn't stopped the deaths. Cancer isn't prejudice which is why patients need our help now more than ever. I hope so much that people win their battles and that ultimately with all the money we raise for LLS we can win the war.
I'm sure all those people who hear the doctor's diagnosis for the first time in their doctor's office are more scared than they've ever been in their life. And my my fear of bike riding is nothing in comparison to the fear they have. I'm sure they're afraid of the drugs, the chemotherapy, the hospitals.
So, this Thanksgiving as I'm sitting around the table with my family, I will be so thankful that my biggest fear is riding a bike AND that I am doing something to help qualm the fears of blood cancer patients by raising money for a cure.
What are you thankful for? Join me. Go Team!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
"Go Team"
Got my first "Go Team" from a random stranger tonight when I stopped at Safeway to pick up a water before my run. It's such an amazing feeling to be a part of a team that is so big, proud and strong.
Well, my legs feel like bricks after a 2+ mile run tonight. Time for the foam roller (if you don't know what it is...it might as well be a torture device....you roll your muscles on it and it hurts more than anything ever).
GO Team!
Well, my legs feel like bricks after a 2+ mile run tonight. Time for the foam roller (if you don't know what it is...it might as well be a torture device....you roll your muscles on it and it hurts more than anything ever).
GO Team!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Only one more lap...
So, I made it through the first week of training. Things haven't been too difficult yet. Some run/walk workouts. A few swims. A couple bike rides. Granted this past week I've probably worked out more than I have total in the past 4 months... I'm definitely using muscles I have either never used or haven't for a very long time.
I'm not lying when I say I've never done anything like this before. I've really never done anything like this before.
Tonight was hard. And cold. It was my first track workout at Kezar stadium with the team. Started with a warmup of a mile then did 1/2 mile of different drills. Then we did a 2 mile marker set which is basically seeing how quickly we can run 2 miles. My time was: 21:28. Not as bad as I would have thought, but not stellar either. But, the run was rough. It was cold and foggy so I lost feeling to my hands early on then there was that warm / cold sensation everywhere. And then my lungs start to burn and my legs start hurting. And it doesn't help that I'm at the back of the pack and getting passed by teammates (who are all so encouraging which is great because if I'm going to get lapped, I'd rather it be by a nice person!). About 3 laps in (.75 miles) I feel like I want to walk at least just for a few seconds to catch my breath but no one else is walking. So I keep going and make it through the first mile in 9:58 without walking. I conquered the second mile with a combo of walking and running and didn't come in last.
You know what keeps me going when I feel like I can't go any further (which I felt tonight)? I keep thinking just 1 more mile, just 1 more lap, just 100 more feet then it will be over. Then I'll get to rest (or course there was no rest after the workout, we had a pretty intense 20 minute core strengthening session....I'll be feeling it tomorrow). I know that I can push through because I know there is an end. No matter how rough the run was, I knew I'd be home and in bed by 11p. I knew that run would be over tonight.
Blood cancer patients can't say that. They can't say only 1 more chemo session, 1 more procedure, 1 more drug to take. They need to push through knowing that they might need to keep pushing, pushing and pushing until they reach an undetermined end that isn't most likely a happy one. They can't say if I make it through tonight, then it's over. Their fight never ends. Even those in remission never know when it may begin again. And they don't have any choice except to push through. They need to fight, suffer and endure to survive. It isn't optional.
This is why I am choosing to fight, suffer and endure for these patients. So that maybe if I push hard enough and endure long enough someday every person diagnosed with cancer will definitively know that there will be a happy ending at the conclusion of their treatment. So that someday there will be a cure for cancer.
Go Team!
Erin
P.S. Definitely investing in some gloves for running. I lost feeling to my hands and only regained feeling a few minutes ago.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Chicago --> Omaha
The next day Rob took us on a quick driving tour of where he grew up on the west side of chicago, and then took us to Al’s to get italian beef. An italian beef for those not in the know is like a philly cheese steak without the cheese, and the entire sandwich can be (and should be) dipped in broth. I got mine with hot and sweet peppers, dipped. It was so damn good. If i lived in Chicago, i’d probably get one of those at least once a week. I’d be fat, but happy.
We got on the road, and Erin took the first shift, which was also her first time behind the wheel this trip. We drove till lunchtime and Erin saw a sign for Steak and Shake. Which i’ve never heard of, but Erin heard of through her midwestern friends at her internship this summer. We had to stop, and good thing we did because the manager told us that it was the furthest west location. The burger wasn’t anything to write home about, but Erin said the shake was good. I’m not a big shake fan, so i’ll leave that to her.
Illionis and Iowa are big sky country. SO much sky and SO much corn. It is ridiculous how much corn there is, and i’m pretty sure almost all of it isn’t for human consumption. There is something i don’t like about that, and i don’t think i’m alone.
We made it into Omaha around 9 and checked into the Carol Hotel and stayed in the room and looked at apartments on craiglist and caught the last inning of the Yankee game.
We got on the road, and Erin took the first shift, which was also her first time behind the wheel this trip. We drove till lunchtime and Erin saw a sign for Steak and Shake. Which i’ve never heard of, but Erin heard of through her midwestern friends at her internship this summer. We had to stop, and good thing we did because the manager told us that it was the furthest west location. The burger wasn’t anything to write home about, but Erin said the shake was good. I’m not a big shake fan, so i’ll leave that to her.
Illionis and Iowa are big sky country. SO much sky and SO much corn. It is ridiculous how much corn there is, and i’m pretty sure almost all of it isn’t for human consumption. There is something i don’t like about that, and i don’t think i’m alone.
We made it into Omaha around 9 and checked into the Carol Hotel and stayed in the room and looked at apartments on craiglist and caught the last inning of the Yankee game.
Drive to Chicago / Night in Chi-town
After a wonderful breakfast prepared by grandma and mrs. houser we hit the road. The drive to Chicago was realtively quick, up to toledo, through indiana, then over to Chicago. We did take an unplanned adventure to Michigan, where we ate at a Taco Bell, and then hit up some outlet shopping back in Indiana. Erin found some cute pants, and I saved my precious pennies for our expenses when we get back to SF.
We got into Chicago around 6 and met with our buddy Rob, who we stayed with in Hyde Park. We got a little walking tour of the area then took the Metra into downtown Chicago to see the bean and Millenium Park. We got out before the end so we could walk down the greenway. Chicago has a ton of parks, and they are all well maintained, even in the less afluent parts.
Mellenium park is beautiful. The Pavillion, designed by Frank Gehry, is AMAZING. Classic Gehry styling and a wonderful lawn where they have free concerts all summer long. The bean was oddly wonderful. I didn’t know what to expect, and it really is something you just have to see to understand.
We went to Giordano’s for dinner, and had a sausage and pepperoni stuffed pizza. The debate has been settled in my head. You cannot compare thin crust and stuffed pizza. They are two seperate food groups. One can only compare thin to thin and stuffed to stuffed. End of debate.
The Houser Home
We stayed with Matt’s fraternity brother Jeff’s parents. They were SO excited to have us. They said seeing Jeff’s friends (even though I have never met him...) made them miss Jeff. We were glad to make them happy. We relaxed in their backyard for a while. We played with their bagel (beagle / basset hound) Emerson (not named after the college Matt & Jeff went to...well maybe subliminally).
We had a wonderful home cooked meal of meat loaf, corn, home fries and caesar salad (with homemade dressing). The meal was cooked by grandma (who was 91 and still going strong!). Dessert was grandma’s famous chocolate cookies (which they gave us extra to take on the road with us).
We watched a little TV then hit the sack. I got to take a nap on the drive over but Matt stayed up all day so he was pretty exhausted. Chicago tomorrow!
Drive to Cleveland OH
We woke up bright and early so we could say goodbye to Matt’s Mom before she had to go to work. We waved goodbye to her and Markus before we hit the open road.
It was a bit rainy when we left and things only got worse when we were going over the mountains in PA. It poured for a while until we were about an hour away from the Ohio border.
We hit three states today. It was my first time in OH and this would be the first of many new states I went to this trip!
Cleveland - Lake Erie, Rock & Roll Museum
Got into Cleveland in the early evening. Drove to Lake Erie right by the Rock & Roll Museum. Walked down to the water. It was my first Great Lake! We noticed that there either had been a triathlon or was going to be one in the near future. We saw spray painted marking for “run in” “bike in” “bike out” etc.
We popped into the Rock & Roll Museum. Took some pictures with the huge guitars then hopped back into the car so we could get to our host’s house by dinner time!
It was a bit rainy when we left and things only got worse when we were going over the mountains in PA. It poured for a while until we were about an hour away from the Ohio border.
We hit three states today. It was my first time in OH and this would be the first of many new states I went to this trip!
Cleveland - Lake Erie, Rock & Roll Museum
Got into Cleveland in the early evening. Drove to Lake Erie right by the Rock & Roll Museum. Walked down to the water. It was my first Great Lake! We noticed that there either had been a triathlon or was going to be one in the near future. We saw spray painted marking for “run in” “bike in” “bike out” etc.
We popped into the Rock & Roll Museum. Took some pictures with the huge guitars then hopped back into the car so we could get to our host’s house by dinner time!
Road Trip - Take 2 - Heading Back West
Thanks to all the loyal followers (ie mom). =) We hoped you enjoyed our first cross country journey.
Summer in NY was wonderful. But my internship drew to an end and Matt wrapped up all of his renovation projects. So...we packed up the Prius again.
Nico (the Prius) suffered some injuries this summer. Long story short...I was driving down a street close to Vassar when BAM!@@$@&%@%) out of nowhere a deer smashed up against the drivers side window. I basically saw just a flash of brown hair and didn't even know what happened. At first, I thought it was a golden retriever (that's what I get for growing up somewhere where the number of dogs outnumber the deer). I exclaimed in confusion: "Did I just get hit by a deer?" My summer roomie and now awesome new friend Kate said: "Yep...and it definitely just took off your mirror." When Kate later recounted the incident to me, she vividly described to me how she saw the deers eyes, mouth, and entire face smashed up against the window. (Guess that explains the deer juice that was on the side of the car!) So, all in all, the deer did about $5000 dollars worth of damage to Nico but no one was hurt which was the blessing since deer accidents can be pretty dangerous.
After a stop to a body shop in Middletown which is run by one of Matt's long time family friends, the drivers side of the car is just like new! The guys at the shop were great and gave us a great deal.
Now, (I guess that wasn't that short a story after all) Nico is all patched up and ready to drive the 3,200 miles back to California.
Hope you all follow along with the journey. This time we're taking the Northern route (Cleveland, Chicago, Omaha, Mount Rushmore, Salt Lake City, Reno, HOME). Goodbye NY, Hello road to the West!
Cross Country Snapshots #3
Family & Good Friends
NC, PA & NJ
Chapel Hill, NC
After a wonderful lunch with Josip.
Chapel Hill, NC
With Ian & Amanda, the at the time "soon-to-be" parents. Now baby Simon is keeping them busy!
Havertown, PA
With my cousin August!
Havertown, PA
Aunt Jeannie & I at Matt's house for Kayla's birthday.
Hatboro, PA
With Matt's sisters in their awesome new apartment!
Fairview, NJ
Matt (the Best Man) & I with Will and his fiance Caitlin!
Cross Country Snapshots #2
New Orleans, LA
Our corner balcony table at Royal Oyster House.
We rented a scooter for the day to tour around NOLA. Don't worry, I didn't drive...just posed for the picture.
After a trip to the Lower Ninth Ward...we got caught in a rainstorm.
A fancy dinner out at Broussards.
With our server at Cafe Reconcile.
Cross Country Snapshots #1
SF, Arizona & Texas
San Francisco, CA
In Chateau Damilano, before waving goodbye to SF.
Quartzite, AZ
There were cacti everywhere!
La Mesa, AZ
Shopping in Old Town.
Beaumont, Texas
After some delicious Texas BBQ.
Fentress, Texas
With Uncle Jim, Linda, Martin & Izzy in front of their travel trailor.
NJ -> NY! Last of our amazing trip!
My best friend, Willie, had gotten engaged earlier in May, and called to see if we could stop by his fiance's house to meet her parents. Since i'm the Best Man, i have obligations, plus they said they'd feed my so i gladly said yes.
Loved them. Mainly because they fed me Italian food, and they tell great stories and laugh. It was a great visit, and it was great to see Will for the first time since he got back from Iraq. He's a marine. And we got to meet his dog iceman. Who is super cute.
We left Jersey and made the final trip to Florida, getting in around 11pm. Our road trip was over, but the fun of summer was just beginning. Erin is going to have a great time at her internship, and I'm excited to spend time with my family, and friends, and lower my handicap.
Pictures will be uploaded soon, i think Erin is doing that now. See you in a few months, when we start the posts for our trip back!
Loved them. Mainly because they fed me Italian food, and they tell great stories and laugh. It was a great visit, and it was great to see Will for the first time since he got back from Iraq. He's a marine. And we got to meet his dog iceman. Who is super cute.
We left Jersey and made the final trip to Florida, getting in around 11pm. Our road trip was over, but the fun of summer was just beginning. Erin is going to have a great time at her internship, and I'm excited to spend time with my family, and friends, and lower my handicap.
Pictures will be uploaded soon, i think Erin is doing that now. See you in a few months, when we start the posts for our trip back!
Baltimore -> Philly Sun June 6th
We spent a great night in Baltimore with jackson and john (who are moving to SF!) We went out for crab and beer, NattyBo, the beer of choice for Baltimorean hipsters. We got a bucket of crab, ate them with hammers, and then went to a roof top party, and then crashed a birthday party of the neighbors. It was a great night with old friends.
The next morning we stocked up on pastries from the bakery jackson works at, and headed to Philly for erin's cousin's birthday party. It was a fun 7 year old's birthday party, complete with bouncy house. Great to meet new people and hold my first baby. Yep 24 years old and had never held a baby, but now i have and i'm a pro.
We left the party and went to see my sister's new place outside of Philly, and then made our way up to NJ to meet my best friend's new soon to be inlaws.
The next morning we stocked up on pastries from the bakery jackson works at, and headed to Philly for erin's cousin's birthday party. It was a fun 7 year old's birthday party, complete with bouncy house. Great to meet new people and hold my first baby. Yep 24 years old and had never held a baby, but now i have and i'm a pro.
We left the party and went to see my sister's new place outside of Philly, and then made our way up to NJ to meet my best friend's new soon to be inlaws.
Raleigh -> DC -> Baltimore June 4th & 5th
We went out to a great dinner with Amanda and Ian. Amanda was super pregnant and beautiful! Plus we loved otto their mini schnauzer! After a wonderful breakfast of eggs and oatmeal pancakes we drove up to Chapel Hill to meet up with a friend's dad and have lunch with him. We ate at Top of the Hill, which is the biggest Tar Heel haunt. Good salads!
We got on I95 finally, much to my chagrin, and made our way to DC. We got into town, met up with my friend Eric at his place and then went for our first Sushi dinner of the trip. The next day we went to the national mall and went to the Air and Space museum and the Museum of American History. Loved both. Who doesn't like a Smithsonian?
After we went and ate at a really trendy restaurant called Matchbox. Really cool, 3 floors, great food and local beer! We decided we had enough of DC and went up to my friend danielle's place in Baltimore for the night.
We got on I95 finally, much to my chagrin, and made our way to DC. We got into town, met up with my friend Eric at his place and then went for our first Sushi dinner of the trip. The next day we went to the national mall and went to the Air and Space museum and the Museum of American History. Loved both. Who doesn't like a Smithsonian?
After we went and ate at a really trendy restaurant called Matchbox. Really cool, 3 floors, great food and local beer! We decided we had enough of DC and went up to my friend danielle's place in Baltimore for the night.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Drive to Chapel Hill, NC — Thurs June 3rd
After our free danishes at the HoJo, we packed up and went to the Parthenon in Nashville before getting on I40. Some guy decided to build a full size replica of the Parthenon in Nashville. Random. It was really cool as we were walking toward it, but then we found out it was some sort of museum and had to pay $6 a person to get in. That ruined it for me. If you’re going to replicate something, replicate it. Don’t just kind of copy it, and don’t charge me.
We are now driving east again, going to NC!
We stopped at Wendys in Asheville after driving through some mountains.
Stopped at a Tire Kingdom in Hickory to check our tire pressure. Added some more nitrogen to the back ones that hopped over to Petsmart & Babies R Us to pick up some gifts for Matt’s friend Amanda. We settled on a pig rope animal for their dog & a Teddy Bear for their baby boy (due in less than 2 months)
Ride to Nashville
After the museum we went to Ihop for some breakfast before getting on the road. About 30 minutes into the trip Erin realized she left her credit card back at the Ihop. MISTAKE! That put an hour dent into our travel time, led to some frustration, but i eventually got over it, and we got to Nashville. We checked in at the HoJo, and head out to find some cool shops, we didn’t really find any unfortunately, so we went to Broadway to get some dinner. We parked in a garage we thought was close, but was about 2 blocks away, which wouldn’t have been bad, if it wasn’t about to open up on us! We made it to broadway and under an overhang just before it started to pour. We waited it out, and decided to go to the Broadway Brewhouse. 64 beers on tap! Erin got a Texas Melt, which was, “effing good” and consisted of smoked brisket, melted jack, and jalepeno mayo on texas toast. I got a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with melted jack and panama sauce. We shared cheese fries. The best part was the beer. We had 6 beers between the two of us, all southern micro brews. We spanned the range: hef, amber, wheat (blueberry!), stout, and 2 ciders. It was awesome, and the bill was only $50!
After dinner we went out to do some boot shopping. We tried on about 20 pairs of boots between the two of us. We found a store that was selling buy one get two free, found some boots we liked, but couldn’t pull the trigger until we looked at other stores, so we went to one on 2nd street that was having a flood sale. We made a mistake though, we tried on Luchese’s, the cadillac of boots. They were AMAZING, it was as though they were made for our feet, but even at 50% off we couldn’t afford them, i even haggled it down, but not far enough. We decided that the next trip we take we’ll have to put some money aside just for boots!
After leaving Broadway empty handed, we called it a night. Chapel Hill tomorrow to see my very pregnant friend!
Civil Rights Museum — Wed June 2nd
We got up early to get to the National Civil Rights Museum before we got on the road to Nashville. The museum was extensive, 2 buildings, one dedicated to civil rights until MLK Jr.’s assassination, and the other about the investigation of said assassination. They had great exhibits, some original letters, papers, signs, and a lot of the evidence gathered from the investigation, including the rifle used in the shooting. The museum is in the Lorraine Motel, and you walk through the room that MLK Jr. was in the day he was shot, and are on the balcony he was on. It is intense.
It is erie to see all the things people had to go through to get rights, and know that if you just replaced black or colored with gay or lesbian, not much has changed. History is repeating itself, and it is very very scary.
Memphis, TN
We got to Memphis at about 730pm checked into the ghetto Motel 6 and headed out to Beale St. Erin decided it would be a good idea to play “Walkin’ in Memphis” on repeat the entire time we were in Memphis, and even when we went to Arkansas. We parked downtown and walked up and down Beale a few times trying to figure out the best place to go. We wanted live music and dinner, we settled on Blue’s City Cafe, i had ribs and Erin had fried shrimp. I had some sort of local beer, and we were entertained by a Johnny Cash cover band. They guy was good, but did more talking than he did singing.
After dinner we walked around a little more, went into a few souvenir shops, and then decided to drive around the downtown area a little bit, while driving we decided to go to Arkansas because it was so close. We needed new tapes for the video camera so we went to Wal-Mart! This Wal-Mart was ridiculous. It had a full supermarket, and a huge regular Wal-Mart all rolled into one. So we stocked up on more snacks, refreshed some toiletries, and got our video tapes.
Beale St wasn’t what i expected. Very neon heavy, and catered toward the tourist, and only a few blocks long. I want there to be a way to find out where the people who live in all these towns go to hear music, drink and eat!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Cafe Reconcile and the ride to Memphis — Tues June 1st
Happy June! We woke up today and packed the car, checked out, and Erin followed me to the scooter place. We didn’t have to have the scooter back till noon so we decided to park the car and ride around NOLA a bit more. We wanted to get some Po Boys at Domilise’s, which is the shop Tony Bourdain goes to in his No Reservations New Orleans episode. We rode over, through the garden district, only to find it was closed. So we then decided to go to Cafe Reconcile, another spot Bourdain hit on the show. This place is awesome. It takes kids not necessarily on the right path in life, and puts them to work and teaches them how to work in the food service industry. They rotate in all aspects of the industry, the Kitchen, the front of house, and the back of house. We were the first ones in the dining room, which is fully open to the kitchen, i had a catfish Po Boy with collard greens, Erin had fried catfish with garlic mashed and sweet corm.
It just so happened that we were there on the day the newest class of kids started their orientation, about 18 of them came in to applause from the current students, and sat at a huge center table. It was inspiring and a true testament to the power of New Orleans.
The place filled up fast, so we finished up, paid our bill, overstayed our welcome a bit (they needed to turn the table), got a picture with our server and headed out to drop off the scooter.
We left New Orleans with full stomachs and full, yet heavy, hearts. NOLA is an amazing city that is still struggling, and trying to reinvent what “normal” means. It will renew, rebuild, and reconcile. I can’t wait to come back.
We got back on I10 and are now headed up I55 north through Mississippi to Memphis. Next stop, Beale St.
Roots Run Deep
I was excited to return to the gulf coast on this trip. The last time I had been here was August 2006, almost exactly 1 year after Katrina. Now, I was returning nearly 4 years after that and 5 since Katrina hit and levees broke. On my hurricane relief trip, I was touched by stories of survival and determination to rebuild. For the entire ride into New Orleans from the airport then along the coast to Biloxi, I was silenced by the sights. A boat in the median of the freeway miles from the closest water. An entire neighborhood with tarp covered roofs marked with x on their doors. There were people’s belongings (clothes, toys, books, you name it we saw it) scattered all over the ground. I thought things must be different now. It, after all, had been 4 years since I walked these streets. Progress must have been made.
On this trip, when we began to drive into New Orleans, I was happy to see that the signs of destruction weren’t so prevalent. I didn’t see boats in medians or many tarped roofs. There were a few “x”es on buildings and boarded windows. But, all in all, it seemed to the naked eye that New Orleans had patched it wounds and began to rebuild. We got to our hotel in the French quarter and everything looked normal. But, then again, the French Quarter wasn’t hit that hard by the disaster. It all still seemed a little bit too good to be true. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to see the rebirth of the city. I was happy to see cut grasses and new homes, but I could tell that the cuts were still deep and all had not been healed.
The next day, Matt & I rented a scooter and headed over to the lower Ninth Ward to see if all was well again. On the ride over, with the wind in my face, I hoped that we were taking the ride for nothing, that it was going to look just like any other neighborhood in any other town. I was hoping there were no stories to be told, except those of hope and rebirth. As we scooted our way into the neighborhood, I was again silenced by the sights. For every 1 new house, there were 20 other ones. Some of the others had been gutted and left with just the bones. Some hadn’t been touched since the rescue workers marked the x on it the day the water receded. For the most of the homes, that date was 9-22 which meant that those houses sat under water for nearly a month. Other homes didn’t even exist anymore, they were foundations and empty lots over grown by weeds. It broke my heart. Then we passed a house, one that hadn’t been touched in years. It had boarded up windows, an overgrown yard, a torn apart roof, and an x on the front door. Next to the x, I saw a graffiti mark - a tree trunk and roots with the words “our roots run deep here.” And, at that moment, I believed more than ever that this statement was the truth. Because, despite the majority of houses that lay in shambles, there were rebuilt homes. There were houses that we saw people working on, we saw people rebuilding. In the houses that had been rebuilt, there were often men sitting on the porches. Each one waved and smiled at us. These were the people who had been through so much and came back. They didn’t give up. They rebuilt. Riding around the street, was to me, one of the most beautiful things I did on this trip to New Orleans. Sure, it was heart breaking. But, more than anything, it was inspiring and uplifting. The spirit of NOLA filled the humid air on that afternoon drive. The hope for a new start was ever present. These people had roots here, and despite the fact that their homes and lives had been uprooted, they returned. They overcame. They replanted and they would not surrender.
I can’t wait to return to this city. There’s something so special about it to me. Something too beautiful to describe with words. I hope the future allows another opportunity for me to help those who wish to rebuild. There is nothing more beautiful than people helping people build a new future.
Their roots run deep. And I have been blessed to see sprouts of hope scatter this beautiful city.
Scooters, Storms, Food, Drinks, & Jazz — Mon, May 31st
Today we woke up to VIP breakfast in bed, two plates of eggs benedict, chocolate covered strawberries, a bagel with cream cheese lox, tomato, onion, and capers, OJ, water, and coffee. It was a great way to start off an eventful day.
We decided to rent a scooter for the day to travel around NOLA, even though the forecast called for scattered thunderstorms. It’s about the adventure, not playing it safe! The rental place was about 4 miles away so we decided to walk a little along the riverwalk toward the rental place then get a cab. It was a HOT day already and it was only 11am. We went past a steam powered paddle boat that started playing music using the steam in what can be described as a steam organ on the top of the boat. It was really cool.
Once we got too hot to walk anymore we hailed a cab and went to the scooter store. We wanted to check out the ninth ward to see the rebuilding and how much is still in shambles. On the way we got stuck at a railroad crossing, and a drawbridge, both really cool when your on two wheels, and not in a car!
Much to our disappointment, there is still a lot of ruin in the ninth ward, 5 years after the devastation. We rode around for an hour or so, videotaping the area, and commenting on what we saw. Everyone on their porches smiled and waved to us, and one gentleman was very helpful getting us to a gas station (which only cost us $2.21 to fill up, yes please!)
Seeing the rescue workers hieroglyphs still on houses was a sobering experience, if you haven’t seen them, i’ll try to describe it. It’s an X spray painted on or near the door of the house. the top space of the X has a date, which corresponds to when the rescuers reached the house, the left side is what group went into the house, the right side changes depending on who tagged it, sometimes its how they went into the house, other times its what contaminates were found, and sometimes it a number that we don’t know what it means, and the bottom of the X is a number denoting how many bodies were found. 5 years later there are still these markings, and serves as a daily reminder of the disaster to those who see them.
All the while we were riding around the sky was getting darker, so once we felt the first few drops we decided to head back to the hotel. We weren’t that far away, but storms develop quickly. we got caught in a huge rainstorm. Once the rain started to hurt we pulled over under a Family Dollar overhang and waited it out. We were watching the sky and once it cleared up enough we headed back out. We got about 5 or so blocks from the hotel and i hear from the girl holding onto me say, “Where are my glasses?” Turns out she left them on the ledge back at the Family Dollar, so we turn around and head back, grab the glasses, and then get caught in some more rain, so this time we pull over under a random overhang and wait it out again. We aren’t to terribly wet at this point, just a little past damp. We waited about 20 minutes for it to ease up, and when we got back to the hotel, it was really coming down, we found a place to park, got all of our stuff out from under the seat, and walked into our hotel soaked clear to the underpants. I literally poured water out of my shoes. It was an amazing experience, and i wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
We took a hot shower to warm up and put some dry clothes and by that time the weather cleared up, so we met up with a friend from high school, Josh, and went to Yo Mama’s Pub for some food. We both got a burger and had some Dixie Beer. The burger’s were amazing. I don’t know what they did to them, but the were so delicious, Erin said it was the best burger she’s ever had.
We bid farewell to Josh, and walked around the French Quarter some more. We went into a bunch of great shops on Royal St, and found a lot of great local art and NOLA kitsch. We decided that one of the local art galleries had 2 things we loved and we’d go back later to decide which we wanted. We walked down to Cafe Du Monde to get my first beignet. We sat right down and got a few orders. All i can say is Cafe Du Monde must had stock in powdered sugar! The beignets were good, but not necessarily my thing, i’m glad i went though!
We went back to the art gallery and decided to get a one of a kind piece of wall art made by a local artist that is made with found objects from NOLA, that says “Vieux Carre” which means French Quarter. We made our way back to the hotel to rest till dinner. We had reservations at Broussard’s, which is one of the top old restaurants in NOLA. We were the only one’s in the dining room for the first 20 minutes of our meal, granted it was a Monday night. We had a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, Oysters 3 ways, i had grouper, and Erin had Redfish with lump crab meat. It was a fine meal, with incredible service, we had 4 people waiting on us, and never went without something we wanted or needed.
After dinner i asked our server where we could go to hear some good NOLA Jazz. He told us to go to Frenchman St. We got in a cab for the mile journey, and went into this one club that had a show going on, but it was $15 per person, which would have put us over our budget, and was a crap shoot on whether it would have been good, so we put that on the back burner and walked across the street to the Spotted Cat Music Club where there was a 4 piece local jazz band wailing away. We ducked in and knew instantly this place was legit. We found a couple empty tall chairs got a few drinks and spent the next couple hours listening to killer jazz keyboard, sax, bass and drums interspersed with vocals, and sick solos. It was heaven, we both had good food in us, a great buzz going, and didn’t need anything else. I didn’t want to be anywhere else, with anyone else, i was in love with NOLA, and even more in love with Erin.
We left when the band was done, and decided to walk back to the hotel down the length of Bourbon St. The whole time were were in the French Quarter we saw people walking around with a drink called the hand grenade, so we obviously had to get one. It tasted like a mix between a Pina Colada and ecto cooler. But it came in a fun cup, and helped keep the buzz going. Then we got persuaded into doing a few test tube shots, and then finally made it back to the hot tub.
It was a full day. i loved every second of it. I can’t wait to go back.
Maison Dupuy and the French Quarter
We pulled into the hotel at about 6pm. Checked into our room, where we had champagne chilled waiting for us, and two free vouchers for cocktails at the French Quarter Bistro. After changing into something other than our traveling clothes we went down to get our free cocktails. I got a Sazerac and Erin got a Hurricane. The bartender asked me if i wanted it for here or to go, normally “to go” means up to your room, so i said “for here,” Erin forgot the camera up in the room, so when she came back down she asked me why i didn’t take it to go, and i totally forgot we could drink on the street, so we had the bartender put our drinks in travelers and hit the French Quarter. Our hotel was only a few blocks from Bourbon St. so we took full advantage of it. We walked up and down, taking in the music, the scenery, the people, and the culture. I instantly fell in love. We were starving so we went in search of a restaurant that had balcony seating.
During our search we happened upon a wedding parade. IT WAS AWESOME. The bride and groom led the parade each holding a parasol, while an amazing NOLA Brass Band played great music behind them, then the entire wedding, guests and all followed them down the street. It was beautiful, and looked like a lot of fun.
We finally settled on the Royal House Oyster Bar. We got a balcony seat right on the corner over looking two streets and beautiful magnolia trees. Erin got a shrimp Po Boy, and i got the Taste of New Orleans, Chicken Sausage Jambalaya, Chicken Sausage Gumbo, and Catfish Etouffee. We also sampled some local beer, mine a red ale, and Erin’s a raspberry Wheat. It was a great introduction to NOLA food.
After dinner we walked around the quarter some more, past jackson sq, and finally made it back to the hotel, spent a little time in the hot tub, and called it a night.
Tomorrow is breakfast in bed, and sightseeing, and eating around NOLA. CAN’T WAIT!
Driving to Nola — Sun May 30th
We got up at 7:45 to get the car packed and ready to go to NOLA. We left by 8:30, drove and drove and drove. I started out the trip, and Erin drove after we got our first taste of Texas BBQ. We went to Willy Ray's BBQ, Erin got a Willie Plate of Brisket with beans, and mac & cheese. “Those are the best beans i’ve ever had,” says Erin after one bite. I had the buffet, which consisted of Brisket, Pork Ribs, Deer Sausage, greens, banana pudding, potato salad. the meat was unbelievable. The smoke ring was at least a quarter inch deep into both the brisket and the ribs, and the sauce, which we got on the side, was tangy and delicious. Erin even liked BBQ for the first time in her life. Willie Ray’s was a wild success.
We got back on I10 and made our way to NOLA. Once we passed in to LA we hit our first instance of weather. It just happened to be HUGE thunderstorm. I was asleep, but erin said it was flash after flash and a torrential downpour for about 20 minutes. I woke up after it cleared up a bit, and then we hit another ridiculous storm. This one was just rain, but it was INTENSE. It cleared up eventually and we made our way over bridges and causeways through the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, very green, and a lot of water. Next stop NOLA!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Camping in Fentress, TX
Camping with my Uncle and Aunt was AMAZING. They recently purchased a new travel trailer, so in the humidity and heat of a texas summer, we had a bathroom, kitchen, bed (almost), and AIR CONDITIONING.
They were traveling with a group with ExxonMobil. There were about 40 people in the group, who travel together multiple times a year. We got to the site just in time for dinner, even though we already ate a little Sonic before we left Austin. So we drank some beers, and got introduced to everyone. That night we made some new friends, and made some s'mores.
The next day we got up, and went over to Mark's (a new friend, and reminds me a lot of Mike O'Malley) motor home for breakfast. Eggs, bacon and toast, with fresh berry smoothies. I want to take this time now to express my love for Texans. They are the most friendly, giving, sharing, welcoming, gentle people we have encountered. They took us in as though we had been a part of the group for ever, and shared everything with us, and never asked for anything in return. When we asked if we could help, or what we could contribute, we were met with a polite "nothing," we were their guests, and we were treated perfectly. It was 2 of the best days of the ast 10 years of my life.
Mid-day we went floating down the San Marcos river in inner tubes, twice. We went with our new friends, and the river was warm, jade blue, and quick! It was so much fun, and so refreshing to get in that water on such a hot sunny, humid day.
We came back after floating to my Uncle smoking some hot wings, prepared by Linda's son-in-law Michael. Erin ate 3. Let me repeat that. Erin ate 3, hot, chicken wings. There are 2 things interesting about that. 1. she hates spicy food. 2. she hates chicken. but apparently when you combine them, she loves it. I ate 7.
Dinner that night was grilled ribeye steaks, corn on the cob, salad, and wine. We even won a door prize, a cutting board!
That night was bittersweet, because it was our last night with my family, and the last night with our great new friends. Lets talk about the night. I say we almost had a bed, because the air mattress in the pull out couch in Uncle Jim's travel trailer deflated the first night, leaving us sleeping on the two bars that support the mattress. So we slept sideways. The second night we borrowed a different air mattress, blew them both up, stacked them on top of one another, and low and behold, they both deflated. But it was a small inconvenience in an otherwise perfect 2 days.
Tomorrow we drive to NOLA.
They were traveling with a group with ExxonMobil. There were about 40 people in the group, who travel together multiple times a year. We got to the site just in time for dinner, even though we already ate a little Sonic before we left Austin. So we drank some beers, and got introduced to everyone. That night we made some new friends, and made some s'mores.
The next day we got up, and went over to Mark's (a new friend, and reminds me a lot of Mike O'Malley) motor home for breakfast. Eggs, bacon and toast, with fresh berry smoothies. I want to take this time now to express my love for Texans. They are the most friendly, giving, sharing, welcoming, gentle people we have encountered. They took us in as though we had been a part of the group for ever, and shared everything with us, and never asked for anything in return. When we asked if we could help, or what we could contribute, we were met with a polite "nothing," we were their guests, and we were treated perfectly. It was 2 of the best days of the ast 10 years of my life.
Mid-day we went floating down the San Marcos river in inner tubes, twice. We went with our new friends, and the river was warm, jade blue, and quick! It was so much fun, and so refreshing to get in that water on such a hot sunny, humid day.
We came back after floating to my Uncle smoking some hot wings, prepared by Linda's son-in-law Michael. Erin ate 3. Let me repeat that. Erin ate 3, hot, chicken wings. There are 2 things interesting about that. 1. she hates spicy food. 2. she hates chicken. but apparently when you combine them, she loves it. I ate 7.
Dinner that night was grilled ribeye steaks, corn on the cob, salad, and wine. We even won a door prize, a cutting board!
That night was bittersweet, because it was our last night with my family, and the last night with our great new friends. Lets talk about the night. I say we almost had a bed, because the air mattress in the pull out couch in Uncle Jim's travel trailer deflated the first night, leaving us sleeping on the two bars that support the mattress. So we slept sideways. The second night we borrowed a different air mattress, blew them both up, stacked them on top of one another, and low and behold, they both deflated. But it was a small inconvenience in an otherwise perfect 2 days.
Tomorrow we drive to NOLA.
Drive to Fentress by way of Austin
We got up at 8:30, and re-packed the car. We ended up taking the bikes in because when we closed the motel door, there was a sticker that said, "for your protection, use the deadbolt when in the room." While packing we met another couple, with a super cute doggie, that was also on a drive from SF to Florida. The lady was moving there to be closer to her family.
We started out on the road differently this time. Erin drove first. It was a steady, long, travel day, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel, per say. We got to get off I10. We took 290 through the texas hill country. It was literally rolling hills, like the caricature of the lock ness monster. Since we decided to get a host gift for everyone we stay with, we needed a gift for my Uncle Jim and Linda. On 290, we came into Fredricksburg, TX. About half a mile into town we came across, Choo Choo Patio Store. I dare say, this is the coolest store west of the Mississippi. Erin agrees. I could spend 2 days and many a thousand dollars at said store. We ended up staying and spending much less. BUt we got my Uncle and Aunt a great wine holder, and we got 3 iron texas stars.
We then got back on the road and headed to Austin for a brief stop, unfortunately we got little lost, but it was fine. We made it to Fentress by 7:30. If we thought Van Horn was in the middle of nowhere, Frentress makes it look like LA.
We started out on the road differently this time. Erin drove first. It was a steady, long, travel day, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel, per say. We got to get off I10. We took 290 through the texas hill country. It was literally rolling hills, like the caricature of the lock ness monster. Since we decided to get a host gift for everyone we stay with, we needed a gift for my Uncle Jim and Linda. On 290, we came into Fredricksburg, TX. About half a mile into town we came across, Choo Choo Patio Store. I dare say, this is the coolest store west of the Mississippi. Erin agrees. I could spend 2 days and many a thousand dollars at said store. We ended up staying and spending much less. BUt we got my Uncle and Aunt a great wine holder, and we got 3 iron texas stars.
We then got back on the road and headed to Austin for a brief stop, unfortunately we got little lost, but it was fine. We made it to Fentress by 7:30. If we thought Van Horn was in the middle of nowhere, Frentress makes it look like LA.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Van Horn, Texas
Got into Van Horn at 11p after about 10 hours on the road. We checked into the Motel 6. The woman who was SOO EXCITED to see us gave us a 10% discount on the room. Score!
First encounter with the Law
We were right outside of Sierra Blanca, TX when we saw a shit ton of flashing lights. I mean....there were so many and it turns out it was a border patrol inspection station.
The man asked if we were US citizens and where we were going. He seemed a little confused when we said NY. Asked us why we had so much stuff. He interrupted Matt’s explanation with...”Got any illegal narcotics back there?” Matt obviously said no. The officer replied with “No weed?” We said “no sir” and he let us on our way. Interesting encounter.
Drive on 10 through Arizona and New Mexico
Our first stop was Sonic in Tuscan since we had some Sonic gift cards. Enjoyed a great meal. Then I took the drivers seat and we drove through the rest of Arizona into New Mexico. It was amazing how many cacti there were in Arizona...then when we got to New Mexico, the cacti disappeared and were replaced by Joshua trees (which look like they’re out of a Dr. Suess book!)
Interesting realization: On 10 (maybe other highways too) exits are given numbers based on their mileage from the state border rather than just going in order. I mean they still do go in order...it just skips numbers if there aren’t any exits during the mile.
Stopped in Deming, NM to gas up then hit the road again.
Our next stop was dinner at Chope’s. Bill Bivins (playwright of the show Matt just set designed at the Playhouse who grew up in New Mexico where we were driving through) recommended it to us.
We got off 10 after Las Cruces (we found out it means “The Crosses”) and drove on some little highways. We saw a little boy (9 or 10) riding on a horse alongside the road...ridiculous.
Finally, about 10 miles off the highway we found Chope’s. This restaurant was awesome, it was literally inside of a house that had been renovated into a restaurant. And the place was packed so obviously it was popular. I had a burrito and Matt has a combo plate (enchilada, taco, tamale and relleno). The food was delicious and authentic as promised by Bill.
The family next to us (with a super cute bald baby) struck up a conversation with Matt about his wildflower shirt (which, yes, he was wearing again despite the fact that I suggested he change shirts after 2 days...) The family was going to be doing a relay tri this summer. Cool!
Then we hit the road again. Passed into Texas and drove through El Paso which looked rather disgusting to both Matt & I. We drove along the Mexican border for a while.
2 cool things we passed over today:
The Continental Divide
Rio Grande - we actually passed over it 3 times (over, back then over again on our way to Chope’s)
Changed time zones from Arizona to New Mexico (because Arizona doesn’t follow daylight savings)
Then we changed one more time zone somewhere in between El Paso and Van Horn. So we lost 2 hours today, but it was all good because we’re headed to the middle of nowhere to stay tonight so we didn’t mind getting to the hotel. We’re staying at a Motel 6 so we know they’ll keep the light on for us...haha.
relationship status: great. Matt says I’m boring in the car...but I was just tired. He’s boring sometimes too...especially when I’m driving and he’s taking naps because I always seem to drive mid afternoon which is prime nap time.
As the sun went down, we continued our drive on 10 straight towards a big bright orange full moon.
Interesting fact: The back of cat-eyes are red. Who knew?
Day 3: Phoenix to Van Horn Texas by way of La Mesa, New Mexico
Woke up early, packed up the car, ate our continental breakfast (aka packaged “Big Texas” cinnamon rolls and orange juice, then headed out.
Our first stop was Scottsdale to do a little bit of shopping. We looked around in Old Town. Found some cool “Horse Hair” Pottery...which is awesome Navajo pottery that has horse hair in it and looks super cool. We found an original piece that was beautiful but it was 120 bucks. Neither of us could justify buying it. After looking around in Scottsdale, we hit the 10 again.
Night in Phoenix
hecked in at America’s Best Value Inn in downtown Phoenix. We were supposed to meet up with one of Matt’s friends from college but he flaked on us so we were forced to Yelp our way to dinner. Found 2 cool restaurants a block away, settled on “Local Breeze.” It was a super cool patio restaurant and bar. It had misters (I got too cold sit under them) so we moved to a different table.
We started off with some shrimp tacos. Matt had a Arizona beer called “Kiltlifter.” I had an “Old Monkeyshine.” Both local and both good. We shared an ahi tuna salad in lime basil dressing (that was delicious) and a cheese burger.
After dinner, we were in the mood for ice cream so we went to the Arizona Center Cold stone and got some kick-ass ice cream and sat outside to eat it. (How nice is it to sit outside at 9 at night and not be freezing!)
Then we called it a night.
Stop 1 in Arizona - Quartzsite
We fell into our first tourist trap. Signs starting in California advertised “Really GOOD Jerky” in Quartzsite. So we HAD to stop. We’ve decided that despite the fact that both of us hate most tourists...we are going to be as touristy as ever on this trip. Ok, maybe not decided, it’s just inevitable.
So we stopped and got some cowboy jerky from Daniel’s Really Good Jerky. The man at the store with an extremely weird accent struck up a conversation about Iron Man Hawaii because Matt’s wearing his Wildflower shirt. Went to some other random stores. A flea market - esque one that sold cool little figurines and random tools and parts. There was a jewelry / bead store that was pretty awesome too. Another weird eclectic store that sold everything from vitamins to magnetic jewelry to old gum ball dispensers. Didn’t buy anything, but trust me, we will before we leave Arizona. We’re getting something from every state that we can put in our house or apartment next year.
Don’t worry...we did get a picture in front of the BK covered wagon that said Quartzsite Arizona on it!
Relationship status: “Better than ever” (Matt’s exact words)
Day 2: LA to Phoenix - Wednesday May 26, 2010
Woke up to a wonderful home cooked breakfast by Nate. Showered, packed up the car, filled up, deposited the last check at Citibank then headed to the 10.
First interesting thing that happened on our drive was the uber creepy wind farm we drove through for about 10 miles. There were wind mills of every size and shape. Some of them were broken...though we aren’t really sure how wind mills break.
Then we hit Palm Springs...neither of us have been there before yet we both thought it was supposed to be a luxurious city with golf courses and resorts with pools. Maybe we missed it or maybe these things were far from the freeway, but we didn’t see any of that. Just weird windmills and desert.
Then we drove through the desert for what seemed like forever. Got pretty hot (95).
Saw two friends last names: Koch & Blythe. We’ll be on the lookout for more.
Crossed over the Colorado River (SOO COOL) then crossed into Arizona. 1 mile into Arizona we started seeing cacti. Weird because there weren’t any in CA or at least that we saw. Evidently they don’t start growing arms until they’re 70 years old. We’ve seen some with 8 arms with look so cool.
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