Spain

Spain was unknown territory to me. This type of surprise was exciting and a little scary. When we landed in Madrid, I could tell this was going to be a trip that would put me out of my comfort zone. I knew this immediately because I could not differentiate between the women's and men's restroom. Then, there was the informal greetings that we all are accustomed to like good morning, good afternoon and the niceties like please, thank you and you're welcome. I didn't even have those under my belt. I was upset about this but after the first half of my first day, I decided that I was going to try and so I did. I can't say that it was a success because truly, my Spanish-speaking skills are a "wash" but the fact that I tried has to mean something, right? :)

Highlights in Spain:
Real Madrid Soccer Stadium
Royal Palace
German Oktoberfest Bar (just kidding but I did have a good time)
Toledo Cathedral (Spain's 1st capital)
Segovia Cathedral and Castle
Roman Aqueduct (still working)

Real Madrid Soccer Stadium-
The Bernabéu Stadium has capacity for around 80,400 seated spectators and was built in 1947. The Real Madrid Soccer Team was named the BEST in the 20th Century by the FIFA. The Espanians truly take soccer seriously! It is not a sport is a way of life :)

Royal Palace-
Known as the Palacio Real de Madrid, this palace is not where the Royal family actually lives but it is place where the Royal family will entertain or hold important meetings. This was actually one of my favorite things in Madrid. It was very close to our hotel and served as a great landmark if and when I was LOST. Thank goodness for the palace :) I enjoyed walking the grounds and photographing the many fountains and statue gardens on location. **The Royal Family actually resides on the outskirts of the Madrid.

German Oktoberfest Bar-
You know me . . . I love my German heritage and when I heard of the bar, I had to make a stop. It was located about 3 minutes walking distance from our hotel so of course, some friends and I had to enjoy some German "cervezas." That is the Spanish word for beer. One of the few I learned during my whirlwind 5 day stay in Spain.

Toledo-
Toledo is located about 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Madrid. It was the original capital of Spain.
To be honest, I really am not one to enjoy the hussle and bussle of a big city. Madrid is home to 4 million so you can imagine the size and the overall feel to the city. Anytime, I had a chance to take a trip outside of the city, I did! This day trip to Toledo was a perfect escape to the craziness of Madrid. The old city is located on a mountaintop with a spectacular view, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River, and contains many historical sites, including the Alcázar Cathedral. It was also the birthplace to the Famous painter Greco. I was able to tour a museum with a wing completing dedicated to his works. The Alcazar Cathedral was massive and I only wish that I could share pictures of it with you but no photography was permitted. Just imagine Gothic-style architecture and colossal everything! My favorite part of the cathedral was the natural lighting because it truly accentuated the alters and the many statue carvings that made cathedral so grand!

Segovia Cathedral and Castle-
Segovia is located about 1 hour and a half north of Madrid. The origins of the actual name of the city translate to "City of Victory." This might have been my absolute highlight of the entire trip. I was able to do my very favorite thing: climb the tallest tower and take pictures of the surrounding countryside! From the top, you could see snow covered mountains that looked like the "baby Alps." It was incredible! I toured the castle which was so basic but so elegant. In fact, it was explained to us that the family crest was bordered with pomegranates because it was said by the King and Queen that serving one's kingdom was both sweet and sour. That Royal duties and service to their people brought much happiness and much pain.
The Cathedral of Segovia was beautiful. It had some of the most intriguing paintings of Christ. I was totally sucked in by the artwork. I enjoyed my time as I tried to make meaning out of some of the most bizarre paintings depicting Christian beliefs. After our tour of the castle and cathedral, I enjoyed an afternoon of walking about the city. I made a stop at a local pastry shop to enjoy a delicious apple pastry and then, a cup of cappuccino. To end the trip to Segovia, we saw one of the most amazing feats of Roman engineering... The Roman Aqueduct. The really amazing part is that it is still working to this day! It brings water from the mountain springs to the city center. It is 2,950 ft long and at its hight point 900 ft tall. I was able to see the tallest point and it was gigantic as I stood at the bast looking up. Again, the Roman were very innovative. I still can't seem to think how they were able to construct such massive monuments using nothing but the power of working men.

Spain 2010

Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highland, VA

I feel very fortunate to have opportunities that I do with travel . . . this one was a little unexpected but it was on my list of historical things to do while living in VA. I made this trip with about 60 fourth graders and it was a blast. The first stop was Ashlawn-Higland. This is a historic house museum, 535-acre working farm, and performing arts site in Albemarle County, Virginia. President James Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe of New York, owned Ash Lawn-Highland from 1793 to 1826 and made it their official residence from 1799 to 1823. After the Monroes' death, the name of their farm was changed from "Highland" to "Ash Lawn"; today both names are used. We toured his home and grounds plus there was a neat demonstration about weaponry of the day/living the plantation. I would highly recommend making this part of your visit if you are in the Charlottesville area. In fact, Monticello and Ash Lawn can be made into a day of historic fun!
That’s exactly what we did! After the Ash Lawn-Highland tour, we made our way to Monticello. During lunchtime, slowly, the weather turned from chilly and gray to soaking wet and cold! Then, by the time the buses arrived at Monticello, the rain was steady and the fog was settling in. The fog was so thick that when you looked ahead, you could not see more than 25 yards. At one point, I looked at the backside of Monticello from Thomas Jefferson’s garden and it gave me a chill. I was actually spooked because it was the perfect setting for a ghost story. Yikes! To top it off, nearly ¾ the way through the tour, you are given the chance to roam the grounds. President Jefferson is buried on the grounds and you are permitted to visit his graveside. I walked to his memorial (through the thick fog, a little creeped out) to discover that we were there on his birth date. That was truly an accident because when I talked to the 4th Grade Teaching Chair to tell her what I had discovered, she reacted the same way I did. She was like, “No way, what coincidence.” I was sure to mention that to the students and they all got a kick out of it as well.

**I actually took a picture of the spookiness so be sure to check that out.**

Seriously, the grounds and President Jefferson’s home was really something to see. I wish that I could have been sneaky and took pictures inside but the household guides watched you like a hawk and threatened to take your camera if they caught you photographing after been warned. They were serious.

The rooms that I most enjoyed inside Monticello were President Jefferon’s library and bedroom. Each had so much character. He had so many inventions that I just could not believe it. President Jefferson designed the house himself and the things that I found to be so neat was the use of alcove beds to maximize space, skylights for use of natural lighting and President Jefferson’s closet.

In his bedroom he had a skylight and a partition wall to form a bed between his study/office and his bedroom. He had an alcove and a closet above. You would never know that it was a closet because it was simply visible from his bedroom or study as holes in the wall near the ceiling. The closet was reached by a steep stair or ladder. The closet was a simple, narrow hallway that was located directly above his alcove bed. The elliptical openings in the wall were there for ventilation. He was definitely innovative and it was super neat to see his ideas on simple living—luxuries of the time.

Munich, Germany & Dachau

It was a monumental day . . . I had the opportunity to visit a Nazi Concentration Camp called Dachau. This one is particularly historic because it is the model. It was the first Nazi camp to be functional and all the rest that were scattered across Europe were modeled after the functionality of Dachau. My Omi spoke graciously bowed out because that is a little too close to home for her.
Since middle school, I have always been keen on learning about the Holocaust and for me to have the opportunity to see an actually concentration camp was incredible. When I was actually there, I can remember thinking, “This is one of things that some humans actually deny that ever happened.” My forethought that I had running in my head the entire time I toured the grounds was: This was the site of unjust actions toward humans beings and it was all done by human beings to human being. I mean, Dachau and Aushwitz . . . You see movies/documentaries or to read about it in history books but to visit the actual grounds and see it with my own eyes . . . it was one of the most humbling experiences. There were times I just wanted to cry for all the humility and cruelty that so many individuals endured just because they were “different” from the supposed “supreme race.”

**Out of respect, I feel it is most appropriate for me not to post the pictures that I took from inside some of the camp’s facilities. **

After Dachau, I knew that I needed to take my mind off the intensity of the experience. I needed to “shelf” all that I saw. So, my Omi and I went downtown Munich, Germany. Munich is home to the all-famous Glockenspiel. It consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. The neatest thing happened, it was like if perfect timing existed . . . I experienced it. My favorite thing to do in a European city is to climb the highest tower and get a perspective on the happenings from above. So, that is exactly what I did in Munich and it just happened that I could climb the city tower and watch the Glockenspiel’s high noon demonstration of 43 beautiful bells ringing a tune as the Glockenspiel’s life-size figures dance around telling the story of the Duke and his marriage (which happens to be the history behind the Oktoberfest as well). I climbed 300 something steps and as I hit the last step, I heard the bells begin to ring. I rushed out on the observation deck and took it all in. It was so neat!

Later that night, Omi and I went to a place called “The Hofbrau Haus.” It is a party spot for Bavarians with lots of freshly brewed in-house beer and a live Polka-Band! My Omi and I spilt our favorite beer called the Radler. We enjoyed the fellowship of totally friendly strangers. For me, it was a time to have a great beer and have a chance to speak German in a fun and not-so-serious atmosphere. It was a great way to take a load off a day that started so intensely. Good times!!

Italy and Greece

Part of this trip was like "coming home" because Italy is one of my favorite countries. I had the pleasure of first visiting Italy--North to South--in April 2006. This time, we only toured Rome, Vatican City and Sorrento.

Highlights in Italy:
The Colosseum
Vatican City/Easter Blessing
St. Peter's Basilica/Sistine Chapel
Pompeii

During my stay in Italy, I had the once in a lifetime chance to attend the Easter Blessing given by the Pope. It was amazing! For some reason, it was different than my first experience in 2006. The overwhelming feeling was not dominating my experience and I was able to truly take it in. I was able to hear the blessing in my home language and also in German. Very exciting! After experiencing Rome and the Vatican, I caught a ferry to a lovely place called Sorrento. It was a wonderful place for shopping. The locals were so kind and everything was delicious. We had the chance to stumble upon a farmer's market. There, we found Olive Oil galore and Limoncello. Italy and Greece are known for lemons and Limoncello is a fine liqueur that is trademark. It is strong but very tasty. One of the workers at the market pulled my friends and I into a back room designed especially for tasting. We had every kind of Limencello that you could think of. My favorite was the Limon-Chocolate liqueur. Yummmm!

Pompeii was unlike anything that I could have antiicpated. I can't imagine the people of Pompeii's experience when Mount Vesusvius erupted. They were such an advanced civilization but when natural disaster struck, they had no where to go. The ruins of the city have been so well preserved that you can't even tell that it was under volcanic ash as tall as 13-16ft. I was really taken aback by the visit to Pompeii. It was beautiful but very sad to know that all the suffering the people had endured.

Once Italy was complete, it was time to board a cruise boat in Brindisi bound for Greece. At first glance, you may be thinking that I had a luxurious cabin with all the perks that American cruises have to offer but no, no, no! I was in a very small cabin, top bunk and no windows. The entire room had a very odd odor to it. However, I made the best of it. I tried to stay out of the room until as late as possible. This was easy because I was able to get some amazing photographs of the Adriatic and Mediterranean Sea from the ship's deck. After that, I enjoyed some time in the ship's disco! After morning came, it was time to disembark. I was very excited because this was my first time in Greece!

Highlights in Greece:
Acropolis/Parthenon
Temple of Zeus
Isle of Capri
Apollo's Temple

Greece is a beautiful country full of so many beautiful ruins and the countryside is something that I did not expect. GORGEOUS! The agenda in Greece was Isle of Capri, Delphi and Athens. The day trip to the Isle of Capri has a special place in my heart. This was one of the most beautiful places that I can say that I have ever seen. The ocean was as blue as the sky and the coast was lined with rock cliffs. It was a place to remember. It was originally planned that we would take small row boats to some of the caves on the coastline but the sea was rough and unsuitable for small boats. We simply had to admire the sea from cliff's edge.

Then, there was Delphi! I climbed to the grounds of Apollo's Temple. It is beautiful ruins nestled in the mountains. I was so amazed at the Greeks for their workmanship because it is unthinkable to me that men could bring such colossal building materials to construct temples to such a high elevation. It still baffles me but that's the Greeks for you :) I have to say that Delphi is a gem in the mountains. It is small but a perfect destination for those of us who enjoy a beautiful mountain stage with the water settled in the gorge of the range. It was there that I had the chance to climb the mountains and a couple hours later, put my feet in water. It was like heaven to me.

Of course I had to visit Athens to see the Parthenon. That was another moment of AWE because again, such colossal materials to construct temples that truly make you want to sit down and stare for hours. That is pretty much all that I did. I found a seat and I stared in AWE. The view from Acropolis was stunning. You could see all of Athens. You sort of felt like you were among the Gods.

More Germany, Austria and Switzerland!

The last leg of my trip was probably the most gorgeous sites I have ever laid my eyes on! The mountains kept growing bigger and bigger . . . the snow caps turned into snow-cover mountains! The ALPS are AMAZING! The great mountains stretch from Austria and Slovenia in the east; through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; to France in the west. In my 9 day tour, I had the opportunity to see them in 4 out of the 7 countries. Wow! Each country showed them a little differently.

My goal in every city or village I visited was to find the tallest tower (usually a bell tower or church temple) and get "The View." In my shared pictures, you see those views and I hope you can enjoy them as much as I did. The only thing that you won't get from the pictures but I will certainly share is the smell of freshness, crisp mountain air. It was a smell that I had never experienced but now, will never forget.

My Omi and I truly enjoyed ourselves. My Omi did not sport the trek to the top of the towers with me. She did, however, enjoy her own pleasures: shopped and then, she would find a cafe' to enjoy a cup of cappuccino and maybe a yummy pastry.

**Omi has an eye for finding the finest pastry shops :)

Besides the inner village sites and attractions, my Omi and I made it off the beaten path for some other adventures too! These next couple of experiences were my favorite!

1. Before leaving Germany, we visited Neuschwanstein. That was my first true taste of the Alps. You could see them in the distance. King Ludwig truly had an eye for knowing where to place his castle because his view was something that would inspire me day in and day out. He also had bridges that crossed the river canyon. I walked for about 20-30 minutes to cross one of these bridges and looked down only to find 2 large waterfalls. It was amazing! I tried to find a trail to lead me down the canyon but the rangers had blocked it off. I am guessing that it was due to the seasonal rainfall, the water levels were up making it dangerous for hikers at times.

2. Innsbruck, Austria: We enjoyed the good people of Innsbruck (some of the friendliest people) and the spectacular panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. They actually have a ski lift that leaves from the center of town to the top of one of the many mountains. Literally, some working people take their lunch breaks to hop the lift and enjoy a run down the mountain on their lunch hour. Totally cool!

3. Lucerne, Switzerland: This was a beautiful town that sits at the foot of Mount Pilatus--7,000ft in elevation! Omi and I rode a gondola from the base to tip-top. The locals say that it is a 50/50 chance that you will have visibility at the top but the risk is worth it. On this day of our adventure, we got LUCKY! The views were breath-taking . . . literally, the air was thin and I found it hard to breathe when venturing on the walking paths to higher points of the peak. The gondola ride was exciting too. At times, I was frightened because you start out in gondola that carries 4-5 people and then, mid-mountain, you switch to a large "cargo" gondola that houses about 30-40 people. I kept thinking about the elevation and the cable that was our means to take us to the top. At the top, there was an observation deck with a very fine clubhouse building that had a shop, eatery and a cafe'. If you wanted to enjoy the outdoors, they had "beach chairs" with wool blankets on standby. Truly a neat experience. I spent my whole last hour just lounging and taking in the view.

4. Rheinfalls (Waterfall in Northern Switzerland): The waterfall sizes at 75ft tall and 450ft wide. The observation area seemed to be at least 2 football fields away from the falls but you could still feel the mist off the cascading water. Waterfalls are my favorite so you can imagine that I was in "Courtney Heaven."

5. Heidelerg, Germany: This was another slice of "Courtney Heaven" but not for the adventure. This University town is home of the one and only "Schwabbish Maultaschen." The yummiest German ravioli-like dish that is specific to Heidelberg. It is made with pork, spinach and easy, lite cheese. It is a German paradise in your mouth :) Besides the food, it is a neat place to visit because it has ruins of an old castle on the hill that still offers tours of its outer shell (only the walls of the castle have lasted the ages).

I think what I loved about the trip was that all these places allowed for my Omi to enjoy them too. She is not as mobile as I am but still she still was given the means to get to the sites and experience them with me. **Even if she was taken to the castle in a horse-drawn carriage while I trekked the mountain and met her at the top :)

I truly hope you enjoy these pictures. These places that I have mentioned are very special and something worth seeing!

April 2009: Rothenberg, Germany

Where to begin . . . It all started a year ago when I got in my head that I was going to share my European experience with my Omi. Before this trip, we had not traveled abroad since y second grade year in elementary school. We both have been to Germany since but not with the company of each other so this was special. h

So as you read this, consider that this trip has been in the making or the last year and half so try to imagine my excitement :)

The flight over was perfect. We got on, had dinner, watched a movie, slipped away in sleep . . . woke up and we landed. it was a good flight. The big deal about the arrival was that my host family was going to greet me at the gate. I lived with them in 2000 during my course of study in Frankfurt, Germany. It had been 9 long years since we last saw each other but over the years, we have kept in contact via email, instant messenger and short letters now and again. This was an emotional experience for both Kat and I. Before I could get through the gate, I was all smiles and then, I spotted her. We both gave each other a huge hug and then, we cried. As I squeezed her, she said in my ear, “We can never let 9 years happen again. Jenny, her sister, was there too and it was so nice of them both to come and welcome me to Germany. We then traveled by bus to Rothenberg (about 2 to 3 hours from the the Frankfurt Airport) to a placed called Rothenberg.

Omi and I split up for most of the evening. I explored the village and Omi met up with Kerstin, Ronald (Kerstin’s husband) and Alina (who is 5 years old)—they drove 5 hours from Berlin to visit. This was a great opportunity to catch up with her family who she had not seen for years. I know it has to be hard on my Omi being an ocean away from everything that is home to her--family, friends and culture. Before exploring the city, I played with Alina and her cousin, Jans. I was able to use my elementary German skills. They were really the only ones I could speak to without really being truly self-conscious about my German grammar. It was fun. When it came time to say goodbye, Omi and Kerstin (with her crew) met up with me at a local eatery for final picture. That was emotional because Kerstin told me thank you for bringing my Omi to her and to continue to be good to her Aunt Elfriede. I cried again because it was so overwhelming for me to see Omi so happy to be “home” with family.


The next day, Kat and her boyfriend, Tim, came to spend the morning and lunch hour with me in Rothenberg. We toured a beautiful church, Kat and I shopped a bit and then, we had a picnic lunch in a park on the castle grounds. It was a place that i had picked out the evening before because I thought it was one of the most perfect places for a picnic :) My #1 craving for lunch was my very favorite quick snack called Currywurst! Kat and I found a little deli and that is exactly what I had for lunch on my first full day of vacation :) It was a day that I will never forget :) It was a great way to begin our 9 day tour through Europe.

P’Nat & P’Noi and BIG fun in Norfolk, VA

First, you probably read the title and think, “What? Is that even a word?” The answer is “Yes, kind of.” :) These are the nicknames for the recently hidden geocaches that my friend, Nicole and I planted.

What is geocaching? Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets.

P’Nat = Positive Nature/Lexington Cache
P’Noi = A Powerful Noise/Norfolk Cache

We have planted two geocaches which are “sister caches” because they have the same directives/purpose. One is located in Lexington, VA to mark my home and the other in Norfolk, VA because that is home to Nicole. The idea behind our caches relates to our friendship’s common bond . . . the quest to make meaning in everyday life. I recently had the chance to hear one of the most accurate descriptions of Nicole and oddly, I thought to myself . . . that is exactly why we get along so well. We both take time to peel back the layers of those in our lives so that connections can be made. After all, life is about connections and discovering the “things” that bind us all together. For Nicole and I, we are all about making the most of anything and everything so this adventure of planting two identical caches was right up our alleys :)

Let me tell you a little bit about the caches: The idea is that anyone who finds our caches, they are to leave a quote behind, something that has meaning to them. Essentially, the quote book is the logbook for cache but being that we enjoy the analytical side of things . . . the quote sharing piece made perfect sense.

Here is where the “making the most of anything and everything” plays in . . . I made a trip of the geocaching event. It was a weekend trip to Norfolk (which Margot made with me) and on Saturday, we woke up early and hit the ground running but the neat thing is that it was relaxed at the same time. We woke up, chit-chatted on her front porch, then hopped in the Mini Coop and went to the beach to plant “A Powerful Noise” geocache. Along the way, I saw the house where my Uncle and Mom lived when they were around my age and even their local hangout spot (which seeing this was TOTALLY unexpected and random but just added to the coincidental meaning of the trip). Planting the cache at the beach is an idea that I am in love with since the ocean and all the fun that comes along with the beach is my absolute favorite thing in life! It is like a little bit of me is living on the beach ☺ After that, we went back to her house to pick up the dogs for a walk on the beach! This was Margot’s first trip to the beach and she was so much fun to watch as she messed around and made fast friends with Nicole’s dogs (especially Dolce). One of my favorite memories of Margot’s beach visit was the moment when she was walking close to the water and a breaking wave got her . . . she had this confused look on her face that made me laugh. She was like, “Hey! How did that water just come up and get me?” So cute!!

After our stroll on the beach, we picked met up with Angie to kayak at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, which was AMAZING! Not only did I get to kayak but I was able to find my very first geocache (with a little help from Angie) but still, I count it ☺ The fun does not stop there . . . later that evening, we went to a super fun birthday party where I got to dance and if you know me at all, you know how I like to dance ☺ This was all in one day but I coin this kind of a trip as a very Nicole/Courtney-esque . . . making the most of anything and everything :)

I think it is best summed up by a simple quote that my dear friend, Nicole, shared with me just this morning . . .

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne

I have a slideshow that will best tell the story of my eventful geocache plant and my Norfolk trip :)

Coincidental, Parallel and Super FUN!

Honestly, before I get into the content of this blog, I must preface it with this idea . . . this experience was completely coincidental and a bit of a risk. However, I have in my head that a person should not let life happen to them but should make life happen. So, I just went with it.

At the start of the week, I was contacted by a complete stranger named Nicole (someone just in the area for consultant work at the local university for the week). I have been here long enough to know that when someone of intrigue comes along, you don’t say, “Wait, let me know think about it.” Instead, you take time for a get-together. So, that is just what I did. In the beginning of our first conversation, we each named our personal interests/hobbies and just like that, hiking came up. That was just the beginning of our parallel interest and thinking. Our conversations were loaded with fun and it was bizarre to have such a random run-in with someone who did not seem like a stranger at all. We share some of the same thinking, interests and beliefs. One of the highlights of our time together was when she spoke of the concept of “Geocaching.” This was something that I had never heard of before that evening.

In my own words, Geocaching is like a serious game of Hide-and-Go Seek. It is a world-wide quest where outdoor enthusiasts plant objects to be found with logs to document finds and Geocachers. From the moment that the concept became of topic, I was “in.”

A day or so later, we reconnected to GEOCACHE! We, well really, I chose the Chessie Trail Geocache which included the potential of walking among large free-to-roam livestock. YIKES! This find had a difficulty rating of 2 out of 5. We used her “handy dandy” GPS Easy Tracker device (which I totally need to get one) and even with all the stops, we were unsuccessful. I can’t wrap up this account of the Chessie without telling what I saw and heard. We had to walk along the river and it was just at dusk (NOTE: The trail signage reads loud and clear . . . No trespassing between dusk and dawn!). The sky was so clear and the stars were out. It was one of the clearest nights of the week. The moonlight was bright which gave us a little more light than our crank flashlights were putting out. Unfortunately, what I saw and heard was very different. After we spent about 30-40 minutes following the guide of the GPS compass readings and digging under rocks (just like the trail notes told us to), we walked back through the cow pasture to return to the car. Just then, I heard this awful cry. It was so spooky. I was panicked so much that Nicole was keenly aware that I was on “edge.” She reacted accordingly and quickly established the ground rule, which was oh so very simple: No one goes anywhere without the other! I think she was just as scared as I was but was trying to keep it together for me. Darkness, large livestock and a crazy spooky animal howling were just enough to FREAK me out! We never really determined what the howling truly was nor did we see any animals . . . all that mattered was making it to the car safely and with a sigh of relief, we did.

She was about seven steps ahead of me in thinking and had anticipated this reality of possible failure. She then challenged me to another Geocache. She had programmed about 3 or 4 “maybe” Geocache coordinates in her GPS (all of which were nearby). My mouth dropped. I was thinking that I had been living and hiking in this area for almost 3 years and probably have walked right by Geocaches many times over. Honestly, I probably have picked up a Geocaches and placed them in my litter bag thinking that someone was an irresponsible hiker and littered on the trial :-0

So, we tried one other Geocache at a local park in the downtown area. The clue was “it is magnetic, look under.” We had our crank flashlights going and we were wandering around the park area looking under each and every bench searching for the “find.” I kept thinking that a local police officer was going to be highly suspicious of our peculiar behavior and question us but we were able to skirt that run-in. Sadly, we were unsuccessful at the two dedicated attempts to locate a Geocache. We settled on having a drink or two at the one and only pub in my hometown called the “Grey Stone Pub.”

We closed down the place but not before the bartender took our picture to mark the end of a totally and completely random week. I might not have found a geocache but I am thinking that I might have found a new friend :)

Below, you can find some pictures of the trail so you can put a visual to the totally and completely FUN madness!

Margot, My Buddy

In October, I spent some time at the local SPCA shelter in VA. I visited two days in row and found myself very interested in a puppy that the shelter workers called "Connie." She was so cute and spunky that I could hardly stop thinking about her. There was a 48 hour waiting period where the Shelter Manager would check into your application and my references so when I got the call of approval . . . I was enthusiastic. Since that day, we have had an incredibly smooth adjustment. Of course, there have been bumps but it is normal puppy stuff.

I have chosen to name her Margot but recently two of my friends have been on me to re-name her Marla Hooch for my favorite character in one of the greatest movies ever (League of Their Own). In a compromise, Margot wears a dog tag that reads, "Margot AKA Marla Hooch." Usually, if anyone takes the time to read her tag and has a frame of reference to the film, it typically makes them smile and laugh :)

I have been told by every person that inquires about her this similar remark pops up. In so many words, they say that there is a special bond between the owner and an adopted SPCA animal because there is a loyalty and thankfulness that the animal has to and for her owner who rescued her.

I am not sure about that but I am not discounting it. I just know that I am giving her a home that she otherwise would not have. For the last couple months, we enjoy walks along the Maury River in VA and laps in Ritter Park in WV (when we visit). Really, I can't wait for Spring when we can hit the Blue Ridge Mountains for true hiking :) Also, for Christmas, Margot got a life jacket and I am particularly excited to take her on the lake for canoe rides :)

I have taken some pics of our time in VA and WV.

I would like you to meet Margot.

Dec. 2008: Kayaking Remedy

This day was like a gift . . . it was Dec. 27th and it was 69F degrees. It was unseasonal and so incredibly perfect. I had to take a double take when I read the forecast just days earlier but as soon as I saw that it was going to be nearing 70F, I had a plan!

The plan was to GET ON THE WATER :) So, I packed the kayak and all the necessary gear and hit the lake. That was that ;)

It was the most unusual feeling. The sun was shining, there was a breeze and even the breeze was warm. I did not want the day to end. Once on the lake, I quickly noticed that the water level was down about 15-20 ft. That was weird but it allowed me to see so many things that otherwise go unseen.

Beech Fork Lake is located in Lavalette, WV and it is man-made so of course, there are trees. When the water is at normal level, the trees are completely submerged but today, they were tipping out of the water surface. I describe it as a "graveyard." It was cool to paddle in and around the trees. It was spooky but also, super neat. The day was just perfect and I am pretty sure that I officially have SPRING FEVER after today :)

All in all, it was a day that I did not want to end and being on the water was exactly the remedy that I needed :)

Cambridge and Boston, MA

This was a whirlwind of a trip. It happened over the course of a weekend. We caught a flight to Boston on Friday, experienced Harvard and downtown Boston on Saturday and at dawn, we were catching a cab to the airport. It was jammed but that is the only way to organize a weekend trip. My motto is "Do all that you can do in the time that you are given."

The main purpose of the trip was to escort selected high school students to an orientation seminar at Harvard followed by a campus tour. Sounded simply enough but from the start, he had its trials. First, our flight was delayed which made us miss our connecting flight. This was crucial because if we did not make the connecting flight then that could have potentially crushed the purpose of the trip (to attend the early AM seminar at Harvard). However, by some magic and good will, US Airways was able to find 11 seats to accommodate my traveling group on the last flight to Boston out of Charlotte.

We stayed at an interesting hotel/house that reminded me of "nice" hostile. It was owned by Harvard and was in business to provide housing for prospective students and their families while visiting the campus. The next morning, I was "in charge." I managed to get us lost in Cambridge just by making a left instead of a right. Finally, a man walking along the street was able to steer us in the right direction. All the while, I was very upset because the students were clearly going to be LATE for the seminar because of my silly mistake. Turned out, that we booked it and we were only about 7 minutes late for the hour long presentation. Still, I was disappointed that I was not able to get them there in a timely manner. Then, I grounded myself by realizing that in the scheme of things: "We made it to Boston safely, we attended the seminar and now, it was time to enjoy the city of Boston."

As a way to culminate the trip, we had dinner on the wharf (which is the bay area). It was a perfect way to end the trip. Most of us ordered seafood just because that is what you do on the wharf ;) In summary, it was terrific traveling experience with unusually warm temperatures and rainy weather (Rain and Boston are married, that is just the way it is).


I have created a slideshow to bring the trip to you.

April 2008: Ireland!

This trip was incredible. It was the second leg of the April European Trip. It was the one that I was completely stoked about from the first time that I learned that there was a possibility that I would be taken the trip in November of 2007. Ireland is such an unique country-side. I have always had this drive in me to make it to the shores of Ireland and I did it, I really did it! I can remember a distinct moment as I walked the path to the Cliffs of Moher and even as I walked the shores of Lahinch . . . I felt like everything was right in the world and I was exactly where I wanted to be :) I have really never felt like that at any other time in my life but I was keenly aware that Ireland brought so much solace to me.

I would like to share some information about the place that visited while in Ireland. It was a quick trip. We stayed for 3 days but that included 2 nights in a castle in the country and one night in the heart of Dublin in a hostile. It was a phenomenal trip that I will always hold close to my heart.

FACTS:

Ballyseede Castle: Take a step back in time with a hotel steeped in history that offers luxurious surroundings within 30 acres of private gardens and woodland. I have fond memories of playing chess in the drawing room and relaxing to the sounds of the piano in the sitting room. It was also the big joke that a ghost of one who lived there many years ago still roamed the halls of the castle. It was enough for me to not sleep a wink and for my roommate to have a good laugh at my expense.

Blarney Castle: The castile is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. It is near the River Martin. The castle originally dates from before AD 1200. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Photographs are taken of the "magic moment". There are many legends as to the origin of the stone, but some say that it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. Surrounding the castle are beautiful and quite extensive gardens.

The Cliffs of Moher are located in County Clare, Ireland. The cliffs rise 394 ft above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and reach their maximum height of 702 ft just north of O'Brien's Tower. The cliffs boast one of Ireland's most spectacular views. The Cliffs of Moher were filmed as the "Cliffs of Insanity" in the 1987 movie, The Princess Bride.

Bunratty Castle: (Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty) is a large tower house in County Clare, Ireland. In Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river. The first dwellings to occupy the site, in 970 were part of a Viking trading camp.

Killarney National Park (Irish: Páirc Náisiúnta Chill Airne) is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932. I think the most impressive park of this area was the “Land of Lakes.” The lakes (many lakes) were situated on the tops of mountains.

Lahinch : The beautiful beach sweeps past the town and creates waves for surfing. The beaches were a miz between large and small boulders with a sandy beach that seemed to miles and miles away. I just sat there watching the waves crash into the rocks and feeling the cool Irish breeze in April. It was chilling but at the same time, I knew this was something that I had never experienced before in my life. While others shopped, I chose to have fish and chips at a local restaurant on the seaside and then, watched the beach for the remainder of the time.

Dublin: This is the site of my very first hostile stay. Actually, I am happy to report that survived. Truly, hostiles have a bad wrap. They are basic living, which many can compare to camping or even dorm life. While in Dublin, I kept a keen eye out for my favorite band, “The Cranberries” but was not able to find them L I experienced my first Irish Cab Driver chat (talked US politics which was different). I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral and went to Ireland’s oldest pub to eat and drink! It was a great last night traveling abroad.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, formally known as The National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Saint Patrick, Dublin or in the Irish language as Árd Eaglais Naomh Pádraig, founded in 1191, is one of the two largest cathedrals in Ireland. It was one of only churches that I visited that allowed photography and I took advantage.

Torc Waterfall is a notable tourist attraction at the base of Torc Mountain, about 5 miles from Killarney in County Kerry Ireland. We could only see the base of it but it is awesome to think that I have had the chance to see a waterfall in Ireland. The watershed was beautiful and the cool breeze of the April was undeniably chilly. I loved every second of it. I don’t think that I took my eye off the waterfall until I heard that it was last call for transportation.

Oktoberfest 2008

As many of you know, I totally get into Oktoberfest! This year marked the 4th Annual Oktoberfest in Huntington, WV! It was a chance for my Omi and I to hang out and have some fun. This year was the greatest for so many reasons!

In years previous, Omi's display was either inside Empire Books or just outside Empire Books. However, this year, things changed . . . for the better :) My Omi's tent had perfect placement. Her German display table was right in the square of Pullman Square. That was good because we could man the table and still enjoy the music and activities of the festival.

Just before going downtown to setup the tent and table for the day's event, Omi made pretzels. Then, we geared up by putting on our DIRNDLS :) My Omi wore a more contemporary style dirndl while I wore the traditional design. We had a blast.

Highlights of My Day:

1. Some of best friends stopped by to see me and support the event making the day even better.
2. Hogan and I entered the Beer Stein Relay! We lost but it is about the FUN not the WIN :)
3. Bands all day, including a really great band called City Heat (local to Huntington). I enjoy their cover tunes.
4. The weather was perfectly mild with sunshine and easy breeze. Best weather in all the years of Oktoberfest.

April 2008: England

Always, always . . . I am excited when I hear of a travel opportunity. During the Spring, I had the chance to travel to England!! The trip to England lasted four days and I made the most out of each day. I actually fell asleep in my suitcase one night after pushing myself to the limit to experience all that London had to offer. This trip was also coupled with a short stay in Ireland but I will tell you all about that in my next blog posting :)

Our first stop was the great city of London. My first impression was, "Whoa! This is worst than NYC and does it ever stop raining?!" The crowded streets, the tube . . . all a little much for the first day but I soon find myself enjoying the fast pace. We had dinner at the London Hard Rock and then, hit the ground running to catch "Wicked." The production, the talent and the creativity that went into creating the story-line was incredible. It is by far the best musical that I have ever seen! I def. recommend it!

I think the neatest thing about our trip was that we really got to settle into the city life. Instead of hotel accommodations, I stayed in a flat which is the equivalent to an apartment equipped with a very cozy bed, large bathroom and kitchenette. It was located not too far from a tube station and that made it convenient for inner city travel. All in all, London was terrific. I want to be sure to tell you one of the greatest highlights of London. It was the tour of the Tower of London. I believe that it was the Tower's tour that sparked my deep interest in Queen Elizabeth I and the Reformation of England. I believe it is travel that opens a person's mind and it is a true chance to experience the history rather than just reading about it as if it is an abstract "thing."

Really, it is hard to sum up the amazing trip in a blog. The pics speak from themselves. Now that I think about it, it is hard to capture the grand beautiful of living history in a photograph but I did try ;) I have included some travel details just below followed by a picture slideshow. Enjoy!

Travel Details:

Buckingham Palace- It is the official London residence of the British monarch. Unfortunately, on the day that I was there to visit, the did not hold the changing of the guard ceremony.

Westminster Abbey-It is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London. This is the site of Queen Elizabeth I's burial. At her funeral on 28 April, the coffin was taken to Westminster Abbey on a hearse drawn by four horses hung with black velvet. I must add that many brilliant leaders of science and literature, monarchs and queens alike. It really something to see!

Warwick Castle-It is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon.

Wicked-A musical based on the best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace.

London Eye- Known as the "Millennium Wheel," is the tallest (the diameter of the wheel, or its height, is 135 metres (443 ft) Ferris wheel in Europe. Its height is measures 443 ft.

Tower of London-It is called "Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress," more commonly known as the Tower of London. It is a historic monument in central London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames. This was also the place of imprisonment for Queen Elizabeth I just before she took the throne for her 45 years of reign.

Oxford University is located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is also regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions.

Stratford upon Avon - he town is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace of the playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

Lake Robertson, VA

Today, I spent the afternoon at Lake Robertson. During my first months of living here, nearly 3 years ago, I visited this lake. Of course, at the time, I was not able to truly take it in because I was so overwhelmed with just moving and starting a job and certainly, I was preoccupied with trying to find my "place." Today's trip was different. It was like I was coming back to the lake to really take a moment to experience it. The weather was perfect. A gentle breeze, sunshine and it was not too hot. The reason behind coming was to attend a BBQ that was hosted by a co-workers' family. It was a nice get together and after the eating, we played several sets of volleyball. It was a great time.

FACTS ABOUT THE LAKE
31-acre fishing and boating lake
Crystal clear lake with an average depth of 18 feet
Great for taking a quick paddle on flat water (canoe or kayak)

Carter Caves, KY

The trip to Carter Caves has been a "long-time running spare of the moment getaway" for many locals to the Tri-State area (WV, OH and KY) for years. Today, it served that very purpose. My family and I hopped in the car with snacks and a cooler full of water, Sprite and Diet Coke. We were off to the caves :) Really, we did not have an agenda but only to take it easy and stop wherever we wanted when we wanted. Our first landing was the Natural Bridge Trail. Personally, it was the highlight of the trip for me. The other stops included the main lodge/resturaunt and gift shop. However, I don't want to forget the picnic by the water (Tygarts Creek). We had snack time and then, we jumped back in the car for the short 45 minute drive back to my grandparents' home. It was a short trip but it was fun to doing something with my whole family :)
FUN FACTS: The half-mile Natural Bridge Trail passes beneath a third natural bridge, the only one in Kentucky that is paved and supports traffic.

Trip to Massachusetts

This trip started with a very, very long drive that lasted about 14 hours that happened overnight. The drive was obviously uncomfortable but worth it . . . I had the opportunity to see HISTORY coupled with lots of fun. The average day in Boston was rainy and gusty. My very first purchase was a jacket to keep warm and lucky for me, a friend was able to share his poncho with me or otherwise, I would have been doused. During the trip, I had a very yummy piece of Boston Cream Pie and I had the Boston bake beans experience.

Here is a breakdown of the trip:

Salem: Location of the 1692 Witch Trials where many lost their lives over untruth and hysteria. Seriously, the museum gave me the creeps. I really haven't slept a whole night through since I learned the "ins and outs" of the witch trials. I have had nightmares that feature the "black man." That is what the people in that day called the devil. I toured the House of Seven Gables. It was featured as an American novel and it is historically, the oldest mansion in all of New England.

Downtown Boston: I had dinner two times at Quincy Market. This was central for shopping, dining and performance entertainment. I really enjoyed Boston's waterfront. I made it a point to visit it each time that I made it downtown. I can't forget the unforgettable concert . . . The BLUE MAN GROUP! It was totally amazing and unlike anything that I have ever experienced. If I had to compare it to something, it reminded me of some type of dance rave with comical breaks of non-verbal theatrical acts. Oh and I can't go with mentioning the fact that I visited the Science Museum. They had a baseball exhibit on display that was incredible. At first, I had no interest in browsing the exhibit but then, I had some extra time to kill. It was totally worth it! They had an actual Women's Baseball League uniform on display and beside it was the Peaches uniform that was worn my Betty Davis in the film called "A League of their Own." This is one of my favorite movies and to see an actually uniform worn . . . it was a real treat.

Cambridge: Location of the historical event in American history. It is reported that this is the location where the Revolutionary War started.

All in all, it was an awesome trip. I am already trying to find ways to see the BLUE MAN GROUP again :)

Here is a slideshow to take you there . . .

Panama City Beach, FL

I just returned from one of my greatest beach vacations in history :) We had a total of 10 wonderful days on the beach, soaking up the rays of the FL sunshine! As you can see, I had a large chunk of beach time and if you know me at all, you know that I adore the beach in all its beauty.

I arrived to find that our accommodations were more way more than what we expected. We entered a beautiful condo that was recently constructed. You could almost smell the newness and then, we stepped out on the balcony and there it was . . . the GULF! The sand was white and fluffy and the ocean was just as clear as I had imagined. I don't want to mislead you in any way so I will tell you about the Gulf's current state . . .

The Gulf is experiencing kick-up from the recent storms so much of the seaweed and some algae is loose. This did affect the clarity of the water but for someone who had never been to the Gulf Coast, it was still amazing to experience. I was swimming in ocean water that was well over 4ft. and I could see my feet and all the other creatures swimming about ;) I also rode a banana boat. The best way for me to describe the boat is that it is 2 large floats that were shaped like bananas pulled by a jet ski. The boat took us off the shoreline about 50 yards and gave us a ride of our lives! I spent the entire time laughing my head off and nearly falling off the boat. If it were not for the other passengers, I would have fallen off several times :)

Besides the beauty of the ocean, I had the chance to experience the 4th of July beachfront! That was amazing. A local business put on a fireworks display that was unlike anything that I have ever seen. The fireworks seemed liked they went on forever! Really, I think it was like a hour! The finale was incredible and I got to watch it all off the balcony as the fireworks exploded over the ocean.

I can't forget to tell you about the oyster bar called Shuckums! Their motto was: We Shuck'em, You suck'em! There I met a couple from Georgia and they randomly offered me oysters. We "shot" them together! Even though, I did not necessarily enjoy the oysters, I loved that bar. We went there of the evenings and even for a quick lunch treat. I say, if you are ever at Panama City Beach, stop by Shuckums . . . it is a must :)

I think the trip was so special because I had some of the greatest things in one trip and all at the same time . . . it was a very memorable and sentimental trip that I will always remember.

Lost on the Blue Ridge Parkway, VA

Wow! Where do I begin on this blog? I guess it all starts with my passion for waterfalls and how I am always itching to see as much as I can. On Friday night, I get my "Waterfalls" book out and start looking for a NEW ONE. I got my heart set on a waterfall called, "White Rock Falls." I followed the directions to a "T" and then, I try to follow the hiking instructions but something about them was not easily understood and quite confusing. Regardless, I followed them to the best of my ability. Long story short, I ended up hiking 3 miles through the forest only to end up on the Blue Ridge Parkway (national scenic road that runs for 469 miles through VA to NC). At no point did I see "White Rock Falls." I was very disappointed but I attempted to make the best of it. I decided not to go back through the forest to return to the vehicle but instead, I walked the Parkway about 2.5 miles. The hiking trip (round trip from car back to car) was about 7-8 miles!!!!! I think the best thing out of it was photographing 2 beautiful flowers and finding a terrific view on a cliff that the locals call "20-Minute Cliff."

Fun Facts:

20-Minute Cliff gets its name from the locals. Long ago, the local farmers knew that when the sunset on this cliff that the farmers in the valley had 20 minutes of daylight remaining.

I have taken several photographs to document this insane hiking trip that ended with no sightings of a the waterfall :(