How is it that you know this person?

When telling people about my upcoming trip across the pond, I received many a confused inquiry as to how I knew my travel companion.

I could almost say that Jessi and I were perfect strangers.

But that wouldn't be all that true.

She and I are so similar that it is almost like we knew each other without knowing each other at all.

So, let me back track a little.

A trip to England has been in the making for the past 3 years that Rachael has lived there. First, the problem was money. Then once I had the money, I used it to go to Israel. Ooops. Then once I had it again, I had no one to travel with. In August I mostly randomly emailed Jessi, a mild acquaintance at the time, to see if she would like to join me on a trip. She also works for a camp and has a squirrely schedule and seemed to me to be up for adventures.

97% of me expected a 'no, but thanks for asking'. But instead I got a 'yeah, let me check my schedule, I was wanting to take a trip that time of year too', Yikes, it was becoming real.

After checking some things, we committed to an international trip together. With having only met in person a few times and otherwise only having a relationship via facebook stalking and a mutual friend that would tell us how similar we were it seemed the trip could go splendidly or terribly. I think both leaned toward splendidly.

So how did I know this person I committed to travel across an ocean with?

Back when I was AmeriCorps in Raleigh, we would get to learn about the new crew that was coming in after us as they were being interviewed and hired. When I was finishing my second term, I was told there would be a 'new' Hannah to follow my leaving in the fall.

This girl also went to a small Christian college, was from the Midwest, loves baseball and also majored in camp management. Small world. As it turned out we were as similar if not more as she got to know the Habitat staff and worked through her year. It took her about 6 months to earn her own name as the staff and others that new me stuck to calling her 'new Hannah'.

Other than the sporadic trip to Maine and staying with her over night, we had spent maybe a total of one hour together pre-trip.

Thus, the making a great travel buddy :)

Apparently this is something that so called normal people wouldn't do, but it turns out we aren't all that normal.

I really couldn't have picked a better almost stranger to travel with.

Neither of us were late night out on the town types. We both liked a little peace and quiet from time to time. We were both ok to just see the sites rather than spending an exorbitant amount of time and money on things that we could later read about if we so desired.

One evening we had the hostel room all to ourselves and we couldn't have been happier to have that small piece of personal space and to just hang out in the poorly lit aquarium themed room.

That same evening, after a few hours of corporate solitude, we decided to go see a film rather than hit up any pubs.

All plans and suggestions were well received by each other. It was sort of like traveling with myself.

And most importantly, she fit in just fine with my dear friends. And an added bonus baby Ava took to her very quickly.

So as for traveling with almost strangers, I would say that I recommend it.  It could be disastrous, but that would lead to good stories. It could be fantastic and lead to a new friend!

Planes, Trains, and Automoiles #2

Once in Liverpool we traveled by foot, public trains, and Andy's car.

From their house it was about a mile walk to the train station and then onto the train to get to the city center where we explored for the day.

The end of the line.

First train in the UK!

Andy picked us up and we experienced a little more of  the crazy international driving. But I guess crazy is all relative.

I do not think I would adjust quickly to driving on the other side of the road. It was hard enough to know which way to look to cross the street.

Something that I had never really thought of was the cost of the public transport as to owning a vehicle. Here in Greenville, SC public transport wouldn't really work for the life that I lead. But in England, where there are trains and buses all over, it would likely be much more affordable.

If I thought about all of my trips to town in how much money in gas they cost me, I might think differently about taking them.

After our 2 days in Liverpool, we took another taxi to the train station to board a train to London!

This train was a little different than the public trains.

The things about train travel that were strange to me were that you don't know what platform to go to until about 15 minutes before it arrives. Then once it is announced, a large group of people all move toward that platform. The other thing is that you could be on the wrong train and not know until it is too late to do anything about. If you are, you have to pay the price for that ticket and be in the wrong place when it stops. Thankfully, this did not happen to us.

First city to city train.

Once in London we traveled by sight seeing tourist double decker buses and by foot.

I stole this pic from Google. I didn't take any pics of the actual buses we rode.

The double decker tour buses were a great choice for those having no clue how to navigate the city. The tour buses are so well used that they are on the city bus stop signs.

We also took a little boat cruise on the river Thames (which I still have no clue the correct pronunciation of).



In leaving London we were scheduled from the King's Cross station which is home to many Harry Potter souvenirs and things and Platform 9 and 3/4. It was a huge train station.

Sadly, it was dark out for most of the ride. The lady next to us told us that was a shame because the countryside was very lovely. She was a very sweet Scottish lady.

In Edinburgh we traveled only by foot as everything we wanted to do was an easy walk from our hostel.

Road construction in Edinburgh.

After our 2 days there we boarded another train, this one was cram packed and a little overwhelming with people for half the trip. But it slowly unloaded after each stop and we made our way back to Liverpool to finish up our time across the pond.

Waiting to find out a platform.

For 30 by 30, this trip marked off travel by train and taxi, both things that I had never traveled by.

Not quite weary travelers.

If you plan to travel by train in the UK, I recommend what Andy recommended to me, thetrainline.com. Great rates and very easy to use. I planned our travel times based on price, which put us places at weird times a little, but it was very inexpensive to go at non-peak times.

Surprise Visits

It was just over 7 years ago that I began my plan to run...I mean move away from home.

Over the past 7 years I have kept up fairly regular quarterly visits to the great state of Ohio.

Some of these visits have been well planned and well announced.

Some of them have been a little last minute and not announced.

The latter is my favorite kind.

I have successfully made surprise trips home twice. (Which is a 100% success rate as I have only attempted it twice) Both of these were for birthdays. The first was my mom's 50th a few years ago. There may have been a little truth stretching involved, but none the less she was completely surprised that I made it home for her actual birthday AND that we pulled off a full family surprise party.

2 months ago I pulled off another birthday surprise.

With Dylan getting a little older, I figure she will begin to remember whether or not I visit for her birthday or this or that thing.

It is hard to believe she is now 8.

I got the invitation to her party as usual, but this time it seemed that maybe it was possible to go rather than being bummed about the distance at which I live.

The work schedule was pretty light. My car was in good working order (as it usually is) and I was feeling like a little decompress time in the car.

So, I drove to Ohio (via Nashville to see some other friends) and successfully surprised Dylan for her 8th birthday.

This year she was having a Duck Dynasty themed party, which having worked at a camp I had the perfect collection of clothes to make a suitable outfit for the party.

 

We enjoyed a morning at Ma's making headbands and then headed home for all her little friends to come and make s'mores and hot dogs and run a muck in the back yard.

I'm not always keen on the there and back in a day trip to Ohio, but this trip was well worth it! It was a tear filled hello and goodbye for Dylan, but those tears are what make me know any effort I can put in to being the best aunt that I can is 100% worth it.

Hopefully there can be more surprise trips in the future!

A Day in Maine (plus a half)

The destination of the whole trip: MAINE!

We reached Maine fairly late in the evening and would not be out to explore until morning.

We slept off the drive and first thing in the morning I went for my usual morning run/walk. Which was particularly easier than around here with the flatness : )

 

So many little white churches.

 

Around me were colonial looking houses, a few cemeteries, and fog. It seemed like a flat and average landscape. Little did I know, there were rolling mountains and hills surrounding as well as lovely farms and buildings.

After the fog.

 

Once the morning fog burned off, we went exploring.

 

We found a hike that Torrye had never done. It was called Pleassant Mountain and offered 360 degree views of the surrounding area. As well as an old fire tower that said no where to stay off which we took as an invitation to climb.

Fall was in full glory!

 

 

The hike was rather steep, but short. It was well worth the view from the top and the interesting folks we met on the trail.

 

After the hike, we grabbed a snack and headed to Conway, NH to see the touristy downtown and the lovely views of the New Hampshire mountains.

 

 

New Hampshire Mountains

 

In my travelings I like to try different brands of ginger ale. Zeb's convenience store in Conway had some of the best that I have ever had!

After Conway, we headed to the Fryeburg Fair! I love fairs! And although this fair was in Maine, it could have been the Highland County fair in Ohio that I grew up going to. Same food, same games, same rides, same girl showing her cow in her cut off t-shirt, wranglers, and boots.

A goat playground!

 

Antiques

 

The best part of course was the Zipper. The BEST fair ride known to man. We rode it twice!

Best. Ride. Ever.

 

After the fair we returned home to the Hart's (quite wonderful hosts) to have my first ever surf and turf experience. I personally dropped our live lobsters in the boiling hot water to out them to their timely death so that we could enjoy their delicious insides.

Ahhhh!

 

One of the best meals I have ever consumed.

 

Somehow it came up that I had never even had lobster so we were directed to come home for dinner and that was what we would have, and it was good!

We ate under the stars on their back deck and it ended a day that was indeed a day well spent.

The next day was off to the Portland airport to head home, but first a stop at the Portland Headlight. It was a lovely lighthouse and fantastic few of the Maine coast. Sadly, I accidentally deleted quite a few of my pictures, but I at least have the memories I guess.

Portland Headlight

 

 

For a quick trip, I think it was a fabulous use of our time and I would love to go back and spend a little more time in the lovely state of Maine. If you are ever near Fryeburg, make sure you look up the Harts. They know how to treat a guest well!

The view after the fog lifted.

A Day in Connecticut



Main St, Mystic, CT

On our way to Maine there were a fair amount of places I wanted to stop and see. It turned out, most of them were in Connecticut.

Why Connecticut?

Mostly, I am forever a fan of the Gilmore Girls. And they are based in small town Connecticut. Ever since finding out they were based on real towns, I wanted to do a road trip to these towns to see and feel what Connecticut life might be like.


Main St

So, our first stop was in the small town that would be Stars Hollow geographically, Wallingford, CT.

We saw the town square, the local mechanic where I could picture Gypsy working, a couple walking down the street pushing a stroller resembling Suki and Jackson, and many other things that were very Stars Hollow esque. 



Town Square

For lunch we stopped in a small diner in honor of Luke's. The burgers were steamed, not grilled or fried. It was the only time I have felt light in my tummy after eating a burger!



Burger and Ginger Ale
 

While in "Luke's" some locals came in and out to chat with the owner. Each being a little quirky just as they would in Stars Hollow. They talked about the upcoming Halloween festivities and decorations and costume contests and what was ailing them and their family members. It was as if we were sitting in Stars Hollow!

The writers were pretty accurate in the small town Connecticut life as far as I could tell.



Drawbridge Ice Cream
 



After the would be Stars Hollow, we drove on to the coast landing in Mystic (made famous by Julia Roberts first movie and pizza). Apparently the pizza isn't that good, so we didn't have any.

But through some internet research, we found that they are known for their ice cream. And let me tell you, it was GOOD ice cream. I had a scoop with caramel, chocolate covered pretzels and nuts and it was delicious!

If you ever go to Mystic, get ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream.



Bookstore

There is also a cute little bookstore on the main street that offers some traveler gifts and a good selection of books!

After Mystic we went to Stonington to see a light house and the coast.

We made a quick hop into Rhode Island and then back into Connecticut passing by Hartford on our way northward.

Connecticut was well worth the daylight used and the time spent to see some adorable little towns and eat some yummy local foods!




Mystic Harbor

 



Stonington Pier

To Maine and Back in a Day

Ok, it was more than one day.

But back in the last days of September and the first days in October, my fabulous friend Torrye and I drove to Maine from SC.

Somewhere in Virginia.

 

Torrye was passing through between next things and I asked her when her flight to Maine would be and if she needed a ride to the airport from her stay at my house. Little did I know, she was driving not flying.

So my sucker for a harebrained travel idea self said, 'gee, too bad I don't have many vacation days left and a few hundred bucks laying around. I would ride up with you and fly back!'

So Torrye, also being a sucker for harebrained ideas replies, 'dude, its only like a hundred bucks for a one way back from Maine.'

Thus the wheels of the trip got rolling.

A few Google searches and purchases and day off requests later, we had a trip planned.

And, bonus, this trip would help to accomplish a few of my 30 by 30 goals!

 

We got in the car on Monday afternoon and drove straight through SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, and PA. None of these states were new to me, thus the driving straight through.

We pit stopped for the night with my soon to be international travel buddy, Jessi. She lives and works at a camp in PA and had plenty of space to host a few weary travelers and to give us some local treats!

(local treats. I LOVE the sweet potato chips!)

We got up in the wee hours of the morning and hit the road for lands unknown to me.

The first new state to be crossed off the list was NJ. It was pretty much what I expected.

Then came NY. I think NY will deserve another visit someday, but for now I can say that I have been to the state of NY and driven through the city. (which took forever, traffic was more than terrible to me)

Next came CT. I really liked CT. All the roads and towns and things were clean and cute and seemed like a nice and welcoming place to call home to those that live there.
*Connecticut will get it's own post as we made a few stops that will make this post much too long to report on right now.

We then hit RI, which in my opinion I am glad to have been in once, but don't know that I need to return ever. But again, glad I put my feet down in the state.

 

Next was back through CT and on to Massachusetts. We passed through the middle of the state not going anywhere near Boston. Hopefully I will go to Boston in the spring.

We hit Vermont and New Hampshire in the dark, which was a little disappointing, but still a good addition to the trip.

 

From Vermont to Maine, I took the wheel so that Torrye could rest. And I must say that I am very proud of myself for my driving. Winding unfamiliar roads, navigating by the stars (right, Torrye?), and driving a stick and not stalling once!

We got to Maine close to 11pm I think and were welcomed into the Hart home.

Maine morning fog.

 

The next day was spent exploring the local area. More details on that in a forthcoming post.

New Hampshire

 

And then 3 days after we left SC we headed toward Portland to take me back  to the airport.

And with a few delays and the magic of travel I was back to SC and in my usual life.

Traveling is so strange to think about. That we were in one place yesterday and another today.

All in all, Maine was fan-freakin-tastic! And I am so so glad to have exhausted myself on a last minute harebrained road trip.

Torrye and I in Portland, ME

I plan to write 2 more post on this trip. One about Connecticut and the other about our time in Maine. So Mom and Sara, be looking for those :)