Two Month Anniversary

Some people might be wondering what I do with all my time now that I'm gainfully unemployed. Well, besides trying to boost the ratings of my favorite tv shows (RIP Lonestar, you'll be dearly missed) I've made it part of my daily routine to enter the contest to win HGTV's Urban Oasis. You better believe I'll be dressed to impress November 20th, should Vern Yip show up on my doorstep to announce me the winner. I wonder if tv watching is better in your own swanky residence at the W in downtown Manhattan? Oh, how I hope to be able to find out the answer to that question! :]

Observations from the Dock of the Bay

~I love that you only have to go a few blocks to end up in a different neighborhood and that each neighborhood has its own identity. Hildoug was bombarded all weekend with the question, “Where are we now?” She politely obliged and showed me where we were on the map. I love me some maps!

~Fleet Week = lots of men in uniform. ‘nuff said.

~Berkeley has a pretty campus, but a crappy stadium. Porta-potties? No thanks, I'll hold it.

~People in San Francisco are really friendly. On different bus rides I had one man offer me a cookie, another offer us a beer, and yet another eavesdrop on our conversation and share his wisdom about how they got the lights on the Capitol Building to change colors and his thoughts about vajazzlers.

~There are lots of hidden jems all over the city. Hildoug took me out for an amazing early birthday dinner at the Tonga Room. It felt like a supper club you’d see in an old black and white movie (the presence of a bunch of Marines in dress blues might have helped that a bit too).

~I like drag queens. I kind of think I might be a drag queen trapped in a straight woman’s body.Big hair, over the top make-up, costumes and lots of sparkles? Sign me up!

~The Golden Gate Bridge is truly gorgeous. We were down in the Marina watching the Blue Angels on a super clear day and it was an amazing back drop.

~People have such pride in and love for their city. It's cool to see.

Nobody puts Tobey in the corner!

I love my car and was happy at the prospect of being able to finally park him in a garage. He's experienced his fair share of trauma over his short three years of life; everything from vicious teenagers wielding keys and Arby's ranch dressing, to West Texas hail. Tobey will have to wear his wounds proudly until I'm able to cough up the casheesh necessary to have him repaired.

He treated me well on the half country drive and I like to give back by trying to keep him as clean as possible inside and out. Unfortunately, nature has other plans.

I couldn't park my car in the garage for the first few days I was here because some stuff had to be moved around. Imagine my surprise when I came out one morning to head into town only to see bird poop all over the passenger side mirror. I gave Tobey a quick bath and went on my way thinking it was a fluke thing. Only to have the same thing happen a few days later. Moving him inside became a top priority then.

Hildoug and I were making a quick stopover at home before heading back into town and I got lazy and parked him in the driveway only to come out to this:

I've decided that all birds are the enemy.....

and will be treated accordingly. Ka ka! Ka ka!

Casita del Lago - Olympic Peninsula is open for reservations!

***Spoiler Alert*** If you are planning to come visit me (which would totally be worth a little piggy bank smashing) you might experience a little déjà vu during your trip after reading this post.

Hildoug and I made the most of her time on the North Olympic Peninsula. To get here she got to take a ferry and cross a floating bridge (ooooh, ahhhh). We jumped into PA’s cuisine head first with a trip to Frugals for burgers and shakes (mmmm rootbeer shake). We then headed down to the pier to take in the view while eating. Little did we know that we would also be treated to a performance by “Dancing Hands” (a local drum circle). I blame myself for not having a picture of this awesomeness to share with you. I’ll do better next time I swear. We also drove around looking for the “unipus” (this news story is funny on sooooo many levels).Hildoug also got the full tour of town and I took her out to my favorite contemplation spot, “The Spit”. Besides serving as a high school make-out spot (no, not for me, I was in band, remember?) it also gives you a great view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the downtown area.

We did a little lounging before heading into town to check out The Odyssey bookstore before grabbing a late lunch at Togas Soup House. His crab Panini will seriously make you wanna smack yo mama. We then capped off the afternoon with a little hot tubbin’ in the rain and are about to do a little Jersey Shore Watching. Good times, all around!

No trip to PA is complete without a little West End adventure, which includes a visit to Forks and LaPush for all things Twilight as well as a hike to my favorite waterfall. It was my first visit to La Push and there was the cutest little Quillayute boy working at the gas station we stopped at. I bet those boys are killing it with the ladies these days! I got a kick crossing over the “treaty line” on our way to the water. First beach was pretty, but super windy and rainy. We literally jumped out of the car to take a quick photo before heading back on our way.

My big splurge of the week was an Olympic National Park Annual pass (which paid for itself after our visit to Sol Duc and Hurricane Ridge). We hoofed it up to the Ridge on a pretty overcast day, but luckily we got up high enough to break through the clouds and enjoy a little stroll overlooking some of the mountain range.

Hilary deemed the trip a great mix of lounging and adventure time and I totally agree. She did an amazing job getting up on the Stand Up Paddle Board her first time as I gave the kayak its inaugural cruise. We had one gorgeous day and made the most of it by spending it on the lake.

We also caught a showing of “The Town” at the old theater downtown. The movie was even showing in the upstairs theater, which is by far my favorite. If the super stained carpet could talk, I bet it would also remember me from my middle school viewings of “The Bodyguard” and “Dances with Wolves”. On a sidenote: I liked the Town and was rooting for the “bad guys” the whole time. My love of wounded bad boys doesn’t bode well for long term relationships, I’m just sayin’….

It’s always fun to have people visit and help me be a tourist in my own time (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). While PA leaves a lot to be desired in terms of hot nightlife, I’m constantly amazed at the natural beauty that is literally everywhere you look. If you’re looking to get back to nature, look no further…and give me a call!

**All photos courtesy of Hildoug 'cuz I'm a slacker**

No Tell Motel or the Holiday Inn?

I blame the W Chicago for my affinity for nice hotels. It was by far the nicest hotel I'd ever been in and had the best perks. We were there for Hildoug's birthday in '09 and the W helped her celebrate with comped champagne one night and a free candle the other night. Hildoug and I were also entranced by the super fragrant flowers in the lobby and the fact that they changed out the welcome mats bidding us Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening. How cute is that?

I love a good value and bidding for hotels on priceline gives me a little rush when I get a great hotel for a discount. I didn't go the priceline route on my roadtrip, b/c I wanted some more leeway in case my plans changed along the way. Instead, I went with Holiday Inn Express. Free internet and free breakfast? Sign me up! I thought that I'd also made reservations at a HIE in Yakima, but it turned out to be a regular Holiday Inn. At first, I was bummed I wouldn't be getting a free breakfast, but the super nice decor of the hotel (and free wifi) totally made up for it. I realized that I want ammenities for my dollar, but will do with a few less perks for a nicer hotel room. Hotels I hate are the big chains (i.e. conference hotels where I'm forced to stay in order to be able to run up to my room between sessions). They are the worst! Sure, the room is a bit nicer, but they charge you for everything! Give me free wifi or give me death!

What's your bottom line?

Home at Last!

The road-trip ended up being super fun, as were my stops along the way. It was great to get to see places that wouldn’t have normally made my must visit list (Moab & Yakima). I got in Wednesday night and as of Friday mid-day I am already a little lonely and bored. I spent the first day cleaning up the house and making room for my stuff and started the major unloading today, and if you’ll remember I’m in WA, so of course it was raining. The flooded front tile steps and my flip flops were not friends and I ended up falling on my booty twice while loaded down with bags. Needless to say, I’m delaying the rest of my unloading until they dry out, which let’s face it, could be next summer. :] It’s been crazy to see how little stuff I actually brought with me. I don’t think it will be a problem to find a place for everything, which is nice. I’m now in the process of re-claiming the guest room as my own so I’ll be comfortable during my as-of-yet undetermined length of stay at the lake.

Things I like so far:

1) The smell of WA. It’s so distinctive, I know I’m home when I smell it.

2) Waking up to see water out my front window. Heavenly

3) Access to WE, Style, Oxygen, and HBO. Ahhh.

Things I don’t like so far:

1) I realize I could go a long time without talking to anyone unless I come up with some creative ways to meet people (my mom’s in Cali until early October).

2) Accessing the internet from the lake might require a tinfoil hat and some yoga poses.

3) It’s a little weird to see people I knew back in the day without knowing if they remember me and therefore whether or not I should say hello.

4) The temptation to buy comfy/ugly shoes is getting stronger and stronger. I see a pair of Uggs in my future!

Uh Oh! My ox done died and Ma's got dysentery.

In the 11.5 hours I drove today I passed through 4 states (ok, maybe not a feat for East Coasters, but a way bigger deal for us West Coasters). Much of today's drive was also along the Oregon Trail. I really tried to see the road through the eyes of the pioneers who made the harrowing trek across the country (although I wasn't willing to give up my AC or ipod). I can only imagine how happy they would have been as they crested the mountain and saw the lush green banks of this river.

Oh, how things have changed over the years. My joy now comes from things like this (seen at the Arrowhead Truckstop just before Pendleton, OR):

~ I'm settled in for the night in my cushy hotel room in Yakima, WA. I made it into town with enough time to pick up some pizza before tuning into some season premieres. Only one short day of driving left between me and unpacking Tobey! Look out PA, here I come!