As you proly know, Anna is heading to PA soon for school. We're taking the trip across the nation in our silver Jetta. We'll document the journey on a new blog. Come on over and join in the fun:
Tales from the Road
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A nice evening walk home...
Ventured over to the Green Dragon to wax poetic about work with some friends on Thursday afternoon and suddenly it was 7pm and I had to head home. Anna offered to come pick me up, but I really wanted to walk. There was something in the air and I knew I had to walk off those few beers somehow. I put in my headphones and turned on a podcast, lit my cigar (an oily bitch) and headed home.
Normally, I get a little annoyed by SE Portland because there isn't a direct North/South route via public transportation. You have to head into downtown to pick something up. Since I was walking, I had some choices to make. Side streets? Main streets? Head back downtown and do the normal route? I ended up walking over to MLK and taking it all the way up to Skidmore. All the way, the sun setting to darkness. What a great opportunity to take some photos.
As I got to MLK off Morrison, I realized the amazingness of the night sky, so I snapped a couple of photos of the gas station there. They didn't turn out too good, but it gave me the idea to document the entire walk with photos of signs and stuff. I then started snapping away. I have one of those point and shoot cameras that I really don't know how to use. With the flash off in low light, it gets a little blurry, so I had to experiment.
Normally, I get a little annoyed by SE Portland because there isn't a direct North/South route via public transportation. You have to head into downtown to pick something up. Since I was walking, I had some choices to make. Side streets? Main streets? Head back downtown and do the normal route? I ended up walking over to MLK and taking it all the way up to Skidmore. All the way, the sun setting to darkness. What a great opportunity to take some photos.
As I got to MLK off Morrison, I realized the amazingness of the night sky, so I snapped a couple of photos of the gas station there. They didn't turn out too good, but it gave me the idea to document the entire walk with photos of signs and stuff. I then started snapping away. I have one of those point and shoot cameras that I really don't know how to use. With the flash off in low light, it gets a little blurry, so I had to experiment.
Then, I started seeing the interesting stuff that I always see when I walk around Portland. Not sure if others think it is interesting, but damnit, I do!
And my favorite of the night:
And my favorite of the night:
In the end, I didn't get home until after 9pm. Not normal, but the whole time, I loved every minute of the walk. Even after getting home, I wasn't tired. The next morning, I got up and headed to work. Other than being the first nice day of the year, I had a different feeling. Something had changed and I have a new outlook. Was it the walk? Was it the sun? I smiled at everything and everyone and they smiled back.
I love Portland!
I love Portland!
Friday, April 04, 2008
Because I love America!
Wow, what a day. We ventured into Philadelphia to have some crazy tourist fun. I figure that I'm a big guy, so I can look like a tourist and be pretty safe. Adding in the map in one hand and the camera in another is a great idea.
We started off with Eastern State Penitentiary. We have been to Alcatraz, so thought this would be similar. It was, but different. We were able to wander around ourselves with an audio guided tour. This place, built in 1817 or so was a model prison for the future of penology. I love saying and writing penology. The prison is a wagon wheel design and its purpose was to keep the prisoners isolated completely. No common areas or anything. The cells did have an outdoor area, but it was walled off for each cell. Wow. Oh, and this prison was around until 1971.
Then it was off to Independence Mall and the birthplace of AMERICA. We were able to see the Liberty Bell, but not the constitution. Independence hall had already given out all the tickets for the day. We could have done a free tour at 4pm, but were already at Triumph brewing down the street @ 4. And yes, Triumph Brewing was excellent.
Triumph Brewing surprised me. It was a little upscale in the decor, making me wonder about their beer. Well, after the first taste, I realized this was the shit. They know what they are doing. We did the sampler tray which gave us a great view into the brewer's mind. My faves were the Amber and the IPA. I ended up having an IPA in a larger glass. Anna had the Amber. I will go back to Triumph if I can.
After Triumph, we ventured to a Belgian beer basement where we had a couple of other beers and some fondue - both cheese and chocolate. Wow, everything there was amazing.
While @ the Belgian place, we looked up BSG on our phones trying to find a locale in Phili to watch it. We found a place in North Phili and took off. The drive was fun and we were able to see another part of Philly that we wouldn't normally see. When we arrived to the location - Whitman Tavern - we were early, so ventured over to Petco to look at the snakes, insects, rats, hammies and birds. It was wierd, but fun. When we got back to the "event," we spoke with the organizer and discovered that this was not a BSG event. We had happened upon his blog which implied a BSG connection, but there wasn't any. Oh well, chalk it up to experience.
So, in the end, we ended up back in King of Prussia chillin with our $10 Heiniken.
nighty night.
We started off with Eastern State Penitentiary. We have been to Alcatraz, so thought this would be similar. It was, but different. We were able to wander around ourselves with an audio guided tour. This place, built in 1817 or so was a model prison for the future of penology. I love saying and writing penology. The prison is a wagon wheel design and its purpose was to keep the prisoners isolated completely. No common areas or anything. The cells did have an outdoor area, but it was walled off for each cell. Wow. Oh, and this prison was around until 1971.
Then it was off to Independence Mall and the birthplace of AMERICA. We were able to see the Liberty Bell, but not the constitution. Independence hall had already given out all the tickets for the day. We could have done a free tour at 4pm, but were already at Triumph brewing down the street @ 4. And yes, Triumph Brewing was excellent.
Triumph Brewing surprised me. It was a little upscale in the decor, making me wonder about their beer. Well, after the first taste, I realized this was the shit. They know what they are doing. We did the sampler tray which gave us a great view into the brewer's mind. My faves were the Amber and the IPA. I ended up having an IPA in a larger glass. Anna had the Amber. I will go back to Triumph if I can.
After Triumph, we ventured to a Belgian beer basement where we had a couple of other beers and some fondue - both cheese and chocolate. Wow, everything there was amazing.
While @ the Belgian place, we looked up BSG on our phones trying to find a locale in Phili to watch it. We found a place in North Phili and took off. The drive was fun and we were able to see another part of Philly that we wouldn't normally see. When we arrived to the location - Whitman Tavern - we were early, so ventured over to Petco to look at the snakes, insects, rats, hammies and birds. It was wierd, but fun. When we got back to the "event," we spoke with the organizer and discovered that this was not a BSG event. We had happened upon his blog which implied a BSG connection, but there wasn't any. Oh well, chalk it up to experience.
So, in the end, we ended up back in King of Prussia chillin with our $10 Heiniken.
nighty night.
Going to jail
gonna go check out the eastern pennsylvania penitentary here in a few minutes. we're having a cup of joe first at a coffee shop across the street mugshotscoffeehouse. we got anna an apt yesterday. so we're free tourists today and tomorrow. gonna go see where amerika was born.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Phili day 1
Got here late last night and are staying in King of Prussia, PA. I love that I'm staying in a city with a three word name. Our first day actually started pretty early as we arrived after 1 and didn't get to bed until around 3am. We've been a little tired most of the day, but the day ended up being a success. We visited Villanova first thing and checked out the campus. Wow, they are uber catholic. There is a crucifix everywhere.
After meeting with advisors and then a small quick tour, we went to check out our first apartment. I honestly was concerned because we only had one apartment visit setup and I'm a shopper. Well, after being turned around a little, we found the place and were immediately sold. It is indeed expensive, but perfect for a non-car-driving Villanova student. Wooo hoooo. We secured it and were done with our chores early. Our early evening entailed meeting other Villanova nursing students and learning about the program Anna will be attending next month. All in all, a great day...
And then we wanted a beer. Next to our hotel was a Hooters. It was simple, so we ventured in. First off, terrible service. Secondly, the food was icky. Lastly, no microbrew. But there was an upside. They didn't charge us for 2 $4.50 Sam Adams. Now that's a deal.
But wait. We still wanted a beer for the hotel. Did you know that in Pennsylvania, you can only buy beer from either a beer outlet or a restaurant. No beer sales in stores. So I asked the concierge at the hotel where I could get some beer and 1/2 hr later, I paid $21 for a sixpack of Heinekin and a sixpack of Yingling's. And the best part? I got them at CHILI's.
Where the fuck am I?
After meeting with advisors and then a small quick tour, we went to check out our first apartment. I honestly was concerned because we only had one apartment visit setup and I'm a shopper. Well, after being turned around a little, we found the place and were immediately sold. It is indeed expensive, but perfect for a non-car-driving Villanova student. Wooo hoooo. We secured it and were done with our chores early. Our early evening entailed meeting other Villanova nursing students and learning about the program Anna will be attending next month. All in all, a great day...
And then we wanted a beer. Next to our hotel was a Hooters. It was simple, so we ventured in. First off, terrible service. Secondly, the food was icky. Lastly, no microbrew. But there was an upside. They didn't charge us for 2 $4.50 Sam Adams. Now that's a deal.
But wait. We still wanted a beer for the hotel. Did you know that in Pennsylvania, you can only buy beer from either a beer outlet or a restaurant. No beer sales in stores. So I asked the concierge at the hotel where I could get some beer and 1/2 hr later, I paid $21 for a sixpack of Heinekin and a sixpack of Yingling's. And the best part? I got them at CHILI's.
Where the fuck am I?
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