Month: October 2016

Today is my sister Jeanne’s birthday. I love her so much. She is the one who stayed in my hometown of Red Bluff and managed to survive! She sees my mom regularly. She’s been a single mother (and now grandma) to three amazing children for many years….something I could have never done. Jeanne has worked her ass off to survive in a town that has little to no opportunity — doing whatever it takes. 

We didn’t come from the most functional family and the fact that her kids are the amazing people they are is a testament to her heart. How she did it is beyond me……literally. I know she thinks I am the strong one – and I am strong. But it’s easy to be brave and strong when there’s nobody depending on you. I’ve never had to juggle kids and be strong…it’s not in my wheelhouse. I’d beat the shit out of them. Just for the record: Jeanne is my hero. Happy Birthday!

Now… Back to me!! Memememememe. Gross. 

Today I paid the price for yesterday. I have a blood blister on one foot and a regular one on the other. I wore my Danskos yesterday thinking that was the smart move. I worked for a decade in them at Jam. They are the best. Usually. I guess because it’s been awhile since I’ve done heavy walking in them, the friction didn’t agree with my feet. 

The good news is that I’m not on a schedule and so today I punished myself (but saved my feet) by not going into NYC. I went instead to White Plains. I found a drug store and stocked up on moleskin. I went to a wine store (NY laws won’t let grocery stores sell it) — and found Wycliff! It’s a super cheap, delicious sparkling wine — and I thought only sold to service industry. I used it at Jam for mimosas and mimosas sustained me for years. Yum. 

Then I went to H-Mart — an enormous Asian grocery store/bakery/restaurant. Oh man. It was divided into different sections….Thai, Chinese, Japanese, etc. Their meat department had every kind of awesome meat pre-sliced into perfect fans. Pork belly, ribeye… so many choices. I should have taken pictures.  Sauces and seasonings by the hundreds. I’m sure it pales in comparison to what I’d (might still) find in NYC — but this I could drive to. “Bonus,” said my feet. 

If you didn’t know this (Larry does) – I’m a dumpling fool. I’m constantly either trying to talk him into going to dim sum, making potstickers or buying different frozen ones to try. Boy did I hit the jackpot at H-Mart. I got Singapore style leek dumplings, spicy beef and pork dumplings. I also got stuff to make a dipping sauce. Clive blossoms, young garlic shoots, garlic and ginger. 

I documented how I made my dipping sauce. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil and sriracha are really good bedfellows. Then just add what you like. I added garlic, ginger slices, chive blossoms, garlic shoots (basically green onions) and lime juice. 

I also bought snow peas and blanched them, shocked them in ice water and mixed them with the sauce I made. 

I don’t get over-the-air TV where I am (which is weird since I’m 30 miles from NYC). So, while I cooked, I watched the movie Moonstruck. It’s so friggin good. I feel deja vu saying this – but the opera scene in Pretty Woman is flat out stolen from Moonstruck. 

Then, I watched Almost Famous. While eating dumplings. I fry them in coconut oil – then add water, cover and pan steam them. The leek ones were so gross. They tasted fishy – but when I looked at the ingredients they were vegan. But – so full of weird fake shit the list was four inches long. I checked the spicy beef ones and they had maybe 10 ingredients. So I cooked them up. DELICIOUS!!! But not spicy. Oh well, that’s what sriracha is for. 

I’m pretty bummed at my punishment for my excess of yesterday. Just kidding. I’m lucky to be in a position to get the blisters and even more fortunate to be able to take a day off — from traveling the country. Hopefully I can walk tomorrow. 

Onward ♋+♊

What a UUGE day! I got up and shagged ass to Croton on Hudson to my new campground. I dropped Bird off in the parking lot because it was too early to check in. Then I walked to the train station. It was a little (lot) more strenuous than I’d hoped.

I did great finding my way around. Bought a round trip train ticket and a metro card. Rode into grand central and then took the subway to Times Square no problemo. Found my theatre and picked up my show ticket at will call. Then I wandered around and took in the sights. I almost ate at Shake Shack but didn’t because I can have that in Vegas. Instead I went to a local place – the Roxy Cafe. Gross…..Guy Fieri’s place would have been better although I could do that in Vegas too. 

I went to see The Front Page matinee (I love a matinee) which is still in previews – it opens on the 20th. It wasn’t the best play I’ve ever seen – but it was good. And holy shit was it star-studded. To name a few:

Nathan Lane

John Slattery

John Goodman

Holland Taylor

Robert Morse

Dylan Baker (Good Wife)

Dan Florek! (Law & Order)

Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore)

Plus many others you would recognize. I bought a last minute ticket and all the cheap seats were gone. I was in the 4th row. It was strange seeing all those famous people up close. I love live acting and, because this was previews, they were doing some improvisation. Nathan Lane didn’t come in until the third act and wow wow wow wee is he good. So good. Completely stole the show. He fed off the laughter you could tell. I’m happy I got to see it as it’s a super limited engagement. I snuck a few pics of the theatre during intermission – you’re not supposed to take any pictures. It was a small theatre – intimate. 

After the show I walked around again – I had 5:30 dinner reservations. Times Square is a whole lot like Vegas. Saw a guy with a sign that said “give me a dollar or I’ll vote for Trump” — lol. Street performers – all the usual suspects. Cartoon characters in steaming hot, stinky costumes, girls with boob paint (snuck an over the shoulder pic) and hustlers. I have a soft spot for hustlers – especially guys pushing their music. Two young guys came up and were schmoozing me – and of course I gave them $10 for their rap CDs. I also gave them both hugs when they asked – and told them they smelled good. And they DID smell super good. Hustlers baby. Love. 

I went to dinner at Sardi’s. It’s a damn good thing it’s a broadway institution and covered in caricatures of famous people because the food was terrible. Really bad. 0-2 today food wise. 

I took the subway back to Grand Central and had to ask the ticket guy how to upgrade my off peak ticket to peak – he treated me like the dumbest person alive. I couldn’t care less!! I’d so much rather he think I’m dumb than get on the train and be dumb in front of all the commuters!! I just had to give the conductor $4 more when he took my ticket. Eezy peezy lemon squeezy!

Then…..I got back. And had to walk all that way on my sore-ass feet. I had mentally prepared – but was still miserable – and kind of spooked. It was pitch black on the road into the park with lots of critter noises. I looked for bike racks at the train station but didn’t see any. I’ll research tomorrow. If I could ride my bike to the train (well not up the super steep hills) it will make the trek to and fro much less painful. I’m an old, fat lady! For sure I’m packing a flashlight tomorrow.  

When I finally got back to Bird I completely regretted not scoping out my site before rushing into the city this morning – a drive by. It is so hard to arrive in a new campground in the dark. Especially a back-in space. But, I found it and got set up for the night. Praise the lord and pass the biscuits! I’m ready to relax!

Tomorrow I’ll probably go to Ground Zero and maybe a museum. We shall see!

Onward ♋+♊

Today was not my favorite! Bad things happened – peppered with amazing tidbits. 

I woke up super excited to take my Stephen King tour. I boiled kettles of water to take a “bath” – living off the grid poses certain challenges. I even left for our meeting location an hour early just in case. 

OF FUCKING COURSE!!! I’m driving down a highway and a man pulls alongside me and starts yelling. My steps were out. WHAT? That shouldn’t technically be possible. RVs are equipped with certain fail safes. For example, the stabilizer jacks automatically retract when you start the engine. Steps accidentally left out should retract when you start the engine – or else you can’t drive. Same with the slide out. 

BIRD has none of these protective features! I shut the door and assumed the steps went in. Bad on me. So now what? I pull over and try everything. I thought part of the magnet mechanism was missing so tried to engage it with a magnet I bought. Nope. So I turned on my hazards and went on to the meeting place. I got there a half hour early so started calling RV shops. I was freaking because it’s a Saturday on a holiday weekend. RV places are impossible to get into under perfect circumstances. 

On my 5th call I must have sounded desperate – because the service guy felt sorry for me and told me to bring it by right now. SHIT!!! What to do? I’d been planning the SK tour for weeks. But – if I didn’t get Bird fixed I could be stuck in Bangor for who knows how long? I decided to skip the tour. 

While making phone calls I noticed some people gathering. I took a chance that they were also waiting for the tour – I wanted to let someone know I couldn’t go. Yep. They were all the way from Germany. They were so cute and so excited and were going on and on about wanting to meet Stephen King. I thought “yeah, right” but then suddenly knew they would – because I wouldn’t be there. I wished them well and went on my way. 

The RV place was like 15 miles away and I had to get there with my steps out. Awesome. I put on my hazard lights but still every other car pulled up and yelled at me. It was super fun. I seriously can’t believe during all this I never saw a single cop. Good thing #1. 

The RV guy fixed Bird with a spare part he had lying around and refused to charge me. It took him 20 minutes. Amazing thing #2. 

I then took myself on my own SK tour. First up his house. The house next door is for sale. Mine. Someday I want spiderweb iron fencing with bat and dragon gargoyles. 

Next, Mount Hope Cemetery. It’s the one in Pet Semetary where you see Stephen King as a priest presiding over a funeral. The cemetery is 182 years old. 

On to Thomas Hill Standpipe. It was the inspiration for the haunted and creepy water tower in It. Stephen King wrote the majority of It on the bench which is under the tower in a little park. 

Paul Bunyan statue next. Remember when he came alive and went after Richie Tozier in It?

Finally, the corner of Jackson and Union streets to check out the drain pipe where Pennywise ripped off Georgie’s arm. 

Then, I punched in I-95 into my gps and head south. What I didn’t expect was that my gps would take me right back by Stephen King’s house again. And, wouldn’t you know it? The SK Tour van was there. Nobody was in the van and they weren’t outside the fence taking pictures. The gate was open and they were nowhere to be seen. In my imagination they were all inside sitting down with the man himself. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

It ruined my day. So I headed south back into New Hampshire where I immediately drove to the movies. I went in at 7:35 and bought a ticket to the 7:30 showing of Girl on the Train. I bought popcorn and a beer and sat down in my recliner with one preview to spare. PERFECT timing – with no timing at all. Just dumb luck. Good thing #3

The movie was ok. I read the book so knew what most of the audience did not (based on their reactions). If you’ve read the book, wait for it to come out on digital. It’s not worth it. If you’ve not read the book, it may be worth a look just so you won’t hear about the twist on a talk show. 

Tomorrow, New York. 

Onward ♋+♊

All I did today was look at beautiful scenery. Well, that and stop at a farm stand for corn, bell peppers, apple pie, homemade bread and – if you can believe this – fresh picked strawberries!  I’m not even kidding – they didn’t look real and tasted like little pieces of candy. I can only imagine that heaven has this weather. Gorgeous. 

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Onward ♋+♊

Last day in Acadia. I can say I’m ready to go. Today I visited the center of the island and the northeast harbor. The day was perfect. Literally. 65 and sunny with no wind. Blue skies and water. I guess it must be the lack of pollution here that makes everything so vivid. Sometimes it feels as though I’m taking the same photo over and over. 



I was lulled into a near nap on a bus completely packed with French speakers. Americans are so loud – like we want everyone within earshot to know our business. American people who are alone shout into their cellphones in order for everyone around to hear them. Most foreigners don’t do that in my experience. They speak in soft voices that induce comas. Me likey. 

I believe I’ve told you about the buses. While waiting for one back to my campground I decided to give lobster one last chance. Yep. Still not my favorite. Oh well. The margaritas were superb and on happy hour! Cha-Ching!! I have met some really nice folks while waiting for various buses. We all agree that the bus system sucks and maybe if it wasn’t free it would be better. Maybe not. Beggars and choosers and all that. 

Tomorrow I head back towards Bangor because I’ve arranged a Stephen King tour at 2pm on Saturday. I’m so excited. I’m reading The Dome – even though the tv series (which I don’t watch) is filmed in North Carolina. I doubt I’ll finish it before my tour – it’s like 600 pages! But it is good… Kind of reminds me of The Tommyknockers.

Tonight I’ll try to scare myself and then go for a dark walk to look at the stars. My idea of fun!
Onward ♋+♊

First… Happy 50th Birthday, James!

Second, my legs are rubber! So many granite steps leading in and out of ocean paths. It is literally the last week of the season and it is still so busy. It’s difficult to take pictures without getting tourists in them. 

Today I walked from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole (haha). Air trapped in granite pockets is supposed to sound like thunder when waves crash. The sea was so calm today it was more like just Hole. No Thunder. I did, however, buy a magnet for my friend Susie that says Thunder Hole. 

It’s interesting. I’d say 75% of the tourists here are foreign. It’s rare to hear people speaking English. I like it. I heard from some folks that there is a back hike from my campground down to the ocean. I’ve yet to find it. I did find a lovely forest trail this afternoon. I had it all to myself. Have no idea where it went but it sure did make for a peaceful walk. 

Onward ♋+♊

I don’t like souvenirs but wanted to collect some sort of memorabilia on my trip. I like stickers but not on my bumper. I decided on Christmas ornaments. I love a Christmas tree and seeing what I’ve collected will be fun one time a year. NOT fun the other time (I hate taking the tree down). 


Now that I’m in the market, why does it bum me out that it is so easy to find touristy Christmas ornaments? I am one of billions who have embraced this idea. Ugh. I hate being a sheep. People eat sheep. But, what’s the alternative? Shot glasses? Magnets? Maybe, but stainless renders those useless. 

I’m a little drunk. I took the bus into Bar Harbor and went to a few bars. And then a few more. Then I missed the bus back. I set my phone alarm in order to not miss the next one (last one). In an effort to kill a few hours, I found my way into a Mexican restaurant bar. It’s where the locals drink and they keep refilling my margarita! Whoop! Gotta love bar people. I know I do. I think I’ve had five so far. The bartender is extraordinarily vulgar and amazing. Totally politically incorrect. 

So, I’ve found my way back to my campground and Bird. My bill for copious amounts of margarita? $8. I left $20 which was still a steal. The buses (“shuttles”) are free which is awesome – but unreliable which sucks. I made it back to the campground but had no flashlight so had to find my way to my site in the pitch black. No problem – but it did make me notice the sky. Stars like I’ve never seen. Ever. 

I really like it here. The locals are kind of giddy because the season ends next week (Columbus Day). I think I’m in for a good week here in the farthest point away from Vegas possible! My allergies are nearly non-existent! I may have to twist Larry’s arm and move out here for a change. Who knows?
Onward ♋+♊

One month on the road. Cheers. 🍻

I think I broke Larry. We had our big day in Newport and Jamestown on Wednesday. The next day I had planned a trip to Martha’s Vineyard – but I could tell Larry was tired (so was I), plus my friends had given us a great list of stuff to do in Providence. So, we got up Thursday and drove to Providence. We went to Nick’s on Broadway for brunch. It was one of the most spectacularly composed meals I’ve had the pleasure to eat. That being said, the service was excruciatingly slow. Our meal took two hours. 

From there we went to Federal Hill since it was right there. A few blocks away from our car I realized we needed to pay a meter. So, we went back and I put in money to park for a couple of hours. Larry seemed confused and so I asked (although I instinctively knew the answer) if he was ready to go. Yep. Not just on to another site – back to the hotel.  Even the very first Baptist church in America couldn’t sway him. For crying out loud – the man just wore a kippah and sat through a 45 minute lecture in a synagogue… and he’s Christian. I couldn’t believe it – and yet knew it to be truth. He wanted to go (home, really). 

I did demand on a hot wiener before we left Providence at Onleyville N.Y. System. Larry did not want one at all. I ordered their two wiener special. Guess what? Larry ate my second wiener. I was not pleased (they’re not that big and I LOVE a good wiener) and yet he happily chewed away in my face – intentionally antagonizing me!  OMG are those good hotdogs!!! Every single part from the steamed bun to the specially made wiener to the meat sauce, onions and celery salt. I could have eaten ten. 

When we got back to the hotel, I wandered around old town Newport while Larry napped and watched Fox News. I had a beer on the pier and did some reading. We went to a late dinner and Larry finally got his New England style clam chowder. He was not a fan of the clear, Rhode Island style. I have to agree with him. The RI kind was delicious but there’s something about that creamy, buttery New England chowder I just love.  I ordered a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate our last night  of vacation. Party!

I thought we’d go into Boston on Friday because it was on the way back to pick up Bird at the shop. Nope. Not even a trip to Cheers could sway him. Larry wanted to get me dropped off and get back to his hotel next to the airport ASAP. I swear I wear deodorant! I didn’t even whine. I was back in Bird and on the road by 2pm. Larry wanted to go to bed early because he had a 7:30am flight.

I realized something on this “Larry” segment of my journey: I’m responsible for any and all  disappointment I just woite about. Larry and I have been married 22 years. We have taken many, many vacations together. I have always whined and complained whenever we did activities… even golfing. 

My entire youth was spent doing everything as fast as possible. Go go go. After I married Larry I poured all my energy into work and home and school and work. On the rare vacation I just wanted to lie down. R & R. Lounging by the pool. Naps. Kudos to myself – I finally trained Larry to be the perfect holiday partner!  

The only problem? Now that I don’t work like a slave all day, every day, I actually want activities! I don’t want to lay around watching tv. I do that at home for a living. I am a living and breathing juxtaposition. Larry is a saint for putting up with MY shit. 

Let this be a lesson to any youngsters reading my drivel. Be careful what you ask for. Especially aloud. I have achieved a great many things in my life that I didn’t realize until later I had literally requested. I loudly proclaimed I didn’t want kids. Check. I dreamed of a career that was all consuming. In my head that would be achieved as an attorney – not restaurateur. But Jesus did Jam take every ounce of my being to run. Check. One morning, while shaving my legs in the shower,  I mused aloud to myself that I should take over Imbibe (the huge restaurant next door to Jam). A few years later I did just that. Check. And oh how I lobbied for lazy vacations. Check!

I did reaffirm my love for Bird. You know that feeling when your vacation is over and you’re almost home? Me? I love getting home. Back in my own bed with my own pillows. I felt that way when Larry was dropping me off to pick up Bird. I told him I was excited to get “home” and he understood what I meant. 

I’m outside Bangor Maine in the Pumpkin Patch RV Park. It’s beautiful. I needed to charge everything up and make sure I’m ready to camp without services next week. I’m also trying to get on tomorrow morning’s Stephen King narrated tour. It’s three hours and visits more than 30 sites. If I can’t get on it I will return after my stay in Acadia National Park. I’ve read more Stephen King than any other author – by a long shot! The Stand is the book I reread every five or so years. It… Come on!!  I’m fucking taking that tour (said it out loud). 

The other thing on my traveling checklist was the fall colors. I had planned on being in NYC by now but with Larry’s visit and Bird’s mechanical issues I’m a few weeks behind schedule. Coincidentally, due to a severe drought the trees are very late in turning. Up here,!in mid-Maine, the colors are just starting to burst. They can’t outwait me. I’ve said out loud that I’m seeing them. And… as you now know, there is incredible power in doing exactly that. 

Onward ♋+♊