Actually IN hippieville

So we're currently in Eureka, CA, just one stop away from Berkeley, and there are hippies EVERYWHERE. Not just casual, into the environment, loose pants hippies, but full blown, flute blowing, drum circling, curb sitting dirty hippies. It's pretty intense. We're visiting Becca's sister at Humboldt State, and it is something else, and just about the opposite of everything we've seen so far. Because I can say for certain now that I have seen America and it is a scary place.

So after Nashville (thanks again to LBo for hosting us. Glad I finally got my coleslaw from the worst waitress of all time) we went to Chicago. Basically just switched my stuff out and then we headed to Iowa. We went to family weekend at Grinnell where I once again remembered why it was dumb to graduate, saw the family, developed a giant fear of lymphatic cancer, and then moved on once again to the Field of Dreams.

Becca and I both enjoyed emerging from the corn and sitting on the bleachers. I got a pretty sweet necklace there, too. I had to commemorate my near brush with Kevin Costner. Little did I know it would be the first of several...

After the field we continued driving west. I honestly forget some of what came in between, but we ended up in Minnesota at the world's best truckstop and restaurant, Trails. I ate the best broasted chicken (pressure cooked in oil. so so good) and Becca found a super awesome $5 sweatshirt. We spent the night in a lovely KOA before continuing on to visit the Spam Museum where I tried Spam for the first time (so vile I couldn't swallow) and then we went to what can only be described as the weirdest place in the world: South Dakota.

Honestly, I think we both would have been happy spending a couple weeks in this wacky place. There was so much to see and it really felt like a sociological study. When Europeans think of America, they have to be thinking of South Dakota. Still, it was the most foreign place I've ever been. Our first stop there was Buffalo Ridge. The sign promised a live buffalo herd, but it was just 2 sad buffalos behind a wire fence. We went inside, hoping for a snack. Instead we encoutered the scariest man ever. Upon entering he asked where we were from. We answered, and asked about him. Apparently, he was from Las Vegas but moved there to get away from all those damn illegal immingrants. To his dismay, they followed him. Now he warned us not to vote for that damn Barack Obama. "That Barack Obama wants to make us all learn Spanish!" Oh no! The horror! A nation of bilinguists able to communicate with our neighbors!!! We left with a pretty good idea of what was to come.

Our next stop was the Corn Palace in Mitchell. The Palace was reccommended to us by the lady at the Spam Museum, so we held high hopes. I guess she hadn't seen much outside of Spam, because it ws pretty weak. It's this big building that an artist from Mitchell decorates every year with corn. There are corn murals which are pretty cool, but I was expecting a building constructed from corn. Thus, a disappointment. No worries though. South Dakota had more in store.

Becca and I intended to make it all the way to the Badlands and camp there. However, it started to storm just as we were approaching. Being from CA, Becca had never seen so much lighting in her life. I had, but it rivaled some of the big storms back home. We decided it might be better to sleep indoors. So we went to Wall, home of Wall Drug Store and also the Cactus Lounge.

After checking into a hotel, we decided to get dinner at the Cactus Lounge. One bad sald bar later, we were ready for a drink. So we headed to the other side of the wall where the full bar was waiting for us. We were served by Chris, a bald Bears fan in his 40s wearing a Sturgis Motorcycle Rally denim tank top and super tight jeans. We soon met Calvin, a 36 yr old dry wallist in an American Flag tank top and track pants, Tyson, a fat guy with a love of hunting and a misguided knowledgte of history, and Jake, an angry blad guy with bad facial hair and a deep running hatred of Democrats. These were our new best friends. We played dice, chatted about their trip to Wyoming to go hunting, our crazy liberal ways, Calvin's dream to open a restaurant, etc. We tried to laugh at their somewhat offensive jokes. We danced. Then, at some point, my line was crossed. Actually, it was when the jokes went from kind of sexist to hating on fags and the punchlines were about killing black people. I had to leave. A little more educated about America and a little dismayed.

Anyhow, there's much more to report but a porch swing and a shower are calling my name. More later, from Berkeley.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Simon

Dear Jackie and Bruce,

Your daughter is sooooooo lame. Traveling with her is the pits (as the man in the Holiday Inn elevator likes to say). Her sinuses are sooooo clogged it really sicks me out.

Why you tease me?

In conclusion, Iowa is flat and corny and we're going to the Field of Dreams. Maybe Becca will fall at 3rd base and I will laugh.

Really, Chicago was a zippy stopover filled with breakfast and some buddies. The trip to Iowa took way too long because we kept getting food. We want to go swimming.

<3, Lynn

Stop talking about your plans and maybe they'll start coming true

Two things have become remarkably clear:

1. The Chinese are powerful.

2. The Chinese hate me.

For quite some time I have been cursed with epically bad fortunes in fortune cookies. The bad luck began when eating with my brother. He opened his to discover that he is "the greatest in the world" while I learned "Don't take risks. It's not worth it." Similar incidents have occurred for years and on this trip the tradition continues, and what's more, is that the fortunes seem to be entirely correct. 

On the way out of camp, Becca and I stopped at Five Star Chinese for some surprisingly tasty food. At the end of the meal we got fortunes. Becca got "Your plans will come true by the end of the year." I got "Stop talking about your plans and maybe they'll start coming true." I kid you not. So, attempting to avoid taking risks (as I've learned it's not worth it) I tried to stop talking about my plans. However, I talk and I plan and thus was unable. The result: the museum in Roswell being closed upon arrival, Sea World being closed while we were in San Antonio, the site of the Waco Massacre being quite out of the way, and hurricanes and time making our jouney east somewhat abbreviated.

Regardless, things continue to move along in a good direction. San Diego finished up nicely with us at Becca's friend's house, hanging out on the beach, and the most awkward and spicy Thai meal ever ("How spicy do you want it? 1 2 or 3?" "2 please." "Medium?").  We then sojourned on and truly began our road life. 

We made our way across AZ where we unexpectedly got to hang out in Tucson with our friend Caitlin Peel over some tasty Mexican food and then crossed the border into New Mexico where we camped for the first time. The first time was rough. It was windy. We didn't use stakes. I'd forgotten how to arrange the poles. The rain cover kept flapping up and against the sides, mimicking the noises chupacabras would make when attempting to break in and suck goat blood. But we slept well and took advantage of the super clean bathroom facilities.

Next morning we woke up early and started our long drive to Roswell. As I mentioned, the plan was to make it to Roswell in time for the museum and a meal at the Crashdown Diner featured prominently in the awesome show, Roswell. Instead, we stopped at Shakespeare, a well preserved albeit closed ghost town where Billy the Kid used to wash dishes, Mesilla, a really cute little town with excellent food and the courthouse where BTK was tried and sentenced to hang, and made it to Roswell to late for the museum and disappointed by the absence of ANY themed restaurants. So lame. Deciding against spending the night, we continued on and made it to Pecos, TX where we camped with much greater success. 

The next day we made it to San Antonio, TX, one of our #1 destinations. Becca is really into the Alamo, so as soon as we arrived we made our way over to the former mission/battleground. Smaller than expected, we checked out the museum and grounds. I was actually pretty uninformed about the events, so it was an excellent learning experience and chance to see something that was such an important part of history. Also, we got to see Davy Crockett's hair and bear killing knife, so that was cool. After the Alamo we decided to check into a hotel. We found a reasonably priced Holiday Inn right on the River walk, and decided to make it our home. Now, up to this point we'd been travelling in our own car, going to nowhere places, and picking up ridiculous fanny packs and tank tops. We had become skeksies, in the words of Hobo Bob and Obsidion, our eerily likeminded friends from This American Life. We'd even picked out our own homeless names- Crazy Ike and Phantasmagor. Once in a legit city, though, with real accomondations, we attempted to clean up and be normal people. Judging from the few photos I took, it didn't really work. But anyhow, we ate a real meal at a delish restaurant on the river, had a couple of drinks that affected me far more than anticipated, and then passed out by 10:30. Next morning I woke up, eager to pet the dolphins I've been dreaming of for years only to find that Sea World was closed. So sad. So we packed up our things, grabbed some breakfast and food for the road, and skipped town again. 

Now, our original plan had been to keep going east through Austin and Houston over to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and then up to Baltimore/DC for some excellent friend time. Unfortunately, bad weather made the trip through Houston impossible- San Antonio was actually full of Houston evacuees talking about 3 hr waits at gas pumps and power outtages, and our meandering ways in CA made a circumvention re-route a dangerous plan. So once again, all my talk altered my plans and the full east coast is looking like a no-go. I'm pretty bummed about this alteration, bc I really wanted to see Claire and Nena and the rest of the east coast crew, but I just don't think it makes sense. Sad day. 

Always improvising, we decided to make our next stop Nashville. I gave good ol' Laura Boyer a call giving her a paltry 1 day notice of our arrival and she graciously accepted our imminent visit, so we headed north. We stopped in Waco, TX, home of the Waco massacre and also Dr. Pepper. While the massacre site was not really visitable, the Dr. Pepper museum was a smashing success. I learned a surprising amount about this beverage that was created to taste like a drugstore smells, and had some delicious soda fountain root beer which I promptly spilled all over myself and my belongings. Always a champion. I cleaned up, bought a second round, and we were once again on our way. 

We made it to Texacana, AK for dinner, where we discovered just how aweome Cracker Barrels really are. I'd always made fun of my mom for wanting to go to them on the road, but let me tell you, I am converted. Chicken and dumplings, fried okra, mac n' cheese, and biscuits and cornbread. So so good. Becca enjoyed the hell out of her many side dishes, too, and we both enjoyed the clientele and the decor. Who knew? It was a superb dining experience that filled us up as we carried on to Little Rock, AK.

We camped yet again and a really pretty KOA and in the morning hit up Little Rock Central High School, the school where the Little Rock Nine were integrated. I've always been pretty into this piece of history, so I enjoyed this visit more than one might expect. The museum was small but fascinating and I got to listen to interviews of the students and townspeople while in the place it all took place. It's crazy, too, bc the school is super pretty and still in use, but you can totally imagine all the mobs there and the violence. Wacky. So that was neat. Our drive to TN also included a super silly stop in Memphis to check out Graceland. All I can say is so many Europeans and so many obese people. Also, wow. That mansion is the silliest place I've been in a long long long time. 

We were once again running slow, so we decided to indulge in some fast food. Maybe I ate fried chicken and Taco Bell. Maybe. But it was all worth it because now I'm in Nashville hanging out at LBo's sweet apartment! We went to an outdoor country concert last night, and today we're going line dancing. I'm pretty juiced. Becca's nervous. It'll be great. Then... I won't say. I want it to actually happen.

I need to take pictures... for my blog.

Thus far:

Got to SF to problems. 2 bags, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 in 1 conditioner. I'm basically really hard core. Becca picked me up, we picked up her friend Joe, and we headed to Ol' Camp Tuolmne just outside Yosemite. 2 days later I was totally filthy- we were in charge of taking down mouse poo covered tarps, painting railings, etc.- and finally able to understand why Becca is so obsessed with camp. Great people, surprisingly tasty food, fun work, and beautiful setting. 

After 2 nights, we woke up early and drove through Yosemite to LA. Checked out the half dome, ate some Chinese food, saw the Raisin capital of the world, and listened to some jammin' tunes.

Then LA! So good to be back. I love visiting bc it makes me feel popular, and we all know how much I like that ("No, I want to carry the pizza. ..") Saw a bunch of buddies, visited Oxy (best place ever), ate at Auntie Em's, ran into the ex-landlord/dreamboat, ate kosher pizza with Becca's orthodox family members, hit up Taco Truck, rubbed Britney Spears perfume all over, and just generally kicked it old style. Obvi, my favorite things and some of my very favorite people. Thanks to Lisa for her hospitality, and everyone else who made time to hang out! 

This morning we drove to San Diego. I'm at my aunt's house watching Wife Swap after a delicious and expected meal at CPK with my grandma, aunt, and cousin. Cheers to family traditions! But really, it was nice and I'm happy to be here. Later tonight we're going to a Padres/Giants game and then enjoying a semi-early night.

Anyhow, so far so good and looking forward to the next few weeks on the road! More posts later. Probably.

Just like Kerouac...

Just like Jack, I'm about to be on the road. I had a couple of requests for mass emails and/or a blog, so I'm thinking I'll do this. And maybe some emails. 

Anyhow, tomorrow morning I'll be going to San Francisco. (I'll be sure to wear a flower in my hair.) In S.F. I will be reunited with Becca at which time the stars will align and our long anticipated journey can commence. 

Any contact from anyone is welcome. We have some long car hours planned and will certainly welcome outside interaction. Suggestions for where to go/where to stay for cheap are also encouraged. We're trying to hit both coasts and much of what's in between.

In conclusion, heck yes! Here's to clung-to youth and irresponsibility!