TravelStream™ news feed for member 1414kath on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/1414kath en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:55:08 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/1414kath/1/1213139940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/1414kath/1/1213139940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/1414kath/1/1213139940/tpod.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:55:08 -0400 HiKath's Courageous Connection Tour

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Lake Calhoun, Minnesota, United States

Kris and I spent the afternoon kayaking on Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake... they are all connected.   It was a perfectly warm and sunny afternoon...    and for having no experience in a kayak, I must say that we did great.   So, we had a little trouble synching with each other and I seemed to drag water into the boat with each stroke, it was still fun.   I loved all traveling under all the bridges that connected the lakes together.   One canal we passed through was a little dark and spooky approaching, yet we adventure girls had to go there.I was equipped with a cheap water proof camera so I wouldn't ruin my digital.   27 pictures later and still not too many fit for sharing.   Fortunately, the one of us came out.   I could have unplugged from the world and taken a book and spent the day on the water.   Much of the city had the same feeling as it was a very busy area that day.   Kris joking said she was bringing her parasol and wanted the double kayak so I could paddle her around.   I took the back worker position, but Kris certainly pulled her weight.Later, when I visited with Kris's son Ryan in Montana, he was thrilled and surprised that he mama had been out in a kayak.   
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Eden prairie, Minnesota, United States

Another party!  This one at the Novetzky home with all of the usual suspects including Susan, LarBear, Jeff and more...   Kris will have to help me remember everyone's names.   It's not that I don't care, I am so honored to meet so many people.  It's just overwhelming the number of people that I have met on this trip and that came to share in this adventure with me.     Jeff cracked us up playing with fire and not getting burned.  He has a gift.  :-)
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St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

While most of my stopovers were with program parents, there were many more program parents along the way that I got to meet and spend a little bit of time with.   In MN, Kris, Tom and I drove over to St. Paul to be a part of a special High School Graduation party for Andrew.   There, I finally met in person Susan and her sweetheart, LarBear.   I witnessed the love not just between them, but the openness as they included Andrew's biological mother in this celebration. 
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St. Paul, Minnesota, United States

While in MN, we received more tragic news that our friend Diane lost her daughter Rachel.  With broken hearts and inadequate to do anything to relieve the pain, we sought to celebrate her life with Diane.    The butterfly became a symbol for her and we went to the Butterfly Garden  as our own memorial for her.   In the garden, we saw the most magnificent creatures and celebrated the stages of a butterfly from worm to the cocoon and breaking free to spread their wings.   Taking photo's here was fun and where Kris teased me for my eclectic style of shooting, "Over the shoulder, behind the back, between the legs!" that produced that perfect shot.   In addition to the butterfly garden, we toured all of the garden and walked though the small zoo as well.  We found the day to be uplifting and packaged photo's of the butterflies along with homemade cookies to ship to Diane with our love.  
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Eden prairie, Minnesota, United States

Driving into the Twin Cities, God gave me a rainbow!  Aw, a promise that the next part of my journey would be better than the storm I just left in WI.   Because I spent the day at the Wisconsin Dells, it was late when I made it into Eden Prairie.    Kris and Tom were perfect hosts.  In addition to being a great cook, Kris treated me to my nightly grape.  I know that I drank more wine on this trip than anytime in my life and I was also at my healthiest.. must be the wine, surely not the exercise and the healthy diet.  Kris and I got along great because we respected each others idiosyncrasies.  I don't talk in the morning and Kris doesn't talk after work.    We gave each other the needed space to take care of ourselves.   I got to spend a lot of time on the famous pergola and even more time moving everything in and out of the pergola as the weather changed!   I got to spend time bonding with Tom which was sweet.    This was one of the benefits of my travel is getting to know the spouses.    My normal routine in the Novetzky home included 2 things 1) unloading the dishwasher and 2) walking Oscar.  The first, I never minded and thought it was funny that neither Kris or Tom liked that chore and that alone brought me favor.   The second  was part of my training for the 3-day walk coming up in September.   Sometimes, I walked both Oscar and Alvie but mostly, I just walked Oscar.    Silly dog would stop and follow pretty girls around the lake.   Just like a man, would let the plain and dowdy ones alone but would about face mid step to follow an attractive girl.  Upon further analysis, decided he had a preference for women that reminded me of Kris.   Oscar and I were walking 7 miles a day.
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Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Madison, WI is one of the highlights of entire trip but not for any of the usual reasons.  Madison was the murphy's law of the trip and it was there that I gained "horror stories" to tell. For starters, this stop is the only one of my trip that I arranged with the man instead of the wife.  That might be my first lesson.  But this man is someone who I had worked on numerous projects with and had been previously invited.   When I looked at the map and realized that it was too far to drive from Chicago to Minneapolis, I brainstormed who I might know in the area.   Seeing Madison in route, I shot off an email, asking for the knee-jerk reaction of me inviting myself to stop.   Several emails exchanged and it was confirmed that I would visit and stay for a few days and that sailing would be on our weekend agenda.  Sounds great!Driving into Madison, my gut told me that something wasn't quite right.   It could be that this man reminds me of an absent minded professor, so lovable and sincere but not really paying attention to the details.    I made a quick call and told him that my arrival would be delayed for a few hours if that was alright with him.   Now, with time to kill, I went off to the movie theatre.The exterior of the home was lovely, like a little white clapboard cottage.  I knocked and was greeted with a warm hug and told to come on upstairs where he was finishing getting the guest room ready for me.I immediately knew that I was in trouble.   The house was in total disarray, there were multiple animals (which I'm allergic too and forgot to ask) and their hairballs collected across the top of the wooden floor.   We went up the stairs with my suitcase and he knocked on his daughters door who responded with "leave me alone!"  Introductions would have to wait.   My guest room turned out to be a spare bedroom that was turned into a storage unit.   The dear man was busy stuffing things into the closet to make a space large enough for a pallet on the floor for me to sleep.   My mind is running wild, how am I going to get out of this and not hurt his feelings.  Truly, he is a sincerely nice man.   He said he would get a mat from downstairs and I politely declined explaining that I brought a mat with me and dismissed myself to go to the car to collect it.Here I am pillow and mat in hand coming up the side walk when I see his wife.  I grin broadly and say hello!  She glares at me and demands to know where I'm going.  My smile continues as I explain, why, I'm going to your house, did your husband not tell you?  At this point, she goes inside and slams the door in my face!   I am cracking up at this point, the universe heard that I needed an out and gave it to me, except that my luggage was inside the slammed door.I waited outside while I called Kris in Minn and asked how she'd feel about me arriving earlier than expected.   She panicked for just a moment thinking I might already be in town until I explained that it would be at least a day away, I could get a hotel for the night and even the next if necessary.   She also knew my host well and understood what a sweet but absent minded man he was and agreed that I shouldn't hurt his feelings.  As Kris and I chatted and laughed, my host returned outside.   He apologized for the earlier scene and said that all was well for me to come inside.   I told him that Kris and I were chatting because I'd forgotten to ask him about animals and that my allergies were so bad that I wasn't going to be able to stay longer than just the night.   In we came with the mat, mother and daughter sat on the sofa and did not respond as I greeted them again with a cheery hello.   Dropping my things in the room, my host thought the best plan would be for he and I to go out and eat and see the city.  I heartily agreed.   He apologized for his wife's behavior and told me that she was drunk.  So, we drove around the town in the pre-twilight hours and landed at a Mexican place for dinner.  Yes, I believe I would have that margarita.  Dinner was nice and there was more humor over the check but he insisted on buying my meal.   We arrived back at the house sometime between 8 and 9 pm.   Again, the ladies ignored me from their post and continued watching the biggest flat screen tv that I'd ever seen.    I went directly to my room where I slept in my clothes and put my suitcase against my door in case an angry Tibet wife wanted to kill me in my sleep.  Twelve hours, later, I emerged hoping that everyone had left the house, it seemed quiet.  Alas, no, I had made it to the landing of the stairs with my suitcase when the Mrs stopped me and demanded that I leave my things there and come down to speak with her NOW.Obediently, I follow her and sit as she stands over me and explains to me that her house is full of problems and that me, another woman, brought in was like an arrow to her heart.   She did apologize for the night before and told me that it was her husband and not me that I was mad at.   She insisted that I stay for the planned visit and said that she understood.   I thanked her and explained about my allergies to the animals.  It was the first time in my life that I was truly grateful for awaking with huge allergy swollen eyes, and on a double dose of allergy pills.   I told the truth, that I had no bad feelings for her and hoped that she and her husband would be able to talk and resolve their issues.  I meant no harm.I stayed long enough to eat my grapefruit at the table littered with papers and dirty dishes and was able to escape by 11am.    My friend gave me a gift of a Tibetian prayer scarf and a wall hanging and signed my book with an Eckert Tolle quote.Outside, he gave me a suggestion to drive through the Wisconsin Dells.  This was perfect advise.   The trip inspired my May newsletter and gave me some serenity to regroup as I moved on. 
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Chicago, Illinois, United States

Joann is a friend from the Coaching Academy.   We roomed together on multiple occasions and I felt very blessed for her to invite me to stop at her home on my travels.   Part of Joann's essence is peace and I felt that in our time together.   Everything was low key and comfortable.   We walked the neighborhood which again, was a surprise to see a nice quiet neighborhood in what was my previously distorted view of Chicago.   Joann's neighborhood was notable by the number of churches.  There were no eating establishments, for that, we drove down to the next neighborhood which was known for the dining.Joann took me to Italian restaurant where I had a perfect medium rare steak and red wine.   Is there anything better than old friends and good food and wine?Spending the night at Joann's, I found a surprise in the shower which had expressive tile work down on an odd ceiling angle.   It was very pretty.   
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Long Grove, Illinois, United States

The WINDY CITY lived up to it's name.   I could not believe that theend of May, I was experiencing such blustery weather.   Karen and Iwrapped in fleece and gloves for a tour of downtown Chicago.   Firststop The Bean.   No wait... first stop getting off the train was atCaribou's Coffee for a little java bean.   Yum!   Then onto the Bean.  This was too much fun!!   If you haven't been there, please make it amust see, a huge reflective bean.   It will bring out the magical childin anyone.   We took so many pictures of us playing at the bean withthe Chicago City Scape reflected in each of them.   Mary C met us forlunch and then more photo ops and playing at the bean.  We are easilyentertained and this was the perfect play spot.   We even crawled underand took pictures laying on the pavement and begged strangers to "takeour pictures".   Mary had to go back to work, but my fellowSag, Karen and I continued on a downtown tour.  Highlight would be thechocolate store that loaded us up with free candy just for the asking.Leaving the store, we are standing at a red light with all of the otherpedestrians and a girl beside me is on her phone telling someone thatshe wants some candy.   Fresh from the candy store, I hand her a piecewhich she readily takes.    I really noticed that Chicago wasdifferent than my expectations.   In my 20's, I worked for Hertzreservations and I hated talking to anyone from Chicago.   What adelight to find such warm  people with easy smiles and conversation.  Every other block held someone wanting you to sign a petition for theircause and even with shakes of the head and no thank you's, they werepleasant and unobtrusive.  It was a nice surprise.Our finalstop downtown was to American Girl!   This wasn't around when I was achild, but I knew all about it from when my daughter was a pre-teen andthen my godchild.  Such fun, to become a child again and go through thestore looking at all of the dolls and wardrobes.  We searched out ourown "just like me" doll and delighted at the "twin" dolls.  What agreat marketing scheme.  What little girl doesn't want twins and AGgets to see 2 dolls instead of 1.   Genius.Karen and I had onlymet once before at the infamous TerrieStock and I loved getting to knowhere and her husband Mr Mo.    (aka: Dorothy and Superman)   I stayedin the pink princess room, how could I not feel special?   Mr. Mo wonmy heart when he took all the mugs that I was collecting for Bethanyand packaged them in an easy to carry crate.   This was a short but delightful visit!
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Traverse City, Michigan, United States

Leaving Niagara Falls, I drove through Canada to my port of entry, Port Huron.   I was proud of myself reading the metric signs and using the numbers on my speedometer to make the conversion to understand the speed limit and the number of miles to the next town.It was easier to get into Canada than it was to get into the US, the lines were very long.    I loved coming over the bridge into the states.  It my first look at any of the great lakes and I was shocked at how blue the water was.  In the US, I made a quick call to my sister to see if her son Jefferson was still in Port Huron.   She reported that I would probably see him in Traverse City as he and Shannon were getting married in July.  WOW.. this was great news for me!   I'd made arrangements to meet Shannon and young Tucker without knowing Jeff would be there.  BONUS!!In Traverse City, I rented a room in private home bed and breakfast for the 2 nights that I stayed there.  It was called the Aberdeen Stone Cottage and the owners were a sweet retired couple who loved to cook breakfast and spend the weekend kayaking.   It was a diverse group of 5 tenants for the days that I was there and pleasant morning conversation.  Jefferson came to get me on the first night and greeted me with an enormous bear hug.  Ahh, man I missed my Jefferson hugs.   The boy is huge, about 6'5" and I'm guessing 240lbs.  (His nickname is Shorty).   He showed me around town and took me out to a Mexican dinner where he treated me.   I felt so proud to be the aunt of this grown up man.In the morning, I got to meet Shannon and Tucker and the 4 of us went out and about site seeing.  Tucker is huge like his papa and such a serious young man.  He cracked me up.  I loved taking pictures of him.   We went to lunch and Jeff at some disgusting fish.. bleach.. looked fried bait.  Tucker and I both kissed the moose in the bar so the staff would ring the bell.  While Tucker and Shannon took the afternoon off to rest, Jefferson and I went on to an antique music museum.  It had gorgeous pieces in it and the volunteer was quite entertaining, I was anxious to be back outside.  Jeff on the other hand was at his favorite spot and could spend hours there.   I finally sat outside and waited and chatted with my sister on the phone.   On the trip, spring followed me all the way up the coast and was in full bloom in Traverse City.   I was surprised at just how beautiful it was.In the late afternoon, we all headed out to see the Sand Dunes.. such fun although windy.  It was perfectly peaceful.  Again, if not for the bad weather, I could make myself at home there.  We took pictures at the 44th parallel, half way to the north pole.   I was sad that I would not be there in July for the wedding but so blessed to meet the family now and spend the day playing with them.Before leaving in the morning, I took a long walk by the lake and through town to see the movie theater that Michael Moore was a local contributor too.  I heard with his support, many celebs found their way to town.  
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Syracuse, New York, United States

Driving into town, my first impression was that it felt like a college town and if it weren't for the cold weather, I could live there.   On my way in, a patrol car got the car in front of me and my conscious felt like I should pull over too.  Instead I breathed a silent Thank You and slowed down.Syracuse marks a change of course.  I was no longer going North, my trip to the West had now begun.   It's interesting in my network of friends how different we all are at an economic level.   In Syracuse, I stayed with my friend Elaine in her penthouse overlooking the city.   I loved the panoramic views from the roof.  Interior brick walls and high ceilings gave the feeling of something out of a magazine.    Elaine had a basket of goodies waiting in my room for me.   Elaine arranged for me to speak on a conference call to a group of parents.   That was fun to reconnect with some folks I'd met at different seminars and to meet some new ones.  We spent time running around looking at the local sites, drinking Starbucks and we took a day trip to a town pronounced SkinnyAtlas where we dined in luxury at the Spa and took gorgeous photo's in the garden.    The rest of the day was spent shopping.Hands down Syracuse wins the best food award.The home made bread from the bakery;Dinosaur BBQ, brisket and spiced shrimp;Mexican Fish Stew and SaladReal Italian Lasagna and meatballsI dropped Elaine off at the airport and spent the last night alone in the penthouse.   For someone who was couch surfing and staying with friends all along the way, I was getting the best of both worlds to have connecting time and down time. 
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