TravelStream™ news feed for member beesandtrees on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/beesandtrees en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:19:04 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1227035460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1227035460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1227035460/tpod.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:19:04 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Sadly left Jessie's house, knowing that my vacation is over, and the real work begins. The trip was quite uneventful. Drove pass mount Shasta. I have stopped in Corvallis, OR to see my friend Kirsten, and postpone starting my new life, nervous about what that may be. She is giving me some great advise on some options that I have. Thank you Kiki!!! I am going to go and get my oil changed and head off to Portland this afternoon. Another friend, Tania, will be putting me up for a week. I sure do owe my friends!!! They have made this process much easier. OK, I'll report more later.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226896920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226896920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226896920/tpod.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:15:05 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Concord, California, United States

Left Tehachapi early in the morning bound for Jessie & Nick's house on the outskirts of San Francisco. I drove through one of the agricultural meccas of the US, the center of Cali. It was cool to see the lemon trees all around. I wanted to pull over and pick some ;) I was immediately struck by the amount of smog in the air, then thought it may be some of the smoke from the fires, which it probably was. Then I got too far North for that to be the case. It is so gross to look out over the horizon and see grey, and to think that a lot of the food we eat endures this kind of atmosphere - yuck. Having come from the most pristine part of the country the day before, it made for a very contrasting environment. I must admit, the most unpleasant areas I have traveled through are Amarillo, TX and most of CA. San Francisco can still do no wrong in my book, though.

It has been very nice to catch up with Jessie, one of my good friends from childhood. We went to Berkeley and walked around. Ate some wonderful concotion they tried to pass off as pizza. It was delicious, but not real pizza. I am such a snob when it comes to pizza. It was yummy though. I drank my first red bull, as I have been feeling extremely tired recently. Unfortunately, I did not feel any more awake after ingesting it. It did taste good though. As Jessie says, like a liquid cherry sweet tart. We came across a super cool second hand clothing store. Andy, wish you were here, you would have been in heaven! Then took BART (their equivelant to Metro that pales in comparison) back to her area and went to dinner, then dessert. Corinne, guess where we went??? Yep, Dairy Queen! You were with me in spirit - Jessie got your favorite, Oreo!

Today we went for a walk/hike on Mount Diablo. It was nice to get my body moving again. Sitting in a car for atleast 7 hours a day is starting to take its toll. I have still been feeling very tired, and am looking forward to getting settled. I am on the last leg of the trip. Once I leave here it will feel like my "vacation" is over.
I will be leaving tomorrow morning headed to Corvallis, OR to see Kirsten. Then from there, Portland or bust!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226729220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226729220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226729220/tpod.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:38:19 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Tehachapi, California, United States

Had another not so great night's sleep at a hostel. I totally embrace the ideology that hostels are built upon and the culture it creates, but am afraid I have outgrown the actual involvement. I have become a very light sleeper,and when you are surrounded with ~50 people with very different time schedules it makes for a disastrous night's sleep :) I'm lucky if i got 4 hours last night. So needless to say, I am tired again, and will be keeping this entry short so I can do so.

I left the hostel at 7:30am and headed to Sedona. I was flip flopping on whether to go and am glad I did. It is a beautiful area, although a little trendy. They say it is some kind of energy vortex, but I don't feel any different ;) I went to Red Rock State Park and took a guided tour with a naturalist. It was very informative. Bob, our naturalist, was chock full of info and did an excellent job of addressing my interest in how the indigenous people used the plants for nutrition. Thanks Bob! We saw all different kinds of ecosystems and even saw some petroglyphs! Sedona is kind of like a managable Grand Canyon. The Grand canyon is so immense, and surreal. Sedona is tangable and you can get into it very easily. Yet another place I have to go back to. Flagstaff appears to be a neat little town. Has a lot of character. I recommend you check that out too, but if you stay at the hostel, get a private room or bring earplugs.

I drove through the Mojave Desert (no idea what the desert is called, but the town on the endge is Mojave) and crossed over the third and final time zone on my way to San Francisco. I stopped half way in this little town. I'll put some photos up tomorrow. Photos up!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226638800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226638800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226638800/tpod.html Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:54:42 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

I had the most amazing day. I left Farmington this morning having decided to nix southern Utah and just go to the Grand Canyon. I drove through Navajo country. I was surprised how many roadside stands there were. They were selling all of their crafts. I was good, didn't buy anything.

My first stop was at Four Corners, where UT, AZ, NM, CO all converge. I stood in all states at once! I then drove through a little bit of Monument Valley, but not much. I also just skimmed the Painted Desert. I then headed to the canyon. And let me tell you, I now know why it is called grand. WOW! My jaw dropped when I saw it. The first thing, other than the gaping "hole" in the ground, was the sound. The wind had its own voice that had an eerie undertone. I am not exactly sure how to explain it. It was slightly forboding. The true dwellers of the canyon, the crows and the wind.

I was stupid to think that anything less than a day would have been sufficient to experience it. I basically just stopped at the lookout points. I would have loved to have hiked down to the bottom. One day. I had a great time just hanging out on the rim. I went to the southern rim vs the northern. I hung around for the sunset/moon rising. It was the most amazing moon rising I have ever seen.

I drove to Flagstaff to the hostel. There are lots of people around. I am sitting in the common room talking with a bunch of people, while I type :) It is interesting the people we attract. The two guys next to me are on a moving journey like me. One guy is moving to LA, the other to Australia. He's taking the long way too :) They have given me some wonderful encouragement. It's always amazing to get encouragement from complete strangers. This is why I like to travel...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226540100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226540100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226540100/tpod.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:33:02 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Farmington, New Mexico, United States

Left the cafe and went to the Taos Pueblo. It was an amazing expereience. The Pueblo is nestled at the foot of the mountains. It is inhabited by ~50 (I think) people who use no modern conveniences. They get their water from the river that runs through. Everyone I encountered, both the inhabitents and those who lived on the outskirts, were so warm and welcoming. Check out www.taospueblo.com for more info.
I spent a couple of hours and didn't leave town until noon. I crossed over the Rio Grande Gorge and the Continental Divide. (BTW, I crossed another time zone yesterday). I was a little freaked out on the bridge that went over the gorge. I never thought I had a fear of heights, but on this bridge I did. I couldn't even walk to the center of the bridge. A little past the bridge is a group of Earthships, a community of sustainably built homes which are off the radar, using all recycled materials, solar/thermal heating, wind electric, etc. Visit www.earthship.com for more info.


I drove towards the four courners (CO, NM, AZ, UT) and made it as far as Farmington. I was a little nervous again driving on a road where I barely saw anyone for over an hour. But this time, I was up in the mountains, snow and all, and I was a little worried about my car. The problem with taking non-highway roads is you have no idea what you will encounter, when the next town is, and if there is a better route. My car did just fine, but I was very atuned to every noise. The last thing I wanted was to be broken down on the side of the road, no cell phone reception, no passing cars, and snow everywhere. But, it all worked out fine and I saw some amazing landscapes. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of the snow because I did not want to stop :)

I'm at another hotel tonight, which isn't as sketchy as the last hotel. Looking forward to tomorrow.

One of the problems with this part of the country is that you all you have are backroads (to my standards). I was thinking f going to southern Utah but have decided against it. i am too worried about my car at this point, and I still have to go a long ways. So, I am going to visit the Grand Canyon, then go south to pick up the highway.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226504040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226504040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226504040/tpod.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:34:19 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, United States

2550 miles on odometer
Was happy to leave Amarillo. It is a sad little town. I felt especially bad for the woman who was checking into the hotel explaining that her boyfriend held a knife to her, and then she and her kids were kicked out. Wouldn't you WANT to leave rather than get kicked out??? But, she needed a place to stay so that is how our paths crossed at the Motel 6. I hope she is ok.

I made my way to Santa Fe. The terrain was interesting. Went from completely flat to the mesas. It was quite beautiful. There was one road where I barely saw anyone, maybe 3 cars in 1 hour. It was a little scary at first, thinking "What if something happened, I am stranded with no cell phone or passer bys." But that quickly passed and it was quite invigorating to feel somewhat off the radar. It also looks quite drap at first glance. Then you start to notice all of the colors the landscape has. The photos do no justice.

Santa fe is COLD! It had snowed the night before and there was still some on the ground. I was thinking of going to the Museum of native Americam Culture (or something like that) but decided against it. I didn't want to pay the high fee, and also compromise the native american community by going. I was not sure if the proceeds go back to the community or if stuffy white men pocket the money. I'd rather see it first hand. So I am going to go to a reservation/pueblo today.

I went down to the plaza area, which is filled with touristy stores and trinkets from Mexico. Some were neat but [PHOTO_ID_L=bowls.jpg
others were junk. There is an area in front of the Governors Palace where the native americans line up and sell their own stuff. No middle man. I ended up purchasing the most beautiful ring in the world. I wasn't going to, and I put it back and continued walking. But it kept calling my name so I went back and treated myself to the one and only gift along this trip. I'll take a picture and post it next entry. I ate at a local restaurat called The Shed that served New Mexican food. I just had a taco. I wandered into a store that sold a bunch of tiles. The merchant was a French man, very nice. We talked about the rest of my trip and he gave me some suggestions, and confirmed that I should go to southern Utah. he also was totaly impressed with what i plan to do in oregon and said I am going to be a huge success. Let's hope he is right :)

I left and headed up to Taos to stay in a hostel called the Abominable Snowmansion - funny! It is a funky hostel with a lot of character. The people were very nice. I was exhausted so I went to bed pretty early. I had a dorm room all to myself :) And no loud bass! I slept well. I am now sitting in a cafe/local artist shop called the Seco Pearl using their internet and sipping on tea. They have some awesome handmade, recycled things. I have not really firmed up my route today. Once you get into the Grand Canyon/Southern Utah area the roads are few and far between, making the connections harder. So, I guess I will truly see where the wind takes me.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226371920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226371920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226371920/tpod.html Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:22:40 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Amarillo, Texas, United States

~1650 on odometer
So, I made it to Amarillo, TX. It was a nice drive from Branson. I crossed over Oklahoma. Not much to report on OK other than the field of windmills I came across. It was very cool! Then I noticed, on the opposite site of the highway, one of the old windmills. I immediatly thought what a cool picture, new and old. But this part of the highway the exits were ~10 miles apart. Well, I decided to bite the bullet and turn around. My pictures aren't that great but it is a neat concept. I was so enamored with windmills at this point I noticed another one that was all knarled up. Another photo... The only other time my feet touch OK's ground was when I got gas, for $1.86!!! You're jealous, you know you are. The gas has been averaging less than $2. i sure did pick the right time to drive cross country. I heard on the radio the national average has not been this low for 3 years or something like that. It's basically cutting my gas costs in half! Woohoo!
I then entered the panhandle of Texas. I must admit, I cringed a bit when the sign said home of GW Bush. Yuck! Amarillo is about halfway in the panhandle. It was dark at this point, and yet another nice sunset. Yes, almost all of these pics are taken while I am driving, so you cant fault if they are shaky. It's hard driving 75 and taking a decent photo.
All of my religious friends will be happy to know that I passed the countries (maybe world's?) largest cross. Yep. They weren't kidding when they said everything is bigger in Texas. I did not stop to take a photo...
I am now in a Motel 6. Again, no hostels. I feel like a hostel would actually be less creepy than this place. I plan to get up early and head for New Mexico. I think I'll stop in Santa Fe for the night, there IS a hostel there!
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Branson, Missouri, United States

~1520 on the odometer...
Left the hotel with the intentions of swinging by Graceland for a quick photo then over to Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum. I had to make things quick as I had to be in Branson, MO by 5pm. Well, I arrived at Graceland only to be met with a fee just to park. I didn't want to tour the place, just get the token photo of the house. Well, in the scale of important things American's should do in their lifetime going to Graceland fell in the ranking compared to the National Civil Rights Museum. So I did a u-turn, took a quick photo of the entry sign (to prove I was really there and not sitting in DC somewhere) and headed into downtown Memphis.
I found the city to be filled with an amazing amount of culture and nostalgia. The river walk drive (not sure if that is the name) along the Mississippi was beautiful. A quick turn into the city and you are immediately immersed in the city culture. Tall buildings and the hustle of a city. But it was a manageable feeling, not overwhelming like NYC can be. Another turn a few hundred feet into the city and you are taken back to the 50's, street cars and all. The store fronts and architecture kept their nostalgic feel as I drove through what appeared to be the starving artists district, for lack of a better term. Made another turn down a side street and came upon the museum.
A protester to the museum was sitting on the opposite corner of the museum. I was immediately drawn to the woman due to her "Gentrification" sign (see photo, once I have a chance to get it uploaded). She felt the city could be using the funds more humanely by helping the community of Memphis with more affordable housing and food for the hungry. Have an affinity to help those in need for food I sympathized with her efforts. She also felt that they were defaming the name of Martin Luther King by having "parties" in front of the spot he was slain. She even showed me some photos if what looked like some frat boys with beer bottles sloppy drunk and dancing in front of the Lorraine Motel. I completely agree with her, that is sacred land that should not be used as a backdrop for drunken idiots who probably don't even know the significance of the location.
But, I was not sure if I agreed with regards to the museum. I wanted to learn more in depth information about the civil rights movement. So I chose to cross her protest, pay the entry fee and soak in as much as I could. It was one of the most amazingly somber experiences I have ever had the opportunity of engaging in. The amount of detail they had in the museum was intense. Photos, pamphlets, TVs scrolling actual footage, an actual bus to walk in, sit, feel. You could see the room/balcony where MLK was shot, and even stand (sort of) in the area in which the sniper was. They even had an exhibit on Gandhi, the first non-violent protester, MLK's role model. Unfortunately, I could not spend a lot of time due to my time constraint.
I am absolutely putting Memphis on my must visit again list and so should you! Every American should walk through this museum and gain a better understanding of what really happened during the civil rights movement. It is so hard to understand that people could harbor so much hatred for someone because of the color of their skin. But, it also gives a better perspective of just how far we have come. We will have a president presiding over us shortly that less than 50 years ago could not even sit where he wanted in a restaurant, or even use the same bathroom as a white person. Now he is in the most powerful position an American can hold. Yay!!!
I then got on the road and took the scenic route to Branson. It was about a 5.5 hour drive through winding roads in the Ozarks. Beautiful but dizzying. There were these "flea markets" all along the way, which were just over sized yard sales with a ton of junk. I guess since they really don't have stores in this part of the area they just exchanged junk with one another. I didn't really have the opportunity to stop and take photos, there weren't any shoulders on the road, and there was either a ditch or a cliff side next to me. But the Ozarks are beautiful. I arrived at Jack and Joann's, ate dinner, then was whisked away to a "show," which apparently is what you do in Branson. We went to "The Duttons," a very large Mormon family that puts every member of the family to work - HA, just kidding! But they did have all, I think, 17 grand kids on stage. Jack & Joann are good friends with them so we had the opportunity to chat with them for a bit after the show. They are lovely people that are very talented. I just couldn't believe how wholesome the show was. It was just the family members demonstrating their talents, singing, dancing, playing the violin, etc. But no cursing, lude behavior, or crass remarks. Unfortunately, I could not relate. But I think the other 700 patrons that were over 70 enjoyed themselves.
I slept well last night and expect to again tonight. I am not sure if I will hit the road tomorrow or stay one more day. I enjoy my time with Jack & Joann and hate saying goodbye. So I may wait till Monday. I will be heading to Oklahoma then to New Mexico and Arizona. I am disappointed to find that there really are no hostels until NM, and they may not even be along my route. So I may be staying in hotels more than I would like.
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Branson, Missouri, United States

Just a quick entry.  I am heading out this morning, shooting for Amarillo, TX.  I am reaching for Santa Fe, but that is pushing it.  So Amarillo it is.  I enjoyed my time with my friends, they are fabulous people and very welcoming!  But, I must say goodbye to see what other adventures I can have and friend I can make.  I'll write more later, once I find somewhere with internet...     
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226029380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226029380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/beesandtrees/1/1226029380/tpod.html Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:50:26 -0500 Jess' Journey

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Tupelo, Mississippi, United States

~1150 miles on odometer
Bright blue skies until 8pm, then it started raining
Left the hostel this morning around 9am. Went to John's Island to see the Angel Oak Tree. It is about 400 years old, but the myth is it is really 1400 years old! That sucker is HUGE! It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I know most of you will think this next statement is bizarre, but there is a definite energy when you are in its presence. I ended up staying a bit longer than I expected, but enjoyed every minute.
I then pulled myself away and drove towards Memphis, passing through Augusta and Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL, crossing over my first time zone at some point. I ate at a Sonic for the first time. It was alright. In n Out Burger is still better ;) I did not get a chance to go into Birmingham. I wanted to check out the Civil Rights museum and various locations, but that's a whole day in and of itself so no go.

Now, I must say, that I have a GPS that is sometimes on. I have still been plotting out my route the "old" way using a map and a pencil. Well, I was thoroughly dissappointed in the GPS today. AL decided to build a new road ~ a year ago, or so says the "Roadstop" convenience store patron. I would have thought that since I purchased a relatively new version it would have updated maps. Yeah, no. So I was supposed to follow 78W. I passed the sign for it but the lady never said to turn. I gave it a few miles to right itself, to no avail. So I turned around, because I sure as hell will trust a sign before I fully trust technology ;) (still a ludite at heart). Welp, the GPS had no idea where I was. And it just so happened to be the DARKEST road in all of AL! And, I was almost out of gas. Ok, no problem. I have the shitty GPS that I could look up a gas station. So I do. And don't you know that "gas station" has been out of service since 1975! Grrrr... I am wanting to throw the GPS out the window. But I don't. Anywho, I used my honing (sp?) skills and found the "Roadstop" with the counter girl who could give a rats ass about anything but her doritos. Needless to say, it all worked out. There are no hostels in AL or Memphis so I am treating myself to a hotel. It will be nice to get a good night's rest since that loud bass I mentioned in the last entry, ummm, didn't stop until 3am. It wasn't the hostel though, it was the neighboring house. And I think it was just our room that could hear since we were the closest.

I witnessed one of the most amazing sunsets near Birmingham. The rays were extremely colorful. I had to get a photo, even though I was driving. Please ignore the bug splats on the windshield The picture does not do it justice.


I am going to Memphis tomorrow morning to check out some sights, then head to Branson, MO to see some friends.

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