JennyD's Travel Blog

BOSTON you're my home... - Boston, Massachusetts

 This place was Amazing visited Aug 7, 2005

(Song lyrics from Dirty Water by The Standells) Okay it's not my home but oh it could be!! What an amazing city, big and yet small in its neighborhoods. Yes, it reminded me a bit of San Francisco but more so of NYC. They hate being compared to NY here, I believe all Bostonians are taught from birth that NY is the Dark Lord. Though wouldn't we (SF) dislike being compared to LA? Anyway, have had a great time here playing the tourist. Now I've been a tourist but I've not been that tourist from the midwest with white trainers on and a fanny pack who visits all the typical places like the Cheers bar and Paul Revere's House or goes on a Trolley Tour. I will refrain from including the famous DuckTour in that comparison since even the locals have attempted to convince me to take it. What I have done is walk - and sweat, oh it's humid! I've walked the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and North End neighborhoods. The Back Bay and Beacon Hill border the Public Gardens and Boston Common which I walked through every day. It is a nice retreat in the middle of a bustling city. Make it a point to visit Beacon Hill not only for the astute neighborhoods, lovely old houses and Acorn Street but also for its history of abolitionists and its Museum of Afro-American History. One of the least 'crowded with tourists' areas I visited. Back Bay has the Boston Public Library which houses a rare books room and a beautiful inner garden (I spent two hours there). There is also the trendy Newbury street with shops and good eats/bars (though a $10 martini seems a bit much). And Arlington Street Church with Tiffany glass windows. I took the T (their subway) which reminded me of the Circle and District Lines in London more so than the Bay Area BART or SF MUNI which I am accustom. They use tokens like NY subways but they're cleaner than any NY train I've been on. I have talked to every person I could about the city and where to go. Apparently those three neighborhoods are a good start. What I missed was South Boston, Harvard and Cambridge so I'll save that for next time, with only 3 days here...you miss a bit. Food: Fantastic. Great seafood, incredible seafood. And, of course, cannolis from Mike's Pastry in North End (they really are addictive) and the pizza in North end. The deli's and top end restaurants prove the place is a true foodie paradise. I recommend at least a week here to get a good feel for the place. There is a vast amount of history here and it's all well worth seeing. Even when I wasn't expecting to see history I did. I was in the oldest bar in America (or so they say) right next to the Green Dragon which the Patriots (think founding fathers not the football team) used to drink in. Take the tours that are offered on the first day you visit and it will give you a better idea of where to go on your own there. I was stubborn and didn't do that but I also had a friend of a friend to help me plan out my days there which helped immensely. Pics and more to come...

posted Aug 9, 2005 | Comments (0)

GO BLUE...Tiphanie's New Home & Our Journey's End - Ann Arbor, Michigan

 This place was Amazing visited Aug 5, 2005

After a late start from Terre Haute…lounging a bit and then lunch at Sushi Umi…we headed out for our final destination together – Ann Arbor, Michigan. We arrived later in the evening, the time was hazy as we had crossed yet another time zone. First thing to do? Head downtown for some grub and brew. We happened upon Ann Arbor Brewing Company, an extraordinary little eatery with a talent for brewing excellent stout. I believe it to be almost as good as Guinness, blasphemy I know, but you go to Ann Arbor and tell me I’m wrong! A good eclectic crowd, friendly wait staff and a place which looks like it was transported straight from Berkeley, CA. Next we headed to the ‘local Irish bar’ which in fact is a very large and very loud college bar with Irish paraphernalia all over the walls. Good beer, good whiskey, pretty good crowd also but not what I would call a local pub. Tiphanie will have to find her own little Grad student local pub as she settles into college life there. Ann Arbor is, in my opinion, a lot like Berkeley and San Francisco. Nice restaurants and shops, good bars and a good vibe. I for one will be visiting often, such a great place and they have seasons other than the rainy months, the sunny months and the foggy months! I think our grad student will have quite a spectacular time here and have many stories to tell to her grandchildren. This is a new adventure and one which I believe will fulfill her life and enable her to become who she is destined to be, a great business woman with a powerful mind and sharp wit who can laugh at life all at the same time. Oh, Ann Arbor, get ready for the shoulder roll! Finally, we stayed at Detroit airport for our early flights in the morning, Tiphanie to southern California and me to Boston. I know what you are thinking: Oh an airport hotel, how drab and awful. Well, you are wrong!The Westin at Detroit Airport is amazing. We had inconceivably comfortable beds, a shower with two shower heads, and plush surroundings. Who knew!? Our best hotel this whole trip! As we conclude our little journey, I must say that traveling by car across America is rewarding and yet frustrating at times. So much to see and then so much barren land. The awesome beauty of nature, of course, made up for any boring areas. We have seen many sights which will not leave us anytime soon, we have visited friends who we miss dearly and we never once tried to strangle each other…well not really. HA, HA, HA! I hope you have all enjoyed the pics and have been inspired to plan your travel adventures. Life is short and you must go out and live it NOW. I will also post some pics from Boston so if you’re interested just check back in a couple of days!! Peace and love.

posted Aug 8, 2005 | Comments (0)

Surprising Little Haven in Indiana - Terre Haute, Indiana

 This place was Great visited Aug 4, 2005

We set out from Sioux City, IA in the morning. Took one photo of the most interesting area - the art museum - and headed out. The landscape seemed to be cornfields and farmland but not much else. Pretty though, lots of green. Our friend Katy lives in Terre Haute and attends the Indiana State University. Her apartment looks just like most flats you find in SF yet the rent is only 1/4 of what we pay. Nice. She also works at a Sushi joint there. Yes, I know...sushi in Indiana? I have to tell you though, this place could give the sushi joints in San Francisco a run for their money. It is an oasis. Sushi Umi with the chef/owner Qi-son. We visited and played with her adorable little kittens, met some friends and talked all night long! Stella and Stanley are the felines. Yes you know the play their names are from (A Streetcar Named Desire). Katy is our friend who, someday very soon, will be a famous playwright. The next afternoon we set off for our final destination together - Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tiphanie's new home for the next two years.

posted Aug 6, 2005 | Comments (0)

Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore - Rapid City, South Dakota

 This place was Amazing visited Aug 3, 2005

All I can say is WHOA! Devil’s Tower was SWEET! It's massive! Though it looked even larger in Close Encounters. I love that movie! So even though the rain was pouring down, we took some pictures. I recommend that if you go, get the permit to climb past the boulders at the base or even sign up for the climbing tour of the tower itself. We had no time to walk around the trails nor did we have the rain gear but I’m sure it is amazing! I would definitely visit this site again. We quickly headed to Mt. Rushmore and from a distance you spot the Presidents. It's very surreal. I've seen this site on TV and in textbooks for so long that once we arrived it felt a little Disney like. We didn’t spend too much time here, just enough to take a look around, eat some lunch, and hit the museum which detailed the creation and building of the monument. It was a pretty interesting tour and we were glad we stopped but it wasn’t a place we would have spent hours exploring. I think everyone should at least check it out if ever in that area but go to Devil’s Tower first!! The rest of the day was spent driving across 2 states and finally arriving in Sioux City, IA. Wall Drug in Wall, SD was a tacky and odd stop. You couldn't help but go there, every 15 feet down the highway would be a sign with Wall Drug on it. Signs which read: Wall Drug ROCKS - Wall Drug: Free coffee for honeymooners - Wall Drug: New TRex in the Backyard - Wall Drug: Leather goods - Wall Drug: Country Western Home Furnishings - Wall Drug: A Legend since 1931 - Wall Drug: Free coffee and donut for Vietnam Vets - Wall Drug: VegiBurger and on and on... Next we drove through a major thunderstorm and had to pull over 3 times as the road completely disappeared in front of our eyes. Finally, we headed back onto the road as night fell and the entertainment began. It was the grandest, non-stop lightening storm either of us had ever seen. Just miles and miles of lightening bolts as the sky lit up continually. It was a fireworks show gone wrong. Magnificent. Just another reminder of how nature can make even the most boringly flat and desolate areas beautiful. Sorry, no pics for that event. We could have pulled over and left the comfort of the vehicle but this travel log isn't so important that I'm willing to be a target. And we all know that I'm due for a smiting. He's just waiting for the opportunity. With that said...enjoy the pics. We are off to visit our friend Katy in Terre Haute, IN tomorrow. Indiana State Univ would be there and from what we hear...a sweet little Sushi spot.

posted Aug 5, 2005 | Comments (1)

Another Day in Cody then off to nowhere - Sundance, Wyoming

 This place was Poor visited Aug 2, 2005

We stayed in Cody until the afternoon. We spent the morning driving around the Shoshone National Forest where our friends Rose and Mike live. These two live in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever laid eyes on. Their front porch looks out onto a landscape you'd see in movies! Think Legends of the Fall or any number of Old West films really. It is unbelievably peaceful and vast and just gorgeous. We hung out with Riley, the loveable mutt, and the girls, LuLu and GG – the littlest goats! After lunch we headed out towards Devil’s Tower and Mt. Rushmore which we will venture into on Wednesday. For now, we are staying in Sundance, WY. Otherwise known as the epicenter of nowhere or BFE. We drove into town and out of town in 3 minutes then we turned around and went back to the other end of town to check into our hotel. The population sign must be wrong...or the locals all live in the mountain because there were hardly any people on the streets. Kind of unnerving, as you never know what they think of travelers or it could just be that I watch too many horror movies. Anyway, the most chic thing here is our Best Western hotel... and possibly the Subway Store down the street. That’s it. But the hotel is nice with big beds, a hot shower, a pool and internet access. What more do you really need? Off to Devil’s Tower in the morning – CLOSE ENCOUNTERS of the THIRD KIND!!!

posted Aug 4, 2005 | Comments (0)