Started driving up to the UP around 8 and arrived in Mackinac City around 2 PM; we made a detour along the way, truly a highlight of the trip, through Cheboygan, MI. What a colorful, interesting, exciting town! Everything had character – the mailboxes, people, Christmas trees, marina…
We had a few moments to spare before the ferry left for Mackinac Island so we found the closest beach, which was Lake Huron, and skipped rocks (or threw them) for a half hour. Did you know that the black matter that washes up in mass on the beach is tree bark?
Took the ferry across and explored the island a bit; there are no cars or motor vehicles allowed, only bikes and horses for transportation, so it makes the island particularly old-timey and especially quiet. LONG lunch at Yankee Rebel Tavern and then walked up and down the boardwalk and beach, took pictures, and bought the famous Mackinac fudge. Also, for anyone who has seen it, the tree in “Somewhere in Time” where the two find each other – who knew Michigan could be so savvy? Camped for the night at St. Ignace.
7.05.2009
Detroit, MI
Corbin, Kentucky: Colonel Sanders birthplace. There was a museum and restaurant at the original location, but I guess 9:30 am is too early for fried chicken?
Jean's Restaurant for breakfast in Mt. Vernon, along with other travelers, and the rest of Kentucky throughout the morning.
We got to Cincinnati around one and were verbally abused (emotionally scarred) by the service attendant in IGA Grocery Store - however, I'd never been in the basement of a grocery store to use a bathroom, one more off the bucket list! We were definitely not in Kentucky anymore. A lovely afternoon catching up with Liz! Lunch at Sitwell Cafe and naturally a discussion on the apocalypse and meaning of life. :)
A stop at "touchdown jesus", as recommended by the Ohio rockbrookers', definitely worth the time, and the rest of the drive - as predicted- was incredibly uneventful and rainy, but not boring; I have a more positive outlook on turning twenty and a better awareness of my traveling partner - far from boring.
We got to Detroit around 11, and went to Dan's mom's house for the night - I was an outsider on the reunion, but could still feel the love. This morning I met up with Grandma Betty - pecan pancakes at the whistle stop, profound access to a washer and dryer, and of course a trip to costco and borders! Then I got to spend the evening with Betty and the Feinbergs, hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner really made it feel like summer in Michigan (even though it was cold). What a relief, to have a homebase-family-connection on a trip like this. Great visit. Also acquired a camping guide to the western US, a necessary resource for the next few days (thanks Uncle Henry!), and have adamantly decided to stop at all welcome centers - you learn something new everyday!
Jean's Restaurant for breakfast in Mt. Vernon, along with other travelers, and the rest of Kentucky throughout the morning.
We got to Cincinnati around one and were verbally abused (emotionally scarred) by the service attendant in IGA Grocery Store - however, I'd never been in the basement of a grocery store to use a bathroom, one more off the bucket list! We were definitely not in Kentucky anymore. A lovely afternoon catching up with Liz! Lunch at Sitwell Cafe and naturally a discussion on the apocalypse and meaning of life. :)
A stop at "touchdown jesus", as recommended by the Ohio rockbrookers', definitely worth the time, and the rest of the drive - as predicted- was incredibly uneventful and rainy, but not boring; I have a more positive outlook on turning twenty and a better awareness of my traveling partner - far from boring.
We got to Detroit around 11, and went to Dan's mom's house for the night - I was an outsider on the reunion, but could still feel the love. This morning I met up with Grandma Betty - pecan pancakes at the whistle stop, profound access to a washer and dryer, and of course a trip to costco and borders! Then I got to spend the evening with Betty and the Feinbergs, hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner really made it feel like summer in Michigan (even though it was cold). What a relief, to have a homebase-family-connection on a trip like this. Great visit. Also acquired a camping guide to the western US, a necessary resource for the next few days (thanks Uncle Henry!), and have adamantly decided to stop at all welcome centers - you learn something new everyday!
Jellico, TN [Day 3]
One more stop in Brevard for medicines and then lunch at Looking Glass Falls - then a drive through Pisgah Forest, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Smokies - almost missing our first stateline in the Smokies, if we hadn't stopped for one more overlook at Newfound Gap; I felt like I was on top of the world.
As we came down 441 through Gatlinburg, we came across Pigeon Forge - the home of Dollywood and a million other creepy tourist attractions crowded into a mile stretch of road. Dan called it a "Las Vegas for 12-year-olds"; so much commercialism and so many tourist traps that it was spooky.
A stop in Knoxville for dinner and a reacquaintance with the downtown area; we asked the waitress what the must-see place in Knoxville was before we left, and she responded, "well, it's very anticlimactic - we're in the bible belt, you know..." and then she suggested the old city. I tried not to take it personally.
The epitome of our last day and night in the south: Jellico Motel.
$41.71 for a friendly canine welcome, an absence of noisy neighbors [or any neighbors at all], an escape from magnetic keys, and a fortune in the morning [stuck to the inside of my comforter when I woke up] : "a handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains."
Talk about some wisdom for the road...
As we came down 441 through Gatlinburg, we came across Pigeon Forge - the home of Dollywood and a million other creepy tourist attractions crowded into a mile stretch of road. Dan called it a "Las Vegas for 12-year-olds"; so much commercialism and so many tourist traps that it was spooky.
A stop in Knoxville for dinner and a reacquaintance with the downtown area; we asked the waitress what the must-see place in Knoxville was before we left, and she responded, "well, it's very anticlimactic - we're in the bible belt, you know..." and then she suggested the old city. I tried not to take it personally.
The epitome of our last day and night in the south: Jellico Motel.
$41.71 for a friendly canine welcome, an absence of noisy neighbors [or any neighbors at all], an escape from magnetic keys, and a fortune in the morning [stuck to the inside of my comforter when I woke up] : "a handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains."
Talk about some wisdom for the road...
6.29.2009
Hickory, NC
A stop in Greensboro for dinner at Nattye's Pub and Grill, more traveling on I-40, and then the search for Bunker Hill Covered Bridge before the sunset - unfortunately, we ran out of sun, signs, and patience, maybe next time? Regardless - Greensboro reminded me of no other town before, which is hard to come across.
Hickory, NC for the night and then Brevard again in the morning...I seem to have sung this song before...
Bob Dylan - Rolling Stone
Raleigh, NC
Dear Friends and Family -
I have spent the past 4 weeks in Brevard, North Carolina working as a camp counselor, the past 3 days in Raleigh, and the past hour trying to figure out an appropriate name for this blog - I considered a Kerouac reference, but that would be setting a high standard for myself. I have told many people about my plan for the summer, and figure this is a good way to keep in touch and keep everyone updated on my travels. Instead of sharing my plan, now or at any point, I hope to simply share what happens - and if the entire trip is a bore, at least document the places I have visited.
So, to begin:
I am sitting in the New World Music Cafe in Raleigh, waiting for Dan's plane to get in at 4:30 and for the long drive to start. I left camp on Friday and drove to Raleigh to spend some time with a friend from school, Matt - the Natural History Museum, the Capitol, Raleigh Downtown Live with the Tubes (not impressed), and extremely sweet tea.
I'm not sure where I'll be sleeping tonight - but stay posted!
I have spent the past 4 weeks in Brevard, North Carolina working as a camp counselor, the past 3 days in Raleigh, and the past hour trying to figure out an appropriate name for this blog - I considered a Kerouac reference, but that would be setting a high standard for myself. I have told many people about my plan for the summer, and figure this is a good way to keep in touch and keep everyone updated on my travels. Instead of sharing my plan, now or at any point, I hope to simply share what happens - and if the entire trip is a bore, at least document the places I have visited.
So, to begin:
I am sitting in the New World Music Cafe in Raleigh, waiting for Dan's plane to get in at 4:30 and for the long drive to start. I left camp on Friday and drove to Raleigh to spend some time with a friend from school, Matt - the Natural History Museum, the Capitol, Raleigh Downtown Live with the Tubes (not impressed), and extremely sweet tea.
I'm not sure where I'll be sleeping tonight - but stay posted!
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