Park the car and head for home. Bittersweet

I made it back to Roanoke, Virginia where I will park my car and head for home via the air. I already miss the road- seeing new places, rocking out to tunes, the breeze in my hair (and bugs typically), hours of nothing to do but enjoy my own company- seeing as though I really won't drive again like that in a long time, if ever. I've been able to spend a little more time with both my grandma and great aunt which has been very important to me. And attempting to pack everything that's been in my car for the last 73 days into one bag under 50 pounds and one carry-on is literally impossible. We'll see how much I leave behind.
Thank you to everyone who's let me sleep on your couch, in your guestroom, or in your bed- I've appreciated all of your help and support. I really wouldn't have had a trip without you. And if anyone ever takes a cross-country road trip, let me know cause I know of some awesome places, and I'd love to tag along for a bit as well.
NOW- off to Africa

oh, I think it's baseball-thirty!

So, leaving Jersey with the top down (I have to!) I made the few hour drive to Baltimore, got some more sun, and ended up setting off the alarm to the house I was staying at. Unlocked the door and remembered I didn't have the code. To top it off I don't get cell phone service in Baltimore (just my luck) so I couldn't make the call to Jim or Ruth to get the code. Instead I ran up and down the street, eventually jumping in front of a biker and demanding his phone, while we stood listening to the sirens, waiting for the cops to show up. They didn't thankfully. Then it was baseball time! Jim and I walked over, got t-shirts (it was t-shirt Tuesday!), beer, bar-b-q, and hotdogs, and watched a pretty good game against the Rays. Totally awesome day! Even if there were a few rocky moments.

Workin my way back home

From Boston I went north to Maine- nothing in particular to see but another state and to get a lobster roll, which was fantastic. I came back through New Hampshire, then Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey- I new record! Six states in one day. So, once I got back to New Jersey with Bill and Bev we had dinner with Carrie and caught up on everything from New York and Boston. Plus I got a killer suntan from driving for eight hours with the top down- just what I need before going back to Alaska.
This morning I went to Margot's (Carrie's daughter) first grade class as show-and-tell. We talked a little about Alaska, my 70 days on the road across the states, and my up-coming trip to Africa (when I put it all together like that, it does sound somewhat impressive). I think they liked it- plus it was a break from normal school, always a plus. Now I'm headed to Baltimore for an O's game. And more sunshine!!!

Another LONG weekend!

Thursday night in Jersey was awesome- I had dinner with Bill and Bev and a few of their friends visiting. We took the boat out and had drinks on the water- it was beautiful! The weather cleared up perfectly and we watched the sun go down on the boat. I can't believe I didn't have my camera! Friday I came up to Boston. I stopped in Newport, Rhode Island, mostly cause I wanted to stop in another state, and had some amazing clam chowder. Once in Boston, I met up with Mary Nell, a friend of Christy's. We started off running and we've had such a blast. Friday we went to a few different bars in Boston, meeting up with friends and seeing the city. Saturday we went to the best sandwich shop ever, Dave's pasta, and lounged in the sun listening to music. We hung out with her friend Alissa At night we stayed in Cambridge and went to a few other bars. Today, Sunday, Mary Nell gave me a guided driving tour of Boston- very informative. Castle Island was where we had our picnic lunch and watched planes land across the water (poetic right?). This evening has been relatively calm, with a sushi dinner and a movie. Tomorrow I'm back to Jersey- I'm definitely going to miss Boston but I know I'll be back.

New York City!

What a couple of days in NYC!!! Let me just say now I want to move there at some point. So, when I first got in I met up with Katy, a friend from college, and she took me to her apartment in Brooklyn. We went out for dinner and a beer, and ended up meeting the brewer of this amazing IPA. He bought us a few rounds, and when we went home to take a nap, ended up sleeping 3 hours without moving. Katy still had her galoshes on. So, back to bed. In the morning, Tuesday, we went into the city and just walked around and went sightseeing. It was raining, so we tried to stay inside as much as we could. We went to the Met museum or art, which as amazing, and through central park. Katy went off the work and I met up with Jordan, a friend I haven't seen in about 7 years! We had drinks and dinner in Union square and tried to catch up. Then it was to a bar uptown that had 90's hip hop music. I met Taji, another friend from college, and Katy. All of us had such a great time!
Wednesday took me a bit to get going (thanks to an open bar the night before). But it wasn't raining. I went to see Wicked- it was phenomenal!!! The story, the voices, the extravagance- it was perfect. From there I went back to Time Square and people watched. Then to a comedy club- the one where Jerry Seinfeld did his clips at the beginning of each show. Hilarious! I needed a good laugh at that point too. When I got out it was down-pouring but the walk home was enjoyable anyway.
This morning Katy and I got breakfast and coffee at a cute place by her apartment and I found my way back to Time Square to people watch and catch the train back to New Jersey. What a couple of days! I can see how people fall in love with New York- with so much to do, I could have easily stayed another few weeks and not gotten bored. Now I just have a strong desire to go back the next chance I get.

Family visit

Yesterday, Sunday, I drove from Baltimore to Newark, Delaware, in the pouring rain of course, and went to the Deer Park, a bar my dad and his friends went to all through their time in college. It's quite a nice place now, although they all said it used to be quite a dive bar. From there I came up to the Jersey shore, where much of my extended family lives. It was such a fabulous night with everyone! I was able to catch up with Carrie, Ainsley and Stuart (my dad's cousins), Bill and Bev (my dad's aunt and uncle) Rick, and all five of the kids that came along. I can't believe it's been eight years since I've been here- it really feels like last week. I missed out on seeing a few of the family, so when I get back from New York we decided to get together again. But for now, I'm parking my car and taking the train into the city for a few days. Should be exciting!!

Baltimore

Friday night in Baltimore- definitely started out my visit here right. I met up with Ruth and Jim, two of my dad's friends from college, and right off the bat we went to a market and got fresh crab and beer for appetizers. They were small crabs, the kind you take a hammer to to open. Delicious. Then it was to dinner and to their favorite bar, Porters, down the street. When we got back I went up to the porch on the roof- gorgeous view. So many of the apartments and town houses here in Baltimore have these roof tops- from here I can see the harbor and all of downtown. It has such a great feel- big city yet calm and historic. I'm really thinking this has become one of my favorite towns.

This morning we woke up, took a small tour around the townhouse we're staying in, and then to see the kinetic sculture race. The contraptions were awesome!! Mostly bikes that could ture into boat to float across the harbor. I think we walked about 10 miles around the harbor on the water, which was a beautiful walk, but we ended up missing the launching of the boats- they'd all continued on to the next obsticle of the day. So, we went to Austin Grill for some cinco de mayo celebration with a band. Then it was to Max's on Broadway to drink a beer and watch the Orioles game. Then it was DuClaw Brewing Co. for good local beer. The walk home didn't seem quite as long, and to our suprise we ran into the last few contraptions from the race- the tail end of the bunch. But it was fun to see them cross the finish line. Now it's nap time. Tonight will be another adventure, no question, and being with the two I'm with I know I'll need my energy to keep up.