Los Angeles (Day 9): Home again!!!

So finally after nine days of driving, walking, busing, and exploring, I've made it back to my home in Los Angeles. Like always, it's nice to be home after a vacation. Anyway, I thought I would compile a reflective list of the places I went and the things I saw!

• Portland Oregon:
• Memorable experience: Rocco's Pizza in the wonderfully eclectic neighborhood of where downtown transitions into residential
• Like LA: Laid-back residents who can be extremely approachable and friendly!
• Unlike LA: You can actually see the hills surrounding the city
• Future visits?: I could see spending a solid week up here.
  
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Memorable experience: Biking Stanley Park!!!
  
• Like LA: Bustling and crazy night-life scene that attracts a young crowd.
  
• Unlike LA: You can actually walk to places you'd like to go to.
  
• Future visits?: It'd be a great place to spend a summer doing an internship in (not that I could see myself doing an internship ever... :) )
• Seattle, Washington
• Memorable experience: Volunteer Park / Capitol Hill
  
• Like LA: It's easy to get lost in the tourist traps that lurk in major areas through this city.
  
• Unlike LA: Downtown actually meets the Puget sound, creating a beautiful city center right on the waterfront.
  
• Future visits?: Again, maybe a week sometime.
• San Francisco, California
• Memorable experience: Haight-Ashbury / Golden Gate Park
  
• Like LA: Another California city with a "California" reputation, a laid-back artistic community and a large business and professional population.
  
• Unlike LA: I can walk around in the summer without getting sweaty.
  
• Future visits?: This would be a cool place to maybe work in a hostel during some future summer. Just a random thought

Anyway, thanks for reading all these postings of my road trip. I'll continue to post for the rest of my summer (which comes to a screeching halt this Monday), and then decide whether I want to (or have time for) a personal blog and a professional blog. We'll see!

San Francisco (Day 8): The epitome of laziness

One of the biggest challenges of major league baseball executives has to be how to keep 30,000 fans (minus the 5,000 who have gone to the concession stand to buy beer) happy during the long breaks between innings in baseball games. One typical diversion is to stage a pseudo-race between cars, trucks, or even sausages. The fans will arbitrarily choose a racer of their choice and frantically cheer it on to victory (or helpless defeat). Anyway, this evening at the Oakland Coliseum, I had the opportunity to cheer on my choice of white, orange, or blue dots as they races around a race track. I know it's difficult to program computer animation for a stadium jumbo-tron, but dots??? C'mon! You could have at least tried! Not only this, but I was definitely watching baseball being played in what is truly a football stadium. My students would call this discrepancy "bootleg" (using less adolescent jargon, this term could be translated "makeshift", "substitute", etc...). Anyway, I had a great experience, even though the A's couldn't pull off a victory. And with that, my road trip is nearing completion and I leave for Los Angeles tomorrow morning! For as much fun as I've had this past week, I'm looking forward to being home and even looking forward a little to beginning planning for my kids this coming year!

Also, enjoy my final pictures from San Francisco here!

San Francisco (Day 8): Goin' back to California

So I finally made it to the last stop on my road trip vacation, the great city of San Francisco. The drive here was long, extremely tiresome, but not without it's rewards. I saw a minivan from Washington with a New York Mets license plate frame, a UHAUL van with a giant advertisement for Oneonta, NY (my hometown), the Newsboys' truck full of their gear (they were one of my favorite bands when I was a teenager), and an amazing sunset over Northern California.
Today so far has been fairly exhausting as well, not helped by the fact that I had to get up at 6am to move my car to avoid getting a parking ticket. After finding a great secret parking spot (invaluable information provided by a very helpful hostel staff), I took a bus down to the Haight-Ashbury district, then headed over to Golden-Gate Park, followed by another bus ride over to Coit Tower for an amazing view (of everything except the fog-covered Golden Gate Bridge, of course). This evening I think I'm going to head over to Oakland to check out the Oakland Coliseum and the A's. Detroit is in town and I don't really care who wins, but it'll be cool to check out the stadium.
By the way, as the hostel staff told me briefly about S.F., they mentioned the population was 750,000, a number that seemed all too familiar to me, although I couldn't quite place it. Well, during one of my bus rides today, as my mind wandered to thoughts of next week, it finally hit me. The number of students in the Los Angeles school district is equal to the population of San Francisco!!! Yikes... That should put a perspective on how monstrous LAUSD has become!

Seattle (Day 6): Goodnight Seattle

So one of the most amazing places to watch a sunset in Seattle is secluded Volunteer Park, which in addition to being home of the Seattle Asian Art Museum, has a picturesque reservoir (if that is even possible). Either way, the view was fantastic, and afterwards, I found myself headed down to the Capital Hill area (which is a college-age type neighborhood servicing Seattle University). Anyway, I'm off to bed before another long drive tomorrow, the final city, San Francisco.

Also, pictures of Seattle are now available here. Enjoy!

Seattle (Day 6): It's all about your attitude...

New York has its delis, Chicago has its pizza, Los Angeles has great Mexican food, and Seattle has, well, its coffee. I suppose it is alright to be elitist about something you do very well. And I guess it's just about the only city where you can walk into a Starbucks and still feel the pride of buying local. Having thus successfully avoided the chain so far, I grabbed an iced coffee from a local cafe after a full day of walking. After sleeping in until about 8:30, I headed downtown, whereupon I stumbled into a Steinway shop. For those of you know what item Steinway sells, you can understand why I was such a sucker and walked in. Anyway, the salesman was extremely friendly and offered me the opportunity to try out their finest model, whose selling price was....get this....$107,000!!!! Wow. It was probably the most expensive item I've ever touched! Later in the morning I boarded the Elliot Bay Ferry to Bainbridge Island, a small island across the bay from Seattle. The island was not terribly interesting, but the boat ride provided spectacular views of the city!!! Following that, I walked through Pioneer Square, Pike's Market, and Belltown. Right now, I'm pretty tired so I'm relaxing a bit before heading up to Volunteer Park for sunset tonight!

Seattle (Day 5): Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

So who else remembers growing up with the computer game (and television show) Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, a game in which you would use clues to determine the geographic location of a major theft (the object of which typically involved something literally "un-stealable", like a building, a lake, or a park). Anyway, it sure looks like one of Carmen's henchmen has stolen and transported Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall, and plopped it down right next to the Seattle Space Needle, only to have it melt a little in the summer sun. Well, it turns out that this awfully familiar looking architecture, the Experience Music Project, was in fact designed by the same architect (hmm....since I'm feeling kind of saucy, let's do this...for a free coffee, my treat, be the first to post a reply naming the architect). Anyway, EMP was fairly disappointing, albeit another tourist trap of sorts that only succeeded in it's exhibits of Northwest music, the history of electric guitars, and a memorial to Jimi Hendrix. Honestly, it wasn't all that impressive, and I couldn't possibly envision going to it more than once (unlike a certain museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. where I could fantasize about attending every year and enjoy it fully each time!!!).

Road Trip Photos

Having basically finished my stays in Portland and Vancouver, I've now uploaded my photos to the web! You can view them as slide-shows, print them, or even download them to your hard drive. Just please don't sell them on eBay (unless you offer me at least 45% commission).

Portland Photos (click here)

Vancouver Photos (click here)

Vancouver, BC (Day 4): A Step Back in Time

Gastown. 6:32pm. Why are people staring? Does something miraculous occur at 6:32pm? Well, no not really, but what we are all staring at is a fully-functional steam clock. What in the world is a steam clock, you may ask? Well, it's basically a steam-locomotive that tells time and doesn't go anywhere. This fact apparently doesn't deter hordes of people who gather around this modern (as in "modernity", i.e. anything post-Enlightenment) engineering marvel gawking at water and pistons and iron. Was I impressed? Well, let's just say I can picture native Vancouverites gathering on their rooftops, spying down on Gastown, with pipe in one hand and glass of gin in the other, laughing at how silly American tourists can be :). "Look Martha, we got one again...."

Vancouver, BC (Day 4): Stanley Park....WOW!!!

Bright and early (at 7:30am), I got up excited to explore Vancouver. In preparation for this trip, I determined that the best vehicle from which to see the city would be a bicycle. Luckily, the local merchants know this too, and as a result, there are several places to rent bicycles right in the middle of downtown. For $19.04 in USD, I was able to rent a squeaky, but sturdy mountain bike for the day. Anyway, I quickly rode over to Stanley Park, and proceeded around the peninsula in a counter-clockwise direction (i.e. in the positive direction for you math nerds out there...). The park was absolutely beautiful!!! Beaches, bridges, bike paths, and bark (on lots and lots of trees)...it really felt like stepping into a completely different world. After finishing the park, I biked down to Jericho Beach, and sat and took a wonderful short little nap right in the park. After the nap, I headed east to Granville Street and then over the Granville St. Bridge, and then back to the bike shop. I'll definitely put some of these photos up soon for you to see! Anyway, I'm about to head out for the evening and see what's going on around here shortly. Catch you all later!!!

Vancouver, BC (Day 3): A little bit of humor

So needless to say, the hostel that I'm staying at in Vancouver, nestled in the heart of Granville St., is slightly more irreverent than it's American counterpart. This evening, after exchanging some American cash for it's melodiously colorful (or should I say colourful) equivalent, I headed north to the Coal Harbor, where I was able to watch some seaplanes both take off and land right on the edge of downtown. I've got to say, the view is spectacular, and this mesh of nature and urbanity is seamless! Don't worry, I'll post my photos later on for all to see. Anyway, I'm pretty tired after driving all day and walking all evening so I'm hitting the hay. Sounds good, eh???

Vancouver, BC (Day 3): Crossing the Border

So today, I did something for the third time ever in my life -- crossing the border into Canada by car. After waiting in line for approximately 45 minutes, I drove up to the customs agent who inspected my passport, and tried to make himself feel intimidating by asking me pointed questions, like why in the world I would drive all the way to Vancouver based only on the notion that I heard it was great from a few friends of mine. "An awfully long way to drive based on a hunch" is how he phrased it exactly. Anyway, he finally gave up when he asked what I did for a living and when I responded he realized that yes, I do have all this free time to prance up and down the coast. Oh well....I guess that's just his job :)

Portland (Day 2): A Bookstore for my college buddies!

I may have forgotten to mention this, but Portland is home to what is the most amazing bookstore I've ever been to in my life! Powell's Books has something like 800,000 texts which range greatly in both subject and depth! Browsing through the 9 rooms filled with shelfs, I was quickly reminded how much some of my college buddies would love this bookstore. First of all, Chris, have you ever seen entire sections in a non-university bookstore devoted to such specific topics as those above??? Wow! Second of all, Kent, I can imagine that you'd have such an amazing time exploring the "Purple Room" which is an entire room dedicated to history (click to zoom in and see the detail)!!!

Portland (Day 2): Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

For my final hurrah here in the City of Roses, another traveler named Sean (sp?)and I headed up to The Green Room, a local establishment that hosts up and coming local artists. Tuesdays are specifically dedicated to the acoustic singer/songwriters of the Portland area, and we were treated to some music that ranged from utterly predictable and unsurprising to the aesthetically magnificent and sublime. While I strongly doubt that any of you who don't live in the Pacific Northwest will ever hear these same artists which we heard tonight, it was a rather enjoyable evening.
It's hard to believe that my time in Portland has come to a close already, but that is the unfortunate reality...Anyway, tomorrow I will find myself in another country!!!

Portland (Day 2): The world's most expensive roses...

So this morning after coffee to head up to Washington Park and check out an amazing Rose Garden and Japanese Garden. I've got to say that the experience was extremely peaceful and serene, although I can't imagine bringing children there...(I know my attention span would have lasted roughly 5 minutes when I was 7 years old). Anyway, I've gone ahead and uploaded some of the pictures from the first half of today, and you can view them here!

West Coast Road Trip: Day 2 (Portland)

Is this what I think it is????? Ye, that's right. It's a solar-powered parking meter. I stumbled across this while walking the streets this morning. What's great is that you don't even need change. The meter accepts bills, as well as credit cards! Hmmmm....so this means that we won't be seeing them in L.A. for another 5 or 10 years. :)

West Coast Road Trip: Day 2 (Portland)

So one of the great things about Portland is that there are places that are extremely close that present magnificent views of the city. This photo was taken from the SW Vista bridge which overlooks the city facing east. While the view of Los Angeles from Griffith park presents the viewer with the notion that Los Angeles has essentially killed all surrounding nature, Portland stands in stark contrast and presents a great mix of the natural with the urban.

West Coast Road Trip: Day 2 (Portland)

You know it's a good thing when the coffee shop you stumble into is playing The Kinks rather than some generic garbage that one might hear at, say, Starbucks. The hostel that I'm staying in is right across the street from a wonderful little coffee shop called World Cup Coffee and Tea (no, it's not a soccer-themed sports cafe). Even better, just a block away is a quiet little park where I did some early morning reading. Couch Park is a fantastic place to simply relax, as I noticed many Portland dogs and their owners were doing. I'm already amazed at the pace of this city. Even though the neighborhood I'm staying in is about 5 times more dense than the Los Angeles neighborhood I live in, it seems about 10 times more laid back. The frenetic bustle of traffic and helicopters in Los Angeles is neatly replaced by the quiet rustle of the thousands of trees that reside here.
I've already met at least three folks staying at the hostel who are planning on moving to Portland. One of these guys actually lived in Los Angeles for several years so he and I traded some stories about what we liked and disliked about certain neighborhoods in L.A.
Anyway, I'm headed out now to a rose garden which overlooks the city, then to the waterfront park along the Wilmette River. Mas adelante...

West Coast Road Trip: Day 1 (Driving to Portland)

Total accumulated miles: 955
Today I got off to a great start to my West Coast Road Trip. I was able to wake at 5am and hit the road. I was able to make it through Sacramento by 11am, into Oregon by 3pm, and arriving in Portland around 8pm! (Only 15 hours...) Anyway, nothing interesting on the drive to note except for a stretch of Southern California highway on which I passed approximately 15 tomato trucks apparently making a huge delivery!
Anyway, 955 miles of highway makes it important to have good audio to listen to, and I used the opportunity to catch up on some of the podcasts I subscribe to: NPR's Car Talk, The Bored-Again Christian, and Mosaic.
Anyway, I've now safely arrived in Portland and am staying tonight and tomorrow at a Portland Hostel. So far, it's been cool checking out the neighborhood, meeting other travelers from places like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Belgium! Anyway, tomorrow's schedule is pretty full, but

WCRT: T - 18 hours!!!

My bags are packed. My car has been serviced. I'm ready to go! Tomorrow at "o-dark-thirty", I head out in my amazing Honda Civic into the vastness that is the Pacific Northwest. The major stops include Portland, Vancouver (Canada), Seattle, and San Francisco. I anticipate the entire trip to take approximately 9 days, filled with exploring, relaxing and taking in the amazing beauty that lies in stark contrast to the urban jungle in which I currently live! Luckily, the longest drive is the early in the trip (the first day), which will be the fifteen hour trek from Los Angeles to Portland, OR. However, having google-mapped (which is a surpirsing new verb to enter the English language) the route, it is no longer than the drive from Central NY to Central Iowa, a journey that our family undertook on more than one occasion growing up! Anyway, there will be lots more posts in the upcoming week letting you all know what I'm up to there in the NW!

West Coast Road Trip (WCRT): T - 4 days

I'm very excited! In less than 4 days, I start my West Coast Road Trip which will take me into and through the cities of Portland, Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco! I'm looking forward to this trip as it will close out what will be the last two weeks of my summer before heading back to school in August!
Just like any trip, the necessary preparations are being make, making sure my car is in good working order, as well as making sure my teeth are in good working order as well! [I'm amazed at how painless today's dental procedures can be when compared with those less-than-exciting memories from my childhood!]