I left Florida yesterday morning. My mother was a wreck. Probably still is. She made the point that the two and a half weeks I was down there were the longest we spent together since I moved out of their house 30 years ago. I told her I was considering moving to the west coast sooner rather than later and she’s convinced she’ll never see me again. Moms.
Easy day yesterday. Orlando to Fayetteville, NC. Grueling day today. Fayetteville, NC to Stamford, CT, with a stop for a pilgrimage to Asbury Park, NJ. I drove past the Stone Pony and checked out the boardwalk and generally checked out the streets that The Boss ran on.
I was going to find a place near there to stay for the night but it was early in the afternoon so I got back on the road and was pretty much stuck on it until I got here. I could only find this one dog-friendly motel near where I was and it is a shah-hit hole!! The front desk clerk - in between yelling at other customers on the phone - gave me a room for, “how about $120?” he said. Uh, … sure, whatever, I’m tired.
“Your dog is not loud!”
“No. He doesn’t bark.”
“I can’t have your dog bothering the other customers.”
“Yeah, that seems to be your job.”
I didn’t really say that last bit.
Bob pooped on the grass outside the office and I didn’t pick it up. So there.
Wow, both styles look good. You’re clearly one of those lucky people who look good in both long and short hair. And I can see Bob agrees with me. Of course, Bob would greet you just as enthusiastically if you’d dyed your hair green and got a drunk to cut it with a hacksaw, as Bob is too deep to judge someone on superficials.
So where are you headed after Connecticut, or do you know yet?
I’m on my way back up to Maine where I need to tie up some loose ends, not the least of which is registering the new car; I’ve got temp plates on it right now and my technical residence is my sister’s house. Then I need to officially quit the band - it’s been in the works … I’ve got my parts recorded for the new CD and and old buddy of ours is set to sit in/take over for me.
After that I’m heading to Niagara Falls to visit some family. I’m not sure how long I’ll stick around there but afterward I’m heading west. I have a cousin in Oregon I’d like to visit. On the way, there’s a couple of sights I’d like to see - Devil’s Tower, Grand Canyon, Moab, Arches, things like that, whatever is easy to whiz by without too much planning.
After that … I’m seriously thinking about completely relocating to southern California. It’s really where I’ve always wanted to live. I just got the car I’ve always wanted so it could be a theme,
I went American Traditional. I love that style. I’ve been watching a lot of Ink Master on Pluto TV and that style is what always draws my eye. I already have plans to get American Traditional swallows on my chest and something on my right arm to go with my red star. I’m thinking something sun and/or compass related. I’m still thinking about what I want on my right shoulder (previous thought was a parrot, but now I’m not sure … maybe I want more traditional American Traditional, like a horseshoe or a pinup. And there’s always the tiger and panther heads I was thinking of getting too.
Damn this one hurt though; there was one section in the leaves that felt like he was cutting right through my arm. I think it came out pretty good though. My tattoo guy was straight-up old school. Learned in Rhode Island outside the navy yard. He was a cool guy,
I’ve got all my loose ends tied up in Maine (except for some things in storage, but I’m not fretting about that stuff). I left Maine at about 11:00 this morning and at this point I don’t know if I’ll ever step foot in that state again. Maybe this Christmas if it all pans out.
I am in Lake George, NY. It was a relatively short five and a half hour drive from my sister’s house. I was torn over whether or not I was going to drive straight through to Niagara Falls or if I should do this stop off. Obviously, I chose the stop-off. If I had managed to leave a little earlier this morning, I might have gone for the straight shot. I also had fond memories of a visit to Lake George as a child, but as I drove through town and then got out and took a little walk with Bob, I realized that I’m pretty sure now that it was Ticonderoga that we visited when I was a child. Oh well.
I’ll get up early in the morning and probably be in Niagara by noon or so, unless Kimstu still wants a visit - though I have no idea where in the Hudson Valley they are – or I am, for that matter.
He’s a seasoned pro. He is no problem in the car, no problem in hotels, no problem with being a guest at my parent’s or my sister’s house. He’s got his shit wired tight. I think he’s a little mopey tonight because he’s been getting a ton of exercise lately and today was mostly in the car. I think he misses Willow and Martin, my sister’s dogs, too. Tomorrow he gets to meet Murray, my uncle’s dog.
Hey, I’d love to meet Bob! I’m in Schenectady but gotta be at work all day tomorrow, and it sounds like it would be kind of out of your way to head south before continuing out to Niagara.
I am in Niagara, staying with my uncle. He works crazy hours, five days a week, 12+ hours a day, so I’m going to be left to my own devices. My aunt, who loves the slots, has already promised to escort me to the casino anytime I want. I’d like to take her up on it, but at the same time, if I go, I’ll go to play poker not slots.
We had awesome wings and pizza (20 & 1/2 tray) last night and stayed out late. Then we face-called my cousin out in Oregon who I haven’t seen or talked to in forever. I told him I was heading out his way sooner or later and he all but begged me to come work where he works (coaching soccer). Ok, he didn’t beg, but he guaranteed it to me if I want it. The other cool thing is he and his girlfriend are taking a trip to the Grand Canyon at the end of this month so if it all pans out, I’ll be able to hook up with them there on my way to the coast.
I’m having a blast, but honestly, there’s no way I could ever settle in Niagara. Too many weird memories and too much family weirdness in the present.
Here’s Bob at the falls today - I got bored and took a walk around though the weather wasn’t great. It’s supposed to be gorgeous next week and my uncle, 68 years old who’s lived here his whole life but has never been on the Maid of the Mist, are going to play all-out tourists.
You must have been about an hour north of me on 90. Hi from the finger lakes region. You had wings, next get the beef on weck, but from your posts, you’ve spent time there, so probably know already. Have fun on the boat! And skritches to Bob.
I’m going to start a petition to rename Lake George Lake Bob. Bob has the better personality, and besides, George II has other places named after him. And after all, what do you want to do in a lake but bob…with Bob?
I don’t think you could ask for a better travel companion. Thanks for the update and the photos.
Random travel update, if anyone is paying attention:
Still in Niagara for a few days. The plan is to go play tourist with my uncle on Tuesday (Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Shit of the Like That), but tomorrow I shall be traveling to Cleveland to take in a Guradian’s game. I hemmed and hawed about whether or not I want to drive two and half hours to and from to watch a baseball game between two teams I have no real loyalties to, but I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot in my heart for Cleveland teams - and chances are if I ever do want to check out Cleveland’s stadium, it’s now or never.
(full disclosure - I don’t really follow much sports at all these days - I don’t even know either team’s records or really any players who play for them … but I do know the science and art of baseball, so fuck it.)
I snagged a front row seat in Section I Cant Remember - it’s the last section behind the visitor’s dugout up the first base line. If there are any Cleveland Dopers who’d like to join me there are two empty seats next to mine, so far. It’s supposed to be a fine day for baseball.
